Who doesn’t love a trip to Kerala, dubbed as God’s own country? The picturesque coastline dotted with palm and coconut trees is reason enough for one to lose themselves amidst the beauty of Kerala, add the lush greenery and vibrant natural diversity and you get a place so beautiful that your heart would never want to leave once you reach.
Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary, nestled at the heart of Kerala, is a perfect blend and appropriation of everything natural Kerala has to offer. The sanctuary offers a trek through it which is the perfect way to get in touch with nature and wildlife and is a definite destination for any wildlife explorer worth his/her penny!
From captivating birds to endangered plants and animals, Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary has it all and hence is the perfect place for a wildlife explorer to delve into the mysteries of wildlife and nature.
The sanctuary is situated in the foothills of the Western Ghats and is one of the 25 biodiversity hotspots and hence it’s ideal to take the trip in winter because a lot of reptilian carnivorous species are going to be in hibernation. Moreover the summer and monsoon seasons are not viable because of the intense humidity and heavy rainfall respectively.
The nearest city is Thrissur which is 36 kms away. Cabs, both share and rental are available to go to the sanctuary. The nearest airport is the Kochi international airport which is situated at a distance of 60 km’s from Chimmony. Buses are available for large groups at rental rates from both Thrissur and Kochi airport.
The Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary has a wide variety of flora which includes three primary forest types of tropical rainforest, most deciduous and semi-evergreen forests. It has some of the rarest and endangered orchid species in the entire world with the likes of Osmunda Raogans and Habomaria Rariflora. A large number of endangered trees like Diospysus Nilgirica and Hydrophylla Erecta are found splattered across the forest. There are a reported 39 species of mammals, 192 species of birds, 31 fish, 14 amphibians and 25 different species of reptiles have been reported to be inhabiting the sanctuary along with the migratory birds who drop in during winters. Some exquisite mammals found in this sanctuary are barking deer, slender Loris porcupine and Indian bison. The endangered species of tiger, leopard, elephant, sambhar are also present in abundance. The main attraction is for aviary experts as this place boasts of an unforgettable variety of birds. Some of which are almost impossible to find across the globe. The prominent jewels of this diverse array of birds are lesser fish eagle, Loten’s sunbird, Malabar whistling thrush, broad billed roller, ashy minivet et al, the endemic primate species lion-tailed langur and the red-listed Indian giant squirrel is also found here. All in all an amazing trip though the local wildlife would guarantee any wildlife explorer of a trek to remember.
The Thumboormuzhy gardens has two main attractions. The first one is a 185 mts long hanging bridge connecting the villages of Thumboormuzhy and Ezhattumugam. One can stand on the bridge and enjoy the scenic view of the Athirpalli falls and the fast flowing rapids in the river underneath. The second attraction is the butterfly garden which boasts of housing 184 different species of butterflies. The Thumboormuzhy dam offers a serene environment to dwell upon the beauty of the place without any disturbance.
Situated just beside the Chimmony sanctuary this sanctuary offers a view of a fauna almost as diverse as Chimmony. Moreover it also has picnic spots so that when one gets hungry after a long day of trekking or maybe if one wants to laze their time away this sanctuary offers the perfect opportunity to do so.
This dam is situated near Palakkad and on a tributary of the Mangalam River. The calm serene water of this dam takes on a dangerously beautiful form as it overflows through the six huge lockgates of the dam after the monsoon season, which is quite naturally the best time to visit the place. The amazing view of the forest and the countryside is enough to leave you content and happy after a strenuous week or so. Amidst all the adventures one can have in Chimmony, this dam offers a much needed leisure spot to just while away the time and recharge.
These waterfalls are situated near Marottichal. Both the waterfalls are situated in the dense jungles with avid greenery all around. During the trek the Olakkayam waterfall comes first. The Ilanjippara waterfall is about an hour’s trek from there on. The heavy water flow of the falls makes it riskier but more beautiful. Wild animals come out here at night to drink water but are rarely seen during daytime.
For wildlife enthusiasts the boating on the Chimmony Lake is a wonderful experience as the boat meanders through the dense foliage on all sides one can’t help but appreciate the wonders of nature. Sailing through the calm pristine waters of the lake one can lean back and enjoy the immense beauty of the forest cover all around.
Night stay at the sanctuary guest house and some tree houses
Tree houses are a sublime addition to the thrills of Chimmony. The guest house is also great but one can realize the childhood dreams of staying in a tree house here. Of course, the demand is intense and hence one has to book months in advance to get a booking but it’s worth it.
There would be a guide, to guide you through the forest trails and lead you safely through your trek. Moreover, wild animals are not usually frequent along the trail of the trek. So stop fretting, go get your bookings and brush up on your knowledge of biology. You are in for the treat of your life at Chimmony.
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