Kerala is famously known as the 'Gods Own Country' and indeed it is true. It is one of the leading tourist attractions in India. Every year people come here in numbers to experience the extremely beautiful destinations that hold the attention of almost everyone.
Kerala is filled with hill-stations, tea gardens, spice gardens, backwaters, and commercial cities. People here are very professional and quite helpful.
As soon as we landed at the Cochin airport, just outside the airport, there was cab facility available. The cab facility is well managed by the union and turn by turn they receive the guests which is quite commendable.
One of our fond memory regarding our Kerala trip was when we went for the awesome elephant safari in the jungle. We went to the Carmelagiri Elephant Park on the Mattuppetty road on our way to Munnar.
This is a famous tourist attraction where the guests can opt for short elephant rides near to the Kannan Devan hills with a path fully surrounded by trees.
As soon as we reached the starting point, the first difficult thing was to buy the tickets for the elephant ride as it was already mid noon time and the safari used to last only until the daytime.
So the challenge was to buy the tickets and then wait for our turn to come among-st several others before the sun settles down. But luckily, our driver who was a local guy helped us go through this.
As he knew few of the authorities there, he helped us buy tickets quickly. We also had to pay extra for getting us clicked and to create a small video of our trip as a reference.
Although we had to pay the amount that we needed to pay was not too hefty.
As soon as we got into the line we saw there was a group of the elephants that would take the visitors for a jungle tour. As soon as they used to return the next batch was allowed to move in.
Some high stands were prepared there which would help people to mount on the elephants back. The mahouts (Elephant trainers) were also very helpful and they took cared that everybody gets on the elephant and nobody get hurts.
The sight when the elephant used to ask for food by raising his trunk was worth to watch. everyone including the older ones and the children enjoyed it.
As soon as we sat on our elephant, it started asking for the food by raising its trunk to us. We took a basket full of pineapple and then offered it to the elephant. He received it graciously and after filling his tummy he started to walk.
I had a childhood dream of riding an elephant as it was my favorite animal was coming true that day. We had settled comfortably and the safari towards the jungle began.
Elephant started walking towards a small hill after his masters (mahouts) guidance. The experience was thrilling and exciting at the same time. Watching the beauty of nature into the deep forest by sitting on the elephants back is an altogether different experience.
Almost twenty minutes after starting, we came back to our starting point after clicking some wonderful pics on our way.
We got down at the same place from where we had climbed. We kept on looking at the elephant sometime and were thrilled to see an animal from so near.
His ears were so big and also the elephant was clean. We gazed at his long trunk and just as we were doing so, he dipped his trunk into the nearby pond and then gave a shower to the nearby public who were standing. It was worth a watch.
The ride cost is around Rs 400 per person and if you want to get clicked then you have to pay Rs 250 extra.
After feeding the elephant one more time and after collecting our pics that the authorities had clicked we left the place with some splendid memories. Truly it was an amazing experience to stand next to this huge thing and look into the eyes of this incredible creature of mother earth.
How To Reach There:
Carmelgiri elephant park is located after photo point and before Mattupetty dam along the top station highway. If you are heading towards Munnar, then it lies near to the Kannan Devan hills on the Mattuppetty road.
Address: Mattuppetty Road, Munnar, Kannan Devan Hills, Kerala 685612
Hours Open: Daily - 9am-5pm
Price: Ticket - Rs 400 per head, Rs 250 for pics and Rs 50 per basket which is used to feed the elephant.