Periyar 'Wildlife' Sanctuary
Trip Start
Apr 02, 2009
1
44
52
Trip End
Sep 10, 2009
Kumily, Kerala, India
Saturday, August 15, 2009
The town itself is pretty compact, with pleasant roads lined with guesthouses (all gov. approved) and the odd gem of a restaurant. Aside from that the usual load of souvenir orientated stalls and shops fill other roads leading from the bus station all the way to the entrance to its biggest draw, the neighbouring Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.
We visited here the second day, but sadly lost the first half of the day amidst the usual confusion of crowds, miscommunication and unecessary queueing. Luckily we got 2 spots on the smaller of the two boating options, for a trip around the lake which fills a big chunk of the other-wise jungle-filled national park. It is a beautiful place; a vast landscape, that you could easily imagine to be placed in Africa as much as here. As far as wildlife goes, we only caught glimpes of wild boar, deer, birdlife and some thieving monkeys around the tourist information area.
The highlight for us of this area was going on a Tusker Trail. We were taken to a elephant sanctuary, where we took a 30 minute ride through the jungle, passing peppercorn and cardomon plants. The Mahut (elephant trainer) then showed us some of his vocal and touch commands on the elephant (called Lakhi), before we had the fantastic privelege of washing and scrubbing the elephant as she lay on her side. She seemed to be relaxed by it, and it was memorable for us except that we were standing in piles of palm leaves which were a haven for flies and mosquitos, so we paid for that later, in bites.
