All You Need to Know for A Trip to Periyar Sanctuary in Kerala

There are several jungle resorts near Periyar National Park where you can stay, and many jeep and elephant safaris you can take to see the jungle in its glory. There are several trekking programs Periyar National Park too, offering travellers a chance at birdwatching, observing the flora and catching a glimpse of exotic wildlife. However, there is one activity that elevates the experience of Periyar National Park manifold. A boat safari! This is a great option for viewing the diverse wildlife that Periyar sanctuary offers in a unique manner.

Periyar Boat Safari

Periyar boat safari is a two-hour long boating trip organised by Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, in the artificial lake of Periyar National Park. It is a great way to see the wildlife, especially in the hot months of March and April, as the animals come to the lake frequently to drink water. A herd of elephants or a wandering family of deer are common sights near the lake inside Periyar National Park. Other than that herds of sambar, wild boars and gaur can also be spotted in the adjacent grasslands. A variety of avian fauna such as darters, egrets and kingfishers can be seen resting on dead tree trunks that stick out over the lake. During the boat ride, there is also a high probability of observing the antics of the smooth Indian otter.

How to book a safari at Periyar sanctuary

There are two options to book the boat safari – Periyar National Park online booking via the Kerala Tourism website here or on the spot at the ticketing counter in Periyar National Park. There are multiple safaris throughout the day and each one lasts for about 90 minutes.

Timings: 7.30 am, 9.30am, 11.15am, 1.45pm and 3.30pm

Price: ₹225/- for adults and ₹75/- for children

If you are booking it on the spot, you can buy the ticket only 90 minutes before the ride. This means that for the 3.3opm ride, you can only buy tickets from 2pm onwards and you need to purchase the tickets for the 7.30am ride a day in advance. Also, for on the spot purchases, you need to fill up a form with all personal details, and submit it along with the money.

Best Time To Visit Periyar National Park

The best time to visit Periyar National Park is between October and February. However, the animals, especially elephants and deer can be easily spotted during the hot months of March and April too. Also, Periyar National Park is one of those few wildlife reserves that is open during the monsoon as well, and while animal sightings can be rare at this time, Periyar National Park's boat ride experience is still surreal.

How to reach Periyar National Park

Worried about where is Periyar National Park and how difficult it is to get there? It is situated in a very accessible corner of Kerala that you can reach easily. Here’s how –

By air: The nearest domestic airport is in Madurai (140km away) and the nearest international airport is in Kochi (146km away). From the airport you can either take a bus or choose to drive down.

By train: The railway station nearest to Periyar National Park is Kottayam (114km from Periyar) and there are regular trains from Kochi, Bangalore and Mumbai to Kottayam.

By road: The well-established road network in Kerala and other major cities in south India makes it easy to reach Periyar by road. Regular buses ply from the cities of Kochi (200km), Kottayam (117km), and Madurai (140km) to reach Periyar National Park.

Best hotels and resorts in Periyar National Park

Kumily is the closest town and home to a growing strip of hotels, homestays, spice shops, chocolate shops and Kashmiri emporiums. The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) runs three popular hotels within the boundaries of the park – Lake Palace (₹10,000 per night), Aranya Nivas (₹3,500 per night) and Periyar House (₹2,000 per night). Other than these, there are plenty of stay options in Kumily and nearby places –

Spice Village - CGH Earth starting from ₹14,000 per night.

Forest Canopy starting from ₹9,000 per night.

Kairali Palace Home Stay starting from ₹1,500 per night.

Periyar National Park, Kerala – In a Nutshell

One of the topmost biodiversity hotspots in the country is Periyar sanctuary, Kerala. Beautiful sights amidst lush greenery, a serene secluded environment and the famous thrilling Periyar National Park safari – there is so much on offer here that you will not have a dull moment. Keep the following things in mind while planning a trip to Periyar National Park.

Periyar National Park timings: Open on all days, 6 am to 7 pm.

Periyar National Park entry fee: Rs.25 for adults and Rs.5 for children.

Periyar sanctuary is your best chance of viewing wild elephants, walking in large herds, from a safe distance.

So go for this adventure right away and once you are back, share your experience right here on Tripoto!

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