Periyar National Park
Boating at Periyar Lake
Periyar National Park
#1
Among Things To Do in Thekkady
Label : Top Attraction
Tags : National Park
Timings : 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM,
Night Safari after 8:00 PM
Entry Fee : Indians:
Adult - INR 45,
Child - INR 15,
Foreigners:
Adult - INR 500,
Child - INR 180
Boating Fee:
INR 255 Per Person
Binocular Fee:
INR 50 with a Security Deposit of INR 100
There is an additional cost of INR 38 for the use of a still camera and INR 300 for the use of a video camera.
Also Refered As:
Periyar Tiger Reserve
Periyar National Park, Thekkady Overview
Periyar National Park in Thekkady, Kerala, is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world and one of India's best-protected reserves. It is home to a wide range of wildlife, including tigers and elephants, along with reptiles, fish, and birds, set amid dense forest and hills.
The Periyar National Park is spread over 257 square miles and the rivers Pamba and Periyar flow through it. These rivers help the plants and animals to nurture and flourish. This site attracts thousands of tourists to it every year, who come from all parts of the world to take pleasure in the boat cruises, jungle safaris in the form of jeep safaris and elephant safaris, and prominent eco-tourism activities, that are the speciality of this national park. These eco-tourism activities are a noble attempt to safeguard the environment and include options such as Jungle Patrol, Border hiking, Bamboo Grove, Bamboo Rafting, Periyar Tiger Trail, Jungle Inn, Jungle camp and Bullock Cart discoveries.
The attractions at the national park are perfect places for enjoying boating at the magnificent lake, trekking through the dense forests, or simply sitting back to spot an animal or two. It is no uncertainty that this place is the ideal holiday destination, which offers adventure and nature beautifully rolled into one. The wide range of activities, decent and affordable accommodation, as well as easy accessibility, makes Periyar National Park a must-visit tourist spot in Kerala.
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Periyar National Park Highlights
1. Boating at Periyar Lake
Spotting beautiful and healthy deer near the water body is ubiquitous. Unfortunately, this facility is not available throughout the year as heavy rainfalls cause these services to be shut down tempora (Read More)rily.
The timings for the boat cruise are 7:25 AM, 9:15 AM, 11:15 AM, 1:30 PM and 4:00 PM. Each cruise lasts for about 30 minutes.
The timings for the boat cruise are 7:25 AM, 9:15 AM, 11:15 AM, 1:30 PM and 4:00 PM. Each cruise lasts for about 30 minutes.
2. Periyar National Park Jeep Safari
Jeep safaris are ideal for individuals or small groups. Photographers especially prefer this option to click the ferocious and majestic animals in all their beauty and grandeur. The full day safari st (Read More)arts in the early morning hours, while the last trip starts by three in the evening.
The timings for the night safari are 11:00 PM to 3:00 AM.
The timings for the night safari are 11:00 PM to 3:00 AM.
3. Periyar Tiger Trail, Thekkady
Tourists trek along the Tiger Trail and thick vegetation of the reserve along with guides and Forest Department officials is an experience worth remembering. Tourists can also spot elephants, sambhars (Read More), and tigers there.
4. Bamboo Rafting in Thekkady, Thekkady
Bamboo Rafting is a perfect activity for all the water sports enthusiasts. The facility is offered by the Forest Department at Thekkady where one can enjoy the activity in the catchment area of the na (Read More)tional park.
5. Border Hiking, Thekkady
A trekking program conducted into the wilderness, border hiking is offered by various agencies and also by the Forest Department of the region.
6. Jungle Night Patrol, Thekkady
Jungle Night Patrol is one of the top thrilling things to do in Thekkady. It is a trekking activity which begins at two points in the Periyar National Park- Entrance Gate of the Periyar Tiger Reserve (Read More)and from the Bamboo Grooves. The activity is performed under the supervision of an armed guard and two professional guides. The thrilling activity is surely going to give you an adrenaline rush and a memory for a lifetime.
Time Required : 3 - 4 hrs
Time Required : 3 - 4 hrs
7. Nature Walks, Thekkady
Nature Walks is another one of the top things to do in Thekkady and a very popular activity in the region. Walking through the stunning wildlife and vegetation of the sleepy town, you can come across (Read More)varied varieties of flora and fauna, wild animals and the like. It is a surreal experience with beautiful landscape in front and hills in the backdrop. These walks are performed with a professional guide.
Time Required : 2 - 4 hrs
Time Required : 2 - 4 hrs
8. Jungle Camp, Thekkady
Jungle Camping is one of the top thrilling things to do in Thekkady. The camps are organized on the banks of Periyar River in Vallakadavu at the river viewpoint in the vicinity of Periyar National Par (Read More)k. The programme includes a board room facility for projection, film shows, trekking in the forest and traditional food prepared by Urali tribe. A single tent can accommodate 2 persons.
Time Required : 1 Day
Time Required : 1 Day
Read More on Periyar National Park
Flora and Fauna at Periyar National Park
The Periyar National Park is home to many threatened and endangered species like elephants and tigers. One can easily spot white tigers, Indian elephants, wild pigs, flying squirrels, fruit bats, sloth bears and jungle cats here. More than 266 species of birds, including migratory ones, also live here. Top birds to spot here are Malabar grey hornbill, white-bellied blue flycatcher, Sunbird, great hornbill, black-necked stork and Nilgiri wood pigeon. 45 species of reptiles, including lizards, snakes and turtles; 40 species of fishes and more than 160 butterfly species are found here. The floral beauty of the place is equally enchanting. Top flora of this park comprises of teak, mangoes, rosewood, tamarind, bamboos, sacred fig, sandalwood, jacarandas, Indian conifer and others. Plants of medicinal importance and coffee, cardamom and tea plantations can also be found here.
Attractions near Periyar National Park
The Periyar National Park has many prominent attractions in it, such as the Mangala Devi temple, Periyar Lake and Cardamom hills amongst others.
1. Mangala Devi Temple: This ancient temple is located inside the national park and is open to the general public only once in a year.
2. Pullumedu: This famous spot for pilgrims overlooks the auspicious Lord Iyyappan temple of Sabari Mala. People visit Pullumedu especially during January. A glittering light in the sky, which appears during this time, is considered to be a deity in spiritual form by devotees.
3. Periyar Lake: One of the most famous attractions in the park, this lake is known for river rafting, boat cruise, boat rides and bird watching.
4. Hill Region: The northern and eastern borders of the Periyar National Park are surrounded by mountains. These mountains are a great spot for trekking; Kurisamala to Kumily and Kumily to Pandikuzhi being the most famous routes.
5. Cardamom hills: These hills with cardamom plantations are undoubtedly the most exotic spot in the park and are famous for the guided trips that take place here via jeeps.
6. Forest Regions: The forest areas in the park are full of thick tropical evergreen trees and are a great area for forest trekking.
1. Mangala Devi Temple: This ancient temple is located inside the national park and is open to the general public only once in a year.
2. Pullumedu: This famous spot for pilgrims overlooks the auspicious Lord Iyyappan temple of Sabari Mala. People visit Pullumedu especially during January. A glittering light in the sky, which appears during this time, is considered to be a deity in spiritual form by devotees.
3. Periyar Lake: One of the most famous attractions in the park, this lake is known for river rafting, boat cruise, boat rides and bird watching.
4. Hill Region: The northern and eastern borders of the Periyar National Park are surrounded by mountains. These mountains are a great spot for trekking; Kurisamala to Kumily and Kumily to Pandikuzhi being the most famous routes.
5. Cardamom hills: These hills with cardamom plantations are undoubtedly the most exotic spot in the park and are famous for the guided trips that take place here via jeeps.
6. Forest Regions: The forest areas in the park are full of thick tropical evergreen trees and are a great area for forest trekking.
History of Periyar National Park
The construction of the Mullaperiyar dam in the 12th century led to the formation of the Periyar lake reserve. This artificial water body helped numerous species of plants and animals to thrive here naturally; observing which the Maharaja of Travancore, Balarama Varma, declared the area to be a private game reserve to avoid encroachment of tea plantations in the area. After the political integration of India in 1950, the sanctuary was declared as a wildlife reserve. In 1978, the park was declared as a tiger reserve and in 1982; it gained recognition as a national park.
Eco Tourism at Periyar National Park
Park-centred eco-tourism is the hallmark of the Periyar National Park. These programmes are conducted by locals and include a broad range of activities. You can take part in the Nature Walk, and Green Walk, which is a trekking programme that offers fantastic opportunities to watch birds and butterflies amongst other wildlife; or the Clouds Walk, which is guided trek where you can have a look at grasslands, evergreen forests and the expanses of land. Other options also include the Jungle Patrol, Border hiking, Bamboo Rafting, Periyar Tiger Trail, Bamboo Grove, Jungle Inn, Jungle camp and Bullock Cart discoveries.
Periyar National Park Timings and Entry Fees
The Periyar National Park is open on all days from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Guided nature walks take place from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM to 05:00 PM.
The timings for Border hiking and bamboo rafting are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The entrance fee to the Periyar National Park is as follows:
1. Adults:
a) Indians: INR 33
b) Foreigners: INR 450
2. Children:
a) Indians: INR 5
b) Foreigners: INR 155
The other applicable fees are as follows:
1. Boat Safari: INR 150 for people above 11 years of age and INR 50 for the rest
2. Tiger Trail Trek: INR 5,500 for one night and INR 7,500 for two nights
Guided nature walks take place from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM to 05:00 PM.
The timings for Border hiking and bamboo rafting are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The entrance fee to the Periyar National Park is as follows:
1. Adults:
a) Indians: INR 33
b) Foreigners: INR 450
2. Children:
a) Indians: INR 5
b) Foreigners: INR 155
The other applicable fees are as follows:
1. Boat Safari: INR 150 for people above 11 years of age and INR 50 for the rest
2. Tiger Trail Trek: INR 5,500 for one night and INR 7,500 for two nights
Best Time To Visit Periyar National Park
The best time to visit the Periyar National Park is in the winter season, in November to February. The weather is delightful at this point. The additional perks of visiting the national park in this season are that you can also spot some migratory birds and flowering plants will be in full bloom. Rafting and boat cruise also become more exciting due to the recent rains.
Stay Near Periyar National Park
If you wish to stay inside the Periyar National Park, you will find a forest guesthouse. This guesthouse is operated by KTDC, and prior booking is required. In the peak seasons, it is rare to get accommodation here due to the high demand. You can also stay at nearby hotels in Thekkady. Hotel Sandra Palace, Periyar Woods, Elephant Route Resort and Hotel Tigers Roare are some good options.
