Kerala Holidays

Silent Valley

Silent Valley is apparently the last immaculate region of tropical evergreen forest that has fortunately been preserved intact till date. The Silent Valley ecosystem, acclaimed as one of the world’s richest biodiversity hotspots, spreads over 8, 952 hectares of forestland on the Nilgiris plateau and is enclosed by mountains, some of which rise up to an altitude of more than 2000 meters. An “ecological island” with a comparatively uninterrupted evolutionary history that dates back to at least 50 million years is perceptible in its optimal degree of flora and fauna here. 
 

Silent Valley Park constitutes the nucleus of the Nilgiri International Biosphere Reserve, besides being an ingredient of the Western Ghats World Heritage Site under apprehension by UNESCO. And, it boasts of its very many pristine valleys, infinite grasslands, winding hills, never-ending rivers, undulating slopes, flourishing greenery and the dense forests. The park is acknowledged as the only one of its kind, known for the distinctive herbs and flora, and of course goes without saying the characteristic wildlife that delight in their habitat. Enclosed on all sides by Reserve forests and other forest divisions, the Silent Valley Park is a haven for any wildlife adventurist and is rightly quoted as “Sairandhrivanam” meaning ‘the forest in the valley’. Rare and new-fangled biological species continue to be discovered from this unique National Park even today.
 

Places

The Silent Valley National Park:

The park displays a wide variety of wildlife including animals like the Lion-Tailed Macaque, Ceylon Frog Moth, Great Indian Hornbill and the Nilgiri Laughing Thrush, to name a few. In addition to the above, the Park is renowned for housing over a 100 species of Butterflies and 400 species of Moths. Furthermore, the Park encompasses numerous species of mammals, avifauna, snakes, amphibians and lizards.

Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary:

A visit to Silent Valley is a boon for any wildlife lover, since one can find many of the famous National Parks situated in close proximity to this prominent one. One such National Park is the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the finest of its kind in Kerala. Beautifully located in a lush green valley sandwiched between the Annamalai Mountain and the Nelliampathy mountain ranges, the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary comprises of heaving hills drained by numerous rivers such as the Parambikulam, the Sholayar and the Thekkady. The Park is dotted with patches of grassland and copiously forested region with luxuriant stands of bamboos, sandalwoods, rosewoods and teak, including the legendary Kannimari teak. The region also houses many hill tribes like the Malayars, Kudos and Muthuvaas.
Choolanur Peacock Sanctuary:

This unique Peacock Sanctuary is the domicile of more than hundred assorted varieties of the National bird of India and is one of the most favored reserves in Kerala. In addition to peacocks, the sanctuary also houses a bizarre of more than hundred species of other birds also. 

Kunchan Smritivanam:

This is a 200-hectare forest, which forms a part of the Choolanur Peacock Sanctuary. The forest owes its name to the much acclaimed Malayalam poet Kunchan Nambiar. The native place of Kunchan Nambiar, Killikkurissimangalam, is also situated at just a few kilometers from Choolanur. 

Attapadi or Mountain Valley:
An extensive mountain valley artistically positioned in the laps of the Western Ghats, Attapadi is one of the few places that help you to enjoy the beauty of nature at its best. Attapadi is also home to many tribal communities.
 
 

Things To Do

Silent Valley is the ideal spot for any wildlife adventurist, providing ample opportunity for trekking, mountaineering expeditions, bird and animal watching and wildlife tours. One can delight himself by just simply gazing at the fluttering, colorful butterflies that are the main attraction of the National Park.

The park also has a huge wild tree of Kattualying variety with a hollow so deep, that it can hide at least 12 people within it.

Bird watching and photography of Butterflies can be the two most interesting activities that one can indulge in, once at Silent Valley.

Also the Elephant Safari and wildlife Jeep Safari are not to be missed.
 
Tribal tours: one can also go for a tribal tour to the tribal villages in and around the place. 
 

Location

Climate

Best Time To Visit