athira holidays

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is in Thekkady. Viewing wildlife here is a unique experience; you will cruise through the artificial Periyar Lake by boat.The sanctuary offers a lovely and comfortable way to see the animals via boat rides on the man-made lake, which the wildlife areas encircle. In addition to the wild life, there are water and land birds galore here, and one can sometimes find dedicated bird watchers setting in for one or two weeks of serious observations.

Wildlife Tourism - Parambikulam

This bird sanctuary is a peninsular land of 25 sq. km. formed between the branches of river Periyar. The rivers are rich in fishlife and are shallow for most of the year. The avifauna includes both resting indigenous birds and water birds. The most notable of the indigenous birds are Malabar grey hornbill, grey jungle fowl, heron, egret, jungle myna, woodpecker, rose winged and blue winged parakeet. Rare birds like Ceylon frog-mouth, rose billed roller etc. are also seen.

Parambikulam is endowed with luxuriant vegetation. It has one of the largest population of gaur (bison). Sambar, spotted deer, jungle cat, lion-tailed macaque, common otter, sloth bear etc. are also seen. There are also a few tigers and leopards.

Wildlife Tourism - Silent Valley

Silent Valley contains India’s last substantial stretch of tropical evergreen rain forests and it is perhaps the only vestige of a near virgin forest in the whole of the Western Ghats. Elephants, tigers, wild dog, flying squirrel and lion-tailed macaque are found here.

Vehicular traffic is allowed upto Mukkali from Mannarghat. From Mukkali one has to cover at least 24 km on foot to reach the source of river Kuntipuzha, which flows through the valley. Prior permission is required to visit this park.

Wildlife Tourism - Wayanad

Wayanad Wild Life Sanctuary (Muthanga) established in 1973, is contiguous to the protectedarea network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka on the northeast and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu on the southeast. The sanctuary is rich in flora and fauna. Elephant, spotted deer, bison, tiger, cheetah, wild bear etc. can be spotted here. Elephant rides are arranged by the forest department on payment.

Wildlife Tourism - Nedumkayam

18 kms. from Nilambur, is Nedumgayam where the rain forests flourish.There is a wooden Rest House built by the Britishers. While staying here, one could see wild animals. An elephant taming center is also there.

Places of interest around:

Nilambur: 75 kms from Calicut (Kozhikode); 210 kms from Cochin; 160 kms. from Mysore; 100 kms from Ooty - is famous for its teak plantations. The oldest teak plantation of the world, the Canolly’s Plot is just 2kms. from Nilambur town. The plot was named in memory of H.V. Conolly, the ten Malabar District Collector, who instrumental in raising the teak plantation in the entire Nilambur area.Canolly’s Plot of 2.31 hectares, is beside the Chaliyar river - a country boat would take you to the plot through the river.

Adyanpara:14 kms from Nilambur, has a water fall and is attracted by all types of tourists being a calm area surrounded by Rubber Plantations on one side and thick forest on the other side. Country Huts are available there to spend overnight. No electricity available there. This is the best base for a two day trekking which will take the visitors to Meenmutty Water falls through Plantations and thick forest. The route covers streams/rivers/hills/rocky-terrain to provide the tourists a good trek all through.

Teak Museum: About 4 kms. from Nilambur, is world’s first Teak Museum, a visitor can have first hand information on all aspects of teak. The museum arranged in a two storied building, exhibits articles and details of historic, aesthetic and scientific value. A library of world literature on teak is also available here.
Nilambur has also a village where earthen pots are made - a visit to this area is recommended to know the art of pot making.

The ‘Nilambur Pattu’ festival (a weeklong festival) held at the Vettakkorumakan temple in Nilambur every year is an enchanting mix of legends and hauting melody of tribal music set against a background of fading splendour of royalty. The festival comes to a climax on Dhanu 23 (the Malayalam month). An interesting legent shrouds Vettakkorumakan also. It is believed after granting His personal weapon, the Pasupata, to Arjuna, Siva in the form of a hunter accompanied by goddess Parvathi, spent some time wandering in the forest. The son born during this period is Vettakkorumakan.

Wildlife Tourism - Mudumalai

Mudumalai Wild Life Sanctuary situated on Nilgiris at an altitude of 3000 ft. is 67 kms via Gudallur on the Ooty-Mysore route. The sanctuary covers an area of 521 sq. kms and the best season to visit is bet. Feb and May.

Animals found: The attractions here are the herds of Spotted deer, Guar, Panther, Elephant, Tiger, Wild Pig, Sambur and variety of birds and reptiles. To go round in the forest, motor vehicles and elephant safari arranged by the forest department.

Theppakadavu: Theppakadavu is an elephant camp in the heart of the sanctuary. Elephant rides can be made from 6 am to 8 am and from 4.30 pm to 6 pm. – duration 20 mnts.

Wildlife Tourism - Bandipur

Nesting in the foothills of the Nilgiris, the Bandipur National Park was set up in 1931 by the Mysore Maharajas. It is one of the tiger reserves in the country. The flora in the forest comprises Teak, Rosewood, Honne, Mathi, Bamboo and Sandal trees. The important animals in the park are Tiger, Elephant, Guar, Leopard, Chital etc. Birds like the Peafowl, Quail, Hornbill and Ibis are also found in this park. Apart form these, Dhole(wild dog), sambar, Muntjac or Barking Deer, giant Squirrel are also sometimes seen here.

Well planned motorable roads close to the perennial and seasonal water points and adequate open space in the juncle allow visitors to observe animals closely, particularly elephant herds, by car. It is always advisable tomaintain a safe distance from these large animals even if you are in your vehicle.

Wildlife Tourism - Nagarhole

Nagarhole is situated in the picturesque districts of Kodagu and Mysore in southern karnataka. The Nagarhole National Park was set up in 1955. In 1975 its area increased to include a greater expanse of forest reserve. The terrain of this Park is undulating with lush green vegetation, swamps and numerous water resourses, rendering it an ideal habitat for a wide variety of wildlife.

Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka is 40 kms from Mananthavady in Kerala.

Wildlife Tourism - Thekkady

Wildlife Tourism - Chinnar