Parambikulum.

I went to a place called Parambikulum on saturday. It is a wildlife sanctuary near Pollachi, Kerala. They have interesting packages. The one we went for was called the Tented Niche. We stayed at Parambikulum and did some animal and bird watching. It is a dense forest with 26 tigers in it. Totally unexplored and maintained by the tribes around there. The govt. is doing well to maintain the serenity of the place.

We saw deers, Elephants (a huge heard of them), bisons and wild boars. There are 26 tigers, but we could not spot any. The govt does not allow night safari as they do not want to disturb the animals in the night. It seems like a untouched forest, much like the silent valley that Chili had been to.

The interesting packages there are :
Anekal Wild : It is a 3 km trek into the forest. This is available only 5 days in a month (on full moon nights). There will be a tent for 6 people in the middle of the jungle and with us will be 2 naturalists, 2 gunmen and 2 watchmen. We have to carry the grocery and food will be prepared for us. bathrooms available. It is only one night action and we will have to wait all night to spot any animal. Chances of spotting a tiger are the highest (though people have come there 10 times and have not been able to see one). It is 3000 / tent per night.

Vengoli : This is also in the middle of the forest for one night. Since this is a daily package, the human intervention in this part of the forest is high. But, chances of spotting animals in the night is high. This package starts from 4 pm in the evening till the next morning. Grocery needs to be taken. Bathrooms not available (I think) and it is a 6 km trek to the place.

TramwayTrek : It is a 2 day trek. Total of 25 km through the forest. You will be walking through the forest with 2 naturalists, 2 gunmen and 2 watchmen in the night. You will be trekking from Parambikulum to Adarampalli. Chances of spotting a rare animals is high. Cost - 6000 for 5 people.

There are other night treks starting at 11 pm up till 2 am. From parambikulum to parambikulum, I think.

Trombay trek might be difficult for some people. Anekal wild is the most exciting. It will be really exciting to catch a glimpse of of the wild cats (restricting the usage to animals only, not porn movies. )

This place will be closed during monsoon - September, October, November. And people there understand only Tamil and Malayalam. So you can ask Chili or Achuth to get more details, do the booking etc. For booking, you need to send a money order of the advance amount.

It is about 10 hours journey from here till Parambikulum. We could take our cars or hire a TT.

Contact numbers :

04253 - 277251 - Mahendrekran
04253 - 277249 - Chandran
(These are the boat men who gave us all the details. They will also suggest good guides and organize things for us, if needed)

Parambikulum Eco-Center contact :
04253 – 245025. Ask for Gopi. He is very helpful. You can take the reference of Dinesh and the group of 6 people who came on June 7th.

Website : http://www.parambikulam.org

Okay, you will find all this info on the website. I did not know till I looked now.