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Elephants at Periyar |
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Periyar in the Southern most state of Kerala , is one of the
sixteen Project Tiger reserves in India, and one of the most
picturesque and beautiful wildlife sanctuaries in the world. With
its waterways, forests and grasslands, it provides a magnificent
venue for both mammal and bird watching. Despite the destruction of
much of the lowland forest within the reserve as a result of the
construction of a dam across the Periyar River in 1895, its 777
square kilometres provide a haven for a wide range of
mammals,including Tiger, Elephant, Gaur, Sloth bear, Leopard, Dhole,
and Nilgiri Langur. Periyar National Park also has a rich and varied bird
fauna and we will be hoping to see several of the species found only
in southern India and Sri Lanka, such as Grey Junglefowl, Malabar
Grey Hornbill, Malabar Parakeet, White-cheeked Barbet,
Crimsonfronted Barbet, Black-headed Cuckoo-Shrike, Heart-Spotted
Woodpecker, Rufous Babbler, White-bellied Blue Flycatcher,
Rufous-tailed Flycatcher, Ruby-throated Bulbul and White-bellied
Treepie.
Game viewing in Periyar National Park is done on Boats. The boat journeys provide
unrivalled opportunities for observing mammals, particularly
Elephant, at close range. Other mammals in abundance in Periyar National Park
include Sambar, Nilgiri Langur, Malabar Giant Squirrel,
Three-striped Palm Squirrel and Bonnet Macaque. Tiger sightings are
relatively rare in Periyar, since game viewing is by boat and the
big cats have sufficient cover to hide themselves. Another
interesting activity in Periyar National Park is guided Jungle treks that are
possible late night.
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Tiger at Periyar |
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Game rides in Periyar National Park
Game rides in Periyar National Park are conducted by boat. It is also possible
to take guided Jungle walks.
Visiting Periyar
The National Park is open all year round. The winter months from October to
February are exceedingly pleasant, and considered the best time to
go.The summer, from March to May , though it may be pretty hot, is a
great time to see wildlife.
Getting to Periyar
Periyar is located about 200 kms/4 hours away from Cochin.
