Periyar
Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most popular tourist place for the wildlife
enthusiast.
It is a perfect example of rich biodiversity and the scenic natural
beauty. It sprawl over 925 sq km consisting deep
valleys and dense forest enriching the charm of the forest for the visitors. In
the middle of the forest a beautiful artificial lake is situated which
is almost a century old. Wildlife The sanctuary is rich in wildlife and dwells more than 62 species of species of large and small mammals. It provides shelter to some of the largest land mammals in the world which is estimated to more than 1000. The major attraction of the sanctuary is existence of tigers and elephants. Interestingly, a large number of tourist visit the sanctuary just have a sight of tigers while other visit to have a glimpse of elephants. Nevertheless, there are several other species of fauna which are mostly adored by the visitors to sight. Some of the commonly sighted wildlife are Sloth bears, Wild boar, Nilgiri langurs, Bonnet macaques, Barking deer, Malabar Squirrel, Nilgiri Tahr, Lion taile macaque, porcupines, sambar deer, leopards etc. Avi-Fauna The sanctuary also has vast things to offer to bird lovers. Accordingly, over 62 species of birds are recorded in the sanctuary which makes it an interesting place to visit for beloveds as well. Some of the prominent birds in the forest are the great Malabar Hornbill, Darters, racket-tailed Drongoes, and Kingfishers etc. Reptiles and fishes Visitors would also love to sight variety of reptile species in the forest. It has almost 45 species of reptiles among which 30 species are recorded to be snakes while the remaining species include 2 types of turtles and 13 species of lizard. King Cobras and python are frequently sighted in the forest. Other than reptiles, 38 species of fishes are found in the water bodies inside the forest which majorly include the endemic species of Western Ghats. Things to do There are numerous recreational activities for tourists which provide them an appropriate way to explore the wilderness of the sanctuary. Tourists can hire jeep safaris, Boat cruise and ride on elephant safaris to relish their visit to the sanctuary. Excursion facility is also available for the tourists to discover the beauty of Cradomom Hills and Pandalom Hills. Safari Timings: Boat Cruise: 07.25 AM, 09.15 AM, 11.15 AM, 01.30 PM, 04.00 PM Jeep Safari: 11.00 PM till 03.00AM Elephant Safari: 06.00 AM to 05.00 PM Best time to visit The best time to visit the sanctuary is in the months of October to June because during this season the weather is pleasant to enjoy the wildlife as well the scenic beauty of the locale. Accommodation Periyar House located near the forest provides accommodation facility to the visitors at a reasonable price where they can stay to experience the nightlife of the forest. They can also find their accommodation in Aranya Nivas which is run by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) Hotels & Resorts. Popular hotels and resorts There are several popular resorts and hotels located close to the sanctuary. Some of the popular resorts and hotels are Periyar Nest Resorts, The Elephant Court, Spice Village, Jungle Park Resorts etc. Things to note and Tips · Follow the rules laid down by the forest department · Adhere to the instruction of mahout · Check cameras, batteries and carry binoculars · Do not take any sharp weapons Accessibility Nearest airport is located at a distant of 140 KM in Madurai and the closest railway station is at Kottayam 114 away. The sanctuary is also connected with roadways; Kumily is the closets town from where vistors can hire taxi or board of private buses to reach the sanctuary.
