Set high in the ranges of the Western Ghats is the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve. This Sanctuary is one of the 16 Project Tiger Reserves in India located in the Cardamom Hill Ranges in the southernmost part of Western Ghats in Kerala.

Periyar has a picturesque lake at the heart of the sanctuary formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River, adding to the charm of the Park. The construction of this dam in 1895 resulted in the adjoining forests being granted protection by the Maharaja of Travancore. This is the only sanctuary in India where you can have the unique experience of viewing wildlife at close quarters from the safety of a boat on the lake.

The greatest attraction of Periyar are the herds of wild elephants that come down to the play in the lake. Apart from Elephants, the other animals to be seen in the Periyar sanctuary are gaur, wild pigs, sambar, barking deer, mouse deer, Indian wild dog and very rarely, a tiger. There are, now, an estimated 40 tigers here. Four species of primates are found at Periyar - the rare lion-tailed macaque, the nilgiri langur, common langur and bonnet macaque. Periyar also happens to be the habitat of the elusive nilgiri tahr, which is rarely to be seen.

The birdlife comprises of darters, cormorants, kingfishers, the great Malabar hornbill and racket-tailed drongoes. The reptilian population boasts of monitor lizards that can be spotted basking in the sun, on the rocks along the lakeshore. Visitors who trek into the Periyar national park often see a python and sometimes even a king cobra.

In the lap of the mountains, the Periyar wildlife sanctuary's environ is like a canvas of many shades. The fresh air of the moist deciduous forest gives you an experience of peace and serenity and long to return for more.