Port Blair, Chidiya Tapu, Mysore, Mudumalai, Ooty, Top Slip, Munnar and Thattekkad
Birds and Mammals of South India and Andamans - 350 Species in 18 Days
Overview
This tour focuses on the birds of the Andaman Islands and South India, many of them endemic to the region.
Apart from the pristine beaches and plethora of water activities, the Andamans are also a must-do for any birdwatcher or bird photographer visiting the islands. The islands are home to a vast variety of birds, with many of them being endemic to the islands. Here, you can observe winged beauties like the Andaman Woodpecker, the Andaman Bulbul, Andaman Coucal, Hume’s Hawk-Owl, and many many more.
South India is known for its species richness, with a great variety of birds and mammals ranging from Asian Elephant and Nilgiri Langurs to the rare Mouse Deer. Bird species found in South India include White-bellied Treepie, Rufous Babbler, Crimson-backed Sunbird, Wayanad, and Palani Laughingthrushes, Blue-winged Parakeet, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Mottled Wood Owl, Sri Lanka Bay Owl, Oriental Scops Owl, Brown Fish Owl, and Spot-bellied Eagle Owl. You should also be able to sight the Red Spurfowl, Grey Junglefowl, Indian Pitta, and the Grey-headed Fish Eagle.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Quality Inn Airport
Arrive in Chennai. You will be met by an Asian Adventures representative and transferred to the hotel.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: TSG Emerald View or Similar
Today, proceed to Chennai Airport for a connecting flight to Port Blair. Arrive in Port Blair and transfer to the hotel. Visit Cellular Jail, followed by a light and sound show. The Cellular Jail has pride of place in India’s freedom struggle. Many stalwarts were imprisoned here during the colonial period. Declared a national memorial, this three-storey prison, constructed by Bruisers in 1906, is a pilgrimage destination for freedom fighters. This colossal edifice has mutely witnessed the most treacherous of inhumane atrocities borne by the convicts, who were mostly freedom fighters. The day draws to a gentle close with the Sound and Light Show at the historic Cellular Jail which gives you a vivid experience of its strong association with the freedom fighters and their struggle for independence.
Overnight stay at a hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: TSG Emerald View or Similar
Continue to enjoy the sights of South Andaman. Unlike many of the islands in the group, South Andaman is relatively flat and less mountainous. The island is home to many of the Andamans’ endemic bird species.
Overnight at Port Blair
Key species: Andaman Drongo, Andaman Woodpecker, Andaman Green Pigeon, White-headed Starling
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Wild Grass Resort
Today proceed to Chidiya Tapu (21 km / 46 min) and check in at the resort. Enjoy the picturesque view of Chidiya Tapu or you can take a walk on the beach side viewing the sunset. Overnight stay
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Wild Grass Resort
Today after breakfast, we will visit Ross Island. Once the administrative headquarters of the British and capital of these Islands, the island is now under the Indian Navy. It stands now as a ruin of bygone days with the old structures almost in ruins. There is a small museum named Smritika, which holds photographs and other antiques of the Britishers relevant to these islands. The island is famous for its friendly herds of deer and lush green walking trails. At North Bay, the water lovers may enjoy snorkeling or take a glass bottom boat ride (optional on direct payment) in its shallow waters with a chance to see corals up close. Evening return to Chidiya Tapu and overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Green
Today, proceed to Port Blair Airport for a flight for Bangalore (2.5 hrs). Reach Bangalore and drive to Mysore (144 km / 3.5 hr.). Check in at the hotel. You have the day at leisure.
Overnight stay
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Jungle Hut
Today proceed to Mudumalai (87 km / 2 hr.). On the way you can stop for bird watching. Species may include Small Pratincole, Red Avadavat and Red-naped Ibis, plus several others. Arid areas can be briefly checked for Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark. Stopping along the road at Mudumalai is not permitted. However, your guide knows where you can pull off the road to explore some excellent dry scrub habitat that is sure to add some new species to the list.
Overnight stay
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Jungle Hut
Get up in the early morning and ready for a morning safari and birding tour. Back from safari after breakfast day at leisure. In the afternoon, visit Theppakadu Elephant Camp. Evening at leisure.
Overnight stay
Key species: Asiatic Elephant, Gaur, Bonnet Macaque, Common Langur, Tiger, Leopard, Chital, Sloth Bear, Barking Deer, Four-horned Antelope, Hyena, Wild Dog, Wild Boar, White-bellied Woodpecker, Lesser Yellownape, Streak-throated Woodpecker, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Common Emerald Dove, Green Imperial Pigeon, Grey-fronted Green Pigeon
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Fortune Sullivan Court
Today proceed to Ooty (46 km / 1.5 hr.). Enjoy the beautiful attractions of Doddabeta Peak, Popular Botanical Garden, Rose Garden and Ooty Lake/Boat House. Here you can enjoy boating, horse riding activities etc.
Return to the hotel and overnight stay
Note: These are suggested sightseeing activities in a day, depending on your fitness and ability.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: The Banyan Tree
Today proceed to Top Slip (90 km / 3 hr.). Reach Top Slip
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Olive Brook
Today proceed to Munnar (161 km / 4.5 hr.), stopping en route for bird watching.
Around Munnar, the pockets of the Shola forest and Nilgiri mountain grassland ecosystem are home to several of the endemic birds and various mammals including the Nilgiri Tahr.
Overnight stay
Key species: Nilgiri Tahr, Blue-winged Parakeet, Vernal Hanging Parrot, Yellow-browed Bulbul, Palani Laughingthrush, Nilgiri Thrush, Nilgiri Pipit, Crimson-backed Sunbird
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Olive Brook
Birding in the Sholas in and around Munnar. We will look for Nilgiri Tahr on our visit and will focus on the endemics listed above along with all the other resident species of the area.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Nilgiri Tahr, Grey Junglefowl, Common Hawk-Cuckoo, Southern Hill Myna, Golden-fronted Leafbird, Orange Minivet
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Soma Birds Lagoon
Today proceed to Thattekkad (67 km / 2 hr.). Reach Thattekkad. Check in into the resort. You can go for bird watching.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Sri Lanka Bay Owl, Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Grey-fronted Green Pigeon, Green Imperial Pigeon, Indian Swiftlet, Malabar Trogon, Malabar Barbet
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Soma Birds Lagoon
Your guide will meet you early in the morning for a full day of guided birding at Thattekad Bird Sanctuary.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Wayanad Laughingthrush, Blue-winged Parakeet, Flame-throated Bulbul, Malabar Woodshrike, Nilgiri Thrush
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Soma Birds Lagoon
Your guide will meet you early in the morning for a full day of guided birding at Thattekad Bird Sanctuary.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Wayanad Laughingthrush, Blue-winged Parakeet, Flame-throated Bulbul, Malabar Woodshrike, Nilgiri Thrush
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None
Today drive to Cochin Airport (43 km / 1.5 hr.) for your onward journey. Tour Ends
Highlights
- Seafood delights
- Sightseeing- Cellular Jail, Anthropological museum, fisheries, sawmill
- Nilgiris’ and Western Ghats endemic avifauna
- Splendor of the Nilgiri Hills
- Wildlife experience of Asian Elephant, Tiger, Gaur, Spotted Deer, Nilgiri Tahr, Sambar, Muntjac
- The old British hill station of ‘Ooty’.
- Nilgiri Mountain Railway, a World Heritage Site
- Traditional cuisine and a glimpse of the culture of Karnataka
- Pristine forests
- Amazing landscape
- Excellent food
Included
- Accommodation on twin / single sharing basis Meals as per the itinerary
- Birding in Andamans as per the itinerary Services of a birding guide in Andamans
- Birding South India at all the places as per the itinerary Dedicated Birding guide in South India
- All park entrances All ground transport services during the trip | All taxes
Video
Location
Stories
Ladakh
North India, the land of Ladakh, looks as though it was made for birdwatching and photography.
Gir National Park Gujarat
Sometimes it is not just the species spotted but also the amazing moments. Some of our guests had the unique opportunity to witness the mating of Asiatic Lions in the Gir Forest, truly a special moment.
Delhi
Surajpur is an amazing wetland close to the nation’s capital. Apart from being one of the monsoon homes for the Bristled Grassbird, it is also home to another sought-after species: the Bengal Bush Lark.
Rajasthan
One advantage of living near the birding hotspot of Bharatpur is that you can see some amazing birds, like the graceful Sarus Crane, in your backyard during this lockdown
