|
ECO FRIENDLY ADVENTURE SAFARI IN PAMPADUMCHOLA –
PERIYAR TIGER RESERVE AND THENMALA
With forest canopy for roof in the sylvan splendor of Pampadumchola…
Suddenly, a wild boar steps from the swirling mist into your life!
Irresistible Periyar Tiger Reserve and Thenmala!
District: Idukki
Distance: From Cochi 170 km, 4.30 hours drive.
From Munnar 40 km, 1.25 hour jeep drive.
Where to stay: Two huts in the forest with simple amenities. Tariff: Rs.3000/- per day for two person. (Including food) Extra person costs Rs.1000/-
Trekking: Daily 3 hours.
Climate: Chilly in December-January. Cool in February – April. Monsoon in June – July. From August
Good climate.
Dress: Carry woolen dress. Wear soft color’s preferably green. Avoid red and white shades.
M A R A Y U R
The only place in Kerala with a natural growth of sandalwood trees, Marayoor has caves with murals and relics and a children's park spread across a hectare of land under the canopy of a single Banyan tree. When a particular place is blessed with more than one natural gifts, some of them might be left unnoticed. This happens to Marayoor jaggery also. Though one of the sweetest jaggereis in the world.
MARAYUR : From Cochi 170 km, 4.30 hour drive.
From Munnar 40 km, 1.25 hour jeep drive.
P A M P A D U M C H O L A
Welcome to Periyar Tiger Reserve
Periyar tiger Reserve, Thekkady, is an example of nature’s bounty, with great scenic charm, rich bio diversity and providing veritable visitor satisfaction. Sprawled over an area of 777 Sq .km., Periyar is one of the 27 tiger reserves in India.
Zealously guarded and efficiently managed reserve is a repository of rare, endemic and endangered flora and fauna and forms the major watershed of two important rivers of Kerala, the Periyar and Pamba
Community based ecotourism
People oriented and park centered community based ecotourism is the hallmark of Periyar Tiger Reserve. These programs are conducted by local people responsible for the surveillance of the vulnerable parts of the reserve. By taking tourists along, they are involved in the conservation of the forests of Periyar and some valuable revenue is generated for community welfare. People who once made a living by illegal operations in the forests have since become forest protectors and earn their livelihood through these programs. Hence, as a visitor, when you join them in any of these programs, you are directly contributing towards forest conservation and community welfare.
An appeal to the visitor
You are supporting a noble cause of forest conservation and community welfare by participating in these ecotourism programs. The interest and participation shown by you is highly appreciated.
Let’s make Periyar a heritage for all time to come.
Visitor Info - Who to Come
For naturalists, students, wildlifers, bird watchers and anybody who loves tropical biological and cultural diversity Periyar Tiger Reserve is the best place to visit.
The Tiger Reserve offers excellent opportunity to experience the tropical bonzana.
What to Bring
Cotton outfits, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion etc
Warm clothing may be required during October to February. June and July are
rainy months and April and May are hotter months.
How to Reach Periyar Tiger Reserve
Periyar Tiger Reserve, Thekkady is about 4 km from Kumili in Idukki district, central Kerala and is well connected by road from all the major towns of Kerala.
Accessibility
By Air
Cochin International Airport : 190 Kms.
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport : 267 Kms.
Madurai: 140 Kms.
By Rail
Kottayam : 114 Kms.
Changanassery: 120 Kms.
Ernakulam : 190 Kms.
Madurai : 135 Kms.
By Road
Direct bus links to / from Thiruvananthapuram, Cochin, Kottayam, Munnar & Madurai |
The Bamboo Grove - Community based ecotourism
 |
The Bamboo Grove - Eco lodge & Centre for experiential learning
Top
I am the ancestral oblation.
My bamboo clumps may whisper old folklores in the new hours of night.
The wind may rattle my tender reeds to make soft screams.
I am the bamboo grove... |
The programs:
The two islets of elevated ground studded with bamboo thickets in Thekkady is the eco lodge for experiential learning. Here a miniature habitat is being recreated for man and nature to co-exist in the already available milieu of grassy downs, sedges and bamboos and stream fringed with screw pine.
Dwelling units made exclusively of natural materials like bamboo and grass and tents are slotted in the available spaces together with treetop huts to give the place an eco-friendly ambience.
Experiential learning and nature sensitization camps are conducted for discerning aspirants and the program addresses different target groups. Lectures, discussions, audiovisual presentations, field visits etc. go with the program.
Tariff: cottage - Rs. 3000/- per day for two people. Restaurant facility is available for the lunch and dinner.
|
|
Nature Walk - The guided day trek
Top
Feel the muscles warming up and the senses getting fine-tuned.
A quail takes off just under one’s feet
and a jungle fowl flushes out with a loud oooo-rioo…..
The Programs:
Different nature trails traversing diverse habitats form the trekking routes, generally 4 to 5 km. in length. This is an interpretive program offering excellent opportunity to watch birds, butterflies and other wildlife. The trails often pass through evergreen and moist deciduous forests interspersed with marshy grasslands. |
|
The program is offered between 7.00 am. and 10.30 am. and between 2.00 pm. and 3.00 pm. and lasts for about 3 hours. A maximum of 5 persons can go for trekking at a time along each nature trail, accompanied by a trained tribal guide. The Nature walk is the right program to feel nature, hear her whispers and smell her flowers. |
The Periyar Tiger Trail - Community based ecotourism
The Periyar Tiger Trail - Adventure trekking and camping
Top
The gentle scented breeze under a million stars,
the dinner over a hurricane lamp, the glow of fireflies
and the backgrounds sonata of crickets,
frogs and nocturnal birds.
Watch the first rays of the sun filtering
through the mist over the canopy
and listen to the forests coming alive…
The programs:
The program is unique in being conducted by a team of poachers who turned protectors of the forests. The team members are hardy and dependable with an intimate knowledge of the forest terrain. The programs are 1 night/2 days and 2 nights/3 days. The first day’s trek starts at 9 am and ends by noon in the second or third day. The team consists of a maximum of 5 visitors, 5 guides and 2 forest officials. Normally 20 to 35 kms. of trekking distance will be covered, depending on the route chosen.
Here, one may chance to encounter much indigenous wildlife like Nilgiri langur, giant squirrel, elephant and who knows, even the tiger! The trek route passes through hills and valleys with a variety of tropical plants and wide-open spaces. Enroot vegetarian meals will be prepared and served and country tents will be pitched for holing up in the night. Trekking groups are accompanied by armed forest guards with good communication equipments, and geared to face any emergency situation. Remember to listen to unusual and strange adventure stories of the former poachers, now your guides and protectors of the forests.
Preconditions for joining the tiger trail
Visitors who are medically fit and aged between 15 - 65 are advised to take the tiger trail. Visitors should be serious nature lovers willing to sacrifice some of the luxuries and comforts of a hotel.
|
|
|
Border Hiking - Community based ecotourism
Border Hiking - Protection oriented range hiking Top
A feather wafted down from an eagle in her flight
A chink to the strange wilderness that lay ahead
A wanton call from the hillocks
Deer, bear and bison came all along my way
Now I wonder how different was the world I knew so far… |
|
|
The programs:
This is a conservation oriented hard trek taking up a full day. The trekking starts at 8 o’ clock in the morning and ends in the evening.
The route passes through undulating terrains. Altitudinal ranges of 900 meters to 1300 meters will be covered and the trekkers could glimpse the lofty escarpments bordering the park watershed and the vast plains down below. Gaur, sloth bear, elephant, etc. are often sighted along this route apart from birds and butterflies.
Maximum of 10 tourists can take the program in two different groups. The trekkers will go with two guides and an armed forest guard. Vegetarian refreshments can be had en route.
|
Bamboo Rafting - Community based ecotourism
 |
Bamboo Rafting
Dawn to dusk range hiking
Top
When the cool breeze takes your hair
and the ripples sweep through the lake,
Where the dead trees of forgotten valley
emerge like ghosts from the water stretch,
It’s fun to paddle in bamboo rafts
to see a small Elephant run behind its mother safe,
It’s thrilling,
if you are there to meet a Leopard in it’s den,
To remold yourself …
To run away from your destiny …
...far into the rain forests ….. |
|
The programs:
This is a dawn to dusk range hiking and rafting program through some of the richest forest tracts of Periyar Tiger Reserve. Starting at 8 am from the boat landing, a mosaic of habitats will be traversed before the party gets into rafts made of bamboos.
The forests are rich in bird life and arboreal animals like giant squirrel and Nilgiri langur. The rafting is for about three hours and one gets a panoramic view of forest-clad hills reflected on the lake. Animals like elephant, gaur and sambar are sighted keeping close to the edges of the lake.
The team hitchhikes back to the boat landing by about 5 pm. An armed guard and 4 guides will accompany a maximum of 10 tourists. Tea, snacks and packed lunch will be served enroot. |
Jungle Patrol - Community based ecotourism
 |
Jungle Patrol
shepherding the jungle
Top
The beaten path into the wood was dark when the moonlight slept on valleys elsewhere
I started exploring the jungle to find trees attained strange shapes deep in the forest.
I waited for a tiny cry to creep in my ear.
A soft lullaby of a nightjar and I feel the jungle thick and full.
Hundred eyes staring at me…
Yes, I am the ranger of dark forests. |
|
The programs:
This program is part of the regular night patrolling in the fringe ecodevelopment zones of the tiger reserve. By participating in this, one is actually helping in the protection of the forests of Periyar.
The trekking could be at any time between 7 pm. and 4 am. and could be taken by persons having proper physical and mental fitness to trek through the wilderness in the night. The maximum duration for a slot is 3 hours and the maximum capacity of one slot is limited to 8 visitors (to move in two separate teams). They will accompany two protection watchers and one armed forest guard!
Try the limits of your senses-sight, hearing and smell and take in the totally different world of nocturnal jungle life. |
Tribal Heritage - Community based ecotourism
 |
Tribal Heritage - A peep into the past
Top
Iam the ancestor…
I am the aboriginal…
Mannans are among the oldest indigenous group of people to inhabit Periyar Tiger Reserve. Till as late as 1940’s, they used to live in the remotest areas of the tiger reserve eking out a simple living by fishing in the lake and cultivating a few crops. |
|
Tribal Heritage Museum
A tribal heritage museum built inside the Mannan settlement featuring various types of artifacts related to their ancient agricultural practices, marriage ceremonies, cultural events, dress code, rituals and death ceremonies is the hub of this ecotourism program. Display of fishing gear, hunting weaponry, indigenous medicine and vessels, cereals, medicinal herbs, bamboo furniture’s, etc. are other attractions providing a peep into their original culture.
The Programs:
Tribal heritage visit is a two hour program available on all days from 8 am. to 12 noon and 2 pm. to 4 pm.
It involves mainly the tribal museum visit and trekking through the tribal hamlet situated within the periphery of Periyar Tiger Reserve accompanied by a tribal guide. |
Jungle Inn - Community based ecotourism
 |
Jungle Inn - Jungle in the night
Top
A shrill call from the depths of wild makes the wood calm and still,
hoofs searching for shelter and you don’t see the big shadow…
with bated breaths you watch the emergence of the tiger, the master hunter… |
|
The programs:
The forest cottage at Kokkara, about an hour walk from the Forest check post is an ideal place to board two persons hoping to share the quietness of the jungle night. Here one could relax, read a book, listen to the cicada or simply watch the forests outside.
The high point of the program is walking through different forest types at prime time when animals tend to be more active. One can watch troops of langurs, giant squirrels, etc., besides many birds along this stretch. Who knows, if the goddess of fortune blesses you, a tiger could come out of the bushes chasing a herd of sambar deer!
The check in time and check out time are 3 pm. and 9 am. the following day respectively. Tea, snacks and dinner are provided. |
Bullock cart discoveries - Community based ecotourism
 |
Top
Visit the farmlands of a village hidden in the valley behind the mountains of Periyar Tiger Reserve in a bullock cart.
The village is rich in bird diversity (New explorations for a serious bird watcher, also wonderful beginning for a novice)
With vineyards, diverse agricultural crops of mangoes, tamarind, onions, sunflower, jasmine and a score of other vegetables, the village will take your breath away when the guides start to interpret how farming has woven delicately with the culture and the life of the natives.
To feel the slow pace of the village life, to be part of the innocence, to take away you between cock and stick fights, to quench the thirst with the nectar from tender coconuts.
Conducted by a group of people who were encaged in sandalwood smuggling, later surrendered before the Forest Department .The profit from this program goes to rehabilitate this group of people. |
|
The programs:
The program starts at 6 am in the morning and at 2.30 pm in the afternoon and is a half -day package.
Cost
The package costs Rs.700/person, including breakfast.
Capacity per package –Maximum 9 person.
Other Ecotourism Programs
Top
Boating
Boats of different capacities are maintained by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) and the Kerala Forest Department. Boats can be hired for a 2 hour cruise, the easy option for sighting wildlife.
Watch Towers and Rest house
A watch tower and a forest rest house, one each at Edappalayam and Manakkavala for overnight stay inside forests are available with advance booking.
Gandhi Park, visitor centre
Visitors arriving Periyar Tiger Reserve can drop by at the Gandhi park near Kumily town. Besides screening wildlife films, essential information on the reserve is provided here.
Information Centre at boat landing
Visitors are advised to contact the wildlife information centre for basic information including guidelines to be observed in the park and the facilities available.
Interpretation centre
At the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Nature Education and Research, there is an interpretation Centre that houses various specimens of flora and fauna and up to date information on the park. A reference library also functions in the same building.
Plantation Tours around the park
In Kumily and neighborhood areas, there are a number of small and large plantations of tea, coffee and spices like cardamom, pepper, vanilla etc. Many plantations tour operators are available in Kumily.
Cafe Periyarensis
Run by periyar wildlife staff co-operative society provides snacks, T-Shirts, Wildlife books and has Telephone e-mail and internet facilities.
Trekking:
Guided Trekking
Trained tracker cum guides are available at the boat landing as well as near the check post to take visitors along the different nature trails in the reserve.
Adventure Trekking (Thekkady Tiger Trail)
Visitor can avail a one night or a two night camping and trekking facility inside the forest. Visitors can contact Tour India office at Kumily or the Ex-vayana bark collectors EDCs Office at Thekkady for this facility.
PERIYAR TIGER TRAIL
An unique eco-tourism initiative that offers great wilderness experience. It is an adventure trekking package where in wildlifers can stay, trek and dine inside the park guided by experienced people who once eked out a living by poaching and collecting the bark of Vayana Cinnamomum sp. tree . These men, since weaned away from that, came together to form the Ex-vayana bark Eco Development Committee and along with foresters protect the park even as they earn a living leading tourists along the tiger trail.
|
|
| Recreational Rock Climbing Mountain Biking Sway Bridge River crossing |
Day 1: At Thenmala |
|
9.30 a.m. |
Reach the Tourist Facilitation Center, TEPS Thenmala.
|
10.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m |
One hour Boating on the reservoir.
|
11.30 a..m. to 1.30 p.m. |
Visit to the Adventure Zone
(Attractions - Elevated walkway, Nature trail, Lotus Pond, Adventure activities like River Crossing, Rock Climbing and Rappelling, Mountain Biking etc.)
|
1.30 p.m. to2.30pm |
Lunch at KTDC restaurant at the Culture Zone.
|
02.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. |
At Deer Rehabilitation center
|
4.30p.m to 5.30pm. |
Tea break
|
5.00 p.m to 6.30 p.m. |
Visit to the Leisure Zone
(Attractions - Courts, Pathways, Plazas, Sculpture Garden, Board Walk)
|
7.00 p.m. to 7.30p.m. |
Musical dancing fountain
|
7.30pm |
Departure.
|
Soft Trekking |
(07.00am to 4.0p.m. on all days) Duration – 2 hrs, Distance – 4 kms Route: Trekking to a Myristica Swamp Forest Patch Maximum trekkers 19 Minimum No. 5 in one trip.
|
Food and Snacks: |
The preferred food and snacks can be obtained by placing order at the earliest.
|
Guides: |
Local guides are available and it is recommended to avail the services of the guides so that the visitors can understand the project better. |
Alternate tour programs can be arranged if the tourist decides to stay at Thenmala.
Day 2: At Thenmala |
|
9.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon |
Trekking Program by National Adventure Foundation
|
3.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. |
Palaruvi and back to Thenmala.
|
Day 3 |
|
9.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon |
Visit to Achancoil Eco-contact Center Khumbhavurutty waterfalls inside forest.
|
3.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. |
Visit to Courtallam waterfalls and back to Thenmala.
|
Or |
|
Day 3 |
|
6.00 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. |
Eco-pilgrimage tour from Kulathupuzha ending at Achancoil
|
3.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. |
Visit to Courtallam waterfalls and back to Thenmala.
|
Day 4 |
|
7.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m. |
Bird watching trails in Deer Rehabilitation Center
|
10.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. |
Local village visit.
|
Afternoon |
Departure |
|
THE CULTURAL ZONE (08.00 AM to 08.30 PM)
Facilitation centre – Amphitheatre, Shop Courts, Restaurant, Musical Dancing Fountain
THE LEISURE ZONE (11.00 AM to 06.30 PM)
Pathways, Board Walk, Sway Bridge, Sculpture Garden, Resting Points.
THE ADVENTURE ZONE (09.00 AM to 05.30 PM on all days)
Nature Trail, Elevated Walkway, Lotus Pond, Resting Points, Night Camping In Tents, Adventure Activities like Mountain Biking, Recreational Rock Climbing, Rappelling, River Crossing, Valley Crossing, Trust Fall, Spider Net, Short Range, Pedal Boating.
BOATING IN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
One hour picturesque boating in the Reservoir of the Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary.(on one hour interval from 09.00 am to 04.00 pm on all days). Tourists are taken to the boat landing in Battery Powered Road Vehicles or other TEPS vehicles 03 Kms through the forest.
THE DEER TEHABILITATION CENTRE
Spotted Deer, Sambar Deer and Barking Deer
A Nature Park for the children with treetop huts. Riverine walk, etc…(08.00 am to 06.00 pm on all days)
TREKKING
Myristica Swamp Forest Trail – A Soft Trekking or Biking at Thenmala.
Trekking programs, Jungle Camping, Bird Watching Trails in Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary conducted by local forest department community.
Tented Camping and Dormitory Facility Offered by TEPS.
Ecotourism Program at Palaruvi facilities for Tourists provided by the local forest dependent community.
PILGRIMAGE TOURISM
Visitors can arrange for an Eco- pilgrimage circuit connecting three Ayyappa Temples at Kulathupuzha, Aryankavu and Achankovil from Thenmala. More details Contact – naturenest@gmail.com |
|
|
