Jain Birding

Kerala Birding Tour

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4 days / 3 nights
Birding
Kerala
400 USD per person

Tour Overview

Discover the incredible birdlife of Kerala’s Western Ghats on this four-day birding holiday through two of the state’s finest birding destinations—Thattekad Bird Sanctuary and Munnar. From the lowland evergreen forests of Thattekad, renowned for its rich bird diversity and endemic species, to the high-altitude shola forests and grasslands of Munnar, this short itinerary offers an excellent introduction to the birds of the Western Ghats. With expert-guided birding, spectacular landscapes, and opportunities to observe many of the region’s endemic species, this tour is ideal for birdwatchers, photographers, and nature enthusiasts with limited time.

Main Highlights

  • Explore Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Kerala’s premier lowland rainforest birding destination.
  • Bird the high-altitude shola forests of Munnar, home to many Western Ghats endemics.
  • Search for 25–35 Western Ghats endemic bird species in just four days.
  • Visit two distinctly different ecosystems—from evergreen rainforest to montane cloud forest.
  • Excellent opportunities to photograph hornbills, trogons, flycatchers, laughingthrushes, and colourful forest birds.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01 – Kochi to Thattekad

Arrive in Kochi and transfer to Thattekad Bird Sanctuary (approximately 2 hours). After lunch, enjoy an afternoon birding session around the sanctuary and nearby forest trails.

Speciality:

  • One of India's finest lowland rainforest birding destinations.
  • introduction to the endemic birds of the Western Ghats.
  • Rich mixed-species feeding flocks and hornbill habitat.

Target Birds:
Malabar Grey Hornbill, Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Malabar Trogon, White-bellied Treepie, Rufous Babbler, Grey-headed Bulbul, Brown-cheeked Fulvetta, Heart-spotted Woodpecker, Indian Pitta (seasonal)

Day 02 – Thattekad Bird Sanctuary

Spend the entire day exploring different trails and habitats within Thattekad Bird Sanctuary.

Speciality

  • Evergreen and semi-evergreen forests with one of the highest bird diversities in Kerala.
  • Excellent opportunities for endemic birds and bird photography.

Target Birds

Ceylon Bay Owl (seasonal), Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Malabar Parakeet, White-bellied Blue Flycatcher, Indian Scimitar Babbler, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher (seasonal), Asian Fairy Bluebird, Crimson-backed Sunbird, Black Baza (seasonal)

Optional

Evening/night excursion for nocturnal birds and mammals.

Day 03 – Thattekad to Munnar

Morning drive to Munnar via the scenic Cardamom Hills. En route, stop for birding at suitable forest patches before reaching Munnar around noon. Afternoon birding in the montane forests surrounding Munnar.

Speciality:

Transition from tropical rainforest to high-altitude shola forest.
Dramatic change in birdlife and habitat.

Target Birds:

Nilgiri Flycatcher, Black-and-orange Flycatcher, White-bellied Blue Robin, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Kerala Laughingthrush, Hill Swallow, Indian Blackbird, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher

Day 04 – Munnar Birding & Departure

Early morning birding in the shola forests and grasslands around Munnar before returning to Kochi in the afternoon.

Speciality:

One of the best locations to observe Western Ghats montane endemics.
Beautiful landscapes of tea plantations, grasslands, and cloud forests.

Target Birds:

Nilgiri Pipit, Black-and-orange Flycatcher, Nilgiri Flycatcher, White-bellied Blue Robin, Kerala Laughingthrush, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Painted Bush Quail, Mountain Imperial Pigeon

Gallery