First boat on Periyar Lake
The boats leave from the Thekkady boat landing, inside the reserve, reached by a short shuttle from the entrance gate. The cruise follows the lake's winding arms for about 90 minutes, past the dead trunks of trees drowned when the dam was built in 1895, and back. The first departure, around 7.30 am, has the calmest water and the most animal activity, and the light on the mist is at its best.
From the deck you scan the banks with binoculars. Elephant herds are often seen grazing or crossing between the hills, and gaur, India's wild cattle, graze on the open meadows at the water's edge. Sambar deer, wild boar and otters are frequent. Birds include darters drying their wings, cormorants, kingfishers and the occasional fish eagle. In the dry season from February to May, animals visit the lake more often.
The boats are run by the forest department and the state tourism corporation and can be busy, especially at weekends. We secure tickets for the first departure and seats on the upper deck where possible. Boat schedules, ticketing and safety rules change, so check current status before you travel. If you want a quieter experience of the water, bamboo rafting is the better choice.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
What are the Periyar boat timings?
There are usually five departures a day, starting around 7.30 am, with the last in mid-afternoon. Each cruise lasts about 90 minutes. Tickets are sold online and at the counter in limited numbers, and the first and last departures sell out fastest. Check current status before you travel, as timings and booking rules change.
Will we see elephants on the Periyar boat?
Often, but not always. Elephant herds are seen on many cruises, especially in the dry months from February to May when they come to the lake to drink. Gaur, sambar and water birds are seen almost daily. Bring binoculars, as animals are often a few hundred metres away on the shore.
Is the Periyar boat cruise good for seniors?
Yes. It is the easiest way to see the reserve, with seated boats and no walking beyond the short path to the landing. A shuttle bus runs from the entrance gate to the jetty. The boats can be crowded, so we reserve seats on the first departure, when it is quieter and cooler.
Also in Thekkady (Periyar)
More hours to plan around
