Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Thekkady

A testimony to nature's splendour and human innovation, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Periyar - an artificial lake. Here the high ranges of the Western Ghats are clothed in dense evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savannah grasslands. Below roam herds of elephants, sambar, tigers, gaurs, lion-tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs.

Apart from elephant rides, cruises on the lake and treks to the ruined
Mangaladevi temple - a beautiful old stone temple situated in the heart of the Thekkady forest, this sanctuary offers opportunity to watch and photograph wild elephants from close range.

Lake Palace and Aranya Nivas are options for stay set in the sylvan lakeside. The Lake Palace, a former summer retreat of the Maharaja of Travancore, is built on a small island accessible only by boat. Aranya Nivas(Jungle Retreat) a stone lodge with rubble masonry built in colonial style at the head of the lake is a premium property of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation.

The forests are tropical, a mixture of deciduous, semi-evergreen, and evergreen 'sholas', the last occurring in the moist valleys and characterised by tall trees and a closed canopy. The forests alternate with extensive patches of grasslands. Periyar's rich bird life includes the Giant Hornbill, Cormorant, Darter, Osprey and Racket-tailed Drongo. The Indian Python and King Cobra are among the reptilian fauna. Periyar has a few Nilgiri Tahr, good numbers of which may also be seen on a day excursion to nearby Eravikulam National Park near Munnar.