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The Eravikulam National Park opens on all days from 7.30 am to 4 pm. The park is closed in the months of February and March, this being the calving season of the Nilgiri Tahr.
Description:The Eravikulam national park is a sanctuary for the Nilgiri Tahr also called the Varayadu. This variety of mountain goat which is an endangered mammal looks more like a sheep and is very elegant looking.
About 900 of them which is almost half of the surviving Nilgiri Tahr lives in the Eravikulam National Park.
The Eravikulam national park is divided into three zones. The tourism zone, the buffer zone and the core area. Rajamalai is the tourism zone of the Eravikulam National Park or the ENP. There is no public entry to the other zones. Trekking options are provided by the forest department.
The ENP with hills and mountains is a refreshing place and has comparatively less forest area. It is the meadows, misty mountains and the shola forests that makes Rajamalai beautiful.
Different varieties of mammals, reptiles, birds and butterflies are also found in this area. Some orchid varieties are also identified here. It has many springs and streams which are the starting point of a few rivers.
Entry to the Rajamalai tourist zone is in vehicles, usually buses provided by the forest department only. From the forest check post, the visitors are taken till the hilltop check post which is the last point for vehicles. Visitors get some excellent views as they climb the Rajamalai hills.
From the hilltop check post, the visitors need to walk about a kilometre to reach the hilltop where one could see the enigmatic Nilgiri Tahr. Seeing the Nigiri Tahr is not guaranteed though. Some nice views and fresh air await visitors here.
Rajamalai is also a Neelakurinji blooming spot. However that happens once in 12 years and the next Neelakurinji season will be in 2030. During the season, vast areas are filled with blooming Neelakurinji and is a breathtaking site.
Travel and accommodation at Eravikulam National Park
From Munnar take the Marayoor road. Eravikulam is about 12 kilometres from Munnar. Bus services are available till Munnar. No bus service is available to Eravikulam. One needs to take an auto or hire a jeep. There is no accommodation available at Eravikulam. Shops are also not available here.
Eravikulam can also be reached via Udumalepet and Marayoor. It is about 36 kilometres from Marayoor towards Munnar through the Kannan Devan Hills Plantations (KHDP).
A restaurant run by the dept is present at the entry point.
A cafe is also present at the hilltop check post. It serves tea, coffee and some light snacks. Toilet facilities and a souvenir shop are present at the hilltop check post.
Tickets / Registration:Eravikulam National Park ticket rates: Person above 12 years Rs 120. Children below 12 years, Rs 90. Foreign Nationals Rs 400. Reservation counter is open from 9 am – 3 pm at the Tourist Information centre at Munnar Town. The entry tickets can also be booked online. Ervaikulam National Park contact numbers for information and reservations: 91-4865-231587, Mobile: +91 8547603199, +91 8301024187.
Register or buy tickets at https://eravikulamnationalpark.in/landing/index.phpThis information is posted by someone who thought it might be useful for others like you. Please consider posting a local activity that you know.
