Birding in the Western Ghats Tour - 13 nights, 14 days - Nature Safari India
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Birding in the Western
Ghats Tour
13 nights, 14 days
Starting at
inr 4,02,500 per person
Trip Highlights
• Dive into a plethora of bird diversity with over 400 species of birds to watch out
for.
• Look out for enthralling endemics such as Malabar Whisteling Thrush, White
Bellied Tree Pie, and the Nilgiri Laughing Thrush.
• Get a chance to witness some of the native nocturnal species such as the
Ceylon Bay Owl and Great Eared Nightjars.
• Immerse yourself in the awe inspiring rainforests bound to mesmerize, across
the undulating landscape.
• Capture these phenomenal species through your lenses with a some of the
most jaw dropping backgrounds nature has to offer.
What to expect
Etched along the western coast of the Indian Subcontinent, The Western Ghats is one
of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world. It’s a land gifted with undulating
tropical forests, rolling tea estates and stunning shola forests. It is this diversity in the
landscape and the ecology of the rainforest that has given rise to enthralling
endemics that are on everyone’s wishlist. This wide-ranging tour is curated as a
celebration to many of these remarkable beings: From The Malabar Whistling Thrush,
the White-bellied Minivet, Nilgiri Laughingthrush, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, the Sri Lanka
Frogmouth to the exquisite Malabar Trogon, the Indian Pitta and the Great Hornbill.
detailed itinerary
day 01 Arrival in New Delhi by flight
On arrival at the New Delhi Airport, you will be received by our represenattive
who will assist you with a smooth check in at the hotel. He will further hand
over and explain to you all travel related documents. Overnight at Hotel in
New Delhi.
day 02 Drive from New Delhi to Bangalore. Drive from
Bangalore to Mysore
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board a flight to Benguluru.
On arrival, meet our representative at the airport and depart for Mysore. On
arrival, settle at your hotel. Post lunch, leave for Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
(40 mins drive) for an evening birding session on the Cauvery river via boat.
Ranganathittu is an exciting and unique destination where we have a great
chance to witness a plethora of water fowl species such as Pelicans, Painted
storks, Black headed Ibis, Thick Knees and others. The boat ride one takes is
through rocky outcrops, tree covered banks and teeming mudflats. The bird
diversity here is quite special and possibly one of a kind, when it comes to the
tour. After a two hour boat ride, we return to Mysore for the night.
day 03 Drive from mysore to Masinagudi
In the morning, we enage in a birding trail along the Chamundi Canal followed
by breakfast. This is a short walk that follows the irrigation canal at the edge of
Mysore town (20 mins drive from Hotel).
Here, we seek the elusive Indian Eagle Owl and Brown Fish Owl that roost
along the canal walls. Apart from them one has the chance to observe Baya
Weavers, Small Minivets, White-Rumped Munias, Swallows, Martins and a
variety of other scrub habitat species. If you’re lucky, you may come across
tracks and signs of the urban leopards that roam the periphery of Mysore.
After breakfast, depart for Masinagudi, located at the periphery of Mudumalai
Tiger Reserve. This is a small forested area on the Sigur plateau, located at an
altitude of 1000 m. The habitat, situated in the Nilgiri foothills, is a mix of
montane forests, tall bamboo patches and dry scrubland. The drive to this
destination is close to 2 hrs and cuts through the forests of Bandipur Tiger
Reserve. There will be pelnty stops for birding along the drive . We will reach
the lodge at Masinagudi by lunchtime.
Once settled, we can head out for a walk around the area in search of the
Nilgiri foothill specials like the spot-bellied eagle owls, grey-headed bulbuls,
yellow-browed bulbuls, owlets , scops owls, blue-bearded bee eaters, nightjars
and many other interesting species that dot this enchanting landscape.
Dinner and overnight stay at Masinagudi.
day 04 Drive from masinagudi to Kotagiri
In the morning, we will head into the scrub forests around the Moyar gorge
area, seeking habitat specialties like the blue-faced and sirkheer malkohas
and our primary focus, the white bellied minivets. This habitat is also provides
ample opportunities to spot bay-backed shrikes and some dry land Aquila
raptors. We return for breakfast at the lodge and check out soon after. From
here we drive up hill with a packed lunch into the heart of the Nilgiris, birding
at some key spots along the way. ( 2 hrs plus birding and lunch time). The
Botanical Gardens at Ooty and Sims park at Coonoor are key birding hotspots
that we will stop at as we search for the super rare Kashmir flycatcher,
Nilgiri flycatcher, black and orange flycatcher, crested goshawk and the Nilgiri
wood pigeon. In the afternoon, we reach our lodge in Kotagiri for some well
deserved rest.
Kotagiri is a small tea town located amongst large tea plantations and remnant
shola and degraded forest areas. The altitude here is roughly 1600 m above sea
level and the bird diversity in this area is quite fascinating. The area also boasts
a good population of Indian gaur, leopards and sloth bears, all of who thrive
amidst the tea undergrowth. Rest of day at leisure. Night at Kotagiri.
day 05 Kotagiri
& A full day of birding around Kotagiri region. We visit a small shola patch at
day 06 dawn seeking Nilgiri endemics such as the Nilgiri Sholakili, Nilgiri Chilleppen
and the Nilgiri thrush. Chances of coming across vagrants like the Blue and
White flycatcher and Pied Thrush are also a possibility on this trail.
We return from the shola patch for breakfast and then head back out again,
this time to a tea estate along the fringe area. The hedgerow and meadow
habitat of this area is one of the best places to look for red avadavats and the
vociferous Malabar lark. There is also a small population of Indian Eagle Owls
that reside here.
We return to the lodge for some rest and refreshments. Post lunch, we head
out to the lower Kotagiri area to look for soaring raptors and the magnificent
Great Hornbills, though the Black Eagles are our top priority for the day. There
is also a small grove in the area frequented by Crested Tree swifts, Vernal
Hanging Parrots and also, occasionally, the large hawk cuckoo. Evening we
return to the lodge at sundown. Night at Kotagiri.
day 07 Drive from Kotagiri to Pollachi
After another short morning birding session(optional), we shall check out from
the lodge and drive towards the plains and further south towards the agricul-
tural town of Pollachi. ( 3 hrs) Pollachi is located at the heart of the Palghat gap
in the Western Ghats with the Nilgiris to its north and the Anamalais range to
the south. This will be our base for the next two days. On arrival, we proceed
for lunch and settle in. In the evening, our excursions take us to the foothills of
the Anamalais as we extend the walk into a drive at night in search of forest
and grassland species. This may include a wide variety of birds from Orange
minivets, Malabar Trogon, munias to the Brown Fish and Mottled Wood Owls.
This short stretch of walking and driving, has proved to be very productive for
birding in the past. Overnight stay at Pollachi.
day 08 Pollachi
Post Breakfast, we shall be out for the day at the tea town of Valparai. Nestled
inside Anamalai Tiger Reserve, Valparai and its surrounding forests are one of
the last strongholds of the endemic lion-tailed macaque. The tall forests also
support a variety of species like Nilgiri Martens, Dholes, Flying Squirrels and
the endemic Brown Mongoose along with the Jerdon’s palm civet. The day
out here will comprise of a mix between driving and walking which includes
roadside wildlife viewing and birding halts. Packed lunch will be carried to
ensure we’re well satiated. If we’re lucky, we could well encounter herds of
Nilgiri Tahr, the endemic mountain goat of the Western Ghats, on the roadside
rocky cliffs, either on the way up to Valparai or while returning. Overnight stay
at Pollachi.
day 09 Drive from Pollachi to Munnar
Early morning, we will check out from the lodge and drive 1.5 hrs to Chinnar
WLS, a small sanctuary located on the border of the state of Kerala and Tamil
Nadu. We stop here to enjoy breakfast and take a short walk along a stream as
we search for or the endemic Grizzled Giant Squirrel. After our walk, we drive
another two hours towards the hill town of Munnar, located in the Anamalai
hills. The separation created by the Palghat gap has led to geological
separation of populations and thus lead to the emergence of new bird
species here. On arrival, we proceed lunch and settle into our rooms, located
in the midst of a beautiful cardamom plantation. In the evening, we take a
trail through the estates, to familiarize ourselves with the local birdlife and the
ways of the cardamom planters. Overnight stay at Munnar.
day 10 Munnar
This morning is fairly relaxed with a a short excursion around the lodge
followed by breakfast. We leave late morning with our packed lunch and tea
to the Top Station area and Pambadum Shola National Park, one of the well
protected pristine shola forests in the region. This area is well known for its
Nilgiri Martin sightings. The drive to this area takes one about 1.5 hrs and
crosses large lakes and pastures, and holds a great view of small population
of high altitude elephants that have managed to thrive around Munnar town.
The shola forests are home to many interesting bird species like Scimitar and
Dark Fronted Babblers, Square Tailed Bulbuls, Bluebirds, Nilgiri Wood Pigeonsand Mountain Imperial Pigeons. We return to the lodge in the evening.
Overnight stay at Munnar.
day 11 Drive from Munnar to Thattekaad
Early morning, we head to Rajamalai, the high peak located within the
Eravikulam National Park. We leave early for this excursion to ensure that we
avoid the crowd. After a a satiable picnic breakfast, we carry on with our
birding till late morning and then, return to the lodge.
Once we’re back, there’s time to freshen up and followed by checkout. We
drive downhill, further into kerala, along the windward side of the mountains,
as it takes us 1.5 hrs to reach the birding mecca of south India known as
Thattekaad. On arrival, we check in, followed by lunch.
day 12 Thattekaad
& The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary or the Thattekaad bird Sanctuary is located on
day 13 the banks of the Periyar River amongst rubber groves and forests. Thattekaad
is the only low land evergreen forest of India and is one of the best birding
hotspots of the country. The 25 sq.km sanctuary supports over 300 species
of birds, a good number of which are encountered only in the vicinity of this
forest patch. The dense foliage, the thick undergrowth and the tall trees can
make the viewing experience a bit challenginf in these forests but the local
guides are skilled and adept at spotting to ensure that you have a fantastic
wilderness experience in Thattekaad.
Birding highlights here include diurnal species and also avian specialities of
the night. Our wishlist include the Sri Lankan Frogmouth, the bird that put
thattekaad and the local bird guides on the map, the Srilankan Bay Owl,
White-Bellied Tree Pie, Slaty Legged Crake, Great Eared Nightjar, Jerdon’s
Nightjar, Southern Hill Mynas, Mottled Wood Owl, Flame Throated Bulbul, Ori-
ental Dwarf Kingifisher and the Blue Eared Kingfisher. The watchlist aslo fea-
tures migratory specials like the Black Baza, Square Tailed Drongo
Cuckoo, Rusty Tailed Flycatchers and the Blue-Throated Blue Flycatcher are
also often seen here. The loud drumming of the White-Bellied Woodpecker
and the Rufous Woodpecker is omnipresent in these forests but seeking them
can be challenging. The less vocal but mesmerising Heart Spotted
Woodpecker is also a bird that requires a keen eye and a lot of patience.
day 14 Drive from thattekaad to Kochi
After Breakfast, check out and depart for Kochi (1.5 to 2 hrs) to board a flight
back home or to any onward destination.
**End of Our Serivices**tour cost
pax details 03-04 star hotels
02 pax on twin sharing INR 4,02,500 Per Person
04 pax on twin sharing INR 2,88,500 Per Person
Hotels Recommended
City Nights 03-04 star hotels
New Delhi 01 Pride Plaza
Mysore 01 Wind Flower
Masinagudi 01 Jungle Hut
Kotagiri 03 Far View Retreat
Pollachi 02 Mount Coco Lagoon
Munnar 02 Windemere
Thattekaad 03 River House
Cost Inclusions
1. Accommodation in Delhi and Mysore on Bed and Breakfast
2. All meals is included in Masinagudi, Kotagiri, Pollachi, Munnar and Thettkad
3. All transportation by Toyota Innova ( 3 pax per vehicle )
4. Services of an expert Naturalist cum tour leader
5. Local guides / nature guides as per requirement
6. All entrances / safaris
7. All sightseeing tours
8. 5 % GST ( subject to change )
Cost Exclusions
1. Still / video camera fee in national parks and at monuments
2. Expenses of personal nature like Tips, Mineral water, soft drink, smokes, liquor,
laundry and telephone calls
3. International airfare and domestic
4. Travel insurance
5. Anything not mentioned in the inclusions
6. Please note that any changes in entrance fees or government taxes will be payable
extra and the same will be advised to you if applicable
B3-51, Sector 11, Rohini,
info@naturesafariindia.com +91-9811200094
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