SOUTH INDIA WILDLIFE TOUR

SOUTH INDIA WILDLIFE TOUR

Day 1 : Arrive Chennai Arrive Chennai – meet and transfer to Hotel. At the southern tip of India in the state of Tamil Nadu lies the states capital city Chennai or Madras as it was known earlier. It is also the third largest metropolis in India. Overnight: Hotel in Chennai Day 2 : Chennai / Mettupalayam Morning: After breakfast excursion to Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary (85 kms approx.) – it is an exclusive Bird Sanctuary and other animals are rarely seen. Every year in winter during November - February, thousands of birds come to breed here including storks, egrets, darters, cormorant, pelican, spoon bill, heron and many other species can be spotted here. Board the overnight train to Mettupalayam. 2100 hrs: Depart by Nilagiri Express Train No. 2671 to Mettupalayam Day 3 : Arrive Mettupalayam / Mudumalai 0615 hrs: Arrive Mettupalayam & transfer to Mudumalai (45 Kms / 1 hr.). On the northeast slopes of the Nilgiris, this undulating hill country is well watered and contains a profusion of watercourses. Some more unusual species that can be seen here are chousingha, giant squirrel and wild dog. There is good birdlife, including the striking Malabar great black woodpecker, Malabar grau hornbill, crested serpent eagle, barbets, mynas, parakeets and cuckoos. The best months for visiting are March to June and September to October. Afternoon: Trek through the scrub jungles of Madumalai Wildlife sanctuary. Overnight: Jungle resort. Day 4 : Mudumalai Visit to deciduous forests and Madumalai Sanctuary. Overnight: Jungle resort. Day 5 : Mudumalai / Bandipur / Mudumalai Day excursion to Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary. Bandipur National Park , Karnataka - in the rain shadow of the Western Ghats, this treasure-trove of wildlife is bordered by parks and sanctuaries to the north, south and west. This makes it by far the largest habitat for elephants in southern India. A good park in which to see gaur, sambar, chital, choisingha, barking deer, bonnet macaques and giant squirrels, and a good choice for those wanting to wild dogs. There is varied and rich birdlife, including grey jungle fowl, Malabar trogon, great black wood-pecker, hill mynah and Malabar whistling thrush. March to July and September to October are probably the best months to visit this park; easily accessible. Overnight: Jungle resort. Day 6 : Mudumalai / Mukurthi Morning: Drive to Mukurthy Wild life Sanctuary Mukurthi National Park is another major attraction of the Nilgiris. It is located on the south eastern corner of the Nilgiris Plateau. The area contains a viable population of Nilgiri Thar (Hermitragus hilocrius). Overnight: Jungle Lodge. Day 7 : Mukurthi Morning: Explore Shola forest. Overnight: Jungle Lodge. Day 8 : Mukurthi / Ooty Morning: After breakfast drive to Ooty (30 Kms / 1 ½ hrs.) Ooty or Ootacamund is the chief hill station in the Nilgiris or the "Blue Mountains" (so called on account of the mist that envelops this range). At an altitude of 2300 mts it was also the summer resort of the British Government. Overnight: Hotel in Ooty Day 9 : Ooty / Annamalai Morning: Drive to Annamalai Wildlife Sanctuary. On arrival in Annamalai Wildlife Sanctuary check in lodge. Overnight: Jungle Lodge. Day 10 : Annamalai Wildlife Sanctuary Trip to elephant camps and forest. Overnight: Jungle Lodge. Day 11 : Annamalai Wildlife Sanctuary Trip to Anagundi and Varagaliarrain forests. Overnight: Jungle Lodge. Day 12: Annamalai Wildlife Sanctuary Trip to Parambikulam wildlife Sanctuary. Overnight: Jungle Lodge. Day 13 : Annamalai Wildlife Sanctuary / Munnar Drive to Munnar en-route visit Chinnar Sanctuary. The land of highest peak (Anamudi – 8,951 ft) South of Himalayas, Munnar is the lovely hill station of Kerala rests in the high-ranges of Idukki district at an altitude of 4,500ft with towering mountains, beautiful lakes and rich wildlife. As a paradise for photographers, trekkers, campers, wildlife watchers, nature clubs and holiday lovers, Munnar is a land where your dreams come true. Arrive & check in at Hotel. Overnight: Hotel in Munnar. Day 14 : Munnar / Periyar Morning: After breakfast proceed for sightseeing of Munnar which includes Lockhourt Gap, Devikulam Tea Garden View, Mattupetty Dam, Kundala Dam & Top Station & the town of Munnar. Afternoon: Drive to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (3 hrs). The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary lies around the lake, on the cool hills of the Western Ghats the heartland of which luxuriate in matted coffee, tea, pepper and cardamom plantations. Periyar offers one of the most sybaritic ways of seeing big game. The tropical jungle around Periyar lake can be explored on the foot as well but we lounge in a motor launch as it drifts around a bend and comes into sight of elephants, deer or bison coming to the shores of the lake for a drink. It is famous for its wild elephants and boasts a large population of Gaur, Sambar, Cheetal, Sloth Bear, Wild Dog and many species of birds. Overnight: Hotel in Periyar Day 15 : Periyar Morning: Go for boat cruise in the lake to watch wildlife. Overnight: Hotel in Periyar Day 16 : Periyar / Cochin Morning: After breakfast drive to Cochin (4 hrs.) Cochin – the ‘Queen of Arabian Sea’ is one of the most interesting cities of India and has one of the finest natural harbours in the world. Afternoon: Sightseeing tour of Cochin covering the historic sites and monuments Evening: Visit to Kathakali Dance. Overnight: Hotel in Cochin. Day 17 : Depart Cochin Transfer to airport for flight back home. CONTACT FOR RESERVATION