Periyar National Park: A Detailed Travel Guide

The Periyar National Park is compiled of a number of exotic and amazing plants and trees. There are a number of tropical evergreen and grasslands, lake and river ecosystems, moist deciduous forests, and stands of eucalyptus. Other than this, there are a number of flowering plants which constitute of about 1717 species of grass, and orchids of about 140 species.

The forests usually have semi-evergreen trees and deciduous trees like rosewood, sandalwood, mangoes, jamun, sacred fig, kino tree, south Indian conifer, teak, tamarind, jacarandas, banyans, plumerias, bamboos, terminalias, Nageia wallichiana, medicinal gloriosa lily, and many other endemic flowers including Syzygium periyarensis and Habenaria periyarensis. 

There is also a lot of agricultural growth in the area and also in surroundings with plantations of a lot of corps which include coffee, tea, cardamom, and much more. There is a lot of grass as well which is found in the open grasslands and is usually found on the edges of the various lakes and rivers in the park.

This vegetation is resistant to fire and dense which is quite suitably grown for elephants. That terms for a common dining hall for all kinds of herbivores.

There are around 35 species of mammals in this park out of which a lot of the animals are threatened species. There is an elephant reserve and also a tiger reserve. There are 35 Bengal tigers along with a few white tigers. Some of the other mammals which are found in the park are jungle cat, Indian giant squirrel, wild pig, sambar, Stripe-necked Mongoose, Nilgiri tahr, sloth bear, gaur, Salim Ali's fruit bat, Nilgiri marten, and many more.

There are about 26 species of birds as well. some of them are migrants as well. there are a lot of endemic birds which include the Malabar grey hornbill, blue-winged parakeet, crimson backed sunbird, blue flycatcher, Nilgiri wood pigeon, white-bellied flycatcher, black baza, Nilgiri thrush, spot-bellied eagle owl, and many more exotic birds including SriLanka frogmouth, little spider hunt, Brahminy kite, oriental darter, great hornbill, and many more. other than that, there are 16 butterfly species and also 13 new bird species have been introduced lately.

There are almost 45 reptile species which include 13 lizard species, two turtle species, and almost 30 snake species. The various snakes include striped coral snake, king cobra, and also Malabar pit viper. There are 40 species of fish including barb, channa barb, trout, Latia, and Travancore loach. Last but not least, there are amphibians which include Asian toad, bicolored frog, Malabar gliding frog, and fungoid frog.

When you tour around the Periyar National Park, you will smell a very attractive scent in the air. Probably this scent is of the various spices which have been planted in the park in a specific area. There are a lot of spices which have been planted there including pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, voles, and many more.

The best part is that you can also buy yourself a lot of these spices as well when you are on the tour in the park. These spices are some of the finest in the entire country and also contribute a major production portion of spices of the state if cereal.

So, make sure you buy all the good ones. There are innumerable species of flora and fauna found in the park as well. we have listed out the best ones for you which you must surely take a look at in the national park once you are there.

This tea factory is about 40 years old and has been operating since. There is a one-hour guided tour provided to all the visitors and tourists who wish to see the factory and around. There are a lot of hills of tea plantations which are present around the tea factory which makes it easy for the factory to ring about aw material.

Not just locally, but this tea factory is quite renowned all around the country. A bus ride will also take you to the factory which is located up the hills.

Winters are the best time to visit the place because the temperature at that time is quite cool and pleasant. During monsoon, there is quite a lot of humidity and traveling around for outdoor locations is not a great idea. Summers are very hot here so avoid going in this season.

The best and the easiest way to reach the park is to take the bus service unless you have a personal conveyance. If you are a tourist then go for the bus service which can be availed from Cochin and also Thiruvananthapuram.

You can also take the rain junction which is Kottayam. With that said, Periyar National Park is one of the best attractions to see and witness when you are on vacation. Do not miss out on it and have fun while you explore the best of nature!