The most renowned destination in Kerala is the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary at Thekkady, one of southern India's major sanctuaries, covering an area of 777 sq km of lush green tropical forests and 26 sq km of artificial lake.

Colourful varieties of birds, grey jungle fowl and the jungle myna can be seen here; about 265 species, including migrants, can be spotted in the sanctuary. One even finds dedicated bird watchers settling in for one or two weeks of serious observations.

The sanctuary offers a different yet comfortable way of seeing animals via boat rides on the man-made lake, which the wildlife areas encircle. The area around Thekkady is ideal for trekking while the drive to Thekkady itself is enchanting as the road winds through tranquil countryside, rich plantations and thick jungles.

A pleasant place to escape from the madding crowds of the cities and towns, Periyar is a nice place to cruise on the lake, a place to enjoy a jungle walk with an opportunity to see the wild animals.

Set high in the ranges of the Western Ghats, in Kerala, is the Periyar famous for its National Park and Tiger Reserve. The park has a picturesque lake at the heart of the sanctuary. Formed with the building of a dam in 1895, this reservoir meanders around the contours of the wooded hills, providing a perennial source of water for the local wildlife. Herds of elephant and sambar, gaur and wild pigs wander down to the lakeside and can be observed from the launches that cruise the lake.

In March and April, during the driest period here, the animals spend a lot of time near the lake and the elephants can be seen bathing and swimming in the reservoir. A glimpse may be had even of the tiger during this season, as it comes to the water. Periyar also harbors the leopard, wild dog, barking deer and mouse deer. On the rocky outcrops along the lake, monitor lizards can be seen basking in the sun. Visitors who trek into the Park often see a python and sometimes even a king cobra.

Although an excursion on the splendid artificial lake is the standard way to experience the sanctuary, you can also walk around with the local guide in a small group. Wild Elephant herds come to the lake to frolic in the water. There are boat services which takes the visitor around the lake. The best season to visit the park is between October and June.

City Info

Altitude: 900-2000 metres.
Area: 107.08 sq.kms
Climate: Winter minimum 18, Summer maximum 32 degrees. Except December to January, area receives rain throughout the year, the wettest being May to July.
Rainfall: N/A
Clothing: Summer - Cottons, Winter - Heavy Woollens
Best Season: Open throughout the year but October to April best visiting time.
Languages Spoken: Tamil, Malayalam, English.
Population: N/A

Places of Interest

Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve is set high in the ranges of the Western Ghats in Kerala. The park has a picturesque lake at the heart of the sanctuary. Formed with the building of a dam in 1895, this reservoir meanders around the contours of the wooded hills, providing a perennial source of water for the local wildlife.

Animals found here include elephant, sambar, gaur and wild boars. In March and April, during the driest period here, the animals spend a lot of time near the lake and the elephants can be seen bathing and swimming in the reservoir. You may even get a glimpse of the tiger during this season.

Periyar is also home to leopard, wild dog, barking deer, mouse deer, monitor lizards and a variety of snakes and birds.

The birds include darter, cormorant, grey heron, ibis, great malabar hornbill and grey hornbill, kingfishers, ospreys and kites as well as orioles, hill mynas, racket tailed drongos, parakeets, including the unusual blue winged parakeets and fly catchers.

The animals are viewed from motor launches on the lake and from watchtowers. A summer palace of the former Maharaja of Travancore set along the lake, is a hotel and a fine place to stay.

How to get there

By Air

Madurai, 145 km away, is the nearest airport and Kochi Airport is 190 kms away

By Rail

Nearest railway station is Kottayam, 115 km away.

By Road

Nearest town is Kumily, 4 km from entrance at Thekkady. State and private buses to kumily.