tiger safari in kerala

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The very sound of the word Thekkady conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice scented plantations. The Periyar forests of Thekkady is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India. Spreads across the entire district are the picturesque plantations and hill towns that nestle beautiful trails for treks and mountain walks.It is one of the oldest tiger reserves in the country and the forests of Periyar is embellished by the presence of endangered species including White Tigers. 

To explore the wilderness of Periyar Tiger Reserve tourists has many options like from boating to trekking. 

Boating in Periyar Lake  The best way to enjoy Periyar is from the edge of your seat on a boat. If you are a little more adventurous, then you can take a bamboo raft and row while the wild watches you. The Bamboo Rafting at Periyar is available in two slots – Full day and Half day. To know the rate of Bamboo Rafting, click here

Trekking Trails The guided day trek at Periyar: The Periyar Tiger Trail, an adventure trekking and camping; Border Hiking - Protection oriented range hiking; Bamboo Rafting; Jungle Patrol, Shepherding the jungle; Tribal Heritage - A peep into the past; Jungle Inn - Jungle in the night. To know more about this, click here

Camping  The Bamboo Grove - Eco lodge: The stay over programme provides eco-lodge accommodations inside bamboo thickets. 15 bamboo huts with double-bedded occupancy with hygienic and modern furnishing are available. For booking and details, visit the page

Wealth of Periyar Forests Flora : There are over 1965 flowering plants including 171 grass species and 143 species of orchids here. The only south Indian conifer, scientifically known as Podocarpus Wallichianus, grows in the forests of the Periyar Tiger Reserve.

Mammals : More than 60 species are found here which include the Asian Elephant, Bengal Tiger, Indian Bison, Sambar Deer, Indian Wild Dog, Leopard, Barking Deer and the Smooth-Coated Otter which can be sighted during a boat cruise in the Periyar Lake. The Nilgiri Tahr is confined to the higher rocky areas whereas the endangered Lion Tailed Macaque can be found in the interior evergreen forests. Both the Bonnet Macaques and Nilgiri Langur can be seen foraging from the trees near where the boat lands.

Birds : Here we have 265 species including migrants. The Malabar Grey Hornbill, The Indian Pied Hornbill, Whitebellied Treepie, many species of Drongos, Woodpeckers, Flycatchers, Babblers, the spectacular Malabar Trogon, etc. can be seen near where the boat lands.

Reptiles : Cobra, Viper, Krait, a number of non-poisonous snakes, and the Indian Monitor Lizard. Amphibians : Frogs like the colorful Malabar Gliding Frog, Fungoid Frog, Bicolored Frog, many species of toads, and limbless Caecilians.

Pisces (fish): The Periyar Lake and streams have several species of fish including the Mahseer, the famous and endangered game fish of India. The Smooth-Coated Otter can be frequently spotted from the boat.

Plantations: Tea, cardamom, pepper and coffee plantations abound in the areas adjoining the Tiger Reserve.

Watch Towers: There are a few watch towers inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve which are excellent for viewing wildlife. Reservations can be made at the Forest Information Centre, Thekkady. Ph: ++ 91- 4869 - 222027 

To know more about the tourism activities in Periyar, click here:- The tiger reserve at Periyar

Contact details: Field Director (Project Tiger) Office of the Field Director S. H. Mount, Kottayam Kerala, India - 686 006 Tel: +91 481 2311740 Email:[email protected] Website: www.periyartigerreserve.org Deputy Director (Periyar East) Periyar Tiger Reserve Thekkady Kerala, India - 685 536 Tel: +91 4869 222027 Email: [email protected]

Read more on Thekkady

Getting there

Nearest railway station: Kottayam Railway Station, about 110 km from Thekkady

Nearest airport: Madurai, about 140 km and Cochin International Airport, about 190 km from Thekkady

  Topics: Wildlife   Sanctuary   Elephant   Thekkady   Cardamom   Forest   Idukki  

Latitude: 9.4679, Longitude: 77.143328

Geographical Information

Rainfall: 25 cm.

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Periyar Tiger Reserve

South India’s most popular wildlife reserve, Periyar, encompasses 777 sq km, including a 26-sq-km 1895 artificial lake created by the British. This vast expanse – which became Kerala's first tiger reserve in 1978 (though founded as a sanctuary in 1934) – shelters wild boar, sambar, bison, langur, 2000 elephants and 35 to 40 hard-to-spot tigers. It's firmly established on both the Indian and foreigner tourist trails and known for its scenic lake cruise. But if you dig deeper, perhaps on a trek with a tribal villager or an ex-poacher, Periyar's hilly jungle scenery takes on a wild, magical feel. Bring warm, waterproof clothing.

Leave the planning to a local expert

Experience the real Periyar Tiger Reserve. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Bison, sambar, wild boar, langur, around 2000 elephants and 35 to 40 tigers wander the lushly green hills of South India’s most popular wildlife reserve,…

Abraham’s Spice Garden

Insightful one-hour tours weave through perfumed spice gardens at this friendly, organic 12-hectare family farm, 3km west of Kumily, in operation since…

Connemara Tea Factory

About 14km southwest of Kumily, this four-decade-old working tea factory and plantation offers one-hour guided tours of the tea-making process and tea…

Highrange Spice Garden

Around 4km west of Kumily, 4-hecare Highrange is awash with lush organic gardens where you can see spices, ayurvedic herbs and vegetables growing. It's…

Nature Interpretation Centre

Next to the reserve bus-shuttle car park, on the southwest edge of town, this small interpretation museum runs through the wildlife and geography of South…

Reserve Entry Post

Main entry point for Periyar Tiger Reserve.

St George Orthodox Church

Kumily's main Orthodox church.

Lourdes Church

Kumily's Catholic church.

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Experience the real India

Let a local expert craft your dream trip.

Purchase our award-winning guidebooks

Get to the heart of Periyar Tiger Reserve with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.

Parambikulam Tiger Reserve

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• (11.17 km) Topslip
• (11.19 km) Topslip Anamalai Tiger Reserve
• (12.63 km) Topslip

Welcome to Anamalai Tiger Reserve

Dear topslip visitors please be noticed that elephant camp visit temporarily closed, know about atr.

Do You Know Who We Are?

Anamalai Tiger Reserve is a pristine 958.59 sq.km reserve of tropical jungle, shola forest and grassland rising to 2400m and spilling over the Western Ghats into Kerala between Kodaikanal and Coimbatore. This tiger reserve is home to all kinds of exotic endemic wildlife, much of it rare and ensuccessed – including leopards and around 30 elusive tigers, though you’re much more likely to see lion-tailed macaques, peacocks, langurs, spotted deer and elephants, or crocodiles. Read more..

Save Forest

“Gold is a luxury. Trees are necessities. Man can live and thrive without gold, but we cannot survive without trees.”

— Paul Bamikole

"A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people.”

— Franklin D. Roosevelt.

“For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver.”

— Martin Luther King Jr.

“The forest is not a resource for us, it is life itself. It is the only place for us to live.”

— Evaristo Nugkuag.

“When you save the life of a tree, you only pay your debt as we all owe our lives to the trees!”

— Mehmet Murat ildan.

Our Management

Forest conservation.

As We Concerned over Our Future Generations, We ATR Strictly Maintain the Natural Being of the wildlife and Animals. Being Conservationist We Proudly Make sure the life of generations.

Tiger Monitoring

Anaimalai Tiger Reserve is Fully Concentrated On Monitoring of tigers because it is crucial to evaluate their status and react adaptively to management problems.Tiger monitoring, though an important part of the management

Tribals Life enhancement

Anamalais, a bio-diversity hotspot in western ghats is a home for six different indigenous people and is fit to be designated as an anthropological reserve. Malai Malasars are a primitive tribal group endemic to Anamalais alone.

Documentation

We Record every Aspects of Wild Life to Maintain data. so that future will get benefitted for clarification..indeed we make History.

Anti Poaching / ADS

As We Organized Forest Conservation People, ATR Fully Loaded Against Animal Poaching in any form at any cost. We are happily furnishing the jungle for the Animals.

Eco Tourism Activities

Get to know the nature, one step at a time. Take out your trekking shoes and go on a field trip you won’t forget easily.

Photo Graphy

Be it on a DSLR or a mobile phone, photography enthusiasts get enough scope to capture the wild in all its glory..

Eco-Friendly Tourism

Anamalayagam-Interpetation Center

We Proud to Say that ATR is the Home of Eco-Friendly Tourism.You can Feel The Happiness of Foothill Life.At ATR You can find a lot of Memorable Eco-Friendly spots.

Butterfly Park

Tribal Dance

This is a Prestigious Activity of ATR.We Immensively Dedicated to enhance the Life of Tribals in ATR.As they are a Part of ATR, We are also a part of their life... in supporting for their Life Enhancement.

Elephant Camp

Get to see the daily life of over 20 elephants. Watch them get showered and fed, up close and personal..

Eco Shopping

At Topslip, buy souvenirs like T-shirts, Caps, Eucalyptus oil, Lemongrass oil etc. at the eco-shop run by EDC..

Learn More...

Rare Species are Here

The Anaimalai Tiger Reserve holds a large number of population of endangered species of fauna and flora. The Anaimalai Tiger Reserve supports diverse habitat types. The floral diversity of the Tiger Reserve is extraordinary.

Perfect Accommodation for your Perfect Trip

Anamalai Tiger Reserve offers around 50 furnished and well-maintained rooms that can be booked online through our secure online payment option.

Well-maintained rooms

Close to the nature

A variety of room options

Advanced wildlife management training centre, attakatti.

We here in Advanced Wild life Managment Training Center, Attakatti offer you a Wild Life Management training sesssion in the view of education for School,College Students, Researchers and Volunteers.. and even offer you training about that How to survive and handle the critical situation in The Jungle.

உங்கள் கவனத்திற்க்கு…

ஆனைமலை புலிகள் காப்பகம் பிளாஸ்டிக் மற்றும் மது இல்லாத பகுதியாகும்.

ஆனைமலை புலிகள் காப்பகத்திற்க்கு வருகை தரும் அனைத்து பார்வையாளர்களும்   நுழைவு இடங்களில் பிளாஸ்டிக் மற்றும் மதுபானம் உள்ளதா என்று சோதிக்கப்படுவார்கள். ( ஆளியார், சேத்துமடை, மழுக்குப்பாறை, உருளிக்கல், 9/6, சின்னார் வனசோதனை சாவடிகள் ), பிளாஸ்டிக் பொருட்கள் அல்லது மதுபானங்கள் இருப்பது கண்டறியபட்டால் அவை பறிமுதல் செய்யப்படும்., for your attention…, anamalai tiger reserve is plastic and alcohol-free zone. , all visitors who are visiting anamalai tiger reserve (atr) will be frisked for plastic items and alcohol at entry points. ( aliyar, sethumadai, malukupparai, urulikal, kadamparai, attakatty, chinnakkallar, 9/6, chinnar forest check posts ), if the plastic items or alcohol found, those items will be siezed., to keep anamalai tiger reserve a plastic and alcohol-free zone..

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Periyar National Park Safari in Kerala: Travel Guide

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If you’re mulling over Periyar National Park safari, I’d say absolutely go for it! The place is just stunning with its raw natural beauty and a whole variety of plants and animals. It’s such a treat to see elephants roaming around in their own world, and hey, you might even spot a tiger. It’s an awesome pick for anyone who loves getting up close with nature and soaking up a bit of adventure.

Spending a day at Periyar National Park, also known as Periyar Tiger Reserve or Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, while in Thekkady , is an experience that feels nothing short of magical. Although it may not always make it to the top of the list of India’s national parks, its unique charm and the thrill of potentially spotting a tiger in its natural habitat are unparalleled.

The park’s dense forests and dynamic wildlife create an enchanting world of their own. It’s a place where nature lovers can truly connect with the wild, making every moment there memorable and every encounter with its diverse fauna, from elephants to exotic birds, a treasure. This hidden gem in Thekkady offers an authentic slice of wilderness that’s just waiting to be explored.

Where is Periyar National Park?

Periyar National Park, snuggled in the Western Ghats, is located in the Idukki and Pathanamthitta districts of Kerala, India.

What is Periyar National Park Famous For?

Celebrated for its rich biodiversity and scenic beauty, Periyar is particularly famous for its significant tiger and elephant populations. Besides tigers and elephants, it is home to other animals like Indian bison, sambar deer, leopards, Indian wild dog, barking deer, and numerous bird species.

The park’s diverse ecosystems, from tropical evergreen and moist deciduous forests, grasslands, and savannas, along with the beautiful Periyar Lake, make it a sought-after destination for nature and wildlife enthusiasts.

Is Periyar National Park Worth Visiting?

Periyar National Park is definitely worth visiting, especially if you enjoy outdoor adventures and want to experience the unique beauty of one of India’s most significant wildlife sanctuaries.

How to Reach Periyar National Park?

To visit Periyar National Park, situated near Thekkady, Kumily town acts as the primary gateway. It’s the spot where most travelers plan their final leg of the journey to the park, thanks to its good road connections.

For those flying in, the Cochin International Airport in Kerala and Madurai Airport in Tamil Nadu are the closest air links to Kumily. From these airports, you have the option of taking a bus or hiring a taxi to reach Kumily.

If traveling by train, Kottayam Railway Station is your nearest railhead. From Kottayam, various transportation options like taxis, private cabs, and buses are available to take you to Kumily.

Kumily enjoys excellent road connectivity with major cities in Kerala. The highways link Thekkady with prominent cities like Kochi , Kottayam, Munnar, and Trivandrum. You can avail of regular bus services run by Kerala tourism or opt for private taxis to reach Periyar from Kumily.

What are the Timings of Periyar National Park?

Periyar National Park is open every day from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Within the park, you’ll find a range of activities, each with its specific schedule. For detailed information on the timing of these activities, please refer to the individual sections dedicated to each activity.

What is the Entry Fee for Periyar National Park?

At Periyar National Park, the entry fee for Indian adults is INR 45, while Indian children aged 5-12 are charged INR 15. For foreign visitors, adults pay INR 500 and children INR 180.

There’s an additional charge for carrying cameras into the park, so be prepared for this extra cost that’s INR 45 for still camera and INR 335 for Video Camera.

Vehicle Parking – light motor vehicle (85 INR), heavy motor vehicle (335 INR), 2 and 3 wheeler (45 INR)

The shuttle bus charges are INR 30 per person.

In addition to the entrance fee, the park offers various activities, each with its own cost. Detailed pricing for these activities can be found in their respective sections.

A quick tip: When booking activities online, such as boat cruises, ensure to check if the entry fee to the park is included in the price of the activity.

Where to Buy Tickets for Periyar National Park?

For your trip to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Kerala, it’s really handy to buy your tickets online in advance. This is especially important because the number of spots available for various activities in the park is limited, and they can fill up quickly. By booking online, you can secure your place for the activities you’re most excited about, be it a boat ride on Periyar Lake or a nature walk through the lush forests.

Another great reason to book online is the cost-saving aspect. When you book your activities online, the entrance fee to the park is often included in the price of the activity. This isn’t the case when you buy your tickets at the park entrance. In other words, booking online not only saves you time (there are long queues) and secures your spot, but it can also be easier on your wallet. So, for a smoother and potentially more cost-effective visit, get those tickets online before you go .

However, keep in mind that even with online booking, you’ll need to visit the ticket counter for the physical ticket.

Where to Stay in and around Periyar National Park

In the vicinity of Periyar National Park, you’ll find a diverse selection of accommodations, from upscale hotels and resorts to more budget-friendly choices, and charming homestays and family-run guesthouses.

During our visit, we had the pleasure of staying at Greenwoods Resort in Thekkady , which was an absolutely delightful experience. Other accommodation options that come highly recommended include Niraamaya Retreats Cardamom Club, Spice Village, Abad Green Forest Resort, Woodnote, The Elephant Court, Peppervine, Forest Canopy, Oxygen Resorts, Ninja Home Stay, and Poetree.

If you’re looking for a deeper connection with nature, various jungle lodges, eco-lodges, forest guest houses, and government lodges like Periyar Bird Nido and KTDC Periyar House in and around the park provide just that. These accommodations put you right in the heart of nature and wildlife.

For those who love a bit of adventure, camping in the designated areas within and around the park is a thrilling choice. It allows you to immerse yourself fully in the natural beauty of the surroundings.

Things to do in Periyar National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary

One of the gems in Kerala , Periyar is such a vibrant place with so much to see and do, you’re going to have an awesome time! You must add this unique experience to your itinerary for Kerala .

There are so many well thought out ways and activities for you to enjoy the beauty of the park.

Boating on Periyar Lake

The best way to experience the sanctuary’s rich fauna is through a boat cruise on the lake .

The Kerala Forest Department (KFD) and the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) jointly offer 90-minute boat cruises on the stunning Periyar Lake . This lake, encircled by lush forest, is distinguished by its striking tree stumps that jut out from the water, creating a captivating and picturesque scene.

While tiger sightings during these boat rides are rare, you’ll likely see elephants, bison, and sambar deer. For wildlife enthusiasts, carrying binoculars is a great idea to observe these animals in their natural habitat. Early morning and late afternoon rides are especially popular for animal sightings as this is when wildlife typically comes to the lake for a drink.

The beauty of Periyar Lake, with its tranquil waters and tree stumps rising above the surface, set against the backdrop of the lush forest, is simply breathtaking. It’s reminiscent of picturesque scenes from popular Bollywood movies, such as the song sequences in “Dil Se,” which were shot at this very location. This cinematic connection adds an extra layer of charm to the already captivating scenery of Periyar Lake.

Timings: These cruises are available at multiple times throughout the day, including early morning and afternoon slots like 7:30 am, 9:30 am, 11:15 am, 1:45 pm, and 3:30 pm. To ensure you don’t miss your cruise, aim to arrive about 30 minutes before the departure time.

Ticket Prices: The ticket pricing is quite reasonable, with adults charged INR 255 and children aged 5 to 12 years at INR 85. If you’re traveling with kids under 5, they get to enjoy the experience for free.

Starting Location: Boat landing, Thekkady

Bamboo Rafting

Bamboo Rafting is another sought-after activity in Periyar, appealing to those who enjoy both hiking and rafting.

The unique full-day adventure starts at dawn and lasts until dusk. It includes a hike of approximately 10 kilometers through the wilderness, followed by 3-4 hours of rafting on specially crafted bamboo rafts. Expert guides from the park lead these groups, ensuring a safe and informative journey.

For those seeking a shorter adventure, there are also half-day rafting options. Like the full-day experience, they include 3-4 hours of trekking and an hour of rafting.

Timings: The full-day program operates from 8 am to 5 pm while the half-day programs operate in two slots: from 7:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.

Ticket Prices: The full-day bamboo rafting adventure is priced at INR 2900 per person, and includes tea, snacks, and a packed lunch. The half-day option costs INR 2200 per person and includes packed food for participants.

Starting Location: Boat landing, Thekkady or Tribal Trackers office near Bamboo Grove depending upon the package you choose

Please note that children under 10 years of age are not permitted to participate in this activity.

Walking and Hiking

There’s a variety of guided treks and nature walks available, catering to different preferences in terms of duration and trail choices. These walks and treks are perfect for connecting with nature and enjoying the peaceful melodies of the forest.

Nature Walks

The nature walks at Periyar National Park are ideal for those looking for a brief yet fulfilling day of trekking. The treks, encompassing a distance of 4-5 km and lasting approximately 2.5 hours, lead you through various scenic trails within the park.

Timings: These walks are available in different slots between 7 am and 5 pm.

Ticket Prices: The cost for the enriching nature experience is 400 INR per adult.

Starting Location: Boat landing, Thekkady or Tribal Trackers office near Bamboo Grove depending upon the package you choose.

Just a heads up , kids under 8 years old aren’t allowed on these treks.

Border Hiking

Border Hiking is a full-day trek along the park’s border. You’ll need a bit of stamina for this, but the views and the chance to spot wildlife are totally worth it.

Please note, children below 12 years are not allowed for this program.

Timings: 8 am to 5 pm

Ticket Prices: The cost for this all-day adventure is INR 2000.

Starting Location: Tribal Trackers office near Bamboo Grove or Forest check post Ex vayana EDC office depending on the package you choose.

Pugmark Trail

The Pugmark Trail is an exciting self-guided trek that lets you explore the beauty of nature at your own pace. This trek is designed to be educational, with various biodiversity themes along the way. You’ll find informative displays like pictures of birds carved in stone and boards naming different tree species.

Ticket Prices: Tickets for this self-guided trail are priced affordably at 120 INR for adults and 25 INR for children.

Starting Location : Forest Check Post, Thekkady

Jungle Scout Night Trek

This is a unique one. You can actually join a night-time trekking patrol in the park. It’s a whole different experience to be in the jungle at night.

This three-hour trek includes an armed guard and two guides for each group, limited to a maximum of six people.

It’s important to note that children under 12 years are not permitted.

This night safari is an excellent opportunity to explore the wilderness under the starry sky and experience the nocturnal activities of its wildlife.

Timings: This program is conducted between 7 pm to 4 am in three shifts: from 7 pm to 10 pm, 10 pm to 1 am, and 1 am to 4 am

Ticket Prices: The cost for this night trek is INR 1500, making it an affordable yet exciting way to experience the forest’s nocturnal life and contribute to its protection.

Starting Location: Bamboo Grove or Forest check post Ex vayana EDC office depending upon the package you choose.

Bird Watching

With diverse bird species, the park is a paradise for photography enthusiasts and bird watchers. Whether you’re an amateur or a seasoned photographer, the variety of birds in their natural habitat provides a perfect chance to snap some beautiful shots.

Camping by the lake offers an idyllic experience, where you spend your night near calm waters and wake up to the soothing sounds of birds, complemented by a hot cup of coffee. This camping package is not just about the stay; it includes a range of activities like trekking, boating, bird watching, and even an adventurous trip to the Gavi Forest .

Periyar Tiger Trail

The Periyar Tiger Trail is an adventurous camping and trekking program that offers a unique experience in the wild. Led by a team of , participants are in knowledgeable hands. This program provides a thrilling adventure over one-night-two-days or two-nights-three-days, depending on your choice.

If you’re lucky, you might spot a tiger on this trail. It’s guided by a team who really know their stuff about tigers.

Interestingly, the guides are often former poachers who have an excellent knowledge of the best spots and trails for wildlife sightings. This initiative also serves as a rehabilitation effort, providing these individuals with a dignified livelihood while contributing to the reduction of poaching activities.

Please be aware that children under 12 years are not allowed to participate in this program.

Ticket Prices: Regarding the cost, for the two-nights-three-days option, the price is INR 10,000 per tent, and for the shorter one-night-two-days trek, it’s INR 7,200 per tent. A tent can accommodate two people.

Starting Location: Forest check post Ex vayana EDC office

Edapalayam Watch Tower

The Watch Tower Camping and Trekking program at Periyar offers an immersive wilderness experience with a blend of adventure and tranquility.

The program includes evening tea, dinner, breakfast, lunch, bird watching, a short trek, and two boat transfers.

Timings: Check-in is at 1:00 PM and check-out at 1:30 PM the next day.

Ticket Prices: Priced at INR 9600, it’s exclusive for 2 adults staying at the Edapalayam Watch Tower.

Starting Location: Tribal Trackers EDC office near Bamboo Grove

The Jungle Inn

This camping & trekking experience offers a unique stay in the forest cottage at Kokkara, perfect for two people. This retreat allows you to unwind in nature, watch fireflies at night, and observe wildlife like Nilgiri langurs and Giant squirrels.

The package includes a stay at Jungle Inn, evening tea, dinner, breakfast, and guided trekking activities.

Timings: Check-in is at 3:00 PM and check-out at 10 AM the next day.

Ticket Prices: The cost for this immersive nature experience is INR 7,600.

Starting Location: Check Post in Thekkady, Near Periyar East Division Office

Jungle Camp

The Jungle Camp at Vallakadavu in Periyar offers a unique tented stay experience, operated by PETS EDC. Designed for two adults per tent, this program begins at the Vallakadavu Check post, where you check in at 2:30 PM.

The schedule includes 1.5 hours trekking, 3-hour Gavi Safari, 90-minute bird-watching session, and complimentary boating.

Timings: Check-in at 2:30 pm and check-out at 1:30 on the next day

Ticket Prices: Priced at INR 5500 per person, the package includes evening tea, dinner, breakfast, and lunch.

Starting Location: Vallakadavu Check Post

Bamboo Grove

At Periyar National Park, you have the unique opportunity to stay in Bamboo Cottages, an eco-friendly accommodation.

Run by the Forest Department as part of an initiative to support local communities, these fifteen bamboo huts offer a blend of natural charm and modern comfort.

Timings: Check-in at 2 PM and check-out at 11 AM the next day

Prices: The cost is INR 2400 per person, with an additional charge of INR 600 for each extra person.

Visiting Periyar Interpretation Centre

The Periyar Interpretation Centre, located in the Periyar Tiger Reserve, is a great spot for nature lovers. It has interesting exhibits on the region’s plants and animals, interactive displays about conservation, and regular showings of documentaries on the reserve’s wildlife and efforts to protect it.

Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM

Cultural Experiences

Tribal dance and art performance.

A unique cultural experience showcasing the talents of the Mannan and Paliyan tribes, the tribal dance performance at the Vanasree Auditorium is an effort to revive their rich cultural heritage and forgotten folklores.

Attending these performances is an excellent opportunity to witness the vibrant and expressive tribal art forms, full of history and tradition. It’s a wonderful way to spend an evening at Periyar, appreciating the art and culture of these tribal communities and supporting their efforts to keep their traditions alive.

Timings: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Ticket Prices: INR 400 per person

Location : Vanasree Auditorium near Bamboo Grove

Tribal Heritage Programme

This two-hour program includes a visit to tribal hamlets and the Tribal Heritage Museum offering insights into the lives of tribal communities like the Mannans and the Palians.

Visitors get to walk through nature trails leading to tribal settlements nestled in the dense forest. The journey through the forest, alive with the sounds of nature, is a serene experience. The tribal communities, living in traditional grey-thatched houses, offer a glimpse into a lifestyle in harmony with nature.

The Mannan community, one of the oldest in the reserve, has evolved from fishing and basic farming to guiding tourists through the forest. Their involvement in the program adds authenticity and depth to the experience.

The Tribal Heritage Museum showcases artifacts, traditional fishing gear, hunting equipment, and other items reflecting the tribe’s history, culture, and lifestyle. This includes costumes, household articles, and musical instruments.

The program, available both in the morning (8 am to 12 noon) and evening (2 pm to 4 pm), allows visitors to be guided by tribal members.

Jungle Safari

Gavi bus safari.

The park offers bus safari from Thekkady (6 hours 30 minutes and costs INR 1000) and Vallakkadavu (2 hours 30 minutes and costs INR 275) through the tourism zone of the reserve. The starting location is for the safari from Thekkady is Anavachal Parking Ground near Bamboo Grove and from Vallakkadavu is Vallakkadavu Check Post. It starts at 6 in the morning.

Gavi Jeep Safari

Jeep safaris are a popular way to explore the national park, with many private operators offering tours that take you through the forest’s rugged mud lanes. This adventure provides an up-close experience of the area’s flora and fauna.

The cost for these jeep safaris typically ranges between INR 2500 to 3500 per person. Do keep in mind that the journey can be quite bumpy, adding to the adventurous nature of the safari.

Tips for Visiting Periyar National Park

When visiting Periyar National Park, there are several important guidelines and tips to keep in mind for a smooth experience:

➼ In the national park, leave your cars behind, as they aren’t permitted inside. A parking area is conveniently located about a kilometer away from the entrance. Here, shuttle buses are at your service, transporting visitors into the park’s core. A one-way bus ride costs INR 120 per person, and parking fees are set at INR 50.

➼ If you plan to go hiking or on trails, dress appropriately in full-length trousers, durable hiking boots, and socks that reach up to your knees, especially if it’s monsoon season. This attire is your shield against the forest’s smaller inhabitants, such as insects and leeches. And don’t worry, the park authorities usually provide leech socks for those trekking through the jungle.

➼ In need of facilities? Conveniently, there are restrooms near the ticket counter.

➼ Remember to pack ample drinking water and essential medical supplies. The unpredictability of the forest environment makes these items indispensable.

➼ For those with a passion for birdwatching, bin’t leave your binoculars behind! The reserve is teeming with a variety of bird species, and your binoculars will significantly enhance the bird-watching experience.

➼ Pay attention to your guide’s advice. Their deep understanding of the forest’s intricacies is not only enlightening but also critical for a safe and informative experience.

➼ As you wander through the forest, respect the silence and keep it litter-free. Protecting the reserve’s natural beauty is key to its preservation and longevity.

➼ For convenience, tickets for boating and other activities can be booked online through the official website of the Periyar Foundation. This simplifies planning and ensures you have a spot reserved for these popular activities.

Remember, these guidelines are in place to ensure both the safety of visitors and the preservation of the park’s wildlife and natural beauty. For more detailed information and to plan your visit to Periyar National Park, you can refer to the park’s official website .

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Periyar National Park Wildlife Safari In Kerala

Periyar National Park (also known as the Periyar Tiger Reserve) is an incredible wildlife sanctuary located in the mountainous ranges of the Western Ghats, on the state borders of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, India.

I spent half a day at Periyar Tiger Reserve and have put together this complete guide which includes everything you need to know before you go!

Table of Contents

HOW TO GET TO PERIYAR NATIONAL PARK?

The best way to reach Periyar is by public bus. Daily buses operate from Kochi bus station to Thekkady (which is the nearest town to Periyar) and the cost is 150 rupees for a journey time of around six hours.

Click here to see the location on Google maps.

I recommend spending at least one or two nights in Thekkady to experience the Periyar National Park Safari and visit nearby points of interest such as the spice and tea plantations.

WHERE TO BOOK A PERIYAR NATIONAL PARK SAFARI

Online booking:.

I highly recommend purchasing your entrance ticket to Periyar Tiger Reserve online in advance to guarantee the best possible rates.

The Periyar National Park entrance fee is 500 rupees which also includes the 90-minute boat safari on Periyar Lake.

Click Here to book online.

Booking On Arrival:

If you don’t end up booking the Periyar Tiger Reserve online, there is an alternative option to pay at the main entrance to the park, however, this is more expensive and there is generally a long queue of people.

The entrance fee is the same as if you book online, 500 rupees, though be aware that there is an additional charge of 150 rupees for the Periyar Lake boating safari.

PERIYAR NATIONAL PARK TIMINGS

Periyar Sanctuary is open 7 days a week, Monday to Sunday from 6:30 am to 4:00 pm.

The Periyar Lake boating times are 7:30 am and 3:30 pm.

It’s best to arrive thirty minutes before the boat safari is scheduled for departure and the Periyar boating duration is 1.5 hours.

Find All → Hotels & Resorts in Thekkady

Have you got travel insurance for your trip?!

We all know accidents can happen and having Heymondo Insurance will save you thousands of dollars if something goes wrong.

Heymondo offers low-cost Travel Insurance to keep you covered on all your adventures.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT PERIYAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Thekkady is most popular for its many tigers and elephants that roam freely inside the park.

Apart from these two majestic creatures, the park is also frequented by sambar deer, leopards, otters, Indian bison, and countless species of birds.

So yes, I guess now you can start getting excited about your incoming Periyar Wildlife Safari!

There are many activities to experience once inside the Periyar Sanctuary such as boating, nature walks, trekking, night scouting, border hiking, bamboo rafting, and camping.

LAKE PERIYAR BOATING SAFARI

My friends and I opted to do the Lake Periyar Boating Safari and it was an adventure I will never forget.

We arrived early to make the first voyage out onto the lake at 7:30 am. The sun had just risen and the light was perfect for taking photos.

We boarded the boat and took off ever so slowly out onto Periyar Lake to begin the safari.

There was not a single gust of wind as we cruised across the mirror-like lake and the reflections were the most phenomenal reflections I have ever seen!

During the boat trip, we spotted many species of birds, my favorite being the kingfisher, herds of deer, a group of otters, and bulbous bison.

Unfortunately for us, we didn’t have much luck sighting any elephants or tigers, nevertheless, the 1.5-hour boat safari was an unforgettable experience and I enjoyed every minute!

Tip: Get your hands on a pair of binoculars before the Periyar Safari. They can be rented from the ticket office at the main entrance and they’ll better your chances of spotting some tigers and elephants.

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN THEKKADY

Thekkady has hundreds of accommodations to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay in Thekkady to suit budget backpackers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between.

See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:

Luxury: Spice Village CGH Earth

Mid Range: Elephant Court Thekkady

Budget: Chrissie’s Hotel

For more options in Thekkady, Search on Booking.com

What to pack for kerala.

When visiting Kerala, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:

Must-Have Travel Essentials

Hidden money wallet.

Keep your cash and other valuables safe with this anti-theft hidden money wallet!

Reusable Water Bottle

The GRAYL GeoPress is the best reusable bottle that allows you to purify water from anywhere!

Travel Backpack

The Nomatic Travel Backpack has 20+ innovative features, perfect for everyday use!

Quick-Dry Travel Towel

The most compact, lightweight, and quick-dry towel for traveling!

Portable PowerBank

Keep your phone, laptop, and accessories charged while you’re on the go with the Anker PowerBank!

MORE KERALA TRAVEL GUIDES

• Jadayu Para: Jadayu Para – World’s Largest Bird Statue
• Kerala Backwaters: Kerala Backwaters Tour
• Kochi: Best Things To Do In Kochi
• Munnar: Trekking In Munnar
• Athirappilly: Athirappilly Falls

FINAL THOUGHTS – PERIYAR NATIONAL PARK

I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions please leave me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.

TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!

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THANKS FOR READING

Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!

Please know this post may contain affiliate links. When making a purchase through one of my links, I earn a small kickback at no extra cost to you and it’s a big help to keep the site up and running. Rest assured, I only promote products and services that I personally use and recommend.

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2 thoughts on “Periyar National Park Wildlife Safari In Kerala”

Hi, I am very interested in doing this trip and was wondering if you have an updated link for the online booking, as this one doesn’t work.

Hi Sandra, thanks for bringing this to my attention. I have updated the link in the post which now directs to a website where you can book the tour online. Have a great time!

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Home › National Parks in India › Periyar National Park

Periyar National Park

Periyar National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary, locating in Thekkady is the perfect example of nature's bounty with great scenic beauty and rich biodiversity. In this astounding location of Kerala, the Periyar National Park is considered as the most protected area for the elephants and the tigers. One of the most renowned national parks in South India, the Periyar National Park is set high at the Western Ghat ranges. The protected area is widespread along the area of 925 sq km (357 sq mi). The rest of 350 sq km (140 sq mi) of the core zone was declared as the Periyar National Park in the year 1982.

The park is being adorned with a picturesque lake at the heart of the sanctuary which is an artificial 100 years old lake at Thekkady and is basically known for its wild elephants and thickly established Western Ghats forests. Many of the intense valleys of Periyar contain tropical evergreen forest with extremely thick tree cover with hardly any sun-rays to get penetrated. These trees are fully grown at the amazing heights of up to 130-140 feet. Some of the areas in the park contain marshy grasslands near the edges of the lake and other water bodies. Spread out across the park are also patches of semi-evergreen forest used as important cover by many of the animal species.

History of Periyar Tiger Reserve

Earlier it was under the reign of the Pandayas in 12th century a dam named Mullaperiyar was constructed across the west flowing river Periyar. As a result, it created an artificial lake in the area which today stands at the centre of the sanctuary, enhancing its beauty to greater extents. With the creation of this lake, the landscape and the features of the valley changed drastically.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the reserve was the hunting ground of the Travancore kings, which is today the part of most of the Southern Kerala. In 1899, the area was declared as a forest reserve called the Periyar Lake Reserve with an intention of protecting the hunting areas of the kings from the encroachment of tea plantations. Further, in 1934, the lake reserve was converted into a game sanctuary, the Nellikkampatty Game Sanctuary. The Game Sanctuary covered an area of about 500 sq km. In 1950, some more area was added to create the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. In 1978, the sanctuary was included in the Central Government initiative to be known as the Project Tiger and was renamed as Periyar Tiger Reserve.

In 1992, the reserve also became a part of Project Elephant when it was launched by the Central Ministry of Environment and Forests to protect the free ranging populations of wild Asian elephants in various states of India.

Wildlife in Periyar Sanctuary

Apart from Elephants, the other animals can be found in the Periyar Sanctuary are, Wild Pigs, Sambar, Gaur, Mouse Deer, Dole or Barking Deer, Indian Wild Dog and Tiger. There are, now estimated counts of 40 tigers in the Periyar National Park. The major four species of primates are also found at Periyar - the rare lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri Langur, Gee's Golden Langur, Common Langur and Bonnet Macaque. Periyar is also being considered as the habitat of the elusive Nilgiri Tahr, which can rarely be seen but commends its presence.

Flora in Periyar National Park

The Periyar Tiger Reserve consists of tropical evergreen, semi- evergreen and moist deciduous forests. There are around 49 species of mammals, 246 species of birds, 28 species of reptiles, 8 species of amphibians, 22 species of fishes and 112 species of butterflies found in the Periyar sanctuary.

Safari in Periyar National Park

In Periyar one can find tremendous ways to catch the wilderness of the sanctuary. The availability of Jeep Safari, elephant safari, and most charming boat cruises at Periyar Lake will bring the wildlife experience more rewarding.

Boat cruises calls the best option to check out the wilds of Periyar Sanctuary. Today the Periyar Lake is adorned with an excellent boating spot for the tourists. Although it is unusual to see many animals from the boats, still you spot a family of Elephants, Wild Boar, and Sambar Deer by the water's edge along with some water-bodies. The upper deck is best for wildlife viewing when taking a boat cruise, but better turn up half an hour early to get the best seat. To maximize the chances of sighting, the tourists can also take the 7.00 am boat. Besides, they can also book for their own boat (on renting).

Boat Cruise Safari Timings : 7:25 AM, 9:15 AM, 11:15 AM, 1:30 PM, 4:00 PM

Jeep Safari Timings :

Night safari : 11.00 PM to 03.00 AM Full Day Safari : Max 03.00 PM Last entry

Elephant Safari : Every day for Half an Hour: 06.00 A.M. to 05.00 P.M.

Best Time to Visit Periyar

The best season to visit Periyar wildlife sanctuary is from the months of October to June.

Popular Attractions in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

The wildlife lovers and the tourists can enjoy excursion at the zone of the sanctuary and can visit Cradomom Hills and Pandalom Hills that bring the most splendid Kerala's natural beauty along with visiting the town of Kumily which is a growing town to fetch the spice trades in Kerala, which is the major occupation of its residents. Besides, these two fascinations the tourists can also enjoy boat cruising at the famous Periyar Lake. With boat cruising, the tourists can get to visit the wilds of Periyar Wild Sanctuary by the water's edge.

Best Tourist Places to Visit Nearby Periyar

Periyar Lake : the Periyar Lake is situated at the sanctuary area and the reserve is named after this lake only. The tourists can enjoy the full scenario of the sanctuary by boating around this lake.

Kumily : A small town near Thekkady and Periyar which is best known for cardamom hills located in the district of Idukki in Kerala. Due to the abundance of presence of holy temples this place attracts both the nature lovers as well as the spiritual people.

Mangla Devi Temple : The Mangla Devi Temple is located at the distance of 15 kms from the region of Thekkady. With ancient Pandian type architecture at the height of 1337 m on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, the temple attracts many pilgrims. Prayers are conducted in this 2000 years old temple only once in a year on a full moon day in between the month of April and May

Pullumedu : Located at the distance of 43 kms from Thekkady, Pullumedu is the area famous for wildlife sanctuaries and greeneries. Besides, tourists can also get to visit Shri Ayappa Temple and the Makara Jyothi temple at this region.

How to Reach Periyar Sanctuary?

By Air : Kochi (Cochin) at 200-kms or Madurai in Tamil Nadu at 140-kms is the nearest airports from Periyar.

By Rail : Kottayam at 114-kms is the nearest railhead from Periyar.

By Road : Kumily, the nearest town from Periyar is well served by both state and private buses from Kottayam, Ernakulam and Madurai in Tamil Nadu.

Hotels & Resorts Periyar

While roaming around the most placid land of "God's Own Country" in Thekaddy, the Periyar Sanctuary is actually decked with tremendous natural bounties to be more fancied with the presence of the magnanimous elephant's counts in the arena. And to realize that natural beauty, a relaxing stay at its vehement hotels and resorts will do wonders to your stay. Along the impressive natural ambience, the luxury avails at this resorts and hotels will make up your mind for more stretchable journey in Periyar where some of the boat houses or houseboats are also marking great sophisticated look to make the boat safari more sovereign and impressive.

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Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Thekkady (Timings, History, Entry Fee, Images & Information)

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Thekkady Entry Fee

• 45 per person for Indian Adult
• 15 per person for Indian Child
• 500 per person for Foreigner Adult
• 180 per person for Foreigner Child
• 38 for Still Camera
• 300 for Video Camera
• 150 for Boat Safari (Above 11 years age)
• 50 for Boat Safari (Below 11 years age)
• 5500 for Periyar Tiger Trail Treks (One night)
• 7500 for Periyar Tiger Trail Treks (2 nights)

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Thekkady Phone

04869 224 571.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Thekkady Address : Kumily , Thekkady , Kerala , 685536 , India

Kerala Tour Packages

Periyar wildlife sanctuary thekkady timings.

The south Indian state of Kerala is famous for its national parks, among other things. And Periyar National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary happens to be one of the largest in this state. Also known as PNP, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies this under category II, which is for national parks. This means that the protected area is used for conservation of the wild animals and plants, and is not just a sightseeing spot.

Periyar National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary is governed by the Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department and sees an average annual footfall of hundreds of thousands of people. The national park borders the state lines of Tamil Nadu and enjoys its position on the southern part of the Western Ghats.

Periyar happens to be Kerala’s longest river, and along with Pamba, which is the third longest river in the state, it drains into this park. The national park and wildlife sanctuary is home to flora and fauna which are not only endangered but also endemic and rare.

Periyar National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary Timings & Entry Fee

There are very few national parks in India which are open in all seasons, and Periyar National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary happens to be one of those few. While sightings vary in each season, the park lets tourists and naturalists in throughout the year during designated entry and exit times.

One can visit this national park on any day of the week between 6 AM and 7 PM. Sighting of birds is the best during sunrise and sunset. However, if you are on the search for the big cats, afternoons are the best. The wildlife sanctuary also opens for night safaris after 8 PM. This safari primarily aims to help one spot the elusive leopard, among other night animals and even nocturnal birds such as owls.

Periyar National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary levies various fees depending on your nationality, age and gadgets that you carry. For Indian adults, the price is INR 45. For Indian children, it is INR 15 per head. Foreign adult nationals can enter by paying INR 500 whereas foreign children are charged INR 180 each.

If you carry a still camera, you will be charged INR 38, but for video cameras, the fee is INR 300. For better luck with sighting wild animals and identifying avifauna, it is recommended to bring along your binoculars. If you don’t have any, you can rent it from their office for INR 50, with an extra INR 100 as security deposit.

Apart from the regular entry fees, there are special safaris and treks which are available inside. They run a boat safari which is priced at INR 150 for those above the age of 11, and only INR 50 for those under 11 years of age.

The park also runs the adventurous Periyar Tiger Trails Trek which costs INR 5,500 per head per night. However, if you book this for two nights, it comes at a discounted price of INR 7,500 per person for the entire duration.

History Behind the Periyar National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary

Established in 1982, Periyar National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary’s history dates back to a time further back in the past. In 1899, the Periyar Lake Reserve was formed a few years after the construction of a masonry gravity dam, called the Mullaperiyar Dam, which was built over the Periyar River in 1895.

In 1934, Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, the then Maharaja of the erstwhile Kingdom of Travancore, earmarked the forested land around the Periyar Lake as private game reserve. This was done primarily to discourage encroachment of the area by tea plantation owners, who would ultimately clear the forest land to make tea gardens. Named Nellikkampatty Game Reserve, the forest saw its first conservation effort before India became independent.

Later in 1950, the land in Periyar was consolidated and declared a wildlife sanctuary after India became politically stable and autonomous. In 1978, Periyar was pronounced a tiger reserve, in an effort to preserve the tiger population in this part of Kerala. Finally, in 1982, the core area of the forest was notified as a national park, raising its status on the biodiversity and wildlife conservation yardstick.

In 1991, the national park received financial support for the conservation of its Asian Elephants under Project Elephant. The forest was later divided into Periyar East and Periyar West in 2001. The park saw an enlargement in 2007 when 148 square kilometers of the land of Goodrical Range was added to it. Again in 2012, the reserve received 148 square kilometers of the Ponnambalamedu evergreen forest.

Layout of Periyar National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary

Straddling the Pandalam Hills and the Cardamom Hills or Yela Mala of the Western Ghats, this national park has the privilege of altitude. The park is bounded by Medaganam and Vellimalai in the north and the Kallimalai Peak in the east. To its west is a plateau at an altitude of 1,200 metres or 3,900 feet. In a sharp contrast, the Pamba River valley in the premises presents the lowest altitude at 100 metres.

Periyar National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over 925 square kilometres or 357 square miles. Of this sprawling protected area, 305 square kilometres or 118 square miles forms the Periyar National Park in the core zone. Most of the park has thickly wooded rolling hills which become quite steep at certain sections.

The Periyar Lake sits at the centre of the wildlife sanctuary, spanning an area of 26 square kilometres or 10 square miles. At 2,019 metres or 2,624 feet, the Kottamala Peak is the highest peak in the national park. Other important peaks inside the park are Karimala, Pachayarmala, Chokkampetti mala, Vellimala and Sunderamala.

Image Gallery of Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Thekkady

Things to do at periyar national park & wildlife sanctuary.

One will hardly run out of things to see and do inside a national park as big as the Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. Here are a few pointers to get you started on your exploration:

1. Wildlife enthusiasts can book themselves a safari tour either early in the morning (mainly for birding) when there is a lot of bird activity as the avifauna leave their nests in search of food or in the heat of the afternoon when tigers, elephants and other wild animals come out of their hiding and take a dip in the water to cool themselves down or to quench their thirst.

2. Night owls can book a night safari for sighting leopards, owls and other nocturnal animals which are not easily seen in the daytime.

3. The Periyar Lake in the middle of the national park runs a boating tour of one and a half hours, during which one can see a large portion of the park through a different perspective and also sight some animals which come to the lake for their daily water intake. Such sightings are best in the afternoon. Nevertheless, early morning boating allows one to sight a lot of water birds.

4. The park has more than 160 taxa of butterflies which include the swallowtail southern birdwing, the largest butterfly in all of India. Other interesting butterflies include the threatened Travancore evening brown, the Malabar tree nymph and lime butterfly.

5. One can also find other types of insects here, such as the Asian emerald dragonfly, which is only one of 85 species of odonata spotted here. You can also see the endemic saturniid Atlas moth here, which is one of the different types of moth inside the national park.

6. Amphibian fanatics can look forward to sightings of several types of toads, frogs and caecilians. Some of the species are the bicoloured Malabar frog endemic to the Western Ghats, the Asian Toad, the Malabar Hills fungoid frog and the Malabar gliding frog which is a flying rhacophorid tree frog.

7. The rivers and lakes that form the Periyar National Park house around 40 species of fish. Some of those are the Travancore loach, the Periyar barb, a cyprinid fish endemic to the Periyar Lake, the Channa barb which is endemic to India, the Periyar trout endemic to Kerala and the Periyar latia which is only seen in the Periyar River.

8. Keep your eyes peeled for the 45 species of reptiles in this ecosystem, of which 2 are turtles, 13 are lizards and the 30 rest are snakes. Some of the venomous snakes to watch out for are the Malabar pit viper, striped coral snake and king cobra.

9. Including threatened species, the park has 35 mammal species which comprise tigers, elephants, mongooses, gaurs, fruit bats, sambars, langurs, wild boars, macaques, squirrels, tahrs, jungle cats and sloth bears.

10. Periyar is primarily a tiger reserve, and one can see that clearly when one looks at the number of white tigers and Bengal tigers in the park, the number of Bengal tigers being 35.

11. Birdwatchers can rejoice in the fact that 266 native and migrant birds can be sighted inside the national park. Some birds to keep your binoculars ready for are the Eurasian woodcock, the paddyfield warbler, the steppe gull, the grey-necked bunting, the black baza, the Oriental darter, the spot-bellied eagle-owl, the black-necked stork, the Nilgiri thrush, Sri Lanka frogmouth, the little spiderhunter, the great hornbill, the rufous-bellied hawk-eagle and the brahminy kite.

12. Even endemic bird species can be spotted by birders. Some examples are the white-bellied blue flycatcher, the Malabar grey hornbill, the crimson-backed sunbird, Nilgiri wood pigeon, the blue-winged parakeet and Nilgiri flycatcher.

Interesting Facts About Periyar National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary

Periyar National Park has a significant history and many facts that revolve around its formation and present functioning. Here are some of those:

2. Even though some of these intangible benefits are difficult to quantify, experts have calculated the financial benefits accrued to gene-pool protection to the tune of 7.86 billion rupees annually.

3. About 4.05 billion rupees worth of water provision is provided by this national park to some of the districts of the state of Tamil Nadu on a yearly basis.

4. Periyar National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary provides refuge and a habitat to wildlife tipped at an annual worth of 3.55 billion rupees.

5. The towns and districts around the wildlife reserve benefit from the water purification services which are pegged at INR 483 million rupees per year.

6. Only recreational activities such as boating, trekking, camping and safaris that the national park has spurned earn a sum of INR 425 million rupees annually.

7. The local communities, who are directly or indirectly employed for various services related to the wildlife sanctuary, benefit from 25 million rupees worth of jobs yearly.

Places to Visit Near Periyar National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary

It is quite likely that you may have travelled from afar to get all the way to Periyar National Park. If you have multiple days at your disposal, explore the following destinations which are only a few kilometres from the wildlife reserve and can be reached within a couple of hours by car:

1. Periyar Lake : Located within the precincts of the national park, the Periyar Lake is a reservoir spread across 26 square kilometres or 10 square miles. The lake was artificially created when the Mullaperiyar River was dammed by the construction of the Mullaperiyar Dam in 1895. Periyar Lake is popular for boating, allowing for a lot of water birds to be sighted. The boat ride runs for 90 minutes and begins at designated times: 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:15 AM, 1:45 PM and 3:30 PM. Tickets cost INR 225 for adults and INR 75 for children.

2. Mullaperiyar Dam : A favourite with picnickers, the Mullaperiyar Dam sits over the Periyar River and enjoys a good amount of breeze. This gravity-type dam is a work of stone-masonry. Measuring 1,200 feet in length and 138 feet in width, the dam has 13 chute spillways with a capacity of a whopping 4,518 cubic yards per second! The water is said to be 142 feet at its deepest. There is even a “baby dam” to the right of the main dam. The reservoir can hold a maximum of 443,230,000 cubic metres of water.

3. Thekkady : Hardly 10 minutes from Periyar National Park by car, the small town of Thekkady is more than just a tourist spot with tea estates. Spread over the Cardamom Hills and Pandalam Hills, this town is famous for its spices, particularly cardamom. Located in the Idukki district, Thekkady enjoys a dramatic landscape of lush mountains and wide lakes. One will also find well kept gardens and spice plantations that are worth a visit.

4. Sabarimala : Located inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve, the Sabarimala temple complex is one of the most visited Hindu temples in southern India. Sabarimala Temple is dedicated to Ayyappan, a Hindu deity who, according to mythology, remained celibate all his life. The temple complex, although located on a hill itself, is lucky to be surrounded by umpteen other hills. Along with the gorgeous view of the mountains, devotees will also find dense forests in its vicinity. Be prepared for the crowds when you visit Sabarimala.

5. Mangala Devi Kannagi Temple : About 10 km from the wildlife reserve, this Hindu temple takes a little more than half an hour to reach by road. At an altitude of 1,337 metres above sea level, Mangala Devi Kannagi Temple is open to tourists only during the religious festival of Chitra Pournami. This temple is said to have been built over 2,000 years ago by the ruler of the region of ancient Tamilakam, Cheran Chenguttuvan.

6. Suruli Falls : This beautiful waterfall is located more than 50 km away from the national park, and takes almost a couple of hours to reach. Originating from the Meghamalai range of mountains, Suruli Falls is a cascading waterfall with two steps. With a total height of 150 feet, the falls drop into a pool before falling again from a height of 40 feet. The falls are fed by the waters of the Suruli River.

7. Kakki Reservoir : A 15-minute car ride over a distance of a little less than 8 km from Periyar Reserve will bring you to Kakki Reservoir. Located inside the Ranni Reserve Forest, this reservoir lets out its waters to the River Pamba in the form of Kakki tributary. An interesting outing and picnic spot, the lake was actually formed as a result of the construction of two dams, Anathode dam and Kakki dam on the Kakki tributary.

8. Parunthumpara Hill View Point : If you drive for about an hour, covering almost 15 km along NH 183A, you will arrive at a location that offers unbelievable views of nature. Located in the Idukki district, Parunthumpara is most notable for its view point atop the hill. Enjoy some snacks along the road and hire an offroad jeep to better enjoy the windy surroundings. There is ample parking for those arriving by car or bike. If you prefer to walk, take a stroll along the barricaded promenade and relish the views of the verdant valleys, waterfalls and misty mountains.

9. Thekkady Rose Park : Only 5 km from the national park, Thekkady Rose Park is a botanical garden centred around roses. Apart from various coloured roses, you will also find other flowering plants at the park which costs INR 50 per head to enter. There is also a provision to enjoy their Adventure Package which is priced at INR 400 per family. If you have 3 hours to spare, have fun at the spring bouncing, boating, bungee jumping and rope walking facilities inside. All of the rides are child-safe. Thekkady Rose Park also has many installations for taking pictures.

How to Reach Periyar National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary

Periyar National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary covers the Idukki and Pathanamthitta districts of Kerala. There are multiple ways to arrive here, and each mode of transport depends on your personal preference, budget and expectation of comfort. We spell out the most recommended ways to arrive:

By Air : The airport closest to the national park is in Tamil Nadu (and not Kerala). 150 km away, the park takes about 4 hours to reach from Madurai Airport. However, if you must fly into Kerala, you can land at the Cochin International Airport which is 170 km away and takes over 4 and a half hours of road journey.

By Train : The nearest railway station to Periyar National Park is Kottayam at more than 100 km. It will take almost 3 hours to arrive at the park via road. Nevertheless, India’s railroad system is quite extensive, and with minimal change of trains, you can reach here from almost anywhere in the country, that too at very reasonable rates, depending on whether you pick air-conditioned compartments, non-AC ones or pick the cheapest option – unreserved coach.

By Car : One of the most convenient and direct ways to reach the Periyar reserve is to hire a spacious SUV which you can drive down to the forest. You can also book your cab from top car rental companies in Kerala to make your journey even more tireless. This option ensures that you don’t have to have any change of transportation. You also have the flexibility to make your own pit stops for bio breaks, meals or even night-halts if you are travelling from a distant part of the country.

To enjoy the mesmerising beauty of Kerala, one must spare at least a week to experience everything that the place has to offer. We at Kerala Tourism, a division of Holidays DNA have designed Kerala Tour packages to help you visit all the popular sightseeing places of Kerala with ease. Please fill the Contact Us form to know more about our offerings and have a great time exploring God's own Country!

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PERIYAR TIGER RESERVE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

• Ayurvedic Massages & Treatments (From £14.78)
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• (0.08 mi) Aranya Nivas KTDC
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• (1.58 mi) KTDC Lake Palace
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• (2.66 mi) Bar-B-Que
• (1.93 mi) Grandma's Cafe
• (1.18 mi) Gokul Veg Restaurant
• (0.02 mi) Periyar Lake
• (2.26 mi) Periyar Cabs
• (2.24 mi) Yodha Cultural Village Thekkady
• (0.95 mi) Periyar National Park
• (3.21 mi) Abraham's Spice Garden

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Wildlife Safari in Kerala

Wildlife safari in kerala – 8 days tour of kerala visiting its best national parks where nature and wildlife can be experienced at its most vivid and eloquent backdrops.

Munnar – Periyar Tiger Reserve – Kumarakom – Kochi

Kerala, the God’s own country is not only famous for its backwaters and scenic beauty but also its wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. It is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. Having a mixed habitat of wet evergreen rain forests at lesser altitudes, deciduous in the highlands and semi-evergreen forests in the east, we can also find a varied bio-diversity in Kerala. It is a state where 29% of the total land area is forestland.  Have a feel of its biosphere reserves on this wildlife safari in Kerala and all the various adventures that lay hidden unexplored.

This would mean a bonanza to all the tourists where they would get a combination of rich bio-diversities and the extremely romantic and astounding backdrop to complement the adventure in this Kerala wildlife Safari . There are loads to explore in this lovely place with lots of discoveries to be made which would leave you with countless memories and a desire to come back once more! We have some exciting and adventurous activities and events planned up for you in this Kerala wildlife tour package . Come let’s explore this South India wildlife tour and be amazed. If you have more days to spare, you can consider including Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and Nagarhole Tiger Reserve and Mysore in the package. Finally, the guests will be dropped at Bangalore. Write to [email protected] to customize the package.

8 Days / 7 Nights – Wildlife Safari in Kerala

This tour has been carefully designed to give you a taste of the exciting, endless possibilities and can be tailored to suit your exact preferences.

Day 1 - Arrival at Delhi

You will be arriving early in the morning and will be received by our representative at the Delhi Airport. We would then assist you in checking-in to the hotel. After a brief rest, we would take you on a guided tour to a tour of Delhi where you will get to see beautiful monuments and important buildings worth seeing in Delhi like Rashtrapati Bhavan, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, India Gate, Lotus Temple, and Connaught Place among others. You might want to do some shopping while you are there!

You would be spending the night in Delhi

Overnight stay in : Delhi

Meals included : N/A

Day 2 - Delhi to Munnar Via Cochin

Today you would be flying to Cochin from Delhi early in the morning. After you arrive, we will drive you to Munnar and thus start our actual wildlife safari in Kerala tour. Today you would have the afternoon to yourself, so rest while you can for we have some activity-packed days ahead.

Overnight stay at : Kochi

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3 - Eravikulam National Park

Going by the search trends on Google, it can be seen people seem to think wildlife in Kerala is limited to a single Kerala wildlife sanctuary and national park, but there’s more to it. You would be spending the day exploring and bird watching at the  Eravikulam National Park – the largest national park in Kerala. This place is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has around 26 species of wild fauna with the highest population of Nilgiri Tahr. Other animals you can spot here are Indian muntjac, Golden jackal, Nilgiri langur, Dusky palm squirrel etc. Some of the most predominant species of birds found are Nilgiri pipit, Nilgiri wood pigeon, White bellied shortwing, and Kerala Laughing thrush. Online booking for the Eravikulam National Park safari can be done on the official website .

Overnight stay in : Eravikulam National Park

Meals included : Breakfast

Day 4 - Eravikulam National Park to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Today, we would go on a morning nature walk to explore more of the wildlife in the National Park. Post lunch, we would be driving you to the  Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. It is a three hours drive from the Eravikulam Park. The rest of the time is at leisure. You would be checked-in at the resort where you would be spending the night.

Overnight stay in : Periyar / Thekkady

Day 5 - Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

This wildlife sanctuary, also known as Thekkady, is located on the border of Tamil Nadu and has a spread of around 925 sq.km. Periyar Tiger Reserve is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala. The park is home to over 35 species of mammals, 265 species of birds, over 45 species of amphibians 160 species of insects including the near to be extinct Travancore evening brown. This is predominantly a Tiger and an elephant reserve.

We would go on a boat ride in the morning and spot some wildlife across the Periyar Lake. We would also do a lot of bird watching. The most prominently spotted animals are – Elephants, Tigers, Indian Giant Squirrels, Salim Ali’s fruit bats, Lion-tailed Macaque and Nilgiri Marten. Birds which we would see while bird watching are- Nilgiri wood pigeon, Blue-winged parakeet, Sri Lanka frogmouth, Oriental darter, and Black-necked stork. Online booking for the Periyar National Park safari can be done through the official website .

Overnight stay in : Periyar/Thekkady

Day 6 - Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary to Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

Day 6 of your wildlife safari in Kerala  would start early in the morning by driving you to the  Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary . This bird sanctuary is set in the most beautiful and romantic backdrop of Kerala’s backwater and the banks of Vembanad Lake. The Sanctuary has tropical evergreen and moist deciduous forests and grasslands and is spread across 14 acres. The rest of the day is for you to relax. You would be spending the night at a resort in Kumarakom.

Overnight stay in : Kumarakom

Day 7 - Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

We would start our day with a boat ride in the beautiful and serene backwaters. Then we would go on a birding expedition to one of the best bird sanctuaries in Kerala: Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary . Set on the banks of the Vembanad Lake and spread over 14 hectares of green pastures, the best time to visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is between June and August when it is the breeding season for the resident wetland birds. Indian Darter, Cormorant, Moorhen, Brahminy kite, Parrot, Teal, Lark, Flycatcher, Waterfowl, Cuckoo, Owl, Egret and Heron are the different species of birds that can be seen here. It is also home to some rare wintering birds like the Pin-tailed duck, Spot-billed duck, Garganey teal, Osprey, Marsh harrier, Steppe eagle, etc.

Overnight stay in : Kumarakom

Day 8 - Depart from Kochi

Day 8 would mark the end of your wildlife safari in Kerala . You would be driven to Kochi in the morning where you would be spending the whole day sight-seeing and visiting places. Late evening you would depart for your onward journey. We would bid adieu with a hope that we placed some lovely memories and fun-filled adventure in your hearts and with a hope to see you soon on another fun-filled action-packed tour.

Overnight stay in : NA

Quick Facts

Elephants, Tigers, Indian Giant Squirrels, Salim Ali’s fruit bats, Lion tailed Macaque and Nilgiri Marten, Nilgiri Tahr, Indian Muntjac, Golden Jackal, Nilgiri Langur, Dusky Palm Squirrel

Must Do’s

Enjoy an overnight stay in a houseboat or a canoe boat ride through the backwaters of Kerala at Alappuzha

Wildlife & photographic enthusiasts and Bird Watchers

Options & Extension

This trip can be extended to include other parts of Kerala such as Cochin, Marari or North of Kerala. You can further extend it plan a heritage tour of South India

Featured Camps & Lodges

Learn more about the luxurious properties available for your trip.

Spice Village

Dates & rates, what's included.

• Accommodation on double sharing basis
• Breakfast only at Delhi, Cochin Munnar, Periyar and Kumarakom
• Transport by an air-conditioned Toyota Innova vehicle with an experienced driver
• Bottled water provided during tours and long drives
• All government taxes applicable

At Camps & Lodges

• Accommodation on a twin sharing basis
• Photographic fees (non-professional)
• Services of an English-speaking naturalist
• Forest guide fees
• Scheduled safari activities in the morning and evening
• All applicable taxes

RATE CONDITIONS

• This rate is not valid in on special holidays such as Christmas / New Year / Diwali etc
• Check in time at the hotels is 14:00 hrs and check out time is noon.
• The quote is valid for two people travelling together and sharing the same room.
• Vehicle included for this trip is an air conditioned Toyota Innova
• Air fare mentioned is based on current fares applicable in economy class.
• The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.
• Only morning game drives are possible in the national parks on Wednesdays, as the parks are closed on Wednesday afternoons
• Game drives at National Parks are in shared jeeps
• This offer only applies to the hotels and resorts specifically mentioned in the itinerary

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