Eravikulam National Park near Idukki
The Eravikulam National Park is also known as Eravikulam wildlife sanctuary and is one of the many national parks situated in the biggest district of the state of Kerala. Situated in Idukki district, the Eravikulam National Park is 40 kms. away from Thodupuzha and is located 155 kms. north east of Kochi district. The Eravikulam wildlife sanctuary is famous for its Nilgiri Tahr, a specie of Wild Goat. Some of the other major wildlife attractions of this wildlife sanctuary are Egrets, Darters, Drongoes, Teals, Herons and a number of other birds.
Eravikulam has been a major attraction for the tourists of this state because the wildlife sanctuary provides excellent opportunities not only of different wildlife safaris but also offering a view of some famous temples. Tourists can also go and visit the Spice Gardens located in this sanctuary.
Months of October and September are considered to be the months when this sanctuary provides excellent opportunities to visit. Some of the other attractions of this vast sanctuary are Malankara Dam, Thomankuttu Water Falls, KariKodu Bhagawathy, Annamalai Temple, Sri Krishnaswamy Temple and Kurasha Para. People going to the Eravikulam National Park never miss the overall view of this national park. Situated 7000 ft above the seal level, the overview of this wildlife sanctuary is absolutely breathtaking.
Tourists to this wildlife sanctuary have a number of other alternatives to excel their experience of the visit. The tourists get various options to shop in this well planned wildlife sanctuary. There is an East Fort Compound in this national park which deals in Mundus, Brass Lamps and Gold Jewellery. The Kairali Handicrafts situated near Statue Junction is a big shop consisting of Straw Bags and Mats.
Tourists coming to visit Eravikulam National Park have hundreds of options to reach to the place. Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport which is situated in Nedumbassery, 55 kms away. Ernakulam Junction is the nearest Rail Junction. It is approximately 57 kms away from the sanctuary. Going by road, this sanctuary is 65 kms in the eastern direction from Kochi.
The tourists will also find some of the most interesting eating joints in the sanctuary. Gopuram is the most famous restaurant of the national park. Some other eating joints are Hotel Aarathi, Pappen's Restaurant, Hotel Woodlands and Maurya Monarch. Tourists need not worry when it comes to settling down in Idukki district. Some of the important staying options in the area are River Banks, Pimenta, Maurya Monarch, Greenberg Resort and Hotel Stoneage.
The sanctuary also provides various trekking options. Anamudi is the highest peak of the park and it is situated in the southern part of the park. One of the major attractions of the park is Neelakurinji flower which sprouts only once in 12 years. This rare species of flower grows abundantly in the grasslands of this park.