Eravikulam National Park

Location :17 Kms From Munnar, Kerala
Coverage area : 97 sq. Kms
Main attraction : Nilgiri Tahr, Atlas Moth
Best time to visit :September to November and April to June
Nearby excursions : Anamudi (2,695 m)
Nearby cities :Munnar, Marayoor is 42 km from Munnar

If you are looking for a holiday full of wilderness, natural beauty and adventure, plan a trip to Eravikulam National Park. Located in Munnar in Idukki district of Kerala, this National Park covers an area of 97 sq. km in Western Ghats. Placid lakes, lush greenery, and sprawling grasslands is what defines Munnar. The same features are ubiquitous the RajamalaiEravikulam National Park and its premises that is spread over an extensive area of 97 sq.km.

Eravikulam including Rajamalai was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1975 and slowly it followed in 1978 to name it as a National park. The main purpose of declaring it so was facilitating the protection of NilgiriTahrs which are only found in this region.

There are three distinctive parts of the park - the tourism area, the buffer area, and the

core area. As understood, the two tiers except the tourism area are not for visitors. Nevertheless, even in this part of the area you can tread through the grasslands and enjoy the thrill of deep forest.The motorable roads inside the park include the one that passes through the southern extremity which encompasses the tourism and awareness zone and stretches to the LakkomMuthuvakudy in the southern boundary.

The Anamudi Peak, the highest peak in south India with a height of 2695m is located inside the Eravikulam National Park. Although the entry is restricted, visitors can enjoy the view from a distance at Rajamala.

Whether or not you are an adventure junkie, Rajamalai is a suitable vacationing option. You can leisurely stroll all through the region and enjoy a simple trekking with your folks.

Climatic conditions

The climate of the park is tropical montane although owing to the altitudinal influence, it exhibits extra tropical climate. This change in the bio-climate and geological stability is the reason why it supports the endemic species in the habitat. The park receives heavy rainfall to average annual rainfall measuring around 3000mm, thanks to the South-West monsoon. January-March are, on the other hand relatively dry months but during winter, there can be temperature which goes below the freezing point.

Best time to visitEravikulam National Park

The ideal time to visit the park is from September to November and from April to June.The maximum temperature of the Eravikulam National Park is around 23 degree Celsius and the minimum temperature record goes to 8 degree Celsius. Although it might rain sometimes, the overall weather is very pleasant. February and March is not open for the visitors as it is the calving season for the animals.

Animals that inhabit the sanctuary

The park is the habitat of the maximum viable population of the endangered NilgiriTahr. Tigers, leopards and wild dogs are main predators that can be sighted in both the open grass land and shola forests. Of 26 different species of mammals at Rajamalai, some of the easily sighted animals would include elephants, langurs, marten, ruddy mongoose, small clawed otter, dusky striped squirrel etc. But what makes the trip exciting if you can sight Nilgirilangur, NilgiriTahr, Nilgiri marten, or the Nilgiri wood pigeon.The Atlas moth, the largest of its kind in the world, is often found in this park.
Around 120 species of avifauna have been recorded in the Park which includes endemics like black and ornage flycatcher, Nilgiriverditer flycatcher, White bellied shortwing, Nilgiri wood pegeon, Nilgiri pipit, and Kerala laughing thrush. Interestingly, there's a huge range of butterflies found inside the ecosystem such as Palnifourwing and red disk bushbrown.

Flora

The terrain inside the park is broadly classified as grasslands, forests and shrublands. Deep valleys with thick forests is what marks the base of the mountain cliffs. many species of orchids and balsams are found in the grassland. The almost extinct Brachycorythiswightiiis is seen to grow in this region.

Distance of Eravikulam National Park from major cities:

Aluva, 120 km
Ernakulam, 130 km
Kottayam , 142 km
Coimbatore , 165 km
Pollachi , 72 km
Delhi , 2660 km
Mumbai, 1360km

How to reach the National park ?

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Airways

Cochin International Airport is the closest from Munnar and is around 120 kms in distance. Madurai (Tamilnadu) about 142 kms away from the town. Both these airports can be reached within roughly three and half hours from Munnar.

Railways

The following are the ten closest railway station to the National park.

Anaimalai Road Railway Station - 35 km
Pollachi Junction Railway Station - 36 km
Minatchipuram Railway Station - 36 km
Muthalamada Railway Station - 39 km
Palani Railway Station - 40km
Kollengode Railway Station - 41km
Vadakannikapurm Railway Station - 43 km
Pudunagaram Railway Station - 45 km
Angamaly For Kalady Railway Station - 46 km
Piravom Road Railway Station - 46 km

Roadways

The nearest town from the National park is Munnar which is about 13 km away. It is well connected by roads from Kerala and the other neighboring state such as Tamil Nadu. There are public and private buses which go to the town.Munnar has bus services from all major cities in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Some even prefer to have a bike or car ride to Munnar (most preferred route is from Kochi) as the roadside views are serene and beautiful.

Accommodation facilities

Forest County, Chandys Windy Woods, Tea Harvester, Drizzle Valley Cottage, Clouds Valley Hotel, Capithans Bungalow are some of the top rated hotels and resorts to enjoy your stay near the Park. Most of them are located in a rustic location and offers a cozy stay with the beautiful view of the mountains and the valleys.

Things to do

The national park is controlled and managed by the Kerala Department of Forest and Wildlife. There are mini buses that offer half an hour ride up the hills along a scenic view. Ride ends at a small photo gallery, a store and has the other required passenger conveniences. Of those interested can take a short trek from there on to enjoy the majestic views of the nearby hills. The total eravikulam national park trekking distance followed by the bus ride is close to 1.3 kilometers. There are return buses to take you down from the hill.

Some of the major places of interest include:

Anamudi Peak
Atukkad Waterfalls
Echo Point
Lakkom Waterfalls
Forest Rose Garden

The wildlife lovers can find explicit ranges of flora and fauna while roaming around the Eravikulam Park in a safari. Vehicles are not allowed inside the sanctuary so interested tourists have to walk across the trails if they wish to enjoy the mightiest glimpses of the wilderness of Eravikulam. One can find all the relevant safari information from the interpretation center established near the check post to help the tourists.