The most renowned destination in Kerala is the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary at Thekkady, one of southern India's major sanctuaries, covering an area of 777 sq km of lush green tropical forests and 26 sq km of artificial lake. Declared a tiger reserve in 1978, the sanctuary is also the natural habitat of the elephant, bison, spotted deer, sambar, bear, antelopes, reptiles etc. Colourful varieties of birds like the Malabar grey hornbill, grey jungle fowl and the jungle myna can be seen here; about 265 species, including migrants, can be spotted in the sanctuary. One even finds dedicated bird watchers settling in for one or two weeks of serious observations.
The sanctuary offers a different yet comfortable way of seeing animals via boat rides on the man-made lake, which the wildlife areas encircle. The area around Thekkady is ideal for trekking while the drive to Thekkady itself is enchanting as the road winds through tranquil countryside, rich plantations and thick jungles.  

The sanctuary offers a lovely and comfortable way to see the animals via boat rides on the man-made lake, which the wildlife areas encircle and one can sometimes find dedicated bird watchers setting in for one or more weeks of serious observations.

The area around Thekkady is ideal for trekking. The major trekking trails are Mangladevi hills, Mullakuddy, Thannikudy, Vellimala, etc. The drive to Thekkady itself is enchanting as the road winds through tranquil countryside, rich plantations and thick jungles.