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Best time to visit

October - May (ideal)
June - September (good)

For Whom

Wildlife & bird enthusiasts/photographers; naturalists; trekking enthusiasts.

Extended Weekend Tours

Bandipur

KMTR-Kuduraivetti

Pampadum Shola

The Anamalais

Agumbe

KMTR-Sengaltheri

Rajamalai & Rhodo Valley

Periyar & Gavi

Mukurthi Fishing Hut

Ghermalam

Point Calimere

Kabini

B R Hills

Long Breaks

Bird Endemics & More

Kerala Birds

Megafauna & Endemics

Wildlife, Nilgiris & Top Slip
Pampadum Shola 2 Nights / 3 Days from Rs. 8,200/-

Summary

Join us on this engrossing tour as we explore a fine patch of ‘shola’ - a rare and distinctive forest type in higher elevations of the Western Ghats of south India - in the Western Ghats of Kerala. The Pampadum Shola National Park (1800m - 2100m) is located in a landsacpe of ‘shola’ and plantation forests in the junction between the Palani and Cardamom Hills. The park protects a modest extent of montane evergreen forest (shola locally) that is loosely connected to the wildlife rich Eravikulam National Park, and shares some its amazing and unique montane biota.

The small park shows up surprisingly visible wildlife. We are likely to see Gaur, Sambhar, and Malabar giant squirrel reasonably regularly during our stay here. However, the main mammalian attraction here is the highly elusive and endangered, endemic small carnivore - the Nilgiri Marten. Leopards are sometimes sighted at dusk or dawn, Indian wild dogs during the day and with fantastic luck we might come across a Tiger. The park is also excellent for birds restricted to montane locations of the Western Ghats, and some highlight species found here include the Nilgiri wood pigeon, white-bellied shortwing, scaly, blue rock & blue-capped rock thrush and Nilgiri & black and orange flycatchers. We will also come across a plethora of smaller animals - including several frogs, reptiles, smaller mammals and invertebrates, plants and fungi - several of them endemic to the Western Ghats montane forests.

We explore the park mostly on foot - the best way to, in the canopied, dark, wet forests of the Western Ghats. Not only will walking enable us to see the numerous smaller animals and plants, it will also give us an intimate ‘feel’ of the forest.

Itinerary Outline

  • Day 1: Depart Cochin 9 AM and arrive in Pampadum Shola for late lunch. PM trek in the shola forest.
  • Day 2: AM trek in shola forest and PM drive and trek in nearby Anaimudi Shola NP.
  • Day 3: AM nature walk in shola forest and PM transfer to Cochin. Arrive in Cochin in the evening.

Facilities
Accommodation: : Basic - tents or simple forest accommodation
Food: : Largely local vegetarian
Transport: : Road transfers in Toyotal Qualis or similar
Difficulty level: : Moderate, for hikes in mountainous, uneven terrain and through rainforest.
Dates : Download itinerary for latest schedule
Please note that we can customise schedule for independent travel
Costs : INR 8,200/person  (USD 190/GBP 120/EUR 150)
- based on minimum 4 persons traveling, ex-Cochin.

Terms & Conditions

  1. Costs are calculated based on minimum 4 persons traveling and on twin/triple sharing. We can work out a costing for smaller groups, once we have details from you.
  2. Tour costs are per person based on twin/triple sharing (dependent on group size) basis ex- Cochin and is all inclusive (transport, accommodation, food, personnel and all taxes and fees). Personnel includes a naturalist/tour leader, local guide and resource persons from the local community. Alcoholic beverages, porter charges, laundry and ala carte snacks are not included in this price. Please check with us on specific items to make sure if it is included in the published tour costs.
  3. Bookings are confirmed only upon full payment of the tour cost and at least 15 days in advance from the proposed departure date.
  4. We reserve the right to cancel the tour at anytime due to unforeseen circumstances. We will refund the entire booking amount under these circumstances.
  5. Payment options:
    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. We accept demand drafts/cheques in INR, GBP, EUR or USD
  6. In case you want to cancel your booking:
    1. A 90% refund if cancellation requested more than one month before the proposed date of departure
    2. A 15% refund if cancellation requested less than one month from the proposed date of departure.

FYI and Guidelines

  1. Weather: Updates based on dates of travel
  2. Since we will explore the park on foot and in mountainous terrain, we recommend you wear comfortable walking/trekking shoes for the trip.
  3. Please bring your binoculars along - you will appreciate the sights of the forests much more with binoculars on hand. We will have a pair or two to share amongst us, but it is recommended that you carry your own.
  4. Please bring essential medication with you, since the local outlets will not always carry what you are looking for. Do check with your doctor on medication and medical safety if you have any medical condition.