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K.K. Cheshire
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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The National Parks of Southern India
Tour Code: IND34A 16-day wildlife holiday to the Nilgiri and Cardamon Hills, and the National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries of Nagarhole, Bandipur and Annamalai.
16 days
from
£5,995 (Inc flights)
£5,995 (Inc flights)
Land only price
from
£5,495
£5,495
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
This tour focuses on the beautiful scenery, unusual wildlife – much of it bearing similarities to the tropical Indo-Malayan region – and endemics of southern India. We begin our holiday in the historic city of Mysore before driving to Nagarhole National Park where we’ll look for Tiger, Asian Elephant, Gaur and birds of the forest. Next, we search for endemic birds of the Nilgiri Hills near the old British hill station of ‘Ooty’, and then visit Annamalai Sanctuary in the Cardamon Hills where we’ll look for its endangered primates, and birds such as the Malabar Pied Hornbill. Finally, we transfer to enjoy the rich wildlife of Valparai and Thattekad Bird Sanctuary.
- Sloth Bear & Leopard possible, Nagarhole
- Nilgiri Wood Pigeon & White-bellied Shortwing, Nilgiri Hills
- Lion-tailed Macaque & Nilgiri Langur, Annamalai
- White-bellied Treepie, Nilgiri Pipit & White-breasted Laughing-thrush
- Malabar Trogon, Malabar Grey Hornbill &, if lucky, Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Thattekad
- Andaman Islands and cultural extensions
- Led by expert local naturalist guides
Grading
Day walks only.The rich and varied wildlife of this vast and fascinating country presents a challenge to any wildlife enthusiast. Up until now most travellers have concentrated on northern India. This Naturetrek holiday, however, will introduce you to the tropical splendour of the Nilgiri and Cardamon Hills where the wildlife of the subcontinent flourishes in national parks of outstanding beauty and solitude. These hills, together with the Western Ghats which extend northwards to Bombay, bear the brunt of the south-west monsoon. The result is a fertile, tropical land, markedly different from the north. The culture, too, is unique. A different language, Malayalam, is spoken and there is a notably more relaxed attitude to life. Since the beginning of civilisation Kerala has supplied spices to the world, and this trading history has fostered an un-lndian diversity of religions within the state: as early as 52 A.D. Christianity is said to have arrived here.
The flora and fauna of southern India bear many striking similarities to those of the tropical Indo-Malayan realm, despite their separation by thousands of kilometres. Bio-geographers talk of mountain causeways, long since eroded, over which the Indo-Malayan forms spread. The isolated fauna has evolved a number of unique species and subspecies which we will make particular efforts to find during our tour.
Bengaluru (Bangalore) is our point of entry into India. From here we drive to the historic city of Mysore for an overnight stay and some sightseeing before we drive south to Nagarhole National Park. In this vast landscape we are able to experience the sounds, sights and exhilaration of a south Indian jungle — unchanged since time immemorial. We will stay at the Kabini River Lodge. With its gracious old-world air and splendid lakeside views, it is a truly delightful setting from which to commence our wildlife exploration. We will travel in jeeps out into the surrounding grasslands and forests to watch Elephants and Gaur (the Asian bison) and with luck we may see a Sloth Bear or a Leopard, both of which are quite common. In the large forest compound which surrounds the lodge, we can walk in safety and look for some of the bird specialities.
Our journey now takes us upwards to the old British hill station of Ootacamund at 2,600 metres. It is here that we will search for the endemic birds of the Nilgiri Hills: Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, White-bellied Shortwing, the beautiful Black and Orange Flycatcher and Nilgiri Laughing-thrush. From Ootacamund we continue southwards. We pass through the city of Coimbatore to Annamalai Sanctuary. Set at the foot of the Cardamon Hills, Annamalai inspired many to write enthusiastically of its beauty and splendour. Forests of teak and rosewood give way to rocky precipices and grassy ridges. This is one of the best places to see two endangered primates: Lion-tailed Macaque and Nilgiri Langur. We will search for them, and for the bird specialities: Malabar Pied Hornbill and White-bellied Treepie. The high tops are inhabited by the endemic Nilgiri Tahr (a species of wild goat), but as they are hard to see here we will stop at Munnar on the way to Periyar. Above the tea plantations of Munnar is a small reserve where the Tahr are easier to see and where we will hopefully find two more endemic birds, Nilgiri Pipit and White-breasted Laughing-thrush.
Periyar Tiger Reserve is justly one of Asia’s most renowned sanctuaries. Although the construction of a dam in 1895 flooded some of the best forest, it has benefited the sanctuary in helping to protect the surrounding forest and by providing a constant water supply for the large mammals. It has also made Periyar one of the most picturesque sanctuaries in the world. We will explore the sanctuary by boat, but our aim is also to spend time on foot in the heart of the jungle — an exciting conclusion to our wildlife tour of southern India. We will then spend a night aboard a houseboat cruising Kerala’s backwaters, before a final two nights in Kochi (Cochin) to relax and sample the cultural and historical delights of this colourful port.
For those with time to spare we strongly recommend our Andaman Islands extension. These unspoilt tropical islands, over 1,600 kilometres from the Indian coast, hold an outstanding collection of endemic birds and mammals in their dense rainforests, and offer excellent snorkelling from their many coral islands. We will make the most of this tourist-free environment, to relax, swim and enjoy a unique natural history.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
Depart London
Day 2/3
Mysore
Day 4/6
Nagarhole National Park
Day 7/8
Bandipur National Park
Day 9/10
Ooty
Day 11
Annamalai Sanctuary
Day 12/13
Valparai
Day 14/15
Thattekad
Day 16
Fly London
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation: Comfortable tourist hotels and simple forest lodges, all with private facilities.
- Food: All included in the price.
Reviews
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In most cases the hotels far exceeded our expectations.
Mr & Mrs P. London
Extensions
Andaman Islands
The Andaman Islands are largely covered with virgin rainforest, and their isolation has resulted in a high degree of endemism. These islands are truly unspoilt, and still follow the timeless traditions of the local tribes. Based at a comfortable hotel on South Andaman Island we'll explore wetlands, palm-fringed beaches and dense forest in search of a superb variety of birdlife and tropical fish.
4 days from £2,495
Dates & Prices
2026
Departures
Availability
Cost
Sat 10th Jan – Sun 25th Jan
SPACES
£5,995
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£5,495
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£1,495
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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...
"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
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Mammal Watching Holidays
Many of the world’s mammals are instantly recognisable to us. Animals such as Lions, Tigers, elephants and bears capture our imaginations from an early age. At Naturetrek, we take great pleasure and pride in helping people to fulfil their lifelong dreams of seeing these iconic species in the wild. We also enjoy introducing our clients to some of the world’s more unusual mammals, many of which are just as fascinating.
Naturetrek Mammal Watching Tours
Many of our tours have a primary focus on mammals and we offer the widest choices of mammal-watching holidays across the globe, from the poles to the tropics. Our holidays are guided by at least one professional naturalist tour leader and usually benefit from additional guiding by expert local naturalist guides. We have holidays to see an incredible range of the world’s most sought-after mammals, such as orangutans, lemurs, bats, polar mammals, big cats, and mammals of the African savannah. A significant number of tours also targets some of the planet’s more unusual and elusive species, from pottos and pangolins to slender lorises and obscure cetaceans.
Here’s a selection of our mammal tours:
- India’s Kanha and Pench Tiger Reserves
- A cruise to Spitsbergen in search of Polar Bears
- A chance to see the ‘Big Five’ and much more in South Africa’s Kruger National Park
- Search for Blue, Fin and Sperm Whales in the Azores
- Close-up views of Brown Bear and Wolverine in Finland
- Enjoy the mammals of Kenya’s Masai Mara, while staying in luxury camps
- Search for elusive nocturnal mammals, such as Aardvark, Black-footed Cat and Aardwolf, in the Kalahari Desert
Bargain mammal selection
We offer a range of action-packed bargain holidays for the dedicated mammal enthusiast, which are exceptional value for money, from Belize to Zambia.
Our specialist recommends...
"Africa is perhaps the greatest continent for mammal-watching. I would recommend 'Botswana’s Desert & Delta (Mammals)' for combining stunning scenery and wildlife. We also offer a tour to Uganda which includes a chance to see Mountain Gorillas. And India, along with Tigers, has a superb variety of mammals. Closer to home, short breaks to Spain in search of Wolves and Iberian Lynx are hard to beat.”
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
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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!
