India Tourism | Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

The Periyar wildlife Sanctuary at Thekkady is an important tourist attraction. It is situated on the Periyar lake in the hills of Western ghats and is the finest sanctuary for viewing & photographing Indian wild elephants.

Altitude: 900 m to 2000 metres
Temperature (°C):
Summer: Max 29, Min 18
Winter: Max 21, Min 15.5
Rainfall: 203 cms (June to October)
Best Season: September to May

How to get there

	Air: Nearest airport is Madurai, 140 kms connected by Indian Airlines flights with Madras, Trichy & Bangalore. Vayudoot services also connects Madurai with Chennai (Madras) & Pondicherry.
	Rail: Nearest railhead is Bodinayakanur 67 kms but however Kottayam (114 kms) is the convenient railhead.
	Road: By road Periyar to Cochin 190 kms, Idikki 66 kms, Kodaikanal 160 kms, Madurai 145 kms, Munnar 113 kms, Thiruvananthapuram 272 kms, Kottayam 114 kms.
	Local Transport: Regular buses connect Periyar to Cochin, Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam & Madurai.

What to see

Indian Wild Elephants, Sambar, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Tigers, Panthers, Wild Gogs, Bison, Spotted deerLeopard, Musk deer.

Sightseeing in the Sanctuary

Wildlife can be seen in its natural habitat by cruising on the lake in motorboats. Elephant rides & motorboats can be arranged through:-

1) The Manager, Aranya Niwas Hotel, Thekkady.
2) Assistant Wildlife Preservation Officer, Thekkady

Excursions

The following picnic spots are approachable by motor launch or bridge path in the forest

Arubi creek (16 kms)
Crusoe Island (19 kms)
Manakkavala (10 kms)
Mullakudy (29 kms)
Pavarasu (19 kms)
Periyar Dam (12 kms)
Thannikudy (38 kms)
Peermade (40 kms)
Permission from the Superintendent P.W.D., Periyar Dam, Thekkady is necessaryto see the Periyar Dam. No entrance fee.

The Region