Periyar Tiger Reserve

Periyar Tiger Reserve

Periyar National Park, also known as Periyar Tiger Reserve, is in the mountainous Western Ghats of Kerala, southern India. This wildlife sanctuary is home to tigers and a significant elephant population, as well as rare lion-tailed macaques, sambar deer, leopards and Indian bison. In the park's north, Periyar Lake is popular for boat rides. Farther north, spice plantations surround the town of Kumily.

Eco-tourism forms an integral part of the ethos of Periyar. Nature walks, Cloud walks, Border Trekking, Bamboo Rafting, Bullock Cart Rides and Tiger Trails are important flagship activities at the park. Trained tribal guides take you amidst the famous evergreen forests, using their specialised knowledge of these parts to the utmost. It is among the most invigorating experiences available in the State, with a new facet of its beauty opening up to you on every visit.

Thekkady Boat Ticket online booking Kindly note there is no option to book / check availability over phone. This is not boat ticket booking website. KTDC is operating 1.30 – 2 hours common fixed boating at Periyar Lake, Thekkady which is one of the major attraction there.   At the time of boating, if you are lucky,  you can have a unique experience of viewing wildlife at close from the safety of a boat at the lake.  The probable animals to see are Bison, Gaur, Wild Elephants, Sambhar and a wide variety of birds. Thekkady Boat Ticket online booking Entry Timing : 0600 hrs – 1800 hrs  Thekkady Boat Ticket online booking Boating Time : 0730, 0930, 1115, 1345 and 1530 hrs Thekkady Boat Ticket online booking Boating Charge : 248.63  per person. Entry Charge (for Adults ) Indian National   : Rs. 36.22 (Total Rs. 284.85) Foreign National : Rs. 493.88 (Total Rs. 742.51) Now there is an option for booking boat ticket online in advance through the website http://www.periyarfoundation.online , in weekends and holiday time it is advisable to book ticket online.  You can check availability also through the website http://www.periyarfoundation.online Kindly note there is no option to book / check availability over phone Boating in thekkady     Eco Tourism Programmes in Periyar ·        Nature Walk or Guided Day Trek ·        The Periyar Tiger Trail - Adventure trekking and camping ·        Border Hiking - Protection-oriented range hiking ·        Bamboo Rafting ·        Jungle Patrol ·        Night Camping or Jungle Inn Package ·        Bullock cart discoveries ·        The Bamboo Grove - Eco lodge & Centre for experiential learning ·        Tribal Heritage Programme

Accommodation Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) hotels within the park offer a range of accommodation, from dormitories to luxury suites. Make reservations beforehand. Periyar House, inexpensive, has rooms at Rs. 550 including two meals. The hotel has its own restaurant, car hire, money exchange facility, doctor on call and ayurvedic massage parlour. Tel.: 04869-222026/222447; E-mail: periyarhousethekkadi@ktdc.com Aranya Nivas – There is a restaurant and bar and a garden. Rooms: Rs. 1200-2100A/C suite: Rs. 2300-3500 (not including meals). Tel.: 04869-222023; E-mail: aranyanivasthekkady@ktdc.com Lake Palace – More secluded and less noisy, it used to be the Maharaja's game lodge. You can reach the place by boat from the Thekkady jetty at 4 p.m. The suites range from Rs.5000-7500/- including meals. Tel.: 04869-223887/223888; E-mail: lakealacethekkadi@ktdc.com Club Mahindra, Tusker Trails, Amalambika Road, Thekkady, Idukki District, Kerala – 685536. Tel.: 04869-222401/222273; Fax: 04869-222106. Spice Village Outside the sanctuary (on Kumily Road, en route to Thekkady village), the place has cottages for about Rs. 5000, bungalows for around Rs. 7500 and standard rooms at Rs. 4000 per person, per day, plus ten per cent tax (meals included). The hotel offers a conference hall, sports facilities and safari trips. Tel.: 04869-222314; Fax: 04869-222317 E-mail: spicevillagecgh@earth.com Carmelia Haven A reasonably priced option offering a different atmosphere with decorative tree houses, priced at Rs. 1,500 per person, including meals. Rooms built like caves are priced at Rs. 2650 per person, per day, including meals. The more elaborate caves can cost as much as Rs. 5600 per person. Tel.: 04868-270252/270272; E-mail: carmelia@gmail.com Lake Queen Tourist Home Run by the Catholic church, clean rooms are available at less than Rs. 200.Tel.: 04869-222084/86. The Wildlife Preservation Office, Kumily has resthouses at Manakavala, Mullakudy and Edappalayam at Rs. 300. A cook is on the premises, but provisions must be brought. For bookings, Tel.: 0486-322027. Observation towers for overnight stay cost Rs. 100. Food and bedding must be brought. Contact the Wildlife Information Centre: Tel.: 0486-322028.  In addition, there are four Forest Department rest houses, although only two are in regular use. Birds watching at periyar tiger reserve     How to Reach periyar tiger reserve By Air: Madurai (145 km.) and Cochin (190 km.) By Rail: Kottayam (114 km.) on the Ernakulam-Thiruvananthapuram line. By Road: From Madurai or Cochin cars can be hired. Kottayam is the nearest major town, 115 km. to the west. Buses leave every half hour for the four-hour journey. From Thiruvanthapuram (271 km.), two direct buses leave daily for the eight-hour journey. Buses between Ernakulam and Kumily leave every half hour for the six-hour journey. Best season to visit periyar tiger reserve October – May is the best time. For elephant watching, the hotter months of March - April are excellent. The other water sources in the forest are low or dry and the elephant herds spend more time at the reservoir. With the grasses shorter, the other animals too are more easily seen. Winter: 150C Summer: 310C Mean annual rainfall is 2030 mm. The southwest monsoon lasts from June to August/September, with maximum rainfall in July-August. High rainfall also occurs during the northeast monsoon in September-October.