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India - Southern: Endemics of the Western Ghats

© Malabar Whistling Thrush by Adam Riley
India - Southern: Endemics of the Western Ghats (Small Group) 2026

06 Jan 2026 - 17 Jan 2026 (12 days)

USD5,200 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Quinton Paul Josop

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

Tour price (Per person): USD5,200 * GBP4,150 * EUR4,991 * AUD8,000

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, while Indian Elephant, Gaur (Indian Bison), Wild Boar and Smooth-coated Otter are potential mammalian highlights. 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 & Grey-fronted Green Pigeons; Malabar Grey Hornbill; White-cheeked Barbet; 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 & Rufous Babblers; Wynaad, 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 Woodpecker.

Top Mammals

Dhole (rare); Gaur (Indian Bison); Smooth-coated Otter; Nilgiri Tahr.

Habitats Covered

sholas (montane forests), teak woodlands, lakes, wetlands, montane grassland

Expected Climate

warm during day, cool at night, rain unexpected

Max Group Size

12 with 2 Rockjumper leaders / 8 with 1 Rockjumper leader

Tour Pace & Walking

moderate

Accommodation

basic to comfortable lodges and hotels

Ease of Birding

mostly unchallenging

Number of Species Expected

+-250

Other Attractions

Lake Periyar, roadside temples and shrines, Western Ghats Mountains, tea plantations

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.

Erik Forsyth
NM, Northern India

I just have to write and tell you how much I enjoyed the N. India trip and how superb the leaders are… Erik and Rich worked so well together and both are so funny, such a great combination…. With much gratitude to RBT for bringing birds and mammals into my life.

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.

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 !

David Hoddinott
FG, India 2018

David Hoddinott was at his best even on new grounds full of lifers.

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