Thattekad & Periyar Birding Tour – Western Ghats Birds

Thattekad & Periyar – Birds & Wildlife of Kerala

Explore Thattekad & Periyar 🦜🐘. Discover Western Ghats birds, hornbills & wildlife in Kerala’s top birding and safari destinations.

The Thattekad & Periyar Birding Tour is one of the most rewarding wildlife experiences in South India 🌿🦜. Located in Kerala, this expedition combines the rich birdlife of Thattekad Bird Sanctuary with the diverse wildlife habitats of Periyar Tiger Reserve, offering a perfect mix of birding and jungle safari.

🌳 Thattekad Bird Sanctuary – Birding Paradise of South India

Thattekad, also known as the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, is one of India’s most important birding destinations. Nestled along the Periyar River, this sanctuary is part of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot.

It is especially famous for its high density of bird species in a relatively small area, making it ideal for both beginner and expert birders.

Key bird highlights include:

🦜 Malabar Trogon
🦜 Sri Lanka Frogmouth
🦜 Malabar Grey Hornbill
🦜 White-bellied Treepie
🦜 Rufous Babbler
🦜 Indian Pitta (seasonal)

Thattekad is considered one of the best places in India to see Western Ghats endemic birds.

🌿 Periyar Tiger Reserve – Wildlife & Forest Experience

Located in Thekkady, Periyar Tiger Reserve is one of India’s most scenic wildlife parks, known for its dense forests, hills, and the beautiful Periyar Lake.

Wildlife highlights include:

🐘 Asian Elephants
🐅 Tigers (rare sightings)
🐃 Gaur (Indian bison)
🐒 Nilgiri Langur
🦌 Sambar Deer
🦜 Rich birdlife

One of the most unique experiences here is the boat safari on Periyar Lake, where visitors can observe wildlife along the forest edges.

Nature walks and bamboo rafting experiences add to the immersive forest experience 🌿.

⭐ Why Visit Thattekad & Periyar?

🦜 Western Ghats endemic bird species
🐘 Excellent elephant sightings
🌿 Combination of birding + wildlife safari
🚤 Unique lake boat safari experience
📸 Great for bird and wildlife photography

📦 What’s Included

• Guided birding sessions in Thattekad 🧭
• Boat safari in Periyar Lake 🚤
• Nature walks and forest activities 🌿
• Accommodation in eco-lodges 🏡
• All meals during the tour 🍽️
• Park permits and entry fees 🎟️

👨‍👩‍👧 Ideal For

📸 Bird photographers
🦜 Western Ghats bird enthusiasts
🌿 Nature lovers
🐘 Wildlife travelers exploring Kerala

🌱 Eco Practices

♻️ Responsible birdwatching
🌿 Conservation-focused tourism
🤝 Support for local communities
🚯 Plastic-free travel

📌 Quick Facts

📍 Location: Kerala, India
🦜 Bird Diversity: 300+ species
🌿 Region: Western Ghats
🗓 Best Time: October – March
✈ Nearest Airport: Kochi

Thattekad Salim Ali BIRD SANCTUARY:

The Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, covering an area of barely 25 km2, and located about 12 km from Kothamangalam (Kerala state, India), was the first bird sanctuary in Kerala. Salim Ali, one of the best known ornithologists, described this sanctuary as the richest bird habitat on peninsular India. Thattekkad literally means flat forest, and the region is a deciduous but generally moist low-land forest surrounding the Periyar River, the longest river in Kerala.

Constituted during 1983, Dr. Salim Ali, the world famous ornithologist, is directly responsible for the wonders on display at the Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary. His famous survey of Travancore in the 1930s led to the formation of this modern day paradise for avian life. He noted that the area was rich in bird diversity and ought to be turned into a sanctuary to conserve the same. There are over 300 species that reside in these tropical and deciduous forests are testament to his great vision.

One can run across the Sri Lankan Frogmouth, Racket Tailed Drongo, Bronzed Drongo, White-bellied Treepie, Shama, Yellow-browed Bulbul, Rufous Babbler, Malabar Parakeet, White-bellied Blue Flycatcher and the Malabar Grey Hornbill in these parts. Beautiful teak, rosewood and mahogany plantations can also be viewed here. It also boasts of over 28 mammal species and over 9 species of reptiles.

Species

The Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary has a rich and varied birdlife. Several species of birds, both forest birds as well as water birds, visit the sanctuaries; notable ones include the following:

• The Indian pitta; which visits the sanctuary during winter and spends almost six months here.
• Orange-headed thrush
• Large-billed leaf-warbler
• Jerdon's nightjar
• Indian cuckoo
• Oriental darter
• Cormorants
• Whiskered terns
• Collared scops owl
• Ceylon frogmouth
• Grey-fronted green pigeon
• Yellow-browed bulbuls

The sanctuary is a habitat for different varieties of cuckoos and a region of the sanctuary popularly called "Cuckoo Paradise" is home to them, among which are the:

Drongo cuckoo, which may be easily mistaken for drongo,

Indian hawk cuckoo, which is highly vocal, and the

Large hawk cuckoo, which looks relatively massive compared to other types of cuckoos, and is characterized by a dark grey and heavily streaked throat.

The Idamalayar forest is located about 15 km from Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary. There is a large evergreen forest to the east and south-east of the Idamalayar Dam, extending from Malakkappara to as far as Rajamala. The mountain hawk eagles are found in this forest. Other birds in this forest include dark-fronted babbler, brown-cheeked fulvetta, brown-backed and white-rumped needletails, and emerald green pigeons.

Periyar tiger reserve:

Periyar National Park, also known as Periyar Tiger Reserve, is in the mountainous Western Ghats of Kerala, southern India. This wildlife sanctuary is home to tigers and a significant elephant population, as well as rare lion-tailed macaques, sambar deer, leopards and Indian bison. In the park's north, Periyar Lake is popular for boat rides. Farther north, spice plantations surround the town of Kumily.

Saddled in the southern region of the Western Ghats, spread across an area of 777 sq. km of forest land and home to a luxuriant collection of different species of flora and fauna is the Periyar Tiger Reserve. This spectacular stretch of greenery gets its name from the River Periyar which has its origin deep inside the reserve. The reserve also offers a host of eco-tourism programmes to the travellers.

For centuries, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady has been host to the most exquisite flora and fauna in the country and nature lovers throng to it in great numbers. Famous for its rustic and refreshing climate along with a bird's eye view of a multitude of life forms, it is among the best tourist spots in God's Own Country.

Eco-tourism forms an integral part of the ethos of Periyar.

PERIYAR TIGER RESERVE (PTR) is one of the most visited protected areas in India. PTR bagged the title of the Best managed Tiger Reserve among 50 Tiger Reserves in the country in terms of Management Effectiveness Assessment in 2018 by National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). The reserve is well known for its unique and diverse flora, fauna, and bird species richness.

The diversity of wildlife includes Indian Elephants (Elephas maximus), Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris), Sambars (Cervus unicolor), Gaur (Bos gaurus), Leopard (Prionailurus bengalensis), Indian Wild dog (Cuon alpinus), Barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak), Mouse deer (Tragulus meminna), Monitor lizards (Varanus bengalensis) and a variety of birds and reptile species. PTR is rich in endemism with three unique species of flora and seven species of Fishes.

The reserve, named after the Periyar River, is one of our prestigious possessions on the High Ranges of Western Ghats, zealously guarded and efficiently managed. PTR is situated in the Cardamom Hills and Pandalam Hills of the Southern Western Ghats between latitudes 90 17' 56.04” and 90 37' 10.2” N and longitudes 760 56' 12.12” and 77025' 5.52” E.

The major portion of the Reserve forms the catchment of River Periyar and the rest is that of River Pamba. Administratively, PTR falls in the Idukki, Kottayam, and Pathanamthitta districts of Kerala. The Sanctuary was brought under Project Tiger in 1978 as the 10th Tiger Reserve in the country and named Periyar Tiger Reserve. The total area of the reserve sprawls to an extend of 925 sq kms. Periyar Tiger Reserve is also part of the World Heritage site “Western Ghats” under UNESCO.

PTR achieved 23 awards and recognitions for excellence in diverse fields that reflect our commitment to conservation and social responsibility. Vasnthasena the unique women's voluntary Group in PTR, participate in the protection works by offering their services in sandalwood patrolling and Plastic Cleaning. They received global recognition for their unique service and commitment.

Region                         Western Ghats, Kerala   

No of Days                   Ex – Cochin     05 Days

Grade                          Easy to Moderate  

Type                            Bird Watching/Jungle Safari

• Return 3AC train fare from Mumbai (Ex Mumbai option)**
• Accommodation on twin sharing basis in above mentioned.
• Ground Transportation by AC Vehicle from Cochin
• Meals as per mentioned in the itinerary.
• Bird walks inside Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Thattekad
• 2 Safaris inside Periyar Tiger Reserve
• Safari permit, guide fee, gypsy charges
• Entry fees to the park
• Expertise & leader charges
• Professional Wildlife Naturalist host of the tour
• GST 5%
• Convenience fee

• Additional / personal use of vehicle.
• Extended stay due to weather conditions or any situation not in human control.
• Any personal expenses, room service and special orders, mineral waters, non-alcoholic beverages, tips, phone calls, laundry etc.
• Any extra excursions or sightseeing apart from the above specified itinerary.
• Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary due to bad weather, ill health, roadblocks and/or any factors beyond control.
• Camera fees.
• Adventure sports at the property.
• Airfares/Rail fare.
• Anything Specifically NOT mentioned in includes.

• Wildlife safaris/Bird watching is a matter of luck and opportunity. No guarantee of any sighting is made. Neither of our associates will quote that, although we try our best to spot and show you as much as nature allows us to.
• Birdwatching is a hobby and not a race, hence request all birders to maintain discipline at all times.
• Bird watching is an art of silence and key observation.
• Avoid Pointing out directly to a bird that might flush the bird away.
• Do not get too close to a bird for a photograph that you flush it away.
• Birdwatching should be enjoyed by binoculars and the fun is to spot them, identify them and if you still have some time with the bird photograph them.
• Never enter the forest with an intention of spotting a single species, it will only disappoint you. The forest is a gift packet with a lot to surprise with. Listen to our naturalist for more wonderful experience.
• Our walks are not target species specific (Unless specified)
• We explore everything we find uncommon and need to be explained.
• Any demand for spotting a single species in any jeep will not be entertained by the guide or the tour leader as there are other travellers who would want to see the birds etc.
• Respect & honour everything that is in the forest and it has to offer you.
• Enjoy being in the forest and you will feel much happier away from the concrete chaos.
• Respect the local, tribes, guards, guides, drivers, officers and all animals.
• Front seat of the Gypsy is always reserved for the Guide or Guard.
• No extra room will be made for photographers, respecting other travellers. (For photographers it is recommended to opt for higher options)
• No littering in the forest strictly. (what goes comes back the same way)
• Camera fees & guide tips to be paid separately & directly.
• Kindly follow the instructions given by the tour leader and the guide for your own safety.

• A Hat
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• A dust protection mask
• Personal Bottle (To avoid plastic use – 1LtrsX2)
• Small backpack for safaris (10Ltrs)
• Bird books
• Sun screen
• Only dull coloured clothes (Green, brown, Beige, Camouflage)
• Camera (At owners risk) with proper equipment for photography (As per need)
• Fleece/Jacket (temperatures drop in the forest to below 10 degree Celsius
• Binoculars
• Energy bars for safaris

• The Tern Travellers reserves the right to cancel and forfeit the paid amount in case of payment schedule not followed.

Cancellation Policy: