National park · India
Anamalai Tiger Reserve
Enter Anamalai Tiger Reserve for a half‑day wildlife trek (₹200‑₹300 per person) in the dry season, or a full‑day guided safari (₹800‑₹1200) in Oct‑Mar; avoid monsoon months (Jun‑Sep).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
390 km² (151 sq mi)151 sq mi (390 km²)
approximate
Established
2005
Best months
Jan–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 390 km² (151 sq mi)151 sq mi (390 km²)
- Area reported as 390 km²; some sources list slightly different figures, so treat as approximate.
- Established
- 2005
- Best months
- Jan–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Pollachi
Anamalai Tiger Reserve, part of the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary near Pollachi, protects mixed‑forest habitats on the Anamalai range, hosting tigers, elephants, leopards and rich birdlife, with a visitor centre at Topslip and guided wildlife safaris.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteProject Tiger and Project Elephant sanctuary.
Size and age
390 km² (151 sq mi)151 sq mi (390 km²) · national park since 2005
Area reported as 390 km²; some sources list slightly different figures, so treat as approximate.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Pollachi.
Why go
- Spot tigers, elephants, leopards and diverse birdlife on forest treks.
- Visit the Topslip Elephant Safari and night rides for nocturnal wildlife.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry, cool; good wildlife sightings.
- FebDry, comfortable trekking.
- MarEnd of dry season, clear trails.
- AprTransition to heat, still decent.
- MayHeat rises, occasional showers.
- JunMonsoon begins, trails slippery.
- JulHeavy rain, road closures.
- AugPeak monsoon, limited access.
- SepRain recedes, but still wet.
- OctPost‑monsoon, wildlife active.
- NovCool, dry, good for trekking.
- DecCool, dry, pleasant.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiger, Asian elephant, leopard, sloth bearOct–Apr | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Nilgiri langur, Indian bison, deer speciesOct–Apr | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| 250+ bird speciesOct–Apr | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Coimbatore airport
Taxi or hired car 97 km (60 mi) to the reserve gate.Taxi or hired car 60 mi (97 km) to the reserve gate.
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Pollachi bus station
Two daily buses (6 am, 3 pm) to Topslip; hire taxi for flexibility.
30 min
Open the page →
From Coimbatore railway station
Train to Pollachi (42 km (26 mi)), then taxi or bus.Train to Pollachi (26 mi (42 km)), then taxi or bus.
1.5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Topslip headquarters | Entry gate, visitor desk, basic amenities, short forest loops. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Elephant Safari area | Designated tracks for vehicle and elephant rides. | Guided only. |
| Night ride zone | Forest trails used after dusk for nocturnal wildlife. | Guided only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate for main gate and activity points.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (day trek) | INR 200–300 (≈ US$3–4) | person | Covers basic trail access. |
| Guided safari (full day) | INR 800–1,200 (≈ US$10–14) | person | Includes vehicle and guide. |
| Night ride | INR 500–700 (≈ US$6–8) | person | Arranged by forest department. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided safari permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ₹200–300≈ US$3–4
- ₹800–1,200≈ US$10–14
- ₹500–700≈ US$6–8
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for all treks beyond the headquarters area.
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the reserve; stay in Pollachi or forest‑office accommodation.
- Alcohol
- Strictly prohibited within park boundaries.
- Fire
- Open fires forbidden; use designated cooking facilities.
- Pets
- Not allowed.
Where to stay
In the park
Forest Department guest houses
Basic self‑catering rooms near the gate; book at Pollachi office.
Near the park
Pollachi town
Hotels and guesthouses of all categories, 30 min drive.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Wild animal encounters medium
Monsoon landslides high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Headquarters area reachable by car with short walks.
- Longer treks involve uneven terrain; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use authorized guides; avoid unofficial wildlife tours.
- Carry out all litter; no plastic bottles left in forest.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Anamalai Tiger Reserve?
Entry for a day trek is ₹200‑₹300 per person; a full‑day guided safari costs ₹800‑₹1200. Night rides are ₹500‑₹700.
What are the best hikes in Anamalai Tiger Reserve?
The Tiger Watchpoint trail (3‑4 h, moderate) and the longer forest trek to the Elephant Safari area (5‑6 h, hard) are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit Anamalai Tiger Reserve?
Dry months Jan‑Mar and Oct‑Nov offer clear trails and good wildlife sightings; avoid Jun‑Sep monsoon.
Can I stay inside the reserve?
Only limited forest‑department guest houses are available; they must be booked in Pollachi ahead of time.
Is a guide mandatory?
Yes, for any trek beyond the headquarters area and for all safari or night‑ride activities.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Anamalai Tiger Reserve
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