Itinerary
Day 1 & 2
Lowland Forests at Thattekkad
Arrive Kochi International Airport & transfer to Thattekkad – an area with extensive lowland forests and several types of eco-systems – riverine, grasslands, evergreen, scrub, dry deciduous, lowland forest, enabling it to be one of the best wildlife and birding destinations in India and also home to some of the endemic mammals of the Western Ghats. The wildlife includes Indian Flying Fox, Malabar Giant Squirrel, the elusive Slender Loris, Indian Giant Flying Squirrel, Travancore Flying squirrel and the Common Palm Civet. This is also a great place for endemic birds, butterflies & odonata. Thattekkad is also home to most of the endemic birds of the Western Ghats. You should see White-bellied Treepie, Rufous Babbler, Crimson-backed Sunbird, White-bellied Blue Flycatcher, Malabar Parakeet, Malabar Grey Hornbill and owls which could include Mottled Wood Owl, Oriental Bay Owl, Oriental Scops Owl, Brown Fish Owl and Spot-bellied Eagle Owl if you are lucky. Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Red Spurfowl, Grey Jungle Fowl, Indian Pitta, Black-throated Munia and the Grey-headed Fish Eagle are all likely. Areas to visit include Palamattam area near Thattekkad, extending to Edamalayar and Urulanthanni which form the part of the lowland forest areas around Thattekkad. O/N at the Hornbill Camp – aircon cottage tents https://www.hornbillcamp.in/ Meal Plan: B L D Key Species Mammals - Malabar Giant Squirrel, Dusky Palm Squirrel and Travancore Flying Squirrel, Common Palm Civet, Slender Loris. Key Species Birds - White-bellied Treepie, Rufous Babbler, Crimson-backed Sunbird, White-bellied Blue Flycatcher, Malabar Parakeet, Malabar Grey Hornbill,Mottled Wood Owl, Oriental Bay Owl, Oriental Scops Owl, Brown Fish Owl and Spot-bellied Eagle Owl, Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Red Spurfowl.
Day 3 & 4
Highlands of Munnar.
Transfer to the hill country at Munnar - the highest areas along the Western Ghats. While at Munnar, visit the Rajamala area where among its rolling grasslands and steep cliffs live the endemic and endangered Nilgiri Tahrs. Concerted efforts by the conservationists have brought this magnificent animal back from the brink of extinction. At present there are more than 700 Tahrs in the area. You will be visiting the Pampadum Shola National Park to look for the endemic Nilgiri Marten, Nilgiri Langurs, Malabar Giant Squirrel and endemic birds like the Nilgiri Wood pigeon Nilgiri Pipit, Painted Bush Quail, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Black-and-Orange Flycatcher, Nilgiri Flycatcher, White-bellied Shortwing and the Broad-tailed Grassbird. O/N at Tea County Meal Plan: B L D Key Species Mammals – Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri Marten, Nilgiri Langur Key Species Birds – Nilgiri Wood pigeon Nilgiri Pipit, Painted Bush Quail, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Black-and-Orange Flycatcher, Nilgiri Flycatcher, White-bellied Short wing and the Broad-tailed Grass bird.
Day 5 & 6
The Anamalais (Elephant Mountains) at Valparai
Today is a longish day heading down slope to the dry scrub forests at Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. Here on your walk, look out for the endemic Grey Tufted Langur (or Madras Langur) and the near-threatened Grizzled Giant Squirrel, besides Star Tortoise. There are good chances of other wildlife like elephants and gaurs. Special birds to look out for include Jacobin Cuckoo, Grey Junglefowl, White-bellied Drongo, Blue-faced and Sirkeer Malkohas, White-naped Woodpecker, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Jungle Bush Quail and Yellow-legged Buttonquail, Brown Fish owls and Spot-bellied Eagle Owls. After Chinnar you will be taking the 2 hour drive across the Tamil Nadu border to the forests of Valparai near Indira Gandhi national park - a place known for its great swathes of forests and wildlife. Elephants, sloth bears, leopards, gaurs, dholes (wild dogs) but the focus will be on the endemic Lion-tailed Macaques (on IUCN’s Red Data list for being a threatened species) which can be spotted in the high altitude rain forests here, their natural habitat. O/N at Stanmore Bungalows – https://teabungalows.com/ Meal Plan: B L D Key Species Mammals at Chinnar - Grey Tufted Langur (or Madras Langur), Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Star Tortoise. Key Species Mammals at Valparai – Lion-Tailed Macaques Key Species Birds – White-bellied Drongo, Blue-faced and Sirkeer Malkohas, White-naped Woodpecker, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Jungle Bush Quail and Yellow-legged Buttonquail, Brown Fish owls and Spot-bellied Eagle Owls.
Day 7 & 8
Mudumalai
After the morning wildlife safari looking out for wildlife, you will be headed for Mudumalai at the foothills of the Nilgiris (6-7 hours). Here, you will be going on jeep safaris and walks through the dry deciduous forests here on wildlife trips. The sanctuary lies on the Northern and North-Western side of the Nilgiri (Blue Mountains),about 80 km north-west of Coimbatore in the extreme north-western corner of Tamil Nadu. Nature has been lavish in providing this sanctuary with thickly wooded hills, plateaus, deep valleys, waterfalls, rivers, marshes and streams. A variety of habitats ranging from Tropical Evergreen forest, Moist mixed deciduous, Moist Teak forest, Dry teak forest, Secondary grass lands, Shrubs and Swamps exists here. This area is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere reserve consisting of Mudumalai, Bandipur, Nagarhole and Wayanad sanctuaries which facilitates migrations of large numbers of wildlife especially elephants. The park harbours large population of wildlife including Elephants, Sloth Bears, Four Horned Antelope, Wild Dog, Tigers, Leopards, Mouse Deer & Spotted Deer. Here you should also see Jerdon’s Bushlark, White-bellied Minivet, Sirkeer Malkoha, Indian Blue Robin, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Yellow-billed Babbler, White-bellied Woodpecker, Large Cuckooshrike, Banded Bay Cuckoo, Thick-billed Warbler and Painted Bush Quail. There would also be one vehicle safari at Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Accommodation: Jungle Hut - http://www.junglehut.in/ Meal Plan: B L D Key Species Mammals - Elephants, gaurs, Sloth Bears, dholes (Wild Dogs). Chances of sightings of Tigers & Leopards is rare but possible. Key Species Birds – Jerdon’s Bushlark, White-bellied Minivet, Sirkeer Malkoha, Indian Blue Robin, Nilgiri Thrush, Malabar Lark & and Painted Bush Quail.
Day 9
Departure
Transfer to Bangalore or Coimbatore airport for onward journey.
Inclusion
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Accommodation & Meal Plan as indicated
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Wildlife / Birding / Naturalist guide
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Aircon SUV / Mini bus throughout, from pick up at Kochi & drop to Coimbatore / Kochi
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Driver’s & Guide’s allowances, toll, parking
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Vehicle Safaris & walks into the sanctuaries, forest entry fees & permits
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Refreshments & bottled water
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All Government taxes
Exclusion
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Camera fees if levied, Insurance –please take your own insurance
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Tips to the naturalist and driver
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Laundry, Telephone bills, Expenses of a personal nature
Cost (Euro 1580)
2-3 Pax – 1580, 4-5 Pax – 1350, 6-8 Pax - 1170
NOTE: To access the group rate for 2-3, 4-5, and 6-8 participants, it is required that bookings be made as a cohesive group. For individual bookings, the cost per person is set at 1580 euros.
1, A minimum of two adults is required to operate the trip.
2, In order to qualify for the child discount, a child must share a room with at least two adults.
OPTIONAL:
The applicable rate for a single supplement euro 800
About the Tour
The Western Ghats, one of the 36 bio-diversity hot spots on earth, runs along the Western part of peninsular India, and bounded by the Malabar Plains along the coast and the plains of Tamilnadu on the West, about 30 to 50 kilometres inland. On this journey, you will also be sighting the other major wildlife like the Asian elephants, Sloth Bears, Dholes (or Indian Wild Dog) and the big cats. Commencing at Thattekkad and circumventing the Western Ghats at Munnar, the elephant –rich Anamalai mountains, the dry deciduous and scrub forests at Mudumalai and Chinnar & the forests at the Nagarhole National Park, you will be accompanied at all times by a knowledgeable local naturalist who knows where to find the most elusive species. Travelling on SUV’s / mini buses, comfortable specialist accommodation throughout - all add to the experience. The journey also will take you through tribal lands of indigenous people – like the the muduvans of Munnar area, the malapulayas of Chinnar and the irulas of Mudumalai and showcase their fascinating tribal way of life and closeness to nature & their knowledge of wildlife when you meet up with some of the local wildlife guides on this journey.
Touring with B T A-
In order to give you a surreal experience during the tour, Bike and Trek Adventure have planned the itineraries and routes meticulously. We have allocated enough time to be spent in each place, so that you don’t miss the breath-taking locales and the finest amenities each place has to offer.
ACCOMMODATION:
Accommodation is obtainable in any respect locations. Most of the resorts are birder and wildlife friendly properties. Our value is primarily based totally on dual sharing. For individuals who wishes single occupation room, we provide single occupation room with extra cost.
Tour Leader
The tour will be led by a naturalist who has years of experience in exploring the natural world. He is well versed in English.
FOOD
We believe that eating local is not just a lot of fun but also are of those important elements of the destination experience- Very much a part of the adventure as they say! So, be flexible and prepared to savour and enjoy the varied and wonderful food of the world. Meals included and excluded are clearly specified on the detailed itinerary. When meals are included you will need to adhere to timings as these meals are usually at local restaurants. When meals are not included, your trip leader will be happy to make restaurant recommendations of favourite places frequented by the locals. Choice of vegetarian food can sometimes be limited and repetitive. Though special food, including vegetarian, child meals etc., can never be guaranteed. We do our best to accommodate your requests. On guided trips, please ensure you inform your leader if you are a vegetarian.
PRECAUTIONS
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Bring all of the crucial medications. Do now no longer ignore
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Consume quite a few liquids. Don’t drink faucet water. Use handiest bottled water that's constantly stored in the vehicle
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is mandatory on all our trips and all details of your insurance policy including the policy number must be received by us prior to the start of your trip. We are unable to send you your travel certificate / Vouchers unless we receive them.
Money to Carry
Keep with you sufficient Indian Rupees in cash, money exchange or your international card.
Medical facilities available
There are medical facilities (First Aid) available but we suggest carrying your own first aid kit and personal medicines as well. Also consult with the family Doctor before coming on our tour.
Overview
TOUR TYPE : Guided
REGION : Kerala / Tamil Nadu (India)
GRADE : Easy
DURATION : 9 days / 8 nights
GROUP SIZE : 02 – 8 People
SUITABLE FOR : 15 + Years
BASE CAMP : Kochi (Kerala)
SERVICE FROM : Cochin – Bangalore
MEALS : Meals veg + Non-veg (As per Itinerary)
STAY : Best birder-friendly lodging available locally
AIRPORT : Cochin Airport
Rail Head : Cochin
Key Highlights
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A journey through one of the world’s 36 biodiversity 'Hotspots’
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Varied biomes and ecosystems holding great endemism and diversity
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Sightings of great numbers of wildlife, birds, butterflies and odonata
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Traversing the indigenous peoples’ cultural landscapes
Key Highlights
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Sunset on the Negombo lagoon
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Walking with elephants
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Learning with naturalists
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Beautiful hills and tea
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Scenic train ride
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Beautiful beaches
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Bicycle tour
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Hiking
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Kayaking
Eligibility
Do check out our detailed itinerary for an in-depth look at all the marvels that awaits you on our Cost to Cost Bicycle Expedition.
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Rider should be able to ride 5-6 hours
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Anyone above 15 years of age.
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The participant has to be in good physical condition and possess the energy to accomplish 6 km in 30 min without feeling rushed.
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Pulse rate at rest must be in between (60-90 per second)
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Blood pressure reading must be between (Diastolic 75-85, Systolic 100-130 Hg)
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Respiratory rate at rest must be in between (12 – 20 breaths per minute)
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Should not have liver and kidney issues
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Should not have diabetes Mellitus, Asthma, Epilepsy, Heart problems, High BP
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No pacemaker implant
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Experience: Regular riders, Any multi day trek or hiking, marathon runners
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Riders below 15 years should have a company of a parent / guardian
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Riders between 15-18 years can come solo with the disclaimer form signed by parent/ Guardian