Best time to visit
October - May (ideal)
June - September (good)
For Whom
Wildlife and wildlife photography enthusiasts; Bird enthusiasts
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Extended Weekend Tours Long Breaks |
| Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) - Kuduraivetti | 2 Nights / 3 Days from Rs. 10,500/- |
- Day 1: Chennai - Tirunelveli overnight train.
- Day 2: AM drive to Kuduraivetti and PM trek in rainforest.
- Day 3: AM trek in rainforest and PM drive/trek into grasslands habitats of the upper hills
- Day 4: AM trek in rainforest and PM transfer to Tirunelveli for overnight train
- Day 5: AM arrival in Chennai
Summary
KMTR is located among the southern most ranges (Ashambu Hills) of the Western Ghats and as such, it is the southern most range of some of India’s megafauna, including the tiger and elephant. However, KMTR is better appreciated for its biodiversity rich, contiguous tracts of old-growth wet-evergreen forests and stunning, often mystical, mountain scenery.
Kudiravetti, our final location in the KMTR, is perched on open grassland with panoramic views of the surrounding mountainscape. The rainforest at Kakachi (1200m) is classically old-growth, dominated by tall, buttressed trees. Notably, the lion-tailed macaque can be found here and the rainforest abounds with a great diversity of flora and fauna - including rarities such as the brown palm civet and brown mongoose. Late evening in the rainforest here has good potential for flying squirrels, pit-vipers, amphibians and invertebrates. Birdlife can be excellent in the landscape, upper Kodayar has a population of broad-tailed grassbird and white-bellied shortwing - both species endemic to the Western Ghats.
The tour will be led by an experienced naturalist and the team will be ably guided and supported by the ‘Kaani’s’, an indigenous forest hunter-gatherer tribe who have an intimate knowledge of the reserve’s biodiversity and natural locations.
Read an article on an identical guided tour we organised for Outlook Traveller Magazine to KMTR in Sep 2009
Itinerary Outline |
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Facilities |
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| Accommodation: | : | Simple forest rest houses with basic facilities, with erratic electricity supply |
| Food: | : | Simple local vegetarian |
| Transport: | : | Train transfers in upper class A/C coaches. Road transfers in Chevrolet Tavera or similar. |
| Difficulty level: | : | Moderate for walks in mountainous uneven terrain |
- Tour costs are based on twin/triple sharing basis ex-Chennai and is all inclusive (transport, accommodation, food, personnel and all taxes and fees). Personnel includes one tour guide/ naturalist and resource persons from the local community. Please check with us on specific items to make sure if it is included in the published tour costs.
- Maximum Group Size on this tour is 4
- Bookings are confirmed only upon full payment of the tour cost and at least 30 days in advance from the proposed departure date
- We reserve the right to cancel the tour at anytime due to unforeseen circumstances. We will refund the entire booking amount under these circumstances.
- Payment options:
- Our preferred mode of payment is through electronic transfers into our bank account. Relevant details will be provided to you once you are ready to make the payment.
- Online credit card payments in USD/GBP/EUR are accepted through Paypal. Indian customers can also use a credit card to pay online through Paypal, but please be aware that you will be charged an additional currency conversion fee for the same.
- We accept demand drafts/cheques in INR, GBP, EUR or USD
- In case you want to cancel your booking:
- A 90% refund if cancellation requested more than one month before the proposed date of departure
- A 15% refund if cancellation requested less than one month from the proposed date of departure.
| Dates | : | Download itinerary for latest schedule Please note that we can customise schedule for independent travel |
| Costs | : | INR 10,500/person (USD 240/GBP 155/EUR 190) - based on minimum 4 persons traveling, ex-Chennai |
Terms & Conditions | ||
- Accommodation will basic, with minimal furnishing and other creature comforts. The resthouse does have electricity though. Although we will be staying in forest department tourist rest houses, we recommend that you pack as though you were out camping, i.e. include your sleeping bags, towels etc into your backpack.
- Food will be simple and largely locally available vegetarian fare.
- Weather: Updates based on dates of travel
- Please bring your binoculars … while much of the biodiversity in the park can be enjoyed without a pair of binoculars, they would certainly come in handy for closer observations of fauna that do not allow close approach.
- A considerable amount of walking around will be involved during this tour. Some of the terrain will be mountainous and uneven. It is essential that you wear a very comfortable pair of trekking shoes and full pants during our forays into the wild. We expect that all tour participants are in good physical condition. Please be advised that we could be upto 3hrs away from the nearest medical facility.
- A hat and sunblock are highly recommended. We also suggest that you carry insect repellents and anti-allergy creams/medication. Please bring essential medication with you.
FYI and Guidelines
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