Periyar National Park
Built around the man-made Periyar Lake in the Cardamom Hills of Kerala, this park is famous for its boat safaris offering close wildlife encounters. One of India's best-managed tiger and elephant reserves.
Area (km²)
350
Established
1982
District
Idukki
Nearest City
Thekkady
Quick Facts
Periyar Lake was created by the Mullaperiyar Dam in 1895 and forms the scenic heart of the park.
The park is one of the few places in India where guided night wildlife treks are permitted.
Periyar has an award-winning ecotourism program run by former poachers turned conservationists.
The Cardamom Hills surrounding the park are one of the world's most biodiverse regions.
Habitat & Best Time to Visit
Habitat Types
Best Time to Visit
Oct – May
Boat safaris on Periyar Lake are available year-round but are best October to May.
Designations
Gates & Safari Zones
Thekkady
Zone Core
Main entry; boat safaris on Periyar Lake.
Mullakkudam
Zone Buffer
Vallakkadavu
Zone Buffer
Golden Mahseer
Tor putitora
Tiger
Panthera tigris
Sloth Bear
Melursus ursinus
Sambar Deer
Rusa unicolor
King Cobra
Ophiophagus hannah
Smooth-coated Otter
Lutrogale perspicillata
Fishing Cat
Prionailurus viverrinus
Mugger Crocodile
Crocodylus palustris
Indian Rock Python
Python molurus
Red Junglefowl
Gallus gallus
Leopard
Panthera pardus
Asian Elephant
Elephas maximus
Dhole
Cuon alpinus