Periyar WildLife National Park - Holidays in Most Captivating Wildlife Parks in the World - Destination Overview
Package Prices
Staring from Rs 8999/- including 2 nights/3 days hotel stay and full Periyar site seeing and excursions,Wildlife Sanctuary
Location: Tamil Nadu,India -625001
Altitude: 1,700 m (5,600 ft)
Longitude: 77.1615° E
Latitude: 9.6031° N
Nearest Airport: The nearest airport is at Madurai in Tamil Nadu, about 136 km from Thekkady; the Nedumbassery airport in Kochi is about 190 km away.
Nearest Train Station: The nearest railway station is at Kottayam which is 114 km from Thekkady.
How to reach: By Air: The international airport at Kochi, lying at about 140kms from the sanctuary, is the nearest airport to Periyar. Kochi Airport is well connected with several important destinations in India and abroad. Many domestic and international airlines operate regular flight services from Kochi to major cities in India like Delhi, Mumbai.
Another important airport close to Periyar is at Madurai (200kms).
By Rail: The nearest railway station to Periyar is at Kottayam, at about 117 km away. A good network of trains link Kottayam to the major railway stations of South India and rest of India.
By Road: A well-laid network of roads connects Periyar to the major cities in Kerala and south India. You can easily reach Periyar from Kochin, Alleppey, Kumarakom. Regular Buses ply from the cities of Thiruvananthapuram (271 km), Cochin (200 km), Kottayam (117 km), and Madurai (140 km) to reach Periyar National park.
Season to Visit: Best Time to Visit Periyar. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve is one of those few wildlife vacation destinations which are open in monsoons too. You can visit Periyar in any season. The best time to visit Periyar is September to April.
There are a host of activities to do in Periyar. Most of the acti
Periyar Wildlife National Park - Holidays in Most Captivating Wildlife Parks in the World
Overview
Periyar in Kerala, is the best-known wildlife sanctuary in south India. Though billed as a tiger reserve, Periyar is really famous for its wild elephants, 100-year-old artificial lake and its setting in the beautiful thickly forested Western ghats. This is not your best shot at spotting the Bengal Tiger considering there are less than 40 of them that inhabit an area of 777sq.km but there's plenty of other animals like the Nilgiri langoor, Nilgiri tahr, bison, deer, antelope and about 700 elephants to make the trip worthwhile. The Periyar Tiger Reserve consists of tropical evergreen, semi- evergreen and moist deciduous forests. Its legal status as a National Park is still pending and only one notification has been issued. It was declared a Project Tiger Reserve in 1978 and the first research started in 1991. The results indicate 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. The core area is 350 sq.kms. The final notification of the buffer area is pending. The national park and the tiger reserve is rated as one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in India for wildlife photography, bird watching, elephant herds and tiger watching.
Why you must visit Periyar
You must visit Periyar for many reasons as mention below:-
1. Periyar is known for Wildlife sanctuary specially for wild Elephants
2. 100 years old artificial Lake and its setting in the beautiful forest of western ghats.
3. Visit Kumily which is known for spice trade center
4. You must visit Pandikuzhi which offers great opportunities for trekking and Photographers's delight
5. Flowing Periyar river through the centre of vast tea nourishes town
When to visit Periyar
Best Time to Visit Periyar. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve is one of those few wildlife vacation destinations which are open in monsoons too. You can visit Periyar in any season. The best time to visit Periyar is September to April.
Thekkady Tiger Reserve
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, locating in Thekkady is the perfect example of nature's bounty with great scenic beauty and rich biodiversity. Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary 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.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Location
The park is often called the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary or Thekkady. It is located high in the Cardamom Hills and Pandalam Hills of the south Western Ghats along the border with Tamil Nadu. It is 4 km (2.5 mi) from Kumily, approximately 100 km (62 mi) east of Kottayam, 110 km (68 mi) west of Madurai and 120 km (75 mi) southeast of Kochi.
Periyar Jeep Safari
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.
Safari Timings:
Boat Cruise in jungle for half and Hour: 7:25 AM, 9:15 AM, 11:15 AM, 1:30 AM, 4:00 AM
Jeep Safari: 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.
Shopping in Periyar
There are limited places for shopping in Periyar, however, the town’s spice market is well-known in Kerala.
There are exotic spices available here such as, cardamom, peppers, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, mace and anise.
Small handicrafts items are available in the markets, along with bookstores and specialty nature shops to buy eco-friendly or organic products.
