Preliminaries
Situated
within the confines 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. 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. Though its a
Tiger Reserve, tourists come here to view the Indian elephants in the act of
ablution and playfulness by the Periyar lake.
Major Inhabitants Of Periyar National Park
Apart from Elephants, the other animals to be seen in the Periyar sanctuary
are gaur, wild pigs, sambar, barking deer, mouse deer, dole or 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, which is rarely to be
seen.
The bird life comprises of darters, cormorants, kingfishers, the great
malabar hornbill and racket-tailed drongoes. The reptilian population boasts
of monitor lizards that can be spotted basking in the sun, on the rocks
along the lakeshore. Visitors who trek into the Periyar national park often
see a python and sometimes, even a king cobra.
Significant Places & Activities
Kumily :
Situated
just 4-kms from Periyar, Kumily is a growing town where tourism is fastly
catching up just like the spice trade, the major occupation of this small
town. The town is also well equipped with the excellent hotels and resorts
for accommodation.
Cradomom Hills : Periyar and Kumily are the most convenient points
from which visitors can easily explore Kerala's beautiful Cardamom hills.
Guide will approach you at offers of trips via jeep or taxi to the hills and
if you can get a group together, these trips work out as a good travel
value.
Boat Cruises : Boat cruises make the best option to check out the
wilds of Periyar Sanctuary.Today the Periyar lake presents an excellent
boating spot for tourists. Although it is unusual to see many animals from
the boats, still you spot a family of Elephants, Wild Boar, and Sambar Deer
by the water's edge.
Ideal Time to Visit Periyar National Park
The best season to visit Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is from the months of
October and June.
