Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary - Ecotourism Review
Planning a Chinnar trip
Official information checked: 6 November 2026
For bookings, use the Kerala Forest Department's Chinnar booking page. The review, rankings and photographs below are from my 2014 visits.
Getting there: Chinnar is on the Munnar–Udumalpet road near Marayoor. Kerala Tourism describes the Thoovanam waterfall walk as a guided 4 km trail from Alampetty Check Post, taking about three hours. Ask the forest office where to report when you book.
Treks and fees
The Forest Department lists four treks. The programme window is 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; ask for the starting time of your trek when booking.
- Thoovanam Waterfalls: ₹300 under “entry fee”; ₹700 under “Foreign Adult”.
- Alampetty cultural rock-painting hike: ₹300 under “entry fee”; ₹700 under “Foreign Adult”.
- Chinnar riverside trek: ₹300 under “entry fee”; ₹700 under “Foreign Adult”.
- Vasyappara trek: ₹700 under “entry fee”; ₹1,500 under “Foreign Adult”.
Online bookings close 23–24 hours before the 8 a.m. opening time. Book at least a day in advance.
Log houses
The portal lists Pambar, Jellimala, Churulipetty and Periyakombu log houses. The listed rates are ₹3,560 under “entry fee” and ₹5,170 under “Foreign Adult”. The entry fee is for a group of two. Ask what your booking covers, including meals, guides and any extra-person charges, before paying.
Check-in is listed as 2 p.m. Check-out is 10 a.m. at Pambar, Jellimala and Churulipetty, and 10:30 a.m. at Periyakombu.
Important: When checked on 6 November 2026, Thoovanam Loghouse was marked inactive for “Maintenance”. Koottar Loghouse was also inactive, marked “Booking Unavailable”. Wait for an official reopening before planning either stay.
For the Vasyappara hut, tree houses and dormitory mentioned in the 2014 review, contact the sanctuary office for current arrangements.
Booking and contact
The package pages give 8547603199 for enquiries. The Kerala Forest Department directory lists the Chinnar Assistant Wildlife Warden's office at 04865-252039, mobile 8547603220, and ro-chinnar.for@kerala.gov.in.
Check dates and notices on the official booking page. Carry the original ID matching the name and ID on your booking. Entry may be suspended during emergencies. Keep to the approved route and follow your guide. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
Tariff note: Kerala Tourism’s undated programme page has different prices. I have used the Forest Department booking pages for the figures above, checked on 6 November 2026. Reconfirm the amount before payment. The tariff photograph below is from the original 2014 post.
Original 2014 review and photographs
The review below is from my 2014 visits. The seasons, trek lengths, facilities and arrangements described are what I found then; use the planning details above for a new trip.
Basic information
1) Best Season For Birding - December to January (may be till early Feb)
2) Best season for Sighting - Mid- October to December
3) For current accommodation booking and enquiries, see the booking and contact section above.
4) Trekking in Chinnar depends on guide availability. Check the arrangements in advance, including for a day trip.
Chinnar Eco-tourism Centers
Standard Accomodation Programme
The program typically starts @ 2 at the amenity center
1) Trek to the Accomodation
2) Rest and tea
3) Evening Short trek around the accomodation
4) Dinner
5) Early morning trek back to the check post on a slightly circuitous route. 2-3 hours.
For the Vasyapara hut option, breakfast is provided after the early morning walk. for the other acco's breaksfast is after return to the check post
Confirm any longer trek with the forest office in advance and keep to the approved itinerary.
1) Vasyapara Hut or Ethnic Hut .
The Hut is located on the edge of a hillock with an excellent view of the forest below. All through the night you can hear the trumpeting of elephants and calls of various animals. One can easily sight elephants and Gaurs though from that height they look more like miniatures. The guides are experts in spotting, and keep pointing out to you all the time. A binocular is a must. There are some 2-3 key animal crossing paths around this hut, good chances of sighting on the evening and early morning walks
There was no water source nearby during my visit. Confirm water availability and whether the stay is operating before booking.
Just a preview of my Visit to Vasyapara this October. will try and post the blog soon
 |
| Vasyapara Hut |
 |
| See if you can spot the Gaurs? this is how it looks from the top |
2) Periyakombu
Supposed to be very good for sightings. But again the problem is availability of water
3) Pambar Log House.
This should be the best all year accomodation available. The location is good and good possibility of sightings on the treks. More details in my blog(Pambar Log House)
4) Churlipatti Log House
Good location right in front of chinar. Thrice a week lot of people visit a temple opposite the log house in TN. Very disturbing for you and the wildlife. More details in my blog( Churlipatti log house)
5) Kootar log house - Not so sure about this acco. I've seen the tree house in kootar but this is only in the websites
6) Vattalam ootru is damaged and not given these days
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Tree houses -- b'cos of the lack of amenities for natures call i would want people to think twice before they opt for the tree houses. (Trust me, in the night every shadow looks like an elephant)
1) Karakkad Tree House - Good for sightings
2) Kootar - sightings should be ok
Dormitory - Best Budget Option
2 decent sized halls with common lavatories(reasonably clean). They provide cots. Ideal for groups on trekking trips.
Historical tariff photograph from the original 2014 post, not current prices.
Alampatty
Both treks take roughly 3 hrs and thoovanam is more popular.
2) One more log house (don't kow the name yet)
Alampatty Accomodation Ranking
1) The unnamed One- Supposedly very good for sighting
2) Thoovanam Log House - Location is great, not sure about sightings(a forest will always surprise you :) so don't take my words seriously)
Comments
Post a Comment