Eco Tourism Spots in Kerala – Off Beaten Micro Destinations in Kerala
Kerala is one of the first States in India to explore the opportunity of developing Eco Tourism micro destinations as a part of its Responsible Tourism projects. Due to the vibrance of the State’s diversity and natural setting and the extensive patch of Western Ghats, there are many diverse spots available for tourists depending upon their special interests. As all spots are spread across the State and under different Wildlife Divisions, its essential that you have a local tour operator and guides to explore the regions. Please feel free to speak to us for any further assistance.
Keralavoyages is the first Travelife Certified Tour Operator in India with a special focus on Community Oriented Responsible Tourism programs and similar Sustainable initiatives. Our entire team is trained and qualified on Sustainability to assist you to design a tailor made tour with the best possible sustainability inclusions.
Disclaimer: All mentioned activities are subject to the approval and availability from concerned Forest Division Offices.
Ponmudi- In the Trivandrum Circuit, Hill station
Attractions: Meenmutty waterfalls, Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, a variety of wayside plants and mountain flowers.
Wildlife:NilgiriTahr, elephants and wild gaurs
Activities: soft, medium and hard treks to Varayadumotta, Seethatheertham, Manachala and Maruthwamala
Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary- In the Trivandrum Circuit, Wildlife Sanctuary
Attractions:Neyyar Dam, Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Crocodile Rehabilitation Centre , Lion Safari Park and Deer Park.
Wildlife:Wild gaur, sloth bear, NilgiriTahr, jungle cat ,Nilgiri langur, wild elephants and sambar deer.
Activities:Trekking to Meenmutty, Boating in Neyyar Reservoir, Van safari in Lion park, Cruising and camping options, jungle hut stays.
Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary- Trivandrum Circuit, Wildlife Sanctuary
Attractions: Vazhvanthal Falls, unique Landscape with hillocks and forests
Wildlife:43 species of Mammals including Leopard, Sloth Bear, Tiger, Elephant, Sambar Deer, NilgiriTahr and Langur
Activities:Soft treks to Vazhvanthal and Nature walks
Arippa- Trivandrum Circuit- A Birders’haven
Attractions: Myristica Swamps
Wildlife:Malabar hornbills, warblers, flycatchers, woodpeckers and babblers of different varieties
Activities:Trek to Myristica Swamps, Birdwatching, stay at Jyothirmayi Guest House run by Kerala Forest Development Corporation
Kottur- The elephant cradle- Trivandrum Circuit-Agastyakoodam Hills
Attractions: Agastyavanam Biological Park, rare herbs and medicinal plants
Wildlife:Wild Elephants
Activities:Kottur Elephant Rehabilitation Centre, bowl boating, bamboo rafting and pedal boating, stay in eco cottages
Mankayam- Trivandrum Circuit- A Birders’haven
Attractions: Two of the finest waterfalls in Kerala, Kalakayam and Kurisadi Waterfalls.
Wildlife:Bird Life
Activities:Trek to Ayampara and Varayadumottai
Thenmala- Kollam Circuit-Hill Station
Attractions: India’s first planned Eco Tourism spot, Adventure options
Activities:Recreational rock climbing and rappelling, river crossing, trekking, Visit to Deer Rehabilitation centre, Butterfly park visit, Visit to Nakshatravanam, a nursery of sacred trees, Riverside camping
Palaruvi Waterfalls- Kollam Circuit- Nature Spot
Attractions: Palaruvi Waterfalls, Natural Therapeutic Pool
Activities:Trek to the Falls, Therapeutic swim in the natural pool
Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary- Kollam Circuit -Wildlife
Attractions: One of the oldest River valley civilisations. Tropical Evergreen and semi-evergreen forests and wildlife
Wildlife:Deer, Langur and Gaur
Activities: Wildlife safari, Nature trails through Rosemala and Pallivasal forests, Hike on Skywalk, Full day trekking programs, camping, stay in tree top huts, trek to Kattilappara and Neduvannorkadavu
Kumbhavurutty&Manalur- Kollam Circuit- Nature spots
Attractions: Natural waterfalls originate from the Achankovil River
Activities: Nature walk, Visit the waterfalls, AchankovilShastha temple visit
Gavi- Periyar Circuit- Wildlife- Hillstation
Attractions: Picturesque landscapes and tropical forests. Home to the only two Gopher trees in the country.
Wildlife:Elephants, NilgiriTahr, Lion Tailed Macaque, more than 260 species of birds including the great pied hornbill, woodpecker,Minivets, Barbets and kingfishers
Activities:Boating in Kochu Pampa River, Full day treks, Camping and Jungle hut stays.
Konni – Periyar Circuit-Hill Station
Attractions: Elephant Rehabilitation Centre, Adavi Lake and Kalleli waterfall
Activities:Visit Konni Elephant camp, feed the elephants, bowl boating and coracle rafting in Adavi, Bus drive to Gavi
Eravikulam National Park- Munnar Circuit- Hill Station / Wildlife
Attractions: The first National Park in Kerala and home of NilgiriTahr. Grasslands and Shola Forests
Wildlife:NilgiriTahr, Golden Jackal, Jungle Cat, Wild Dog, Leopard, Nilgiri Langur, Stripe Necked Mangoose, Indian Procupine, Small Clawed Otter, Ruddy Mangoose and Dusky Palm Squirrel
Activities: Shola forest hikes, Rajamalai Hiking, Visit Lakkom waterfalls, Stay at Lakkom Log House, Van safari towards Rajamalai.
Periyar Tiger Reserve- Periyar Circuit- Wildlife
Attraction: Award winning Tiger sanctuary for conservation and protection. Wildlife sighting
Wildlife: There are around 40 plus tigers in the sanctuary but due to its wide spread thick wet evergreen forest, sighting of tigers is very rare.Other animals normally sighted are Asian elephant, gaur, sambar, wild pig, Malabar giant squirrel, Travancore flying squirrel, jungle cat, sloth bear, Nilgiritahr, lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, Salim Ali’s fruit bat, stripe-necked mongoose, and Nilgiri marten. Bird life includes Malabar Grey Hornbill, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Blue Winged Parakeet and many more
Activities:Full day bamboo rafting with trekking in the Sanctuary, Explore the tribal heritage, Border hiking, Nature walk through the forest, stay at Jungle camps and Jungle Scout ( Night Trekking)
Calvary Mount View Point- Munnar Circuit- Hill Station
Attractions: Trek to the peak of the Reservoir View, camping or farm living experiences
Activities: Trekking and camping
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary- Munnar Circuit- Hill Station / Wildlife
Attractions: A Well known repository of medicinal plants and endemic wildlife
Wildlife:Grizzled Giant Squirrel,Star Tortoise, Tufted Grey Langur, Gaur, Spotted Deer, Slender Loris, Wild Elephant, Crocodile, Tiger, Leopard, a wide birdlife, insects etc.
Activities: Guided Trekking in the Sanctuary. Stay in log Houses and forest huts.
Marayoor- Munnar Circuit- Hill Station / Forest, farming and Archaeology
Attractions: Natural growth of Sandalwood trees, Muniyaras, the ancient burial chambers with murals from the Neolithic Age, farmlands, sugarcane farms and Jaggery making units.
Wildlife:Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Tufted Grey Langur, Gaur, Spotted Deer, Wild Elephant, a wide birdlife, insects etc.
Activities:Picnic to Thoovanam waterfall, Trekking, Stay at Log Houses or Treetop huts (Machans)
Meesapulimala- Munnar Circuit- Hill Station / Trekking
Attractions: Amazing landscape and the Second highest Peak in the Western Ghats. Trekking & Camping
Activities: Multiple days trekking and camping. Off road jeep ride.
Rhodo Valley – Munnar Circuit- Hill Station / Trekking
Attractions: Trekking and camping
Activities: Multiple days trekking and camping
Pampadumchola National Park- Munnar Circuit- Hill Station / Wildlife
Attractions: Trekking to Vattavada, guided trekking in the Shola Forest, Stay in a log house
Wildlife:Most Common are Elephant, gaur, leopard, wild boar, sambar,common langur and a rich bird life.
Activities: Guided Trekking in the Sanctuary. Stay in log Houses and forest huts.
Mathikettan Chola National Park- Munnar Circuit- Hill Station / Wildlife
Attractions: Tribal Settlement, Wildlife Safari
Wildlife:Gaur, Wild Boar, sambar,common langur, Wild Dog and Jungle Cat
Activities: Guided Safari in the Sanctuary. Visiting the MuthuvanTribal Settlement.
Anamudi Chola National Park- Munnar Circuit- Hill Station / Wildlife
Attractions: Trekking to Anamudi Chola, Spot endemic flora
Activities: Trekking
Mannavan Chola- Munnar Circuit- Hill Station / Shola Forest
Attractions: High altitude moist rain forest eco system.Kanthallor Orchards
Activities: Visit Kanthalloor Orchards, Guided Trekking .
Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary- Munnar Circuit- Hill Station / Wildlife
Attractions: Nature Walk, Boating, Arch Dam visit
Wildlife:Elephant, Tiger, wild boar, sambar, Wild dog, Jungle Cat and a rich bird life.
Activities: Guided Nature Walk, Visit to the Arch Dam for the first hydro Electric Project in Kerala, Boating in the Reservoir, Bird watching trek
Kurinjimala Sanctuary- Munnar Circuit- Hill Station / Wildlife
Attractions: Kurinji plants, Sanctuary visit, NilgiriTahr, Jungle Stay
Wildlife:NilgiriTahr, Elephant, Gaur and Deer
Activities: Guided Trekking in the Sanctuary. Stay in log Houses and forest huts. Trekking to cliffy rocks
ThattekkadBird Sanctuary- Munnar Circuit- Wildlife/ Birding
Attractions: Bird watching treks inside the Salim ali Bird Sanctuary, Camping, Cycling
Wildlife/Birds:Malabar Grey Hornbill, Woodpecker, Rose Winged and Blue Winged Parakeet,Ceylon Frogmouth, Rose Billed Roller and many migrant birds between December & February
Activities: Guided Trekking in the Sanctuary. Bird Watching trails. Camping and Cycling
Abhayaranyam- Munnar Circuit- Elephant Training Centre
Attractions: Kaprikad Elephant Training Centre
Wildlife:Birds, Butterflies and Spiders
Activities:Visit Kaprikad Mini Zoo and Elephant training centre
Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary- Cochin City Circuit- Birding
Attractions: Bird Sanctuary Visit
Wildlife/Birding:Indian Flying Fox,Painted Bat, Eurasian Otter, House Rat and Three striped palm squirrel
Activities: Bird watching and see mangroves
PaniyeliPoru- Munnar Circuit- Riverside walks/ Birding
Attractions: cascading waterfall and birding
Activities: Guided forest walk. Birdwatching. Waterfall visit
Athirappally&Vazhachal Waterfalls- Munnar Circuit- Hill Station / Wildlife
Attractions: Two magnificent waterfalls, Birdwatching
Wildlife:Great Indian Hornbill, Elephant, Langurs, Malabar Giant Squirrel etc
Activities: Guided Trekking in the Forest. Waterfall visit. Drive through the forest up to Malakkappara.
Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary- North Kerala Circuit- Wildlife
Attractions: Wildlife trekking and bamboo rafting. Stay in Tree Houses. Boating in Chimmony Dam
Wildlife:Five Western Ghats endemic bird species occur here, including the grey-headed bulbul Indian rufous babbler and white-bellied blue-flycatcher . Other interesting species found here include-Ceylon frogmouth, Indian edible-nest swiftlet ‘,Malabar trogon ,Malabar whistling-thrush Loten’s sunbird etc.Other significant sightings during the survey included those of the large hawk cuckoo ,broad-billed roller and ashy minivet .Other Wildlife seen are tiger, Asian elephant , wild dog Indian giant squirrel , lion-tailed macaque ,Nilgiri langur and slender loris
Activities: Guided Trekking and bamboo rafting in the Sanctuary. Stay at Tree House. Boating in Chimmony Dam.
Peechi- Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary -North Kerala Circuit- Wildlife
Attractions: Dams and attached parks. Wildlife Sanctuary treks. Bird Watching
Wildlife:leopard, tiger, Sambar deer, Spotted deer, Wild Gaur and Asiatic elephant. More than 100 species of birds and several species of snakes and lizards are also found here.
Activities: Guided Trekking in the Sanctuary. Bird Watching
Silent Valley national Park-North Kerala Circuit- Hillstation/ Wildlife
Attractions: UNESCO World Heritage Site
Wildlife:lion-tailed macaque, Niligiri langur, Malabar giant squirrel, Nilgiritahr, Peshwa’s bat and hairy-winged bat.
Activities:Eco Tourism Experience trips. Birdwatching . Stay at Jungle accommodations. Visit Attappadi tribal settlement
Parambikulam Tiger Reserve-North Kerala Circuit- Wildlife
Attractions: Wildlife safari. Pugmark trails. Jungle Stays. Eco Shopping at Vanasree
Wildlife:Elephant, Gaur, Sloth Bear, Leopard and wide bird life
Activities: Guided Trekking in the Sanctuary. Bird Watching. River rafting. Bamboo rafting. Treetop stay.
Nelliyampathy-North Kerala Circuit- Wildlife/Hill Station
Attractions: Hill station 1500 MSL.Bird Watching
Wildlife:Indian Gaur,Deer , Giant Squirrel and endangered species like the NilgiriTahr and Lion-tailed Macaque
Activities: Guided Trekking in the Forest. Bird Watching. Jeep Safari. Stay at Jungle Lodges
Choolanur Peafowl Sanctuary-North Kerala Circuit- Wildlife/Hill Station
Attractions: Peafowl trails.Bird Watching
Wildlife:Peafowl and many varieties of birds
Activities:Nature Walk. Bird Watching.
Nilambur Teak Museum and Forest-North Kerala Circuit- Royal Heritage/ Nature
Attractions: Teak Museum & Teak Plantation
Activities:Visit Teak Museum and go for a walk through the Teak plantation.
Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary-North Kerala Circuit- Birding
Attractions: Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary
Activities:Birdwatching
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Muthanga&Tholpetty )-Wayanad Circuit- Wildlife/Hill Station
Attractions: Wildlife. UNESCO World Heritage Site Edakkal Caves. Tribal heritage.
Wildlife:Indian Gaur,Deer , Elephant, Tiger,Leopard, Bears, Giant Squirrel Langurs etc
Activities:Jeep Safari in the sanctuary. Muthanga and Tholpetty Sanctuary visits. Guided trekking at the permitted areas of the Sanctuary. Stay in tented camps.
Tirunelli-Wayanad Circuit- Wildlife/Hill Station
Attractions: Tirunelli Temple. Hill station 1740 MSL.Bird Watching
Wildlife: Elephant, Gaurs, Black Monkeys, Malabar Giant Squirrel etc
Activities: Guided Trekking toBrahmagiri Peak. Vishnu Temple Visit. Birdwatching
Kuruva Island and Kanthanpara-Wayanad Circuit- Wildlife/Hill Station
Attractions: Hill station.Bird Watching. River Walks
Activities:River rafting. Stay at camps. Guided treks
Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary-Wayanad Circuit- Wildlife/Hill Station
Attractions: Wildlife. Trekking. Stay at Camps
Wildlife:LionTalied Macaque, Nilgiri Langur, Malabar Pied Hornbill and Great Pied Hornbill.
Activities: Guided Trekking options. Bird Watching. Camp at Aralam Sanctuary
