PERIYAR TIGER RESERVE

Periyar is an elephant paradise. The wild herds have made Lake Periyar their favorite place to frolic in the water. Many of them bathe and swim here. Indian elephants don't have tusks like their African relatives, and they're not as dark in color. Other inhabitants of Periyar include leopard, wild dog, deer, Nilgiri langur, sambar, porcupine, squirrel, gaur (Indian bison), wild boar and bear. According to the latest reports, there are around 40 tigers in the area. Tigers, like Nilgiri tahr (a type of wild goat), are elusive creatures. However, an early morning outing, with a little luck on your side, could prove fruitful. Among the rocky hinges along the lake, monitor lizards can be seen. Trekkers have also spotted pythons, king cobras and flying lizards. Around 260 bird species can be found in Periyar: cormorants, ibises, grey herons, woodpeckers, kingfishers, thrushes and many blue-winged parakeets. March and April are the driest months of the year, when the animals spend most of their time near the lake. Special permission is required to go by boat to the source of the artificial lake, the Periyar River. This area is not usually open to tourists, but it is a favorite haunt of the bear. In this relatively peaceful part of the forest, there's also a good chance of spotting a tiger...

You can form a group and go on an excursion with local guides. Don't forget to bring comfortable shoes for your nature walks, as well as warm, waterproof clothing. Unfortunately, guides are not very talkative and explain very little. Prices for activities have gone up, but the services on offer are relatively poor. The walks inside the reserve could be interesting, but the guides' lack of involvement and professionalism sometimes spoil the experience. The whole site is poorly managed by the tourism department.

Tickets for 2-hour boat trips: 225 Rs (departures at 7.30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11.30 a.m., 1.30 p.m. and 3.30 p.m.). The best way to get a first impression of the park's geography. The 7 a.m. departure gives you the best chance of spotting animals on the shores of the lake. You can choose between KDTC boats (small ones are recommended) and Forest Department boats.

Ticket for a 3-hour forest walk: between 7 and 10.30 a.m. and from 2 to 2.30 p.m.: minimum Rs. 1,600 (4 people), Rs. 400 per person.

Border Hiking ticket: 9-hour trek in the park: Rs 4,000 for 2 people, maximum 10 people.

Bamboo Rafting ticket : visit the park on land and water, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Rs 2,900 per person (minimum cost is Rs 5,800 if you're on your own).

Jungle Scout ticket : night observation tour: rs 1,500 per person (minimum 2 people).

Periyar Tiger Trail : 2 days' trekking and one night's camping (or 3 days and two nights), in groups of up to 5 tourists: from Rs 10,000 to 15,000 per person.

Tribal Dance" ticket : daily from 6 to 7 p.m.: Rs. 300.

To these exorbitant prices must of course be added the park entrance fee of Rs. 500 for foreigners, compared with Rs. 45 for Indian citizens.