Introduction:

Periyar is the best-known wildlife sanctuary in south India. Though billed as a tiger reserve, Periyar is really famous for its wild elephants, 100-year-old artificial lake and its setting in the beautiful thickly forested Western Ghats of Kerala. Spread in an area covered with the tropical forests which offers the visitors a wonderful view of the combination of the deciduous, semi evergreen and tall trees that looks like touching the sky. Periyar boast of a closed canopy and its best possession is the Periyar wildlife reserve.

                                                                                                           Herd of Elephants at Periyar Wildlife Sancturary

Destination Facts:

Location: Kerala , In District Idukki and Pathanamthitta
Altitude: 900 to 1800 m
Temperature: (summer 21 to 24°C 31°C) & (winter 15 to 20°C)
Languages spoken: Malayalam, English, Hindi and Tamil.

Getting there:

Nearest Airports: Cochin is the nearest airport to Periyar.
Main Railway Station: The nearest railway station is at Kottayam .
Main Bus Station or Road: Periyar is connected to other cities by state government public transport buses.

Distance of a few Major Towns from Periyar:

Idukki-65km, Kumily-4km, Munnar -106km, Kumarakom-128km, Kodaikanal - 149km, Ooty -390km.

Eating Around:

Chicken Biryani is some one of the famous dish found here.

Places of Tourist interest:

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary:
The major trees identified and found in the sanctuary are Teak, Rosewood, Terminalia, Eucalyptus, Sandalwood and Jacaranda. The entire herd of Elephants can be seen swimming and drinking water in the lakes of Periyar. The main wildlife attractions found at the sanctuary are Malabar Giant Squirrel, Malabar Horn bill, different variety of deers, stripe neck mongoose, egrets, lizard's civet cats and the Brahmin eagles. There are also about 260 species of Birds and about 100 varieties of Butterflies that can be seen in the territory of the park, all these makes this place a major travel attraction for the wildlife and nature lovers.
 

Kumily:
Kumily, the growing plantation township in terms of tourism closely associated with the place of Thekkady. Situated on the outskirts of the Periyar wildlife sanctuary, Kumily is a fine shopping center and a trade centre for spices
 

Murikadu:
The place of Murikadu is splendidly covered with lush green vegetation of cardamoms, coffee estates and pepper plantations. It offer a soothing experience to the visitors as every things looks green. and nature's plenty and attracts the visitors to travel here as many times. It attracts visitors by its abundant beauty and makes them return to this beautiful place. It is a place to which makes a person forget their worries and sorrows tensions of the mind and completely submerge into this valley of greens.
 

Boat Cruises in Periyar Lake:
The boat cruises are is the best experience in the wilds of Periyar wildlife sanctuary and is an important travel attraction. The entire park area can be seen on the boat with the pleasure of spotting wild species along with the endangered ones. In present days todays times the Periyar Lake offers a unique experience to the visitors by making them visit the sanctuary on small cruises.

Cardamom Hills:
The exotic viewpoint from the cardamom hill can be explored in a better manner from the place of Kumily and Periyar. The hills provide a pleasure that is very special and remains in some corners of the heart of the visitors for a long time. The experience of the hill makes the journey unforgettable.

Cardamom Hills

Getting around the destination:

KSRTC buses are available.

Shopping Areas & Entertainment:

There are exotic spices available here such as, cardamom, peppers, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, mace and anise. Small handicrafts items are available in the markets, along with bookstores and other specialty like nature shops to buy eco-friendly or organic products.

Best time to visit:

October to March is the best time to visit the destination.

Festival:

Onam in August is a grand affair in Munnar
Vishu is celebrated in April
Easter in February-March
Mahashivratri is celebrated in February