Enjoy the amazing variety of birds that Kerala attracts with this 9 Night Bird watching Tour. Tour includes: Stay in the vibrant port town of Cochin, Stay at a bird sanctuary, Stay in a wildlife resort, jungle treks to spot birds, Bamboo Rafting.

DETAILED TOUR PROGRAM:

DAY 01: ARRIVAL COCHIN
Upon arrival at Cochin airport our representative will meet and greet you and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon, sightseeing tour - The Jewish Synagogue at the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town, the St. Francis Church, the oldest European Church in India, the Santa Cruz Basilica originally built in 1557 by the Portuguese, the Dutch Palace, the Spice market at the narrow streets and the Chinese fishing nets which are huge cantilevered fishing nets believed to have been brought by Chinese traders. (Overnight at Cochin)
(Vehicle at disposal)

DAY 02: COCHIN TO THATTEKHAD(60 KM / 1 ½ H)
Early morning, drive to Thattekkad, 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. You Should also be able to sight the Red spur fowl, Grey Jungle Fowl, Indian Pitta, Black-throated Munia and the Grey headed fishing eagle. (Overnight at Thattekhad – Full Board)
(Vehicle at disposal)

DAY 03: AT THATTEKHAD
Excursion to the Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, designed by the renowned ornithologist, Dr. Salim Ali. This bird sanctuary, a peninsular land of 25 sq. km is covered with deciduous forests and plantations of rosewood, teak etc. 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. Bombay Natural History Society has identified 253 species in Thattekkad.
(Overnight at Thattekhad – Full Board)
(Vehicle at disposal)

DAY 04: AT THATTEKHAD
Second bird excursion to at Edamalayar. (Overnight at Thattekhad – Full Board)
(Vehicle at disposal)

DAY 05: THATTEKKHAD TO PERIYAR(160 KM / 4 H)
Drive to Periyar/Thekkady. The name Periyar comes from the dam built here by the English in 1895. This wildlife reserve is the ideal place to track down wild animals such as gaurs, elephants, deer, and various species of birds. There are over 320 species of birds in Periyar, including Nilgiri Wood Pigeons, blue-winged Parakeets; White bellied Tree Pies, laughing Thrushes and Fly Catchers. (Overnight at Periyar)
(Vehicle at disposal)

DAY 06: AT PERIYAR
Today you could go for an escorted 03 hrs jungle trek. In the evening you could also go for a boat ride where you will get the opportunity to sight elephants and other animals along the bank. (Overnight at Periyar)
(Vehicle at disposal)
 (Back-up-Vehicle at disposal)

DAY 07: PERIYAR TO HOUSEBOAT(135 KM / 3 ½ H)

Drive to Alleppey to embark on your private houseboat and cruise on the Backwaters, a splendid area full of canals, lakes and coves. Your houseboats or ‘Kettuvalloms’ are luxurious boats with well-appointed bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms. You can sunbathe on the deck or observe the palm fringed landscape from your cabins. Apart from the mesmerizing surroundings it’s the life along the coast that adds a touch of exotica to this experience.

The locals’ travel in canoes and you will find vegetable sellers, fishermen and other traders bringing household goods, door to door in small wooden boats. As you cruise along the backwaters you can ask your captain to stop at villages, paddy fields and other places, enroute. (Overnight on board - Full Board)
(Vehicle at disposal)

DAY 08: ALLEPPEY TO KUMARAKOM (BY BOAT)

Disembark at Kumarakom, a bird sanctuary located on the banks of the Backwaters and renowned for its varied avian population. Local varieties such as waterfowls, cuckoos and owls, as well as the migratory Siberian Cranes can be viewed here. After a full day birding at the paddy fields and lagoons at Kumarakom, take a rest at the resort. (Overnight at Kumarakom).
(Vehicle at disposal)

DAY 09: AT KUMARAKOM

Day at leisure in the bird sanctuary. (Overnight at Kumarakom).
(No vehicle)

DAY 10: KUMARAKOM TO COCHIN AIRPORT (100 KM / 2 ½ H)

Departure transfer to Cochin airport for onward flight.
(Vehicle for Transfer)

END OF SERVICE

Tour Price - £1095 - Twin sharing basis per person

01 OCT TO 19 DEC 10 & 16 JAN 11 TO 31 MAR 11

PRICE INFO & VALIDITY:

• The above quote is valid for the period as mentioned above
• The above quote is subject to change with a proviso that: incase of hike in price of fuel/tax, the quote may vary accordingly

TOUR LODGING INFO:  Accommodation is provided on twin sharing room with breakfast basis at listed hotels or equivalent.

For Lunch and dinner there would be an additional supplement.

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

• Accommodation on Twin Sharing room with daily breakfast at listed hotels or equivalent
• Full-board plan at Hornbill Camp
• Transportation by AC car as per itinerary
• One entry each into sanctuaries and parks
• Compulsory bird guide for both days at the Thattekkad, Periyar sanctuaries and one day at Kumarakom Sanctuary
• A boat ride at the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
• Kathakali dance performance in Periyar
• A trek into forest at Periyar for 3 hours only
• 01 night on AC Houseboat on full-board basis (cruise: Alleppey – Kumarakom trip)
• All applicable taxes

TOUR PRICE EXCLUDES:

• Meals other than those specifies in the itinerary
• Entrance, Camera fee, Special guide charges & tips 
• Things of personal nature like laundry, telephone etc.
• Inland/International flight charges
• All other than those listed in above inclusions
• Additional expense which may arise due to strikes and natural calamities etc... Situation beyond control of Hi Tours.

TOUR CANCELLATION POLICY:
You may cancel your booking at any time prior to commencement of the tour by notifying us in writing, which must be signed by the person that signed the Reservation Form. If you cancel on or before 30 days before the first day of the tour, we will retain your deposit to cover our costs. In addition, if the cancellation notification is received less than 30 days prior to the first day of the tour, additional cancellation charges shall be as follows:

AMOUNT OF CANCELLATION CHARGES:-

• 29-15 Days before the first day of the tour - 50%
• 14-07 Days before the first day of the tour 75%
• Less than 7 Days before the first day of the tour 100%

CHANGES BY YOU:
If you request any changes to your travel arrangements once we have confirmed a booking, all out of pocket charges, including charges imposed by our suppliers, will be payable by you, plus an amendment fee of $50.00 per revision per booking. If after the commencement of your tour you request any changes to your travel arrangements, we will do our best to implement them, but we cannot guarantee that it will be possible. In the event of such change(s) being made, you will be liable for any cancellation charges that may be levied for the previously booked service and for any costs incurred by us and our suppliers in attempting to secure any revised arrangements. Any name changes must be provided to us in writing and are subject to any airline fees or penalties.

PASSPORTS AND VISAS:
All Passengers are responsible for securing proper documentation prior to joining the tour.  Passports are required; in addition travelers are advised to check with local consulates for full details regarding Visa requirements. Please note securing a valid visa for entry is sole responsibility of the traveler.