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Location: Kumily, Kerala, Nearest Access: Kumily (4-kms) Main Wildlife Found: Elephants, Tiger, Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri Langur, Coverage Area: 777-sq-kms
Set high in the ranges of the Western Ghats, in God's Own Country, 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. 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 Wildlife Attractions in 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 birdlife 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.
In the lap of the mountains, the Periyar wildlife sanctuary's environ is like a canvas of many shades. The fresh air of the moist deciduous forest gives one a chance to experience the peace and serenity and long to return for more.
Best Time to Visit Periyar The best season to visit Periyar wildlife sanctuary is from the months of October and June.
How to get there Air: Kochi (Cochin) at 200-kms or Madurai in Tamil Nadu at140-kms are the nearest airports from Periyar. Rail: Kottayam at 114-kms is the nearest railhead from Periyar. Road: Kumily, the nearest town from Periyar is well served by both state and private buses from Kottayam, Ernakulam and Madurai in Tamil Nadu.
General Info / Tips Note: After heavy rains, chances of good wildlife sightings are very slim as the animals only come to the lake, when water sources inside the forest have dried up.
South India Wildlife Tour
Duration: 16 Nights / 17 Days Destinations Covered: Delhi - Bangalore - Nagarhole - BR Hills - Bandipur - Ooty - Munnar Eravikulam - Periyar - Kumarakom - Kochi
Day - 1: Arrival in New Delhi before or after midnight and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day - 2: Spend morning at leisure. Afternoon sightseeing tour of New Delhi visiting India Gate,Qutab Minar & Humayun's tomb and driving past President House. Overnight at the hotel.
Day - 3; Delhi - Bangalore Catch the connecting flight from Delhi-Bangalore in the morning. Arrival at Bangalore and transfer to Mysore (125-kms / 3 hrs.). A sightseeing tour of Mysore visiting Brindaban gardens and Mysore palace. Overnight at the hotel.
Day - 4: Bangalore - Nagarhole National Park Transfer to Nagarhole National Park (80-kms / 2 1/2 hrs.). Enjoy a wildlife viewing on the afternoon jeep safari trip. Overnight at the wildlife lodge.
Day - 5: Nagarhole National Park Early morning wildlife viewing and bird watching in the park or a Coracle ride on the Kabini River. Enjoy an evening jeep ride or an Elephant ride into the Nagarhole jungle. Overnight at the wildlife lodge.
Day - 6: Nagarhole National Park - BR Hills
Drive to B R Hills (6
hrs.) From Nagarhole National Park. Afternoon trekking in B R Hills
for wildlife viewing. Overnight stay in tents.
Day - 7: BR Hills Morning and evening wildlife viewing and bird watching. Overnight stay in tents.
Day - 8: BR Hills - Bandipur National Park Early morning departure to Bandipur (4hr.) after having breakfast. Arrive for lunch at the resort. Afternoon visit inside the wildlife sanctuary in jeeps. Overnight stay at the resort.
Day - 9: Bandipur National Park Morning & evening wildlife viewing and bird watching. Overnight stay in the resort.
Day - 10: Bandipur National Park - Ooty Early morning drive to Ooty (80-kms / 3 hrs.) from Bandipur National Park. Arrive Ooty in the afternoon and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay in the resort.
Day - 11: Ooty - Munnar - Eravikulam National Park Drive towards Munnar. Afternoon drive to Eravikulam National Park to see the Nilgiri Thar. Overnight stay in the resort.
Day - 12: Eravikulam National Park - Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Morning visit to the park for wildlife and bird watching. Drive to Periyar in the afternoon (3 hrs.). Overnight stay in the resort.
Day - 13: Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Enjoy a morning and evening boat cruise and witness the wild elephants frolicking in the lake or go bird watching. Overnight stay in the resort.
Day - 14: Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary - Kumarakom Drive to Kumarakom early in the morning (5 hrs.). Arrive at Kumarakom in the afternoon and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay in the resort.
Day - 15: Kumarakoram Bird Sanctuary Enjoy the morning backwater cruise and in the evening visit to the Kumarakoram Bird Sanctuary. Overnight at the resort.
Day - 16: Kumarakoram Bird Sanctuary - Kochi - Onward Destination Drive to Kochi (3 hrs.). Spend a full day sightseeing tour of Kochi. Transfer to the airport for onward journey. |
About
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
