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About Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Set high in the ranges of the Western Ghats, Kerala is the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve. Periyar wildlife sanctuary 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.
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Major Wildlife Attractions in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Apart from Elephants, the other animals to be seen in the Periyar sanctuary are Sambar, Gaur, Wild Pigs, Barking Deer, Indian Wild Dog and very rarely, a Tiger. 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 (wild goat), which is rarely to be seen.
Activities available in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Boat Safari:
Boat safaris make the best option to check out the wilds of Periyar Sanctuary. The upper deck is best for wildlife viewing when taking a boat cruise.
Rafting and Trekking:
This hiking and rafting programme through some of the richest forest tracts of Periyar Tiger Reserve, starts at 8am from the boat landing, a mosaic of habitats will be traversed before the party gets into rafts made of bamboos.
The rafting is for about three hours and one gets a panoramic view of forest-clad hills reflected on the lake. Animals like elephant, gaur and sambar are sighted keeping close to the edges of the lake.
The team hitchhikes back to the boat landing by about 5 pm. An armed guard and 4 guides will accompany a maximum of 10 tourists. Tea, snacks and packed lunch will be served enroute.
Bullock cart ride:
You will visit the farmlands of a village hidden in the valley behind the mountains of Periyar Tiger Reserve in a bullock cart. The village is rich in bird diversity, with vineyards, diverse agricultural crops of mangoes, tamarind, onions, sunflower, jasmine and a score of other vegetables, the village will take your breath away when the guides start to interpret how farming has woven delicately with the culture and the life of the natives.
Border Hiking:
This is a conservation oriented hard trek taking up a full day. The trekking starts at 8 O'clock in the morning and ends in the evening. The route passes through undulating terrains. Altitudinal ranges of 900 meters to 1300 meters will be covered and the trekkers could glimpse the lofty escarpments bordering the park watershed and the vast plains down below.
Periyar Tiger Trail:
The programme is conducted by a team of poachers who turned protectors of the forests. The team members are hardy and dependable with an intimate knowledge of the forest terrain. The programme is 1 night/2 days and 2 nights/3 days. The first day's trek starts at 9 am and ends by noon in the second or third day. The team consists of a maximum of 5 tourists, 5 guides and 2 forest officials. Normally 20 to 35kms of trekking distance will be covered, depending on the route chosen.
Here, one may chance to encounter much indigenous wildlife like Nilgiri langur, giant squirrel, elephant and who knows, even the tiger! The trek route passes through hills and valleys with a variety of tropical plants and wide-open spaces. Enroute vegetarian meals will be prepared and served and country tents will be pitched for holing up in the night. Trekking groups are accompanied by armed forest guards with good communication equipments, and geared to face any emergency situation. Remember to listen to unusual and strange adventure stories of the former poachers, now your guides and protectors of the forests.
Tourists who are medically fit and aged between 15 - 65 are advised to take the tiger trail. Visitors should be serious nature lovers willing to sacrifice some of the luxuries and comforts of a hotel.
Best Time to Visit Periyar:
The best season to visit Periyar wildlife sanctuary is from the months of October and June.
Getting There
By Air:
Madurai airport is 145kms away and Cochin airport is 200kms away.
Nearest Railhead:
Kottayam railway station is 114-kms away, 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. |
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