Entry Fee for Kodanad Elephant Training Centre

Heading to see the elephants at Kodanad? Knowing the exact ticket price before you go keeps the visit simple, with no guessing at the counter. This page lists the current Kodanad Elephant Training Centre entry fee for Indian adults, children and foreign visitors, the extras most people forget (parking and camera permits), the cost of interactions like feeding and bathing, plus timings and how to reach the centre. Every figure here is the per-person gate fee, not a tour-package price. Kodanad sits on the Periyar River in Ernakulam district and is one of the largest elephant training and rescue centres in Kerala.

Kodanad Elephant Training Centre at a glance

Kodanad Elephant Training Centre entry fee and ticket price

The entry fee is a flat per-person charge. It changes with nationality and age, not with the season. Foreign nationals pay more, and that higher fee helps fund the care of the elephants housed at the centre.

A phone camera carries no separate charge, but a still camera or video permit is billed on top of your ticket, and parking depends on your vehicle. Carry small notes, since the counter is often cash-only.

Elephant interactions and their cost

Kodanad today works mainly as a rescue and rehabilitation home for orphaned, injured and rescued elephants, so the experience centres on watching the animals being cared for rather than performances. The mainstay interactions are feeding the elephants and watching the bathing ritual in the Periyar River, both under mahout supervision. Ride and safari options, where offered, vary with the season and the welfare needs of the herd, so confirm what is running on the day you visit.

Feeding and the morning bath are the highlights most families remember, and they are best caught early in the day when the elephants are brought to the river. Treat the ride and safari figures as a guide only, because availability at a rehabilitation centre can change.

Timings and closed day

Kodanad Elephant Training Centre is open Tuesday to Sunday from 8 am to 6 pm and is closed on Mondays. Arrive in the morning, ideally soon after opening, to catch the feeding and the bathing session before the day warms up. Weekends and school holidays draw the biggest crowds, so an early start also means shorter waits at the counter. For a fuller breakdown of visiting hours, see our Kodanad timings guide.

How to reach Kodanad Elephant Training Centre

Kodanad lies about 40 km northeast of Kochi city, roughly a 1.5-hour drive through Perumbavoor. The closest airport is Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery, around 25 km away, which makes the centre an easy half-day trip from the airport or from Kochi. The nearest major railway stations are Aluva and Angamaly, both well connected to the rest of Kerala.

• By air: Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery is about 25 km away, with taxis readily available at the terminal.

• By train: Aluva or Angamaly railway station is the nearest railhead. From there, take a taxi or a bus toward Perumbavoor and Kodanad.

• By road: Drive from Kochi via Perumbavoor, or take a bus to Perumbavoor and pick up local transport for the last stretch to the centre.

Best time to visit

The most comfortable months are October to March, when the weather is cool and dry and the riverbank is pleasant to walk. Within the day, the early morning is the best window, because that is when the elephants are fed and taken to the Periyar for their bath. The monsoon from June to September turns the surrounding greenery lush, but heavy rain can make the riverside slippery, so check the forecast before you set out.

About Kodanad Elephant Training Centre

Established in 1950, Kodanad began as a centre for training captured elephants for timber work and heavy labour. It grew into one of the largest elephant training centres in Kerala, set on the banks of the Periyar in Ernakulam district. Its old elephant kraal, once used to capture and tame wild elephants, is part of what made Kodanad well known across the state.

Today the focus has shifted to welfare. Kodanad operates as part of the Abhayaranyam eco-tourism project at Kaprikkad and functions as a rescue and rehabilitation home, caring for orphaned, injured and abandoned elephants. Visitors come to watch the animals being fed and bathed rather than to see them work, which is why the interactions on offer can change with the needs of the herd. For the wider area and other things to see, browse our Athirapally travel guide.

Nearby attractions

Kodanad pairs well with a few sights close by. Malayattoor Church and Kalady, the birthplace of Adi Shankaracharya, are both a short drive away, while nature lovers can add Bhoothathankettu Dam and the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary. If you are continuing toward the waterfalls, plan the rest of the day using our Athirapally places to visit guide.

Verified by our Kerala desk

The fees and timings on this page are cross-checked by our Kerala desk against the Kerala Forest Department, and we update them whenever the rates or visiting hours change.

Plan your Kerala trip around Kodanad

Kodanad is an easy add-on to a Kochi or Munnar itinerary. Ready to build a trip around it? Browse our Kerala tour packages, or start with the Kerala travel guide to map out the rest of your route.