South India Birds Tour
Tour Duration: 12Nights /13 Days
Tour Destinations: Bangalore – Mysore (Ranganathittu, Kokkare Bellur) – Mudumalai – Udhagamandalam (Ooty) – Parambikulam – Munnar (Eravikulam National Park) – Periyar National Park – Kochi
Stretching along the western coast of India, the Western Ghats is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s eight “hottest hotspots” of biodiversity. This lush mountain range boasts an awe-inspiring blend of tropical rainforests, misty highlands, and tea-covered slopes. Its unique geography and climate have nurtured an extraordinary array of endemic wildlife, making it a must-visit for nature lovers and birdwatchers alike.
This curated tour celebrates the rich avian and mammalian life of the region, with key species including the Malabar Whistling Thrush, White-bellied Minivet, Nilgiri Laughingthrush, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Malabar Trogon, Indian Pitta, and the majestic Great Hornbill. Each day offers immersive experiences in diverse habitats, promising unforgettable sightings in one of India’s most iconic natural landscapes.
Day 1: Arrival in Bangalore – Gateway to the Western Ghats
Arrive at Bangalore International Airport where you’ll be greeted by our representative. You’ll be briefed on the tour and transferred to your hotel for a day of rest and acclimatization before the birding adventure begins.
Day 2: Bangalore to Mysore via Ranganathittu and Kokkare Bellur
We begin our journey south towards Mysore with birding stops en route. At Kokkare Bellur, spot Painted Storks and Spot-billed Pelicans, while the surrounding scrublands reveal birds like Jerdon’s Leafbird, Blue-faced Malkoha, and Purple-rumped Sunbird.
Next, a serene boat safari at Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary offers close encounters with River Terns, Stork-billed Kingfishers, Asian Openbills, and basking Mugger Crocodiles. By evening, check into your hotel in Mysore, the City of Palaces.
Day 3: Mysore to Mudumalai National Park
After an early breakfast, we journey to Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, one of India’s oldest protected forests. En route, keep an eye out for Malabar Lark, White-naped Woodpecker, and soaring Red-headed and Indian Vultures. Upon arrival, check into your lodge and explore the rich avian diversity around the property before settling in for the night.
Day 4: Birding in Mudumalai and Masinagudi
A full day of birding in the riverine forests of Mudumalai and Masinagudi introduces you to endemics like the Malabar Whistling Thrush, Malabar Grey Hornbill, White-bellied Minivet, and Grey-headed Bulbul.
Watch for owls, woodpeckers, babblers, bulbuls, and the elusive Indian Blue Robin. Wildlife sightings may include Indian Elephants, Dholes, Leopards, and, with luck, the Bengal Tiger.
Day 5: Mudumalai to Ooty (Udhagamandalam)
Travel to the enchanting Blue Mountains of Ooty. This high-altitude region is home to shola forests, where species like Nilgiri Laughingthrush, Black-and-Orange Flycatcher, and White-bellied Treepie thrive.
Other possibilities include the Heart-spotted Woodpecker, Nilgiri Thrush, and Blue-capped Rock Thrush. Dinner and overnight at your scenic lodge.
Day 6: Ooty to Parambikulam Tiger Reserve
Early birding around Ooty gives chances for Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Indian Black-lored Tit, and Puff-throated Babbler. Post-breakfast, we drive to Parambikulam, a lush tropical reserve nestled in the southern Western Ghats.
Evening birding may bring sightings of Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Brown Hawk-Owl, and possibly the majestic Spot-bellied Eagle Owl.
Day 7: Exploring Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
Today we bird in the rich moist deciduous forests of Parambikulam, home to specialties like Malabar Trogon, White-bellied Blue Flycatcher, Grey Junglefowl, and Malabar Grey Hornbill.
Watch for Gaur, Nilgiri Langur, and Indian Giant Flying Squirrel amidst a chorus of endemic birds and primates.
Day 8: Parambikulam to Munnar
After a morning birding session targeting species like Flame-throated Bulbul, Malabar Starling, and Great Hornbill, we travel to the highland town of Munnar in Kerala’s tea country. Expect scenic landscapes and a cool climate.
Day 9: Birding in Eravikulam National Park, Munnar
Eravikulam, home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, also hosts a suite of endemic birds including Nilgiri Pipit, Painted Bush Quail, Nilgiri Flycatcher, and White-bellied Blue Robin.
You may also see Loten’s Sunbird, Dusky Crag Martins, and Blue Rock Thrush during a full day of immersive birding.
Day 10: Munnar to Periyar Tiger Reserve
Today we travel south to Periyar National Park, a biodiversity hotspot and critical tiger habitat. En route or near your resort, keep an eye out for the charming Indian Pitta.
Day 11: Birding in Periyar National Park
Enjoy a rich birding experience across grasslands, evergreen forests, and lakeshores. Target species include Wynaad Laughingthrush, Black Baza, Chestnut-winged Cuckoo, Forest Wagtail, and more.
In the afternoon, a boat safari on Lake Periyar may offer sightings of Elephants, Gaur, Sambar Deer, and aquatic birds like the Grey-headed Fish Eagle.
Day 12: Periyar to Kochi
After a final morning’s birdwatching in Periyar, we drive to Kochi, the historic port city. Enjoy a relaxing evening and your final dinner in Kerala.
Day 13: Departure from Kochi
Your birding tour concludes after breakfast. Transfer to Cochin International Airport for your flight home or onward destination, taking with you memories of an unforgettable wildlife journey through the Western Ghats of India.
Tour Cost Inclusions
• Accommodation in comfortable wildlife lodges, eco-resorts, and hotels on a twin-sharing basis across all destinations: Bangalore, Mysore, Mudumalai, Ooty, Parambikulam, Munnar, Periyar, and Kochi.
• All meals included (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) from Day 1 dinner to Day 13 breakfast.
• All surface travel and transfers by a dedicated air-conditioned private vehicle, including airport pickup in Bangalore and drop-off in Kochi.
• All entry fees and permits for national parks, birding reserves, boat rides, and sanctuaries mentioned in the itinerary (e.g., Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Eravikulam National Park, Periyar Tiger Reserve).
• Accompanying expert birding guide/naturalist throughout the tour, knowledgeable in Western Ghats species and ecosystems.
• Local trackers and nature guides at key birding hotspots wherever required.
• Bottled drinking water during road journeys and all field excursions.
• Complete assistance at hotels, check-ins, and airports throughout the tour.
Tour Cost Exclusions
• International airfare to Bangalore and from Kochi, and any additional domestic flights not mentioned in the itinerary.
• Visa fees, overseas travel/medical insurance, and any required vaccinations.
• Personal expenses, including laundry, phone calls, spa treatments, minibar usage, or alcoholic beverages.
• Optional activities or safaris not specified in the official itinerary.
• Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers, porters, or lodge staff.
• Professional camera/video equipment fees beyond standard allowances in national parks or sanctuaries.
• Any extra meals, drinks, or hotel nights before Day 1 or after Day 13, or extended stays not part of the planned tour.
• Anything not explicitly mentioned under “Tour Cost Inclusions.”