National park · India
Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary
Enter Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary for a short forest walk (≈2 km (1.2 mi)) for ₹30–₹50 per person, or a longer guided trek (≈5 km (3.1 mi)) for ₹200–₹400; visit Oct–Mar for cooler weather and fewer crowds.Enter Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary for a short forest walk (≈1.2 mi (2 km)) for ₹30–₹50 per person, or a longer guided trek (≈3.1 mi (5 km)) for ₹200–₹400; visit Oct–Mar for cooler weather and fewer crowds.
- 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
125 km² (48 sq mi)48 sq mi (125 km²)
approximate
Established
2005
Best months
Oct–Feb
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
- 125 km² (48 sq mi)48 sq mi (125 km²)
- Figures are based on the sanctuary’s reported size of 125 km²; official sources may list slightly different boundaries (check).
- Established
- 2005
- Best months
- Oct–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Thrissur
Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary in central Kerala protects mixed deciduous‑evergreen forest between the Peechi and Vazhani dams, offering wildlife sightings and short forest walks near Thrissur.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2005.
Size and age
125 km² (48 sq mi)48 sq mi (125 km²) · national park since 2005
Figures are based on the sanctuary’s reported size of 125 km²; official sources may list slightly different boundaries (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Thrissur.
Why go
- Forest trails through mixed deciduous and evergreen woods.
- Spotting deer, leopards, elephants and a variety of birds.
- Proximity to Peechi and Vazhani dams offers scenic water views.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry
- FebMild, low rain
- MarHeat rises
- AprHot, early showers
- MayVery hot, pre‑monsoon
- JunHeavy rain
- JulHeavy rain
- AugHeavy rain
- SepRain tapering
- OctPleasant, dry
- NovCool, dry
- DecCool, dry
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spotted deer, sambar, leopards, elephants, wild dogs, bonnet macaquesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds: little cormorants, black eagles, various waterfowlOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | 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 Thrissur railway station
Taxi or auto‑rickshaw 22 km (14 mi) to the sanctuary gate.Taxi or auto‑rickshaw 14 mi (22 km) to the sanctuary gate.
30–45 min
From Kochi airport
Taxi or bus to Thrissur, then taxi to gate.
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Kochi city
Bus to Thrissur then local transport to gate.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Peechi Dam entrance | Main gate, visitor desk, short trail to Vazhani Dam. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Forest core | Longer trekking routes through mixed forest. | Guided access 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 from Wikidata; approximate for orientation.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry fee (per person) | INR 30–50 (≈ under US$1) | person | Check at gate; varies for Indian vs foreign visitors. |
| Guided trek (per group) | INR 200–400 (≈ US$3–5) | group | Guide required for longer routes. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Sanctuary entry permit or guide
Guided trek permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ₹30–50≈ under US$1
- ₹200–400≈ US$3–5
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 any trek beyond the short loop.
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the sanctuary; use nearby homestays.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use designated cooking areas outside.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste.
Where to stay
Near the park
Thrissur town
Hotels, guesthouses and budget options 20 km (12 mi) away.Hotels, guesthouses and budget options 12 mi (20 km) away.
Near the park
Local homestays near Vazhani Dam
Simple rooms, often run by families.
Safety
Heat medium
Wild animals low
Monsoon flooding 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
- Gate area reachable by car; short loop is wheelchair‑compatible with assistance.
- Longer forest trek not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use locally‑run guides and homestays to support community income.
- Do not feed wildlife; keep trails clean.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary?
Entry fee is ₹30–₹50 per person; a guided trek costs ₹200–₹400 per group (check at the gate for exact rates).
What are the best hikes in Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary?
The short 2 km forest loop from the gate is easy for all; the 4–5 km guided wildlife trek offers deeper forest and better animal sightings.
When is the best time to visit Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary?
October to March provides pleasant temperatures (15‑20 °C) and low rain; avoid June‑August monsoon.
Do I need a guide for any part of the sanctuary?
A guide is mandatory for any trek beyond the short loop; the gate staff can arrange approved guides.
Is camping allowed inside the sanctuary?
No. Camping is prohibited; stay in nearby homestays or in Thrissur.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary
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