| shola forest or wading into a lake is going
to be no less than seeing the African elephant in the Masai Mara grasslands. There are
more than 700 of these large grey animals that have for a long time been a symbol of
Indian exotica. Over a 100 species of butterfly and at least 240 species of birds
inhabit the area. Around the park are some interesting
aromatic spice gardens. Many have good guides who’ll tell you about the medicinal
value of each spice and maybe startle you with how much of the research is millennia old.
Entry
Requirements
Entry permits to visit Periyar are available at the Wildlife
Information Centre (near the boat jetty) in Thekkady. For foreigners, the permit costs Rs
50, and it’s valid for five days. Charges for guided tours of the sanctuary and for
boat trips, are extra.
Access
The nearest airport is not in Kerala but at Madurai (140 km) in Tamil Nadu. In Kerala,
Thekkady is closest to the Kochi international airport (190 km). The nearest railhead is
Kottayam from where it takes about 4 hours by bus, marginally lesser by car. Buses to
Periyar usually originate and terminate at Aranya Nivas, a posh hotel inside the Park.
They do halt briefly at the town of Kumily, just outside Periyar. The sanctuary is very
well connected by bus to many towns in Kerala and neighbouring Tamil Nadu. There are bus
connections from Ernakulam (6 hours), Kottayam (4 hours), Trivandrum (8 hours), Kovalam (9
hours), Munnar (4 ½ hours) and Kodaikanal (6 hours).
Jeep and
elephant safaris are also a good perch from where to view the animal world. A little
‘encouragement’ from you would probably take the mahout off the beaten path to
more rewarding locations. If you are staying outside the park then a rented bike or local
bus will take you to the park’s entrance. Most visitors tour the park on the two-hour
boat rides around Periyar Lake. Rather than the larger sized public boats, which
proportionately dim your chances of actually seeing game, go for a smaller private boat,
which would correspondingly tilt the odds in your favour. Early morning and dusk are the
best times for wildlife. In the afternoons they all tend to disappear into the shade of
the thick forests.
A morning
‘trek’ is another great way of doing some serious game watching. A knowledgeable
guide will take you to all the hot spots and point out anything interesting like pug marks
(if you are really lucky) or chital droppings. Some hotels offer more serious treks into
the forest that a keen enthusiast will enjoy.
Best
time to visit
The tourist season is from September
to May and particularly the Christmas - New Year holidays.
From February onwards it starts getting warmer and though this could be distinctly
uncomfortable, it has its benefits. The animals are easiest to spot now as elephant and
chital (spotted deer) alike flock to the waterholes. Avoid weekends when the park can get
quite full with people looking for a daylong getaway.
Accommodation
and other facilities
There are enough possibilities to
suit different budget requirements both inside and outside the park. The entire gamut from
cheap basic to expensive luxury will present itself before you. Inside the park it is also
possible to stay in the very rudimentary set up of the observation tower or
‘machaan’ (like the hunters would in earlier days). This gives you a very good
chance at game spotting. Be sure to carry bedding and food, and mosquito repellent or you
might find it easier to stay up than you thought! Also carry sturdy and comfortable shoes
for your nature walk, dull clothes, some warm and waterproof clothing, and mosquito
repellent. Cameras and camcorders too are allowed into the park but the latter has to be
accounted for with a ticket.
There are
several restaurants outside the park including some fairly posh ones with great food and
ambience. Inside the park it’s a different matter altogether. The Rest Houses provide
you with a cook but carry your own supplies. If you’re camping out on the observation
tower the entire bedding and eating arrangement has to be yours.
Accommodation tariffs in Periyar range from Rs 150 a night (in the
state run guest house) to a steep Rs 7000 a night in the luxurious Lake Palace resort.
Further information on the sanctuary can be obtained from the Wildlife
Preservation Officer, Aranya Nivas, Thekkady. Arrangements for boat trips and elephant
rides within the sanctuary can also be made at Aranya Nivas (a KTDC hotel), by contacting
the manager. |
