It is the largest and best known wildlife protected area of Kerala. The royal family of Travancore, anxious to preserve favourite hunting grounds from the encroachment of tea plantations, declared it as a forest reserve in 1899.They built the Edapalayam Lake Palace to accommodate their guests which is today run by the KTDC as the Lake Palace Heritage Resort. In 1933 Mr. S. C. H. Robinson was appointed the first game warden and based on his recommendations in 1934, the Nellikkampatty wildlife sanctuary was formed, the first of its kind in Kerala. It assumed a new identity as Periyar wildlife sanctuary in 1950 when areas like Mount plateau and Ratendon valley were added to the Periyar lake reserve. In 1978 Periyar was declared a tiger reserve under Project Tiger. Sadly, this magnificent beast could face extinction within the coming decades.The population is indicated by counting the pug marks which are unique to each animal. Visitors, if lucky may spot a fleeting glimpse of the exotic animal, especially in the dry season when the drought forces them to prowl to the lake shores. According to recent reports, the estimated population of tigers here is between 35 to 40.

It is the largest and best known wildlife protected area of Kerala. The royal family of Travancore, anxious to preserve favourite hunting grounds from the encroachment of tea plantations, declared it as a forest reserve in 1899.They built the Edapalayam Lake Palace to accommodate their guests which is today run by the KTDC as the Lake Palace Heritage Resort. In 1933 Mr. S. C. H. Robinson was appointed the first game warden and based on his recommendations in 1934, the Nellikkampatty wildlife sanctuary was formed, the first of its kind in Kerala. It assumed a new identity as Periyar wildlife sanctuary in 1950 when areas like Mount plateau and Ratendon valley were added to the Periyar lake reserve. In 1978 Periyar was declared a tiger reserve under Project Tiger. Sadly, this magnificent beast could face extinction within the coming decades.The population is indicated by counting the pug marks which are unique to each animal. Visitors, if lucky may spot a fleeting glimpse of the exotic animal, especially in the dry season when the drought forces them to prowl to the lake shores. According to recent reports, the estimated population of tigers here is between 35 to 40.

By Air: The Cochin International Airport is 185 kms away but the nearest airport is in Madurai in Tamil Nadu which is just 114 kms away. By Rail: The nearest railway station is Kottayam 114 kms away. By Road: It is easily acessible from the major towns of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.Bus services to Kumily are available from all major cities of Kerala as well as Tamil Nadu.

Nearest airport : Madurai - 140 km , Cochin - 185 km
Nearest railway : Kottayam - 114 km
Nearby tourist place :
Nearest major towns : Kumily - 4 km

By Air: The Cochin International Airport is 185 kms away but the nearest airport is in Madurai in Tamil Nadu which is just 114 kms away. By Rail: The nearest railway station is Kottayam 114 kms away. By Road: It is easily acessible from the major towns of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.Bus services to Kumily are available from all major cities of Kerala as well as Tamil Nadu.

It occupies an area of 777 sq km which is demarcated into core, buffer and tourist zones. The inner deep forest of 350 sq km occupies the core area. The buffer zone is also inaccessible to tourists and has tribal settlements. The tourist zone is the area accessible to casual visitors and is the area surrounding the lake. The forests are tropical, a mixture of deciduous, semi-evergreen, and evergreens, the last occurring in the moist valleys and characterised by tall trees and a closed canopy. The forests alternate with extensive patches of grasslands.

It occupies an area of 777 sq km which is demarcated into core, buffer and tourist zones. The inner deep forest of 350 sq km occupies the core area. The buffer zone is also inaccessible to tourists and has tribal settlements. The tourist zone is the area accessible to casual visitors and is the area surrounding the lake. The forests are tropical, a mixture of deciduous, semi-evergreen, and evergreens, the last occurring in the moist valleys and characterised by tall trees and a closed canopy. The forests alternate with extensive patches of grasslands.

*Travel in groups. *Always hire a guide for trekking and other adventure activities. * Ensure safety measures of the boat before undertaking the boat ride

*Travel in groups. *Always hire a guide for trekking and other adventure activities. * Ensure safety measures of the boat before undertaking the boat ride

The Periyar Tiger Reserve

The Periyar Tiger Reserve

September.March

September.March