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Home > Holiday Ideas > Periyar Tiger Reserve – The Great Elephant Show

Periyar Tiger Reserve – The Great Elephant Show

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India and elephants are inseparable; it is a part of our history, myth, culture and in many areas, a way of life! The elephant’s is a matriarchal society - small, organised, largely forest-dwelling, herds.Contrary to belief, the elephant is the most intelligent & dangerous of Indian wildlife, having few natural enemies - its huge magnificience & controlled might a thrill unmatched when seen in the wild.

As you take a boat ride on the placid waters of the Periyar Lake in the early hours of the morning, a troupe of Niligiri langur in the nearby trees may decide to break the morning calm. This is followed by the chirping of birds and a glimpse of a sambar standing stoically near a tree as if in deep meditation. A herd of elephants diverts your attention as you cruise along. Scenes like this and many other welcome you to the Periyar Tiger Reserve, Thekkady.

One of the finest wildlife sanctuaries in South India, Periyar Tiger Reserve is located in the scenic surroundings of the Western Ghats and is spread over 777 sq km. The sanctuary was established in 1934 as the Nelliampatty Sanctuary and later in 1978 it was brought under the Project Tiger. It became a national park in 1982, when it received the status of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. The most scenic national park in South India, the Periyar National Park attracts thousands of wildlife enthusiasts from all around the world.

Noted for its diverse geographical features such as geomorphology and climate, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary supports a wide variety of flora and fauna. The topography of the sanctuary is highly undulating and boasts of numerous narrow water streams. The Western Ghats forms the north-eastern boundary of the park, which separates Kerala and Tamil Nadu. But, the highlight of the Periyar National Park is the Periyar Lake spread over an area of 26 sq. km. The lake is situated in the heart of the park, which provides a permanent source of water for the local wildlife.

Elephants in Periyar Tiger Reserve

Things to do

Boating is a great way to view wildlife. KTDC & Forest department offer boat rides. Trekking, Camping & Bamboo Rafting are other exciting options. Eco-tourism centre (04869-224572) has various eco-tourism programs. Also find about Tribal Heritage Tour and Bullock Cart Discoveries.

Though Periyar National Park is a tiger reserve but tiger sightings are rare here. The big cat is as elusive here as in many other national parks across the country. It is not the tiger that plays the lead role here but it is the big, bulky and grayish creature – elephant – which is the star attraction of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. A haven for elephants, Periyar Tiger Reserve is a great place to enjoy the most real elephant circus in the wild.

A herd of elephants no wonder make for an exciting sight. Their gait, glory and scientific way of walking in a herd may fill your heart with joy. This uncrowned king of Periyar Tiger Reserve can be seen ambling down the grassy open fields or frolicking in the lake with its friends and family.

The Periyar National Park provides a wonderful opportunity where you can have the unique experience of viewing wildlife at close quarters from the safety of a boat on the lake. The sanctuary also offers the unique opportunity to photograph wild animals at close quarters. You can also enjoy elephant rides in the Periyar National Park.

Other animals in Periyar Tiger Reserve

Park Timings &
Best Time to Visit

Park Timings:
6 am – 6 pm, though boat rides takes place at 7, 9, 11 am and 2, 4 pm

Best Time to Visit:
October to June.

It is not only elephants that draw tourists to the Periyar National Park, but the park is also home to a unique and diverse wildlife. The other animals in the park include Nilgiri langurs, gaurs, sambars, tigers, lion-tailed Macaques, spotted deer, wild boars, barking deer, stripe-necked Mongoose, wild dogs, sloth bears, Malabar giant squirrel, and Nilgiri tahr to name a few.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary also has a sizable population of avian species as well. Over 260 species of birds have been spotted in the park. The popular birds found in the sanctuary include the Nilgiri wood pigeons, blue-winged parakeets, black-winged kite, white-bellied tree pies, laughing thrushes, great Indian hornbill, fly catchers, cormorants, darters, barbets and plovers among many others.

Places Nearby

Kumily: Good to go for spice plantation tours and spice shopping. Kumily is just 5 km from Periyar Tiger Reserve.

Gavi: Located 18 kilometers from Thekkady, Gavi is great for canoeing, trekking, angling and bird-watching. You can take part in various programs run by Kerala Forest Development Corporation.

Mangaladevi Temple: Located 12 km from Thekkady are the ruins of Mangaladevi Temple. You get beautiful views from the temple. On the full moon day of April-May (Chithra Pournami), pilgrims congregate in this temple.

Peermade: Visit for the breathtaking views of the hills of Idukki and Sabarimala, set against blue skies. Sprawling tea estates, cardamom, rubber, vanilla and coffee plantations present an enchanting view. Peermade is 39 km from Thekkady.

Places to stay in Periyar
Thekkady is where most people stay when visiting the Periyar Tiger Reserve, though there are some forest rest houses and resorts are also located inside the park. There are many hotels and resorts in Thekkady, which are easy to book and provide comfortable accommodation. Hotels in Periyar Tiger Reserve

Reaching Periyar Tiger Reserve

By Air: The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, Nedumbassery, which is connected to Chennai by daily flights. Thekkady is 204 km away.

By Rail: The nearest railhead to Periyar Tiger Reserve is Kottayam Station, which is 113 km away. You may take the Trivandrum Mail from Chennai (dep: Chennai Central 8 pm; arr: Kottayam 8.05 am) and then take a Taxi to Thekkady.

By Road: Thekkady is well connected by road from neighbouring districts. It is just 5 km from Kumily, which is on NH-220. Thekkady is on SH 19 that connects Munnar to Periyar.

Check Driving Directions from Kochi to Periyar Tiger Reserve

About Periyar: Periyar Information & Fact File

Altitude

850 meters

Temp

Summer	33 (Max) & 18 (Min) Degrees Celsius
Winter	28 (Max) & 14 (Min) Degrees Celsius

Best time to Go

September – March

Monsoon

June to September

Summer

April – May

Winter

December - February

Clothes

Cottons all year round

Nearest Airport

Kochi, 204 km

Nearest Railway Station

Kottayam, 113 km

Bus Station

Thekkady – On State Highway 19 – Direct buses from Munnar, Kochi

Hospital & Doctor

Govt. run Central Hospital at Thekkady is fully equipped to handle medical emergencies

Places to see

Periyar Reserve, Murukady, Odamade, Vellaramkunnu, Pandikuzhi, Vandanmedu, Wagamon…

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