National park · India
Parambikulam Wildlife SanctuaryParambikulam Vanya Jeevi Samrakshanam
Visit Parambikulam: buy entry at Anappadi (₹100‑₹200), take the Anappadi‑Topslip trek (2‑3 h) in the dry season (Oct‑Mar) or join a guided safari in the monsoon, and stay in forest‑department huts (₹2500‑₹4000).
- 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
644 km² (249 sq mi)249 sq mi (644 km²)
approximate
Established
1973
Best months
—
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
- 644 km² (249 sq mi)249 sq mi (644 km²)
- Total includes a 390.89 km² core and 252.77 km² buffer (check).
- Established
- 1973
- Best months
- —
- Permits
- For some areas
Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, part of the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, lies in the Western Ghats on the Kerala–Tamil Nadu border. It is accessed only via Pollachi in Tamil Nadu. The sanctuary protects 643 km² of evergreen, moist deciduous and shola forests, with three dams, teak plantations and a rich diversity of mammals including tiger, lion‑tailed macaque and Nilgiri tahr. Community‑run ecotourism offers guided treks, bamboo rafting and wildlife safaris, all managed by the forest department.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1973.
Size and age
644 km² (249 sq mi)249 sq mi (644 km²) · national park since 1973
Total includes a 390.89 km² core and 252.77 km² buffer (check).
Why go
- Dense Western Ghats forest with rare mammals like tiger, lion‑tailed macaque and Nilgiri tahr.
- Community‑run ecotourism offers guided treks, bamboo rafting and wildlife safaris.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry, cool.
- FebDry, pleasant.
- MarEnd of dry season.
- AprPre‑monsoon showers.
- MayIncreasing rain.
- JunSouth‑west monsoon, heavy rain.
- JulPeak monsoon, trails slippery.
- AugHeavy rain, limited visibility.
- SepMonsoon receding.
- OctDry, good wildlife spotting.
- NovDry, comfortable.
- DecCool, dry.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Bengal tigerAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Lion‑tailed macaqueAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Nilgiri tahrAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Great pied hornbillAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Malabar giant squirrelAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | 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
Taxi or bus to Pollachi (≈85 km (53 mi)), then park‑managed vehicle to Anappadi.Taxi or bus to Pollachi (≈53 mi (85 km)), then park‑managed vehicle to Anappadi.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Palakkad
Bus (KSRTC) to Pollachi, then park vehicle.
3–4 h
From Pollachi
Direct park‑managed vehicle or taxi to Anappadi gate.
1–1.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Anappadi information centre | Entry gate, ticket office, Vengoli Café, toilets. | Open daily; ticket required. |
| Core forest area | Wildlife habitat, trekking routes, safari tracks. | Guided only for most trails. |
| Buffer‑zone villages | Community‑run eco‑tourism, bamboo rafting, homestays. | Open; bookings via forest department. |
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 facilities.
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 ticket (Anappadi information centre) | INR 100–200 (≈ US$2–3) | person | Covers basic trails; guided safari extra (check). |
| Guided safari (vehicle) | INR 500–1,500 (≈ US$6–18) | person | Depends on vehicle type. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Vehicle entry (overnight) permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ₹100–200≈ US$2–3
- ₹500–1,500≈ US$6–18
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. Confirm on Parambikulam Tiger Reserve official site before you go.
Park rules
- Alcohol & tobacco
- Not allowed inside the sanctuary.
- Vehicle entry
- Private cars need prior booking; park‑managed vehicles for day visitors.
- Camping
- Only in forest‑department huts; no open‑fire camping.
- Drones
- Not permitted without explicit permission (check).check
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited.
Where to stay
In the park
Forest‑department huts (Tree‑top houses)
Simple rooms for two, book via website.
Near the park
Nearby towns (Pollachi, Coimbatore)
Hotels and guesthouses with more amenities.
Safety
Elephant encounters medium
Monsoon landslides high
Lost on remote trails 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
- Anappadi gate reachable by car; short walks to facilities.
- Trails are steep and uneven; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Book only forest‑department approved tours; supports local tribal guides.
- Avoid plastic waste; carry out all rubbish.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary?
Entry tickets cost ₹100‑₹200 per person at the Anappadi gate; guided safaris and accommodation are extra.
What are the best hikes in Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary?
The Anappadi‑Topslip trek (2‑3 h) is the most popular; longer forest treks are available with a guide.
When is the best time to visit Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary?
Dry months October to March offer clear trails and good wildlife spotting; avoid the heavy monsoon June‑August.
Can I drive my own car inside the sanctuary?
Private vehicles need prior booking; day visitors usually use park‑managed vehicles.
Are there accommodation options inside the park?
Yes, forest‑department huts (Tree‑top houses) can be booked for ₹2500‑₹4000 for two people.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
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