Experience a serene trip through Parambikulam Tiger Reserve on a budget with KSRTC

What about enjoying the feline grace of burning bright tigers this summer, that too without burning a hole in your pocket? Sounds appealing, isn’t it? To realize this dream vacay, just board the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus that heads to the serenity of Parambikulam in Kerala’s Palakkad district, which shares border with Tamil Nadu. It is indeed a visual treat to see how the forest slowly but surely wake up to a new morning and how a shroud of mist slowly envelops the vast green patch.

The Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, which is well-endowed by nature, is nearly 90km away from Palakkad town and the KSRTC runs bus service between Pollachi in Tamil Nadu and Parambikulam. There are three buses to Parambikulam and two of them are managed by the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC). For a 60-km journey from Parambikulam to Pollachi, you have to pay only Rs 50, but if you are travelling in your own vehicle to the tiger reserve, the cost of journey would be much higher.

The bus passes through the riveting Anamalai Tiger Reserve, which is managed by the Tamil Nadu government. One has to manoeuvrer 11 hair pin curves to reach Topslip, which is on the Anamalai mountain range. If you are into jungle safari and elephant ride, then Topslip is the best place for you.

Three picturesque dams – Peruvarippallam, Thunakadavu and Parambikulam – await you as you continue the journey from Topslip. And if you are lucky enough, you can spot wild animals such as deer, bison and rabbit, among others on the stretch. The bus will terminate its service at Parambikulam town and will immediately return to Pollachi.

If you want to spend a night at Parambikulam, there are cosy facilities to help you enjoy the pristine beauty of Parambikulam. Just book a room in advance at the wood house to stay amidst the forest at Thunakadavu to experience wilderness at its best. The travellers can also stay at the rest houses of the Kerala Forest Department in Thunakadavu and Aanapadi.

Thunakadavu forest houses many elephants, bison, sambar deer, crocodiles, tigers and leopards, among others. The Kannimara teak tree, which is the largest teak tree in Asia, literally stands tall at Thunakadavu. The tree, which is nearly 360 years old, has a girth of 6.57m and a length of 48.5m.

You can go for boating in the waters of Parambikulam reservoir. The jungle safari and trekking will also provide an out-of-the-world experience.

‘A day in Parambikulam’ package is a unique offer that includes safari programme, bamboo rafting, trekking and lunch and provides the travellers an opportunity to spend a day at the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve. The programme also gives the tourists the golden opportunity to visit Thunakadavu dam, Kannimara teak tree, dam view point, valley view point, Parambikulam dam, Tribal Heritage Center and eco shops at Parambikulam and Aanapadi.

The day package kicks off with bamboo rafting in Parambikulam reservoir along with jungle safari. The lunch will be served at Kannimara café followed by Elephant Song Trail trekking.

The Tiger Reserve, which is hugging the Parambikulam dam, is spread across 285 sq km. The Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary was elevated to the status of a tiger reserve, which is the second in Kerala after Periyar Tiger Reserve in Idukki, on February 19, 2010.