Eravikulam National Park and the Nilgiri tahr

Eravikulam National Park covers about 97 km² of high rolling grassland and shola forest north of Munnar. Its main purpose is to protect the Nilgiri tahr, a stocky wild goat that lives only on the high crags of the Western Ghats, and the park holds the largest population left. Visitors are allowed only into the Rajamala tourist zone, reached by forest department bus from the entry point at Anchaam Mile.

From the bus drop, a paved path climbs gently along the hillside for about 1.5 km. The tahr here are used to people and often graze within a few metres of the path, with young kids in the herd from late spring. You also have views up to Anamudi, at 2,695 m the highest peak south of the Himalayas, and across the grassland to the tea estates below. Langurs and Nilgiri pipits are often seen.

We arrive at opening time to avoid the queues, which build quickly at weekends and on Indian holidays. The park usually closes for the tahr calving season from about February to March or April, so plan around it. Tickets are sold online, in limited numbers per slot, and timings and closures change, so check current status before you travel. We book the tickets in advance with your itinerary.