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India - Southern: Birds & Wildlife of the Western Ghats

© Malabar Whistling Thrush by Adam Riley
India - Southern: Birds & Wildlife of the Western Ghats 2026

19 Mar 2026 - 01 Apr 2026 (14 days)

USD4,900 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Carlos Bocos

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*

Tour price (Per person): USD4,900 * GBP3,913 * EUR4,717 * AUD7,868

Can be linked with: India - Andaman Islands Extension 2026

Hemming the rugged lands of southern India are the impressive Western Ghats Mountains, a land of endless valleys, rolling tea estates and breathtaking highland vistas, well-known for harbouring a superb range of highly localised endemic birds and a host of special mammals. This comprehensive tour showcases many of these special creatures: the gorgeous Indian Pitta, Nilgiri Laughingthrush, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, rare Sri Lanka Frogmouth, exquisite Malabar Trogon, Malabar Whistling Thrush, and Heart-spotted Woodpecker are just some of the incredible birds we will search for. The mammal possibilities are no less enticing, with the stunning Lion-tailed Macaque, Bengal Tiger, Chole Indian Elephant and Gaur (Indian Bison) all high on our target list. Join us for an unbeatable birding exploration to the southern part of this immense and extremely rewarding nation!

Top Birds

Painted Bush Quail; Red Spurfowl; Nilgiri Wood, Malabar Imperial & Grey-fronted Green Pigeons; Malabar Grey & Great Hornbills; Malabar & White-cheeked Barbets; Blue-winged Parakeet; Malabar Woodshrike; White-spotted Fantail; White-bellied Treepie; Indian Black-lored Tit; Malabar Lark; Grey-headed, Flame-throated & Yellow-throated Bulbuls; Broad-tailed Grassbird; Indian Scimitar Babbler; Dark-fronted & Rufous Babblers; Wayanad, Nilgiri & Palani Laughingthrushes; Malabar Starling; Nilgiri Thrush; White-bellied Blue, Black-and-orange & Nilgiri Flycatchers; Nilgiri Blue & White-bellied Blue Robins; Malabar Whistling Thrush; Nilgiri Flowerpecker; Crimson-backed Sunbird; Nilgiri Pipit; Indian Pitta; Sri Lanka Frogmouth; Malabar Trogon; Heart-spotted & White-naped Woodpeckers; Malabar Flameback; White-bellied Minivet.

Top Mammals

Bengal Tiger; Lion-tailed & Toque Macaques; Nilgiri Langur; Dhole; Gaur (Indian Bison); Nilgiri Tahr; Asian Elephant; Indian & Grizzled Giant Squirrels; Sloth Bear and Leopard.

Habitats Covered

sholas (montane forest patches), deciduous (teak-dominated) woodlands, bamboo forest, lakes, wetlands, montane grassland, savanna & thickets

Expected Climate

Very pleasant: warm during day, cool at night, rain not expected

Max Group Size

8 with 1 Rockjumper leader or 12 with 2 Rockjumper leaders

Tour Pace & Walking

moderate

Accommodation

mostly very comfortable lodges & hotels but a bit basic for a few nights

Ease of Birding

mostly unchallenging

Number of Species Expected

+-250

Other Attractions

Rolling hills & valleys that are mostly naturally forested but in some areas are dominated by tea and other spice plantations, Mysore Palace, roadside temples & shrines, Lake Periyar, Western Ghats Mountains, some of the most delicious food on Earth if you like curries

Photographic Opportunities

good

What our clients say about us

Clayton Burne
PWN, India 2013

Clayton was friendly, informative and fun.... Very athletic and cheerful. Find him to be a wonderful guide.

David Hoddinott
SS, India 2018

David Hoddinott is wonderful and a great leader.

Peter Kaestner
JR, India 2020

This trip was great! We were told the trip should generate about 250 bird species and our total was very close. Peter was excellent at finding birds, leading us and keeping a positive group atmosphere. The local guides also were competent and helpful. Accommodations are not an important aspect of a trip to me but the ones we stayed at were excellent, as were the meals. The trip was an excellent introduction to India for me tho I was happy to have it very much concentrate on birding.

David Hoddinott
TM, India 2018

This was my first Rockjumper trip. I definitely will be a repeat customer. The booking process was easy and painless. The transport and hotel logistics during the trip were flawless. David Hoddinott and Ansar Khan were excellent guides and worked diligently to make sure we saw as many birds as possible.

David Hoddinott
CH, India 2018

David Hoddinott is simply outstanding: Calm, focused, truly excellent knowledge of the birds, their calls and habits. He has a wonderful sense of humour, too.

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