wildlife • 3,000 ft
Location
Thekkady, Kerala
Altitude
3,000 ft
Best Time
October to April
Visiting Hours
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Boat safari timings: 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:15 AM, 1:45 PM, 3:30 PM)
Entry Fee
₹45 for Adults, ₹150 for Boat Safari (Optional Paid)
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the misty hills of Thekkady, is one of India's premier tiger and elephant reserves. Set around a scenic, artificial lake created by the Mullaperiyar Dam, the sanctuary features dense evergreen and deciduous forests. The highlight is the boat safari on the lake, where visitors can spot herds of wild elephants, bison, wild boars, sambar deer, and a variety of water birds along the lake shores. It offers a unique opportunity to view wildlife in their natural habitat from the safety of a boat.
Maintain absolute silence during the boat safari to avoid scaring away the wild animals
Do not stand up, lean over, or shift weight suddenly on the boat; sit in your assigned seats
Do not litter plastic in the forest or lake water; it is a protected reserve
Wear muted, earthy-colored clothing (greens, browns) to blend into the forest environment
While Periyar is a tiger reserve, tiger sightings are rare due to the dense forest canopy, though elephant and bison sightings are highly common during the boat cruise.
It is highly recommended to book the boat tickets online in advance via the Kerala Forest Department portal, as spot booking queues are long.
Join our curated Spiti expeditions to explore this magical place and many others.
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