Call of the Wild

Set amid lush green forests and imposing mountains, Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve is a refreshing sojou
from the rigours of daily life. This is the perfect place to invigorate and rejuvenate the mind and body.
Set high on the ranges of the Western Ghats, in God’s Own Country, Kerala is the Periyar National Park and tiger reserve. It has a picturesque lake at the heart of the sanctuary. Formed with the building of a dam in 1895, this reservoir meanders around the contours of the wooded hills, providing a permanent source of water for the local wildlife. Surrounded by picturesque mountains, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary’s environ is like a canvas of many shades. The fresh air of the moist deciduous forest induces a sense of peace and serenity in a visitor. One can opt for the boat cruises to check out the wilds of periyar Sanctuary. Today, the Periyar lake present an excellent boating options for tourists. Although it is unusual to see many animals from the boats, you can still spot a family of elephants, wild boar, and sambar deer by the water’s edge. The upper deck is the best for wildlife viewing when taking a boat cruise, but better turn up half an hour early to get the best seat. To maximize you chances, take the 7 am boat. Renting a boat is also an option here.
Though it is a tiger reserve, elephants are also an attraction here. Other animals that can be sighted here are gaur, wild pigs, sambar, barking deer, mouse deer, gole or Indian wild dog and very rarely, atiger. 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 seen.
Bird watchers can try and spot the 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. Tales of visitors coming upon a python and sometimes even a king cobra are not rare.
It can be safely said that one visit to this sanctuary is just not enough and a visitor often ends up coming back to soak in
the splendour of the wilderness here. On a visit to Periyar one can also take in the growing town of Kumily, situated just four kilometres away. Tourism is growing rapidly in this town and it is well equipped with excellent hotels and resorts for accommodation. Periyar and Kumily are the most convenient points from where visitors can easily explore Kerala’s beautiful Cardamom hills.
Best time to visit Periyarr
October to June