Abhayaranyam Kaprikkadu Ecotourism in Kerala, India - reviews,open hours,photo spots,things to do

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Ashik AliasAshik Alias

If you look in tourist guides such as Lonely Planet (South India & Kerala page 303) they talk about the Elephant Training Camp at Kodanadu. That camp closed in March of 2017 and a new premises was opened, slightly closer to Cochin. The new premises are called The Abhayaranyam Zoo - A Shelter for Orphaned Wildlife. To call this place a zoo is to mis-represent it. Yes, there are animals in enclosures, but not in the classic sense. We travelled by car from Cochin Airport - it took about 35 minutes and cost 1400 Rupees return. At the retreat, entry for foreigners is 100 Rupees. Once in, you walk along well signposted, dirt paths past several varieties of deer. The deer are close to you - not a spot in the distance and while they keep your distance, you are certainly very close. We arrived at the Zoo at 9:30 in the morning because we were given wrong information by the hotel travel guide. The signs at the Zoo gate say the Zoo opens at 9am, but if you turn up at 8am they will let you in and you can go down to the river and get in the water with the elephants while they frolic around and have a morning play. In the river, you are required to keep your distance, because the elephants could easily step on you, or whack you with their trunk while they are playing. After their playtime in the river they are taken up for a wash and this is where we caught up with them. Each elephant was lying on a concrete slab being scrubbed by two workers under the watchful eye of the 'Mahoot' (the elephant's boss). As soon as the Mahoot saw us, he called around the fence and had us join in scrubbing the elephant. Awesome ! Where else in the western world would you ever get that opportunity ? We were also shown the kraal where newly captured elephants are kept - they are wild and scared and dangerous, so their enclosure is big and very strong. Once the elephants, calm down, they are then kept tethered by a chain on one front leg and one rear leg. Finally, when they are no longer a threat, they are tethered by one chain on a rear leg. You may see a stick leaning against the elephant, resting behind the elephant's right ear. This is a means of control. The elephant learns that while the stick is resting on his right ear, he/she must do as the Mahoot says. Take away the stick from his right ear, and the elephant is his own boss. We saw a young elephant rocking from side to side - we had heard from other sources that this was a sign of distress. In this case however, the youngster was actually dancing - enjoying herself. We also saw an old man, his body bent and doddery from years of hard labour feeding an elephant. The elephant could easily have knocked the old man flying with one swing of his mighty trunk but that was never going to happen. He was literally picking up big chunks of rice/sugar lumps and putting them deep in the elephant's mouth. Such a peaceful, serene thing to see. Beautiful. The Indian government have banned riding on elephants, so if you want to ride on the back of an elephant, go to Chiang Mai in Thailand. Apart from the elephants and deer, the pace is teeming wth butterflies and there is a butterfly building where you can get deeply into them if you want. There is also a native arboretum and herb gardens with information like 'this plant is used by natives to help with skin infections / snake bites / headaches' etc. There is a shop building, but at the moment there is nothing in the way of souvenirs to buy. There is also a cafeteria - but it too is empty. If you are planning a trip to Cochin, this place really is worth a visit. It will only get better as it becomes more established and soon be worth 5 stars.

Thomaskutty M AThomaskutty M A

This is a nice and beautiful place to visit and explore the beauty of nature and some animals . I enjoyed the bird watch and the voice within the area. The view from the Children park towards the river area is mesmerising. I have plenty of suggestions to improve this amazing place to bring into a popular and safer tourist spot. Need to improve the safety measures within the areas. The visitors with toddlers , pregnant women,elderly people and the disabled people will not able to enjoy this place. The authorities do not consider such people when they created this . I would say this is a place where only healthy adults can visit. Visitors need to walk long way to cover and enjoy this destination. The elephant training area is not safe for toddlers because if the parents can’t manage there can be accidents in some point. Kids can easily enter into the area and reach the elephant. Additionally the sideways at the riverside is not safe people may accidentally fall into the river because of improper safety walls. There’s no proper walkways through out the area . People who like adventure trucking can easily visit this place others are not welcome. If you look into the children’s park , there is no safety at all. The slides are not safe for kids, if they use it they hurt their bottom when reach into the ground. I would suggest to install rubber mat or some safer mat at the bottom of slides will help kids to use it safely. One slide is placed underneath the superficial soil and I believe kids may badly damage their leg bones if they use it. I did see directly that kids are afraid to use that one. There is rust on some chains and rods. I have attached some photos and videos for the reference. My only request is that consider safety of people when the authorities make something. Also consider disabled , elderly people,kids and pregnant women. Additionally, use English language into the information and sign boards everywhere for the foreigners. Can also give a leaflet at the entrance providing entire history and information for the visitors. Thank you

Allen JoshyAllen Joshy

Most beautiful place in kodand.Panamkuzhi Ecotourism, located near Perumbavoor in Ernakulam is an ecotourism destination started as an extension to Abhayaranyam project. The highlighted programme here is the trekking to Panamkuzhi from Kaprikad or Abhayaranyam. The place also has a Mahagani plantation, bathing ghat in Periyar, tree houses, bamboo hut and many more. Entry tickets taken from Abhayaranyam can be used to visit this place. An ecotourism park located near Nedumbassery at Ernakulam, Suvarnodyanam offers a variety of leisure zones for the visitors. The place has a butterfly park, fern house, orchidarium and cacti garden and also some of the flora and fauna of the State. A spice garden, medicinal plant garden and palm and bamboo houses is also there. The park has an interpretation centre, Salim Ali Nature Study Hall, provisions for trekking and nature camp facilities at Suvarnodyanam. Since the availability of Eco Tourism Packages are subject to change based on climate and other conditions, please make sure you confirm its availability beforehand. We will not be held responsible for any inconveniences caused owing to the unavailability of any specific package.Kaprikad is a rural riverside village of Ernakulam district, Kerala, southern India. Kaprikad is situated on the south bank of Periyar river, about 42 kilometers east of Kochi. The nearest air port is Cochin International Airport which is about 18 km (12 mi) by road. The village is a major tourist destination because it houses an Elephant training center.Kaprikad is a rural riverside village of Ernakulam district, Kerala, southern India. Kaprikad is situated on the south bank of Periyar river, about 42 kilometers east of Kochi. The nearest air port is Cochin International Airport which is about 18 km (12 mi) by road. The village is a major tourist destination because it houses an Elephant training center.

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Reviews of Abhayaranyam Kaprikkadu Ecotourism

4.4

(2,454)

5.0

8y

If you look in tourist guides such as Lonely Planet (South India & Kerala page 303) they talk about the Elephant Training Camp at Kodanadu. That camp closed in March of 2017 and a new premises was opened, slightly closer to Cochin. The new premises are called The Abhayaranyam Zoo - A Shelter for Orphaned Wildlife. To call this place a zoo is to mis-represent it. Yes, there are animals in enclosures, but not in the classic sense. We travelled by car from Cochin Airport - it took about 35 minutes and cost 1400 Rupees return. At the retreat, entry for foreigners is 100 Rupees. Once in, you walk along well signposted, dirt paths past several varieties of deer. The deer are close to you - not a spot in the distance and while they keep your distance, you are certainly very close. We arrived at the Zoo at 9:30 in the morning because we were given wrong information by the hotel travel guide. The signs at the Zoo gate say the Zoo opens at 9am, but if you turn up at 8am they will let you in and you can go down to the river and get in the water with the elephants while they frolic around and have a morning play. In the river, you are required to keep your distance, because the elephants could easily step on you, or whack you with their trunk while they are playing. After their playtime in the river they are taken up for a wash and this is where we caught up with them. Each elephant was lying on a concrete slab being scrubbed by two workers under the watchful eye of the 'Mahoot' (the elephant's boss). As soon as the Mahoot saw us, he called around the fence and had us join in scrubbing the elephant. Awesome ! Where else in the western world would you ever get that opportunity ? We were also shown the kraal where newly captured elephants are kept - they are wild and scared and dangerous, so their enclosure is big and very strong. Once the elephants, calm down, they are then kept tethered by a chain on one front leg and one rear leg. Finally, when they are no longer a threat, they are tethered by one chain on a rear leg. You may see a stick leaning against the elephant, resting behind the elephant's right ear. This is a means of control. The elephant learns that while the stick is resting on his right ear, he/she must do as the Mahoot says. Take away the stick from his right ear, and the elephant is his own boss. We saw a young elephant rocking from side to side - we had heard from other sources that this was a sign of distress. In this case however, the youngster was actually dancing - enjoying herself. We also saw an old man, his body bent and doddery from years of hard labour feeding an elephant. The elephant could easily have knocked the old man flying with one swing of his mighty trunk but that was never going to happen. He was literally picking up big chunks of rice/sugar lumps and putting them deep in the elephant's mouth. Such a peaceful, serene thing to see. Beautiful. The Indian government have banned riding on elephants, so if you want to ride on the back of an elephant, go to Chiang Mai in Thailand. Apart from the elephants and deer, the pace is teeming wth butterflies and there is a butterfly building where you can get deeply into them if you want. There is also a native arboretum and herb gardens with information like 'this plant is used by natives to help with skin infections / snake bites / headaches' etc. There is a shop building, but at the moment there is nothing in the way of souvenirs to buy. There is also a cafeteria - but it too is empty. If you are planning a trip to Cochin, this place really is worth a visit. It will only get better as it becomes more established and soon be...