Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary - A Premier Birding Destination in Kerala

Kochi, KeralaWILDLIFE

Kerala's first bird sanctuary, located by the Periyar River, offering walking trails and watchtowers to spot over 300 species of resident and migratory birds.

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WILDLIFE

Info

Half day (3-4 hours)

Accessibility

Not Wheelchair Friendly

Parking

No Parking

Photography

No Photography

About the Destination

Overview

Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, also known as the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, is a dedicated area for avian life located on the northern bank of the Periyar River. It was the first bird sanctuary established in Kerala and covers an area of about 25 square kilometers. The terrain is primarily lowland evergreen forest, which provides a rich habitat for a wide variety of birds. Visitors can explore the sanctuary through well-defined walking trails that wind through the dense woods. The experience is focused on observation and quiet appreciation of nature.

Contact Information

Phone: +91-485-2588302

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Location & Address

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Thattekad P.O, Kothamangalam, Ernakulam District, Thattekad, Kochi, Kerala, India

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Best Time to Visit

The ideal period to visit is from October to March. During these months, the weather is pleasant and comfortable for walking. This is also the season when many migratory birds arrive, adding to the diversity of species you can see. The summer months (April and May) are very hot and humid, making birdwatching less enjoyable. The monsoon season (June to September) brings heavy rainfall, which can make trails slippery and inaccessible.
Peak Crowd: November to January, especially on weekends and public holidays, as this is the peak tourist season in Kerala.
Moderate Crowd: October, February, and March on weekdays.
Low Crowd: April to September, due to the extreme heat of summer and the heavy monsoon rains.

How to Reach

Air

Cochin International Airport (COK) is the nearest airport, located about 45 km away. From the airport, you can hire a taxi which takes around 1.5 hours to reach the sanctuary.

Train

The nearest major railway station is Aluva (AWY), approximately 48 km away. Ernakulam Junction (ERS) in Kochi is another major railhead, about 60 km away. Taxis and cabs are available from both stations.

Road

Thattekkad is well-connected by road to Kothamangalam (12 km), which is the nearest town. The sanctuary is about 60 km from Kochi city. You can drive or hire a cab. State buses connect Kochi to Kothamangalam frequently.

Local Transport

Once in Kothamangalam, auto-rickshaws and taxis are the primary modes of local transport to get to the sanctuary entrance. Options for app-based cab services like Ola/Uber might be limited in this specific area.