Through game drives, guided walks and boat trips, explore southern India’s national parks and bird sanctuaries, enjoying wildlife sightings of elephant, tiger, leopard, sloth bear and spectacular avian life.
Less travelled than the national parks of central India, this region is a true gem when it comes to natural wonders and wildlife away from the crowds. Elephant, tiger, leopard and birds are a focus, with numerous other mammal species such as dhole, chital, barking deer, wild boar, lion-tailed macaque and sloth bear possible. A complete wildlife immersion is ensured by visiting three national parks, bird sanctuaries and backwaters, experiencing them via game drives, boat trips, and guided walks.
Suggested Itinerary
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Day 1:
Depart UK
Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Bangalore.
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Day 2:
Arrive Bengaluru
Welcome to India! On arrival in Bengaluru, you're met and privately transferred to your overnight hotel.
Accommodation: Taj Yeshwantpur, 1-night
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Days 3-4
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Nagarhole National Park: Vehicle Safaris & Possible Boat Trip
Your private transfer from Bangalore to Nagarhole National Park takes around five hours, after which you check in for two nights. Wildlife enthusiasts will be champing at the bit to explore the national park and its abundance of species through shared morning and afternoon game drives led by expert naturalists. Let Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book come to life as your expert naturalists try to spot Baloo, Bagheera, Colonel Hathi, Kaa and Shere Khan!
There may be an opportunity to take a boat trip on the Kabini River, searching for fauna such as bathing wild elephants, smooth-coated otter and significant populations of water bird species. Feast on the beauty of Nagarhole and enjoy this introduction to the riches of southern India’s jungles.
Accommodation: Kabini River Lodge, 2-nights
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Days 5-6
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Bandipur National Park: Vehicle Safaris & Possible Nature Walk
After a final dawn excursion in Nagarhole, head for Bandipur National Park, arriving in time for an afternoon safari. Home for the next two nights, Bandipur was one of the Project Tiger Reserves established in the early 1970s. Another great option for wildlife lovers, its dense forests are home to a significant population of Asian elephants, and other megafauna.
You have plenty of time to explore the park, once again joining shared morning and afternoon vehicle safaris, and perhaps a nature walk, in the hope of viewing a plethora of animal species, ranging from Bengal tiger, sloth bear, dhole (wild dog), wild boar, barking deer, and a kaleidoscope of birds, insects, reptiles and amphibians.
Accommodation: Bandipur Safari Lodge, 2-nights
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Day 7:
Fly to Kochi
An early start sees you transferring back to Bengaluru airport this morning, approximately five hours away. Fly on to the fascinating city of Kochi, which is both colourful and historic, its old world charm being well worth an explore.
Accommodation: The Malabar House, 1-night
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Days 8-9
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Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary
The adventure continues as you get back to nature, venturing past plantations and spice gardens to your tranquil river-side sanctuary near Neriyamangalam. When not taking in the gorgeous views whilst being serenaded by birdsong from the surrounding trees, visit Thattekad Bird Sanctuary on no less than four private bird watching trips. A magical place blanketed in deciduous and evergreen forest, it's home to a host of endemic, and during the winter months, migratory species. Considered one of the richest bird habitats in India, spend time searching for orange-headed thrush, Malabar pied and grey hornbill, white-bellied blue flycatcher, collared scops owl and the delightful Ceylon frogmouth.
As this itinerary is fully customisable, you may wish to consider another few nights in this region exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Western Ghats. Basing yourself in Munnar’s stunning tea country, visit Eravikulam National Park, a renowned and favoured habitat for endangered Nilgiri tahr. The park is also seasonally visited by wild elephant and is home to a small population of big cats.
Accommodation: Windermere Lake House, 2-nights
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Days 10-12
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Periyar National Park: Vehicle Safari, Nature Walks & Boat Rides
This morning you transfer to Periyar National Park, India’s oldest tiger reserve, arriving at lunchtime, your appetite being whetted by the lovely aroma of cardamom and pepper on the breeze from the spice gardens. During your time here, enjoy a full day game drive in Gavi Forest and guided walks which provide the opportunity to notice smaller animals and microfauna such as insects and primates, in addition to the park’s extensive flora. Boat trips on the Periyar River and lake may result in sightings of elephant, gaur, water birds and endemic lion-tailed macaque. The Jungle Scout Experience, unique to Periyar National Park, enables you to join a night patrol, a thrilling experience that may result in sightings of nocturnal wildlife.
Accommodation: Spice Village, 3-nights
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Days 13-14
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Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary; Boat Ride & Bird Walks
The famously scenic backwaters of Kerala beckon, forming the penultimate stop on your trip, and the drive to Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary takes in the region of three hours. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon on a boat, gliding through the maze of calm, lush channels, where the sky above is perfectly reflected and mirrored in the water below. Watch village life unfold along the banks as children wave, saris and tropical blooms blow in the breeze, toddy is tapped, and spices are ground as the ambiance washes over you in this little slice of paradise on earth.
The next day is dedicated to visiting Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, where you enjoy morning and afternoon private birding walks with an expert naturalist. Flocks of wading birds such as heron and egret, plus stork, darter and ibis are likely to turn your head, and colourful sightings of Indian paradise flycatcher, stork-billed kingfisher, white-cheeked barbet, and impressive Brahminy kite are also possible.
Accommodation: Coconut Lagoon, 2-nights
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Day 15:
Drive to Kochi
Returning to Kochi today for your last night, embark on a city tour and later, enjoy your last night in this multicultural region, perhaps enjoying the sunset from the city’s famous Chinese fishing nets. Commit the colours, sights and sounds to memory before drifting off to sleep in your beautiful boutique accommodation.
Accommodation: The Malabar House, 1-night
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Day 16:
Fly back to the UK
As your time in this marvellous land draws to a close, consider all that you've seen and experienced as you commence your onward or homeward journey.
Please note: India is, of course, a subcontinent, offering a vast array of extension ideas to choose from. There’s birding in Corbett National Park and the Himalayan foothills to relaxing breaks on Arabian Sea beaches or in the little visited Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Perhaps cultural Rajasthan, and a visit to the iconic Taj Mahal is more your scene?
Further tiger watching potential is offered through the numerous central Indian reserves that include Kanha, Pench and Bandhavgarh National Parks, or further north in the Terai on the Nepalese border. Of course, there are more big cats to discover, with snow leopards in Ladakh and Asiatic lion at Sasan Gir. What about one-horned rhino in Kaziranga? The possibilities are endless, and we absolutely love India, so contact us to talk these, and other possibilities, through at your leisure.
