Introduction

An erstwhile hunting preserve of the British planters, Eravikulam is now a national park home to the rare Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragus hylocrius). Spread across 97 sq. kilometers of high rolling grasslands with the 2695-meter-high (8842 feet) Anaimudi Peak in the southern region of the park, Eravikulam is ideal for a trek and wildlife viewing. Other than Tahrs, the park is also home to elephants, leopards, sambars, langurs, tigers, Malabar civets, barking deer and pythons.

The park is segregated into three regions; the core area, the buffer area and the tourism area, and you are allowed only into the tourism section which is in the Rajamala region. You can even hike up Anaimudi and enjoy breathtaking views of the evergreen shola forests. Along the way you might chance upon small herds of the exotic mountain goat. Anaimudi, the highest peak in South India can be likened to the Alps for the scenery it affords. A wildlife safari into Eravikulam is a great opportunity to come up close with the timorous Tahrs and observe their habits and habitats.

Situated along the crest of the Western Ghats in the High Ranges of Idukki district, the park is also an abode of little known fauna such as Nilgiri marten, ruddy mangoose, small clawed otter and dusky striped squirrel among others. If you are an avid birder, explore the park for its diversity of endemic avifauna such as black and orange flycatcher, Nilgiri pipit, Nilgiri wood pigeon, white bellied shortwing, Nilgiri verditer flycatcher and Kerala laughing thrush, besides an array of colorful butterflies. However, it is worth noting that the park remains closed for 45 days from the 1st of February during the calving period.

With a base elevation of 2000 meters (6667 feet), Eravikulam is an undulating terrain interspersed with grasslands, scrubland and the lush green shola forests. The park is a 13 kilometer (8 miles) drive from Munnar, and the only motorable road inside the park passes through the southern extremity inside the tourism zone to the Rajamallay tea estate. The rolling plateau that is Eravikulam is rich with verdant grasslands, the strikingly green sholas, and crisscrossed in places by perennial streams that originate from the shola forests. The shola ecosystem is exceptionally rich in orchids and balsams, besides a spectacular mass of the flowering Neelakurinji shrubs that paints the jungle with a shade of blue every 12 years. The park experiences heavy rainfall, though January to March is a relatively dry period. In winter, the temperature can dip below freezing point.

Before gaining entry into the park, you need to pay an entrance fee, vehicle fee (heavy vehicles Rs. 200, light vehicles Rs. 50 and three-wheelers Rs. 20), in addition to camera fee. The fee for shooting a commercial film is Rs. 10,000 per day, documentary/educational/commercial photography is Rs. 5000 per day and security deposit for all categories of film Rs. 10,000 per day.

Take this wonderful trek up the rolling hills of Eravikulam, and enjoy a day of wildlife viewing and soaking up the soothing greenery. The tour involves a lot of walking, so you are advised to wear sturdy walking shoes, carry along a bottle of drinking water, and of course wrap yourself in thick woolens.

Special Attributes

The park has the largest population of the rare Nilgiri Tahr

Nuisance

The site is very peaceful and free of irritants.

Dressing restrictions

None, wear anything you are comfortable in. Since the temperature ranges from 0 to 30 degrees, it is advisable to carry some woolens and rain gear on your trip to Munnar and surrounds. Don’t forget your walking shoes as it is craggy terrain.

Connectivity

Local transport available in Munnar includes taxis, auto-rickshaws, bicycles and buses. There are frequent buses run by the State Transport Corporation.

Enjoyed by

Backpackers, Wildlife Enthusiasts

Exposure

The temperature drops as you proceed further upwards. The sun is mostly bleak and you will be walking through fleeting mist. So, it is advisable to wrap yourself in thick woolens, and of course, put on your walking shoes.

Avoidable Season

February, March, June, July, August

Facilities

Basic, plan accordingly

Things Not Allowed

Food items are not allowed inside the park

Tip

Tread carefully in the jungle so that you don’t disturb the growth of saplings. Make sure you photograph the goats from a distance and not scare them off. Keep your tone low; listen, watch and simply soak up.

Type of site

National Park