Itinerary

SILENT VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

Journey with us into the cradle of evolution, the Silent Valley National Park in Palakkad District of Kerala. Experience the awe of being in the most pristine stretch of primordial rainforest of Western Ghats. Silent Valley is estimated to have a history of more than 50 million years of evolution. It has one of the largest viable breeding populations of Lion Tailed Macaques (LTM), a true arboreal monkey which is highly endangered. Silent Valley is 5 hours from Kochi by road. Best season: October to May. Your stay will be arranged in a Resort, is 25 Kms away from Silent Valley National Park

The Lion Tailed Macaque (LTM) Trail. (2 Night 3 Days)

Day 1: Attappadi, just next door to Silent Valley National Park, is a valley where the largest population of indigenous communities lives in Kerala. On arrival, check in to a Resort near Silent Valley national Park. Go for a guided walk to Karivara water falls (12 kms, first 4 kms by jeep) with packed lunch. Back to resort in the evening. An evening can be spent around a fire. Spend overnight in the resort.

Day 2: After an early breakfast you will be transferred to the Silent Valley National Park for a day trek. Your trek in the rain forest starts after a Jeep Safari through coffee plantations. This is excellent birding environs. During the trek our effort will be to spot the elusive LTM. If you miss them don’t be disappointed, the birdlife, butterflies, orchids, ferns and the air will be enough compensation. Our Naturalist and guides from the local community will assist you during the trek. Packed lunch will be provided. Transfer back to the resort by evening. Spend overnight in the resort.

Day 3: Check out after breakfast.

Tariff: INR 27,000/- for two pax .

Minimum 2 pax in a group. Maximum 6 pax.

Additional Pax Rate:

1 Pax on single sharing: INR 13, 000/-

2 pax on win Sharing: INR 20, 000/-

Inclusive of 2 night accommodation in a  2star  resort  close to Silent Valley National Park with all meals (on twin sharing basis), entrance fee, trekking and guiding charges in Silent valley National Park on day 2, Jeep transfers from resort to and back ( 5 pax in a jeep) , and assistance of an experienced naturalist and local guides.

The Attappady Experience: (3 nights and 4 days)

Day 1: Attappadi, just next door to Silent Valley National Park, is a valley where the largest population of indigenous communities lives in Kerala. On arrival, check in to a Resort near Silent Valley national Park. Go for a guided walk to Karivara water falls (12 kms, first 4 kms by jeep) with packed lunch. Back to resort in the evening. An evening can be spent around a fire. Spend overnight in the resort.

Day 2: After breakfast, you will be transferred to Panthanthode - enroute to Sairandhri (approx 45 kms) by jeep. A 2 hrs trek through the rainforest patch will lead you to Sairandhri. This is a brief introduction to an Indian Rainforest. See rare orchids, bird watch, learn to identify butterflies. This is an ideal habitat of the endangered lion tailed macaque. Walk further down to Kunthipuzha.Take a dip in the tropical waters of Kunthipuzha. There are only two rivers in the Western Ghats that originates from totally undisturbed catchments. One of them is Kunthipuzha. Walk back to Sairandhri and you will be transferred back to resort by jeep. Packed lunch will be provided.

Day 3: After breakfast,Go for a full day treking with your in and arround Attappady through  bavani river,Kattumalai, Malleshwaram kovil Etc. Back to resort by evening.Packed lunch will be served. Over night at resort.

Day 4: After breakfast, check-out and proceed to your next destination.

Tariff: INR 38, 500/- for 2 pax.

Minimum 2 pax in a group. Maximum 6 pax.

Additional Pax Rate:

1 Pax on single sharing: INR 20, 000/-

2 pax on win Sharing: INR 29, 000/-

Inclusive of three nights accommodation in a resort with all meals (on twin sharing basis), entrance fee, trekking and guiding charges in Silent valley National Park on day 2, Jeep transfers from resort to Sairandhri and back on day 2, and assistance of an experienced naturalist and local guides.

CHIMMONY WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary, located near Trichur, is only two hours drive from Kochi. It is 85 Sq. Km. in area and has an incredible bird, butterfly and animal diversity. Apart from the wooded area, Chimmony has a 15 sq. kilometer area of reservoir. West-coast tropical evergreen forests, West-coast semi-evergreen forests and South-Indian moist deciduous forest constitute the Sanctuary.  It has one of Kerala’s best and beautiful stretches of South Indian Moist Deciduous forests.

Chimmony is 95 kms away from Kochi city, 40 kms from Thrissur town and 25 kms from Amballur junction on Ernakulam – Thrissur route.

Best season: September to March. The indigenous community here is the Malaya Tribe who will be your hosts and guides.

Wild Serendipity (1 Night 2 Days)

A perfect opportunity to discover the wildlife enthusiast in you. Herds of Asiatic Elephants, Gaurs, Sambars, Troops of macaques and langurs, and Malabar giant squirrels roam freely in this Protected Area. Sighting them in the lush tropical jungles of Chimmony requires pots of luck and serendipity. But experience them you will.

Day 1: We arrive at Chimmony by 9 a.m. You will be given an introduction to the PA and meet the ecoguides from the local indigenous community, the Malayas, who will accompany you. A one hour trek through lush tropical semi-evergreen jungles will take us to our base camp. Enroute you may chance upon a sambar or a Malabar Giant Squirrel or a Troop of Nilgiri Langur. Once at camp, our naturalist will take you for a trek through the surrounding jungles. Or if you want to send your day relaxed in the camp, you are free for that. Back in the camp, forget the wearies of the world in a pool in the nearby stream. Simple Vegetarian meals will be cooked and served in the camp. After dinner listen to the Malaya people talk about their concern for these jungles, the role they have in protecting it, jungle lore handed over from generations to generations. Star gaze in the clear sky. Overnight sleep in tents and sleeping bags.

Day 2: Wake up early, have tea and snacks and go with our naturalist on a Butterfly and bird watching trek. There are more than 200 species of birds and 100 species of butterflies in Chimmony. Return to camp for breakfast. Then we trek back to Chimmony. At Chimmony, meet representatives from the Malaya community that runs this ecotourism program and directly give your feedbacks and suggestions. Buy locally and help the community.

Tariff: INR 13, 500/- for two pax.

Minimum 2 pax in a group. Maximum 6 pax.

Additional Pax Rate:

1 Pax on single sharing: INR 5, 500/-

2 pax on win Sharing: INR 10, 000/-

(Inclusive of entrance fee, trekking and birding charges, assistance of a naturalist/ornithologist, accommodation in tents (twin sharing) and all meals). Please note that transportation is not included in the package rate.

Exploring Chimmony (2 Night 3 Days)

Day 1: Arrive Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary by 9am. You will be briefed about the PA and how this community based ecotourism program will benefit the local indigenous people, the Malayans. A one hour walk into the jungle will lead you to our camp. Go for a short walk with your naturalist while your hosts cook your food. Simple vegetarian meals will be cooked and served at the camp. In the afternoon, our naturalist will take you for a walk through lush tropical jungle to watch birds and butterflies. Learn to read animal signs and evidences. You will see some rare and endemic orchids flowering. There are chances of spotting wild animals too. But don’t except to walk into a tiger. That requires a longer stay. Your ecoguides will identify the medicinal herbs they use. Exchange worldviews with your hosts over dinner. Your accommodation will be in tents. Sleeping bags are provided.

Day 2: Wakeup at 5.30 with tea and snacks. Go for an early morning nature walk with our naturalist. After breakfast, a trek with your naturalist through the dense moist deciduous forests will help you learn more about the life in the jungle. Expect to see wild animals during the trek. At camp, you are at leisure in the afternoon. Perhaps you would like to relax under a cascade of the nearby mountain stream. After lunch visit a nearby Rainforest patch, watch birds. Back in the camp discuss with your hosts, over dinner, their role in preserving these jungles. Listen to their jungle lore, encounters with wild animals…. long into the night. Star gaze. Learn to identify nocturnal birds by their calls. Or just let the jungle sounds lull you to sleep. Spend the night sleeping in tents and sleeping bags.

Day 3: Wakeup at 5.30 with tea and snacks. An early morning birding trek will further lengthen your bird list including some rare endemics. After breakfast we trek back to Chimmony. Meet representatives from the Malayan community and give your opinions and suggestions directly to your hosts.

Tariff: INR 21, 500/- for two pax.

Minimum 2 pax in a group. Maximum 6 pax.

Additional Pax Rate:

1 Pax on single sharing: INR 9, 000/-

2 pax on win Sharing: INR 14, 000/-

(Inclusive of entrance fee, trekking and birding charges, assistance of a naturalist/ornithologist, accommodation in tents (twin sharing) and all meals). Please note that transportation is not included in the package rate.

CHINNAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

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.

The Vasyappara Trek (1 night and 2 days)

Day 1: Arrive Chinnar Forest station by 9 am and meet your naturalist 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. Trek starts from Champakkad tribal settlement. 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. Simple vegetarian food is cooked and served by your hosts. Stay overnight in the hut.

Day 2: Walk around your camp early in the morning with your naturalist. After breakfast, trek back to Champakkad. Take a dip in the river Pampar to cool your body. Throughout the trip, an experienced naturalist and trained ecoguides from the local indigenous community will assist you. This program will give you a chance to watch Asiatic elephants and gaurs at a close distance.

Tariff: INR 13, 500/- for two pax.

Minimum 2 pax in a group. Maximum 4 pax.

Additional Pax Rate:

1 Pax on single sharing: INR 4, 500/-

2 pax on Twin Sharing: INR 8, 000/-

(Inclusive of entrance fee, all activities and accommodation (twin sharing) as mentioned above and all meals, assistance of a naturalist/ornithologist,). Please note that transportation is not included in the package rate.

Cultural trip through wilderness (2 nights and 3 days)

Day 1: Arrive Chinnar Forest station by 9.30 am and meet your naturalist 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. Trek starts from Champakkad tribal settlement. 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.  Stay overnight in the hut.

Day 2: Walk around your camp early in the morning with your naturalist. After breakfast (cooked and served at camp), trek back to Champakkad. Take a dip in the river Pampar to cool your body. You will be transferred to the Forest station by road and after lunch go for a short trek through the riparian forests along the Chinnar River. 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. Spend this night in a Machan (a small cabin built on top of a tree) or in a Log Hut. Packed dinner will be served here.

Throughout the trip, an experienced naturalist and trained eco-guides from the local indigenous community will assist you. This program could give you a chance to watch Asiatic elephants and gaurs at a close distance. You are part of a joint patrolling team (local indigenous community + Forest and Wildlife Department) that monitors poaching and illegal logging when you choose this program. Trained tribal guides and an armed park guard accompany you during the trek.  

Day 3: Wake up early in the morning and move around the camp with your naturalist. Look for the pug marks on the river bed nearby and watch birds and animals without disturbing them. Walk back to the Forest station with your guides and naturalist. After breakfast at the canteen run by the local community, bid adieu to Chinnar and move to your next destination.

Tariff: INR 20, 000/- for two pax.

Minimum 2 pax in a group. Maximum 4 pax.

Additional Pax Rate:

1 Pax on single sharing: INR 7, 000/-

2 pax on Twin Sharing: INR 12, 000/-

(This is Inclusive of entrance fee, all activities and accommodation (twin sharing), and all meals (from lunch on day 1 till breakfast on day 3) as mentioned above and assistance of a naturalist). Please note that transportation to or from the Park is not included in the package rate.

PERIYAR TIGER RESERVE

Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR, as it is popularly known) is the oldest and largest Protected Area in Kerala. It is here that the park authorities under the India Eco development Project could set benchmarks in Community Based Ecotourism Programs. There are gamuts of programs which can be availed according to the length of your stay.  63 species of mammals have been recorded from PTR. Periyar has a good population of Asiatic elephants (about 900-1000). The checklist of birds has 323 species. All the Western Ghats endemics except the Nilgiri laughing thrush are found here. Out of the 119 species of butterflies recorded, 20 are Western Ghats endemics.

Best Season: The best season to visit the PA is from September to May. The temperature varies from 15degree C to 31 degree C. The evenings are cool.

'Tiger Trail – 2 nts & 3 days trekking and camping program'

Day 1: Your naturalist will meet you at your hotel to brief you the program. In the morning, report at the Forest station with your naturalist to check-in to the program. Start trekking through the jungles with your team of trackers from local community. These trackers are the famous poachers-turned-protectors of the jungle who has intimate knowledge of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Camp overnight in tents and sleeping bags.

Day 2: After breakfast, trek through the jungle with your guides and naturalist.  Camp overnight in tents and sleeping bags.

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.

Day 3: After breakfast, trek back to Periyar entrance after tiger trail.

 Tariff: INR 43, 000/- for two pax.  Only 4 pax in a group

Additional Pax Rate:

1 Pax on Single sharing: INR 33000/-

2 Pax on Twin sharing: INR 24000/-

Minimum 2 pax in a group. Maximum 4 pax.

2).      'Tiger Trail – 1nt & 2 days trekking and camping program'

Forest department is considering a change in the tariff, thus you may expect a hike in the rates by OCTOBER 2014. We request you to please check with us for the rates applicable from Oct 2014 onwards.

Day 1: Your naturalist will meet you at your hotel to brief you the program. In the morning, report at the Forest station with your naturalist to check-in to the program. Start trekking through the jungles with your team of trackers from local community. These trackers are the famous poachers-turned-protectors of the jungle who has intimate knowledge of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Camp overnight in tents and sleeping bags.

Day 2: After breakfast, trek back to Periyar entrance after tiger trail.

Includes entry fee to the park, all accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary, all meals in jungle plan (lunch on 1st day to breakfast on day 2 or 3 as per program), Full time assistance of an experienced  naturalist and local guides.

 Tariff: INR 30, 000/- for two pax.  

Additional Pax Rate:

1 Pax on Single sharing: INR 23, 000/-

2 Pax on Twin sharing: INR 17, 000/-

Minimum 2 pax in a group. Maximum 4 pax.

Conditions:

• Minimum 2 pax required to operate the tour or 1 pax paying cost of 2 pax.  Maximum 4 pax

• Rate and program subject to change as per the decision of the State Forest Department with out prior notice

• 50% of the total payment has to be paid within the 10days of making reservation.