Eravikulam National Park
Eravikulam National Park:
Perched majestically along the high-altitude crests of the Western Ghats in the Idukki district, right on the border of Munnar, Eravikulam National Park is a spectacular ecological treasure. Sprawling across an expansive 97 square kilometers of rolling grasslands and high-altitude shola forests, this pristine sanctuary is Kerala’s very first national park. It was established primarily to shield the Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius), a rare, stocky mountain goat endemic to these southern crags, from the brink of extinction.
The park is a wild world of dramatic cliff faces, deep ravines, and mist-shrouded plateaus that hover nearly 7,000 feet above sea level. It is also famously home to Anamudi, the highest peak in India south of the Himalayas, which towers formidably over the landscape. Every twelve years, this protected wilderness becomes the epicenter of a global natural phenomenon when the rare Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) shrubs burst into bloom, blanketing the entire mountain ecosystem in a breathtaking, endless sea of vibrant purplish-blue. For travelers, Eravikulam offers a pristine alpine escape, characterized by crisp, bone-chilling mountain breezes and close-up encounters with some of the rarest wildlife in the Indian subcontinent.
Top Things to See & Do Inside:
Spot the Endangered Nilgiri Tahr at Rajamala: Rajamala is the designated tourism zone of the national park and stands as the premier location in the world to observe the Nilgiri Tahr in its natural habitat. Visitors board eco-friendly, forest-department-approved safari buses that wind up the steep, mist-laden mountain tracks. From the drop-off point, a scenic, paved cliffside walking trail allows you to watch these agile mountain goats graze, leap across rocky ledges, and tend to their young, completely unbothered by human presence.
Admire the Formidable Majesty of Anamudi Peak: Rising grandly within the core area of the park is Anamudi, the undisputed “Everest of South India,” towering to an impressive height of 8,842 feet ($2,695\text{ meters}$). Shaped like an elephant’s forehead, this monolithic peak is a vital ecological zone shelter for rare flora and fauna. While trekking to the absolute summit is restricted to preserve the delicate ecosystem, the park’s designated viewing decks provide a sweeping, panoramic view of its sheer granite walls and the deep, green valleys of Kerala and neighboring Tamil Nadu.
Trek Through the High-Altitude Shola-Grassland Ecosystem: Walking along the permitted paths of the park offers a firsthand look at a unique, ancient botanical layout. The landscape is a fascinating mix of expansive, windswept montane grasslands interrupted by patches of Sholas—stunted, tropical evergreen rainforests tucked into the sheltered valleys. These unique forest pockets are rich with endemic orchids, wild balsams, mosses, and rare birdlife like the Nilgiri Pipit and the Kerala Laughingthrush.
Visit the Lakkom Waterfalls Complex: Located on the fringes of the national park along the Munnar-Marayoor road, Lakkom Waterfalls is a beautiful cascade fed by the pristine streams originating deep inside the Eravikulam sanctuary. The crystal-clear mountain water thunders down a steep, rocky cliff into a wide, shallow pool surrounded by dense forest trees. The forest department has set up clean eco-trails and a small refreshment kiosk here, making it an excellent stopover to relax your feet in the cool, refreshing mountain water.
View Nearby Destinations
- All Events
- Destinations
