The Neyyar sanctuary is spread over the Southeast corner of the Western Ghats, and covers a total area of 128 sq kms. The Neyyar reservoir is easily navigable and extends 9.06 sq. km. The vegetation varies from tropical wet evergreen to grasslands. The Agasthyarkoodam hill, 1890 metres high, lies in the premises of the sanctuary.Declared as a sanctuary in 1958, it is the drainage basin for the Neyyar River and its tributaries - Mullayar and Kallar.

 The vegetation of the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary varies from tropical wet evergreen to grasslands according to altitude. The Neyyar wildlife sanctuary is home to a rich and diverse flora and fauna, promising a memorable experience for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.

On your visit to the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary with Kerala Backwaters, you can see a wide variety of wildlife, including Elephants, Sloth Bears, Nilgiri Tahrs, Gaur, Sambars, Barking Deer, Indian Porcupines, Malabar Squirrels, Tigers, Lion-tailed Macaques, Jungle
Cats, Wild Boars and Nilgiri Langurs to name a few. The sanctuary is also rich in its birds and reptiles population. Among reptiles Cobras, Vipers, Pythons, Rat Snakes, Flying Snakes and Lizards are commonly found in the sanctuary. The Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary also attracts a wide variety of exotic birds including King Fishers, White-breasted Water Hen, Little Green Heron, Woodpeckers, Indian Cuckoos, Gray Jungle Fowl, Common Mynas, Indian Hill Mynas, Darters, Little Cormorants, Little Egrets and Brahminy Kites etc.