National park · India
Periyar National Park
Enter Periyar National Park for a day: take the guided nature walk (≈2 h) for INR 100–150 per person, or join the Periyar Tiger Trail (≈4 h) for INR 300–500; visit in the dry months (Jan–Mar, Oct–Dec) to avoid rain and crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
777 km² (300 sq mi)300 sq mi (777 km²)
approximate
Established
1978
Best months
Oct–Feb
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 777 km² (300 sq mi)300 sq mi (777 km²)
- Total protected area 777 km²; core national park zone about 350 km² (check).
- Established
- 1978
- Best months
- Oct–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
Periyar National Park, part of the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala's Western Ghats, protects a large tiger population, diverse megafauna, a scenic lake, and tribal cultural sites.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteTiger reserve and wildlife sanctuary
Size and age
777 km² (300 sq mi)300 sq mi (777 km²) · national park since 1978
Total protected area 777 km²; core national park zone about 350 km² (check).
Why go
- Large tiger population and other megafauna such as gaur and wild boar.
- Scenic lake and forest trails in the Western Ghats.
- Cultural experiences with tribal heritage and bamboo eco‑lodges.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry, low rain.
- FebCool, dry.
- MarStart of pre‑monsoon, still dry.
- AprIncreasing showers.
- MayEarly monsoon.
- JunHeavy rain, trails slippery.
- JulMonsoon peak.
- AugMonsoon peak.
- SepRain recedes, occasional showers.
- OctDry, pleasant.
- NovDry, cool.
- DecCool, dry.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TigerOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Gaur (Indian bison)Oct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Wild boarOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Leeches on long treksMay–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Kochi (Cochin) airport
Taxi or bus to Thekkady (≈4 h).
4–5 h
From Madurai (Tamil Nadu)
Bus to Kumily, then short taxi to Thekkady gate.
3–4 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Thekkady tourism zone | Gate, visitor centre, boat ramp, and short forest trails. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Core wildlife zone | Deeper forest, tiger trail, bamboo rafting area. | Guided access only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate, based on Thekkady gate and nearby landmarks.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (incl. bus to boat ramp) | INR 100–150 (≈ US$2) | person | Check latest rates at gate. |
| Guided nature walk (≈2 h) | INR 200–300 (≈ US$3–4) | person | Includes guide and bus. |
| Periyar Tiger Trail (≈4 h, includes camping) | INR 500–800 (≈ US$6–10) | person | — |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Guided trek permit permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ₹100–150≈ US$2
- ₹200–300≈ US$3–4
- ₹500–800≈ US$6–10
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Kerala Forest Department – Periyar Tiger Reserve before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for all treks beyond the short nature walk.
- Camping
- Allowed only in designated eco‑lodge areas; wild camping prohibited.
- Fire
- Open fires not allowed; use provided stoves.
- Vehicle access
- Private cars not permitted inside core zone; use park bus.
- Wildlife disturbance
- Do not feed or approach animals; maintain distance.
Where to stay
In the park
Bamboo Grove eco‑lodge
Simple cabins run by Kerala Forest Division, near the lake.
Near the park
Thekkady town hotels
Range of budget to mid‑range hotels 5–10 km (3.1–6.2 mi) from gate.Range of budget to mid‑range hotels 3.1–6.2 mi (5–10 km) from gate.
Safety
Heat and humidity medium
Leeches on forest trails low
Monsoon flash floods high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor centre and short nature walk are wheelchair‑friendly with paved paths.
- Longer treks and bamboo rafting have uneven terrain; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use park‑approved transport; private vehicles prohibited.
- Support eco‑lodge and local homestays.
- Do not purchase illegal wildlife souvenirs.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Periyar National Park?
Entry tickets cost INR 100–150 per person and include the bus to the boat ramp; guided walks add INR 200–300, longer treks INR 500–800.
What are the best hikes in Periyar National Park?
The short guided nature walk (≈2 h) is easy and good for wildlife spotting; the Periyar Tiger Trail (≈4–5 h) offers deeper forest and optional night camping.
When is the best time to visit Periyar National Park?
Visit in the dry months Jan–Mar and Oct–Dec for clear trails and better wildlife visibility; avoid the monsoon June–September.
Can I drive my own car inside the park?
No. Private vehicles are not allowed beyond the gate; use the park bus or hire a guide‑provided vehicle.
Is camping allowed in the forest?
Camping is only permitted in designated eco‑lodge areas; wild camping is prohibited.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Periyar National Park
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