Pic-suggestion-generic image of Munnar wildlife https://www.trawell.in/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Munnar_Wildlife_Main-730×410.jpeg IH Blog: Headline suggestions: Where The Wild Things Are – Explore The Best Wildlife Parks of Munnar! The Wild Side Of Munnar – Explore The Best Wildlife Parks of South India Munnar Wildlife – Explore The Rare Flora & Fauna of India
MT: Experience The Best Of Munnar Wildlife | Indian Holiday
MD: Witness a wide variety of flora and fauna at the best wildlife parks of Munnar. Book Munnar tour packages now! Besides being known for vast tea plantations and splashy waterfalls, the hill station of Munnar is home to varied exotic species of flora and fauna. In fact, Munnar has always been a favorite destination for nature lovers. The lush landscapes that are set at an altitude of 6,000 ft in the district of Idukki are the habitat of a large variety of wildlife that you wouldn’t find anywhere else. You can find a large number of mammals, reptiles, birds, and butterflies. Actually, it’s not just flora and fauna but the joy of exploring them in a picturesque landscape accompanied by a cool pleasant climate that makes it even more amazing. Some of the rare fauna found here are Rusty Spotted Cat, Nilgiri Tahr, Elephant, Tiger, Leopard, Gaur, Wild Boar, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Porcupine, Wild Dog, Common Langur, Bonnet Macaque, Jackal, Sloth Bear, Nilgiri Langur, Jungle Cat, Bison, Spotted Deer, and Sambar. Given the floral and faunal diversity amidst the pristine valleys and mountains, nature enthusiasts, photographers, and bird watchers naturally get drawn to this site. However, of all the species, the two main star attractions here are the Neela Kurinji and the Nilgiri Tahr.
Pic suggestion-can use small image https://www.keralatourism.org/images/destination/large/neelakurinji_bloom20131031111459_377_1.jpg Neela Kurinji This is one of the rarest attractions in the region, a mass flowering plant, i.e., Neelakurinji, which blooms once every 12 years, covering an entire site in purplish blue flowers. Munnar is one of the few locations in India that sees an abundance of these flowers. It generally blooms between the months of July to October. Locals believe that it rains more in the years that it blooms. Photographers and nature lovers from all around the world mark their calendars in anticipation of this event.
Pic-suggestion-can use small image https://www.keralatourism.org/images/picture/large/Neelakurinji_and_Nilgiri_Tahr_66.jpg Nilgiri Tahr The endangered species is a type of goat that is mostly found in the southern part of the Western Ghats, majorly in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It is also Tahr that is found in the cold tropical climate. You can very well see them grazing in the valleys during the early morning and late evening hours. Much of the Nilgiri Tahr population has been under heavy stress due to hunting and habitat loss, which makes this even more special. The most famous park in Kerala, the Eravikulam National Park, is home to the largest of these species, more than 700. Along with exploring the wildlife, you can very well enjoy trekking and camping to make the most of the Munnar tour. You can, of course, enjoy the popular waterfalls in Munnar, such as Cheeyappara waterfalls, Valara waterfalls, Thoovanam waterfalls, Lakkam waterfalls, and Keezharkuthu waterfalls. Visitors also don’t miss visiting famous tea plantations in the region and taking some back home as well.
Best National Parks & Sanctuaries of Munnar: If you are on a wildlife tour, below are the top national parks and sanctuaries that you should definitely visit on your trip to Munnar.
Pic-suggestion https://www.keralatourism.org/images/destination/mobile/eravikulam_national_park20131031104255_319_1.jpg Eravikulam National Park This is one of the most popular wildlife parks, not just in Munnar but in the entire South India region. Spread across an area of 97 sq. km., the park is set up in the backdrop of the tea plantations in the high ranges of the Kannan Devan Hills. It is particularly known for preserving the natural habitat of Nilgiri Tahr, the endangered mountain goat. Also, you can see the rare blue Neela Kurinji flowers blooming once every 12 years. Besides these, you can find a wide variety of flora and fauna in the region.
Interesting facts about the park: - This national park at present houses the largest population of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr and the hotspot for the rare Neela Kurunji flowers, which bloom once every 12 years.
- The highest point in India outside the Himalayan mountain ranges lies in this region – Anamudi, the 2,695 m high mountain.
- The park is particularly famous for medicinal plants in the region (like Drosera Peltat, Piper Schmidtii, and Elettaria Cardamomum).
Location: the national park is located 13.2 km from the city center of Munnar.
Timings: 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM Best time to visit: September to February. The park is closed for the period from February to March.
Park fees: The entry fees for Indians – INR 125 for adults, INR 95 for children and for foreigners – INR 420 per person. Safari fees are charged separately. (Prices may differ at the time of booking)
Pic-suggestion: https://munnartourism.co.in/images/places-to-visit/headers/chinnar-wildlife-sanctuary-munnaR-tourism-entry-fee-timings-holidays-reviews-header.jpg Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary This UNESCO world heritage site is nestled between lovely peaks and resources. With 1,000 species of flowering plants, the place stays lively and is a major attraction for tourists. This sanctuary is also one among the 12 protected areas of Kerala. You can find a wide diversity of wildlife – tiger, elephant, sambar, spotted deer, panthers, butterflies, Nilgiri Tahr, and so much more. A major attraction of the city is the endangered species of the Giant Grizzled Squirrel of India. The park also entertains several adventure activities like trekking, natural trail, staying at a treehouse, camping, and so much more. This is also a perfect place for birdwatching – 225 species of birds have been recorded in the park.
Interesting facts about the park: - Its terrain consists of deciduous forests, grasslands, riparian forest, which make for perfect setting for the wildlife exploration.
- The park is particularly known for a wide range of exploratory activities, jungle trekking, nature train, river trekking, tree house stay, camping, and more.
- Wildlife photographers and enthusiasts particularly visit this park to spot the endangered Giant Grizzled Squirrel of India.
Location: Located in the Idukki district on the Munnar – Udumalpet Road, Munnar.
Timings: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Park fees: The entry fee is INR 10 for Indian adults, INR 5 for kids, and INR 100 for Foreign Nationals. The safari charges are separate. (Prices may vary at the time of booking.)
Pic-suggestion: https://dynamic-media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-o/18/9a/ed/f8/feeding-time.jpg?w=1000&h=800&s=1 Carmelagiri Elephant Park Located 5 km from Munnar, Carmelagiri Elephant Park is the perfect place to enjoy elephant rides through the mysterious forest of the Munnar region. The private park is open all throughout the year and offers you a unique experience of riding an elephant unlike anywhere else. Along with that, you can enjoy horse riding as you’ve horses available for hire around Mattupetty dam. It is interesting to observe how these majestic beasts obey the commands of their mahouts, carry logs, make acoustic communication with other elephant companions, and much more.
Interesting facts: 1. The most interesting fact about the park has to be the various activities of the elephant, from bathing, showing, and eating, that you can see.
- The region has dense and sky-touching forests that make for a perfect setting to explore the wild on elephant safari.
- Location: located 6.5 km from Munnar.
- Timings: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Park fees: park ride costs INR 400 per person for short safaris of 15 minutes. Maximum 3 people are allowed at a time. Additionally, tourists can feed elephants with the fruits supplied by the park for INR 50 per basket of fruits. (Park fees may vary at the time of booking.)
How to Reach Munnar Being a popular attraction, many visitors visit the city on a daily basis. Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport, which is located 125 km away from Munnar. The nearest railhead to Munnar is in Kochi or Ernakulam, which is connected to major cities, including Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Bangalore. By road too, once you land in the nearest major cities, Kochi or Ernakulam, you can book a cab or taxi and drive straight to Munnar.
Best Time to Explore Munnar Wildlife The best time to visit Munnar to explore wildlife is after the monsoon season, when the rains have revitalized the forest region. Consequently, the lush greenery and wildlife are flourishing during this time. September to April should be the ideal months to explore Munnar wildlife.
Call of the Wild Now that you are charmed by the beauty of wildlife in Munnar, I believe nothing can stop you now from answering the call of the wild! Contact Indian Holiday to book Munnar wildlife tour packages which you can customize to also include sightseeing locations, activities, as per your preferences. Enquire now! 
