The Periyar National Park

As one of the most bio-diverse regions in the world and India’s best-protected reserve, the Periyar National park occupies an international significance and should be one of your main Thekkady sightseeing spots.

The Periyar National Park is 257 square miles of serenity, calm and bliss interrupted only by the chirping of its many birds and the sounds of animals going about their day. There are many ways to observe its abundant plant and animal life, which includes tigers, elephants, wild boar, sambal and langurs. This is home for around 50 animal species! And this is one of the few places on earth where so many tigers still exist.

For plant lovers, there are about 2000 flowering plants. They include about 170 species of grass and a 140 species of orchids alone! The park is also home to the only South Indian conifer.

For birders, there are a total of 300 species of birds along with the migrant ones. Commonly spotted are water birds, woodpeckers, kingfishers, cormorants and passerines. Most of all, The Great Pied Hornbill and the Ceylon Frogmouth. The black necked stork, the Forest Eagle Owl and the Nilgiri Thrush also can be spotted here.

You can go glide over the river in a bamboo boat. You can take a jeep or an elephant safari. You could go tiger trekking with tribal locals. You can even trek along the tiger trail in this vast, dense deciduous forest with Forest Department officials who can help you spot different species and teach you about their natural trails, habits and watering places.

If you are young or reasonably fit, we recommend you try all of the above, because no Thekkady sightseeing is complete without paying homage to this rare, raw and beautiful animal kingdom.