The Lost Worlds of the Western Ghats
- 12 Days/ 11 Nights
- Ecosystem
- 4 Night Herping Trails
Southern India's Ancient Wilderness
The Lost Worlds of the Western Ghats: Southern India invites audiences into one of the oldest mountain ranges on Earth, where ancient rainforests, mist-covered peaks, winding rivers, and hidden valleys have nurtured extraordinary life for millions of years. Recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot, the Western Ghats are home to an astonishing collection of endemic plants and animals found nowhere else on the planet.
This cinematic wildlife documentary uncovers the secret lives of elusive mammals, brilliantly colored birds, rare reptiles, fascinating amphibians, and countless insects that thrive beneath the dense forest canopy. Every season transforms the landscape, from the life-giving monsoon rains to sunlit forests alive with calls, movement, and remarkable natural encounters.
Captured with breathtaking cinematography, every frame celebrates the beauty, diversity, and resilience of Southern India’s wild heart. Intimate moments reveal complex behaviors, ancient survival strategies, and delicate ecological relationships that have evolved over countless generations.
More than an exploration of spectacular wildlife, this film is a tribute to one of Earth’s most irreplaceable ecosystems and the urgent need to protect it. The Lost Worlds of the Western Ghats: Southern India offers an unforgettable journey through timeless forests where every trail reveals discovery, every sound tells a story, and every living creature reflects the enduring wonder of nature.
Itinerary :
- Arrive in Cochin and connect with your expert Western Ghats naturalist guide.
- Relax on a 1.5-hour private road transfer to the lowland forests of Thattekad.
- Embark on a specialized foot safari through the renowned Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary.
- Search dense jungle habitats for key flagship species like the Sri Lanka Frogmouth and Malabar Trogon.
- Set out for calm riverine birding by a traditional country boat.
- Join your naturalist later for your initial night herping trail from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
- Track stealthy forest raptors weaving through the mature woodlands.
- Participate in macro sessions focused on the remarkable Southern Flying Lizard (Draco).
- Take a scenic 3-hour winding drive climbing higher into the Western Ghats range.
- Arrive amidst the rolling hills and expansive highland tea estates of Munnar.
- Explore unique patches of pristine montane Shola forest.
- Spot local specialty birds like the Kerala Laughingthrush and Black-and-Orange Flycatcher.
- Walk dramatic high-altitude grassland cliff paths inside a critically endemic ecosystem.
- Look for the endangered Nilgiri Tahr mountain goat navigating the rocky bluffs.
- Dedicate your morning hours to capturing dramatic highland landscape photography.
- Venture to Lockhart Gap for a specialized highland herping trail from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM.
- Travel south on a 3-hour road transfer to the town of Thekkady.
- Embark on an initial guided walking excursion along the national park's lush forest boundary.
- Engage in an active, full-day wilderness exploration incorporating bamboo rafting and trekking.
- Track endemic primates through old-growth trees, focusing on the Lion-tailed Macaque and Nilgiri Langur.
- Complete a final early walk to look for any missed bird or reptile species.
- Conclude with a 4-hour drive back to the vibrant coastal hub of Cochin.
- Take a prompt transfer out to Cochin International Airport (COK).
- Check in for your onward international connection or domestic home flight.
- Meet-and-assist arrival service at Cochin on Day 1.
- Premium resort, nature lodge, and estate stays on twin sharing basis.
- Daily breakfast throughout the entire 12-day Western Ghats expedition.
- Dedicated professional Western Ghats naturalist for the entire duration.
- Private transport for all transfers (Cochin, Thattekad, Munnar, Periyar, and back).
- Guided foot safari in Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary for lowland avifauna tracking.
- Riverine birding by country boat and dedicated night herping trails in Thattekad & Lockhart Gap.
- Specialized forest raptor tracking and macro photography sessions.
- Guided trekking in Eravikulam National Park and Shola montane forests for endemic species.
- Full-day bamboo rafting and deep trekking session in Periyar Tiger Reserve core zone.
- All mandatory sanctuary entries, forest permits, tolls, fuel, and driver allowances.
- International flight tickets from Cochin International Airport or any domestic airfares.
- Lunches, dinners, and personal snacks (unless explicitly added to the final itinerary).
- Camera fees, video permits, or specialized macro/telephoto lens charges at reserve gates.
- Personal expenses such as laundry, souvenir shopping, and alcoholic beverages.
- Tips for the wildlife naturalist, local tracking guides, boatmen, and drivers.
- Travel insurance and individual medical emergency/evacuation coverage.
- Any extra night tracks, vehicle detours, or activities not specified in the 12-day program.
- Additional costs caused by transit delays, weather conditions, or sudden forest route closures.