Birding Tour –Through Three states

Arrival Bangalore/Mysore

Arrive Bangalore airport in the morning. Your accompanying naturalist for the tour will meet you on arrival and further drive to Mysore (150 km). En-route visit Kokrebllur Bird Sanctuary. This place is famous for its Spot Billed Pelicans and the Painted Storks that can be sighted here in vast numbers. This scenic village has paddy fields, cattle, water, and lots of exotic birds.

At Mysore - Birding

Visit Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary

The islands host numerous mammals and migratory birds. Some of them are Bonnet Macaque, colonies of Flying Fox and common small mammals like Indian Gray Mongoose, the monitor lizard and Civet. The Marsh Crocodile also called the Mugger Crocodile is a common inhabitant of the riverine reed beds. Migratory water birds include Painted Stork, Asian Open bill Stork, Common Spoonbill, Woolly-necked Stork, Black-headed Ibis, White Ibis, Lesser Whistling Duck, Indian Shag, Stork-billed Kingfisher and other common birds like egrets, cormorants, Oriental Darter, and herons. The Great Stone Plover, and River Tern also nest here. It is home to a large flock of Streak-throated Swallows. 

Afternoon visit Maharaja’s palace built in 1911-1912. The palace harmoniously synthesizes the Hindu and the Saracenic styles of architecture with archways, domes, turrets, colonnades and sculptures, which are truly magnificent .  Visit the Art Gallery. Later drive up to the 1062 m high Chamundi hill to see the Chamundeshwari temple with a panoramic view of Mysore. On your way back, see the 5 m high Nandi Bull carved out of solid rock in 1659.  

Overnight at Mysore

From Mysore to Nagerhole

Morning , drive to Nagerhole wildlife sanctuary  (90 km , 02 hrs) 

Afternoon Jeep safari at the sanctuary.Some of the birds that can be found in this region are the Osprey, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Malabar Pied Hornbill, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Malabar Trogon, White-bellied Woodpecker, White-rumped Shama and the Plum-headed Parakeet. At Nagarhole, one can witness the largest congregation of Asiatic Elephants in the world, and these majestic mammals rule the roost here.

Over night at Nagerhole

From Nagerhole to Mudumalai via Bandipur

Morning, drive to Mudumalai (115 km) en-route jeep safari at Bandipur Wildlife sanctuary . Located in the southern part of the beautiful state of Karnataka, Bandipur is one of the oldest wildlife sanctuaries in India. The Bandipur National Park was made by the Maharaja of Mysore in the year 1931 and was then spread over an area of 90 sq kms. 

Overnight at Bandipur

At Mudumalai - Birding & Jungle Safari

Morning proceed for a birding & Safari . Birds commonly found at at Mudumala are Peacock, Grey Jungle Fowl, Red Spur Fowl, Grey Partridge Quails, Goggle Eyed Plower, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Large Racket-Tailed Dronge, The Magpie-robin, Spotted Babbler, Small Green Barbet, Green Pigeons, Brown Dove, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Bulbuls, Mynahs.   One can also spot an endemic bird-White bellied minivet , which is only found in Mudumalai . 

Overnight at Mudumalai

From Mudumalai to Ooty

Morning drive to Ooty (40 km) en-route stop at Naduvattom & Nadugani shola extend. Birds spotted here are Grey Junglefowl, Woodcock, Indian Scimitar Babbler, Black and orange and Nilgiri fly catchers, Crimson backed Sunbirds, Nilgiri Laughing Thrush, Large billed leaf, Greenish and western crowned Warblers, Indian Blue Robin, SCaly Thrush, Eurasian Black bird, Black lored tit, forest wagtail, pompadour green pegion, Mountain imperial pigeons, Nilgiri wood pigeon, white bellied blue flycatcher, Malabar Whistling Thrush. 

Overnight at Ooty

From Ooty to Parambikulam

After early breakfast , drive to Parambikum wildlife sanctuary.Considering its biological richness, abundance of wildlife and landcape beauty makes Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is one of the most attractive places in the entire stretch of Western Ghats. It was declared as Tiger Reserve during 2009 with total area of 643.66 SqKm, which includes core area of 390.89 and 252.77 Sq Km Buffer area. Evening, a short trek in the sanctuary.

Overnight at Parambikulam

At Parambikulam – Birding tour

Early morning , proceed for a birding tour.  Birds spotted are  Black Bittern, Oriental Honey Buzzard, Changeable Hawk, Rufous Bellied, Black and Crested Serpent Eagles, Vernal Hanging Parrots, Emerald dove, common Hawk cuckoos, chestnut winged and Banded Bay Cuckoos, Jungle Owlet, Brown backed Needletail, Alpine Swift, Crested Treeswift, Cheast Nut headed and Blue bearded bee eater, brown capped pygmy woodepecker, black hooded orioles, Chestnut tailed Starling, Large woodshrike, velvet fronted Nuthatch, Forest Wagtail, Thick billed Flowerpecker, purple rumped sunbird. 

Overnight at Parambikulam

From Parambikulam to Chinnar

Morning , drive to Chinnar wildlife sanctuary (100 Km) .Arrive Chinnar Forest station by noon. you will start your trek through the dry deciduous thorny scrub forests of Chinnar. Trek starts from Champakkad tribal settlement. A two hour long trek will end at Vasyappara.  

Overnight at Chinnar

At Chinnar – Birding tour

Early morning, bird watching. These forests are home to one of the most endangered mammals of India, the Grizzled Giant Squirrel.  Birds spotted are White-browed bulbul, Plum-headed Parakeet, White-naped Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail, Purple-rumped Sunbird, Green Bee-eater, White-throated Kingfisher, White-bellied Drongo, Small Minivet, Green Imperial Pigeon, Little Nightjar, Grey Heron, Hawk, Crested Serpent Eagle, Black Eagle, Little Egret, Indian Pond Heron, Pied Kingfisher, Black-hooded Oriole, Scarlet Minivet, Common lora, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, White-browed Wagtail, Black-rumped Flameback, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Red-vented Bulbul and other birds.

Overnight at Chinnar

From Chinnar to Munnar

Early morning bird watching and later trek back to the station. Drive to Munnar (50 km) 

Munnar is a beautiful hill station on the Western Ghats at about 1600 metres above sea level. Munnar is essentially a tea-town with its sprawling tea plantations. Munnar  has a legacy of its own when it comes to the origins and evolution of tea plantations. It offers a magnificent view of the tea plantations and also the rolling hills caressed by blankets of mists. 

Overnight at Munnar

At Munnar – Visit Eravikulam National Park

Visit Eravikulam National Park. 

The terrain consists of high altitude grasslands interspersed with sholas. Eravikulam National Park harbours the largest surviving population of Nilgiri tahr (Hemitragus hylocrius).Nilgiri Tahr is endemic to the southern Western Ghats.Its relatives are the Himalayan tahr(Hemitragus jemlahicus) and Arabian Tahr(hemitragus jayakiri). Eravikulam National Park offers the view of Tickell's Leaf Warblers, Tytler's Leaf Warbler, Indian Scimitar Babbler, Black and orange Flycatcher, Nilgiri Flycatcher, Large Billed Leaf Warbler, White bellied Short wing.

Overnight at Munnar.

From Munnar to Periyar

Morning , drive to Periyar (125 km, 04 hr)

Thekkady
Periyar is South India’s most popular wildlife sanctuary, encompassing an area of 777 sq km. Set on the attractive man-made Periyar Lake; it attracts over 300,000 visitors a year. Though the sanctuary was made a part of Project Tiger in 1973, it is better known for its elephants. 

Evening proceed for Spice plantation with the naturalist. You will get first hand information on the various spices like Cardamom, Pepper, clove, Cinnamon and Nutmeg. 

Overnight at Periyar

At Periyar – Bamboo Rafting

Full day Bamboo Rafting

Morning proceed for Bamboo rafting in periyar wild life sanctuary. This is a dawn to dusk range hiking and rafting programme through some of the richest forest tracts of Periyar Tiger Reserve. Starting at 8 am from the boat landing, a mosaic of habitats will be traversed before the party gets into rafts made of bamboos.  
The forests are rich in bird life and arboreal animals like giant squirrel and Nilgiri langur. The rafting is for about three hours and one gets a panoramic view of forest-clad hills reflected on the lake. Animals like elephant, gaur and sambar are sighted keeping close to the edges of the lake. 

Overnight at Periyar

From Periyar to Thattekkad

Morning drive to Thattekkad (120 km , 3.5 hrs) . 

The Hornbill Camp, Set amidst a coconut grove on the banks of the Periyar River, the Hornbill Camp consists of cottage tents built on raised platforms. The camp overlooks the lowland forests of the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary at Thattekkad in Kerala. 

Evening proceed to visit thattekad bird sanctuary (1600 hrs-1830 hrs). 

Overnight at Thattekkad

At Thattekkad – Birding tour

Morning have a cup of tea served in the camp near the banks of the river Periyar & watch the sun rise. At 6 AM proceed to Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary and experience half day bird watching with the qualified Naturalist / Guide. 

Known as the Birder's Paradise, the camp and the adjoining Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, is home to over 270 species of birds, including all the endemics. 

Overnight at Thattekkad

From Thattekkad to Kumarakom

Morning , drive to Kumarakom (90 km,02 hr)

Kumarakom , The legendary backwaters of Kumarakom have brought visitors from far and wide to its shores. An unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with white lilies. Situated on the Vembanad Lake, in this small water world you'll come across plenty of traditional country crafts, boats and canoes which will take you into the heart of the scenic lake.
 
Afternoon , visit the Kumarakom bird sanctuary , home to different species of migratory birds. 

Overnight at Kumarakom

From Kumarakom to Cochin

Mid morning, you will drive to the heritage town of Fort Cochin 

The spice trade first bought Chinese and Arabian traders to Kerala’ shores and later the Portuguese  , Dutch and British thus making Fort Cochin a cultural melting point. Wander through its old streets, the synagogue, the ancient churches, colonial houses and the picturesque Chinese fishing nets. 

On arrival Cochin, You will bid farewell to your accompanying naturalist.

Overnight at Cochin.

Explore Cochin

In the morning you will meet up with your local guide and you will set on foot to explore Fort Cochin.  The St Francis  Church,  the oldest European Church in India ,where Vasco de Gama the first European traveller to India was originally buried rnihere.  Also visit the Chinese fishing nets believed to be brought to Kochi by the Chinese Traders. After Fort cochin , you will take a TUK TUK  for a short ride to  Mattancherry Dutch Palace (Friday closed) at Mattancherry is renowned  for its wall murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana.  The Jewish Synagogue (Saturday closed) at the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town.  A walk through the jew street is a pleasing experience. 

Afternoon , free  at Leisure.

Over night at Cochin

Departure Cochin

In time transfer to Cochin Airport (01 hr) to connect flight back home