PERIYAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
 The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary easily features among India’s largest and most frequented wildlife reserves in India. It’s is located on an area of 777 square kilometers in the Cardamom hills region of the Western Ghats. With 350 square kilometers area, it was declared as a National Park in 1982. Spotting tigers and leopards attracts tourists here from all parts of the globe. Apart from them, a tour to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary lends an opportunity to see elephant, wild pig, sambar, gaur, Malabar flying squirrel, stripe-necked mongoose etc. More so, tourists here see over 260 species of birds together with blue-winged parakeet, Nilgiri wood pigeon, white-bellied tree pie, laughing thrushes and flycatchers.
The sanctuary is situated close to the border of the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Those who come here can easily take an excursion to the Cardamom hills that include the famous pilgrimage center of the Sabarimala. More so, a visit here will also take tourists to a couple of tea factories, spice plantations, and stunning view of the forest waterfalls. Boat cruises on the lake have been an ideal way to completely explore the park. Trekking and elephant rides can also be enjoyed in the sanctuary.
Best Time to Visit
The best season to visit Periyar wildlife sanctuary is from the months of October and June.
Major Wildlife Attractions
Tourists here get an opportunity to see elephants, Gaur, Wild Pigs, Sambar, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Dole or Indian Wild Dog etc. Tigers, around 40 in number, can also be seen here. Tourists also get an opportunity to see four species of primates here: the rare lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri Langur, Common Langur and Bonnet Macaque. The obscure Nilgiri Tahr might also be seen here, though rarely.
The birdlife species like Darters, Cormorants, Kingfishers, the great Malabar Hornbill and racket-tailed Drongoes are seen here. Monitor Lizards is also seen here while basking in the sun, on the rocks along the lakeshore. Seeing a Python and sometimes even a King Cobra would be a reality for those who come here.
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Other Attractions in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Kumily
Located at barely 4-kms from Periyar, Kumily is fast turning into a tourist hub for its spice trade, excellent hotels and resorts for accommodation.
Cradomom Hills
Tourists get a chance to explore Kerala's beautiful Cardamom hills. A trip to the beautiful hills is carried out via jeep or taxi.
Boat Cruises
With boat cruises, tourists have an excellent option to check out the wilds of Periyar Sanctuary. With the Periyar Lake, the place has grown into an amazing boating spot for tourists. Seeing Elephants, Wild Boar, and Sambar Deer by the water's edge would be an advantage of the boat cruise.
How to Reach
By Air
Kochi (Cochin) at 200-kms or Madurai in Tamil Nadu at140-kms are the nearest airports from Periyar.
By Rail
Kottayam at 114-kms is the nearest railhead from Periyar.
By Road
Kumily, the nearest town from Periyar is well served by both state and private buses from Kottayam, Ernakulam and Madurai in Tamil Nadu.
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