There is plenty on offer for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts in the bio diverse, natural wonders that are the Western Ghats of Kerala. This safari takes you through the lowland forests at Thattekkad to the high altitude cloud forests of Munnar and the rain forests of Periyar. You round off your journey with a visit to Kerala's backwaters, an ornithologist's paradise.
Day 1 - Kothamangalam
Two hours drive inland from Kochi is Kothamangalam, the perfect base for visiting the Thattekad Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, noted for indigenous birds like the Malabar grey-hornbill, the woodpecker, rose-ringed and blue-winged parakeet etc. Rare birds like the Ceylon Frogmoth and the rose-billed roller are also seen here. Diverse migrant species home in here during season. Wildlife can also be sighted often.
Day 2 - Munnar
Today you drive from Kothamangalam to Munnar, a beautiful hill station, situated 1600 m above sea level. Sprawling tea plantations, picture-book towns with old Raj style bungalows, winding lanes and cool air make this a perfect place for taking walks in the hills and a visit to a tea/cardamom factory.
Day 3 - Munnar
Today is at leisure to relax at the hotel or spend time exploring the unending expanse of tea plantations and pristine valleys. You also have the option of visiting the Eravikulam/Rajamalai National Park, the last home of the world's rarest mountain goat, the Nilgiri tahr.
Day 4 - Thekkady
This morning you drive from Munnar to Thekkady. Enjoy the enchanting journey as the road winds through tranquil countryside, rich plantations and thick jungles.
Day 5 - Thekkady
The Periyar Wildlife Reserve is one of the largest in India. There are plenty of elephants, sambhar, wild pig, flying squirrel and over 260 species of bird life. Periyar is centred around a vast artificial lake and the best way to explore the Reserve is by boat, which allows visitors to watch animals drinking at the lakeside. The best chance of sighting animals is in the early morning or at dusk. Many animals come to the water's edge and it is one of the few places in the world where elephants can be observed at close quarters from the safety of a boat.
Different nature trails traversing diverse habitats form the trekking routes, generally 4 to 5 km in length. This nature walk offers an excellent opportunity to watch birds, butterflies and other wildlife. The trails often pass through evergreen and moist deciduous forests interspersed with marshy grasslands. The program either starts at 7 am or 3 pm lasts for about 3 hours. A maximum of 5 persons can go for trekking at a time along each nature trail, accompanied by a trained tribal guide.
Day 6 - Allapuzha
Continue to Allapuzha where you stay in a wonderful old heritage home on Kerala's backwaters, a vast network of rivers and canals which empty out into the Vembanad Lake. The banks of the Vembanad Lake are an ornithologist's paradise and a favourite haunt of migratory birds like the Siberian stork, egret, darter, heron and teal.
Day 7 - Kochi
Today you return to Kochi where your Wildlife of Kerala tour ends. We can transfer you to Kochi airport to connect with your onward travel.
Alternatively, you can spend some time on one the beaches in Kerala, either at nearby Mararikulam or at Kovalam. Feel free to add any special requirements to your enquiry form.
