Destinations: Mysore, Masinagudi, Ooty, Top Slip, Munnar, Periyar, Thattekad, Kochi
Duration: 13 Nights and 14 Days
Best Season: November to March
Tour Code: 801-MP
Good For: Birders & Wildlifers, Photographers
Leader: Mike Prince
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Introduction
This tour focuses on the endemic birds of the Western Ghats of South India, one of the 36 global biodiversity hotspots due to its large amount of endemism and diversity. The area is important for wintering migrants too, and we are guaranteed some great birds and wildlife throughout. We will see most of the 37 South Indian endemics, plus many of those shared with Sri Lanka, and an excellent selection of large mammals. Key bird species include lots with Malabar and Nilgiri in their name!
Starting from Bangalore (officially now known as Bengaluru) in Karnataka, we take a southerly route through the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The main birding sites include the heronry at Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary on the River Cauvery, Bandipur and Mudumalai National Parks, the Nilgiri Hills, Periyar National Park and Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, before we finish on the Kerala coast at Kochi (formerly Cochin).
Key Species
Painted Bush Quail, Sri Lanka Bay Owl, Blue-winged Parakeet, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Malabar Trogon, Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Indian Pitta, Black-and-orange Flycatcher, Nilgiri Flycatcher, Kashmir Flycatcher, Indian Blue Robin, Nilgiri Sholakili, White-bellied Sholakili, Nilgiri Thrush, Nilgiri Laughingthrush, Palani Laughingthrush, Wynaad Laughingthrush, White-bellied Treepie, Malabar Woodshrike, Malabar Barbet, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Nilgiri Pipit, Malabar Whistling Thrush.
Itinerary Overview
Day 01: Arrive in Bangalore and travel to Mysore
Day 02: Mysore to Masinagudi
Day 03: Masinagudi
Day 04: Masinagudi to Ooty
Day 05: Ooty
Day 06: Ooty to Top Slip
Day 07: Top Slip to Munnar
Day 08: Munnar
Day 09: Munnar to Periyar
Day 10: Periyar
Day 11: Periyar to Thattekad
Day 12: Thattekad
Day 13: Thattekad
Day 14: Thattekad to Kochi
Tour Customization:
As usual in India there is so much to see, so many options, and too little time! If you have any particular preferences for locations, overall pace, accommodation standards etc., then let us know in advance and we will be happy to customize the plan described if possible.
Please note that, as with all our tours, we may ourselves change the itinerary described due to various reasons such as latest birding information, availability of accommodation, state of the roads, and other unexpected factors that, this being India, do pop up from time to time!
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