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Travel Guide » Asia » Anaimalai
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Anaimalai
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(Tamil Nadu)


In the shadow

Looking at the Ulandy Range from a distance, one can only wonder at nature's extraordinary generosity in crafting these forests on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats. The foliage is in shades varying from bottle green and jade to a touch of emerald. Get closer and you can see the leaves rustling in the wind. The rustling arouses myriad birds, which begin to call in varying pitches, their soft calls wafting gently over the valleys.
You're in Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, spread over nearly 1,000 sq km on the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border and stomping ground of the elephant. The sanctuary has one proverbial foot in Tamil Nadu in Anaimalai and the other in Parambikkulam in Kerala. So an added bonus is you'll get to enjoy the piquant delights of the three jewels of Parambikkulam the Parambikkulam, Thoonakkadavu and Peruvaripalam dams.
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Getting There
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To Do & See
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Where to Stay
Parambikkulam There's Kothalai Camp 6 km inside the forest (Tariff: Rs 1,000 for 5, plus 2 guides and one gun man), and the Kottaivali Camp 12 km from Kothalai (Tariff: Rs 1,000 for 5), both in the Karimalai Range. Then there's the Orukombankutti Camp (Tariff: Rs 1,000 for 5) in the Orukomban Range, 12 km into the forest. Bison Valley Lodge (Tariff: Rs 150 per head) is among the cheapest available here. In case you have a large group, there's a Community Hall (Tariff: Rs 80 per head) which accommodates 30-35 persons. Getting to any one of these places mandatorily requires a jeep. Don't even bother trying to take a small car in. No small car helps the roads here, anyway. All bookings to be made with the DFO, Anappadi (Tel: 04253-277233).
Banyan Tree
The best option for a visit to Anaimalai and Parambikkulam is the beautiful Banyan Tree estate, set on several acres of farmland in Sethumada, across the foothills on the border of the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary. With two huge canals running across the farm for more than 5 km, the farm is a veritable conservatory of fruits and cash crops of all kinds. Traditional Tamil cuisine is on offer. Apart from driving you into Top Slip and Parambikkulam, the staff at Banyan Tree will arrange treks and visits to a waterfall.
The Banyan Tree is located a kilometre away from Sethumada. From Pollachi, drive towards the sanctuary up till Vettakaran Pudur Village. Sethumada is half an hour?s drive from here, before you enter the sanctuary. At Sethumada, ask for Muthumanickam Gounders? Farm within which Banyan Tree is located.
 
 080-5730475
 
 Rs 3,800
Tree Hut
Tree Hut , about 12 km from Thoonakkadavu, straight down the long stretch of road from the checkpost at Anappadi, built around a huge teak tree, that overlooks the backwaters. A unique way to stay, offering wonderful walks up to the dam, with thick forest cover all around.
 
 Rs 350 per person, Rs 1,000 for 5, meals to order
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Content Source: 
Outlook Traveller
Contributed by: 
Sunaad Raghuram
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