Extending around the Pambar River, 50km northeast of Munnar on the Kerala–Tamil Nadu border, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary (chinnar.in; treks per person ₹500-1500) is a lushly forested 90-sq-km expanse favored for its official hikes usually led by Adivasi guides from local communities. Among its grasslands, scrub jungle and shola roam deer, gaur, langurs, giant grizzled squirrels, wild elephants and endangered Nilgiri tahr, as well much-harder-to-spot tigers and leopards. Go early to maximize chances of glimpsing wildlife, though it's often down to luck; November to March are the best months for wildlife.
Various guided treks were available at the time of writing, starting from official checkpoints on the SH17 road and lasting one, three or six hours. Options include threading through the forest to the rushing Thoovanam Waterfalls.
Tree house, mud hut and log house accommodation within the sanctuary are also available. For details contact Munnar's Forest Information Centre or DTPC.
Coimbatore- and Udumalpet-bound buses from Munnar stop at Chinnar (1½ hours).
