One of the best ways to enjoy the plant and birdlife in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is to take an early morning walk with one of the local rangers. As the jungle stirs, you trek more deeply into the undergrowth, with the chance of viewing black monkey, sambar deer, giant Malabar squirrel and wild boar. The bird life is plentiful; there are close to 300 species in the reserve, including giant hornbills and some which are endemic to the area, such as Malabar trogons.

Your guide is likely to be a member of one of the local tribes and can therefore not only teach you about the wildlife but also how the locals use the jungle as part of their daily lives. The walk is best taken early in the morning before the local tribes enter the jungle and disturb the wildlife.  Please note that during wet periods leaches can become a problem in the jungle, so bring good footwear and clothes to cover up.