Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary - Boating and Wildlife in Thekkady

Thekkady, KeralaWILDLIFE

Explore this famous sanctuary in Thekkady with its unique boat safari on Periyar Lake, offering chances to see wild elephants, deer, gaur, and diverse birdlife.

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WILDLIFE

Info

Half day (3-4 hours)

Accessibility

Not Wheelchair Friendly

Parking

No Parking

Photography

No Photography

About the Destination

Overview

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Thekkady, is one of South India's most significant protected areas, centered around a large artificial lake created by the Mullaperiyar Dam. The experience here is unique because the primary mode of wildlife viewing is by boat. Visitors take a 90-minute boat safari on Periyar Lake, which winds through the submerged tree stumps and forested hillsides of the Western Ghats. From the boat, you have a good chance of spotting herds of wild elephants, sambar deer, gaur (Indian bison), and wild boars that come to the water's edge to drink.

Contact Information

Phone: +91-4869-224571

Email: info@periyartigerreserve.org

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Location & Address

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

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Best Time to Visit

The ideal time to visit is from September to March when the weather is cool and pleasant. The post-monsoon period leaves the forest lush and green. The summer months of April and May can be hot, but they are also a good time for wildlife sightings as animals frequently visit the lake to cool off and drink water. The monsoon season, from June to August, experiences heavy rainfall which might disrupt boat safaris and other activities.
Peak Crowd: December-January, weekends, and public holidays due to pleasant weather and holiday season. April-May also sees high family crowds during school vacations.
Moderate Crowd: September-November and February-March on weekdays.
Low Crowd: June-August during the monsoon season due to heavy rainfall.

How to Reach

Air

Cochin International Airport (COK) is the nearest airport, located about 155 km away (a 4-5 hour drive). Madurai Airport (IXM) in Tamil Nadu is another option, approximately 140 km away (a 3-4 hour drive).

Train

The nearest major railway station is Kottayam (KTYM), about 110 km away. From Kottayam, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Thekkady, which takes around 3-4 hours.

Road

Thekkady is easily accessible by road from major cities in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. National Highway 183 connects Thekkady to other towns. Regular state-run and private buses operate from Kottayam, Kochi, and Madurai.

Local Transport

Within Thekkady and the adjacent town of Kumily, auto-rickshaws and taxis are readily available. Many hotels and spice gardens are accessible on foot. Jeeps can also be hired for local sightseeing tours.