Periyar Tiger Reserve

Periyar Tiger Reserve (Project Tiger) · Thekkady, Kerala

A tiger reserve in the Western Ghats of Kerala, around a large reservoir created in 1895 by the Mullaperiyar dam, and one of the most visited wildlife areas in south India. The classic visit is a boat safari on the lake, where the drowned trees still stand in the water and elephants, gaur, sambar and wild boar come down to drink on the banks. Tigers live here but are rarely seen. The reserve pioneered community-based tourism: former poachers and forest villagers now lead guided nature walks, bamboo rafting, overnight treks and border hikes, which get closer to the forest than the boats do. The town at the gate, Thekkady, and its neighbour Kumily are full of spice shops, plantation tours, homestays and Kathakali and martial arts shows, and the surrounding hills grow cardamom, pepper and tea. It is usually combined with Munnar and the backwaters on a Kerala circuit. The boats are run by the state and seats sell out in season, and the best wildlife viewing is on the first boat of the morning.

Thekkady, Kumily, Thekkady, Kerala, 685536, India

NO OPENING TIME HERE WAS CHECKED. The usual pattern: the reserve gate opens early in the morning, around 6 am, and closes around 5 to 6 pm. Boats run in fixed slots of roughly 1.5 hours from about 7.30 am to the late afternoon, commonly around 7.30, 9.30, 11.15, 1.45 and 3.30. Nature walks start early morning and afternoon; rafting and hikes start at dawn. Boats and treks can be suspended in heavy monsoon rain or during rare closures. THE TRAPS: arriving without an online boat booking in season and finding every slot sold, and taking a midday boat when the animals are in the shade. Confirm times and bookings before travelling.

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