NEARBY TOURIST ATTRACTIONS- PALAKKAD

Palakkad lies at the foot of the 960 Km. long Western Ghat and the unlet for the rest of India to the state through a 40 Km wide natural gap Palakkad with mountains, forests and fertile valleys, rivers and streams are rich in flora and fauna. There are many dams and irrigation projects. It is a land of festivals. There is a land on the border of Kerala and Tamilnadu, a quite place, scenic beauty and preserve of wild life. This is Palakkad. The Green paradise. The border world of greener part of Kerala of course Palakkad is called god's own Garden.

Fort: In the heart of the Palakkad town there is a well-preserved Fort. Which dates back to 1766 A.D.

Jain Temple : One of the few existing Jain temple in Kerala.

Malampuzha dam and garden: It is a large irrigation dam built across the Bharathapuzha with beautiful gardens and amusement parks as well as facilities for boat cruises.

Rock Garden: A spectacle from the wastes and second in India .

Departure 9a.m: Tippu's Fort - Snake Park - Rock Garden - Malampuzha Dam – Garden - back to aquarium.

TRANSPORTATION CHARGES WILL BE USD 75.00 (UP & DOWN)


GURUVAYUR TEMPLE - ELEPHANT CAMP - KALAMANDALAM

Guruvayur is one of the most sacred and important pilgrim centres of Kerala. It's main attraction is Sreekrishna Temple - known here as Guruvayoorappan. The `Chuttambalam` or the outer enclosure is 33.5 metre height, gold plated `Dwajasthambham` or flag post and seven metre high `Deepasthamba` or the pillar lamps whose thirteen circular receptacles provides a truly gorgeous spectacle when lit. Punnathur Kotta is an ancient for which houses 40 temple elephants.

The Kerala Kalamandalam is the world famous Kathakali Training Centre. A music and dance academy was founded here by the famous poet late Vallathol Narayana Menon where training is imparted in Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Thullal and other arts of Kerala.

Festivals:

Ulsavam February/March: Celebrated at Guruvayur Temple for 10 days (starts with an elephant race) A colourful elephant procession and Krishnattom dance recitals marks the occasion. Vishukani April 14: It marks the sowing season for paddy. On vishukani everyone makes it a point to look, first thing in the morning, at `Vishukani` a large vessel containing grains, cash, jewels, jackfruit etc. placed before a lighted belt metal lamp. This is a believed to ensure a prosperous year ahead Firecrackers are exploded to word off evil spirits.

Kalamandalam: 0830 to 1200 hours and 1530 to 1730 hours. Closed on all Saturdays and Sundays, March 31, June 15 and all public holidays.

Departure 0800 - Kalamandalam - World famous Kathakali Training Centre - Elephant Camp - Guruvayoor Temple - Arrival Palakkad 2030

TRANSPORTATION CHARGES WILL BE USD 100.00 (UP & DOWN)

NELLIYAMPATHY

A cool summer resort of Palakkad. The height of the hill ranges from 467 metres to 1572 metres above sea level, have to pass 10 hairpin bends. Passing through the breathtaking, evergreen forests of the Sahya ranges. Seetharkundu at Nelliyampathy offers fantastic view of the valley below a wide angled panoramic picture of about one third of Palakkad and can see the Palakkad Ghat beautifully Pothundy reservoir glances in the distance as a safire set a midst the green of forests. It is an ideal spot for trekking.

Departure 8 a.m. - Pothundi dam-Agricultural farm-Seetharkundu Valley - Kesavapara view - Tea estate and tea factory.

TRANSPORTATION CHARGES WILL BE USD 80.00 (UP & DOWN)

PARAMBIKULAM WILD LIFE SANCTUARY

It is one of the best sanctuaries in Kerala sprawling over an area of about 285sq. km., as a continuation of Western Ghats with diverse variety of flora and fauna. The Kannimare Teak Tree said to be Asia 's largest, stands about 5 km. from Thunakkadavu. Trekking in the sanctuary is possible with the permission of forest officials. Parambikulam stay.

Indira Gandhi Wild Life sanctuary is one of the best in India . At top slip there is an elephant camp with 33 elephants. The facility for elephant ride is provided here.

Accommodation : Forest Guest House, Parambikulam

Day 1 - Departure 8 am - Perwaripallam Dam - Thunakkadavu Dam - Kannimari Teak (Biggest in Asia) - Stay at Parambikulam.

Day 2   - Departure 8 am - Parambikulam Dam- Tunnel entry - Tunnel exist - Top slip - Indira Gandhi wild life sanctuary - Elephant Camp - Elephant ride - Back to Palakkad.

TRANSPORTATION CHARGES WILL BE USD 100.00 (UP & DOWN)

SILENT VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

The Sole surviving bit of evergreen forests in the Sahya Ranges covers about 9000 hectares named Silent Valley due to is own peculiarity. Huge hollow wild tree can hide 12 people. A clean and beautiful Kunthi Puzha (River) flows along the valley. There are luxuriant tropical wet evergreen forests with lofty trees, rare species and progenitors of cultivated spices of pulses and species. Elephant, Tiger, Wild dog, flying squrrel and lion tailed macaque are the animals found here. This rich abode of rare plants and animals become Kerala's Second National Park . Madras Govt. has declared it as a reserve forest from 1888 onwards. British people have constructed bungalows inside the forest. There is no bamboo in the forest. 665 numbers are plants; trees and orchids are found here. The abstract of latest census of wild life conducted in 1993 is given below.

(1) Lion tailed macaque - 1960, (2) Bonnet Macaque - 4860, (3) Nilgiri languar - 2987, (4) Common languar - 4296, (5) Elephant - 175, (6) Sambar - 10665, (7) Spotted deer - 6259, (8) Barking deer - 1025, (9) Mouse deer - 550, (10) Wild bour - 40963, (11) Malabar Squirrel - 1384, (12) Nilgiri thar - 1075, (13) Gizzded giant squirrel - 75, (14) Purcupi - 695, (15) Bear - 420, (16) Tiger - 76, (17) Leopard - 16, (18) Wild dog - 358.

Departure 6:00am - Mannarghat - Mukkali-Silent Valley-Kunthi Puzha-Swimming, Arrival : Palghat 17:00 hrs.

TRANSPORTATION CHARGES WILL BE USD 80.00 (UP & DOWN)

email : tourist-palakkad@nivalink.com