Periyar Lake - Wildlife Boat Safari in Thekkady

Thekkady, KeralaLAKE

The central feature of Periyar Tiger Reserve, this artificial lake is famous for its scenic boat safaris offering opportunities to spot elephants and other wildlife.

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Info

LAKE

Info

Half day (3-4 hours)

Accessibility

Not Wheelchair Friendly

Parking

No Parking

Photography

No Photography

About the Destination

Overview

Periyar Lake is an artificial reservoir at the heart of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Created by the Mullaperiyar Dam in 1895, the lake is the primary water source for the region's wildlife, making it a focal point for animal sightings. The main visitor activity here is the boat safari, operated by the Kerala Forest Department and KTDC. These boat journeys last about 90 minutes and provide a unique perspective of the forest.

Contact Information

Phone: +91-4869-224571

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Location & Address

Periyar Tiger Reserve, Thekkady, Idukki District, Kerala 685536, Periyar Tiger Reserve, Thekkady, Kerala, India

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Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit is from September to March when the weather is cool and pleasant. The post-monsoon period leaves the forests green and vibrant. Summer months, from April to May, are hot but can offer increased wildlife sightings as animals gather at the lake. The monsoon season, from June to August, sees heavy rainfall which might disrupt boat services, but the landscape is exceptionally lush during this time.
Peak Crowd: December-January, long weekends, and during festivals like Onam and Christmas. School holiday period from April-May also sees high footfall.
Moderate Crowd: September-November and February-March, particularly on weekdays.
Low Crowd: Monsoon season from June to August due to heavy rains.

How to Reach

Air

Madurai Airport (IXM) in Tamil Nadu is the nearest, located about 140 km away (3-4 hours by road). Cochin International Airport (COK) in Kerala is about 190 km away (4-5 hours by road).

Train

The nearest major railway station is Kottayam (KTYM), approximately 114 km away. Taxis and buses are readily available from the station to Thekkady.

Road

Thekkady (Kumily) is well-connected by a network of state and national highways. Regular bus services are available from cities like Kottayam, Kochi, Trivandrum, and Madurai.

Local Transport

Within Thekkady and Kumily, auto-rickshaws and taxis are the primary modes of transport to get to the entrance of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Private vehicles have restricted access inside the reserve.