Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in the Pathanamthitta and Idukki districts of Kerala state. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is the largest Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala.
Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for elephants and Indian tigers. Periyar Tiger Reserve is part of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. This is an animal conservation project to save Bengal Tigers and is called Project Tiger.
There is a boat safari facility inside Thekkady Lake, which offers memorable moments like the sighting of wild elephants playing in the lake and the spotting of many other wild animals. You come across many big stumps (bottom part of trees with no trunks) inside this magnificent lake surrounded by thick forests.
Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is part of the Western ghats along the Kerala – Tamilnadu state borders.
Periyar National Park is rich in Flora and Fauna. Periyar National Park cum Wildlife Sanctuary is covered by evergreen and semi-evergreen rainforests. 62 species of mammals, including endangered species and threatened species, are found here. Many reptiles, birds, insects, etc, are found here.
Eravikulam National Park is a nearby park where Varayadu or Nilgiri Tahr can be sighted. NeelaKurinji, a flowering plant which flowers every 12 years, can also be found here. It flowered last in 2006.
How Do I Go to Thekkady Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary?
The most convenient entry point to Thekkady Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is Kumily Town, on the Kottayam – Kumily road (K.K. Road). This road goes further to Kumbam, Theni, Dindigul, Trichy, and other towns of Tamilnadu.
Kottayam railway station is the nearest railway station to Thekkady at 110 kilometers. Cochin and Madurai airports are the nearest airports at around 140 kilometers distance from Tkekkedy Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park.
Good Hotels in Thekkady Near Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary
The Lake Palace Hotel on an island inside the Periyar Lake offers you the ultimate comforts, romance, and adventure. This property was the erstwhile summer retreat of the Kings of the princely state of Travancore. Entry to this hotel is allowed only between 6 am and 5 pm.
Periyar House is a budget jungle hotel owned by Kerala Tourism Development Corporation Limited (KTDC), a Kerala state government enterprise. It is on the banks of the Periyar Lake and offers a vantage point for you to watch the wildlife. The tariff varies from Rs 2500 to 4000 from June to September 2023 and 3000 – 5000 from 1st October 2023 to 19th December & 6th Jan 2024 to March 2024. For Yearend and New Year rates, please email centralreservations@ktdc.com.
There are many other hotels in Thekkady in Kumuly town and suburbs. Carmelia Haven Resort Vandanmedu is an excellent three-star resort with a treetop house near Thekkady (1-hour drive on your way to Munnar). Niraamaya Retreats Cardamom Club is one of the good resorts in Thekkady at Kumily.
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