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(PACKAGE DURATION 2 NIGHTS & 3 DAYS) |
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Why to use Cochin Tramway Trek |
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By the end of 18th centaury there was a tremendous increase in the use of teak tree for railways, ship building and other industries. Then the major portions of lower elevations Anamalai forests are under the Maharaja of Kochi. The then Royal Chieftain, Maharaja of Kochi had foreseen the opportunities. Under the government control he started teak felling from Anamalai forest. But the effort was to transport these huge logs from the dense rainforests to Kochi port. In 1907 he introduced a tramway from Parambikulam to Chalakudy through the forest. They done a great effort to built approach roads, rails and wagons, and bridges. It is said that the money raised through the export of teak from this forest were used for the construction of modern Kochi Harbor. |
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In 1952, Special financial committee of United Kerala abolished this tramway system, found it not viable. Thanks to the committee, this saved a biodiversity hotspot from extinction. Though the tramway was banned the remains like rails, wagons etc were not removed from the forest. By the passage of time forests came back and covered the entire relics, but left few wagons, rails, demolished bridges etc. It may be a fancy for the thriving new generation of wildlife.
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This trekking programme is starting from Parambikulam in the morning, tracing the tramway route, which is now under the rule of Animal Kingdom; where there is chance to encounter a tiger maharaja, and his allies, his subjects like deer, gaur elephants, bear etc. Resting in under the umbrella of banniyan trees, listening the chorus of birds like hornbills, mynas and others. By evening pitching the tents for the evening and dinner and the next day walk back to Parambikulam |
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Be a crew in this exploration of nature with history. |
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Itinerary |
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Day-1 |
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Departure from Kochi (5 hrs drive)
Visit to Parambikulam Tiger reserve
Spend the night in a tree house or a forest bungalow inside Anamalai Tiger reserve. |
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Day-2 |
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Start hiking after breakfast by observing the rich wildlife
Lunch and evening tea will be provided on the way
Night stay at a forest ranger’s house at Mudhuvanchal
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Day-3 |
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Start hike after breakfast
Lunch on the way
Arrival at Parambikulam in afternoon
Return to Kochi (5 hrs drive) |
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The escort team consists of one nature guide, an armed staff and 3 tribal guides. |
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FAQs |
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Where I am going? |
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Located in south east end of Palakad District of Kerala bordering Tamilnadu. From Parambikulam station the trek lead towards west into impregnable forest. |
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About the trek path |
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Mud path through the dense ever green foliage. The traverse has a total length of about 30 kms. Some time due to unexpected natural vagaries, the trek may deviate, so we can specify only approximate distance (25-30). |
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What I have to carry? |
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Dull colored cotton and woolen cloths, Personal things for 3 days, Trekking boots or canvas with good grip, a small back pack to carry your personal things and one bottle of water. |
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What is the climate like? |
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Depends on season. Any how cotton cloths for days and woolen for nights. The temperature may vary from 18-28 in day and 15-10 at night. |
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What are the don’ts? |
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Don’t smoke while trekking
Don’t take alcohol
Don’t carry any weapon/ music equipments
Don’t tease animals
Don’t collect anything from the forest
Don’t disobey the instructions of Team leader |
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BIRDING TRAILS OF CENTRAL WESTERN GHATS |
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Western Ghats is one of the most endemic bird areas on earth. Central & south Western Ghats are the hotspot for endemic birds of the Ghats. Our birding tour is starting from Kochi and Trivandrum. We are welcoming any number of days for birding in this region, but suggesting 6 to 10 days tour for an entire coverage. |
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06 Days Birding Tour |
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Day 01: |
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Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
Pick up from Kochi (either from Airport or Hotel) Proceed to Thattekad Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, one of the low altitude evergreen forests. It is a home for 280 species of birds including Grey hornbill, White-bellied tree pie, Rufous babbler, Wayanad laughing thrush, etc and a number of water birds. The accommodation will be arranged in a river resort. (Periyar river lodge). |
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Day 02: |
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Munnar
After early morning birding in the region move to the hills at Munnar - a tea town founded by the British. Munnar is a hill station averaging around 1500 m. The rich montaine forests surrounding the tea plantation is the home for 14 endemics of western Ghats like Grey-breasted laughing thrush, White-bellied short wing, Nilgiri flycatcher, Black & orange flycatcher, Broad tailed grass bird, Nilgiri pipit etc are easily sighted here and surrounding areas |
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Day 03: |
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Chinnar wildlife sanctuary
After morning birding in the montaine (Shola) forests proceed to Chinnar wildlife sanctuary. Wake up to green misty morning by the call of the “Whistling school boy”- the Malabar Whistling Thrush. Prepare to proceed to Chinnar Chinnar, lies in the eastern side of the Ghats with Palani Hill Tract, consists of dry deciduous to dry arid flora and hold hundreds of rare species including migrants. The Amaravathi Dam and its catchments in the reserve is providing shelter for many migrant birds. This stretch is a transition zone of the confluence of Western Ghats and Decan Plateau, harbors many species which rarely spot in other parts of Kerala. Stay at the Hotel (Chandana Residency). |
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Day 04: |
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Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary
After morning bird watching proceed to Banyan Tree Farm Resort in the out skirt of Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park. After noon birding through the farm forest of the resort. |
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Day 05:
Top Slip (Head Quarters of IGWLS)
Day visit and birding in Top Slip, the head quarters of Indira Gandhi wildlife sanctuaries & Tiger reserve where we expected to see Cylon frog mouth and many other endemics.
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Day 06:
Parambikulam Tiger reserve
Visit to Parambikulam Tiger reserve, one of the best wildlife enclaves in south India. Here there are certain sure points to see Grate Indian Horn Bill, one of the most beautiful and threatened bird in India. By noon return to Kochi, expected to reach Kochi by late evening. |
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(Detailed itinerary, programmes and Checklist of birds of each destination will be provided on booking) |
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WESTERN GHATS EXPLORER |
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Western Ghats, a chain of ancient mountains, located in the west cost of India, is one among the 18 bio-diversity hot spot on earth. Emerged from Gondwanaland this mountains carry more than 20 types of tropical forests, including high altitude mountain forest - the living fossils. This is the home for 4000 higher species of plants of which 1800 are endemic, 520 species of birds of which 16 are endemic, 62 genera of mammals of which 20 species are endemic, 142 species of reptiles, 197 species of amphibian’s enumerable number of insects and 43 tribal groups from 3 primitive ethnic groups.
This Adventure is a naturalist guided tour to the hotspots of Western Ghats from Kochi, including the highest peak south of Himalayas.
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The programme consists of:
Hiking through the wildlife zone
Camping inside the Jungle
Birding Tour
Visit to Mountain villages and tribal settlements
Safaris
Visit to ancient rock shelter paintings and archaeological sites
An interactive session with local people and culture apart from usual tourist itineraries. |
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Western Ghats Explorer is a journey into the unknown world of this biodiversity hotspot. Our programs under this title will be conducted in Nilgiri, Anamalais, Cardamom hills and Agasthya biospheres of the Western Ghats. This programme is broadly classified into the following categories |
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A. |
Living Hills show : This is an eco – tour across Western Ghats for usual tourists which includes soft trekking, birding, wildlife safaris, boating through lakes to view wildlife, Tribal & Mountain village visits, visit to archaeological sites such as cave paintings, camping and plantation visits. It gives enough opportunities to explore wildlife, forests, ethnology, culture, culinary and agriculture of this mountain at a glance. |
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B. |
Nature Trails : This is a cluster of special interest wildlife packages such as Exclusive Bird watching tour,
Exclusive Wildlife (Mammals/ Reptiles/ Amphibians/ Insects)
Exclusive Ethnology and archaeology tours etc |
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C. |
Insider Tours : This is an eco tour which helps the tourists to experience understands The Land and the People. In this venture we have identified and selected unusual and off beaten destinations in the mountains. So they can stay with farmers, Tribal groups, Artisans & Artists. They can experience the culture of the villages, mode of transports, adaptation to the land, life based rituals and festivals. |
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D. |
Trekking & Adventure Camps: in different hill stations and National Parks |
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Norms of the Tour |
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All the tours under this category are totally based on the eco tour principles specified by International Eco tourism Society as well as the rules of the State.
The following is a specimen itinerary, but flexible for any number of days after considering no. of days, destinations, activities etc.
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LIVING HILLS |
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14 Nights / 15 Days wildlife and mountain tour through the Western ghats to explore her biodiversity of flora and fauna, culture, ethnology and archaeology
consisting of the following programmes |
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Plantation visits- like spice, rubber, pineapple- you can experience sawing, harvesting,
Procuring etc, depends on season |
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Trekking (hiking), birding, Safaris, boating etc. Through the wildlife sanctuaries
and National Parks to explore the bio-diversity and wildlife |
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Visit to Tribal Villages, Overnight Stay in Farm Houses etc. to explore the culture
and ethnology etc |
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A specimen Itinerary |
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Day 01
Cochin (Arrival day)
On arrival at Cochin, meet our representative and our naturalist. Proceed to the hotel. Afternoon, proceed for a half day sightseeing of Cochin. Overnight at the hotel.
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Cochin has Asia's best preserve Synagogue, the Dutch Palace and the oldest European Church in India - the St. Francis Church. A leisurely walk through the Fort Cochin area which gives you a close look at the operation of the huge cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, low flying turns and black kites, if lucky you can spot dolphins in the estuary. |
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Day 02
Cochin – Munnar (140kms)
After breakfast, proceed to Munnar through the Midland, on the way visit to midland farms like Rubber, tuber crops, pineapple, vanilla etc. Later Munnar is a misty, lush green hill station up in the Anamalai range of Kerala; Munnar's tea gardens, some of the highest in the world, stretch up the sides of the hills and are interspersed with pockets of forest rich in birds. On arrival, check in at the resort & later soft hike around tea plantation. Visit to tea museum.
Overnight stay at Munnar. |
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Day 03
Munnar – Marymoor ( 40km)
After early breakfast proceed to Eravikulam National park to explore the wild life. After the visit Proceed to Marayoor Sandal wood forest Valley. Check in at the hotel. After lunch and rest visit to the village to explore the village activities, soft hike through the sandal wood forest –birding, visit to an ancient cave painting etc.
Over night stay in Hotel- bonfire- dinner |
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Day 04 |
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Chinnar-Anamalai (70kms)
Early morning visit to Chinnar wildlife sanctuary. Hiking through the sanctuary.As you go after this nature trail you are bound to come across a plethora of bird and animal life that fascinate you completely.
Later proceed to Anamalai through Tamil Nadu Villages. Here you will be touched the main land again but in the eastern side of the Ghats. On the way you can see an entirely different way of village life from Kerala. The vast expanse of hundreds of crops, sacred groves, termite mount temples and if in season, can participate in a village festival like fire walk, Jelly Kettu (Bullfight) etc. |
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Here you can stay in a village farm forest hosted by a Landlord of the area. |
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Day 05
Anamalai
Full day free to discover the wilderness of Anamalai Hills. Trek to Kariayanchola National Park- a unique wet evergreen primary forest having high density of endemic plants, reptiles and amphibians. It harbors 14 out of the 16 western ghats endemics. An evening safari through the moist deciduous forest to spot animals |
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Day 06
Ooty
After b/f proceed to Ooty through the Mountain train (heritage steam engine). Here we have to cross the biggest gap in the mountains which separate Anamalais (Elephant Hills) and Nilgiris (Blue mountains). The mountain train will be from Mettupalayam to Ooty - An amazing climb from 700 MSL. To 2000MSL.
Check in at Hotel
Lunch, later visit to Botanical Garden and around. |
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Day-07
Masinagudi ( 40 kms)
Morning, proceed to Masinagudi, an exotic locale situated foothill of Ooty bordering Muthumalai-Bandipur Tiger belt, on the Karnataka - Tamilnadu Border. On arrival, check in at the Hotel and later explore the wildlife of the area through safaris and hikes.
Masinagudi is a beautiful place on the foothills of Nilgiri. It is lush green, peaceful and adventurous at the same time with a lot of trekking and hiking options available for one and all. Enjoy the beauty of the Blue Mountains which is spell-binding. This area of the Nilgiri is home to over 320 species of birds, both migratory as well as southern endemic. The jungles provide perfect habitat for them all year round. Spot & listen to the calls Nilgiri endemics. |
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Day 08
Bandipur (25kms.)
Morning, proceed to Bandipur. On arrival, check in at the Hotel & later proceed to explore the wildlife of the area through safaris and hikes. Overnight at the Hotel.
The Bandipur National Park is one of the most fascinating wildlife centers, nestled in the foothills of the Nilgiri. As you penetrate deep into the forests, you can almost hear the mute conversations between the animals and the trees. There's a lot, lot more to discover. Peafowl, patridges, quail, hornbill, giant squirrel, dhole (wild dog) elephants, sambhar, barking deer, etc. An endless variety of wildlife flourishes here and the trees sheltering them are even or beautiful. |
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Day 09
Mysore (60kms.)
After breakfast, drive to Mysore, the city of palaces. On arrival check in at the Hotel. Later free for sightseeing. Overnight at the Hotel.
Mysore, an undulating tableland, covered in parts by granite outcrops and fringed by verdant forests, offering several attractions ranging from the royal splendor of Mysore City and its fabulous Dasara Festival to exquisite temples, pilgrimage centres and scenic spots. |
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Day 10
Mysore
Full day free to explore the cultural heritage of Mysore city. Visit to Rangathittu Bird Sanctuary. Overnight at the Hotel.
Rangathittu, lush green islands on the river Cauvery, are home for an astonishing variety of migratory birds from as far away as Siberia - Spoon bills, Open Bill Stork, White Ibis, Little Egret, Darter, Pond Heron, Cattle Egret, Cormorant, Wild Duck, Peafowl. The only sounds are the cries of birds, swoosh of wings and the ripple of water |
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Day 11
Kabani
Morning, proceed to Kabani. On arrival, check in at the Hotel. Day free to discover the wildlife. Overnight at the Hotel. Nestled amidst the Karapur Forest lays a pristine piece of land that abounds with nature. Beckoning you to explore it for a wild exciting holiday. The steep valleys with rich forests, spectacular pools and rapids provide an ideal opportunity to revive your adventurous spirits. |
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Day 12
Kabani
Full day at Kabini for own activities. Overnight at the Hotel.
Patches of bright blue pools hidden between the trees, the sun peeping through the thick forest and animals roaming free. Breathe in the refreshing air, whistle with the wind and carry home timeless memories. Elephants playing catch, Leopards on the prowl, Antelopes jumping across the bushes, or maybe even a tigress with her cubs. These are indeed pictures that you'll treasure for a lifetime. |
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Day 13 |
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Wayanad (80kms)
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka on the northeast and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu on the southeast. Rich in bio diversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which has been established with the specific objective of conserving the biological heritage of the region. The sanctuary is rich in flora and fauna. |
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After breakfast, proceed to Wayanad, the forest district of Kerala. On arrival, check in at the Hotel. Day free for own activities. Overnight at the Hotel.
The flora of Wayanad is characteristic of the Western Ghats and the plantation crops grown in the cool climate. |
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Day 14
Wayanad
After B/f proceed to a west cost beach either at Thalassery or Bakel |
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Day 15
A full day for rest
Today you will be proceeding to Kochi by Indian Railway |
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