In the Western Ghats of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, early monsoon offers outstanding reptile and amphibian-watching. As countless frogs sing and breed, many rare, endemic snakes emerge to prey on them.
Our unique exploration of the frogs, lizards and snakes of the Western Ghats begins in Thattekkad. This is an excellent site for snakes including Russell’s viper, hump-nosed and Malabar pit vipers, spectacled cobra and common krait. To the east, Munnar is superb for frogs, such as Jerdon’s and Anamalai ramanellas, and for the stunning large-scaled pit viper. Further north, Ooty is home to another range of local endemics, including variable ghat frog and star-eyed bush frog.
Typical Itinerary
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Day 1:
Depart the UK
We take a scheduled flight to Bangalore, arriving early the following day.
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Day 2:
Fly to Kochi, transfer to Thattekkadd
After an early flight to Kochi, we travel to Thattekkad where in the evening we begin our search for reptiles and amphibians.
Accommodation: Hornbill Camp, 2-nights
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Day 3:
Full day at Thattekkadd
We have a full day (and night) to look for the many remarkable reptiles and amphibians of Thattekkad. Key species here include hump-nosed and Malabar pit vipers, spectacled cobra, common krait, Indian wolf snake and the extraordinary Malabar gliding frog.
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Days 4-6
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Explore Munnar
We spend three nights in Munnar, which is an outstanding site for amphibians and reptiles. Among the many frogs courting here at this time of year are Jerdon’s and Anamalai ramanellas, spinular night frog, slender-toed leaping frog and the wonderfully named confusing green bush frog. The reptile highlight here is the stunning large-scaled pit viper but Beddome’s and Sri Lankan cat snakes, montane trinket snake and red-sided shieldtail are among the many other species present.
If time and weather allow we may make some day-trips to see other notable wildlife of the area, including the Nilgiri tahr, a sheep-like herbivore, which is a local endemic. We may also obtain permission to enter Eravikulam National Park in search of the highly endangered resplendent bush frog.
Accommodation: The Windermere Estate, 3-nights
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Day 7:
Transfer to Pollachi, visit Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Today we drive north to the town of Pollachi, making a visit to nearby Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary where, among many other species, Leschenault’s and blinking lacertas may be found.
Accommodation: Coco Lagoon Resort, 1-night
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Days 8-9
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Explore Ooty
We spend two nights in the celebrated hill station of Ooty, which is home to another range of local endemics. Reptiles found here include two-lined ground skink, Nilgiri shieldtail, Nilgiri wood snake, bronze-headed vine snake and black-spotted kukri snake. Frogs are well-represented too and targets here include variable ghat frog, Nilgiri and star-eyed bush frogs, triangle-spotted globular frog and pink-thighed dancing frog.
Accommodation: Red Hill Nature Resort, 2-nights
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Day 10:
Transfer to Coimbatore, fly to Bangalore
Following a final morning in Ooty, today we transfer to Coimbatore to catch a flight to Bangalore where we spend the night close to the airport.
Accommodation: Taj Yeshwantpur, 1-night
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Day 11:
Fly to the UK
Early this morning we take our international flight back to the UK.
