South India Endemic Mammals Tour

Tour Overview

This 10-day South India Endemic Mammals tour takes you through the the lowland forests at Thattekkad, National Parks at Munnar, Anamalai Hills and the Nilgiri Biosphere and ends up at Bandipur National Park. This region, a biological hot spot is home to about 140 mammal species, of which nearly 20 of them are endemic. Among flagship mammal species, the most prominent are the Lion-tailed Macaque, found in highly fragmented tropical rain forests in the Western Ghats, and the endemic Nilgiri tahr which lives in the montane grasslands of the Western Ghats. This highly-focused South India Mammals Tour also focuses on the endemic birds as well from the hot spots at Thattekkad, Munnar, Ooty and Bandipur. In this tour we should sight Asiatic elephants, gaurs, Nilgiri Langurs, Dholes, Sloth Bears and the big cats.

Day 1-2: Thattekkad

Pick up from Kochi airport & transfer to Thattekkad (2 hours) – an area with extensive lowland forests and several types of eco-systems – riverine, grasslands, evergreen, scrub, dry deciduous, lowland forest, enabling it to be one of the best wildlife and birding destinations in India and also home to some of the endemic mammals of the Western Ghats. The wildlife includes Indian Flying Fox, Malabar Giant Squirrel, the elusive Slender Loris, Indian Giant Flying Squirrel, Travancore Flying squirrel and the Common Palm Civet. This is also a great place for endemic birds, butterflies & odonata. Thattekkad is also home to most of the endemic birds of the Western Ghats. You should see White-bellied Treepie, Rufous Babbler, Crimson-backed Sunbird, White-bellied Blue Flycatcher, Malabar Parakeet, Malabar Grey Hornbill and owls which could include Mottled Wood Owl, Oriental Bay Owl, Oriental Scops Owl, Brown Fish Owl and Spot-bellied Eagle Owl if you are lucky. Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Red Spurfowl, Grey Jungle Fowl, Indian Pitta, Black-throated Munia and the Grey-headed Fish Eagle are all likely. Areas to visit include Palamattam area near Thattekkad, extending to Edamalayar and Urulanthanni which form the part of the lowland forest areas around Thattekkad.   Key mammals species: Malabar Giant Squirrel, Dusky Palm Squirrel and Travancore Flying Squirrel, Slender Loris, Palm Civets.

Day 3-4: Munnar

Today you will be moving to the hill country at Munnar - the highest areas along the Western Ghats. While at Munnar, visit the Rajamala area where among its rolling grasslands and steep cliffs live the endemic and endangered Nilgiri Tahrs. Concerted efforts by the conservationists have brought this magnificent animal back from the brink of extinction. At present there are more than 700 Tahrs in the area. You will be visiting the Pampadum Shola National Park to look for the endemic Nilgiri Marten, Nilgiri Langurs, Malabar Giant Squirrel and endemic birds like the Nilgiri Wood pigeon Nilgiri Pipit, Painted Bush Quail, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Black-and-Orange Flycatcher, Nilgiri Flycatcher, White-bellied Shortwing and the Broad-tailed Grassbird. Key mammals Species: Endemic Nilgiri Tahr, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Nilgiri Langurs, Nilgiri Marten  

Day 5-6: Valparai

Today is a longish day heading down slope to the dry scrub forests at Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. Here on your walk, look out for the endemic Grey Tufted Langur (or Madras Langur) and the near-threatened Grizzled Giant Squirrel, besides Star Tortoise. There are good chances of other wildlife like elephants and gaurs. Special birds to look out for include Jacobin Cuckoo, Grey Junglefowl, White-bellied Drongo, Blue-faced and Sirkeer Malkohas, White-naped Woodpecker, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Jungle Bush Quail and Yellow-legged Buttonquail, Brown Fish owls and Spot-bellied Eagle Owls. After Chinnar you will be taking the 2 hour drive across the Tamil Nadu border to the forests of Valparai near Indira Gandhi national park - a place known for its great swathes of forests and wildlife. Elephants, sloth bears, leopards, gaurs, dholes (wild dogs) but the focus will be on the endemic Lion-tailed Macaques (on IUCN’s Red Data list for being a threatened species) which can be spotted in the high altitude rain forests here, their natural habitat. Here other wildlife like elephants, gaurs, Sloth Bears, Nilgiri Langurs and other lesser are commonly seen. Key mammals Species at Chinnar: Malabar Giant squirrel, the Grizzled Giant Squirrel , the Tufted Grey Langurs and the endangered Star Tortoise Key mammals Species at Valparai: Lion Tailed macaques, elephants, gaur. Many travel here for photographing the Lion Tailed Macaques in their natural habitat.  

Day 7: Ooty

After morning wildlife/ birding walk, transfer to Ooty - a hill station, at about 2,200m in the Nilgiri Hills. Here we will look for the endemic Nilgiri Laughing Thrush, White-bellied Shortwing, and Black-and-rufous, Rusty-tailed and Nilgiri Flycatchers. Among the mammls, Nilgiri marten could also be sighted.   Key mammals Species at Ooty: Nilgiri Marten Key Birds at Ooty: Nilgiri Thrush, Nilgiri Laughing Thrush  

Day 8-9: Bandipur

You will be making your way to a tiger reserve sanctuary within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve – Bandipur, located between the Mudumalai Sanctuary on one hand and the Forests of Wayanad on the other. Devoted to conserving the endangered Tiger Habitat you also get to see endemics birds like Malabar Parakeet, Malabar Lark and Grey-headed Bulbul at the foothills of the Nilgiris. Seasonal streams along with the river Kabini are watering holes for the abundant wildlife of the region. You will also be going on two vehicle safaris into the Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Look out for the abundant wildlife here which includes large population of wildlife including Elephants, Sloth Bears, Four Horned Antelope, Hyena, Wild Dog, Common Langurs, Tigers, Leopards, Chital, Mouse Deer, Spotted Deer, Jackal, Porcupine and Mongoose and with some luck the big cats including the tiger and leopard.  Key mammal Species: Elephants, tiger, leopard, dholes (wild dogs), sloth Bears, Southern Plains Gray Langur.

Day 10: Depart

Depart for Kochi after morning safari, arriving late evening. 

Inclusions

• Accommodation for 9 nights on twin share room basis on Full Board
• All surface transfers by air-conditioned vehicles
• 04 Safari drives at Bandipur
• Service of an English speaking naturalist and local guides
• Guiding fees
• Park entry fees
• Assistance on arrival and departure at each destination 

Route Maps

FAQs

Q. Do I Need A Visa To Travel To India?
Yes. https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html

Q. When Is The Best Time To Visit South India for this tour?
The best time to visit is from November to May.

Q. Should I take out Travel Insurance Before travelling for this tour?
Yes, it is highly recommended that you take out travel insurance before travelling to India, covering any medical situation, hospitalisation, cancellation and loss of your baggage. We cover your causality evacuation to the nearest hospital which is included in the cost. However, this does not cover the cost of medical treatment at the hospital.

Q. Do I have a naturalist guide for this tour?
A successful wildlife tour is largely dependant on a good naturalist who is familiar with the local conditions, best chances of sightings and thorough domain knowledge. We provide such qualified outdoor naturalist guides along with local trackers. The naturalist can also be the driver of the SUV or can be a separate person. In both cases, expertise and experience would be prime criteria.

Q. Do the guides speak English?
Yes, they are very proficient in English.

Q. What are the health risks ?
There are very minimal health risks if you follow our guides instructions on drinking only certified bottled water and food from safe sources identified by us.

Q. Is First Aid available?
Yes, the naturalist guide / driver carries a comprehensive First Aid bag. For those suffering from allergies or require any special medication will need to bring those along. All our outdoor staff have undergone St John’s Ambulance First Aid Training course and are qualified. In case of serious injuries or emergencies, we have identified hospitals nearest to the tour routes to safely evacuate you to the nearest hospital.

Q. What about Wildlife encounters.
They are likely to be wild animal encounters but our naturalist guides and trackers are trained and experienced enough to keep you out of harm’s way.

Q. Are banking services easily available in areas visited?
Yes. Banking services and numerous ATMs available throughout South India

Q. Can I use my credit Card during this trip?
Yes, all the resorts & most shops in locations mentioned in this itinerary accept credit cards

Q. Is South India a good destination for a Beach Holiday?
Definitely yes & we can arrange extension tours for you.
 

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