Periyar, also known as Thekkady is best known for its wildlife, is a must-see for all visitors to Kerala. The Periyar Lake lies at the heart of the sanctuary, which is a veritable paradise for all wildlife lovers. Situated within the boundaries of the Western Ghats in the southern Indian state of Kerala, Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve is one of the most captivating wildlife parks in the world. Periyar is a park where one can witness playful pachyderms roaming freely with their family and friends, whose population is currently around 800. The population of tigers is also increasing appreciably. The landscape varies from hilly to flat grassland areas at the edges of the lakes. The vegetation is of moist deciduous type.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary was declared a Project Tiger reserve in 1978 and is one of the most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries in India. Its unique ecosystem which consists of thick moist deciduous vegetation, dense evergreen forests and the aquatic environment of the Periyar Lake make Periyar a unique and precious wildlife resource.

The animals you can see in Periyar Wildlife sanctuary are tigers, though they remain concealed in the dense jungle and elephants, which can be seen in herds and family groups along the banks of Periyar Lake. The interaction between the elephants in a herd and their behavior while they drink, bathe and engage in mock fights and play on the lake's edge is a fascinating sight. A boat cruise on Periyar Lake is a good way to observe the elephants from a short distance away, without disturbing them.

Tourist Attraction

The Animals
Periyar is a veritable paradise of elephants. Herds of playful wild elephants can be seen near the Periyar lake, their favorite haunt for frolicking in the water. Periyars wildlife variety includes the tiger, sambar, barking deer, mouse deer, the Nilgiri langur, wild dog, porcupine, lion tailed macaque, Malabar squirrel and sloth bear. There are approximately 40 tigers in the area as per the latest reports.

The Birds
Some 260 species of birds are found at Periyar. These include darters, cormorants, ibises, gray herons, mynas, flycatchers, orioles, wood pigeons, kingfishers, kites, ospreys, thrushes, and an appreciable number of blue-winged parakeets

The Periyar Lake
A boat ride on the lake will make your Periyar tour absolutely fantastic. Sighting the elephants from the boat is very easy, as they come in herds near the lake to frolic in the water. The lake is also the most ideal place to watch the birds. So take a boat ride and enjoy the picturesque surroundings of the lake.