Periyar Lake

Periyar Lake formed when the Mullaperiyar Dam was built across the Periyar River in 1895, and it now sits at the heart of the tiger reserve's ecotourism activities. Boat rides glide past forested banks where elephants, sambar deer, and wild boar often come down to drink. Morning and afternoon slots draw the steadiest wildlife activity, though sightings are never guaranteed given the dense tree cover. The lake remains the single most popular activity for first time visitors to Thekkady.