Introduction
Here, you can catch the Indian elephants in the act of ablution by the lake. Though these pachyderms are the cynosure of eyes at the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Established in 1950) in Kerala, the park is known to shelter numerous other species of mammals, birds and reptiles. Nestled in the soaring ranges of the Western Ghats, the sanctuary sprawls over an area of 777 sq km. As you undertake a safari here, the park will continue to bring you various shades of nature, the reason being its diversified terrains, lush greens and myriad exotic species of animals.

Spotting The Wildlife
The Indian elephants are of course the biggest draw for wildlife fanciers here. A boat safari along the Periyar Lake is one of the finest options to take delight in the sight. You'll see herds of elephants, along with their young ones, frolicking by the Periyar Lake. So, keep your cameras poised and have some wonderful wildlife snaps to brag back home.

The park is also home to over 40 tigers and there are good options to have that chilling encounter that you might be craving, for a long time. Other park inmates include gaur, sambar, barking deer, wild dog, Nilgiri langur, Nilgir tahr, Bonnet macaque etc. Monitor lizards, pythons and King cobra are major lures for reptile lovers.

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The birdlife at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is no less captivating for visitors. The commonly sighted avian species include cormorants, darters, gray herons, mynas, flycatchers, wood pigeons, thrushes, kites, kingfishers, parakeets, orioles etc. Take along a local guide to make your trip much more exciting and knowledgeable than ever.

Adventure Safaris
A boat cruise along the much renowned Periyar Lake is one of the most suitable options to spot the wildlife population of the park. An early morning boat ride could be much rewarding for visitors. Besides, you can also plan a jeep safari into the confines of the jungle to watch more and more animal species. Local guides are also available to accompany you during the safari.

Other Activities
Kumily, which is just 4 km from Periyar, is a good option to start on spice plantation tours. The town also has a number of hotels and resorts to cater to your needs. Also make a trip to the cardamom hills as Periyar and Kumily turn our to be perfect bases for that.

Best Time To Visit
You can make a trip to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary between the months of October and June.

Getting There
Tourists can first fly to either Kochi (200 km) or Madurai (140 km), the closest airports. From there, they can take private buses or taxis to get to the national park. The nearest railhead from Periyar is Kottyam, 114 km away. The railway station has regular trains connecting to different parts of the state. Get to Kumily (4 km) to avail of regular bus services to place like Kottayam, Ernakulam and Madurai (Tamil Nadu).

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