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

 

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