Periyar’s patch of jungle is essentially the alternative to the hustle and bustle of city traffic and chaos. The 305 square kilometer wildlife sanctuary consists mainly of reserved elephants and tigers. Most of it is dense forest, but that doesn't seem to trouble the visitors. As South India’s most famous reserve, Periyar is visited by thousands every year, most of whom are adventure seekers trying to get a glimpse of their first tiger or experiencing the thrill of jungle camping.

The reserve presents wonderful opportunities to walk along natural trails cutting across lush greenery. With the help of trained guides, visitors usually spot distinctive birds and many forms of rare plants, some of which are grown for medicinal purposes. The forest also features elevated grounds, lush valleys, and picturesque lakes, providing beautiful backdrops for photography. Apart from the thick forests and abundant wildlife, the hills are also home to plantations of cardamom, cinnamon, clove, ginger, nutmeg, tea, and coffee.

The stars of the reserve are the elephants and monkeys, plus a lot of deer. Rescued from other forests, they are released here, giving visitors a good chance of spotting them in the wild.

The park is managed well by the authorities. Since its start in 1895, with the construction of the Mullaperiyar Dam, many additions have taken place. The Periyar Lake Reserve was formed in 1899, followed by the formation of the Nellikkampatty Game Sanctuary in 1934 and the consolidation of Periyar as a wildlife sanctuary in 1950. In 1978, it was declared a tiger reserve, and in 1982, the core area was formally announced as a national park. The reserve was brought under Project Elephant in 1992, after which the India Eco Development Project was launched. It was later divided into Periyar East and Periyar West, and in 2007, an area of 150 square kilometers was added to the sanctuary. The latest addition was in 2011 when another 140 square kilometers were added to the reserve by the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests.

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