The expanse of the Eravikulam Park is the perfect destination for eco-tourism, and a number of activities pertaining to the same are offered here as well. Some of these include:-
1. KFDC Flower Garden: This wonderful flower garden is located on Munnar - Mattupetty road and has a wide assortment of bright blossoms adorning its landscape. In addition to hundreds of rare varieties of flowers, cactus, shrubs, creepers and herbal plants are also present here. It is maintained by the Kerala Forest Development Centre (KFDC) and has a number of amenities for the convenience of tourists such as sales outlet, toilets, shop, snacks and coffee shops. If you are in a hurry, you can easily cover this destination in about 30 minutes. However, if you have some time on your hands, do spend an hour or two in the lap of this beautiful natural retreat.
2. Tea Museum: The Tea Museum in Evarikulam is a unique look into the history, cultivation and varieties of tea that can be found in the region. You can learn a lot about the finer points of tea production, and how the machinery employed in the process has evolved over time to improve the quality and quantity of tea being produced.
3. Rajamala: Rajamala is the main tourist centre of Eravikulam National Park where one can spot the famous Nilgiri Tahr in its natural habitat. Tourism here is open throughout the year except for the months of February – March every year. Rajamala is best known for an authentic experience of Kurinji and Shola grassland ecosystem. The facility to this attraction has provisions for visitors to be picked from 5th Mile on safari buses and dropped back as well. The park has restaurants, eco shops and an amenity centre where you can buy basic items of requirements.
Entry time: 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Fee: INR 90 (Indian, Adult), INR 65 (Indian, Child), INR 360 (Foreigner)
Reservation fee: INR 50 (Reservation counter 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM at the Information centre, Munnar)
4. Lakkom Water Falls: The beautiful cascade of the Lakkom Water Falls originates in the Evarikulam Park, from where it flows to river Pambar, one of the east-flowing rivers in Kerala. The crystal waters of Lakkom Waterfalls make up for a pristine view as they descend down the crevices of the hills. It lies on the roadside from Munnar to Marayoor and there lies an eco shop cafeteria and refreshing centre to provide services to visitors.
Fee: INR 20 per person.
5. Lakkom Log House: Located very close to the waterfall is a log house where you can avail accommodation right in the midst of beautiful greenery of the wilderness. This place is a great asylum away from the hustle and bustle right in the lap of nature. Reporting time to the Log House from Lakkom Water Falls is 3:00 PM.
Tariff:
INR 3000 for two Indians
INR 4000 for foreign tourist
Extra person: INR 1000
5. Marayoor Sandal Division: Marayoor Sandal Forest Division is the only place in Kerala where a large natural population of sandal trees is found. A stroll down this place is certainly a tranquil experience where you can learn a lot more about this fragrant tree and its natural habitat.
6. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary: The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Western Ghats and is one of the twelve such facilities in Kerala. This region is richly populated with a wide array of indigenous flora and fauna which makes it an extremely popular tourist destination. Chinnar houses a myriad variety of medicinal plants, and its animal population includes species such as grizzled giant squirrel, star tortoise, gaur, spotted deer, tufted grey langur, slender loris, crocodile, wild elephant, tiger, leopard and many birds.
Read more about Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary