Periyar is the reserve that put Kerala on the wildlife map. In 1895 British engineers dammed the Periyar river at Mullaperiyar to send water east to the dry plains of Madurai, and the valley behind the dam flooded into a long, many-armed lake. The forest around it was protected as a sanctuary in the 1930s and became a tiger reserve in 1978. Today it covers about 925 km² of the Cardamom and Pandalam hills.
Visitors enter at Thekkady, the boat landing, 4 km from the town of Kumily. The dead trunks of the drowned forest still stand in the water, and herds of elephants, gaur (Indian bison), sambar deer and wild boar come down to the grassy shores. Tigers and leopards are here but are very rarely seen — come for the elephants, the birds and the setting.
Top things to do at Periyar Tiger Reserve
Take the boat safari
The standard way to see the reserve is a boat trip of about an hour and a half on the lake, run by the state tourism corporation (KTDC) and the Forest Department, with several departures a day from early morning to mid-afternoon. The first and last boats are best for wildlife. Tickets are limited and sell out in season — book online in advance where possible, or through a Thekkady day tour that includes the boat.
Go bamboo rafting
The best-loved of the Forest Department’s ecotourism programmes is a full-day outing, typically from about 08:00 to 17:00, that combines a forest walk with several hours of paddling on a bamboo raft, led by local guides and an armed forest guard. Groups are small and places are few; book ahead through the Periyar Tiger Reserve ecotourism office in Kumily or its official website.
Walk with a tribal guide
Shorter options include a guided nature walk of around three hours, the “green walk”, and the longer border hike along the ridge above Kumily. Many guides come from local forest communities, and some were once poachers — the programme was designed to give them a living from protecting the forest instead.
Stay for the night programmes
For keen wildlife travellers there are night patrol walks and the overnight Tiger Trail camping trek, when they are operating. Availability changes with the season and with forest-department rules, so check what is currently offered.
How to get to Periyar Tiger Reserve
- From Kochi: about 150–160 km, 4–5 hours by car via Kottayam or Thodupuzha to Kumily. From Kottayam railway station it is roughly 110 km.
- From Madurai: about 140 km, 3.5–4 hours via Theni and Cumbum to the border at Kumily.
- From Munnar: around 90–110 km depending on the route, 3–4 hours through cardamom country via Poopara and Nedumkandam.
- Locally: the reserve gate is at the edge of Kumily; the boat landing is about 4 km inside. Autorickshaws and park shuttle vehicles cover the stretch — private vehicle access rules change, so ask at the gate.
Insider tips
- Bring binoculars. From a boat, most animals are 50–200 m away.
- Wear dull colours and leech socks for forest walks in the wet months (guides usually provide the socks).
- Animals come to the water most in the dry months, roughly December to April. After good rain they have no need to.
- Avoid elephant rides and “elephant bathing” attractions outside the park if animal welfare matters to you.
Tours that include Periyar Tiger Reserve
These guided trips cover Periyar Tiger Reserve or combine easily with a visit:
Private day trip from US$252 Cochin: Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Safari with Boat Ride
A same-day trip from Kochi to Thekkady for travellers who cannot stay overnight: the drive up into the Cardamom Hills, a spice plantation visit and the boat ride on Periyar Lake, where elephants, gaur and deer come down to the water. Expect a lot of time on the road.
- Boat ride on Periyar Lake inside the tiger reserve
- Guided walk through a spice plantation
- Private car from Kochi with a meal included
Private tour from US$77 Wilderness & Culture: One-Day Tour of Thekkady with Jeep
A full Thekkady day put together for you: a jeep trip into the hill country, a spice plantation, the boat on Periyar Lake and a Kathakali performance in the evening. It saves arranging each piece yourself.
- Jeep ride through the hills around Thekkady
- Spice plantation visit and Periyar Lake boat ride
- Evening Kathakali dance performance
Private jeep tour from US$34 From Thekkady: Jeep Safari & Periyar National Park Visit
A flexible day out from Thekkady that mixes an off-road jeep drive and the Parunthumpara viewpoint with a tea factory, a spice plantation walk and boating on Periyar Lake. Shorter and longer versions are offered, so check which stops your option includes.
- Off-road jeep safari and the Parunthumpara viewpoint
- Tea factory visit and a spice plantation walk
- Boat ride on Periyar Lake
Multi-day tour Cochin: 5-Day Kerala Tour with Munnar, Thekkady and Alleppey
The classic Kerala loop in one booking: Kochi up to Munnar, across the high ranges to Thekkady, then down to the backwaters at Alleppey for a houseboat cruise. Several versions are sold on the same listing, so check what transport and accommodation your option includes.
- Munnar’s tea gardens and hill views
- Thekkady’s spice plantations
- Houseboat cruise on the Alleppey backwaters
