Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary lies in the picturesque locales of the Western Ghats in the Idukki district of Kerala. The park looks more beautiful with Periyar Lake, an artificial lake formed due to construction of a dam in 1895 AD. The lake is a permanent source of water for the wildlife. Enjoy the tours to Periyar to watch bountiful wildlife living in their natural habitat of dense forest. The park was included in the Project Tiger in 1972. There is estimated to be 40 tigers in the sanctuary.

Periyar National Park provides a natural habitat to the Nilgiri Tahr. On tours to Periyar, you may spot the Deer-Barking Deer, Mouse Deer and Sambar; Dole or Indian Wild Dog; Elephants; Gaur; Tiger and Wild Pigs. Four species of monkeys, the Lion-Tailed Macaque, the Nilgiri Langur, Common Langur and Bonnet Macaque, are found at Periyar. Look around for chirpy birds presenting rainbow of colors on tour to Periyar. You may find Cormorants, Darters, Kingfishers, Malabar Hornbill and Racket-Tailed Drongoes.

The best way to watch the wild population without disturbing them is on the Boat cruises on the Periyar Lake. Tour to Periyar can be undertaken between October and June.

How to Reach

By Air: The nearest airport is at Madurai in Tamil Nadu. It is 140 km away from Periyar National Park.

By Rail: The nearest railhead is at Kottayam. It is 114 km away from Periyar National Park.

By Road: Periyar National Park is well connected by bus service with Kumily, Thekkady, Kottayam and Ernakulam in Kerala and Madurai in Tamil Nadu.