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Day 01 – Cochin
On arrival at Cochin Airport, you will be met & transferred to the city Hotel. Full day
free for sightseeing of Cochin. Evening, enjoy the traditional dance show of Kerala, the
Kathakali at a Cultural Centre in the city. Overnight at the Hotel.
Cochin Sightseeing - St Francis Church, built in 1510 by friars brought to India by Vasco da Gama, is the
first European church built in India and is the site where Vasco da Gama was buried. The Jewish
Synagogue was built in 1568, Chinese hand-painted tiles are one of the attraction. This, the only Synagogue
in India has a nostalgic past of a Jewish Diaspora. The "Dutch Palace" was built in the 1550s; the palace
contains excellent mythological murals and a rare example of traditional Keralite flooring - a subtle mix of
burnt coconut shells, lime, plant juices and egg whites - which gives the effect of polished marble.
Kathakali explicates ideas and stories from the Indian epics and Puranas. The riches of a happy blending
of colour, expressions, music, drama and dance are unparalleled in any other art form.
Day 02: Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
By morning, proceed to Thattekad Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, one of the low altitude
evergreen forests. Enjoy your lunch at Thattekad. Day free to explore the birdlife of
Thattekad. By evening proceed to Cochin & check in at the Airport Hotel for the
overnight stay.
Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, is a home for 280 species of birds including Grey hornbill, White-bellied tree pie,
Rufous babbler, Wayanad laughing thrush, etc and a number of water birds.
Day 03: Munnar
After early morning birding, proceed to the hills of Munnar - a tea town founded by the
British. On arrival, check in at the resort. Day free for birding tour. Overnight at the
resort.
Munnar is a hill station averaging around 1500 m. The rich montaine forests surrounding the tea plantation
is the home for 14 endemics of western Ghats like Grey-breasted laughing thrush, White-bellied short
wing, Nilgiri flycatcher, Black & orange flycatcher, Broad tailed grass bird, Nilgiri pipit etc are easily
sighted here and surrounding areas.
Day 04: Chinnar wildlife sanctuary
After morning birding tour in the montaine (Shola) forests, proceed to Chinnar wildlife
sanctuary. On arrival, check in at the resort. Day free to explore the birdlife of Chinnar.
Overnight at the resort.
Chinnar, lies in the eastern side of the Ghats with Palani Hill Tract, consists of dry deciduous to dry arid
flora and hold hundreds of rare species including migrants. The Amaravathi Dam and its catchments in the
reserve is providing shelter for many migrant birds. This stretch is a transition zone of the confluence of
Western Ghats and Decan Plateau, harbors many species which rarely spot in other parts of Kerala.
Day 05: Indira Gandhi National Park
Enjoy the morning bird watching & later proceed to Banyan Tree Farm Resort in the out
skirts of Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park. After noon birding through
the farm forest of the resort. Overnight at the resort.
Indira Gandhi National Park is situated at an altitude of 1,400 meters in the Western Ghats near
Pollachi. The area of the sanctuary is 958 Sq / km. There are many places of scenic beauty such
as Karain shoa,. Anaikunthi shoal, Grass hills, waterfalls, groves, teak forests, estates, dams and
reservoirs. The Avifauna includes Racket Tailed Drongo, Black Headed Oriole, Paradise
Flycatcher, Whistling Thrust, Emerald Dove, Green Pigeon, Tickell's Flower Pecker, Rufus Wood
Pecker, Rose Ringed Parakeet, Black Eagle, Great Indian Malabar pied Horn Bill, Fairy Blue
Bird and green Billed Malkhoha etc…
Day 06: Top Slip (Head Quarters of IGWLS)
Day visit and birding in Top Slip, the head quarters of Indira Gandhi Wild Life
Sanctuaries & Tiger reserve where we expected to see Ceylon frog mouth and many other
endemics.
Top Slip is a little hamlet in the Annamalai hills. In the colonial days, the harvested timber used to
be 'slipped' to the plains from the hills through a narrow canal – hence the reason for its name.
The Banyan Tree Resort, built as the original home of the landlord of the 4500 acre estate. This
area borders the Indira Gandhi national park - a place known for its great swathes of forests and
wildlife - birds, butterflies, elephants, sloth bears, leopards, gaurs (Indian Bison), dholes (wild
dogs), king cobra and the lion-tailed macaques in their natural habitat - all within an area known
as Top Slip.
Day 07: Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
By morning, proceed to Parambikulam Tiger reserve, one of the best wildlife enclaves in
south India. Here there are certain sure points to see Grate Indian Horn Bill, one of the
most beautiful and threatened bird in India. By afternoon, proceed to Cochin. Day free
for own activities. Overnight at the Hotel.
Parambikulam Sanctuary is a reservoir of tranquil greenery ensconced in a valley between the
Annamalai ranges of Tamil Nadu and the Nelliampathy ranges of Kerala. Thickly forested with
stands of bamboo, sandalwood, rosewood and teak, the sanctuary has some marshy land and
scattered patches of grassland.
Day 08: Departure or Extension Tour
Today, you will be either transferred to Cochin Airport for the departure or the tour
continues to other destinations in Kerala.
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