The Wild South

Western Ghats & Nilgiris

Small Indian MangooseThe 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.

Day 1: Arrive Chennai

Arrive and transfer to the Pre-booked hotel. Morning free to re-charge. Afternoon Sightseeing. Overnight in hotel.

Elephants 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. Grasshooper 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.

Rat Snake 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 small walk 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. Tiger 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 Asia’s 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 Kerala’s 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

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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.