Kerala - South India and Kerala - page 552

MAJOR TRAINS FROM TRIVANDRUM

FARE (?, SLEEPER/3AC/
2AC)

DURATION
(HR)

DEPARTURES
(DAILY)

DESTINATION TRAIN NO & NAME

16525 Bangalore Ex-
press

Bengaluru 307/864/1320 18 1pm

Chennai 12696 Chennai Express 341/936/1425 16½ 5.10pm

Coimbatore 17229 Sabari Express 191/524/785 9¼ 7.15am

Delhi 12625 Kerala Express 595/1676/2780 50½ 11.15am

16347 Mangalore Ex-
press

Mangalore 257/719/1085 14½ 8.40pm

Getting Around

The airport ( 2501424) is 8km from the city and 15km from Kovalam; take local bus 14
from the East Fort and City Bus stand (?7). Prepaid taxi vouchers from the airport cost
?350 to the city and ?500 to Kovalam.
Autorickshaws are the easiest way to get around, with short hops costing ?20 to ?30.

TOP OF CHAPTER

Around Trivandrum

Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Surrounding an idyllic lake created by the 1964 Neyyar Dam 35km north of Trivandrum,
the main attraction at this sanctuary is the Lion Safari Park ( 2272182, 9744347582; Indian/foreigner
?200/300; 9am-4pm Tue-Sun) . Admission includes a boat ride across the lake, lion safari by
bus, a visit to a deer park and Crocodile Production Centre (named for Australian legend Steve
Irwin). The fertile forest lining the shore is home to gaurs, sambar deer, sloth, elephants,
lion-tailed macaques and the occasional tiger.
Get here from Trivandrum's Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus
stand by frequent bus (?30, 1½ hours). A taxi is ?900 return (with two hours' waiting
time) from Trivandrum, ?1300 from Kovalam. The KTDC office in Trivandrum also run
tours to Neyyar Dam (?400).