South India Birdwatching Tour

OVERVIEW

This 8-day birding expedition takes you through South India’s premier biodiversity hotspots, offering a rare chance to encounter endemic and migratory bird species in some of the most scenic and ecologically rich landscapes of the Western Ghats. From the dense forests of Thattekkad and Periyar Tiger Reserve to the high-altitude shola forests of Munnar and Ooty, and the plains of Coimbatore and dry deciduous forests of Mudumalai, each location is a treasure trove for avid birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike.

The journey begins at the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary in Thattekkad, where you’ll explore the sanctuary’s rich birdlife, from colourful species like the Crimson-backed Sunbird to elusive nocturnal residents such as the Sri Lanka Bay Owl and Spot-bellied Eagle Owl. Continuing to Periyar, your experience intensifies with guided walks, offering sightings of iconic species like the Waynad Laughingthrush and Great Indian Hornbill, as well as possible encounters with large mammals like elephants and Sambar Deer.

At Munnar, you’ll be immersed in high-altitude birdwatching amidst tea plantations and shola forests, where Western Ghats endemics such as the Nilgiri Pipit, Nilgiri Flycatcher, and the Nilgiri Tahr await. A visit to Eravikulam National Park further enhances your experience with sightings of the Nilgiri Tahr and a variety of highland bird species.

Descending towards Coimbatore, enjoy birding en route in the Nilgiri foothills, with opportunities to spot species like the Painted Sandgrouse and Indian Courser. The adventure continues at Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, a dry deciduous habitat where open grasslands and forested areas provide a unique ecosystem for species like the Blue-faced Malkoha, Jerdon’s Bushlark, and Vernal Hanging Parrot.

Throughout the journey, you’ll encounter a mix of forests, grasslands, and montane habitats, each offering its own array of avian treasures. Guided by local experts, you’ll enjoy specialized birdwatching sessions, nighttime excursions, and safaris in South India’s rich landscapes. The trip concludes in Bangalore, where you’ll depart with unforgettable memories of South India’s endemic birds, mammals, and breathtaking landscapes, making this an ideal expedition for birdwatching and wildlife enthusiasts seeking an immersive experience in the Western Ghats.

HIGHLIGHTS

Birding in the Western Ghats’ Biodiversity Hotspots
Unique Nocturnal Birdwatching
Diverse Wildlife Encounters Across Habitats

ITINERARY

Day 1 & 2:

Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Thattekkad

All Meals

Wildlife Safari and Hiking

Detailed Plan

Our team will warmly welcome you at Cochin International Airport and transfer you to Thattekkad, where your birdwatching adventure begins. Upon arrival, you’ll have the rest of the day to explore this rich birding area, including an evening walk to spot nocturnal species. Your stay in Thattekkad spans two nights, with a full day dedicated to birdwatching in this unique habitat known for its high concentration of Western Ghats endemics. Target species here include the vibrant Crimson-backed Sunbird, Grey-headed Bulbul, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Flame-throated Bulbul, Malabar Woodshrike, Malabar Barbet, Grey-fronted Green Pigeon, Malabar Starling, Nilgiri Flowerpecker, and the White-cheeked Barbet. A good number of nocturnal species are expected from here, both during the day and at night such as Mottled Wood Owl, Oriental Scops Owl, Indian Scops Owl, Brown Fish Owl, Brown Hawk Owl, Spot-bellied Eagle Owl, Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Jerdon’s Nightjar and Great-eared Nightjar we will spend a considerable amount of time in search of the Sri Lanka Bay Owl as well.

Day 3:

Periyar tiger Reserve

All Meals

Wildlife Safari and Hiking

Detailed Plan

You’ll head to Periyar, where you’ll explore the tiger reserve on guided morning and afternoon walks, accompanied by expert forest guards. After check-in and lunch, embark on your first walk in the national park. The top bird to seek out here is the elusive Waynad Laughingthrush, along with other remarkable species such as the Great Indian Hornbill, Malabar Trogon, White-bellied Treepie, Grey-fronted Green Pigeon, Jungle Owlet, Black Baza, Woolly-necked Stork, White-bellied Blue Flycatcher, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Indian Paradise Flycatcher, Oriental Scops Owl, Rufous Woodpecker, Large-billed Leaf Warbler, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Malabar Parakeet, and Indian Scimitar Babbler. The reserve’s trails also offer excellent opportunities for spotting larger mammals like Elephants, Sambar Deer, Indian Gaur, and Nilgiri Langur, enhancing the experience of this rich and biodiverse landscape.

Day 4:

Munnar

All Meals

Wildlife Safari and Hiking

Detailed Plan

After the morning birding session at Periyar, you will set off for Munnar. Enroute we will look for the confined Yellow-throated Bulbul. Other species we may see here are Brown-headed Barbet, Jungle Prinia, Yellow-billed Babbler, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Blue-faced Malkoha, White-browed Bulbul, Purple-rumped Sunbird, Black Eagle, Common Woodshrike, Chestnut-head Bee-eater, Indian Swiftlet, Common Iora, White-bellied, Bronzed Drongo, Purple Sunbird, Asian Palm Swift, Booted Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Common Kestrel and Tawny-bellied Babbler.At Munnar the montane forests reach as high as 2600 meters above sea level. In the heart of these Sholas found numerous unique inhabitants of the Nilgiri mountains, here we will be looking out for the most sought-after western Ghats endemic birds like Nilgiri Pipit, Nilgiri Flycatcher, White-bellied Blue Robin (or now called White-bellied Sholakili), Palani Laughingthrush, Nilgiri Thrush, Black and Orange Flycatcher, Nilgiri Flowerpecker and Nilgiri Wood Pigeon.You will visit Eravikulam National Park renowned for the population of the Nilgiri Tahr and ungulate endemic to the Western Ghats, the park hosts a remarkable number of endemics such as, White-bellied Blue Robin, Palani Laughingthrush, Black and Orange Flycatcher, Nilgiri Pipit and sometimes the rare Broad-tailed Grassbird.

Day 5:

Coimbatore

All Meals

Wildlife Safari and Hiking

Detailed Plan

Today we setoff northwards as we descend from the Nilgiri Hills into the plains to Coimbatore. Enroute we will stop for birding and also will pick up few mammal species, such as Tuted Grey Langur and Grizzled Giant squirrel.Species to look out for at Coimbatore includes, Painted and Chestnut- bellied Sandgrouse, Rock Eagle Owl, Barred Button Quail, Tawny Lark, Bay-backed Shrike and Indian Courser

Day 6:

Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Masinagudi

All Meals

Wildlife Safari and Hiking

Detailed Plan

You will set off for Mudumalai via Ooty, it’s a long journey (06 hrs.) awaits you ahead. Ooty is a notable place for the Nilgiri resident birds. You will spend the rest of the day birding in Ooty most of the birding here is done in the Shola Forest patches. Key species to lookout for includes, Nilgiri endemics such as Nilgiri Flycatcher, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Nilgiri Laughingthrush (or Black-chinned), the striking Black and Orange Flycatcher, Nilgiri Blue Robin, Nilgiri Pipit and the top-notch species of the region Nilgiri thrush. Amongst the endemics, other species we may well see are Painted Bush-Quail, Square-tailed Bulbul, Tickell’s Leaf Warbler, Brown-cheeked Fulvetta, White-spotted Fantail, Indian Yellow Tit, Grey Jungle Fowl, Indian Blackbird, common Rosefinch, Indian White-eye, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher and Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike. After spending a reasonable amount of time at Ooty for the essential targets we will transfer you to Mudumalai.

Day 7:

Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Masinagudi

All Meals

Wildlife Watching and Hiking

Detailed Plan

Full day birding at Mudumalai, the dry deciduous forest and the short grass covered open country has many more birds to add to your list, Blue-faced Malkoha, Jordon’s Bushlark, White-bellied Minivet, Tawny-bellied Babbler, White-bellied Drongo, Bay-backed Shrike, Long-tailed shrike, Golden-fronted Leafbird, Vernal Hanging Parrot, Plum-headed Parakeet, Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Black-headed Cuckoo-Shrike, Grey-bellied Cuckoo, Coppersmith Barbet, Yellow-eyed Babbler, White-browed Fantail, Indian-blue Robin, White-rumped Shama and Crested Hawk-Eagle are few notable species.

Day 8 Departure:

Bangalore

All Meals

Wildlife watching and hiking

Detailed Plan

After the morning birding you will depart for the airport.

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GALLERY

ROUTE MAP

Please note that the cost of our tour includes the activities and accommodations specified in the itinerary. Any additional expenses, such as laundry services or beverages (including alcoholic drinks), are not covered and can be settled directly with the hotels or establishments where these services are provided.