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In the reserve, you may chance upon the enchanting flying squirrels, herds of elephants or even the tiger. The sighting of birds like the malabar pied hornbill or the crested serpent eagle or even butterflies like the Malabar tree nymph are a delight for the tourist.
The journey from Periyar to Munnar takes you through rough mountain roads, passing through the caradamom plantations. On the mountains of Munnar, you can witness the peaceful world of the shola-grasslands at over 7000 feet.
The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary at Thekkady is one of the country's major sanctuaries. The drive to Thekkady is enchanting as the road winds through tranquil countryside, rich plantations and thick jungles. The artificial Periyar lake, which encircles the wildlife areas, adds beauty to the sanctuary. Other than elephants, the other animals seen in the Periyar sanctuary are Gaur, Wild Pigs, Sambar, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Dole or Indian Wild Dog and very rarely, a Tiger. The rare lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri Langur, Common Langur and Bonnet Macaque are also seen. The sanctuary is the habitat of the elusive Nilgiri Tahr, which is facing extinction and is rarely seen. The animals, water and land birds can be seen from the boats available at the lake. The best season to visit Periyar wildlife sanctuary is from the months of October and June.
The nearest airports are at Kochi (Cochin), 200 km away or at Madurai in Tamil Nadu, 140 km away. The nearest railway station is at Kottayam, 114 km away from Periyar.
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