Located on the Cardamom Hills in the incredibly beautiful state of Kerala, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is visited by tourists from all over the world. Sprawling over an area of 777 sq km, the Sanctuary is a home to a diverse range of wildlife species. There is a beautiful lake passing through the sanctuary, which is a promising site to sight the wildlife as it is a source of water for them. Periyar Tiger Reserve was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1959.
Wildlife
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is not only known for its tiger population but also for a variety of other wildlife. Some of the inhabitants of the sanctuary are panther, elephant, Lion Tailed Macaque, gaur, barking deer, Great Indian Hornbill, Nilgiri Laughing Trush, Ceylon Frog Moth and Wild dog. The beautiful birds such as darter, egret, cormorant, the Great Malabar Hornbill, racket-tailed Drongoes and Pied Kingfisher will also greet you at the sanctuary. Reptiles such as Python and Cobra are also the inhabitants of the sanctuary. The Park boasts of 62 kinds of mammal species, 320 bird species, 45 reptile species, 38 fish species and 160 butterfly species.
Cardamom Hills
As the wildlife sanctuary is located on the Cardamom Hills, it offers a great opportunity to explore the peaceful and beautiful ambiance of the hills.
Boat Cruises
Boat Cruise is an interesting way to explore the sanctuary. Tourists can witness wildlife from the boats and at the same time enjoy the picturesque views of the surrounding. The best time for the cruise is early morning.
Kumily
Located only 4 km from Periyar, Kumily is a beautiful town. There are several hotels and resorts in the town for accommodation.
The most propitious time to visit the Sanctuary is from October to June.
By Air: The nearest airports are at Kochi ( 200 km) and Madurai (140 km).
By Rail:
The nearest railway station from Periyar is at Kottayam, which is 114 km from Periyar.
By Road: Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is easily accessible from the main cities of South India.
