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!
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.
Dhole (rare); Gaur (Indian Bison); Smooth-coated Otter; Nilgiri Tahr.
sholas (montane forests), teak woodlands, lakes, wetlands, montane grassland
warm during day, cool at night, rain unexpected
12 with 2 Rockjumper leaders / 8 with 1 Rockjumper leader
moderate
basic to comfortable lodges and hotels
mostly unchallenging
+-250
Lake Periyar, roadside temples and shrines, Western Ghats Mountains, tea plantations
good
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.
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.
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.
David Hoddinott was at his best even on new grounds full of lifers.
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.
10 Nov 2024 - 21 Nov 2024 (12 days)
USD5,495 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: André Bernon
Tour price (Per person): USD5,495 * GBP4,359 * EUR5,076 * AUD8,278
Single Supplement: USD1,450 * GBP1,150 * EUR1,340 * AUD2,184
Can be linked with: Sri Lanka - Endemic Birds & Big Game 2024
10 Jan 2025 - 21 Jan 2025 (12 days)
USD4,995 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Carlos Bocos
Tour price (Per person): USD4,995 * GBP3,962 * EUR4,614 * AUD7,525
Single Supplement: USD750 * GBP595 * EUR693 * AUD1,130
Can be linked with: Sri Lanka - Endemic Birds & Big Game (Small Group) 2025
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India North Summer Test Tour (Tpss) - March 2024
India - Assam Extension I 2024 - March 2024
India - Southern: Birding & Wildlife of the Western Ghats (Small Group) 2024 - January 2024
India - Northern: Birds & Tigers 2023 - December 2023
India - Assam Birding & Big Game Extension II 2023 - April 2023
India - Northeast: Eaglenest & Beyond 2023 - April 2023
India - Assam Birding & Big Game Extension I 2023 - March 2023
India - Northern: Birds & Tigers (Small Group) 2023 - January 2023
India - Western: Forest Owlet Extension 2023 - January 2023
India - Western: Desert Specials 2023 - January 2023
India - Southern: Birding & Wildlife of the Western Ghats (Small Group) 2023 - January 2023
India - Northern: Birds & Tigers 2022 - December 2022
India - Northern: Birds & Tigers (Small Group) 2020 - February 2020
India - Southern: Birding & Wildlife of the Western Ghats (Small Group) 2020 - January 2020
India - Northern: Birds & Tigers 2019 - December 2019
India - Highlights of the North 2019 - December 2019
India - Highlights of the North 2018 - December 2018
India - Southern: Birding & Wildlife of the Western Ghats II 2018 - November 2018