Anamudi Shola National Park

History 

Anamudi Shola National Park is located in the Idukki district in Kerala. The Wildlife Division of Munnar administers the operations of the Park. In the year 2003, a government draft was formed and sanctioned to grant a designated area the status of a National Park. 

In recent times, the Park is in the process of becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has already been nominated for the title. The State Government of Kerala and the local authorities have been working hard to make the Park more attractive to tourists.

Besides Munnar Wildlife Division, the Kerala Wildlife and Forest Department is also in charge of the administration of the Park. Historically, the region covered by the park has been an abode for large number of animals, birds, trees, and smaller plants. After its formation in 2003, three distinct forest reserves have been included in the periphery of the Park – The Idivira Shola, The Pullardi Shola and The Mannavan Shola. 

Useful Information

Total area – 7.5 km sq.

Core area – 7.5 km sq.

Elevation range – 2152 meters to 2305 meters

Latitude – 10º05’N – 10º20’N

Longitude – 77º0’E – 77º10’E

Nearest river – Pambar

Nearby hills - Cardamom Hills, Anaimalai Hills, Palani Hills

Avg. annual rainfall – 2000 to 2500 mm

Flora

The forest area of the Park is distinctly marked by Tropical Evergreen flora species, which you would enjoy witnessing in Anamudi Shola holiday packages. The vegetation is similar to trees and plants found in Tropical forests of Southern hilltops. There are about 64 species of big trees and a whopping 174 species of forest herbs in the Park. 

Major trees found in the Park are Eucalyptus and Rhododendron. There are also other varieties of trees, plants and shrubs. The evergreen forests are dense all throughout the year. There are watch-towers and check-posts located at strategic spots of the Shola forest. 

Fauna 

The rich and exotic fauna of the Shola forest includes a wide variety of animals, which you would witness while availing the Anamudi Shola safari tours. There are mammals, birds, moths, reptiles and butterflies across the forest. You can spot big cats like tiger and leopards in the Park. There are also elephants, wild boars, and common langurs in various regions of the forest. Moreover, you can also spot jungle cat, Gaur and Sambar in the National Park in Anamudi Shola wildlife packages. The colorful wildlife of Anamudi Shola National Park has attracted thousands of tourists over the years.  If you are a wildlife photographer, then you would be completely engrossed by the sheer beauty of fauna at this forest in Anamudi Shola safari tours. 

Climate 

The National Park has a location in the Western Ghats. Resultantly, it receives a decent volume of rain clouds, but not as much as its neighbor Eravikulam National Park. December is the coldest month. Temperature can come down to 6 degree Celsius in the deep interiors of the forest. April to June indicates summer months, when temperature can rise up to 30 degree Celsius. There are about 4 to 5 dry months, spanning from December to March-April. 

Best Time to Visit 

When you plan to visit Anamudi Shola National Park buying Anamudi Shola adventure packages from a trusted service provider, the time between October to March are the best period to choose. These are the months when you can fully enjoy the beauty of the Park. The experience would be immersive and very pleasant, as the weather conditions are soothingly cold to moderately warm during these months. You would have an enthralling experience traversing through the length and breadth of the Park. 

How to Reach 

By Rail: The Pollachi railway station is more or less 100 km from the National Park. You can reach there by train from most of the major train stations in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Pollachi is well-connected to the Park by roads.

By Road: All the major cities in Kerala and in Tamil Nadu are efficiently connected by well-maintained roads to the Anamudi Shola National Park. There are plenty of public and private vehicle services, taking tourists to the Park from different locations. You can reach the Park on a public bus or a privately hired car. 

By Air: Coimbatore Airport in Tamil Nadu is the nearest airport to the location of the Park. It is 150 km away. The second nearest airport is the Kochi Airport in Kerala, which is about 160 km away. You can rent a car from the airport to reach the Park. 

Connectivity & Distances

Railway station: Pollachi

Bus Stand: Pollachi Bus Stand 

Airport: Kochi (160 km), Coimbatore (150 km)

Nearest city/town: Munnar (57 km) 

Places to Visit near Anamudi Shola National Park

There are numerous places of interest around Anamudi Shola National Park. If you have time and budget to sustain, then you may extend your tour plan to cover these places in Anamudi Shola sightseeing packages. 

Thuvanam Waterfalls – The exquisitely beautiful waterfalls is located in the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. The pure, fascinatingly sparkling water of the fall is a treat to the eyes. It is a lovely trekking zone, too. You can either visit the Waterfalls by arranging a vehicle from outside the park, or directly visit the spot from Munnar, in a standard Anamudi Shola National Park itinerary. It is about 60 km away from Munnar. 

Pambadum Shola National Park – The Pambadum Shola National Park is in the neighborhood of the Anamudi National Park, with equally captivating flora and fauna. You can conveniently visit the Park after your exploration of Anamudi. 

Pambar River – The beautiful Pambar River flows through the Park itself. You would be completely enchanted by the natural bends and gusts of the Pambar waters when you avail reliable Anamudi Shola weekend tour packages. 

Kottakamboor – If you are interested in witnessing a remote village with rich vegetable plantation, in the itinerary of Anamudi Shola family packages, then you can plan to visit Kottakamboor, a lovely hamlet in the nearby locale. 

Eravikulam National Park – The National Park is only 46 km away from the Anamudi Park. You can easily visit the place by road, on a rented car, or public transport. 

Mattupetti Dam – If you wish to see a Dam Project on a weekend trip, then you can conveniently visit the Mattupetti Dam from the Anamudi National Park. 

Pothamedu Viewpoint – For a panoramic view of the landscape, the Pothamedu Viewpoint is a magnificent place where you can visit availing Anamudi Shola tour packages. Also, it is an excellent sunset point, creating magical vistas for the viewer. 

Tea Museum – If you are a tea-enthusiast, then you have a wonderful opportunity visit the small yet exotic tea museum in nearby town of Munnar. You would learn about various tea plantations through displays and visual models. The museum aims to enhance interest among people about the most popular beverage in India. On a weekend getaway tour, you can conveniently visit the museum.