Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, Idukki, Kerala India

Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in the districts of Idukki and Pathanamthitta in Kerala, south India. It is notable as an elephant reserve and a tiger reserve. Periyar wildlife sanctuary is located in the hills of the Western Ghats spreading over an area of 675 sqkm. With its geomorphology, wildlife, beautiful landscape and the picturesque Periyar lake within, the sanctuary is a major tourism center in Kerala and attracts a very large number of tourists each year.

The wildlife of Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary include elephants, Sambars, tigers, gaurs, lion tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs. So far 320 species of birds have been counted in the Sanctuary. The bird life of Periyar includes darters, cormorants, kingfishers, the great Malabar hornbill and racket-tailed Drongos.

Apart from Birds and animals the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary houses 45 different kinds of reptile in the protected area out of which there are 30 snake, two turtle, and 13 lizard species.

Besides elephant rides, cruises on the lake as well as trekking for the ruined Mangaladevi temple - a wonderful ancient stone temple located in heart of Thekkady forest; this sanctuary provides the exclusive chance to observe as well as photograph wild elephants in close quarters.

The luxurious artificial lake formed by Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River enhances the charm of this park. Furthermore this is really the only sanctuary in India where you are able to have the exclusive experience of watching wildlife at close quarters from the protection of a boat in the lake. The best feature of Periyar, though the herds of wild elephants that come down to play in the lake.