Itinerary:

Day 0-Arrival at Kochi International Airport:

Arrive at Kochi International Airport, Kerala. Stay overnight at a hotel in Kochi

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Day 1: Birding at Thattekad Bird Sanctuary

In the early morning, a private cab charter to a within-sanctuary homestay in the world-renowned Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, nestled within the Southern Western Ghats. This bird sanctuary was founded by the birdman of India, Dr Salim Ali, who was in awe of the biodiversity and the density of birds in the sanctuary.

Our homestay at Thattekad is the only stay within the sanctuary limits, so you can bird from the comfort of your own room or from the balcony of the homestay!

Afternoon orientation and a relaxed introductory walk: target species include Malabar Parakeet, Malabar Barbet, White-bellied Treepie, Asian Emerald Dove and early forest species.

Evening forest walk to catch crepuscular species and nocturnal species like: Jerdon’s Nightjar, Great-eared Nightjar, Mottled Wood Owl, Brown Boobook & Oriental Scops Owl. 

Day 2: Birding at Thattekad Bird Sanctuary

We head into the primary evergreen tracts for the morning session. We will target the slightly more difficult birds like the Ceylon Frogmouth, Sri Lanka Bay Owl, Black-backed Dwarf Kingfisher, Malabar Trogon and migratory songbirds. 

The streams of the sanctuary also offer great opportunities to view the Blue-eared Kingfisher while it hunts for small aquatic prey.
Post-dinner, we repeat the night walk for the nocturnal birds in case we missed any species on the first day.

Day 3: Birding at Munnar Tea Estates & Eravikulam NP:

The day starts with a pre-dawn departure to Munnar, which is about a 1.5-hour drive from our homestay. This is our dedicated hill day to seek shola–grassland endemics: Black-and-orange Flycatcher, White-bellied Sholakili, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Nilgiri Flycatcher, Broad-tailed Grassbird, Nilgiri Pipit, Palani Laughingthrush and high-elevation raptors

Return to Thattekad homestay for the night.
 

Note: the Thattekad–Munnar leg can be done as a two-night excursion into Munnar or as day trips, depending on group preference and comfort; our standard plan keeps Thattekad as base while doing a dedicated day trip to Eravikulam / Munnar.

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Day 4: Birding at Thattekad

Repeat of Day-2 with some additional targets that were missed out.

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Day 5: Final day at Thattekad and depart to Ooty

Final early morning birding session to pick up any missed targets, and we depart mid-morning for transfer to the Nilgiri region.

We catch a mid-tour flight from Kochi to Coimbatore. From Coimbatore, Ooty is a 2-hour drive, where we will be staying at a lodge nearer to the tea gardens to allow for birding opportunities
 

Day 6: Birding at Ooty Botanical Gardens

Ooty sits at the junction of shola forest pockets and rolling tea gardens — the cool climate creates a pocket of endemics not found elsewhere. 

The full day will be spent visiting the Botanical Gardens at Ooty for some range-restricted endemics like Nilgiri Sholakili, Black-and-orange Flycatcher and the endangered Nilgiri Laughingthrush

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Day 7: Birding at Doddabetta Road and depart to Port Blair(Andamans)

The Doddabetta Road is a prime birding spot for understory birds, especially the Nilgiri Thrush, among other skulky passerines. We spend the morning trying our luck for it, and also an outside chance of a Spot-bellied Eagle Owl roosting. 

We then catch our final mid-tour flight in the evening from Coimbatore to Port Blair, which is the main city and our base for the Andaman leg of the tour.

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Day 8: Birding around Port Blair & Sippighat Wetlands

The Andaman Islands are a group of deep-sea islands that are characterised by their high endemism. They house over 12% of India’s endemics. The Andaman Islands also fall along the East-Australasian flyway for migratory birds, hence making it possible to spot some good migrant bird species. The islands constitute a mix of habitats: wetlands, marshes and tropical forests
After getting some good rest at our stay in Port Blair, we head to Sippighat Wetlands for late-afternoon birding: excellent for the endemic Andaman Teal, Cotton Pygmy Goose, Red-throated Pipit, Red-necked Stint, Broad-billed Sandpiper, and other waders.

​Post-dinner night walk to attempt for the Andaman Masked Owl or Andaman Nightjar if conditions permit. 
 

Day 9: Birding at the Shoal Bay & Ograbranj Wetlands

Early morning shore trip to Shoal Bay and adjacent littoral forest trails targeting Andaman Crake, Andaman Coucal, Andaman Cuckoo-dove, Andaman Treepie, Andaman Drongo, Mangrove Whistler and other mangrove specialities.

​Afternoon at Ograbranj Wetlands for ducks and waders:  multiple shorebird species and teal concentrations.​

Today's post-dinner walk will be in the forest patch to attempt for the Andaman Scops Owl, Hume’s Boobook, Andaman Boobook, and other nocturnal birds.

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Day 10: Birding at the Chidiyatapu Biological Park

Morning at Chidiya Tapu Biological Park — a delightful mix of mangrove-lined coastline and littoral forest. Targets: Andaman Serpent Eagle, Andaman Crake, Andaman Shama, Long-tailed Parakeet, Collared Kingfisher, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Ruddy Kingfisher. Chidiya Tapu is also excellent for sea views and migrating waders during the winter months.

After lunch, coastal trail birding and watchpoints for terns and shorebirds. 
The day ends with an optional night walk for better views or to catch any missed nocturnal species.

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Day 11: Birding at the Mt. Harriet National Park & surroundings

Full day at Mt. Harriet NP — a prime site for forest endemics. Expect Andaman Wood Pigeon, Andaman Green Pigeon, Freckle-breasted Woodpecker, Andaman Woodpecker, Andaman Flowerpecker, Andaman Bulbul, and hill specialities. The viewpoint also offers great panoramas and mixed-species flocks in the canopy.

Coastal birding for Pacific Reef Heron and other intertidal species in the late afternoon. 

Day 12: Final birding sessions for missed targets

Spend the day getting better views or targeting missed island specialities and any lingering migrants.

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Day 13:  Last morning birding & departures from Port Blair

Early morning for last-chance birding and afternoon departures from Port Blair Airport.
END OF TOUR

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Meal plan across the tour: Most breakfasts & dinners are served at homestays/lodges; lunches vary by day (some included, some packed, and some arranged during long transfers or Munnar day trip). All dietary preferences (vegetarian, non-vegetarian) will be accommodated when informed in advance.