Menu
Arrive at Cochin and proceed to Thattekkad, a lowland forest with a wide variety of forest types. It is also home to most of the endemic birds of the Western Ghats, such as the White-bellied Treepie, Rufous Babbler, Crimson-backed Sunbird, White-bellied Blue Flycatcher, Malabar Parakeet, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Malabar Barbet, White-cheeked Barbet, Grey-headed Bulbul, Flame-throated Bulbul, Grey-fronted Green Pigeon, Nilgiri Flowerpecker, and non-endemics like Legge’s Hawk Eagle, Indian Pitta, Red Spurfowl, Black-throated Munia, and Grey Junglefowl. There is also a good chance to see nocturnal species like Mottled Wood Owl, Sri Lankan Bay Owl, Oriental Scops Owl, Brown Fish Owl, Indian Scops Owl, Spot-bellied Eagle Owl, Jerdon’s Nightjar, Great-eared Nightjar, and Sri Lanka Frogmouth. We will bird around different areas like Oorlanthani, Charrupara, etc. The terrain is almost plain.
This morning, we will proceed to Cheekode, looking for Brown Wood Owl, Brown Hawk Owl, Jungle Owlet, Black Baza, Gray-headed Bulbul, Indian Pitta, etc. Evening and night birding in Charupara forest, looking for Sri Lankan Bay Owl, Spot-bellied Eagle Owl, Oriental Scops Owl, Indian Scops Owl, Brown Hawk Owl, Jerdon’s Nightjar, Great-eared Nightjar, Jungle Nightjar, and Slender Loris (Endemic Mammals in South India), etc.
On Day 3, we will have a full day birding in and around Thattekkad, including night birding for leftover species.
After breakfast, we will proceed to Periyar National Park. Periyar is one of the best wildlife and birding destinations in the world. Evening Greek walk for Wayanad Laughingthrush, Rufous Babbler, Indian Scimitar Babbler, Malabar Parakeet, Malabar Woodshrike, Dark-fronted Babbler, Malabar Whistlingthrush, Legge’s Hawk Eagle, Common Flameback Woodpecker, Vernal Hanging Parrot, etc.
After morning birding, we will travel to the Body ghats en route to Munnar and stop to look for the rare Yellow-throated Bulbul, Hill Prinia, Sirkeer Malkoha, Black Eagle, and other birds. Birding in the afternoon at Munnar, looking for High Altitude Endemics like White-bellied Solaikili, Palani Laughingthrush, Nilgiri Flycatcher, Nilgiri Pipit, Broad-tailed Grassbird, Nilgiri Flowerpecker, etc.
Early this morning at 6:30 am, we will proceed to Rajamala National Park in Munnar and nearby sholas (high altitude cloud forest), including Eravikulam. You should be able to spot endemic species such as Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Nilgiri Flycatcher, White-bellied Sholaikili, Nilgiri Pipit, Palani Laughingthrush, Nilgiri Thrush, Broad-tailed Grassbird, Black and Orange Flycatcher, as well as non-endemic species such as Painted Bush Quail, Indian Blackbird, Indian Blue Robin, Hill Swallow, Square-tailed Bulbul, Plain Prinia, Tytler’s Leaf Warbler, Tickell’s Leaf Warbler, Large-billed Leaf Warbler, Pied Bushchat, and more. In the afternoon, we will go birding around Pothamedu Hills for any leftover species.
After breakfast, we will proceed to Kumarakom, known for its backwaters, wetlands, and paddy fields. In the evening, we will go birding in Aymanam Village for waterbirds and waders, such as Gray-headed Swamphen, Purple Heron, Lesser Whistling Duck, Painted Stork, Glossy Ibis, Black-headed Ibis, Oriental Pratincole, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Pacific Golden Plover, Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Black-winged Stilt, Spot-billed Pelican, Indian Spot-billed Duck, and more.
After breakfast, we will go for a village walk, and in the evening, we will go country canoeing in Ayaman village.
Welcome to the Kerala Birding Tour, an 8-night 9-day adventure into the heart of Western Ghats’ lowland forest. Prepare to witness an extraordinary variety of forest types and endemic birds like the Malabar Parakeet, White-bellied Treepie, and Grey Junglefowl, as well as rare nocturnal species like the Mottled Wood Owl and the Jerdon’s Nightjar. Our itinerary covers popular birding hotspots like Thattekad, Periyar National Park, and Kumarakom, and includes village walks, canoeing, and wildlife sightings. Join us to explore more of India’s stunning birdwatching destinations.
