Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
4
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
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4.0
231 reviews
Excellent
88
Very good
81
Average
40
Poor
17
Terrible
5
lauragriff
London3 contributions
Dec 2012 • Couples
Loved fact it was very remote - felt like it was just us and the forest and the animals. Did trek with guide saw lots of animals. Highlight was getting v close to wild elephants on foot. Bit scary but could see guide knew what he was doing. Also saw bison, deer, squirrels, loads of birds and butterflies.
Tree house had to be swept clean of leaves by the guides before we slept in it so it's not really like a hotel. But that was what we liked. Guides brought clean sheets with them. No loos, not even hole in ground but again I prefer the natural experience! Food very tasty considering the facilities, biscuits for breakfast.
There is a road running through the sanctuary so it won't compare to safari in a massive African reserve but by Indian standards was very peaceful.
The people there speak very limited English so don't expect detailed explanations on the wildlife. But they will point things out. May be worth bringing a nature guide book and binocs if that is v.important to you.
Tree house had to be swept clean of leaves by the guides before we slept in it so it's not really like a hotel. But that was what we liked. Guides brought clean sheets with them. No loos, not even hole in ground but again I prefer the natural experience! Food very tasty considering the facilities, biscuits for breakfast.
There is a road running through the sanctuary so it won't compare to safari in a massive African reserve but by Indian standards was very peaceful.
The people there speak very limited English so don't expect detailed explanations on the wildlife. But they will point things out. May be worth bringing a nature guide book and binocs if that is v.important to you.
Written 1 January 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SussexGeoffers
Sussex90 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
If you like exhilarating views and wild goats this is for you. Access is by bus - there will probably be long queues at the car park - and then on foot. Not a wide variety of natural history, but the baby goats are cute. It does feel as though you're on top of the world.
Written 3 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charlie_Papa84
Divonne-les-Bains, France59 contributions
Nov 2012 • Couples
We did not see a lot of wildlife during our hike (animals are well fed during monsoon in the heart of the jungle) but I think it' a good thing to keep animals as far as possible from human beings... The landscapes are great and it's really pleasant to walk in such a lush nature.
Written 17 December 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andre C
Busan, South Korea24 contributions
Trekking in Chinnar was supposed to be the highlight of our trip to India for my teenage son and myself. After two flights (10 hours in total) and a 5 hour drive from Fort kochi we were tired but excited. Before leaving Fort kochi our homestay called the chinnar office to confirm our reservation at the log house and trekking schedule. Originally we only wanted to stay one night but were told that a min. Of two nights three days would be required to truly enjoy the park. So what happened? The guide never showed up. We were brought to the log cabin (only a 20min. Walk down a country road.. Not very rustic) and left there for 3 days! We only got to leave the log cabin once and that was to go back to the office were they wanted an extra 1000 rupees! On the last day we were woken at 7am and told to hurry back to the office (originally we were to go there at 1pm) so had to sit outside in the hot sun for over 4 hours for our driver (which cost us 8 thousand rupees to get to chinnar). While at the log cabin we kept asking when we could trek only to be ignored. Our homestay called the office after the three days and told us that since there were only 2 of us and chinnar is a government and not private venture the staff were lazy and unwilling to take us for trekking. My son was very disappointed. Beware the staff at chinnar as they do not seem to want visitors in small groups and only extra money to keep for themselves!
Written 30 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mic1902
Singapore, Singapore62 contributions
Nov 2012 • Couples
Went to Chinnar on a day trip from Munnar, so the earliest it is really possible to arrive and start trekking, having had breakfast, is around 9.30, by which point the animals are sleeping as it is too hot and so we didn't see anything. The scenery is beautiful and the trek was nice, but the guide didn't say much and only took us trekking for half the time he was supposed to. When we then asked if we could go to another place with the rest of our allocated time he just said it was too far and wouldn't go. Perhaps we could have argued more but I didn't really feel like getting myself annoyed so just left it. However if you do a day trip here from Munnar there are lots of beautiful places to stop on the way / way back. Really scenic views, waterfalls etc. Also on the journey back we saw deer, bison and monkeys near the roadside! Overall it was a lovely day out, though Chinnar itself was just ok.
Written 21 December 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ARPS75
Kochi (Cochin), India104 contributions
Sept 2016
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and Anamalai forests are Kerala's and Tamil Nadu's ranges of the same forest. One of the places where I had always been lucky in spotting wildlife. Though Dec-Jan is the best season to spot wildlife, we didn't want to spare a chance to try out my luck during Sep. On the way back from Kodaikanal to Kochi, we decided to drive through Chinnar forest. Was again lucky enough to see Elephants, Peacocks, Indian Gaur and Spotted deers. Try driving as slow and as quiet as possible. Do visit the watch tower. Though early morning (6-8Am) and evening (4-5 pm) would be the best time to spot wildlife from the tower, it is worth taking a chance and trying it during hours in between too. Official timing of the watch tower is from 8AM to 5 PM. But if requested on previous day, guides will support early morning visits to the watch tower.
Note: Be careful if you see elephants near the roadside.
Do not provoke by sounding horn, raising speed etc.
Note: Be careful if you see elephants near the roadside.
Do not provoke by sounding horn, raising speed etc.
Written 14 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
D Z
8 contributions
Jan 2015
Beware, the treetop houses here are rustic! It looks lovely in the pictures but in reality was two mattresses on the ground in a tiny hut with pillow and mattress covered by a sheet (one with holes in it) and two blankets again one with holes in and used by who knows how many people. We're not fussy travellers and don't mind rustic, but when we realised the 'windows' (open spaces covered by a piece of wood), didn't close properly and the rats wanted in, we cared. I ended up propping them closed from the outside but it was a fairly sleepless night. Added to that, having lit a fire and provided a very plain and rudimentary dinner, we thought we might be able to sit by the fire and enjoy the evening, but no, our guides needed to leave to go home to sleep and we were ushered up into the treehouse and told to stay there because it was very dangerous and the elephants might come (if only as we hadn't seen any)... It was about 7.30! The balcony was so small we could barely sit on it so we watched some fireflies and then had to go to bed. Hardly what we'd imagined. Breakfast in the morning was a cup of black tea and a packet of biscuits, not a lot to hike on, but we did get more breakfast once back at the check post.
Our guides did their job but were pretty unfriendly and not very interested in us. The guy who walked us in and out obviously knew his stuff and seemed to try hard to find us
some wildlife to see, but didn't have much luck. There was plenty of fresh evidence of elephants but none to be seen and we understand that is the luck of the draw. The best part was the trek in the morning, if you enjoy beautiful scenery and a good hike it's worth going in for that. We saw grey langur up close and bison far in the distance but mostly it was enjoying the beauty of nature.
Our guides did their job but were pretty unfriendly and not very interested in us. The guy who walked us in and out obviously knew his stuff and seemed to try hard to find us
some wildlife to see, but didn't have much luck. There was plenty of fresh evidence of elephants but none to be seen and we understand that is the luck of the draw. The best part was the trek in the morning, if you enjoy beautiful scenery and a good hike it's worth going in for that. We saw grey langur up close and bison far in the distance but mostly it was enjoying the beauty of nature.
Written 11 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Markv_1983
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia15 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
Through the Forests Office in Munnar we booked a one night stay in a tree house in Chinnar Sanctuary. The tree house was great, and was exactly that - a tree house with a comfortable mattress and a great view among the trees. The is no electricity or other facilities, which makes the experience even more authentic. Our guide, a member of a local tribe, was excellent, and led us on an evening and morning trek, as well as provided a simple, tasty dinner. We were able to spot deer, native goat, boar, giant squirrel, langurs and many different birds. A highly recommended nights trip from Munnar, and a good way to support both nature conservation and the livelihoods of local tribes-people.
Written 29 May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Srikanta P
Bengaluru, India39 contributions
Nov 2012 • Couples
We crossed this sanctuary at 9 PM at night, it was very scary experience as didn't see any vehicle on the road for few k.ms. But able to spot a Sambar deer on the way..
Written 14 December 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GitaBhukta
Chennai District, India667 contributions
May 2012 • Family
We consciously took the Udumalpet-Amaravathi route to Munnar. It was absolutely worth it! Immediately after the checkpost to the Anamalai Tiger reserve, there is another check post at which you can ask for a guide and walk up to the watch tower that is inside the forest (Cost for the guide is Rs. 50 and the entrance fee is Rs. 20 per head). It is about a 300 m trek inside. The watch tower is about 200 feet high and has a good view of the surroundings. On a good day, the sightings can be exciting. We had the bad luck of going there just after a garrulous and loud group of people who definitely would have scared away any wildlife in the area! However, we saw a large sambar and several birds. The guide has no clue of the bird life or the wild life there, no knowledge of the names! How nice it would be if there was someone who knew the area and could educate people!
We continued our drive and came across several healthy groups of hanuman langur. The highlight was the sighting of a female elephant. As soon a we parked, she saw us and made straight for us. When she was about 10 feet away, we quickly went away. We saw a huge tusker too. He was a lovely healthy specimen and was contentedly muching away on his lunch! We did see quite a few birds but could not stop since it is prohibited within the sanctuary.
I have heard that there is a forest guest house where you can spend a day with permission, but we didn't do that. On the whole, we were ecstatic with our experiences there.
We continued our drive and came across several healthy groups of hanuman langur. The highlight was the sighting of a female elephant. As soon a we parked, she saw us and made straight for us. When she was about 10 feet away, we quickly went away. We saw a huge tusker too. He was a lovely healthy specimen and was contentedly muching away on his lunch! We did see quite a few birds but could not stop since it is prohibited within the sanctuary.
I have heard that there is a forest guest house where you can spend a day with permission, but we didn't do that. On the whole, we were ecstatic with our experiences there.
Written 27 May 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This falls on our way from Bangalore to Munnar. If one doesn't want to trek after a long drive, is there anything to see inside walking leisurely for 30 mins or should I just drive through the forest road and enjoy the scenary ?
Written 22 April 2022
Do i need tou book a guide before visiting or can we hire a guide after going there? Me and my husband will be visiting there?
Written 4 November 2019
You can directly go to the office and book a guide there. No need to book in advance
Written 16 November 2019
I went to the sanctuary office and they offered guided trekking to me. I didn't had to wait and could immediately start my trek.
Written 10 August 2019
Is it ok to have a 4 months pregnant lady at the sanctuary. Is the road very bumpy?
Written 22 November 2018
As I remember, the road is narrow and wiggly, don't remember it as any more bumpy that other India country roads.
Written 22 November 2018
Hi. I have a question. where can people eat in the park ? can't find anything on the net. someone told me maybe i can get a pic nic organised but the hotel they would not do that.
thanks
Written 14 July 2018
Hi all,
can someone recommend a company or a local guide doing tours to the sanctuary? I would like to plan a visit tomorrow.
thanks!
Written 16 April 2018
ho sorry i didn't see the headings . for Chinnar wildlife there is a local guide who will follow you for more details you can contact this number Phone: 083010 24187
Written 16 April 2018
Can't seem to get ahold of anyone who is able to give information, is the wildlife banned by the government due to Theni incident?
Is the accomodation,far into the forest? If so, where can I place my luggages?
Is it really not suitable for a person age of 69? Slightly overweight? Slippery path etc? I read it's not as difficult and sometimes, not suitable to trek to the nearby falls?
Written 1 April 2018
just check with Chinnar wild life for Luggage option cos .I think they will provide you for free of cost .Just check with the above phone number Phone: 083010 24187
Written 16 April 2018
I've a pet dog... can we carry our dog along with us while visiting forest reserve
Written 23 August 2017
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