anamalai wilderness circle

The Anamalai Hills form the southern section of the Western Ghats, extending across Kerala and Tamil Nadu, south of the Palakkad Gap. Easily accessible from Cochin International Airport, this remarkable mountain landscape is part of the Anamalai Wilderness Circle, renowned for its rich Western Ghats biodiversity. Covering more than 3,000 sq. km of interconnected protected forests, it includes National Parks, Tiger Reserves, and Wildlife Sanctuaries, making it an ideal spot for wildlife observation tours. The region is crowned by Anamudi (2,694 m), the highest peak in South India, and offers an extraordinary diversity and endemism of wildlife, birds, forests, and mountain landscapes.

The Anamalai Wilderness Circle is crafted for travellers seeking to immerse themselves in the Western Ghats biodiversity beyond typical wildlife observation tours. Instead of concentrating solely on tiger sightings, this expedition delves into one of South India's most vibrant ecosystems through guided walking safaris, jungle camps, sky island hikes, nature walks, birdwatching, and the exploration of prehistoric sites. While the Anamalai Tiger Reserve is home to tigers and other large mammals, the dense rainforests mean that tiger sightings are infrequent. Instead, the journey unveils the incredible diversity of the region—often referred to as the 'Elephant Hills'—where nearly every mammal of the southern Western Ghats can be found, alongside numerous endemic species. Birdwatchers can eagerly search for all three hornbill species and around twenty endemics of the Western Ghats. Additionally, the expedition includes the exploration of ancient rock art, megalithic monuments, tea plantations, and traditional mountain landscapes, providing a comprehensive natural history experience.

Accommodation is carefully selected to complement the spirit of the expedition within the Anamalai Wilderness Circle. Explorer style participants can indulge in exclusive jungle camps, offering a close connection with nature and the chance to enjoy the changing sights and sounds of dawn and dusk. Meanwhile, leisure style participants stay in comfortable homestays and plantation resorts nestled amidst the wilderness of the buffer zone, which highlights the rich Western Ghats biodiversity. Most itineraries artfully combine both styles, providing an ideal balance of comfort and immersive nature experiences, including unforgettable wildlife observation tours.