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86%
4.17 

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Guaranteed Wildlife sightings
Mar 19, 2008 10:56 AM 8815 Views
(Updated Nov 04, 2008 02:42 PM)

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Periyar Sanctuary  periyartigerreserve.org  is in my opinion, the best  run wildlife sanctuary in the country.


We went there from Cochin.  If coming by air, it is better to hire a cab and proceed directly from the airport via Idduki.  If coming from Ernakulam, the route is via Kanjirapalli.  Many tours combine this with Munnar.


Hotels are available at all budgets in Kumily, just outside the sanctuary, and there are several inside as well.  We stayed at the Tamil Nadu Irrigation Dept. bungalow inside.   The cook looked after us very well, rather too well for our ever increasing girths!   We saw Giant malabar flying squirrels lolling on the tree tops just outside our room!  They are very very cute, with large bushy tails.


As recommended by everyone, we took the first i.e. 7am boat ride in the upper deck.  You will have to book this in advance [thru yr hotel]  in tourist season as the first boat is heavily sought after.  The boat takes you on a slow ride around the lake.  As we walked to the jetty, we saw some more Malabar giant squirrels and some huge butterflies including Troides Minos - S. Birdwing, the largest Indian butterfly.  I have lost count of how many elephants, wild boar and deer we saw during the short boat ride!  Not to mention the plethora of birds including to my delight, the pied kingfisher which I had only seen in books earlier.


After the boat ride we proceeded to the information centre and to our excitement, spotted yet another herd of elephants on the opposite bank.   From the info centre we engaged a local tribal guide and went on a jungle hike.  Within the first half hour we spotted yet some more Squirrels, Lion tailed macaques, Nilgiri langurs, spotted deer, barking deer, sambar, huge elephant dung droppings, Malabar Hornbills and the best was a Racket tail drongo who flew repeately past our faces, trying to protect its baby who had fallen out of its nest.  Not to mention huge butterflies like the blue helen and some more birdwings, malabar peacocks etc.   The tribal guide was fantastic, he sensed the presence of wildlife several minutes before we actually spotted them, and encouraged by our own enthusiasm he took extra efforts with us.  We were very reluctant to have to finish this walk after a few hours, but we had already arranged for our return taxi to Cochin with a flight to catch that evening.


I have promised myself to go to Periyar again and spend at least 5 days there.  Even in the height of summer, it is pleasant due to the altitude and dense jungle.  The forest department is doing a brilliant job in cooperation with the tourist dept.  Only drawback is to control littering tourists.  Visits to spice plantations outside the sanctuary are also recommended for those who have not seen these before.


I highly recommed Periyar Sanctuary for anyone who wants to see wildlife, especially for children who will be fascinated and will develop an interest in nature with just one trip here.  Summer is best for wildlife sightings.  As usual carry a bamboo stick, sturdy shoes, hat and Odomos!


NEW:  We returned again in May 2008 this time staying at the Periyar House hotel inside the sanctuary.  We enjoyed the whole day Bamboo rafting programme and saw lots of wildlife, including on the road outside our hotel in the evenings.  The highlight was a sighting of the rare Nilgiri Marten high up on a tree, while rambling on our own along a trail leading off the main road!  We got excellent photos as well.


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