Our South India birding tour takes us to the rugged lands of southern India and the impressive Western Ghats Mountains, a land of endless valleys, rolling tea estates and breathtaking highland vistas, well-known for harboring a superb range of highly localized endemic birds and a host of special mammals. This comprehensive tour showcases many of these special creatures: the gorgeous Indian Pitta, Wynaad's Laughingthrush, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, the 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 mammal highlights. Join us for an unbeatable birding exploration to the southern part of this immense and extremely rewarding nation!
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, 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 very good
David Hoddinott is wonderful and a great leader.
I just have to write and tell you how much I enjoyed the N. India trip and how superb the leaders are... You know that, you only have world class guides. The last two days made the trip 'beyond expectations' with the birds we saw in Saital… Erik and Rich worked so well together and both are so funny, such a great combination. I especially have to thank Rich for taking pictures for me: I can immediately tell which ones he took: they make clear memories that are memorable…. With much gratitude to RBT for bringing birds and mammals into my life.
David Hoddinott is simply outstanding: Calm, focused, truly excellent knowledge of the birds, their calls and habits. He has a wonderful sense of humour, too.
Dear Erik, Thanks for the trip report of a fantastic tour. Wow, what an experience and I am so glad we did it – most importantly with Rockjumper. Everything was taken care of and we moved smoothly from one place to the next with no problems (well none that we knew of!) All the best!
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.