Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerla

Periyar waters in the early morning


Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Kerla is a heaven for the nature lover.The reserve has a plenty of variety of flora and fauna to admire.It is about 5 hrs drive from Ernakulam (Kochi).Also state transport buses are avilable from Ernakulam.If you are travelling from Tamilnadu, then you may travel to Kumaly.Infact Thekady(Kerla) and Kumaly(Tamilnadu) are almost the same town with only a nominal barrier check-post inbetween them.
Being a famous tourist spot , PTR has a plenty of tourist lodges,tourist homes , hotels and restaurants which will siut for all budgets.The forest department operates a boat ride on the Periyar river .Ticket rates for the boat ride are

The banks if Periyar river


medium.The boat ride lasts for about an hour and tourists have to watch the wildlife onboard.Guide services on this forest department run boat services are almost nil.However private boat rides can be arranged.
Also full day jeep-safaris are available.Rates for this service is quite higher.
Although named as a Tiger reserve, Tiger population is quite less at this place . Onboard the boat , there are hardly any chances to spot a tiger.Generally spotted animals are wild elephants,sambar deers, otters, wild buffaloes, wild boars etc.Commonly spotted birds are Cormorants,Kingfishers, Snake or Darter
birds,Osprey,Pond herons etc.
The way to boat jetty

Other activities :
Visit the wax-museum in Thekady.
Also spice gardens are worth a visit.
Martial arts shows and Kathakali dance shows are available in the evenings.

Important note :
Tourist services in Thekady , focuses on foreign tourists and as such it is a costly place for an average Indian Tourist.Don't forget to make a detailed search and bargain for various tourist services.















The magical fog on the Periyar waters
















Sambar deers
































A wild elephant































Wild Buffaloes grazing far away



















A wild boar
































Otter
































Egret






















Kingfisher

















Darter or Snake bird




























Great Cormorant


















Snake bird



















Nest of a Great Cormorant


















A Kingfisher


















Osprey













































Snake bird