When: Anytime except June to September

Length: Any length of stay is welcome, but we recommend a 7 day itinerary which is given below.

Number of guests: Two to six (but we can handle more)

Fee: For 2 guests during a 6 nights / 7 days birding tour, USD 400.00 per person (240 GBP - United Kingdom Pounds).

Introduction:

The tour starts at Kochi in Kerala. We will meet up with you at the airport & pick you up for your tour. It is an hour's drive to Thattekkad where you will spend the next 2 days.  We will take you the beautiful hill station of Munnar - an old British planter's town at an altitude of over 1500 m. The third leg of the tour covers the famed Periyar Tiger Reserve. Our USP is that we assure you that you will see most of the 16 endemics of Kerala, as well close to 250 species during this period . For the details of your itinerary, please see the map.

7 Day Itinerary

Day1: Arrive at Kochi Airport. Transfer to Thattekkad. Thattekkad is   the finest lowland birding enclave in South India. In just 25 sq kms area, it is not unusual to see over 150 species in a 2-day period. Should expect to see the Grey hornbill, White-bellied tree pie, Rufous babbler, Wayanad laughing thrush, Grey headed bulbul, White-bellied blue flycatcher, Crimson-backed sunbird, Nilgiri wood pigeon, Malabar parakeet. Check into the Hornbill within the forest in well appointed cottage tents with en-suite facilities. In the evening proceed for birding for the nightjars & owls. Dinner at leisure. 

Day2: Early morning birding to Thattekkad, where you will see most of the endemics, as well as most of the 280 species of birds in the sanctuary. You will also be visiting the Edamalayar dam for birding. All meals will be served during the trip. Return by evening to Hornbill Camp. 

Day 3: Munnar. It is time to move to the hills at Munnar - a tea town founded by the British. Munnar is a hill station averaging around 1500 m. Endemics like Grey-breasted laughing thrush, White-bellied short wing, Nilgiri flycatcher, Black & orange flycatcher, Broad tailed grass bird, Nilgiri pipit are easily sighted here and surrounding areas.

Day 4: Chinnar. Wake up to the mesmerizing cry of the Malabar Whistling Thrush and prepare to proceed to Chinnar. This is the  only dry deciduous forest in Kerala and incredibly rich in avifauna. We will have to up by 5 AM & travel about 2 hours to reach Chinnar. We will spend the full day here. 

Day 5: Periyar. Periyar Tiger reserve spreads over 777 sq kms area. Even though most core areas in the sanctuary a off limits to tourists, the periphery is good for sightings of endemics and a good number of the over 330 species of birds here. An excellent place for birding for endemics too ! Bonus will be the magnificent wildlife in the Periyar Tiger Reserve - elephants, bison, deer and of course tigers (if you are lucky enough !)

Day 6: Periyar. Continue birding at Periyar & surrounding areas. Of note will be the chance to see the Great Indian Hornbill, which abound inside the forests.

Day 7: Kochi. Set course for Kochi after a stint of morning birding. Tour ends.

Additional Options...

• South India Endemic Tour: Ask us for our South India Endemic Bird Tour. We take you on a 10-day birding tour. Sightings of the 70 Indian Sub-continent endemics. Tour covers Thattekkad, Munnar, Chinnar, Ooty, Kalakkad.

• Houseboat Cruises for birding: A day of supreme relaxation on a house boat (converted rice barges)   cruising along the backwaters. You are the captain of the boat while you relax on the fox'le with your cuppa tea or a cool beer !!