If you are looking for a place where you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse yourself in nature, then Silent Valley National Park is the perfect destination for you. Located in the Nilgiri hills of Palakkad district in Kerala, this national park is a treasure trove of biodiversity and a haven for wildlife enthusiasts.
Here, you can witness some of the rarest and most endangered species of flora and fauna, such as the lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri tahr, the Malabar giant squirrel, and many more. You can also enjoy various ecotourism activities, such as trekking, camping, photography, and wildlife watching.
In this article, we will guide you through everything you need to know about Silent Valley National Park, including its history, significance, location, accessibility, best time to visit, entry fee and timings, things to do and see, and tips for visiting.
What is Silent Valley National Park and Why is it Important?
Silent Valley National Park is one of the last undisturbed tracts of South Western Ghats mountain rain forests and tropical moist evergreen forest in India. It covers an area of 89.52 sq km and is surrounded by a buffer zone of 148 sq km. It was declared as a national park in 1984 and formally inaugurated in 1985. It is also part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and the Nilgiri Sub-Cluster World Heritage Site.
Silent Valley National Park has a rich history and significance. It was first explored by the botanist Robert Wight in 1847. The British named it Silent Valley because of the absence of noisy cicadas. Another story attributes the name to the anglicisation of Sairandhri, a character from the Hindu epic Mahabharata who disguised herself as a maid in the forest. A third story refers to the presence of many lion-tailed macaques, which are also known as silent monkeys.
Silent Valley National Park is famous for its conservation movement that saved it from a hydroelectric project in the 1970s. The project would have submerged a large part of the forest and threatened its biodiversity. A public campaign called Save Silent Valley was launched by environmentalists, activists, writers, artists, and celebrities to oppose the project. The campaign gained national and international support and eventually led to the cancellation of the project by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Silent Valley National Park is home to some of the rarest and most endemic species of plants and animals in India. It has over 1000 species of flowering plants, 108 species of orchids, 34 species of mammals, 200 species of birds, 31 species of reptiles, 22 species of amphibians, and 128 species of butterflies. Some of the notable species found here are:
Lion-tailed macaque: This is the flagship species of Silent Valley National Park. It is a small monkey with a black coat and a long tail with a tuft at the end that resembles a lion’s tail. It is one of the most endangered primates in India and is found only in the Western Ghats.
Nilgiri tahr: This is a large goat-like animal with curved horns and a shaggy coat. It is endemic to the Nilgiri hills and is also known as Nilgiri ibex or varayadu. It is listed as endangered by IUCN and faces threats from habitat loss, poaching, and predation.
Malabar giant squirrel: This is one of the largest squirrels in the world with a body length of up to 36 cm and a tail length of up to 60 cm. It has a colorful fur that ranges from black to brown to red to orange. It lives on trees and feeds on fruits, nuts, seeds, and insects.
Ceylon frogmouth: This is a nocturnal bird with a large mouth that resembles a frog’s mouth. It has a brown plumage with black spots that helps it camouflage with the tree bark. It feeds on insects, spiders, and small vertebrates.
Nilgiri langur: This is a black monkey with a long tail and a white patch on its forehead. It is endemic to the Western Ghats and is closely related to the lion-tailed macaque. It lives in groups and feeds on leaves, fruits, and flowers.
These are just some of the amazing creatures that you can see in Silent Valley National Park. There are many more that await your discovery.
How to Reach Silent Valley National Park and When to Visit?
Silent Valley National Park is located in the border of Mannarkkad Taluk of Palakkad district, Nilambur Taluk of Malappuram district, Kerala, and Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu. It is about 250 km from Kochi, 300 km from Bangalore, and 400 km from Chennai. You can reach the park by different modes of transport, such as air, rail, road, etc.
The nearest airport to Silent Valley National Park is Coimbatore International Airport, which is about 120 km away. From there, you can take a taxi or a bus to reach the park.
The nearest railway station to Silent Valley National Park is Palakkad Junction, which is about 70 km away. From there, you can take a taxi or a bus to reach the park. The nearest bus station to Silent Valley National Park is Mannarkkad, which is about 40 km away. From there, you can take a taxi or a bus to reach the park.
The best time to visit Silent Valley National Park is from December to April, when the climate is pleasant and the rainfall is low. The average temperature during this period ranges from 15°C to 25°C and the average rainfall is less than 100 mm. This is the ideal time to enjoy the ecotourism activities and wildlife watching in the park.
The park is also open from May to November, but this is the monsoon season and the rainfall is high. The average temperature during this period ranges from 20°C to 30°C and the average rainfall is more than 300 mm. This is the time when the park is lush green and the waterfalls are full. However, this is also the time when the leeches are active and the roads are slippery. You need to be extra careful and prepared if you visit during this time.
What are the Entry Fee and Timings of Silent Valley National Park and How to Book Online Tickets?
The entry fee for visiting Silent Valley National Park varies depending on the category of visitors and the type of ecotourism package chosen. The general entry fee for Indians is Rs. 50 per person and for foreigners is Rs. 500 per person. The entry fee for children below 12 years is Rs. 25 per person and for students with ID cards is Rs. 35 per person. The entry fee for senior citizens above 60 years is Rs. 25 per person.
The timings of Silent Valley National Park are from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm on all days except Tuesdays, when the park is closed for maintenance. The park remains open on all public holidays except Republic Day (26th January), Independence Day (15th August), Gandhi Jayanti (2nd October), and Kerala Piravi (1st November).
You can book online tickets for visiting Silent Valley National Park through the official website of Kerala Forest Department.
You need to register yourself with your name, email ID, phone number, etc. and then choose your preferred date, time, package, number of visitors, etc. You need to pay online through debit card, credit card, or net banking. You will receive a confirmation email with your booking details and a QR code. You need to print or download your ticket and show it at the entry gate along with your ID proof.
Booking online tickets has many benefits over booking offline tickets. You can avoid long queues and save time and money. You can also plan your trip in advance and ensure your seat availability. You can also cancel or reschedule your booking online if needed.
What are the Things to Do and See in Silent Valley National Park?
Silent Valley National Park offers a variety of ecotourism activities and attractions for visitors to enjoy. You can choose from different packages depending on your interest, budget, and fitness level. Some of the popular packages are:
Sairandhri Package:
This is a half-day package that includes a jeep ride from Mukkali to Sairandhri (23 km), a visit to Sairandhri watchtower (1 km), a trek to Kunthipuzha river (2 km), and a return jeep ride to Mukkali (23 km). The total duration of this package is about 4 hours and the total distance covered is about 50 km. The cost of this package is Rs. 1500 per person for Indians and Rs. 3000 per person for foreigners.
Poochipara Package:
This is a full-day package that includes a jeep ride from Mukkali to Sairandhri (23 km), a trek to Poochipara waterfall (8 km), a picnic lunch at the waterfall, and a return jeep ride to Mukkali (23 km). The total duration of this package is about 8 hours and the total distance covered is about 62 km. The cost of this package is Rs. 2500 per person for Indians and Rs. 5000 per person for foreigners.
Walakkad Package:
This is a two-day package that includes a jeep ride from Mukkali to Sairandhri (23 km), a trek to Walakkad campsite (10 km), an overnight stay at the campsite, a trek to Kuntipuzha river (2 km), a return trek to Sairandhri (10 km), and a return jeep ride to Mukkali (23 km). The total duration of this package is about 24 hours and the total distance covered is about 68 km. The cost of this package is Rs. 4000 per person for Indians and Rs. 8000 per person for foreigners.
These are just some of the ecotourism packages that you can choose from. There are many more that you can explore on the official website of Kerala Forest Department. You can also customize your own package according to your preferences and availability.
You may also like to read: Silent Valley National Park (Palakkad - Kerala)
Apart from these packages, you can also see some of the amazing sights and sounds of Silent Valley National Park. Some of the things that you can see in the park are:
The Sairandhri watchtower:
This is a 30-meter high tower that offers a panoramic view of the park and its surroundings. You can see the Nilgiri hills, the Attappadi hills, the Kunthipuzha river, and the forest canopy from here. You can also spot some of the birds and animals that live in the park, such as hornbills, eagles, macaques, langurs, etc.
The Kunthipuzha river:
This is a perennial river that originates in Silent Valley National Park and flows through it. It is one of the tributaries of Bharathappuzha river, which is the second-longest river in Kerala. It is also one of the cleanest rivers in India. You can enjoy the sight and sound of the river as it cascades through rocks and rapids. You can also take a dip in the river or relax on its banks.
The Poochipara waterfall:
This is a spectacular waterfall that plunges from a height of about 100 meters into a pool below. It is located in the core zone of the park and is accessible only by trekking. It is one of the most scenic spots in the park and a popular picnic spot for visitors. You can enjoy the beauty and freshness of the waterfall and its surroundings.
The Walakkad campsite:
This is a camping site that is located in the buffer zone of the park. It is surrounded by dense forest and offers a serene and peaceful atmosphere. You can stay here overnight in tents or cottages and experience the wilderness of the park. You can also enjoy campfire, barbecue, games, and star-gazing at night. These are just some of the things that you can do and see in Silent Valley National Park. There are many more that await your discovery.
Silent Valley National Park is a unique and valuable destination for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. It is one of the last remaining rainforests in Kerala and a hotspot of biodiversity and conservation. It offers a variety of ecotourism activities and attractions for visitors to enjoy. It also has a rich history and significance that reflects the culture and heritage of Kerala.
If you are looking for a place where you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse yourself in nature, then Silent Valley National Park is the perfect destination for you. Book your trip today and experience the beauty and diversity of the park for yourself. You will not regret it.
You may also like to read: Amazon of India, Silent Valley National Park
We hope you enjoyed reading this article and learned something new about Silent Valley National Park. If you have any feedback or questions, please feel free to leave a comment below or contact us at Tripoto. We would love to hear from you. Happy travelling!
