Best place to see baby elephants - kodanad??

mandibee

Hi guys

I am off to India in January and trying to plan my flights. I understand there is an elephant sanctuary at Kerela near Kochin.

If I fly into Kochin what is the best way to get to the elephants and how long would it take? After the elephants we plan to get the train to Goa - any advice on this would be great too

It is possible to stay overnight so its possible to get up early as I think they get bathed at 8am

I REALLY want to see a baby elephant, has anyone been there that could offer me advise please.

thanks :-)))

louise123

I haven't been to the place you are looking at. I went to Corbett national park and I saw some amazing things with elephants. Elephants from all ages, babies, teenagers, adults and the elederly. I saw baby elephants playing in the water and have some fantastic photos. No one really mentions elephants very much when they talk about corbett, everyone rants on about the tigers, but i thought that seeing the elephants was probably the best bit. Saw loads of them every day and some very very close up.

tittooraju

The elephant park you are referring to is the kodanadu aanakotta..(elephant park).
It is only 1.5 hour maximum drive from the airport.
You do get to see the elephants being bathed there..
The route is via perumbavoor.

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snonymous

Kodanad is very close to the Nedumbassery airport, I dont think it will take more than 45min to an hour to get there from the airport, especially if you leave early morning when there is hardly any traffic.

If you want an early start, you can stay at Kothamangalam which has some decent hotels. Im sure there will be small hotels in Perumbavoor too, or perhaps even closer to Kodanad.

See these links, and contact another member Vandy who has been there recently and will give you first hand info.

http://www.kuruppampady.com/kodanad.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodanad

The Thattekad bird sanctuary is also close by if you are interested.

Some friends of ours also participated in bathing elephants in Goa recently, so if you are not able to visit Kodanad, you can experience the elephants at Goa.

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vandy

Hi there,

Since Kodanand is reasonably close to the Airport, you may as well
Stay at a Hotel close to the Airport and then head out for Kodanand next morning,I am sure the Hotel could arrange for a Taxi
to take you to The river where the elaphants are washed and you
can join in the fun.I did not go to Elephant school after washing
so can't help with that bit.The elephant washing process is about
1-2hrs including a quick feed of bananas which some people buy on
the side of road little shops.

The taxi driver will stay at river area with you and also wait if you go to Elephant School, you should be able to get to Kochi by
Lunchtime and then board an afternoon Train for an O'Night Journey to Goa.Station name in Kochi is Ernakulam.

BTW, if you get involved in Washing of elephant(s)you are expected to make a donation
to the mahout, I think I gave 100rps,could have been 200rps.


vandy

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