Tour Destinations

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary

eBird Hotspot

One of the best known birding sites in southern India, Thattekad represents some of the last remaining lowland evergreen forest of the region, and it was the first bird sanctuary in Kerala. Legendary ornithologist Salim Ali (1896-1987) of Mumbai, a.k.a. “the Birdman of India", referred to  Thattekad as “the richest bird habitat on peninsular India”. The 25 sq. km sanctuary supports over 300 species of birds. During our time here we will look for Western Ghats endemics and regional specials, including the Gray-headed Bulbul, White-bellied Treepie, Legge’s Hawk-Eagle,  Malabar Trogon, 2 endemic hornbills, Flame-throated Bulbul, and sought after birds like Slaty-legged Crake, Black Baza, Chestnut-winged Cuckoo, White-bellied Blue Flycatcher, possibly Malayan Night Heron and Malabar Flameback, and more. The impossibly gaudy Black-backed Dwarf-Kingfisher is more often heard than seen, but frequents the area, and we should also encounter some overwintering migrants too. Our jungle walks could yield mammals too, such as Indian Spotted Chevrotain (Mouse Deer), otters, elephants, and Sambar (a large deer). Night birding can be rewarding at Thattekad. We’ll spend some time early in the evenings to search for Jerdon’s Nightjar and Great Eared-Nightjar, and there are 8 species of owls possible. We’d need luck to connect with all, but the odds are good to encounter a few, and among the possibilities is the regal Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl, and the Oriental Scops-Owl. On rare occasions, the Gray Slender Loris can make an appearance during these night sojourns.

Periyar Tiger Reserve

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Situated amidst the Cardamom Hills astride the border with Tamil Nadu, Periyar is a mosaic of tropical and subtropical humid broadleaf forests, montane grasslands and savannas. Common tree species include teak, rosewood, sandalwood, mango, jamun, tamarind, banyans, sacred fig, and Malabar Kino, among others. We’ll work the forest trails in search of the sneaky yet social Wayanad Laughingthrush, as well as Malabar Imperial-Pigeon and Legge’s Hawk-Eagle. The leeward slopes can feature dry forest birds, including the Yellow-throated Bulbul. We plan to visit the shola forests of the Western Ghats as well. 

Munnar & Eravikulam National Park

The rolling hills where Munnar is situated made it a popular hill station, and for tea plantations, established in the late 1800s. The verdant views and the proximity to Eravikulam National Park continue to make it a popular spot amongst nature enthusiasts, and it's an important site for the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. Today found only in the southern reaches of the Western Ghats, it is the state animal of neighboring Tamil Nadu, and this goat numbers only about 3000 total. Eravikulam holds the largest population. Kerala’s first national park, established in 1978, we will explore the plateau, grasslands, and sholas (a tropical montane forest type found only in the Ghats), and hope to take in views of Anamudi. The highest peak in South India, the “elephant head”, reaches heights of nearly 9000 feet asl. We use battery-operated vehicles to reach the grasslands and sholas where our trail birding begins, here at one of the richest hotbeds of endemism. Keeping our eyes peeled we might connect here with Palani Laughingthrush (one of the 4 Montecincla species), Nilgiri Sholakili (another endemic genus), Nilgiri Pipit, Nilgiri Thrush, Painted Bush-Quail and the Nilgiri and Black-and-Orange flycatchers. Keeping alert and with real luck, while unlikely, it is not impossible to encounter the rare Nilgiri Marten around the forest-grassland habitat during our time here.

eBird Hotspot

Valparai

Another hill station/summer retreat area, Valparai is located within the state of Tamil Nadu, well known also for its tea plantations, it is of interest to nature enthusiasts as a good place to see the unique Lion-tailed Macaque. Known locally as the Wanderoo, this is another endangered and endemic mammal, numbering about 3000 individuals. We shall try to see this remarkable looking animal while also keeping our eyes out for Great Hornbills, Legge's Hawk Eagle, and more. A visit to the nearby Aliyar Reservoir could hold a variety of birds including Purple-rumped Sunbird or White-browed Bulbul, among others.The drive to Valparai crosses through a variety of smaller forest patches, grassland belts and tea gardens, some of which could yield endemics, including Rufous Babbler, Waynad Laughingthrush, or animals like Stripe-necked Mongoose or Brown Mongoose, and flying squirrel, Brown Palm Civet, or Western Ghats flying lizard could feature here as well.

eBird Hotspot (Aliyar Dam)

eBird Hotspot (Valparai Plateau)

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary & Pollachi

Another idyllic mountain town, Pollachi offers classic Western Ghat scenery, and is well known as “Coconut City” for its big lush stands of the trees, and for its market for copra (for coconut oil). It’s also known as a big filming location, and over 1500 movies have been made here. For us the draw is the access to the pristine wildlife sanctuaries. Some slopes here feature sandalwood forest including for the endangered Red Sandalwood, and the scrub and thorn forests can hold treasures too. We plan to duck into Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. Famous as a spot for the Indian Star Tortoise, the most heavily pursued species of tortoise/turtle in the illegal pet trade, we’d need luck to see that, but we can also look for grizzled giant squirrel here. And other species here can include the Yellow-throated Bulbul, or the nicely patterned Graceful Day Gecko.

eBird Hotspot

Coonoor & The Nilgiri Hills

A picturesque range where the Western and Eastern Ghats meet, the Nilgiri Hills are named for the Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) which are a rich purplish-blue and only bloom once every 12 years. Nilgiri means “blue mountain” and north of the Palaghat gap, which separates these hills from the Anamalai Hills, there are a different set of endemics. Recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, these hills host birds like Nilgiri Sholakili and Nilgiri Laughingthrush, and we might see Kashmir Flycatcher, Black-and-Orange Flycatcher, Nilgiri Wood-Pigeon, Malabar Parakeet, Orange Minivet, and Heart-spotted Woodpecker. It's a good area for mammals too, and keen eyes might spot Sloth Bear, or one of the majestic black leopards known from this region.

Masinagudi

Nestled within the buffer zone of Mudumalai National Park, Masinagudi is known for its lush forest, and as a premier birding hotspots within the Nilgiri foothills.  Set within the Sigur Plateau, here we seek resident birds like White-cheeked Barbet, Malabar Whistling-Thrush, Malabar Trogon, Malabar Grey Hornbill, White-bellied Minivet, Great Hornbill, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Black-and-Orange Flycatcher, Nilgiri Wood-Pigeon, and and the critically endangered White-rumped and Indian Vultures. We have chances too for some migratory birds such as Pied Harrier and possibly even Indian Pitta. The 124 square mile Mudumalai National Park hosts many elephants, Gaur (a.k.a. Indian Bison, the largest wild cattle species in the world), all prosper here. Giant Honey Bee (Apis dorsata) are also conspicuous with many nests, while large cats and Dhole (wild dogs) occur but are seen less frequently. 

eBird Hotspot

Arrival (Feb 20th) & Departure (Mar. 4th)

On your arrival into the International airport in Kochi and after clearing customs & immigration, a Hillstar Nature representative will receive and escort you to your hotel. Our hotel at Thattekad is 1.5 - 2 hours from Kochi (formerly known as Cochin). On the last day of the tour, lunch is the last meal included, and we will aim to be at the airport by 3pm. If you plan to fly out the night of March 4th, you should not schedule your flights before 6pm.

If you wish to arrive early or stay late, we can assist with those arrangements.