Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Marayur

Declared

1984

District

Idukki

Best time

All year except October and November

Nearest airport

Cochin International

Known for

Grizzled giant squirrel

Landscape and plants

The terrain is rugged, with dry deciduous forest, thorny scrub, patches of high-altitude shola and wet grassland. The scrub forest, with its drought-tolerant plants, is unusual in Kerala. Look for these trees and plants:

• Karivelam (Acacia arabica) and Velvelam (Acacia leucophloea)
• Sandalwood (Santalum album)
• Mazhukanjiram (Anogeissus latifolia)
• Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) on the higher slopes

Wildlife

Chinnar is one of the few homes of the grizzled giant squirrel, a threatened species. Other animals recorded here include elephants, tigers, gaur, spotted deer, sambar, bonnet macaques and Hanuman langurs. Birdwatchers can find peafowl, little cormorants and black eagles, and there are snakes such as vipers, kraits and spectacled cobras.

Best time to visit

Thanks to its low rainfall, Chinnar can be visited through most of the year. The only period to avoid is October and November, when the north-east monsoon brings most of its rain. Mornings are the best time for animal sightings, and afternoons can be hot in the drier months.

Tips for your visit

Forest department treks, watchtower visits and nature walks are the best ways to see the park, and they are led by trained guides. Carry water, a hat and binoculars, and wear neutral colours. Combine the trip with Marayur's sandalwood forests and ancient dolmens, and with a night in Munnar.

How to reach

Chinnar is on the Munnar to Udumalaipettai road. Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport, about 150 km from Munnar. Ernakulam is the main railway hub on the Kerala side. Buses link Munnar with towns across Kerala and Tamil Nadu. We can arrange a car and stay for you.

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