Enchanting Kerala

KERALA TOURISM NEWSLETTER

Wilderness Calling

Ever gave yourself to the calling of the jungle? Ever sauntered beneath the giant trees or lent your ears to the innumerable whispering of streams, birds, animals or jelled in the spectrum of green? If you haven’t so far, then head for this patch of wondrous green called Aralam.

Aralam, an extended piece of the Bhrahmagiri sanctuary in Karnataka is rich in bio-diversity. The Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over 55 sq km of undulating forested highlands on the slopes of the Western Ghats. Covered with tropical and semi evergreen forests, the Aralam Sanctuary is home to a vast variety of flora and fauna, endemic to the Western Ghats. Elephant, gaur, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, Nilgiri langur, Hanuman langur, Malabar giant squirrel, etc. can be spotted here.

Meenmutty waterfalls is in the heart of Aralam and is a captivating sight for the travellers. A trek to Meenmutty takes almost four hours and you can observe the scenic beauty of the rain forest here. Unpolluted air and water, variety of birds and butterflies endemic to Meenmutty make it quite special.

Amid the lush green how would it be possible to have a tree with dry leaves? You wonder. As you come close to the tree, the leaves wither into the air amazingly. The butterflies flutter away only to come back in no time. This is at Kurukkathodu, a midway stopover where butterflies swarm in astonishing numbers. Aralam sanctuary is a hub for a wide variety of butterflies, which come for the congregation and mud puddling and is a unique sight.

The vista offered by Pattamplavu watchtower is breathtaking. Towering 35 m, it gives you the vast panorama of the Bhrahmagiri hills and Cheenkannipuzha. As you tread through the sloppy meandering path, you can hear the chantings of other streams. Many streams from Bhrahmagiri sanctuary flow through Aralam to swell the Cheenkannipuzha.

You would be astonished to find the waterfalls at Meenmutty veiled by the green. It is quite huge and cascades from a high altitude. Here, you can nourish yourself with cool wind and water around you. And as you trek back, the majestic waters sing a full-throated song from the beechen green.

Contact:
Wildlife Sanctuary: + 91 490 2413160
Aralam Farm: + 91 490 2444740

Getting there
Nearest railway station: Thalassery, about 55 km away
Nearest airport: Karipur International Airport, about 96 km from Thalassery town