A drive on the Udumalpet - Munnar road (SH 17) gives one unforgettable views of the Western Ghats. Chinnar is 25 km (16 mi) from Udumalpet and along the way one passes through the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park which is famous for the Elephants that inhabit the area. The road to Chinnar crosses the border over the Chinnar River between Tamil Nadu and Kerala. As you enter Kerala, you can see a distinct change in the vegetation upon entering the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. While the Tamil Nadu areas have vegetation dominated by shrubs and thorny trees, the vegetation in Kerala is lush green with tall trees. Marayur is 20 km (12 mi) from Chinnar, famous for its sandalwood forests which often fall prey to poachers.
This route offers the perfect mix of narrow winding mountain roads, pristine nature, fewer vehicles, stunning views of tea estates and shola forests and easy access to many wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.
This forest highway takes you through or by the following wildlife sanctuaries and national parks – Anaimalai Tiger Reserve, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Marayoor Sandalwood forest, Neelakurinji sanctuary, Anaimudi Shola National Park and Eravikulam National Park. The mountains near Marayoor, Kanthaloor (which is part of the Anaimudi Shola National Park and Neelakurinji sanctuary) and Eravikulam National Park are three places that fall on this route and where the Neelakurinji is blooming.
This forest route not only gives you easy access to the Neelakurinji, but the journey in itself is a special experience as it takes you through lush forests, busy wildlife and birds, stunning tea estates, umpteen waterfalls and gorgeous mountains all the way from Udumalpet to Munnar, which is about 88 kms in total.
For those looking for authentic Kerala homestays on this route, Marayoor is a good option. For a true village experience, Kanthaloor is your bet. And if you wish to see the endangered Nilgiri Tahr up close, Eravikulam National Park is your bet. And for all modern day luxuries, creature comforts and divine weather, you have Munnar.
Wherever you opt to stay and whatever you opt to do, this Udumalpet – Munnar forest highway offers you a thrilling experience filled with gorgeous nature.
#Unumalpet
#Munnar
#Forest
#ScenicRoute
#Waterfalls
#WesternGhat
#ChinnarWildlifeSanctuary
#AnaimalaiTigerReserve
Ещё видео!