Best time to visit
October - May (ideal)
June - September (good)
For Whom
Keen birdwatchers and bird photographers.
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Extended Weekend Tours Long Breaks |
| Point Calimere | 4 Nights / 5 Days from Rs. 11,500/- |
- Day 1: Chennai - Trichy overnight train
- Day 2: AM Transfer to Point Calimere for late lunch. PM birding in Point Calimere National Park
- Day 3: AM Birding in wetlands around Point Calimere and PM Birding in main lagoon.
- Day 4: AM birding in main lagoon and PM transfer to Trichy for overnight train
- Day 5: AM arrival in Chennai
Summary
A birding expedition to a globally recognized wetland (RAMSAR site) during the peak wintering season of birds in the wetlands of South Asia. This is an ideal tour for bird-watchers keen on recording several sub-continental wetland rarities among 250 plus species of birds recorded from the location. This is also among the less explored, but highly noteworthy, birding locations in India.
Located on the southeast coast of Tamil Nadu, India, Point Calimere is a globally significant wintering ground and stopover for migratory wetland waders and wildfowl on their southward journey to wintering sites in Sri Lanka.Point Calimere’s habitat diversity includes, freshwater and salt marshes, brackish lagoons, mud-flats, salt-pans, coastal beaches, mangroves and terrestrial habitats including grasslands and dry evergreen vegetation unique to southeast India.
The endangered spoon-billed sandpiper and Asian Dowitcher have been recorded from Point Calimere. There are several subcontinental endemics among the land-birds Indian bushlark, white-browed bulbul and plaintive cuckoo to name a few.
Other wildlife that you are likely to encounter in the location includes a thriving population of the patchily distributed blackbuck - an antelope, Indian pangolin, giant flying foxes and several species smaller mammals. Notably, dolphins can sometimes be sighted near the fishing jetty of the Kodikarai village and the threatened dugongs, a large sea mammal, are known to occur in the shallow bays around Point Calimere.
Itinerary Outline |
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Facilities |
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| Accommodation: | : | Simple forest accommodation or simple hotel rooms. |
| Food: | : | Simple local vegetarian. |
| Transport: | : | Train transfers in upper class A/C coaches. Road Transfers in Toyota Qualis or Tempo Traveller (dependent on group size) |
| Difficulty level: | : | Easy to moderate for infrastructure limitations. |
- Tour costs are based on twin sharing basis ex-Chennai and is all inclusive (transport, accommodation, food, personnel and all taxes and fees). Personnel includes an expert birding guide, a tour leader and resource persons from the local fishing community. Maximum group size for this tour is 6.
- Bookings are confirmed only upon full payment of the tour cost and at least 15 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 11,500/person (USD 265/GBP 175/EUR 210) - based on minimum 4 persons traveling, ex-Chennai. |
Terms & Conditions | ||
- Point Calimere and its surrounding areas offer minimal tourist infrastructure. Accommodation will be basic and food will be local and largely vegetarian (rice, lentils, vegetables and fruits).
- Weather will be pleasant, and sunny, with temperatures rarely exceeding 30 Celsius and rarely dipping below 20 Celsius. However, cyclonic storms, associated with the winter monsoons are a potential, albeit unlikely occurrence. Please bring rain-gear just in case.
- Please bring binoculars or a spotting scope. Wetland birds are typically distant and close approach is often difficult.
- Most birding will be on foot and sometimes in marshy areas. We recommend that you wear comfortable river sandals while birding.
- A hat and sunblock are highly recommended.
- Please bring essential medication with you.
FYI and Guidelines
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