Kerala backwaters and Periyar

Schuurman · Jul 8th, 2009, 02:31

We intend to travel to Alleppey for a backwatercruise and from thereon via Kumurakom to Periyar NP. My Q would be is there a bus from Kumarakom to Periyar? Also i would like some tips for hotels in Allepey and Periyar, although for the last i tend to go to Periyar house inside the park. Since we are europeans and have no experience in traveling to Asia i am loking for some good advice.

SitaParityaga · Jul 8th, 2009, 10:45

I did the same trip a few years ago. Started out on a backwaters boat trip from Allepeppy, ended in Kumurakom.

I took a car from Kumurakom to Periyar. There are many hotel choices outside of the park. Travelers I spoke to who stayed in the park didn't like it so much because it was isolated, and not very good for the money. Just outside the park, where the majority of people stay, there are many good choices. I liked this place Very easy to get to the park, but also easy to walk around in the little town.

Schuurman · Jul 8th, 2009, 12:06

Thanks SitaPartyaga,

I will checkout the hotels outisde the park, did you take a tour through the park?? We would like to see the elephants but i know it's monsoontime still in august...
Do you also have a tip for Alleppey?

ninadum · Jul 8th, 2009, 15:28

Dear Schuurman,

There are some nice hotels in and around Alleppey. I suggest you take a car from Alleppey to Periyar. There are many good and affordable hotels outside the sanctuary. There is one more place you can cover on the way from Periyar to Cochin (via Munnar) which is Thattekad Bird Sanctuary which is located around 60 kms. from Cochin. This is a great place and you can actually view many species of birds in this sanctuary. There is also a very good resort in the proximity of this sanctuary.

snonymous · Jul 8th, 2009, 21:37

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Periyar House hotel in May last year. Admittedly the food [dinner] was not particularly tasty. You could also try the Ambadi which is moderately priced and located just outside the sanctuary.

Schuurman · Jul 9th, 2009, 12:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by snonymous

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Periyar House hotel in May last year. Admittedly the food [dinner] was not particularly tasty. You could also try the Ambadi which is moderately priced and located just outside the sanctuary.

Look like the site contains a lot of nature stories. I'll check it out thanks!!
Do you know how nice the park is in august? Any specialties for the time of the year?

snonymous · Jul 9th, 2009, 12:52

[quote=Schuurman;763489].....
Do you know how nice the park is in august? Any specialties for the time of the year?[/QUOTE]

Lets be realistic Schuurman, in August all of Kerala including Periyar will be at its lushest green with dense monsoon foliage.

In these circumstances, wildlife sightings will obviously not be optimal, and also the animals do not need to come out from the deep jungle for water when it is all around them.

Your best bet will be to take the first morning boat ride when you should [90%] sight at least elephants, bisons, wild boars, sambars and maybe otters.

Most likely, you will also see plenty of Nilgiri langurs [black monkeys] and Malabar Giant Squirrels on the trees along the road going from the entrance gate to the jetty.

For sure, in August, you will see the whole array of Western Ghats butterflies, the largest - Southern Birdwing and second largest - Blue Mormon, Red Helen, Paris Peacock etc are abundant in Periyar. Also plenty of pretty wildflowers, some quite rare and unique. All in all, except for the leeches [which come with the territory] it will be a wonderful experience.

I am sure you will have a most rewarding visit. Enjoy your stay and do post your feed back.

kenneyjacob · Jul 9th, 2009, 14:17

This will be useful for you.

http://www.ktdc.com/Periyar.htm

Its from the kerala tourism development corporation

Schuurman · Jul 10th, 2009, 03:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by snonymous

[
Lets be realistic Schuurman, in August all of Kerala including Periyar will be at its lushest green with dense monsoon foliage.

In these circumstances, wildlife sightings will obviously not be optimal, and also the animals do not need to come out from the deep jungle for water when it is all around them.

Your best bet will be to take the first morning boat ride when you should [90%] sight at least elephants, bisons, wild boars, sambars and maybe otters.

Most likely, you will also see plenty of Nilgiri langurs [black monkeys] and Malabar Giant Squirrels on the trees along the road going from the entrance gate to the jetty.

For sure, in August, you will see the whole array of Western Ghats butterflies, the largest - Southern Birdwing and second largest - Blue Mormon, Red Helen, Paris Peacock etc are abundant in Periyar. Also plenty of pretty wildflowers, some quite rare and unique. All in all, except for the leeches [which come with the territory] it will be a wonderful experience.

Surely as europeans we'll go for the elephants, but also butterflies and flowers will do

You make me want to go tomorrow and leave everything as it is!

Thanks Snonymous, i'll surely post photo's etc. I really liked reading your articles.

vandy · Jul 10th, 2009, 06:45

Hi there,

If you are interested in an Amazing experience with Elephants, Try and get to Kodanand Elephant
Training centre and help wash an elephant or two
down by the river.It's about an hours drive in car
from Cochin and happens in the mornings around 8am

rgds

vandy

kenneyjacob · Jul 10th, 2009, 12:25

If you categorize elephant washing activity, which category does it fit ?

Adventure or Fun ?

Jul 8th, 2009, 02:31	#1
Schuurman Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Netherlands Posts: 5	Kerala backwaters and Periyar We intend to travel to Alleppey for a backwatercruise and from thereon via Kumurakom to Periyar NP. My Q would be is there a bus from Kumarakom to Periyar? Also i would like some tips for hotels in Allepey and Periyar, although for the last i tend to go to Periyar house inside the park. Since we are europeans and have no experience in traveling to Asia i am loking for some good advice.

Jul 8th, 2009, 10:45	#2
SitaParityaga member in the forest Join Date: May 2003 Location: California Posts: 1,146	Welcome to IM I did the same trip a few years ago. Started out on a backwaters boat trip from Allepeppy, ended in Kumurakom. I took a car from Kumurakom to Periyar. There are many hotel choices outside of the park. Travelers I spoke to who stayed in the park didn't like it so much because it was isolated, and not very good for the money. Just outside the park, where the majority of people stay, there are many good choices. I liked this place Very easy to get to the park, but also easy to walk around in the little town.

Jul 8th, 2009, 12:06	#3
Schuurman Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Netherlands Posts: 5	Periyar Thanks SitaPartyaga, I will checkout the hotels outisde the park, did you take a tour through the park?? We would like to see the elephants but i know it's monsoontime still in august... Do you also have a tip for Alleppey?

Jul 8th, 2009, 15:28	#4
ninadum Account Closed Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pune Posts: 5	Dear Schuurman, There are some nice hotels in and around Alleppey. I suggest you take a car from Alleppey to Periyar. There are many good and affordable hotels outside the sanctuary. There is one more place you can cover on the way from Periyar to Cochin (via Munnar) which is Thattekad Bird Sanctuary which is located around 60 kms. from Cochin. This is a great place and you can actually view many species of birds in this sanctuary. There is also a very good resort in the proximity of this sanctuary. Last edited by Kingstonian : Jul 15th, 2009 at 19:17.

Jul 8th, 2009, 21:37	#5
snonymous xxx Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,749	We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Periyar House hotel in May last year. Admittedly the food [dinner] was not particularly tasty. You could also try the Ambadi which is moderately priced and located just outside the sanctuary. __________________ Some of My Tall Tales at http://www.travelpod.com/members/indianature My Flickr photos at http://www.flickr.com/groups/snonymous/

Jul 9th, 2009, 12:52	#7
snonymous xxx Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,749	[quote=Schuurman;763489]..... Do you know how nice the park is in august? Any specialties for the time of the year?[/QUOTE] Lets be realistic Schuurman, in August all of Kerala including Periyar will be at its lushest green with dense monsoon foliage. In these circumstances, wildlife sightings will obviously not be optimal, and also the animals do not need to come out from the deep jungle for water when it is all around them. Your best bet will be to take the first morning boat ride when you should [90%] sight at least elephants, bisons, wild boars, sambars and maybe otters. Most likely, you will also see plenty of Nilgiri langurs [black monkeys] and Malabar Giant Squirrels on the trees along the road going from the entrance gate to the jetty. For sure, in August, you will see the whole array of Western Ghats butterflies, the largest - Southern Birdwing and second largest - Blue Mormon, Red Helen, Paris Peacock etc are abundant in Periyar. Also plenty of pretty wildflowers, some quite rare and unique. All in all, except for the leeches [which come with the territory] it will be a wonderful experience. I am sure you will have a most rewarding visit. Enjoy your stay and do post your feed back.

Jul 9th, 2009, 14:17	#8
kenneyjacob Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Kerala Posts: 137	This will be useful for you. http://www.ktdc.com/Periyar.htm Its from the kerala tourism development corporation __________________ Chowara Beach, Trivandum Kerala Ponmudi Hill Station, Trivandrum Kerala

Jul 10th, 2009, 06:45	#10
vandy Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: perth-australia Posts: 1,148	Hi there, If you are interested in an Amazing experience with Elephants, Try and get to Kodanand Elephant Training centre and help wash an elephant or two down by the river.It's about an hours drive in car from Cochin and happens in the mornings around 8am rgds vandy Attached Thumbnails

Jul 10th, 2009, 12:25	#11
kenneyjacob Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Kerala Posts: 137	If you categorize elephant washing activity, which category does it fit ? Adventure or Fun ?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Kerala Backwaters-No B.S.	blondie07	Kerala	32	Apr 22nd, 2008 15:33
Backwaters of Kerala - please advise	Tiny Bubbles	Kerala	10	Sep 4th, 2005 21:42
Backwaters in Kerala	ladyjane56	India Travel Partners	5	Jun 22nd, 2003 16:15