13-day South India and Western Ghats Birding Journey
A 13-day guided birding journey from Mysore to Thattekkad through wetlands, dry forest and the high-elevation habitats of the Western Ghats.
About this tour
Travel across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala on a southbound birding route linking river wetlands, dry deciduous woodland, shola forest, montane grassland and tropical foothill forest. The journey begins with an airport transfer from Bengaluru to Mysore and finishes with a transfer from Thattekkad to Kochi.
Ranganathittu introduces the route with boat-based observation along the Cauvery River. Mudumalai and Masinagudi then add dry forest and open-country birding before two days in the Nilgiri Hills around Ooty. The route continues to Munnar and Eravikulam National Park, where high-elevation forest and grassland support several regional specialities.
The final section explores Periyar Tiger Reserve and the forests around Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary at Thattekkad. Day and evening sessions allow time for Western Ghats endemics, forest birds and selected nocturnal species. All sightings involve wild birds and depend on season, weather and current activity.
The published programme includes accommodation on a twin-sharing basis, all meals, private-vehicle transfers and the birding activities described in the itinerary. The listed price is based on a minimum of two participants; a single-traveller price is confirmed separately. BirdWatch sends inquiries to Tropic Trails for current availability and the final quotation.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to India.
Birds you can spot
Ficedula nigrorufa
target
Psittacula columboides
target
Ocyceros griseus
target
Harpactes fasciatus
target
Sholicola major
target
Eumyias albicaudatus
target
Geokichla citrina
target
Micropternus brachyurus
target
Guides
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival and transfer to Mysore
Meet the Tropic Trails representative at Bengaluru International Airport and travel to Mysore.
Day 2
Ranganathittu boat birding and Mysore outskirts
Bird from a safari boat among the Cauvery River islands at Ranganathittu, looking for waterbirds along the banks. Continue with an evening session in open habitats outside Mysore.
Day 3
Transfer to Mudumalai and Masinagudi
Travel after breakfast with birding stops on the way to Mudumalai. After lunch, explore dry woodland around Masinagudi for resident forest and scrub species.
Day 4
Full day in Mudumalai
Spend the day birding dry deciduous forest and short grassland, with time for woodpeckers, larks, parakeets, flycatchers and other southern Indian species.
Day 5
Nilgiri Hills birding around Ooty
Move into the cooler Nilgiri Hills and explore shola forest patches and montane grassland for restricted-range highland birds.
Day 6
Full day in Ooty
Continue across the Ooty highlands, revisiting the most productive forest and meadow habitats for Nilgiri specialities and mixed-species flocks.
Day 7
Transfer to Munnar
Travel to Munnar and begin exploring its mosaic of montane forest, grassland and tea country during an evening birding session.
Day 8
Eravikulam and Munnar highlands
Start early in Eravikulam National Park, then continue through high-elevation habitats around Munnar for shola and grassland birds.
Day 9
Transfer to Periyar
Bird en route to Thekkady before an evening session in and around Periyar Tiger Reserve, where foothill and forest species join the route list.
Day 10
Periyar forest birding
Spend a full day on trails through moist deciduous and evergreen forest, looking for hornbills, trogons, treepies, pigeons, owls and mixed forest flocks.
Day 11
Periyar to Thattekkad
Complete a morning session at Periyar, then continue to Thattekkad and begin birding the river, wetland and semi-evergreen forest habitats around Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary.
Day 12
Thattekkad day and night birding
Use a full day and an evening session to explore Thattekkad for Western Ghats forest birds, frogmouths, nightjars and owls, according to current conditions.
Day 13
Departure for Kochi
Transfer to Kochi International Airport, normally about one hour from the final birding base.
Locations & map
- Mysore and Ranganathittu - Karnataka India (River and wetland conditions vary with season and water level.)
- Mudumalai and Masinagudi - Tamil Nadu India (Dry forest and grassland birding.)
- Ooty and the Nilgiri Hills - Tamil Nadu India (Cooler high-elevation shola forest and grassland.)
- Munnar and Eravikulam - Kerala India (High-elevation conditions can change quickly.)
- Periyar and Thekkady - Kerala India (Moist deciduous and evergreen forest.)
- Thattekkad and Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary - Kerala India (Tropical foothill forest, river and wetland habitats.)
6 stops in itinerary order. Select a marker for its name.
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request · Season: October to March
Transport & stays
- Private vehicle and scheduled boat safari Road transfers connect the six birding areas; Ranganathittu birding includes a safari boat. | Meet: Bengaluru International Airport | Pickup: Arrival pickup and final Kochi airport drop-off are included for the confirmed itinerary.
Accommodations
- Comfortable lodges and eco-resorts near the birding areas
Policies & FAQ
Cancellation Policy
Payment Terms
Insurance & Safety
When is this South India birding journey offered?
The recommended season is October through March. Exact availability is confirmed after inquiry.
How demanding are the walks?
The source programme describes moderate walks, usually one to three hours at a relaxed pace with birding and photography stops.
Can the programme emphasize photography?
Yes. Tropic Trails states that the route can be adjusted toward bird and wildlife photography priorities.
Are target birds guaranteed?
No. The itinerary visits suitable habitats, but sightings depend on wild bird movements, season and weather.
Send inquiry
Ask about this tour before booking. Your preferred date is optional and availability will be confirmed after your inquiry.