THATTEKAD BIRD WATCHING GUIDES & TOUR PACKAGES

Thattekad bird sanctuary, situated on the banks of Periyar river in Kerala is a birding hot spot. Various guided bird watching and photography tour programs are available at Thattekad. The sanctuary which spreads across an area of more than 25 sq km is home to more than 280 species of birds including several western Ghats endemics. At Thattekad you can find large number of birds in a relatively small area. This is because of the diverse habitats present in the region.

If you are visiting Thattekad for  the first time or new to birding, then it is better to hire a local bird guide. An expert local guide will be able to recognize bird species from their calls and knows the preferred habitats of different birds. This helps them to spot a lot more birds than any average visitor. Local assistance will make sure that you visit all the major attractions and won’t get disoriented in the forest trails. Salim Ali trail is the only  forest trail at Thattekad that is open to public without any need for guides. 

Early mornings are best for bird watching as birds are most active at that time. Guided birding sessions usually start around 7:00 AM in morning and evening sessions at 3:30 PM and have a duration of around 2:30 to 3 hours.

If you are interested in availing the service of an expert bird guide, it is suggested to book a session in advance as guides may not be available on the spot at all times. During peak season it becomes more hard to get a naturalist on demand.

Thattekad-Munnar birding Packages…

Thattekad guided birdwatching tours fee.

Minimum charges 1800/- Rs (for 2-3 pax).

600/- Rs per person for groups.

Morning session – 7:00 am to 10:30 am.

Afternoon session – 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm.

Entry fee applicable.

Call or WhatsApp  – +91-8547680759

bazza bird

Thattekad Birding Tours

For bird photography and hardcore birders, we provide multi day packages that cover not only the common trails but several less exposed birding hotspots in and around Thattekad. Other than SALIM ALI TRAIL AND BAZA TRAILS near the bird sanctuary entrance area, we provide birding sessions at various less explored and un disturbed areas .we also organize LAGOON TRAIL along village and wet land areas.

Nocturnal sessions can be organized to cover the nightjars and owls. Bird hides are available for those looking for hide photography. Accommodation will be arranged in resorts or homestays near the Thattekad sanctuary. All the birding sessions will be led by experienced, English fluent naturalist. The number of participants in each trip is limited to a maximum of 5 pax so that each member gets attention.

Morning session is from  7:00  to 11:00 am after which guests return to their rooms to have lunch. After a short break , afternoon session starts at 2:30 pm and goes on till 5:30 pm. Most of the birding places will be 10 – 30 minutes drive away from the accommodation. Aluva (47 kms) and Eranakulam (65 kms) are the nearest railway station. Cochin international airport (46 kms) is the nearest airport. Pickup and drop to these points can be arranged on request.

Munnar is located at a distance of  only 75 kms from Thattekad bird sanctuary. This beautiful hill station with vast tea plantations and misty mountains is a birding hotspot for many high altitude endemic birds of Western Ghats. Proximity to Thattekad makes Munnar a must visit birding place while visiting Salim Ali bird sanctuary. We offer several tour programs that combine Munnar and Thattekad birding.

Thattekad Birding and Photography Packages

Packages starting at  7500/- per night for 2 pax.

1 Nights/2 Days

Day 1 – Check in , Afternoon session

Day 2 – Morning session,  Check out.

2 Nights/3 Days

Day 1 – Check in , Afternoon session

Day 2 – Morning session, Afternoon/Night session

Day 3 – Morning session, Check out.

3 Nights/4 Days

Day 1 – Check in , Afternoon session

Day 2 – Morning session, Afternoon session

Day 3 – Morning session, Afternoon / Night session

Day 4 – Morning session, Check out.

Package includes – Homestay accommodation on double sharing with breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Expert guided birding sessions at different locations including entry fee.

Exclusions – Pick up, Drop and Local transport ( to various birding spots) not included. 

Number of  birding sessions can be increased or decreased subject to cost variations.

Hide photography sessions can be included.

Pick up, drop and local transport can be arranged at extra cost.

Booking confirmation only against 50% advance payment.

Booking advance refund subject to cancellation policy.

Thattekad-Munnar Birding and Photography Packages.

Packages starting at 7750/- per night for 2 pax.

3 Nights/4 Days

Day 1 – Check in , Afternoon session

Day 2 – Morning session, Afternoon/Night session

Day 3 – Leave early morning to Munnar for full day birding. Return to Thattekad by evening.

Day 4 – Morning birding and check out.

4 Nights/5 Days

Day 1 – Check in , Afternoon session

Day 2 – Morning session, Afternoon/Night session

Day 3 – Morning session, Afternoon session

Day 4 – Leave early morning to Munnar for full day birding and over night stay.

Day 5 – Morning Session at Munnar, Check out.

Package includes – Homestay accommodation on double sharing with breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Expert guided birding sessions at different locations including entry fee.

Exclusions – Pick up, Drop and Local transport ( to various birding spots) not included. 

Thattekad Birding Highlights..

trogon bird

Malabar trogons (Harpactes fasciatus) are found in the forests of Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats and Srilanka. They feed mainly on insects and have a size of around 31 cm, These brightly colored birds are sexually dimorphic. Breeding season is February to may. Malabar trogons make their nest by carving holes in rotten trees or stumps. They lays two eggs with an incubation period of nineteen days when both male and female takes turn to incubate. Parents continue to feed the juveniles for about six months. Trogons are monogamous and the pair bond can last for a long time.

frogmouth bird

Srilankan Frogmouth (Batrachostomus moniliger) is a small nocturnal bird found in Western Ghats of south India and Srilanka. Their plumage is very similar to dry leaves and during day time they roosts quietly making it very difficult to spot. These birds prefer to roost at the same location for weeks or months unless disturbed. Male is greyish brown while females are rufous to rufous brown in colour.  Srilankan Frogmouths can grow up to 23 cm in length and feeds on insects in flight.Breeding season is January to April in India and February to march in Srilanka. Female lay a single egg in a small nest which is simply a pad made of moss and lichens. Juvenile continues to stay with parents for a few months and can be seen huddling between them at roost .

bazza bird

The Black Bazza (Aviceda leuphotes) is a small raptor with a size of  30-35 cm in length. In India,these birds are found in northeast India and eastern Himalayas . During winter they migrate to south of  Indian peninsula and that is when these majestic birds can be observed in the Thattekad region. Black bazzas are found in small groups in densely forested areas. This small sized bird of prey has a prominent crest. They feeds mainly on insects and small birds.

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