Camping at Chinnar Wildlife Sancturay

On 8/5/2010 Ajish & I left for Chinnar from Cochin.We started at 0600hrs, Sam joined us on the way from Kolenchery. We stopped at Unnukal for our breakfast. Chinnar is 210 kms from Cochin [ Cochin-Muvattupuzha-Kothamangalam-Adimali-Munnar-Talayar-Marayoory-Chinnar]. Chinnar is totally different from the rest of the forest vegetation in Kerala.The reserve comes under dry decideous forest category and is almost dry through out the year. It gets very little rain during the months of Nov- Dec. Wildlife sighting is not as great compared to Periyar, Parambikulam, Muthanga etc. But the location of our camping hut compensated for all these shortcomings.

From Munnar it took almost 2 hrs to reach Chinnar[ 60 kms].We had booked a tree house with the Forest Dept. There are different staying options that the forest dept offers for adventure & wildlife viewing crowds.They have 2 tree houses, 3 Log huts and a forest lodge for guests. The rate for tree house is Rs 1000 /person+ 250 for extra pax[ included stay & dinner], log hut is Rs 1500 /person+ 250 for extra person and 2500 for 2 for the lodge. We reached Chinnar at 1430 hrs. After filling the declaration form , we started our trek to the tree house, which is 2-3 kms inside the forest. We reached the place in 30 min, but was not very happy with the present condition of the tree house. It is very very basic with walls n roofs made with tin sheets, with a little space inside, which could accommodate only 2 ppl max. Since we went to the park wrong time of the year , it felt very humid inside the tree house.

Luckily, the guide was happy to offer us an upgrade to Log hut in Pambar Division which was another km walk from the tree house.We were pleasantly surprised to see the hut… location was excellent , on the banks of ever flowing Pamba river. Even though there was no electricity, no water , the location was superb.....we spent the whole day swimming and fishing in the river. By evening, some tribals came for fishing… it was real fun going with them for the fishing. The only drawback was the humidity throughout the night ;we couldn't sleep a bit till mid night.

Next day we went for an early morning walk when we saw 10/12 bisons, deer etc. Sad that no elephants were around as the forest is dry at the moment..no water can be found anywhere in the reserve except the river. We also saw the other log hut, but that didn’t come anywhere near the one we stayed. So ask specially for Pambar Log hut if u wish to visit this place. Your stay can be made more memorable by carrying stuff like chicken, eggs, meat, some masalas & fruits. The guide will be happy to cook these for dinner.I would suggest this place for bachelors....who love the nature without harming it.
Wish to know more about this place?.......mail to fenjacob@gmail.com