Bangalore, Mudumalai, Ooty, Munnar, Thattekad & Cochin
Astonishing Birds and Mammals of South India - 300 Species in 2 Weeks
Overview
There are many popular destinations spread across Kerala. Our visitors love getting a taste of the local culture and immersing themselves in the customs and practices that make these places unique. From architectural marvels to natural wonders, Kerala has a plethora of popular destinations for travelers to visit and enjoy. We’ll take a boat ride in Mysore for spotting water birds and wildlife Safari through the Mudumalai National Park for spotting the rare wildlife of South India. We’ll also visit Ooty, the queen of hill stations, and ride the famous toy train to Mettupalayam, from where we will drive to Top Slip. Situated in the lap of the picturesque Anamalai hills, Top Slip is a haven for birders and nature lovers. Our journey would then take us to Chinnar, Munnar, and Thattekkad where we would do some more birding before heading home.
Mudumalai National Park is located in southern India in the state of Tamil Nadu, although its boundaries border the states of Karnataka and Kerala as well. Located amidst the Nilgiri foothills, Mudumalai is home to a variety of birds and mammals. Adjoined by Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and Bandipur National Park, Mudumalai has a fascinating topography that showcases a combination of valleys, plains, hills, swampland, and ravines.
Officially known as Udagamandalam, Ooty is a popular hill station in the Nilgiri Hills in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is often referred to as the “Queen of the Hills” by locals. There are a variety of tourist attractions here, including a “toy train”, many gardens and parks, historical buildings, and a tea factory.
However, if you move away from the crowds, you find that the surrounding woods are a great place to go birding. Despite much of Ooty being “developed”, the birdlife here can still surprise you, with many endemic species and a host of migrants joining them in the winter.
Located at an altitude of 1600 m, Munnar is a haven for peace and tranquility. From vast tea plantations to an array of trekking trails and magical waterfalls, the place is blessed with several scenic spots which are capable of making your southern journey experiential. Munnar has several temples, viewpoints, and waterfalls one can visit, as well as the famous tea plantations.
Apart from the scenic beauty, Munnar is also a fantastic wildlife and birding destination. The nearby Eravikulam National Park and several “sholas” (a type of alpine meadow specific to the Western Ghats) make for a variety of endemic species.
Thattekkad, officially known as the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, is a lowland forest with several types of ecosystems – Riverine, Grasslands, Evergreen, Scrub, Dry Deciduous, Lowland Forest, enabling it to be one of the best birding destinations in India. The forests of Thattekkad are also home to most of the endemics of the Western Ghats, including White-bellied Treepie, Rufous Babbler, Crimson-backed Sunbird, Wayanad Laughingthrush, Blue-winged Parakeet, Malabar Grey Hornbill, apart from owls like the 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, and the Grey-headed Fish Eagle.
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary (also known as Vembanad Bird Sanctuary) is situated in the Kottayam district in Kerala, on the banks of Vembanad Lake. Set in the Kerala Backwaters, the bird sanctuary is a haven for migratory birds, primarily waterfowl.
Meals: On Own
Accommodation: Hotel Ramada Bangalore
Arrive in Bangalore. You will be met by an Asian Adventures representative and transferred to a hotel.
Overnight stay
Meals: Breakfast in Bangalore and Dinner in Mudumalai
Accommodation: Jungle Hut
The journey to Mudumalai (approximately 255 km / 6.5 hrs) is an interesting one. On the way you can stop at a bridge which crosses a river to break the journey. Additional species might 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. Key species in the scrub could include Jerdon's Bush Lark, Blue-winged Parakeet, Black-headed Cuckooshrike, White-bellied Minivet (difficult) and Indian Nightjar. Also Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Yellow-billed Babbler, Small Minivet and Yellow-crowned Woodpecker are a few others that are likely. Reach Mudumalai. Check in into the resort.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Jungle Hut
Spend the full day in Mudumalai. Mudumalai National Park in Tamil Nadu is a tiger reserve with an area of 900 square km. In the dense moist deciduous forests of this area the upper canopy reaches heights of 30 m and valuable hardwoods like teak and rosewood are also to be found here. This is one of the finest habitats of the Asian Elephant. Drained by the Moyar River, its open forest makes it easy for visitors to see the Elephant and Gaur in natural surroundings. The park has good facilities for viewing wildlife, which include Gaur, Elephant, Sambar, Chital and even the occasional Tiger or Leopard. Among other mammals are the Muntjac (or Barking Deer), Chevrotain (or Mouse Deer), Wild Boar, Indian Giant Squirrel, Slender Loris, Langurs and Macaques. The Park has about 250 species of birds, including Malabar Trogon, Malabar Pied Hornbill, White-bellied Woodpecker, Indian Pitta and Green Imperial Pigeon.
Meals: Breakfast and Early Lunch in Mudumalai and Dinner in Ooty
Accommodation: Fernhill Palace
Morning birding in Mudumalai. After an early lunch, drive to Ooty (46 km / 2 hr.). Arrive Ooty and check-in to Fernhill Palace. Rest of the day birding/sightseeing in Ooty area.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Grey Junglefowl, Black Eagle, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Greater Flameback, Blue-winged Parakeet, White-cheeked Barbet, Vernal Hanging Parrot, Southern Hill Myna
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Fernhill Palace
Full day birding/sightseeing in the Ooty area.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Legge’s Hawk-Eagle, Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Nilgiri Blue Robin, White-bellied Blue Flycatcher, Hill Swallow, Black-and-orange Flycatcher, Nilgiri Flycatcher
Meals: Breakfast and Packed Lunch, Dinner in Munnar
Accommodation: Olive Brook
After breakfast, check out and drive to Munnar (243 km / 7 hr.) with a packed lunch. Arrive in Munnar in the evening where you will stay for 3 nights. Evening birding (if time permits).
Overnight stay
Key species: Nilgiri Tahr, Grey Junglefowl, Common Hawk-Cuckoo, Southern Hill Myna, Golden-fronted Leafbird, Orange Minivet
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Olive Brook
Spend 2 full days birding in and around Munnar. Around Munnar, the pockets of the shola forest and Nilgiri mountain grassland ecosystem are home to several endemic birds and various mammals including the endemic Nilgiri Tahr. The altitude above 1600 meters means an agreeable climate throughout the year, though in December-January the temperatures can fall to the single digits. Rainfall of over 300 cm is recorded mainly during June to September, but it can rain at any time of year. Here we will look for several of the South Indian and Nilgiri Hills endemic bird species. Depending on the amount of time available, you will visit areas of shola forest on the way.
Key species: Nilgiri Tahr, Blue-winged Parakeet, Vernal Hanging Parrot, Yellow-browed Bulbul, Palani Laughingthrush, Nilgiri Thrush, Nilgiri Pipit, Crimson-backed Sunbird
Meals: Breakfast and early lunch in Munnar, Dinner in Thattekad
Accommodation: Soma Birds Lagoon
Spend the morning birding. After early lunch, drive from Munnar to Thattekkad (74 km / 2.5 hr.). Rest of the day birding in Thattekad. 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, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Soma Birds Lagoon
Explore some superb forest areas outside of Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Flame-throated Bulbul, Grey-fronted Green Pigeon, Malabar Woodshrike, Indian Swiftlet, Lesser Yellownape, Crested Goshawk, Heart-spotted Woodpecker, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Plum-headed Parakeet, White-rumped Spinetail. White-bellied Woodpecker, Lesser Fish Eagle, Oriental Dollarbird, Brahminy Kite, Indian Golden Oriole, Black-naped Oriole, Malabar Barbet, Golden-fronted Leafbird
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Coconut Lagoon Resort
Morning birding in Thattekad. After a late breakfast, drive to Kumarakom. You have the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Coconut Lagoon Resort
Spend the day in Kumarakom, where you will have access to your car and driver to go around. You can also opt for walks in and around Kumarakom (the driver will assist you and will take you to walking areas).
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None
Today, drive to Cochin (Kochi) Airport for your onward journey. Tour Ends
Highlights
- Nilgiris’ and western Ghats endemic avifauna
- Splendour of the Nilgiri Hills
- Wildlife experience of Asian Elephant, Tiger, Gaur, Spotted Deer, Nilgiri Tahr, Sambar, Muntjac
- Old British hill station of ‘Ooty’.
- Nilgiri Mountain Railway, a World Heritage Site
- Traditional cuisine and glimpse of the culture of Karnataka
- Pristine forests
- Amazing landscape
- Excellent food
- Comfortable lodging
Included
- Nilgiris’ and western Ghats endemic avifauna Splendour of the Nilgiri Hills
- Wildlife experience of Asian Elephant, Tiger, Gaur, Spotted Deer, Nilgiri Tahr, Sambar, Muntjac Old British hill station of ‘Ooty’.
- Nilgiri Mountain Railway, a World Heritage Site Traditional cuisine and glimpse of the culture of Karnataka
- Pristine forests Excellent food | Comfortable lodging
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
