India - Southern: Birds & Wildlife of the Western Ghats 2025

20 Mar 2025 - 02 Apr 2025 (14 days)

USD4,695 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Julian Parsons

Tour price (Per person): USD4,695 * GBP3,575 * EUR4,233 * AUD7,039

Single Supplement: USD800 * GBP609 * EUR721 * AUD1,199

Can be linked with: India - Andaman Islands Extension 2025

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 * GBP3,731 * EUR4,418 * AUD7,346

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

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.

David Hoddinott
SS, India 2018

David Hoddinott is wonderful and a great leader.

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.

Robert Williams
PR, India 2023

As usual another fantastic journey masterfully organized and enabling us to discover places and birds in the best possible way. Supreme guide, all matters perfect, except the lack of heating in the bus. Chilly India, believe it or not !

Glen Valentine
DH - India 2024

We had a great tour. It was smaller even than usual, as two of the participants departed after two days due to illness. Glen, was as always his uber-keen birder, cheerful self. His magic pulled out quite a few surprising sightings.

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