Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Tourism And Travel Guide

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is stationed amidst the picturesque hillocks of the Western Ghats along the south-western coast of India. Flowing through the heart of the sanctuary, the Periyar River is surrounded by squashy grasslands. These grasslands form a natural territory consisting of some colossal mammals who feed on the ample nourishment available in the shape of luscious greenery. Sublime animal species such as Nilgiri Langurs, Indian Elephants, Liontail Macaques, Indian Tiger, and King Cobra thrive amidst this spread of lush green vegetation.

With its wonderful array of exquisite features, tourism in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary makes for a great feast to the senses. The sanctuary has been enthralling visitors for many decades. Let us dig into this valuable travel guide of Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary to know more about it.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is perfectly positioned within the welcoming folds of the Western Ghats in Kerala. Tourists can board a flight to get to a nearby airport if they prefer luxury and quick travel. On the other hand, for those who love to encounter eye-catching sceneries, roadways and rail options are an apt way to ply to the sanctuary.

By Air:

Kochi International Airport and Madurai Airport are situated at a distance of around 190 km and 140 km from Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. With constant flights plying to different parts of India and all over the globe, these airports ideally link Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary to the outside world. Frequent buses take tourists to the sanctuary from these airports. Local auto rickshaws and taxis can also be used as a means of commutation.

By Rail:

Kottayam Railway Station lies closest to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, based around 110 km away from this reserve of wonderful natural specimens. Trains travelling to the Kottayam Railway Station from other parts of the country, such as Mumbai, Kochi, Bangalore, and Chennai operate on a daily basis. Tourists can hire local taxis or private cabs to make their way to the sanctuary from this railway station.

By Road:

Located at a distance of 4 km from Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kumily is a small town that boasts of perfect connectivity to the sanctuary. Travelling via NH 220, tourists plying through roadways can make their way to Thekkady through winding roads and awe-inspiring landscapes. The state government has facilitated exemplary highway roads that lead up to the base of the sanctuary, Thekkady, from other prime metropolitans of the country. Visitors would find this mode of commutation special with the incredible sceneries on offer.

Due to its tropical nature, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary experiences a pleasant climate on a persistent basis. The weather in the terrains of Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary frequent fluctuates between 15°C and 31°C all through the year. This means that tourists can throng the sanctuary throughout the year. 

Summer (March to May):

With the temperatures see-sawing between 28°C and 36°C, summer is the best season to explore Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary as the warm and humid climate brings animals out in the open in search of waterbodies. This presents visitors with perfect opportunities to catch a glimpse of these imperial beings. A variety of exotic breeds of animals are observed throughout the sanctuary, with elephants, deer and tiger proving to be the major hoggers of limelight.

Monsoon (June to September):

The climate in monsoon mostly ranges between 22°C and 32°C. The organizers offer visitors with several opportunities to explore through the dense forests of Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary even during the monsoon season. The forest comes alive with splendid sceneries and lush vegetation spread all over its reserves owing to rainfall. Tourists can become familiar with the local culture through serene boat cruises. The remarkable sceneries can surely take your breath away.

Winter (October to February):

Winter season also offers tourists with an enticing climate to venture through the murky grasslands of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. The temperatures in winter constantly alter its range between 20°C and 30°C. With a significantly lower precipitation of rainfall, the weather is apt to travel and scale through the sanctuary’s depths. The sheer beauty of nature and wildlife can enthrall tourists in its own quintessential manner.

Ancient Tribal Culture:

Tourists who wish to understand first-hand the lives of the tribal communities that dwell within the sanctuary’s territory can take up the Tribal Heritage Program. This program allows visitors to meet and greet with the locals. Tourists can get their hands on some sumptuous local cuisines as well while spending time with the community. Along with this bonding, tourists can also tour the Tribal Heritage Museum to obtain in-depth knowledge of the vibrant culture that these tribes have preserved over the centuries.

Savory Spice Garden:

A trip to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary would be incomplete without venturing into the Spice Garden. Set amidst verdant vegetation, the Spice Garden is reminiscent of the fact that Kerala has been a trading fulcrum for spices over the years. The Spice Garden boasts of a splendid assortment of spices such as clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, and pepper. It also nurtures herbs such as lemon, vetrivert, eucalyptus, aloe vera, and red sandal. A tour of the garden in the company of the experts provides visitors with ample insights of the various agricultural practices and the different flora that throng the garden.

Alluring Tiger Trails:

The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary offers a Tiger Trail program that helps tourists walk through jungle roads in the company of professional forest officials. This program includes exciting trekking prospects and camping in the middle of the jungle. It is truly intriguing to listen to the jungle tales that these trained officials have to tell over a bonfire at your camp. The attractive grasslands of the sanctuary showcase the varied wildlife reserve that it breeds during these Tiger Trail programs. Walking through stunning hills and valleys is surely exciting for those who dare to adventure.

Exhilarating Rides through the Sanctuary:

Tourists are presented with ample means to explore the verdant forests of Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. To experience some royal treatment, you can hop onto the back of a mighty elephant. The Elephant Safaris are apt means to explore the jungle in complete safety. In addition, other modes such as Jeep Safari and Boat Cruise offer luxurious and resplendent tour options for tourists. Boat cruises can be taken up to watch animals throng the banks of the river, while jeep safaris involve opportunities to get up close and personal with the glorious creatures of the sanctuary.

The town of Thekkady hosts the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Forming a part of Kerala, it is blessed with some of the delicious local dishes of South India. Tourists can let the unique spice concoction of Kerala fuse with the palate of their taste buds. The local restaurants are popular for their unorthodox preparations of the traditional dosas and idlis. Dishes such as Chettinad Dosa, Chicken Tikka Dosa, Masala Dosa and Paneer Dosa are some of the contemporary varieties that are on offer. Proximity to the ocean also adds a variety of seafood to the plethora of local cuisine on offer. A trip to the sanctuary area would be unfinished without the taste of these mouth-watering dishes.