The Thattekad Sanctuary, also known as Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is located in the Kothamangalam Taluk of Ernakulam district on the northern bank of the Periyar River. Close to Munnar along the lower reaches of the Western Ghats, the sanctuary, spread over 25 sq kms, attracts nature lovers especially bird watchers in droves.

The Thattekad Bird Sanctuary was notified in 1983 based on the untiring recommendations made by the renowned ornithologist, Dr. Salim. Ali.

The area experiences a tropical climate with temperatures ranging from a maximum of 26 C to a minimum of 10 C, while the annual rainfall recorded here is 2500mm.

The best time to visit the sanctuary is from the months of October to March, as the rest of the districts of Kerala is affected by the monsoon winds during September.

Foreign currency can be exchanged at the three international airports of Kerala, namely, Thiruvanantapuram, Cochin and Calicut. If visitors are travelling from Cochin, it is safer to get travellers cheques changed there as there are fewer opportunities in the district of Ernakulam.

The Thattekad Bird Sanctuary can be reached by first travelling up to Cochin by road, rail or plane and then continuing the onward journey by road to cover the distance of 71 kms. National Highway No 49 passes through Kothamangalam, from where visitors need to turn off on the Pooyamkutti Road.

The more adventurous can take a boat cruise from Bhoothathakettu to Thattekad for an unforgettable experience through the evergreen forests.
 

Domestic Flights

The airports of Kerala are well connected to the major cities of India with most domestic carriers plying daily. The nearest domestic airport is at Cochin, 71 kms away.

International Flight:

Flights from most of the cities around the world operate to Thiruvantapuram, Cochin and Calicut, the three international airports of Kerala.  Flights from some Middle East countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia, operate on a daily basis. Emirates Airline  follows  the UK- Dubai-Kerala route while Air Sri Lanka flies UK- Colombo- Kerala.

Road Travel

The town nearest to the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary is Kothamangalam located at a distance of 13 kms along the Pooyamkutti Road. Regular buses are available to reach the sanctuary. Privately operated buses also ply from Ernakulam via Muvattupuzha or Perambavoor. The construction of the bridge across River Periyar has also been completed and resulted in a smoother and faster flow of vehicles.

Train Travel

The nearest railway station is at Aluva, 48 kms away.

Tropical evergreen forests, tropical semi-evergreen forests and tropical deciduous forests make up this sanctuary. The whole ambience is made heavenly by the melodious high pitch notes of various beautiful birds. On proceeding further, the birds can be spotted in their natural surroundings.

Around 210 species of birds have been identified here so far. Birds like - Indian Roller, Cuckoo, Common Snipe, Crow Pheasant, Jungle Nightjar, Kite, Grey Drongo, Malabar Trogon, Woodpecker, Large Pied Wagtail, Baya Sparrow, Grey Jungle Fowl, Indian Hill Myna, Robin, Jungle Babbler and Darter are found here.                   

Crimson-throated Barbet, Bee-eater, Sun bird, Shrike, Fairy Blue Bird, Grey-headed fishing eagle, Black winged kite, Night Heron, Grey Heron, Common Grey Hornbill and Malabar Hornbill are some of the rarer birds found here.

Thattekad Mammalian Habitat- Thattekad is also famous for small mammals. Elephants give guest appearance occasionally, mostly at Inchathotty. The village Inchathotty is on the eastern periphery of the sanctuary. The pachyderms are often found in Ovunkal and Kolambay where there are streams. In the summer these streams are out of water. The pachyderm community has no hesitation in sharing their kingdom, the forest with other mammals. Sambhar, mild barking deer, bonnet, macaques and wild boar   are among them. Giant squirrels and the hard-to-find-elsewhere variety, the Travancore flying squirrels like tree branches to be their comfortable homes.

Papilio Paradise- Thattekad is also a heavenly abode to more than 300 species of butterfly. The place is a paradise for butterfly watchers as well as for bird watchers. There are some exotic varieties such as the Plain Tiger, Malabar Rose, Malabar Rave, Malabar Banded Swallowtail, Ghats Birdwing, Red Helen, Paris Peacock, Buddha Peacock, Tamil Cats eye, Blue Mormon and so on.

Animal Rehabilitation Centre - This is located in one wing of the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary. From the Sanctuary gate at Shivakshetrapadi the steps lead down to the Rehabilitation Centre. The sick and aged forest animals are rehabilitated here with due care.

Deer Park- This Park is also located in the wing of the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary. The steps just opposite the Rehabilitation Centre lead to the Deer Park. The Park houses Chital and Sambhar in open air enclosures.

Taxidermy Museum - This Museum is adjacent to the Deer Park. Here the magnificent varieties of denizens are neatly showcased. Among them, the 8-ft long King Cobra is the largest crowd puller.

Kalypso Adventures which runs the Hornbill Camp in Thattekad facilitates an overnight tour called Lowland Forest Tour from Kochi to Thattekad. Butterfly spotting gets importance in the tour programme. Their telephone numbers are 0484-2310324 and 09447031032.

They can also be contacted at the following address

Kalypso Eco Lodges and Camps

G307, Panampilly Nagar, Kochi 682036, Kerala, India.

 For further information about the sanctuary and for booking of accommodation, visitors can contact the following –

The Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Thiruvanantapuram, Kerala 695014

The Wildlife Warden, Idukki Wildlife Division, Vellapara, Painavu P.O. Idukki District 685603.

There is one three storied watch tower inside the sanctuary with two beds, a toilet and a kitchen. No electricity here but there are few solar powered lamps. A forest department inspection bungalow called Hornbill is located near the sanctuary entrance.

The Hornbill Camp provides cottage tents, perfectly camouflaged in the forest.  Guests staying at  this camp get the added advantage of watching flocks of thousands of birds in the rainforest from their own verandah to the background sounds of the gently f lowing waters of the River Periyar.

The camp is closed from June to August, on account of the heavy monsoon rains, so it is better to make bookings from the months of October to March.

Dutch Palace, Mattancherry –This monument was built by the Portuguese in 1557 as a gift to the Raja of Cochin, Veera Kerala Varma, partly as compensation for destroying a temple and partly as a bribe to gain favours from the ruler. In 1663, the Dutch won it over from the Portuguese and so it got its name.

St. Francis Church is located at Fort Cochin, believed to be the oldest European settlement in India. The church was the first to be built in India and is a reflection of the power struggle of European forces in India from the 15th to the 20th centuries.

Willington Island is named after Lord Willington, a former Viceroy of India. The island is connected to mainland Ernakulam by the road cum railway, Veduruthy Bridge. The island is important as it houses some of the best hotels as well as commercial and industrial offices of the district.

Mangalavanam, located in Ernakulam District, is known for its small bird sanctuary and mangroves.

Nearby Sites:

The Pareekshit Thampuram Museum – This is an archaeological museum adjacent to the Shiv Temple on Durbar Hall Road in Ernakulam. It features a rich collection of paintings, coins, scriptures in stone, copies of mural paintings and collections from the royal family of Cochin.

Recommended Circuites:

      The Thattekad Bird Sanctuary is usually visited enroute to Munnar from Cochin

Take time to feel the composed ambience. It is so soothing and relaxing that you will love to come here again and again. The rare surroundings amidst the musical notes are a true place to relax. A delight for nature lovers.