Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Wildlife
#8 of 46 Places to Visit in Munnar
Distance (From Munnar): 58 Kms
Trip Duration (Including Travel): 4 Hours/Half Day
Transportation Options: Bus / Cab
Travel Tips: 1. Carry some eatables while going into the sanctuary since there are very limited food options inside.
2. Thoovanam Waterfalls (located inside the sancturay) & this is usually visited from Marayoor (17 Kms).
3. Trip to Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary takes about 6 hours from Munnar and 4 hours from Marayoor.
At a distance of 58 Kms from Munnar & 17 km from Marayoor, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is a rain shadow area of the Western Ghats which gets only 48 days of rain per year. It is under consideration by UNESCO for selection as a World Heritage Site. It is one of the prime attractions to visit as part of wildlife tours in India and top trekking sites in Munnar.
Situated on Kerala-Tamil Nadu boarder, it is bordered with Eravikulam National Park, Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary is home for 34 species of Mammals, including Panthers, Spotted deer, Indian Elephants, Gaur, Tigers, Sambar Deer, Common langur, Bonnet Macaque, Hanuman monkey, Nilgiri Tahr, etc.
There are multiple entry points to the safari - at Kerala boarder checkpost, at Chinnar checkpost and Alampetty checkpost. There are no organized safaris in Chinnar Sanctuary. The sanctuary can be explore by taking different trekking routes which are quite famous. Most popular trekking routes in the sanctuary are Kootar / Churulipetty, Chinnar / Alampetty (Cultural sites known for pre-historic Dolmens) and Thoovanam Falls (from Alampetty Junction) / Mathini / Jellimala. These are the guided tours (a forest guide must be accompanied) duration of the trek is usually around 3 hours. The treks are arranged between 6 to 11 AM in the morning and 3 to 6 PM in the evening. Except Thoovanam Falls trek, other treks start from KL-TN boarder checkpost.
Accommodation is available inside the sanctuary in Forest guesthouse, Treetop houses and log houses. Accommodation can be booked in advance (The Wildlife Warden, Munnar, Ph: 04865-231587) or from the forest office at the sanctuary entrance. Dormitory is also available.
Trekking timings:
Kootar / Churulipetty (3 hours): 6 AM to 11 AM and 3 PM to 6 PM
Chinnar / Alampetty (3 hours): 7 AM to 10 AM and 3 PM to 6 PM
Thoovanam Falls / Mathini / Jellimala (2-3 hours): 7 AM to 10 AM and 3 PM to 6 PM
Guides Trekking Fee: Rs. 200 per person for Indians & Rs. 300 for Foreigners
