It is often said that it is a sin to leave Kerala without visiting Periyar National Park and you must visit it unquestionably if you are already in Thekkady. Spread over an area of 925 sq km, this place has nature bestowing it with scenic beauty and rich biodiversity. Periyar National Park is surrounded by Cardamom Hills that have an altitude between 5600 ft to 4000 ft. It is one of the 48 tiger reserves in India, but to see a tiger, you will have to be lucky and very pateient! Will you be surprised if I tell you that 140 species of orchids can be seen in this park? Also, Periyar National Park has 35 recorded species of mammals, 45 reptiles, and 270 birds (including migratory birds). Some of the animals found here are very rare such as the Bengal tiger and white tiger. Finding Indian elephants in the park is easy; it is open from 6 AM to 6 PM every day and if you are passionate about wildlife, be prepared to spend close to 5-7 hours here. Please note that monkeys can be a real trouble while roaming around the park; so make sure to tuck your food and beverages in a bag or carry on.