Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary
Escape the crowds of Thrissur, travel east to Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary, and spend some quality time among hills, forests and reservoir-lakes.
Shake off your urban exhaustions by exploring the wilderness or sighting birds and animals. Enjoy boating in the reservoir or simply track an eco-trail.
The sanctuary exists as two independent patches. Vazhani Sanctuary on the north is clearly cut off from the rest of the forests by Peechi reservoir. National Highway 47 runs near the southern end of Vazhani Sanctuary as well.
Continuing from the northern end of Chimmony Sanctuary and encompassing a massive 125 sq kms including forests and large reservoirs, Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a respectable variety of both flora and fauna.
Available statistics points out to a count of 39 species of mammals, 30 types of reptiles, 17 varieties of amphibians and 40 kinds of fish. Add on top about 60 types of birds and an abundance of butterflies.
This eco hide-out is home to tiger, leopard, different types of deer, bison, elephant and varieties of snakes and lizards, to say the least. Keep your expectations low because tigers and rare animals are only rarely seen.
Annual rainfall of about 3000 mm keeps the forest thriving. This is one of those forests with a rich growth of medicinal plants.
So far the presence of 50 types of Orchids also has been confirmed.
Ongoing water needs of the jungle inhabitants are catered to a significant extent by small brooks and a couple of larger rivers.
A couple of dams constructed across these rivers have become tourist attractions.
Peechi dam
Peechi dam is constructed across Manali River, is about 23 kms from Thrissur. It caters for drinking water needs of Thrissur town and supplies consistent flow to the large paddy belts out side of town.
Peechi dam has endeavoured to enhance its tourism profile and the results are boating facilities and a dam garden. Better to get it right, Peechi dam is not a major attraction as Malampuzha, nevertheless a good location to touch by while visiting the sanctuary.
Vazhani dam
Vazhani dam, on the northern end of the wildlife sanctuary, also caters to irrigation and drinking water needs. The mud dam built across Wadakancherry River is surrounded by gardens. Vazhani dam is about 21 kms north of Thrissur town.
Accommodation
The only accommodation available within the sanctuary is the Rest House. Book in advance to avoid any disappointment.
The contact is - The Wildlife Warden, Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sancutary, Peechi PO, Thrissur District.
Phone: + 91 487 2282017
Thrissur town has a wide range of accommodation available. With a few attractions within town, and in easy access to places such as Guruvayoor, it is the best place to stay. Guruvayoor is also good but it is far from Peechi.
How to reach
The place to visit is the Peechi part of the sanctuary. If you are at Thrissur town, travel east for about 14 kms to Pattikkad. Turn right to Peechi Road and travel another 6 kms to reach the dam.
Peechi is the HQ for Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary.
Vazhani is along another travel route. The direct path is through Thannikkudam followed by Kundukad.
Another choice is to take the State Highway 22 (Thrissur – Shornur Rd). Turn right from Wadakancherry to Vazhani dam (13 kms).
It may not be a good idea to visit both Peechi and Vazhani together. After seeing a dam at Peechi why to travel all the way to see just another one?
However, if you are visiting places such as Kerala Kalamandalam or having ayurvedic holidays in the region, a couple of hours at Vazhani dam may suit well.
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Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary - Facts at a glance
Location: Central Kerala
District: Thrissur
Nearest Towns: Thrissur at 21 kms, Mannuthi at 16 kms and Pattikkad at 6
kms.
Bus Station: Thrissur Bus Station (North stand – Vadakke Stand) at 21 Kms.
Taxi/ Auto-rikshaw Hire: Thrissur Town at 21 Kms.
Railway Station: Thrissur Railway Station at 22 Kms.
Air port: Cochin Int’l Airport (COK) at 61 Kms
Food Options: No restaurants near the Sanctuary. Thrissur town has good
range of eateries.
Accommodation Options: There is a small rest house in the sanctuary.
Thrissur town has wide range of accommodation.
Best
time to visit: September
till March.
Nearby Attractions: Thrissur
Town (food & shopping), Guruvayoor Temple, Guruvayoor Anakkotta (Elephant
Park), Chettuva backwater, Palayoor Church, Beaches from Chavakkad till Nattika
and even beyond, Athirapally and Vazhachal Waterfalls, Kerala Kalamandalam and Chimmony
Wildlife Sanctuary.
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