Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary

Chinnar wildlife sanctuary is nice place and home for many endangered species. On way to munnar, this place has may watch towers and view wildlife. One has to be careful while driving through this place. Make sure to carry required water and food. Summer is very difficult in this place. Forest department must create some water ponds inside the forest.

The Chinnar and Pambar rivers are the major perennial water resources in the sanctuary. The Chinnar originates near Kumarikal Malai, follows the interstate boundary along the northwest edge of the sanctuary for 18 km and becomes the Amaravati River in Tamil Nadu.

The Pambar River originates in the Anaimudi Hills and is joined by seasonal rivulets and a few perennial streams originating from sholas in the upper reaches. It traverses the Turner’s Valley in Eravikulam National Park and flows down into the sanctuary through the Taliar Valley between Kanthalloor and Marayoor villages and eastwards through the sanctuary. It joins the Chinnar River at Koottar. The Thoovanam water falls lie deep within the sanctuary on the Pambar River. This cascade is a major tourist attraction. The Chinnar, Pambar, Kabani and Bhavani are the only rivers of the 44 in Kerala that flow eastwards

Excellent by all means. And this is an unexplored tourist destination. The local people contribute their interest for the development of tourism. The Forest Department has appointed them as Guides, Cooks, Drivers, helpers etc through Eco Development Committees of Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. The tourists can stay in the hut, tree top or log house near the flowing river. Still I feel there is a lack of communication skills. Please note that it will take its own time to overcome this forms of undulating nature.

Awesome ride in forest and forest gaurds are very friendly road is one way have safe ride then reach by check post before 6pm , for cars all documents are they will check in check post please carry

the experience was very good and the trek was very adventurous we had booked for 3 hours trek which costed us Rs 300 pp and we had got to spot peacocks, spotted deers, Indian Gaur, and bison. it was one of the memorable trek with moderate level of difficulty

We travelled from Palani to Munnar via Chinnar for a weekend. The roads are good and calm and the drive was easy. There are not many places where you could stop by but Karimuttam waterfalls is a relief. We did not check out Iravikulam National Park due to our time schedule though.

Worth walking to this place. Beautiful river with picturesque locations and the guides are well trained to lead a group to some natural happiness. Even though the place looks adventurous, we may not encounter much wild animals but the signals might frighten us which is thrilling. Youth especially would love to walk those trails with much enthusiasm. All the best

Perfect place to relax and enjoy. The climate is simply awesome. Keep jackets and mufflers as the climate can drop off at any time during rain and winter.

Beautiful place to drive through. We were lucky enough to see some wild elephants as well, that too very close to the road. The roads are excellent but narrow. Will surely enjoy the drive through this place.

Chinnar wildlife sanctuary is nice place and home for many endangered species. On way to munnar, this place has may watch towers and view wildlife. One has to be careful while driving through this place. Make sure to carry required water and food. Summer is very difficult in this place. Forest department must create some water ponds inside the forest.

Munnar is a place to definitely visit once a lifetime atleast. Very scenic , beautiful mountains, waterfalls, mesmerizing tea plantations, breathtaking views.

The best way to connect with Nature. You have a paid trek here . The guide ( local tribes) take you inside the chinnar wild . From the watch tower you can enjoy the surroundings. Spot animals, birds, insects and plants. The guide is well trained to explain you and answer your doubts.

Excellent guided trekking inside the forest. Went till Paambar and Chinnar meet and then walked bank on the bank of Chinnar river. Staff was very kind and informative. Would recommend for family and friends. They do this trekking service from 7 am till 5 pm. You can walk in and book.

It was one of the best experience of my life !! It was a hustle free travelling because of that buttery smooth roads :-) There's a lot to experience in the whole sanctuary but one of the best place to hike in Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is Thoovanam Waterfall that was mind blowing 😍It may be hidden away in the lush forests of the Chinnar Wildlife sanctuary, but the Thoovanam Waterfall makes its presence known with a rumble and a roar long before you get a glimpse of it. apart from that there is 4 check post . You can hire a guide for guided trek so that you can enjoy every bit of your trek !! We can see wild animals like elephant ,deer , bear, basion and absolutely stunning peacock as well 😍 I would like to advise that one shouldn't stay there after 6 pm try to leave that place before 5 pm for safety reasons ! Overall it's an amazing place!!! You should take that experience!! (Best season to visit : rainy season)

I am went this way to Munnar with my family. Nice experience in this place but fear in my mind because both sides of the road was forest. Even we can saw some variety birds and animals. The government also informed there is some information boards take care, This place is including tiger, elephant, and etc.

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Kerala, India, is renowned for its diverse flora and fauna, including the endangered grizzled giant squirrel. It's characterized by its unique thorny vegetation and rocky terrain, offering visitors a chance to explore a pristine wilderness. Conservation efforts within the sanctuary aim to preserve its rich biodiversity for future generations.

I love nature..... Who all want to smell, feel about nature den u should visit here

There was an absolute lack of information online on how to arrange or book a trek in the area. When we called the checkpost up, the border guard simply told us to turn up at 8am and a guide would arrive. This was a huge ask as we were staying 2.5 hrs away in Munnar but we rolled the dice after being swayed by the pretty pictures we saw online.

Woke up at 4am, got picked up at 5am, and reached the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary Kerala checkpost at 7+am. The guards waiting there told us that the trekking guides would come around 8 to 830. We sat at the checkpost and proceeded to eat our breakfast while fending off the very aggressive macaques (saw a big male actually break into a car that had stopped at the checkpost to make off with an apple. The occupants inside the car ran out screaming).

830 came and went. Enquired with the border guards again. They assured us the guides would come. We asked if they had a number to call, they said the guides were from the tribal areas and beyond the reach of cell reception.

At about 8.55am, the guides finally turn up, decked in camo uniform with CWS badges. We were taken into the ecotourism centre, where we paid 700 rupees each for a 3 hour trek (foreigner rate). We were issued a receipt.

Our guide then took us back to the checkpost and registered our trek with the border guards. We then proceeded off into the bush with our guide who took us on a 3 hour hike that included a climb up a watchtower.

During our trek, we saw elephants and gaur from a distance (and lots of their dung up close). The sounds they made could be heard across the valley. Our local guide had eyes that were preternaturally sharp and pointed out the wildlife to us that we would have otherwise missed.

Overall, the experience was great and I greatly enjoyed myself. The only downside was the scorching hot weather so please bring lots of sunblock, a wide brim hat, or even an umbrella. This was on 20 Feb 2023.

Anyway, for those looking to come here, my advice would be to reach the Chinnar Kerala checkpost at about 9 or 930am, when the ecotourism office should be open. Sign up with a local guide and you'll be on your way.

(Other online reviews of the checkpost talk about being robbed by the border guards, which honestly sounds quite scary. When we were there in the morning, the guards were entirely professional and polite, if somewhat punctilious about insisting that we do not wander around and stay put while waiting for the guides to turn up).

Highly recommend the guided trekking they offer through the forest. Plan to be here early morning or evening so the chances of seeing animals are high.

If you love nature, you should travel through this route atleast once and feel the nature yourself. It doesn't matter even if you didn't see any animals, this trip through the western ghats is enough. Please dont throw plastic. Also drive carefully.

It was a daring ride through the dense forest. The road towards the Destination is very narrow and so the speed limit. It is advised to take this route during day time so that u can enjoy the view of Anamalai forest , and if your lucky you can watch birds, animals etc in this route.

DONT TAKE THIS ROUTE during night as it's very risky to drive. And there are chances of sudden fog hindering the visibility to the road.

An awesome place for a short riverside trek.

Have to appreciate Kerala Tourism for properly managing the trek and stay booking through the site.

Those who want to have a custom trekking schedule can reach out to the office.

Trekking usually starts at 9am. Usually there would be enough guides to accompany the visitors.

Best time to visit is early in the morning where you can see lots of animals coming and moving around. We had good time

The Chinnar and Pambar rivers are the major perennial water resources in the sanctuary. The Chinnar originates near Kumarikal Malai, follows the interstate boundary along the northwest edge of the sanctuary for 18 km and becomes the Amaravati River in Tamil Nadu.

The Pambar River originates in the Anaimudi Hills and is joined by seasonal rivulets and a few perennial streams originating from sholas in the upper reaches. It traverses the Turner’s Valley in Eravikulam National Park and flows down into the sanctuary through the Taliar Valley between Kanthalloor and Marayoor villages and eastwards through the sanctuary. It joins the Chinnar River at Koottar. The Thoovanam water falls lie deep within the sanctuary on the Pambar River. This cascade is a major tourist attraction. The Chinnar, Pambar, Kabani and Bhavani are the only rivers of the 44 in Kerala that flow eastwards

Great experience for the wildlife enthusiastic persons. Have a chance to see many wild animals and birds. Many stay options are available here. Need to book online. Loghouse and dormitory are available. Best forest trekking experience. Chinnar wildlife is very famous for Grizzled giant squirrel and White Gaur. Must try to visit watchtower. Biggest watchtower. We can see the very largest area of the Chinnar sanctuary and spot the wild animals.

Best adventure road. Very small road. But traffic in weekends. Riders will enjoy the road. But very careful. Sometimes elephants will cross the road...