Western Ghats Endemic Birding Tour
DAY 1,2,3 - THATTEKKAD
Arrive in Kochi airport and drive to Thattekkad , check into the hotel and after lunch birding around the Camp area. THATTEKKAD is a lowland forest with wide verity of forest types.This is also home to most of the endemic birds of the Western Ghats. The White-bellied Treepie, Rufous Babbler, Crimson backed Sunbird, White Bellied Blue Flycatcher, Malabar Parakeet, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Malabar Barbet, White checked Barbet, Grey headed bulbul, Flame Throated bulbul, Grey-fronted green pegion, Nilgiri Flowerpecker etc Non endemics like legge’s Hawk eagle, Indian Pitta, Red Spurfowl, Black-throated Munia, Grey Jungle Fowl can be seen. Also good chance for nocturnal species like Mottled Wood Owl, Oriental Bay Owl, Oriental scopes owl, Brown Fish Owl, indian Scopes Owl, Spotbellied Eagle Owl, Jerdon’s Nightjar, Great-eared Nightjar, Sri Lanka Frogmouth etc. We will bird around different areas like Oorlanthani, Charrupara etc. The terrain is almost plain.
DAY 4 – PERIYAR
After Morning Birding around Thattekkad and after Lunch drive to Periyar Tiger Reserve.PERIYAR TIGER RESERVE (PTR) is the next destinations about 1000 MSL and takes about 5 hour drive from Thattekkad . It is the second chance for some of the leftover species in Thattekkad. Afternoon around 2:30 PM we will go for a walk in the Tiger reserve.
DAY 5
Today we will have two walks in the PTR (morning 7:30 am and afternoon 2:30 pm). Here our main target would be to see the Wynaad Laughingthrush. Other birds to looked for would be White-rumped spinetail, Brown-backed Needletail, White-bellied Blue Flycatcher, Black Baza, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Common flameback, White-bellied Woodpecker, Rusty-Tailed Flycatcher, Malabar Trogon, Heart Spotted Woodpecker etc good Chance for mammals like endemic Nilgiri Langur, Malabar Gaint Squrrell, Gaur, Elephant, Sambar Deer, Barking Deer etc.
Rather Than Birding , Spice Garden Visit and evening Kalaripayattu and Katha Kali ( a traditional Martial art and Dance ) is possible.
DAY 6 & 7 – MUNNAR
Today morning we will proceed to MUNNAR (1500 MSL) via BODI GHATS where we should sight Yellow Throated Bulbul, White-browed Bulbul, Indian Robin, Short Toed Snake Eagle, Bluefaced Malkoha, Jungle Prinia,Yellow billed Babbler, Grey-bellied Cuckoo etc. It takes around six hrs drive to Munnar. After lunch aftrnoon birding around Munnar. look for High altitude Endemics Like Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Black & Orange Flycatcher, Nilgiri Flycatcher, White-bellied Blue Robin, Kerala Laughing Thrush etc. Next Day Morning around Munnar, chances for Nilgiri Thrush, Painted Bush Quail, Nilgiri Pipit etc. Good chance for the Endemic endangered Nilgiri Thar and afternoon around The Podamadu area for leftovers species.
Other Than Birding TEA MUSEUM is recommended.
DAY 8 & 9 - OOTY
Today Morning we will drive to Ooty via Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. Take a short walk in the Sanctuary. Chances for Spot-bellied Eagle Owl , Brown Fish Owl and Some other dry forest species. Then we drive to Ooty ( 5+ Hrs drive) .Lunch on the way, we will reach Ooty by evening. Ooty is an old Colonial hill station, at about 2,500 MSL in the Nilgiri Hills , where we will look for Nilgiri Laughing Thrush, Nilgiri Thrush, Nilgiri Blue Robin,Black and Orange Flycatcher, Malabar Lark and Painted Bush Quail.
DAY 10
Morning after Breakfast (drive 10 Hrs +) to Kochi airport.
INCLUDED
Accommodation, Vehicle, Guide, Entry in Parks , Entry and Permits for the vehicle, Water on Board, Tips to Local Trackers etc.
EXCLUDED
International or Domestic flights, Any kind of Insurances, Alcohol, Camera fee, Tips in Hotel, Tips to Guide and Driver, Laundry and any kind of personal expences.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Bring your Torches, Mosquito Repellents, shoes or boots, Leach Socks, Winter Jackets, Telescopes, Covid Vaccine certificate etc. Some of the hotels don’t serve Alcohol but it can be bought from town.
TOUR COST
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