Wild Walk Tours
South India Birding
Mountains, a land of endless valleys, rolling tea estates, and breathtaking highland vistas, are well-known for harboring a superb range of highly localized endemic birds and a host of special mammals. This comprehensive tour showcases many of these unique creatures: the gorgeous Indian Pitta, scarce White-bellied Minivet, Nilgiri Laughingthrush, Nilgiri
Wood Pigeon, rare Sri Lanka Frogmouth, exquisite Malabar Trogon, Malabar Whistling Thrush, and Heart-spotted Woodpecker are just some of the incredible birds we will search for, while Indian Elephant, Gaur (Indian Bison), Wild Boar, and Smooth-coated Otter are potential mammalian highlights. Join us for an unbeatable birding exploration of
the southern part of this immense and extremely rewarding nation!
Itinerary
Day 1: Bengaluru to Mysore. we will depart from Bengaluru on our route south towards Ranganathittu. We will then make our way to the famous bird sanctuary at Ranganathittu, where we board a small boat on the Cauvery River. Tonight we will overnight at a lovely hotel in the town of Mysore, commonly described as the “City of Palaces”.
Day 2: An early start this morning will see us arriving at the beautiful Mysore Palace to enjoy a stroll around the exterior. Incorporating a wide and fascinating array of courtyards, gardens and buildings, this stunning structure is second
only to the Taj Mahal. We then begin our journey towards the Mudumalai hills, one of the largest areas of protected forests in India.
Day 3: Mudamalai. This morning, we will enjoy birding the broad-leaved riverine forests and secondary growth of Mudumalai and Masinagudi.This area is usually a reliable site for Indian Elephant and we hope to come across these
spectacular animals.
Day 4: Mudamalai to Udhagamandalam (Ooty). This morning we will transfer towards the Blue Mountains near Udhagamandalam, among the highest mountains in all of Southern India. The scenery is superb within a garden-like setting of rhododendron and magnolia forests draped with an assortment of orchids.We will spend the day soaking in our
surroundings while looking for geographically restricted species.
Day 5: Ooty to Parambikulam. We will begin our day with some birding in the area before we move further onwards. We then spend the afternoon driving up to Parambikulam for a two-night stay.
Day 6: Parambikulam. Our lodge here is conveniently located within striking distance of prime birding habitat, and we will spend the entire day exploring the rich forested areas around Parambikulam in the foothills of the Western Ghats.
Day 7: Parambikulam to Munnar. This morning we will have some additional time to continue birding this fabulous area, before moving further to our next destination.In the afternoon we will then make our way to our next
destination, the town of Munnar.
Day 8:Munnar. This morning we will head out to explore the Eravikulam National Park situated in the high Cardamom Hills
of the Western Ghats. This reserve, originally established to protect a sure-footed goat called the Nilgiri Tahr, supports a good selection of birds as well as several localized species.After a full day’s birding in this great area, we will retire for a second night at our now familiar accommodation near Munnar.
Day 9: Munnar to Periyar National Park. We head to the fabulous Periyar reserve this morning with birding detours en route.
Day 10: Periyar National Park. Periyar National Park contains a variety of habitats, ranging from grassland and dry deciduous forest to evergreen forest and riverside scrub. We will spend the day searching here for some very special species, including the highly secretive and wary Wynaad Laughingthrush and other birds.
Day 11: Periyar to Kochi. After a final morning’s birding near Periyar National
Park, we will take an afternoon drive to Kochi where we will overnight and enjoy a final
celebratory dinner together.
Day 12: Kochi and depart. This morning the tour will conclude in Kochi, where
those not doing the will depart for their international flights back home,
All our tours are curated with the minutest of details with the objective of giving our guests a rich travel experience. We partner with the best and most comfortable properties for accommodations. From Budget Accommodation to Luxury Cottages, we cater to all requirements.
Most Importantly our tours include the services of the Expert Birding Guide present throughout the trip.
Weather you are a Solo Traveler or If you wish to travel in a group along with like-minded travelers, or even conduct a group of your own, we cater to all.
Download the detailed Itinerary here .