Periyar Sanctuary Travel Guide

Non residents can eat in the restaurant.

The buffet offers a wide selection of dishes, both hot and cold. Vegetarian/ non-vegetarian,Western and local foods provide a variety of tastes.

Tribal dishes are a speciality, and there's also a grill area as well as licensed bar.

During the meal you may be entertained by traditional Keralan or Tamil musicians, singers and/ or dancers.

Tables and chairs are situated either inside or on the terrace overlooking the attractive gardens.

Favorite Dish: I couldn't really pick a favourite dish, I enjoyed trying a variety of foods during my 2 night stay.

However, I really enjoyed my breakfast after the early morning boat ride around Periyar!

Again theres an excellent buffet spread with choice from full English/Continental Western style with freshly baked breads and pastries/ fruit/ yogurt etc to Keralan fare of pancakes (aappams and dosas) and cakes (idlis) served with spicy sauces.

The New Years Eve buffet was a feast for the eyes, with carved fruit and veg imaginatively displayed.

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lourdes church at thekkady is one of the many found all over kerala.similarly temples and mosques too abound.

kerala is a land of plurarism.be it in nature sea montains and rivers beaches and hill stations.

pluralism in faiths jews christians hindus and muslims.

proximity to the sea brought many a people to this gods own country and religions spread especially in the last 4 centuries. surprisingly christianity was the last to arrive.

old jewish settlements and synagogue in kochi bear testament to the times gone by.

tolerance and peaceful coexistence is the hallmark of the people of kerala.by virtue of this and hard work people of kerala have done exceedingly well in other parts of country as all over the world.

Periyar is South Indias most popular Wildlife sanctuary.

Promoted as home to tigers and elephants etc.

Please be aware that sightings of the tigers are extremally rare, and there is a good chance that you won't see any wildlife.

Also, an admission ticket to the park doesn't guarantee a place on the boat trip.

As part of an organised tour, we missed out on our "allotted" boat, but did get places on another one after a short wait, and some hustling by our guide!

Charter boats are available for small groups.

You need to buy an extra ticket from the Wildlife Info Centre, if you're using a video camera, apparently this is strictly monitored, so even if you've taken your place on the boat, you will be sent back to pay!

Unique Suggestions: Be prepared to enjoy the 2 hour boat ride, and the surrounding scenery as a relaxing experience, if you see animals it's a bonus!

It may be possible to book in advance for a boat seat for the afternoon trip, by booking in the morning.

Luggage and bags: Small knapsack/camera case

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: A lightweight jacket/ fleece it can be a bit chilly on the water early morning.
Sunglasses. hat etc, as the sun breaks through it soon gets hot.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: sun protection
insect repellent

Photo Equipment: lots of film! batteries etc....IF you do spot a tiger, it would be a shame for your film/battery to run out! Spare SD card
Wide angle/ long range lens.

However we were lucky enough to be close enough to the elephants to get decent pics with a basic disposable camera!

Miscellaneous: Binoculars, although I think these can be hired at the entrance.

Drinks in 'Sigg' bottle or similar - plastic bottles are discouraged - just look for the piles of these strewn in most beauty spots around Kerala

Snacks, organised trips usually set out before breakfast.