South India Birding Tour 12 Nights / 13 Days
Discover the incredible birdlife and natural beauty of South India on this 12-night, 13-day birding adventure through the Western Ghats and southern India’s most rewarding wildlife destinations. This tour is designed for international birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts seeking endemic birds, diverse habitats, and memorable wildlife experiences.
From the evergreen forests of Thattekad Bird Sanctuary to the montane grasslands of Munnar, the rainforests of Periyar Tiger Reserve, and other biodiversity hotspots of the Western Ghats, the tour offers excellent opportunities to observe many of South India’s endemic and near-endemic bird species.
Led by experienced local birding guides, the journey combines comfortable travel, expert field knowledge, and ethical birdwatching practices. Along with an impressive variety of birds, participants may also encounter mammals such as elephants, gaurs, Nilgiri langurs, giant squirrels, and other fascinating wildlife.
Whether you are an avid birder, wildlife photographer, or nature traveller, this comprehensive South India birding tour provides an unforgettable opportunity to explore one of the world’s most important biodiversity regions and experience the rich natural heritage of southern India.
- Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary ⇲
- Periyar Tiger Reserve ⇲
- Munnar ⇲
- Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary ⇲
- Ooty ⇲
- Mudumalai Tiger Reserve ⇲
- Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary ⇲
Thattekad
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary is widely regarded as one of the best birdwatching destinations in South India. Its diverse habitats, including evergreen forests, riverine woodland, and wetlands, support an impressive variety of birdlife throughout the year. The sanctuary is especially famous for its Western Ghats endemic species, colourful forest birds, and excellent photography opportunities. Whether you are an experienced birder or a first-time visitor to India, Thattekad offers an ideal introduction to the rich avian diversity of the Western Ghats.
Periyar
Periyar Tiger Reserve is One of South Indi’s premier wildlife and birdwatching destinations. the reserve protects vast tracts of evergreen and moist deciduous forest surrounding the scenic Periyar Lake, creating excellent habitats for a wide range of bird species. Birders can expect to encounter many Western Ghats endemics, forest specialists, raptors, and waterbirds, along with opportunities to observe mammals such as elephants, gaur, and sambar deer. With its beautiful landscapes and rich biodiversity, Periyar is an essential destination on any South India birding itinerary.
Munnar
Munnar is one of the most scenic birding destinations in the Western Ghats known for its cool mountain climate, rolling grasslands, shola forests, and tea-covered hills. These high-altitude habitats support several of South India’s most sough-after endemic birds, making Munnar a favourite destination for birders and wildlife photographers. In addition to its exceptional birdlife, the region offers stunning landscapes and opportunities to observe unique flora and mammals, making it an important highlight of any South India birding tour.
Chinnar
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary offers a unique birding experiences with its dry thorn forests, riverine woodlands, and open scrub habitats, which are very different from the evergreen forests of the Western Ghats. The sanctuary is home to a diverse range of birds, including several species that are difficult to find elsewhere in South India. Chinnar is also renowned for its rich wildlife, with opportunities to observe mammals such as grizzled giant squirrels, deer, and other fascinating species. Its distinctive landscapes and biodiversity make Chinnar an important and rewarding stop on any South India birding tour.
Ooty
Ooty, nestled in the picturesque Nilgiri Hills, is one of South India’s premier high-altitude birding destinations. The region’s shola forests, montane grasslands, and woodland habitats support a rich variety of birdlife, including several Western Ghats endemics and Nilgiri specialties. Its cool climate and beautiful landscapes make Ooty a favourite destination for birdwatchers and nature photographers. Combined with its unique biodiversity and scenic surroundings, Ooty is an essential highlight of any south India birding tour.
Mudumalai
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is one of South India’s finest wildlife and birding destinations, located at the meeting point of the Western and Eastern Ghats. Its diverse habitats, including dry deciduous forests, moist woodlands, and riverine areas, support an impressive variety of bird species and other wildlife. The reserve is particularly rewarding birders seeking raptors, woodland species, and several South Indian specialties. With excellent opportunities to observe elephants, deer, and other mammals, Mudumalai is an outstanding addition to any South India birding itinerary.
Ranganathittu
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is South India’s most important riverine bird sanctuary and paradise for waterbird enthusiasts. Located on the banks of the River Kaveri, the sanctuary is renowned for its large breeding colonies of storks, herons, egrets, and other waterbirds. Boat excursions provide excellent opportunities to observe birds at close range, along with sightings of marsh crocodiles and other wildlife. Its rich birdlife, scenic setting, and excellent photography opportunities make Ranganathittu a memorable highlight of any South India birding.
12 Nights / 13 Days South India Birding Tour Itinerary
Discover the extraordinary birdlife of the Western Ghats and southern India on this carefully designed South India Birding Tour. Over 13 days, you’ll explore six of the region’s finest birding destinations, from the lush rainforests of Kerala to the montane forests of Munnar, the Nilgiri Hills, and the wildlife-rich forests of Mudumalai. Led by an experienced local birding guide, this journey offers exceptional opportunities to observe endemic birds, rare species, mammals, and breathtaking landscapes.
Day 1 – Arrival in Kochi & Transfer to Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
Upon arrival at Kochi International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your birding guide before beginning the scenic drive to Thattekad Bird Sanctuary. After checking into your accommodation and enjoying some time to relax, head out for an introductory birding session around the lodge and nearby forest habitats. This relaxed evening provides an excellent opportunity to become familiar with the rich birdlife of the Western Ghats while searching for colourful kingfishers, barbets, drongos, woodpeckers, and other forest species.
Overnight: Thattekad
Day 2 – Full-Day Birding in Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
Spend the day exploring the evergreen forests, riverine woodlands, bamboo groves, and open habitats that make Thattekad one of India’s premier birdwatching destinations. Morning and afternoon birding sessions maximise opportunities to observe Western Ghats endemic birds, hornbills, trogons, woodpeckers, flycatchers, babblers, and numerous forest specialists. Between birding sessions, enjoy the peaceful surroundings and excellent photographic opportunities.
Overnight: Thattekad
Day 3 – Exploring More of Thattekad’s Birding Hotspots
Continue exploring different birding locations within and around Thattekad. Visiting a variety of habitats increases your chances of finding additional endemic and rare species while also encountering butterflies, reptiles, and other wildlife. Your experienced guide will tailor the day’s route according to recent sightings and seasonal bird activity, ensuring the best possible birding experience.
Overnight: Thattekad
Day 4 – Thattekad to Periyar Tiger Reserve
Begin the day with an early morning birding session before travelling through the beautiful landscapes of Kerala to Periyar Tiger Reserve. After checking into your accommodation, enjoy an evening birding excursion around the reserve’s forests and lakeside habitats. Periyar offers an exciting mix of birdlife alongside opportunities to observe elephants, gaur, sambar deer, and other wildlife.
Overnight: Periyar
Day 5 – Full-Day Birding in Periyar Tiger Reserve
Explore one of India’s finest protected forests during a full day of birding. Periyar’s diverse habitats support hornbills, woodpeckers, laughingthrushes, leafbirds, raptors, owls, and many other forest birds. Throughout the day, remain alert for mammals including elephants, Nilgiri langurs, giant squirrels, and, with a little luck, other elusive wildlife.
Overnight: Periyar
Day 6 – Periyar to Munnar
Enjoy an early morning birding session before driving through tea plantations and mountain roads to Munnar. Upon arrival, begin exploring the region’s unique shola forests and montane grasslands. These high-elevation habitats are home to several Western Ghats endemic birds found nowhere else in the world.
Overnight: Munnar
Day 7 – Full-Day Birding in Munnar
Spend the day birding across Munnar’s spectacular mountain landscapes. Search for high-altitude endemic species while enjoying panoramic views of rolling grasslands, mist-covered forests, and scenic valleys. The combination of exceptional birdlife and breathtaking scenery makes Munnar one of the highlights of any South India Birding Tour.
Overnight: Munnar
Day 8 – Munnar to Ooty
After breakfast, travel through the magnificent Nilgiri Hills to Ooty. The journey itself offers excellent birdwatching opportunities as habitats gradually change from montane forests to highland woodlands. An evening birding session around Ooty introduces another fascinating collection of endemic and regional bird species.
Overnight: Ooty
Day 9 – Full-Day Birding Around Ooty
Explore a variety of birding locations around Ooty, including shola forests, wetlands, reservoirs, woodland edges, and open grasslands. These diverse habitats support an impressive range of endemic birds, waterbirds, raptors, and seasonal migrants, making Ooty an essential destination for birdwatchers visiting southern India.
Overnight: Ooty
Day 10 – Ooty to Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
Drive from the cool highlands of Ooty to the dry deciduous forests of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. This dramatic change in habitat brings a completely different selection of bird species. Spend the afternoon birding within the reserve while also searching for elephants, gaur, spotted deer, and other wildlife.
Overnight: Mudumalai
Day 11 – Full-Day Birding in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
Dedicate the day to exploring one of the richest wildlife areas within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Morning and afternoon birding sessions provide excellent opportunities to observe raptors, woodpeckers, hornbills, bee-eaters, rollers, and many dry forest specialists. Mammal sightings are often an added highlight of the day.
Overnight: Mudumalai
Day 12 – Mudumalai to Mysuru
Enjoy one final morning birding session before leaving Mudumalai and travelling to the historic city of Mysuru. The remainder of the day is free to relax, enjoy your comfortable accommodation, or prepare for your onward journey.
Overnight: Mysuru
Day 13 – Departure from Bengaluru
After breakfast, transfer to Bengaluru International Airport for your onward flight. As your South India Birding Tour comes to an end, you leave with unforgettable memories of remarkable birdlife, spectacular landscapes, and one of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots.