Colorful and exciting, Southern India possesses some of Asia's most magnificent national parks and is home to more than 20 endemic birds and a variety of mammals, ranging from the tiny endemic Malabar Spiny Dormouse to Nilgiri Langur, Tiger, and Indian Elephant. Separated by valleys, the mountain blocks where most of the parks are found are collectively known as the Western Ghats. In the valleys we'll see brightly painted trucks and giant wheeled oxen carts traveling the roads together with more "normal" modes of transport. In the wetlands we'll watch for Spot-billed Pelican, Red-naped Ibis, and Pheasant-tailed Jacana, while in the mountains we should see Legge's Hawk-Eagle, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Crimson-fronted Barbet, Indian Pitta, and the gorgeous White-bellied Treepie.
Our tour begins in Nagarhole National Park, where endemic Malabar Parakeets and White-cheeked Barbets call from within our lodge grounds. We'll then spend most of the following two weeks in the Western Ghats, where most of the endemic and near-endemic birds survive, and we'll be looking for such specialties as Gray Junglefowl (far more beautiful than its name suggests), Malabar Trogon (a real treat), and Black-and-orange Flycatcher. In the undergrowth we'll search for Wynaad Laughingthrush and White-bellied Sholakili (two of the harder endemics), while overhead the loud swoosh of wings at any time may signal Great or Malabar Pied hornbills.
Select the KEY INFO tab or click here for our itinerary plus space requests, status, fees, limits, and guides for any departure.