A lovely holiday, well organised and the guide was very good as well.
D.B. Dorset
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India - Kerala's National Parks & Backwaters
Tour Code: IND17A 9-day holiday to Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Periyar Tiger Reserve and beautiful Eravikulam National Park in Munnar, including an overnight houseboat cruise along the backwaters of Kerala.
£2,995 (Inc flights)
£2,495
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Summary
The southern Indian state of Kerala is an increasingly popular destination for beach holidays, but it also possesses an immense variety of wildlife. Beginning in historic Kochi (formerly Cochin), this natural history tour visits Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary near the city before travelling to Periyar Reserve, famed for its Asian Elephants and abundance of birds and mammals. We then head to Eravikulam National Park in the Western Ghat hills to look for rare mammals such as Nilgiri Tahr, and endemic birds. At Alleppey we’ll join a houseboat for an overnight stay, and enjoy navigating the scenic backwaters of Kerala before returning to Kochi.
- Architecture & culture of historic Kochi
- Large numbers of waterbirds at Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
- Gaur, Nilgiri Langur, Dhole & Asian Elephant at Periyar
- Endemic birds such as Nilgiri Pipit in the Western Ghats
- Extensive bird list featuring many southern Indian specialities
- Tea estates in spectacular hill country
- Overnight on houseboat exploring secluded Kerala backwaters
- Led by expert local naturalist guides
Grading
This is a standard wildlife-viewing tour with no strenuous walkingIndia boasts a mammal fauna of over 450 species but for many visitors the term wildlife is synonymous with the well-known national parks in the north of the country, and of course the magnificent Bengal Tiger. The allure of the Tiger is undeniable but within the Indian subcontinent this supreme predator occurs over a much wider range than might be expected and in the south of the country there are Project Tiger Reserves which also offer the opportunity to observe some of the very rare mammals found only in south India and Sri Lanka. The moist, tropical hill forests of Kerala, form a distinct vegetation zone in the Western Ghat hills which has resulted in the evolution of many bird species unique to this region of the country and a corresponding rich diversity of endemic mammals. The focus of this adventurous new tour will be the mammals of southern India and whilst there will be chances of seeing many of the more widespread Indian species such as Asian Elephant, Sloth Bear, Tiger and Leopard, the itinerary also embraces reserves where Gaur and Dhole may be encountered, as well as a selection of the endemics including Nilgiri Tahr, Lion-tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Langur, Travancore Flying Squirrel, Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Stripe-necked Mongoose and Nilgiri Marten.
Outline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation: Simple, comfortable tourist hotels and an overnight on a houseboat.
- Food: All food is included, except for the main meals at Kumarakom and Kochi. The food will be a mixture of traditional Indian and Indianised Western in style.
Reviews
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Our tour leader was fantastic! So quick at spotting birds moving through the trees, even whilst we were still driving along. Very considerate to all of us. A true gentleman.
R.M. Devon
Dates & Prices
2025
2026
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Our bargain birdwatching tours suit keen birders who want an active, fast-paced birding holiday with a dedicated focus on searching for birds rather than on looking at the area’s other wildlife or cultural highlights.
We offer a wide selection of long-haul holidays to many destinations in South America, Africa, Asia, Australia and elsewhere.
What can I expect?
- An expert English-speaking local ornithologist leader
- Outstanding value for money
- Dawn-to-dusk birding with limited time for rest, relaxation and outside interests
- Enviable bird lists
- Focused searches for endemics and regional specialities
Who are these tours best suited to?
- Keen & active birders – whether expert or making their first visit to a country or continent
- People looking for an action-packed bird-focused tour
Where can I go?
Naturetrek's selection of birdwatching holidays includes many South and Central American countries including Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela and Panama.
In Africa our selection includes Malawi, Ethiopia and South Africa, while in India and Nepal we offer a choice of 17 bargain birdwatching tours! Here are a few more choices:
- Endemics of Western Australia
- Argentina's Mar Chiquita
- Birds of Brazils Atlantic rainforest
- Colombia – home to the world’s richest avifauna
- Sri Lanka’s endemic birds
Our specialist recommends...
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
All Bargain birdwatching Tours
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The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.
Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:
- Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
- The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
- Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
- Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
- Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
- Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar
Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
Our specialist recommends...
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
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Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!