In addition to elephant rides, cruises on the lake and treks to the ruined Mangala Devi temple - a beautiful old stone temple situated in the heart of the Thekkady forest, this sanctuary offers the unique opportunity to watch  and photograph wild elephants at close quarters

The splendid artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River adds to the charm of the park.  Facilities are available for cruising in this lake. This is the only sanctuary in India where you can have the unique experience of viewing wildlife at close quarters from the safety of  a boat on the lake.  The greatest attraction of Periyar, however are the herds of wild elephants that come down to the play in the lake

Wild animals seen here include elephants, bisons, sambar, monkeys and wild bear. Fortunate visitors can have a glimpse of the tigers foraging in this area. However on sunny summer days one can see herds of wild elephants bathing in the lake.  Bisons are a wary and hardy lot and usually never allow any intruder to approach them and the sound of the motor boats scare them away. But a keen animal lover can stay in one of the few observation towers for a couple of days and luck will surely come his way

Some of the famous tea gardens are located around this place.  Periyar Wildlife sanctuary extends an invitation to identify oneself with Nature. Here, the melody is set to the whistle of the crickets and the chirp of wild birds. Dark and deep forests with springs trickling down rocky crevices, falling steep into unfathomed chasms and rivulets flowing past rare flora and fauna, is indeed an idyllic setting to set oneself free of all fetters, understand, feel and perhaps realize, the beauty, power and glory of life