Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
3.5
Nature & Wildlife Areas
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6:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Monday
6:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday
6:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday
6:00 AM - 3:00 PM
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  • 1AussieAbroad
    Perth, Australia73 contributions
    Good and bad
    Be prepared for chaos at the ticket line before the park. Boat tour tickets (which you can buy online) and bus tickets are separate. You buy the bus ticket first, and then boat tickets at the dock within the park. There are plenty of boat tickets, even though people are rushing. There is a bit of waiting and crowds, and the monkeys will jump on you if you open your bag/have food. The people on the boat ride before us (1:30 session) came off unhappy and said it was boring (this was during the heat of the day when the animals are resting). I went on the 3:30 session and saw plenty of beautiful elephants, birds and deers. The guide told me that the first morning session is the best chance to see tigers. I went on the boat at the end of the dock, these ones seemed to have more western tourists, and life jackets were not compulsory. We seemed to have more space on the boat, and the guys working on the boat were wonderful, they even took my phone to get some great photos. In summary, it’s chaotic and you’re not guaranteed to see anything (that’s nature for you), but if you get lucky, it’s so so worth it! Tip: Take binoculars!!
    Visited February 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 13 February 2023
  • Steve M
    Auckland, New Zealand744 contributions
    Good for a walk not a boat ride
    We took both a boat ride and trek (2.5 hours) in the reserve. The boat trip in my opinion is a waste of time. Any wildlife you may happen to see will be at a considerable distance away. The trek however is accompanied by a guide who can help spot wildlife and also talk to native flora and fauna. For the walk they will advise you on appropriate dress and provide you with leggings to protect feet from leeches. Hiking boots aren't required, just good walking shoes.
    Visited January 2020
    Written 9 January 2020
  • Pradip B
    Kolkata (Calcutta), India880 contributions
    MOVING AROUND NOT ALLOWED (ON THE BOAT)
    It was a nice boat trip through the Waters in the morning hours. We could spot some animals at a distance, but the journey was enjoyable. We liked that the staff was very strict and ensured that everyone wore the Life-jackets and nobody was allowed to move around.
    Visited February 2020
    Written 8 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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3.5
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Excellent
280
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Average
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Poor
93
Terrible
66

MandM5960
Lancaster, UK456 contributions
Mar 2023
Have to say of all the Wildlife parks we’ve visited this was by far the worse, crammed on a boat with life jackets that restricted any movement was not our idea of a fun hour and a half. Wasn’t worth getting out of bed for.
Written 10 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

1AussieAbroad
Perth, Australia73 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
Be prepared for chaos at the ticket line before the park. Boat tour tickets (which you can buy online) and bus tickets are separate. You buy the bus ticket first, and then boat tickets at the dock within the park. There are plenty of boat tickets, even though people are rushing. There is a bit of waiting and crowds, and the monkeys will jump on you if you open your bag/have food. The people on the boat ride before us (1:30 session) came off unhappy and said it was boring (this was during the heat of the day when the animals are resting). I went on the 3:30 session and saw plenty of beautiful elephants, birds and deers. The guide told me that the first morning session is the best chance to see tigers. I went on the boat at the end of the dock, these ones seemed to have more western tourists, and life jackets were not compulsory. We seemed to have more space on the boat, and the guys working on the boat were wonderful, they even took my phone to get some great photos.

In summary, it’s chaotic and you’re not guaranteed to see anything (that’s nature for you), but if you get lucky, it’s so so worth it!

Tip: Take binoculars!!
Written 13 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Arvind Keith
Cypress, TX16 contributions
Jan 2023
To start with the lifejackets which are mandatory for all passengers were unfit for use.The fastening clips were missing,the reflective strips were missing on most jackets, and in some the seams were torn exposing the buoyancy material.
Clearly these have been not inspected for a long time and the lessons of the 2009 tragedy if any have been unlearnt and no safety culture exists.Saw a child without lifejacket and the staff don't wear them.
It was an overcrowded and unpleasant experience, and that no wildlife was sighted is nobody's fault.Would recommend giving this trip a miss.
Written 14 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Pradip B
Kolkata (Calcutta), India880 contributions
Feb 2020
It was a nice boat trip through the Waters in the morning hours. We could spot some animals at a distance, but the journey was enjoyable.

We liked that the staff was very strict and ensured that everyone wore the Life-jackets and nobody was allowed to move around.
Written 9 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

_ritamanning66
Ashby de la Zouch, UK167 contributions
Jan 2020
the boats were very busy and it was almost impossible to take photos. You are allocated a seat and there are 4 seats in a row so it is pot luck as to whether you have a good seat or not. A little disappointed although we did see a few animals at a distance
Written 25 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tarun Bansal
New Delhi, India6 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
It has a unique concept of Boat safari...u will love the ride....natural beauty...Amazing experience...could not see any animal but boat ride was awesome. Beautiful natural landscapes....worth it
Written 16 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

grubbytech
Basingstoke, UK283 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We took the boat trip this morning and it was a shitshow. It was noisy, people standing up and moving in front of us all the time, people not wearing life jackets and the crew did nothing to stop it. Clearly haven’t learnt from the disaster they had in 2009.
See my pictures for the evidence.
Written 8 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

andywendy h
New Zealand173 contributions
Nov 2019
We went for a Jungle Trek through the wildlife sanctuary . Our lovely local guide showed us Gaur, Malabar Squirrels, Jungle fowl, wild pigs, a Malabar Wolf Spider and some tiny bats. No tigers of course, we were on a walking tour and they are notoriously hard to find, even much further in to the park.
Written 19 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jaymallya Banerjee
Mumbai, India68 contributions
Dec 2019
I took the longest 12 hour jeep ride(only 30 vehicles allowed per day) in anticipation of the real wildlife encounter over and above the famous boat ride but unfortunately the day being the solar eclipse day had a hard luck as could not site any animals. The morning journey is a bit too long to enter the forest almost three hours and by the time you reach the forest its already noon and the changes of citing animals are very less. You have a wonderful and bumpy ride through very deep forest which is wonderful and very exciting. There are 4 dams which are really breathtaking views.
Written 19 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Muralikrishnan
3 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
A laid back, lush green forest close to human habitation. The boat ride in the jig saw puzzle shaped lake, is a must do activity. If you are lucky you get to see elephants Indian Gaur, otters, deer and wetland birds. The ever changing landscape enchants tourists during the hour long boat ride.
Kumily the town bordering the sanctuary has a variety of hotels, resorts and restaurants to suit every pocket. It is a good place to buy spices and visit spice gardens too. The weather is salubrious round the year.
Written 16 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Thekkady) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is open:
  • Sun - Sat 6:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.

We recommend booking Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 23 Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary tours on Tripadvisor

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