Eravikulam National Park
The Eravikulam National Park is home to some of the rarest species of Flora and Fauna. Known as the Nilgiri Tahr's home, it has this animal's largest population. Many people also head to this national park to witness the Neelakurinji Flower. The specialty of this flower is that it blooms once in 12 years and is a sight to behold when it is in full bloom. The park also possesses the highest peak in south India, Anamudi. There are many options for tourists, like trekking and safari. One can spot the rare Nilgiri Tahr, Indian Bison, Nilgiri Langur, and Leopards. It is a fascinating sight to be able to spot such rare and majestic beauty of nature.
The Park is divided into three areas- Rajamalai, Buffer, and core area, out of which only the Rajamalai area is accessible to the public, and the other two are restricted.
Quick Facts
Address: Munnar - Udumalpet Road, Kannan Devan Hills, Kerala, 685612, India
Opening hours: 07:00 hrs to 18:00 hrs
Opened on: 31 March 1978
Where is it located?
The Eravikulam National Park is situated in the Munnar district of God’s country, Kerala. It is a very well-connected state; hence, it is easily accessible from all parts of the country. The mesmerizing beauty of the National Park attracts visitors from all over the world who flock here to witness the famous yet endangered Nilgiri Tahr and other rare species of animals. The Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary was the first-ever National Park in Kerala and attracted close to 5,00,000 tourists annually. The Eravikulam National Park location is lovely and is set against the backdrop of the majestic Anamudi mountain and Kannan Devan Hills.
Getting there are easy thanks to the vast network of redBus, and you can always book your tickets online in advance.
What is the significance of the National Park?
The main idea behind the founding of this park was the conservation of endangered species of plants and animals. The Eravikulam national park is famous for the Nilgiri Tahr and is now its habitat. Over the years, the national park has become home to many animals, including lion-tailed macaques, leopards, tigers, golden jackals, sambar deer, and wild dogs. In addition, there are some lesser-known animals like the dusky palm squirrel, Indian porcupine, ruddy mongoose, and Nilgiri marten. Elephants are also known to visit during the seasons.
Apart from animals, many species of birds include the rare black and orange flycatcher, Nilgiri wood pigeon, Nilgiri flycatcher, Nilgiri pipit, and Kerala laughing thrush.
The national park is also famous for cultivating medicinal plants such as Elettaria cardamomum and Drosera peltata. In addition, the park provides water for drinking and irrigation purposes in the Aanjanad valley. The tributaries of the rivers Periyar and Chalakuddy and the tributaries of River Pambar help maintain the climate.
Since the National Park is an abode to many species of animals, there are rules that all the tourists must abide by, thereby not inviting trouble for themselves or the animals. While visiting the National Park, the tourists are expected to remain courteous to the animals and not disturb their natural habitat. Visitors are expected to keep the park surroundings clean and avoid littering on the premises. Feeding the animals is strictly prohibited. The use of plastic is strictly banned in the National Park; the authorities will make you discard if you have any before entering.
Locations and bus routes
The Eravikulam National Park is situated in the Kannan Devan hills and can be accessed through Munnar. redBus offers services in almost every part of the country and makes every location easier to visit. You can board a bus to Munnar and then take the road to Rajamala to reach the National Park. It is always advisable to board the buses from any major city since the number of buses available is high; hence, you can find plenty of options and choose whatever suits your type and budget. The central bus operator on this route is KeralaRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation)
The National Park boasts captivating views and has hoards of tourist activities, like camping, trekking, and nature education camps. In addition, you can head to the redBus website or app, check the bus routes and ticket availability from all the major cities, and choose whatever is convenient. Below we have curated a list of the bus routes you can refer to while traveling, which may be handy.
How to reach Eravikulam National park by bus?
Located in Munnar, it is connected to all the adjoining cities and towns in the state. The nearest airport from Munnar is 110 km away, the Cochin International Airport. So, if traveling down south to this magnificent National Park is on your mind, here’s a guide on reaching the following cities.
How to reach Eravikulam National Park from Delhi?
There is no direct transport service available that connects Delhi to Munnar. However, one can take a flight from Delhi to Cochin and board a bus to reach Munnar. The distance is 126 km, a 4 hours journey that can be comfortably covered by bus.
How to reach Eravikulam National Park from Ahmedabad?
Since the distance between Ahmedabad and Munnar is close to 1800 km, the fastest way to reach would be to take a flight from Ahmedabad to Cochin and further travel to Munnar by cab or bus. However, the cheapest way to travel will be to take a train from Ahmedabad to Bangalore and then board a direct bus to Munnar.
How to reach Eravikulam National Park from Dwarka?
The nearest airport from Dwarka is the Jamnagar Domestic Airport, and one can board a flight to Cochin and cover the remaining distance by bus. Another way to travel would be to take a train from Jamnagar to Thiruvananthapuram Central and then take a bus to Munnar.
Eravikulam National Park routes on redBus:
Here are some of the most popular and convenient routes to Eravikulam National Park:
Bangalore to Munnar: The journey takes 10-12 hours. The first bus departs at 8 pm, and the last departs at 10:30 pm.
Chennai to Munnar: There are direct buses between Chennai and Munnar, with the journey being approximately 12 hours long and costing an average of 1500 rupees. The first bus departs at 7:45 pm, and the last departs at 9:30 pm.
Thrissur to Munnar: The journey from Thrissur to Munnar is 4 hours 30 minutes, and the average fare is 236 rupees. The buses depart as early as 2 am.
Hosur to Munnar: The first bus from Hosur departs at 7:30 pm, and the last bus leaves at 11:59 pm. The journey is approximately 10 hours long. The tickets are priced at an average of 1450 rupees.
To find out about more bus routes and discounts on bus tickets, you can also visit the redBus website or app.
