Birding and Trekking in Kerala

Birding and Trekking in Kerala

Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, also known as the Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is one of the richest bird habitats in peninsular India, comparable only with the Eastern Himalayas. A trip through this sanctuary would certainly be a bonanza for any birder, with over 300 species found in a relatively small area of 25 sq kms. The Trekking and Camping tour at Suryanelli is a trip through the highest regions of the Western Ghats. The Suryanelli Treks are such a trek through forest and tea plantations of the Western Ghats. In this trek you will explore the tribal villages, variety of plantations, peaks and different terrains.

Day 01 – Arrival Cochin - Thattekkad (60 Km / 2 h)

Welcomed by our representative at the airport and drive to Thattekad, a lowland forest with several types of eco-systems – riverine, grasslands, evergreen, scrub, dry deciduous, lowland forest, enabling it to be one of the best birding destinations in India. This is also home to most of the endemics of the Western Ghats. One should sight the White bellied Tree pie, Rufus Babbler, Crimson backed Sunbird, White Bellied Blue Flycatcher, Wayanad laughing Thrush, Malabar Parakeet, Malabar Grey Hornbill besides owls like the Mottled Wood Owl, Oriental Bay Owl, Oriental scopes owl, Brown Fish Owl, Oriental Scopes Owl and Spot bellied Eagle Owl.

In the evening you can enjoy 45 mins Kayaking in the river & cycling around the resort.

Cycling through local routes and a visit to hanging bridge– 01 Hour

Plantation Visit (with guide)

Day 02 - Thattekad

Today you can undertake half day walking tour inside the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary with an experienced naturalist. Rare birds like the Crimson-Throated Barbet, Bee-eater, Sunbird, Shrike, Black Winged Kite and the Night Heron are also commonly sighted. This rare haven offers picturesque landscapes, and is a nature lover's paradise.

A kayaking trip amidst these great swathes of forests is an ideal sport for those inclined to be adventurous and explore the bio-diversity within these forests. You can also kayak to some of the villages upstream to get a first-hand glimpse of life in a typical spice growing and agrarian village of Kerala.

Day 03 - Thattekad to Suryanelli (90Km/2.5h)

Drive to Suryanelli. If you are adventurous enough, a climb to the Phantom’s Head will be an ever remembered walk a top the tallest feature nearby. The high point will always be the sunset, trek to Phantom head peak to see the spectacular sunset over the Papathy Shola and famed Anaerangal lake is ever forgettable. After sunset we will walk back to the camp through tea plantations.

Day 04 - Suryanelli

You can also visit to a lemongrass oil extraction centre and cardomn drying unit, we will walk through (Butterfly Forest – so named for the mass migration of butterflies in October & November). The hills come alive to the morning sun. Today you also have a chance to visit the tribal village of the muduvans – a tribe who have for centuries colonized the upper reaches of the Western Ghats. Their peculiar habit of carrying their children on their backs have earned them their name as muduvans or the ‘back people’.

Highlights – walk though cardomn plantaions, eucalyptus plantations and lemongrass

Day 03 - Thattekad - Cochin - Departure (60 Km / 2 h)

Checkout your hotel and transfer to Cochin airport.