South India Endemic Birding Tour

Tour Overview

Southern India is home to some of the best National parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India. Most of these parks are located on the sides of the Western Ghats, one of the 36 bio-diversity ‘hot spots’ on earth due to its large volume of endemic species and diversity. Our journey will take us through the lowland forests of Thattekkad to Periyar Tiger Reserve and onwards to the high altitude montane forests & grasslands at Munnar, Ooty, the dry forests at Chinnar & Mudumalai, the dry lands near Mysore and the Ranganthittu sanctuary. This comprehensive itinerary promises unparalleled opportunities to witness unique flora and fauna, providing a deep immersion into the diverse ecosystems of Southern India.

Day 1-3: Thattekkad

Arrival at Kochi International Airport. (www.cial.aero). You will be met at Kochi International Airport (look for your driver outside the airport with your name on a placard) and be driven to Thattekkad (1½ hours). For the remainder of the day explore the best local birding sites with your driver/guide with a focus on endemics and your target birds. Thattekkad is an area with extensive lowland forests and several types of eco-systems – riverine, grasslands, evergreen, scrub, dry deciduous, lowland forest, enabling it to be one of the best wildlife and birding destinations in India and also home to some of the endemic mammals of the Western Ghats. The wildlife includes Indian Flying Fox, Malabar Giant Squirrel, the elusive Slender Loris, Indian Giant Flying Squirrel, Travancore Flying squirrel and the Common Palm Civet. Thattekkad is home to most of the endemic birds of the Western Ghats.  You should sight the White-bellied Treepie, Rufous Babbler, Crimson-backed Sunbird, White-bellied Blue Flycatcher, Malabar Parakeet, Malabar Grey Hornbill and owls which could include Mottled Wood Owl, Oriental Bay Owl, Oriental Scops Owl, Brown Fish Owl and Spot-bellied Eagle Owl if you are lucky. Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Red Spurfowl, Grey Junglefowl, Indian Pitta, Black-throated Munia and Grey-headed Fish Eagle are all likely.  Areas to visit include Palamattam near Thattekkad, extending to Edamalayar and Urulanthanni which form part of the lowland forest areas around Thattekkad.  

Day 4-5: Periyar Tiger Reserve

Periyar Tiger Reserve is one of the finest wildlife & birding destinations in South India. With over 320 bird species identified and a leading habitat for the Bengal Tiger, this sanctuary is an ideal destination of the tour. Periyar National Park contains a variety of habitats from grassland and dry decidu­ous forest to evergreen forest and riverside scrub. As a result of its wide range of habitats Periyar boasts an impressive list of resident species including about half the peninsular endemics and near-endemics. We will spend the day searching here for some very special species including the Wayanad Laughing Thrush. Other birds to look out for include White-rumped and Brown-backed Needletails, Oriental Honey-Buzzard, Black Eagle, the striking Black Baza, Pompadour Green and Mountain Imperial Pigeon, the migratory Chestnut-winged Cuckoo, Yellow-browed Bulbul, Gray-breasted Prinia, Thick-billed Warbler, Brown-cheeked Fulvetta, and the Asian Fairy Bluebird among other more widespread species. We may also sight the Woolly-necked Stork, Besra, Vernal Hanging Parrot, Jungle Owlet, White-rumped Spinetail, Black-naped Monarch and the Little Spiderhunter.    

Day 6-7: Munnar

  Transfer to Munnar via the Ghats to Khambam where you should sight the Large Grey Babbler, Common Babbler, Jungle Bush Quail and the Grey Fancolin. This will be followed by a trip through the Bodi Ghats looking for the rare Yellow Throated Bulbul, Indian Robin, Sirkeer Malkoha, Short Toed Snake Eagle, Bluefaced Malkoha and the Black eagle & arriving Munnar by evening. The hill country at Munnar is amongst the highest areas along the Western Ghats. Among its rolling grasslands and steep cliffs live the endemic and endangered Nilgiri Tahrs. Concerted efforts by the conservationists have brought this magnificent animal back from the brink of extinction. At present there are more than 700 Tahrs in the area. This area of Eravikulam National Park is where the next day’s birding would be. The sholas (high altitude montane forests) and grasslands here is home to the Nilgiri Pipit, Painted Bush Quail, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Black & Orange Flycatcher, Nilgiri Flycatcher, Whitebellied Shortwing, Broadtailed Grassbird and the Grasshopper Warbler.  

Day 8-9: Ooty

  Today is a long day as you move down to the plains once again and head to Ooty. En-route you will visit the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary located in the rain-shadow areas of the High Ranges of the South Western Ghats in Kerala.  It was declared a sanctuary in 1984 due to its ecological, floral and geomorphologic significance.  You should see birds including Jacobin Cuckoo, Grey Junglefowl, White-bellied Drongo, Blue-faced and Sirkeer Malkohas, White-naped Woodpecker, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Jungle Bush Quail and Yellow-legged Buttonquail. This forest reserve is also the ideal habitat for one of the endangered mammals of India, the Grizzled Giant Squirrel and you can also see both Brown Fish Owl and Spot-bellied Eagle Owl here if you are lucky.  After the walk at Chinnar, you will be on your way to Ooty, - a hill station, at about 2,200m in the Nilgiri Hills - where you will be visiting important birding areas at Dodabetta and Cairnhill to look for the endemic Nilgiri Laughing Thrush, White-bellied Shortwing, and Black-and-rufous, Rusty-tailed, Nilgiri Thrush and Nilgiri Flycatchers.   

Day 10: Mudumalai

After the morning birding at Ooty, you will make your way through the Ghats to Mudumalai (a drive of around 2 hours).  Mudumalai, at the foot of the Nilgiri Hills, is one of the many reserves located within the forest belt between the Western Ghats and the Nilgiri Mountains. The terrain is varied with hills, valleys, ravines, watercourses and swamps, moist deciduous forests, dry deciduous forests and scrub forests making it ideal birding country.  Here you should see Jerdon’s Bushlark, White-bellied Minivet, Sirkeer Malkoha, Indian Blue Robin, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Yellow-billed Babbler, White-bellied Woodpecker, Large Cuckooshrike, Banded Bay Cuckoo, Thick-billed Warbler and Painted Bush Quail.  Birding will be on foot & on jeeps with your guide.  

Day 11: Mysore

After morning birding around Mudumalai, transfer to Mysore. Here birding will be around the dry scrub lands looking for the Red-necked Falcon, Yellow-legged Buttonquail, Skyes Lark, Indian Eagle owl, White-eyed Buzzard, Indian spotted eagle, Tricolour Avadavat, Red Avadavat, Singing Bushlark, Indian Silverbill, Tawny Pipit, Red-naped ibis, Indian Grey hornbill, Paddyfield Pipit, Richards Pipit and the Ashcrowned Finch Lark. Visit the famous heronry at the Ranganathittu Wildlife Sanctuary. Should sight the Eurasian Spoonbill, Painted Stork, Spot-billed Pelican, Black-crowned Night Heron, three species of Cormorant, River Tern, Great Thick-knee and other species like Marsh crocodiles.

Day 12: Bangalore

Visit the heronry on an island at Ranganthittu Wildlife Sanctuary, observing Eurasian Spoonbill, Black-crowned Night Heron, Cormorants, River Tern, and Thick Knee during a rowing boat cruise. Continue birding at some of the dry scrub areas and around the other water bodies along the way to Bangalore Drop to the airport. Tour ends.

Inclusions

• Accommodation in birder friendly hotels / resort / luxury camps with most meals
• Air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers mentioned in the above mentioned itinerary
• English speaking birding guide 
• All birding walks
• All entrances to Wildlife Sancturies and National Parks
• Local forest guides (appointed by forest department – wherever mandatory)
• 01 boat safari at Ranganthittu
• All currently applicable taxes

Exclusions

• Flights.
• Camera fee wherever levied.
• Any additional taxes levied by the Government of India on the tourism sector
• Personal expenses such as hard/soft drinks, laundry, phone/fax calls, tips etc.

IMPORTANT: Kindly note that names of hotels mentioned above only indicate that our rates have been based on usage of these hotels and it is not to be construed that accommodation is confirmed at these hotels until and unless we convey such confirmation to you. In the event of any of the above mentioned hotels not becoming available we shall book alternate accommodation at a similar or next best available hotel and shall pass on the difference of rates (supplement/reduction whatever applicable) to you. 

Holiday Feedback

Route Maps

FAQs

Q: Do I need a Visa to enter India?
Yes. https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html

Q: What kind of climate should I expect?
India is tropical and would be hot and humid most of the year except during November to February when it is cooler. In addition, the highlands are cooler and cold at nights during the winter months.

Q: Are tour dates flexible?
Yes.

Q: What are the accommodations like?
Accommodations we use are all birder friendly accommodations near the birding areas, clean and with great service.

Q: Can you provide me with a list of the hotels we will be staying at?
It would be sent along with the detailed itinerary we send to you.

Q: Can I book extra nights of hotel accommodation before or after my tour ?
Yes, we can arrange pre and post night extensions.

Q: Do you cater to dietary requirements?
Yes we do but we would require adequate advance notice.

Q: What is the Indian currency?
Indian Rupee. The higher denomination notes are 100, 500 and 2000 rupees.

Q: Are foreign currencies accepted locally?
The USD, GBP and EURO are easily accepted at all places.

Q: Are there ATMs available?
Yes. Banking services and numerous ATMs available throughout South India

Q: Are credit and charge cards widely accepted ?
Yes, all the hotels we use & most shops in locations mentioned in this itinerary accept credit cards

Q: Should I purchase travel insurance before travelling ?
Yes, it is highly recommended that you take out travel insurance before travelling to India, covering any medical situation, hospitalisation, cancellation and loss of your baggage. We cover your causality evacuation to the nearest hospital which is included in the cost. However, this does not cover the cost of medical treatment at the hospital.

Q: What vaccinations will I require?
Please check with your doctor. The areas which fall within this tour are malaria-free.

Q: Air airport transfers included?
Yes. Pick up from the airport and drop to the airport are included as mentioned in the itinerary.

Q: What kind of electrical travel adaptor will I need?
India uses 230 Volts, 50 Hz alternating current as the power source. Plugs and sockets have either grounded / earthed 3 Pin connections (Type D) or ungrounded 2 pin connections (Type C). The two pin plug is also called the Europlug. It has two round 4 mm (0.157 in) pins. It can be inserted in either way into the socket. Hence there is no fixed live (hot) and neutral (cold) terminals. The three pin plug is rated at 6A / 250V. It has three round pins in a triangular pattern. The earth terminal is slightly larger than the live and neutral terminals. For Higher current, there is a 15 Amp version of the same 3 Pin plug, usually called the Power Plug or the M Plug. Live and neutral are 1 inch (25.4 mm) apart. Earth terminal is 1+1⁄8 in (28.58 mm) away from live and neutral terminals. Typically, refrigerators, heaters and other high power devices are connected to this 15 Amp socket.

Q: Will a standard European electric plug (2 round pins) fit into a power point in India?
Yes. To insert the 2 pin plug into a Type D 3 Pin socket which in some cases may be closed by default, push a pen into the Ground/Earth terminal. This opens up the protected 2 Pin terminals and you can insert the 2 Pin plug.

Q: Will a standard American electric plug fit into a power point in India?
No. But any electrical store will sell you an adapter for around 50 cents or less.

Q: What is included in my tour?
Accommodation with most meals, all transfers, all birding walks, birding guide.

Q: What is not included in the tour?
Tips, some meals, personal expenses, beverages and liquor.

Q: How much should I tip?
Tipping is the customary way of saying thank you for a good trip. Any amount is welcome and is certain to augment the income of the bird guide and driver. Please remember that this is their only means of livelihood.

Q: Tell me more about the birding guides?
Our birding guides are knowledgeable. For single or two guests we sometimes provide a car with a driver who is also an accomplished birding guide.

Q: Is there any restrictions on drinking liquor or smoking?
There are no restrictions on drinking liquor but consumption of liquor in public is not permitted. Please check with your guide or driver if the hotel has a liquor license. You can pick up liquor from liquor vends all over South India. Smoking in public is also not permitted.

Q: What will the meals be like on my tour?
Meals are usually ethnic Indian fare, both vegetarian and non vegetarian. Some hotels may provide Continental food.

Q: Is there a 24 hours hotline for me to call during an emergency?
Yes. The number will be provided to you before you start the tour

Q: What is the Internet access like?
All places have internet, not necessarily in the rooms but near the reception.

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