Western Ghats Wildlife Tour

Basic Information

Running along the Western edge of the Deccan Plateau in the states of Karnataka and Kerala, the Western Ghats mountains separate the Deccan Plateau from the narrow coastal plain which runs along the Arabian Sea. This is the setting for one of the 35 world’s designated “hottest biodiversity hotspots”. This region supports an astonishing 5000 species of flowering plants, around 140 mammals, over 500 birds and nearly 180 amphibians, many of them threatened. More importantly, this hotspot is home to great endemism including about 20 endemic mammals. Among flagship mammals, the most prominent are the Lion-tailed Macaque, found in highly fragmented tropical rain forests of the Western Ghats and the endemic Nilgiri Tahr, which lives in the montane grasslands of the Western Ghats. Over 30 species of birds are endemic or near endemic to this region and this tour will also seek to see them all. On this journey, you will also be sighting the other major wildlife like the Asian elephants, Sloth Bears, Dholes and possibly the big cats. Commencing at Thattekkad and circumventing the Western Ghats at Munnar, the Anamalai hills, the Nilgiri Hills, the dry deciduous and scrub forests at Mudumalai and Chinnar, you will be accompanied at all times by a knowledgeable local naturalist who knows where to find the most elusive species. Travelling by SUV’s or mini buses, comfortable specialist accommodation throughout and memorable local cuisines, all add to the experience.

Tour Itinerary

After arrival at Cochin International Airport, you will be picked up and transferred to Thattekad.

Activity – Evening and Night birding searching for Nocturnal species

We will have morning Birdwatching and will be taken to the hilly tea town of Munnar. You can find a large number of endemics in this area including Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri Martin, Nilgiri Langur, Bonnet Macaques, Black and orange flycatcher, Nilgiri Pipit, While Bellied Blue Robin & Palani Laughing Thrush

Day 2 Activity – En-route birding. Evening walk-in search of wildlife

Day 3 Activity – Visit Eravikulam National Park highest point in South India(Reserved especially for  Nigiri Tahr)

Visit Pampadum Shola National Park in search of Nilgiri Martin

En-route Valparai we will visit Chinar Wildlife Sanctuary in search of Birds and mammals. Species to look out here for are Tufted Grey Langur, Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Spot-bellied Eagle Owl, Jungle Prinia, and Sirkeer Malkoha. We will also find a wide variety of butterflies here. Upon arrival at Valparai, yet another beautiful tea town in Nilgiri hills awaits the pack of Lion-tailed Maquaues(Red listed by IUCN) along with Gaur, Asiatic Elephants, and Nilgiri Langur.

In this moist broad leaf forest chances of wildlife encounter is high. This Savana covered in short grass and tony shrubs provides a great habitat for birds and animals. Species to look out for are Sloth bear, Tiger, Blacker Panther, Blackbuck, Indian Chevrotain, and Larger heard of Chittal.

Day 5 Activity: Transfer from Valparai to Mudumalai. En route, we will search for wildlife.

Day 6 Activity: Morning Safari in Mudumalai National Park. Afternoon Safari Bandipur national park.

In the Morning we take a safari at Bandipur Tiger Reserve and later will head towards Mysore with birding pit-stops en-route.

You will be taken to Banglore International Airport and we will part ways hoping to see you on your next quest.

Tour Details

  • More than 5 Wildlife National Parks & 1 Bird sanctuary.
  • Possibilities of sighting Big cats like Royal Bengal Tigers & Black panthers
  • Chances of sighting Asiatic Elephant, Gaur, Dhole, Sloth Bear.

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