Endemic wildlife of Kerala and the Western Ghats

Arrive Bangalore

Arrive in the southern city of Bangalore to begin your Indian adventure. Upon arrival at the airport, pass through baggage and immigration where you will be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel, the Taj Bangalore Airport Hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Bangalore - Nagarhole National Park

This morning you will transfer to Nagarhole National Park (approx. 5 ½ hours drive), where you will spend the next two nights at the Evolve Back Kuruba Safari Lodge. During the afternoon, your guide will take you on a walking and boat safari to look for some of the wildlife that calls Nagarhole its home. Nagarhole, along with Bandipur and several other national parks, form part of the wildlife-rich Biosphere Reserve. Wildlife within the park includes sloth bears, wild dogs, elephants, flying squirrels and tigers. 

Nagarhole National Park

Spend the day exploring the forest and waterways of Nagarhole National Park on a morning jeep game drive and afternoon boat safari. Later tonight your guide will take you on a short night walking safari in search of the more nocturnal creatures of southern India.  

Nagarhole National Park - Bandipur National Park

This morning you will explore Nagarhole National Park for your final game drive before you transfer to Bandipur National Park (approx. 3 ½ hours drive). Upon arrival, check in to your hotel before enjoying your safari in Bandipur, the first national park in southern India to be chosen for the Project Tiger scheme which was launched to help protect tigers and their habitats.

Overnight: The Serai Bandipur (B, L, D)

Bandipur National Park

Today you can explore Bandipur National Park, heading out on morning and afternoon game drives. Once the hunting grounds of the Mysore Maharajas, Bandipur forms part of a larger network of wildlife sanctuaries and you’ll have the chance to search for tiger, leopard, wild dog, elephant and more.

Overnight: The Serai Bandipur (B, L, D)

Bandipur National Park - Ooty

Spend the morning in the beautiful Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, known for its big game. On return to the lodge, you’ll take the 2 ½ hour drive to Ooty  where the afternoon is yours to relax in your lodge, the Taj Savoy. Later this evening your guide will take you on a walking safari to discover the local wildlife.

Ooty – Valparai

Your next stop is Valparai. You’ll be picked up this morning for the seven hour drive. It might seem like a long drive but it’s worth it as it’s home to malabar giant squirrel and the endangered lion-tailed macaque, which are endemic to the Western Ghats. Your accommodation for the next two nights is Briar Stanmore Garden Bungalow and the evening can be spent at leisure.

Valparai

Today you will explore the reserve forests on a walking safari with your guide trying to spot lion-tailed macaques, one of the rarest and most threatened primates in India. They are best sighted in the forests and near tea plantations, which is why Briar Stanmore Garden Bungalow makes the ideal base to see them.

Valparai – Munnar

Enjoy an early morning walking safari and a packed breakfast in the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, a protected area with a diverse eco-system home to the grizzled giant squirrel, Asian elephant, South-eastern crested langur, guar and sambhar. You will then continue to Munnar by road, approx. 6 hours drive away.

Overnight: Windermere Estate (B, L)

Munnar

Spend the day exploring the stunning Eravikulam National Park to spot the endangered nilgiri tahr (known locally as the nilgiri ibex) and nilgiri langur, a vulnerable species of primate.

Overnight: Windermere Estate (B, L)

Munnar

See the wildlife of the Shola forests and grasslands on morning and afternoon walking safaris with your guide. Due to the nature and isolation of shola forests, the area is home to many threatened and endemic species and your guide will help you search for wildlife including nilgiri tahr and nilgiri langur, nalabar giant squirrel and nilgiri marten.

Overnight: Windermere Estate (B, L)

Munnar – Periyar National Park

Today you will transfer to Periyar National Park, approx. 4 ½ hours drive away. Spend the afternoon relaxing at the your accommodation, Spice Village, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights. Later this evening you will be taken on a boat safari to Periyar National Park where you’ll have the chance to see Asian elephant, wild dog, Eurasian otters, striped-necked mongoose and some of the 264 species of bird.

Periyar National Park

You’ll have a full day to discover the flora and fauna of the Periyar National park, a notable elephant and tiger reserve in Kerala. Whilst out on safari with your guide you’ll look for bison, nilgiri langur, malabar giant squirrel, sambhar deer, bonnet macaque and many more species.

Periyar National Park – Kochi

Before transferring to Kochi, you will be taken for your last safari by your guide. On return to the lodge you’ll take the 4 ½ hour drive to Kochi where you can spend the evening at leisure at your hotel, Brunton Boatyard.

Kochi Depart

This morning you will be transferred to Kochi international airport (approx. 1 ½ hours drive) for your onward flight home.