THE 10 BEST Kerala Nature & Wildlife Areas
Nature & Wildlife Areas in Kerala
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Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
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What travellers are saying
- Explore002139199735 contributionsPros: Knowing we were unlikely to actually see a tiger, we loved the beautiful scenery and saw elephants, bison, deer and other animals throughout the jungle trek. We did hear a tiger roar late at night and saw some fresh tiger prints, which was exciting!
Cons: We were the only non-natives in our group, and the guides preferred to speak their local language with the others which meant we were an afterthought or just ignored during the trek. Often the wildlife would have come and gone before they remembered to translate what they were talking about. Also, we felt incredibly excluded at camp, as everyone (including the guides) only spoke their native language and made us eat meals separately / at different times to the rest of the group. We felt so uncomfortable with the situation that we made our excuses and asked to leave a day earlier than planned.
Having said this, Periyar is worth visiting as a tourist. If you do the trekking + camping option, our advice is to ensure you are in a big enough group of foreigners to ensure the guides cater to the majority.Written 8 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - BoardingPass824265California19 contributionsWe were a bit worried reading the other reviews. But when we decided to go there (since it was on the way), we felt that the 4 female elephants were well taken care of. There were no chained up babies (as we saw in one review !?), and they told us they never had babies. We did not ride the elephants, but bathed them instead. They seemed to enjoy it (I am not an elephant expert !!). As the story goes these 4 elephants are rescues from forest working elephants and are now in this ‘sanctuary’. If that’s true, I think they are in a better place (they cannot be released in the wild), and I honestly hope the story is true. It would be disturbing to me if not.Written 2 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Adrian DelsoIwerne Minster, UK8 contributionsWhat an experience! The plantation is a green, jungly space, with marked pathways through it.
Mani, one of the family who have owned and run the plantation for, l think, 70 years, led us round.
His excellent English and extensive knowledge of every plant made for an entertaining, informative and immersive experience. Culinary and health benefits of everything were explained, enthusiastically. Who knew turmeric looked like that? Oh, so that’s a ginger plant! Leaves were plucked, ripped and presented to us to smell or taste.
Time flew by until (inevitably) we ended up in the shop.
As soon as we entered, we were offered candied ginger and cashew nuts. Together they mitigate travel sickness, which l don’t suffer from, and are delicious. There was also their own chocolate to nibble while browsing.
We bought masses of spices and oils - the water lily oil is an excellent mosquito repellent - and left, promising to write a review on Tripadvisor.Written 29 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - BeversUnited Kingdom170 contributionsTook a guided tour with a ranger and we saw monkeys, kingfishers, wild boar and lots of different types of birds. He was very informative. Was so lovely and quiet. RecommendWritten 3 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Diuthin john RajanKottayam District, India3 contributionsVagamon is a good good hill station situated 64 kms from kottayam on the idukki - kottayam border dotted with tea plantations and medows.Written 1 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Shridhar KalyanpurBengaluru, India16 contributionsI visited this place in Aug 22 with my wife and its a good place if you are a wildlife and scenery loving person. The forest is dense without mobile network. If you are planning to stay inside Parambikulam then you have some 4-5 choices to book online. I booked Thunakadavu Tree Top Hut accommodation for 2N/3D along with pug mark trail trekking and below is my experience.
> The forest department people look for excuse to cancel trekking with excuses like there should be minimum of 10 people, rain, leech all other reasons.
> Stay at for Thunakadavu Tree Top Hut was a nightmare as there are hundreds of rodents and rats which easily enter your hut. We had some biscuits in one of our bag and the rats despite keeping this bag in a stand, punctured the bag and ate all the biscuits. The rats move all around you making noise and some also climbed our bed at night. Remind you, you are alone in that hut without signal to call for help and also not advised to climb down the staircase due to elephant/wild animal movements during nights. During day, there are lot of monkeys which made sure we cannot enjoy the property sitting outside. The next day, I was successful to change from hut to Tented niche and slept well which i missed previous night.
> Location of hut is excellent. Honeycomb is midst tribal settlement and Tented niche is near admin office so location wise Hut is very good and isolated.Written 18 August 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Curious_Yagnamurthy20159464452Shillong, India22 contributionsThe place is with plentiful of scenics beauty along with the beautiful creatures on earth, the place has many colorful birds that filled the place with amazing sounds. Felt relaxed in the lap of nature... Cheaper ticket with amazing expereince.Written 27 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- sikhilThrissur District, India1,290 contributionsExtraordinary place for animal lovers especially elephants. Upto 50 elephants are maintained and feeded. Beautiful place to be seen in Guruvayoor. Can have a relaxed day with friends and family.Written 21 February 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Sandeep BhagatPune, India26 contributionsCan complete this spot in 15 -20 min.
You can see 20/25 elephants of different age and size.
Good to visit with children.Written 23 November 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Gopakumar PDubai, United Arab Emirates36 contributionsWalk safari in Chinnar forest was adventurous. we had a 3 hours walk in the forest to reach Thoovanam water fall. We did not spot any wild life except monkeys but the experience was awesome.Written 27 December 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Prasanth JKochi (Cochin), India103 contributionsThattekad Bird Sanctuary is a must-visit for nature lovers and bird enthusiasts. Nestled along the banks of the Periyar River, the sanctuary offers a serene environment with a variety of bird species to spot. For the best bird sighting experience, it's recommended to arrive before 7:30 in the morning.
The mini park around the river includes a butterfly park and a kids' play area, which are part of a namesake mini zoo that doesn't have many animals. There is also an option for a forest trek, boat ride and for those who want to truly immerse themselves in the environment, a forest stay can be booked in advance.
Note that entry to the sanctuary is with a fee, but it's well worth the experience. The combination of rich biodiversity, peaceful river views, and well-maintained surroundings makes Thattekad a perfect escape for a day immersed in nature.Written 5 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Anandhu U SDublin, Ireland58 contributionsPalakkayam Thattu is undoubtedly one of the best top stations I have ever visited. Perched at an altitude of 3,500 feet above sea level, this breathtaking location offers views that are nothing short of astonishing. From the top, you can literally see the entire valley sprawling out below, creating a mesmerizing panorama that captures the essence of Kerala’s natural beauty. The height of this station makes it feel like you’re on top of the world, with the landscape stretching out as far as the eye can see.
One of the most striking features of Palakkayam Thattu is the wind. It’s incredibly windy up here, which adds a unique dynamic to the experience. The wind sweeps across the landscape, making the whole scene feel alive and ever-changing. However, the same wind and harsh climate seem to have taken a toll on the facilities. While there were originally many amenities available, most of them now lie in ruins, possibly due to the relentless weather conditions. Despite this, the friendly staff are still very welcoming and helpful, ensuring that your visit remains enjoyable.
Parking is plentiful, making it easy to access this stunning viewpoint. Palakkayam Thattu is also making a name for itself in the tourism sector, carving out a new identity for Kannur, a region traditionally known for its rich cultural heritage of Theyyam and Thira. With its novel tourism programs, this place is becoming a must-visit destination for those seeking both natural beauty and a connection to the local culture.
Palakkayam Thattu is a remarkable spot that offers a one-of-a-kind experience. The views alone are worth the trip, and despite the weather-worn facilities, the overall experience is something that will stay with you long after you’ve descended back to sea level.Written 4 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - DipuKVPune, India3,302 contributionsThe second biggest lake in Kerala, Ashtamudi is an experience with its canal cruises, backwater boat rides & amazing properties.Written 9 February 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Mila3 contributionsI loved seeing the elephants, compared to other places they take really good care of them. My only complaint is how they are chained up. I agree with having a singular chain but the babies had two chains on them. They need to fix this!!Written 4 January 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Nofil R10 contributionsReally friendly and welcoming staff on the Flamingo houseboat. Food was amazing. Lijo and Venugopal are great at preparing food. JP was good company giving us information on the surroundings. We had a good timeWritten 29 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
