Wild but Spectacular Periyar National Park

As they say, Kerala is the "God´s Own Country". Indeed, with its scenic and palm-fringed beaches and emerald backwaters, Kerala is the "God´s Own Country". However, it is the Periyar region which is really the pride of the beautiful and the most tourist-friendly state of India.

Evergreen moist deciduous forests and savannah grass lands characterize Periyar. Sprawling over 777 sq km, Periyar is located in the Western Ghats and is much famous for the wonderful Periyar National Park. The Periyar National Park, also called Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Periyar Tiger Reserve, is located on the banks of the Periyar Lake, Thekkady. The wildlife sanctuary has a core area of 350 sq km.

Attractions

The Periyar Tiger Reserve is one of the 27 tiger reserves of India. With more than 40 tigers, the Periyar Tiger Reserve is a big attraction for the wildlife lovers. However, it is the reserve´s excellent elephant population that is really the main attraction of the Periyar Tiger Reserve.

Sighting wild elephant herds around the Periyar Lake from the safety and comforts of the many watchtowers and boats is a rather common though pleasant experience at Periyar. According to a conservative estimate, there are around 800 wild elephants inside the Periyar National Park.

Apart from tiger and elephant, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary also has sambar, leopard, barking deer, mouse deer, lion-tailed macaque, sloth bear, wild boar, and gaur (Indian Bison), among other wild animals. Actually, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary has 62 species of mammals. The national park also has more than 260 bird species that include, among others, wood pigeons, darters, kingfishers, and thrushes.

The reptilian species are also present in good numbers at the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. With more than 45 species of reptiles that include, bedsides others, monitor lizard, python and king cobra, the reptile community is also well represented at the Periyar.

Periyar also boasts of an excellent species of fauna. It has about 2000 species of flowering plants--more than most of the other wildlife reserves of India. No wonder, the Periyar National Park is considered one of the most naturally beautiful national parks of India.

Periyar Wildlife Tour Package Duration - 03 Days/ 02 Nights

Day 1: Madurai/Cochin - Periyar
You will be picked up from Madurai/Cochin airport/ railway station and depart for Periyar by surface (approx. 140kms / 4 hrs or 185 kms / 5 hrs). Upon arrival you will check in at your hotel. Evening will be at your leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: In Periyar
Early morning you will proceed for a boat ride on lake Periyar to view the wild life at the sanctuary. Morning you will return to your hotel. late afternoon you will depart for a walking tour of the spice plantations. Evening will be at your leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3: Depart Periyar / Madurai
Morning you will be at your leisure. Later you will depart for Madurai/Cochin airport/ railway station for your journey to onward destination.