The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the 16 Project Tiger Reserves in India located in the in the Cardamom Hill Ranges occupies 777 square kilometres sitiuated in Kerala. Located close to the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, the park makes a convenient place to break the long journey across the Ghats between Madurai and the coast. It’s also a good base for day trips into the Cardamom Hills, with a couple of tea factories, spice plantations, the trailhead for the Sabarimala pilgrimage, and view points and forest waterfalls within striking distance.Periyar lies at cool altitudes (750-1500m), just over 100km east of Kottayam, and centres on a vast artificial lake, created by the British in 1895 to supply water to the drier parts of neighbouring Tamil Nadu, around Madurai.
Wildlife
ELEPHANTS Other Animals to be seen in the Periyar sanctuary are Gaur, Wild Pigs, Sambar, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Dole or Indian Wild Dog and very rarely, a Tiger. There are, now, an estimated 40 tigers here. Four species of primates are found at Periyar – the rare lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri Langur, Common Langur And Bonnet Macaque. Periyar also happens to be the habitat of the elusive Nilgiri Tahr, which is rarely to be seen. The birdlife comprises of Darters, Cormorants, Kingfishers, the great Malabar Hornbill and racket-tailed Drongoes. The reptilian population boasts Of Monitor Lizards that can be spotted basking in the sun, on the rocks along the lakeshore. Visitors who trek into the Periyar national park often see a Python and sometimes even a King Cobra. In the lap of the mountains, the Periyar wildlife sanctuary’s environ is like a canvas of many shades. The fresh air of the moist deciduous forest gives one a chance to experience the peace and serenity and long to return for more.
Other Attractions:
Kumily -Situated just 4-kms from Periyar, Kumily is a growing town where tourism is fastly catching up just like the spice trade, the major occupation of this small town. The town is also well equipped with the excellent hotels and resorts for accommodation.
Cradomom Hills – Periyar and Kumily are the most convenient points from which visitors can easily explore Kerala’s beautiful Cardamom hills. Guide will approach you at offers of trips via jeep or taxi to the hills and if you can get a group together, these trips work out as a good travel value.
Boat Cruises – Boat cruises make the best option to check out the wilds of Periyar Sanctuary.Today the Periyar lake presents an excellent boating spot for 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.
Best Time to Visit:
Immediately after the monsoons, when leeches make hiking virtually impossible hence it is advisable not to visit Periyaar during and some months after the monsoons. The best time to visit is from December until April, when the dry weather draws animals from the forest to drink at the lakeside.
Transport Information
* By Air:Kochi (Cochin) at 200 kms and Madurai at 140 kms are the nearest airports from Periyar.
* By road: Kumily, the nearest town from Periyar is well networked by buses from Kottayam, Ernakulam and Madurai.
* By rail :Kottayam at 114 kms is the nearest railhead from Periyar.
