Discover Periyar National Park In Kerala!
The Periyar National Park, also known as the Periyar Tiger Reserve, is an incredible wildlife sanctuary located in the mountainous ranges of the Western Ghats, on the state borders of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
I spent half a day at the Periyar National Park and have put together this complete guide of everything you need to know before you go!
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HOW TO REACH PERIYAR NATIONAL PARK
The best way to reach Periyar National Park is by public bus. Daily buses operate from Kochi bus station to Thekkady, which is the nearest town to Periyar and the cost is 150 rupees for a journey time of around six hours.
I recommend spending at least one or two nights in Thekkady to experience the Periyar National Park Safari and visit nearby points of interest such as the spice and tea plantations.
Find All ∼ Hotels & Resorts in Thekkady
WHERE TO BOOK A PERIYAR NATIONAL PARK SAFARI
Periyar National Park Online Booking:
I highly recommend purchasing your entrance ticket to Periyar Tiger Reserve online in advance to guarantee the best possible rates.
The Periyar National Park entrance fee is 500 rupees which also includes the 90-minute boat safari on Periyar Lake.
Click Here to book online.
Periyar National Park Booking On Arrival:
If you don’t end up booking the Periyar Tiger Reserve online, there is an alternative option to pay at the main entrance to the park, however, this is more expensive and there is generally a long queue of people.
The entrance fee is the same as if you book online, 500 rupees, though be aware that there is an additional charge of 150 rupees for the Periyar Lake boating safari.
PERIYAR NATIONAL PARK TIMINGS
The Periyar Sanctuary is open 7 days a week, Monday to Sunday from 6:30 am to 4:00 pm.
The Periyar Lake boating times are 7:30 am and 3:30 pm.
It’s best to arrive thirty minutes before the boat safari is scheduled for departure and the Periyar boating duration is 1.5 hours.
Hidden Money Belt: I never go on a trip without one! The best thing is they are always out of sight, hidden beneath your clothing. With RFID blocking, they are perfectly designed to keep your credit cards, cash and other valuables safe when you’re out adventuring!
Entrance to Periyar Tiger Reserve
Periyar National Park
WHAT TO EXPECT AT PERIYAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Thekkady is most popular for its many tigers and elephants that roam freely inside the park.
Apart from these two majestic creatures, the park is also frequented by sambar deer, leopards, otters, Indian bison and countless species of birds.
So yes, I guess now you can start getting excited for your incoming Periyar Wildlife Safari!
There are many activities to experience once inside the Periyar Sanctuary such as boating, nature walks, trekking, night scouting, border hiking, bamboo rafting and camping.
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Sambar deer at Periyar National Park
Mirror-like reflections on Periyar Lake
A bird taking flight in the Periyar Sanctuary
PERIYAR NATIONAL PARK
My friends and I opted to do the Lake Periyar Boating Safari and it was an adventure I will never forget.
We arrived early at Periyar National Park to make the first voyage out on to the lake at 7:30am. The sun had just risen and the light was perfect for taking photos.
We boarded the boat and took off ever so slowly out on to Periyar Lake to begin the safari.
There was not a single gust of wind as we cruised across the mirror-like lake and the reflections were the most phenomenal reflections I have ever seen!
During the boat trip, we spotted many species of birds, my favorite being the kingfisher, herds of deer, a group of otters and bulbous bison.
Unfortunately for us, we didn’t have much luck sighting any elephants or tigers, nevertheless, the 1.5 hour boat safari was an unforgettable experience and I enjoyed every minute!
Tip: Get your hands on a pair of binoculars before the Periyar Safari. They can be rented from the ticket office at the main entrance and they’ll better your chances of spotting some tigers and elephants.
Find All ∼ Hotels & Resorts in Thekkady
Periyar Lake Boating Safari
Insane reflections on Periyar Lake
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN THEKKADY
Thekkady has hundreds of accommodations to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of my personal favourite places to stay in Thekkady to suit budget backpackers and luxury travellers. See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: Spice Village CGH Earth
Mid Range: Elephant Court Thekkady
Budget: Ninja Homestay
For all other accommodations in Thekkady, Click Here to search on Booking.com
PERIYAR TIGER RESERVE LOCATION
MORE KERALA TRAVEL GUIDES
- Jadayu Para: Jadayu Para – World’s Largest Bird Statue
- Kerala Backwaters: Kerala Backwaters Tour
- Kochi: Best Things To Do In Kochi
- Munnar: Trekking In Munnar
- Periyar: Periyar National Park Safari
- Athirappilly: Athirappilly Falls
AIRBNB THEKADDY
Another option for accommodation in Thekkady is to stay at an Airbnb, which generally has some great deals!
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LONELY PLANET – INDIA
One of the best books to take on your trip is the Lonely Planet India Travel Guide!
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WHAT TO PACK FOR KERALA
Everyday Backpack: One of the best backpacks on the market! The Nomatic 20L Backpack is perfect for on the go adventures. Featuring multiple storage spaces for valuables, drink bottles, chargers, notebooks and more. This sleek backpack was designed for you.
Universal Power Adapter: Don’t leave home without one! I highly recommend getting this Universal Power Adapter so that you are able to charge all of your electronics when you’re on the road. Compatible in Asia, UK, Europe, Africa, USA, SA and Australia.
Hidden Money Belt: I never go on a trip without one! The best thing is they are always out of sight, hidden beneath your clothing. With RFID blocking, they are perfectly designed to keep your credit cards, cash and other valuables safe when you’re out adventuring!
Waterproof Phone Case: A waterproof phone case is a must-have item! This universal case will keep your phone safe from water damage, sand and scratches during your adventures. Suitable for all smartphone models.
Portable Charger: One of the best portable chargers on the market! The Anker Power Bank keeps your phone and accessories charged on those longer adventures. Featuring 2 USB charging ports, rechargeable battery, works with iPhone, iPad, Samsung, Oppo and Android.
Microfibre Travel Towel: To pack a towel or not to pack a towel? A standard bathroom towel can take up a lot of space in your travel bag. Get your hands on a quick-dry Microfibre Travel Towel which is perfect for the beach, backpacking, camping and general traveling.
Rain Jacket: A light-weight rain jacket is an absolute must when traveling! North Face waterproof rain jackets come in both men and women sizes, featuring a breathable mesh lining and adjustable hood that can be tucked away inside the collar.
Kindle: The best alternative for books! Kindle e-readers are perfect for long haul flights, reading on the beach or a quiet evening away from the bars. Kindle’s are waterproof with rechargeable batteries and adjustable light settings to suit indoor/outdoor conditions.
Packing Cubes: My favorite item in my backpack! Perfect for organizing your shirts, pants, jackets, socks, underwear and more. This 5 Set Packing Cubes makes packing easier and more efficient, adding extra space in your bag for your next trip.
Activated Charcoal Tablets: Want to avoid food poisoning? Most of us have been a victim of travelers diarrhea from eating street food. Organic Activated Charcoal Tablets are fast-acting and will rid your system of the bad bacteria that causes stomach upset.
MY CAMERA GEAR
Everyday Camera: The most affordable mirrorless camera on the market! I personally use the Sony A7ii Mirrorless Camera on all of my adventures. It’s compact, lightweight and super easy to use for all levels of photography. A 28-70mm Sony lens is also included.
Drone Camera: Take your photography to new heights! The DJI Mavic Pro 2 Drone is at the top of the game when it comes to high-quality images and video, easy to control functions and traveler-friendly capabilities. I guarantee you won’t regret purchasing one.
GoPro Hero 8: One of the most popular cameras on the planet! I love using the GoPro Hero 8 for all of my underwater shots and fast-paced adventures. The GoPro Hero 8 captures the best moments with its wide range of functions that are very simple to use!
Camera Bag: My favorite camera bag I have ever owned! The Lowepro Protactic 450 AW II Camera Bag features a waterproof rain cover, drink bottle holder, padded compartments for cameras, drones, lenses, accessories and it also has a laptop pocket.
Selfie Stick: Everyone loves a good selfie, right!? The Sandmarc Metal Edition Selfie Stick is sleek, stylish and can extend to 1.2m. I find it much easier to take photos and videos with the GoPro when it is mounted to the Sandmarc Selfie Stick!
Camera Tripod: The Joby GorillaPod is suitable for all cameras. This tripod is easy to use and perfect for setting up a time-lapse video or even using it as a selfie stick. The legs are flexible so you can wrap it around a tree or a pole to get creative with your shot.
GoPro Dome: Have you ever wanted to capture those under/over water shots with the GoPro? This epic underwater GoPro dome housing is the best camera accessory to have to create the perfect 50/50 shot. I use mine every time I am in the ocean!
Memory Card: The best thing about SanDisk Extreme Pro is that it delivers maximum speed for images and videos. Having 64GB of storage means that you can store hundreds of files on this SD card for 2-3 days and not have to worry about running out of space.
External Hard Drive: As a photographer, my images and video files take up a lot of space on my MacBook so I use the WD Elements External Hard Drive to store everything. With 4TB worth of storage space, this is more than enough for 1 years worth of content.
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MY SHOP
Before you go, don’t forget to check out My Online Shop!
I’ve got a wide range of digital products for sale and I’m sure you’ll find something that will come in handy during your travels!
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FINAL THOUGHTS OF PERIYAR NATIONAL PARK SAFARI
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions about the Periyar National Park Safari, please leave me a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can!
Happy Adventuring!
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