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India - Southern: Endemics of the Western Ghats

© Malabar Whistling Thrush by Adam Riley

Hemming the rugged lands of southern India are the impressive Western Ghats Mountains, a land of endless valleys, rolling tea estates and breathtaking highland vistas, well-known for harbouring a superb range of highly localised endemic birds and a host of special mammals. This comprehensive tour showcases many of these special creatures: the gorgeous Indian Pitta, Nilgiri Laughingthrush, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, rare Sri Lanka Frogmouth, exquisite Malabar Trogon, Malabar Whistling Thrush, and Heart-spotted Woodpecker are just some of the incredible birds we will search for, while Indian Elephant, Gaur (Indian Bison), Wild Boar and Smooth-coated Otter are potential mammalian highlights. Join us for an unbeatable birding exploration to the southern part of this immense and extremely rewarding nation!

Top Birds

Painted Bush Quail; Red Spurfowl; Nilgiri Wood & Grey-fronted Green Pigeons; Malabar Grey Hornbill; White-cheeked Barbet; Blue-winged Parakeet; Malabar Woodshrike; White-spotted Fantail; White-bellied Treepie; Indian Black-lored Tit; Malabar Lark; Grey-headed, Flame-throated & Yellow-throated Bulbuls; Broad-tailed Grassbird; Indian Scimitar & Rufous Babblers; Wynaad, Nilgiri & Palani Laughingthrushes; Malabar Starling; Nilgiri Thrush; White-bellied Blue, Black-and-orange & Nilgiri Flycatchers; Nilgiri Blue & White-bellied Blue Robins; Malabar Whistling Thrush; Nilgiri Flowerpecker; Crimson-backed Sunbird; Nilgiri Pipit; Indian Pitta; Sri Lanka Frogmouth; Malabar Trogon; Heart-spotted Woodpecker.

Top Mammals

Dhole (rare); Gaur (Indian Bison); Smooth-coated Otter; Nilgiri Tahr.

Habitats Covered

sholas (montane forests), teak woodlands, lakes, wetlands, montane grassland

Expected Climate

warm during day, cool at night, rain unexpected

Max Group Size

12 with 2 Rockjumper leaders / 8 with 1 Rockjumper leader

Tour Pace & Walking

moderate

Accommodation

basic to comfortable lodges and hotels

Ease of Birding

mostly unchallenging

Number of Species Expected

+-250

Other Attractions

Lake Periyar, roadside temples and shrines, Western Ghats Mountains, tea plantations

Photographic Opportunities

good

What our clients say about us

Stephan Lorenz
MM & GM, Southern India 2018

We really enjoyed both tours. The leader, Stephan Lorenz, was very helpful and worked hard to make the birding trips a success. We appreciated the local guides on both trips as well. They were all very good at getting the job done and making it all enjoyable and seamless. We always feel we are in good hands when we go on a Rockjumper tour.

Stephan Lorenz
LC & PD, Northern India 2017

We had a wonderful trip with Rich Lindie and Stephan Lorenz, and we would certainly be happy to travel with either of them again. They were both excellent with the birds, had a great sense of humour, and were helpful and patient when individuals required extra assistance. In addition to the birding, we enjoyed a long list of mammals sighted in the various national parks. The accommodations and meals were also very good.

Peter Kaestner
JR, India 2020

This trip was great! We were told the trip should generate about 250 bird species and our total was very close. Peter was excellent at finding birds, leading us and keeping a positive group atmosphere. The local guides also were competent and helpful. Accommodations are not an important aspect of a trip to me but the ones we stayed at were excellent, as were the meals. The trip was an excellent introduction to India for me tho I was happy to have it very much concentrate on birding.

Glen Valentine
DH - India 2024

We had a great tour. It was smaller even than usual, as two of the participants departed after two days due to illness. Glen, was as always his uber-keen birder, cheerful self. His magic pulled out quite a few surprising sightings.

Glen Valentine
BG, Pvt Castleman India

This was a great trip. A terrific itinerary and we saw lots of birds and we saw tigers at Ranthambhore and Corbett. Glen and [the local leader] were excellent guides—great spotting skills, and they made sure everyone saw the bird. The logistics worked very well because Glen and [the local leader] were a great team.

India - Southern: Endemics of the Western Ghats 2024

10 Nov 2024 - 21 Nov 2024 (12 days)

USD5,495 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: André Bernon

Tour price (Per person): USD5,495 * GBP4,418 * EUR5,141 * AUD8,456

Single Supplement: USD1,450 * GBP1,166 * EUR1,357 * AUD2,231

Can be linked with: Sri Lanka - Endemic Birds & Big Game 2024

India - Southern: Endemics of the Western Ghats (Small Group) 2025

10 Jan 2025 - 21 Jan 2025 (12 days)

USD4,995 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Carlos Bocos

Tour price (Per person): USD4,995 * GBP4,016 * EUR4,674 * AUD7,686

Single Supplement: USD750 * GBP603 * EUR702 * AUD1,154

Can be linked with: Sri Lanka - Endemic Birds & Big Game (Small Group) 2025

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