Camping at Chinnar & Periyar Wildlife Sanctuaries

Arrival Cochin/ Munnar

Arrival Cochin airport. You will be met by your accompanying naturalist and further drive to Munnar (140 km, 04 hrs)

Munnar is a beautiful hill station on the Western Ghats at about 1600 metres above sea level. Munnar is essentially a tea-town with its sprawling tea plantations. Munnar has a legacy of its own when it comes to the origins and evolution of tea plantations. It offers a magnificent view of the tea plantations and also the rolling hills caressed by blankets of mists. 

In the evening you will visit the Tea Museum.

The Tata Tea Museum diligently portrays the growth of Munnar tea estates, veritably conveyed through some of the displays like the rudimentary tea roller to the modern fully automated tea factory. Visitors to the museum can satiate their curiosity on various stages of tea processing, and also learn a thing or two about the production of black tea.

Overnight at Munnar

From Munnar to Chinnar

After breakfast , drive to Chinnar wildlife sanctuary (55 km,1.75 hr). Arrive Chinnar Forest station and meet your local escort and the team of eco-guides. After a short briefing, you will be guided for a trek through the dry deciduous thorny scrub forests of Chinnar.

Chinnar is located in the rain shadow regions of High Ranges in the Southern Western Ghats. Approximately 65 kms away from Munnar and is open throughout the year. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary (90.422 sq. km) is famous for wildlife sighting. Its dry deciduous forests make it easier to view the wildlife. Undulating terrain with rocky patches increase the scenic splendor of the sanctuary. The forest types comprise thorny scrub forests, dry deciduous forests, high altitude sholas and wet montane grasslands. Apart from this, this area is noted for its archaeological importance too. The Dolmens, built between first and fifth century CE are one of the major attractions among them. Herds of Asiatic Elephants, Gaur, Spotted Deer, Tiger, the elusive Leopard, the legendary ‘white bison of Manjampatti’, and the colourful bird and butterfly life makes Chinnar a must see destination in the wildlife map of Western Ghats. 

A two hour trek will end at the campsite near river Pambar. You will be staying a log hut. Trek around your camp with your naturalist for more wildlife viewing. These forests are home to one of the most endangered mammals of India, the Grizzled Giant Squirrel. The dry deciduous forest of Chinnar gives you an excellent opportunity to watch wildlife at close quarters. 

Overnight at camp.

At Chinnar Camp

Walk around your camp early in the morning with your naturalist. After breakfast (cooked and served at camp), trek to Champakkad. Take a dip in the river Pampar to cool your body. A two hour long trek will end at Vasyappara. Camp in a traditional thatched hut on a ledge at the top of this hill – an ideal place for wildlife viewing and star gazing. For lunch and dinner, simple vegetarian food is cooked and served by your hosts at camp.

Overnight at camp.

From Chinnar to Periyar

Wake up early in the morning and move around the camp with your naturalist. Look for the animal signs like pug marks on the nearby trek path and watch birds and animals without disturbing them. After breakfast, Walk back to the Forest station with your guides and naturalist and bid adieu to Chinnar. 

Drive to Periyar (155 Km ,4.5 hrs)

Thekkady
Periyar is South India’s most popular wildlife sanctuary, encompassing an area of 777 sq km. Set on the attractive man-made Periyar Lake; it attracts over 300,000 visitors a year. Though the sanctuary was made a part of Project Tiger in 1973, it is better known for its elephants. 

In the evening you will witness Kalaripyattu (martial arts) performance at a local theatre 

Overnight at Periyar.

At Periyar – Tiger Trail Camp

After early breakfast, report at the forest station to start with the 02 nights Tiger Trail program. 

The programme is unique in being conducted by a team of rehabilitated poachers and tree cutters of the park, hardy and dependable individuals with an intimate knowledge of the forest terrain. A maximum number of six tourists are taken at a time accompanied by five guides and one armed forest guard. Here, one may chance to encounter much indigenous wildlife like Nilgiri langur, giant squirrel, elephant and who knows, even the tiger! Normally, 20 to 35kms of trekking distance will be covered, depending on the route chosen.

The trek route passes through hills and valleys with a variety of tropical plans and wide open spaces. En route, vegetarian meals will be prepared and served and country tents will be pitched for holing up in the night. Remember to listen to unusual and strange adventure stories of the former poachers, now your guides and protectors of the forests. Tiger Trail has become immensely popular internationally and provides livelihood for 13 ex-poachers. It has also contributed substantially in keeping vigil in the most vulnerable parts of the Tiger Reserve.

Fresh cooked simple lunch and dinner will be served. 

Overnight at tented camp.

Tiger Trail Camp

In this 2 days trek through the Reserve, you will be passing through different types of eco-systems and terrains. Trek could be a little strenuous for those who are not with a habit of walking, but for those who are experienced trekkers, this could be only moderate to semi-hard trek only. There are pretty good chances for wildlife sighting during the trek. 

Overnight at tented camp

From Tiger Trail Camp to Nedumudy Backwaters

After breakfast , you will trek for an hour to reach your base station. You will bid farewell to the crew and also to your naturalist.  

You will further drive to the backwaters (150 km, 04 hrs).  

In the beautiful waterways and backwaters of Kuttanad region of central Kerala lies Emerald Isle ,an exotic haven of tranquillity , seemingly remote from city life. Tucked away on this delightful island lies this heritage villa, an ancestral country House set in 9 acres of secluded grounds. A truly wonderful way to spend your time on the banks of the backwaters of Kerala.

Here you can go boating on the backwaters, fishing with local fishermen (you may be able to spike scampi at night), learn about crab and prawn(shrimp) farming, watch the toddy tappers, go cycling, and stroll around the coconut groves, paddy fields, canals and villages. 

Overnight at Nedumudy backwaters.

From Nedumudy Backwaters to Cochin

Morning at leisure. Mid morning, drive to Fort Cochin (65 km,1.5 hrs) 

The spice trade first bought Chinese and Arabian traders to Kerala’ shores and later the Portuguese  , Dutch and British thus making Fort Cochin a cultural melting point. Wander through its old streets, the synagogue, the ancient churches, colonial houses and the picturesque Chinese fishing nets. 

In the afternoon you will meet up with your local guide and you will set on foot to explore Fort Cochin.  The St Francis  Church,  the oldest European Church in India ,where Vasco de Gama the first European traveller to India was originally buried rnihere.  Also visit the Chinese fishing nets believed to be brought to Kochi by the Chinese Traders.

After Fort cochin , you will take a TUK TUK  for a short ride to  Mattancherry Dutch Palace (Friday closed) at Mattancherry is renowned  for its wall murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana.  The Jewish Synagogue (Saturday closed) at the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town.  A walk through the jew street is a pleasing experience. 

Over night at Cochin

Departure Cochin

In time transfer to Cochin Airport (01) to connect flight back home