Set high in the ranges of the Western Ghats in Kerala, is the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve. It owe’s its origin to the Maharaja of Travencore, who was an avid hunter and nature lover. Spice gardens and plantation estates surround the national park.

Periyar’s sylvan environs offer a refuge to many mammals, reptiles and amphibians and around 320 avian species. The threatened lion-tailed Macaque and Nilgiri Langur occur here, as does the Flying and Malabar Giant Squirrel. The elusive Nilgiri Tahr is also present in this park. One can watch herds of Elephants swimming in the Periyar Lake. This lake was constructed by the Britishers in the year 1895 by constructing a dam across Periyar river. Now one can see most of the wildlife around this lake by boat launches. The lake also has a sizable population of turtles like Travancore Tortoise and the Black turtle. One can also see Gaur,Sambhar , Wild Boar, Leopard, Indian Wild Dog, Barking Deer and Mouse Deer in Periyar. Two unusual species found in Periyar are Flying Snake and the Flying Lizard

With large water bodies the Periyar is also a birders delight. It attracts large number of birds both resident as well as migratory.

Periyar’s sylvan environs offer a refuge to many mammals, reptiles and amphibians and around 320 avian species.

An ideal habitat for Indian Elephant, you can see this mighty herbivore living in accord with the ferocious carnivore – Tiger – in the national park. Other inhabitants of Periyar include the leopard, wild dog ,Sambar, Wild boars, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, porcupines, squirrels. Four species of primates are found at Periyar – the rare lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri Langur, Common Langur and Bonnet Macaque.

Due to the presence of large water bodies Periyar National Park is birdwatcher’s delight. It attracts large number of birds both resident as well as migratory the reason being the presence of astonishingly vast flora. Some 260 species of birds are found at Periyar. These include, Cormorants, Herons, Black-crested Baza, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Indian Griffon mynas, flycatchers, orioles, wood pigeons, kingfishers, kites, ospreys, Oriental Honey-buzzard, Pariah Kite, Kestrel, Indian Darter, Little Green Heron, Painted Stork Thrushes, and an appreciable number of blue-winged parakeets.

By Air : The nearest airports from Periyar are Kochi (Cochin) at 200-kms and Madurai in Tamil Nadu at 140-kms from Periyar.

By Rail : The nearest railhead from Periyar is at Kottayam, which lies at a distance of 114-kms.

By Road : The nearest town from Periyar is Kumily, well connected with Kottayam, Ernakulam and Madurai in Tamil Nadu by regular and frequent buses. Buses are available from Ernakulam (6 hours), Kottayam (4 hours), Trivandrum (8 hours), Kovalam (9 hours), Munnar (4 ½ hours) and Kodaikanal (6 hours).

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