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Wildlife Tours (The Wild South Western Ghats & Nilgiris)
The Wild South Western Ghats & Nilgiris
Duration: 15 Nights / 16 Days
Places Covered: Kerala, Tamil Nadu & Karnataka

The
rich and varied wildlife of this vast and fascinating country presents a
challenge to any wildlife enthusiast. Up until now most travelers have concentrated
on northern India. We are delighted to introduce you to the tropical splendour
of the Nilgiri and Cardamom Hills where the wildlife of subcontinent flourishes
in national parks of outstanding beauty and solitude. These hills, together
with the Western Ghats which extend northwards to Mumbai , bear the burnt
of south-west monsoon. The result is fertile tropical land, markedly different
from the north. The isolated fauna has evolved a number of unique species
and sub-species, which we shall make particular efforts to find during this
splendid holiday.
Best Time: November to April
Focus: Birds & Mammals
Spl. Feature: Moderate Day Treks
Day 1: Arrive Chennai
Arrive and transfer to the Pre-booked hotel. Morning free to re-charge.
Afternoon Sightseeing. Overnight in hotel.
Day 2: Chennai- Mysore (train)
Early morning we board Fast Shatabdi Express to Mysore (breakfast on board).
Arrive the city of royal palaces, sandalwood and the manufacture of incense;
Mysore has a pleasant climate, beautiful parks and shady avenues, which
support lot of bird life. Afternoon visit the City Palace (Amber Vilas),
was designed by Henry Irwin and built in 1897. It is in the Indo-Saracenic
style in grand proportions, with domes, arches and colonnades of carved
pillars and shiny marble floors. One of the largest palaces in the country
with some art treasures, it is beautifully restored and maintained. The
stained glass, wall paintings, ivory inlaid doors are just remarkable.
Overnight in hotel.
Day
3: Mysore- Nagarhole (drive)
After breakfast we take a short drive of about 96kms/3hrs to Nagarhole
National park (snake, streams). In this vast landscape we are able to
experience the sounds, sights and exhilaration of a south Indian Jungle-
unchanged since time immemorial. During our two nights stay here we will
explore this fascinating park by means of Jeep/s, and we shall look for
Elephants and Gaur (the Asian bison). We will also take a walk along the
Kabani River, and see abundant of birdlife, including the rare Malabar
trogon, great black woodpeckers, Indian pitta, pied hornbill, whistling
thrush and green Imperial pigeon, we are also likely to see reptiles.
We will take the walk this afternoon. Overnight in Jungle lodge.
Day 4; Nagarhole- Explore
Early morning and evening we will travel in jeep out into the surrounding
grasslands and forests to watch Elephants and Gaur and with luck we may
see Leopard or a sloth Bear, which are quite common. Overnight in Jungle
Lodge.
Day 5: Nagarhole Ooty ( drive)
After we take a spectacular drive, with fine views of the Nilgiris (blue
Mountains), tea plantation to the old British hill station of Ootacamund,
situated at 2,600mts, the slopes are covered with wild flowers. Arrive
and stay for two nights in delightful hotel.
Day
6: Ooty- Trek./ Sightseeing
After early breakfast, we set out for a short 10kmdrive with back lunch
through the tea plantation and forest to second highest mountain in the
Western Ghats- Dodabetta (26,50mts), from here there are fine views of
the valley , we begin our three hours trek from here almost down hill,
thought eucalyptus forests and later on through the mixed forest, potato
fields, and small settlement of Toda Tribe, during our 3 hrs trek we shall
search for the endemic birds of Nilgiri Hills: Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, White-bellied
Shortwing, the beautiful Black and Orange Flycatchers and Nilgiri Laughing-thrush.
We will finish our trek near the Botanical Gardens, there are about 1000
varieties of plants, shrubs and trees including orchids, ferns, alpine
and medicinal plants among beautiful lawns and glasshouses, and a 20 million
year old fossil tree trunk by the small lake. Return to hotel, evening
free or take a stroll from your hotel to observe more bird life. Overnight
in hotel.
Day 7: Ooty- Anamalai National park ( drive)
After breakfast drive about 150kms to Amnamalai National Park, we will
drive through the Cardamon Hills to the Splendor of this beautiful National
Park, which inspired many to write enthusiastically of its beauty, the
park covers 960kms. We will stay here for two night in Forest Rest house
quite basis. Evening we take a delightful guided walk through the forest.
Overnight in Rest house.
Day 8: Anamalai (Trek)
After early breakfast we begin our 8kms trek through deep jungle to see
two endangered primates: Lion-Tailed Macaque and Nilgiri Langur. We shall
search for them, and for the bird specialties: Malabar Pied Hornbill and
white-billed Treepie. Return to rest house, evening a smallwalk around the
lodge to see more of wildlife. Overnight in Forest rest house.
Day
9: Anamalai- Munnar (drive)
After breakfast, we take one of the most interesting drives (120kms). In
the Western Ghats, with splendid views to Munnar. A delightful hill station
with rolling hills covered with tea gardens, among the highest in the world.
Our two nights stay will be in Tall Trees Resort, set in 60 acres of Forest,
which supports abounded bird life. Afternoon we take a very interesting
three hours trek, through Cardamom Plantation and mixed forest, to see two
more endemic birds, Nilgiri Pipit and White-brested Laughing-Trush, we will
also see many of the wild flowers including Orchids, our final part of trek
back to Resort is through tea gardens. Overnight in Tall Trees.
Day 10: Munnar- Rajamalai National Park
Munnar Early morning after breakfast we drive short to Rajmalai National
Park to see Nilgiri Thar ( Nilgiri Ibex), the park supports the largest
population of the species in the world. The sure-footed wild goats live
in herds on the steep black rocky slopes of the Anumadi Mountains. Return
back to Tall Tress via a busy market place, where you may wish to buy some
souvenirs. Afternoon free or take a walk around the resort.
Day 11: Munnar- Periyar Tiger Reserve (drive)
After breakfast drive to Periyar, driving through tea plantation and cardamom
plantation, forests of rubber plants. Arrive Periya one of Asias
most renowned and picturesque sanctuaries; our stay will be her for two
nights. Evening we explore the sanctuary by boat, to see Elephants, Gaur,
Indian Bison, wild dogs, otters and freshwater tortoise, Bird Species
include: heron, kingfishers, hornbill, water and fishfowl. Return to resort
for overnight.
Day 12: Periyar
Early morning, return to the park by Boat, to se amazing wildlife, return
back to Resort and late afternoon we set out for three hours trek through
the hart of the beautiful jungle, and we shall see extensive range of
Birdlife. Overnight in Resort.
Day 13: Periyar- Cochin: (drive)
We take another stunning journey, descending from hills, through rice
fields, coconut grows, enroute we board a houseboat for lunch and cruise
through the famous back waters for few hours, and then continue driving
to Cochin, to relax and sample the cultural and historical delights of
Keralas heartland. Overnight in hotel.
Day 14: Cochin
After breakfast a guided tour, visiting the Dutch Palace, the church of
St. Francis (first European church in India) and the Jewish Synagogue.
Evening Board overnight train to Chennai.
Day
15: Arrive Chennai
Arrive Chennai early morning and transfer to hotel, after breakfast time
free for shopping. Evening departure transfer to the international airport
( Today we will have access to Day rooms).
Day 16: Departure Early morning fly back to your home country.
For those with time we strongly recommend our Andaman Islands extension.
These unspoiled tropical islands, over 1000 miles from the Indian cost,
hold an outstanding collection of birds and mammals in their dense rain
forest, and offer excellent snorkeling from their many coral islands.
We shall make the most of this and also relax, swim and enjoy a unique
natural history.
P.S. : The above itinerary is a sample only and just
for illustration purpose.We would love to Design your tour the way you want
it !
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