Wildlife, Trekking and the Great Outdoors

South India

The dominant natural feature of Southern India is the Western Ghats. This monumental mountain chain stretches from inland Mumbai to the southern part of Kerala, with the great rivers of the southeast emerging to flow through Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, both of which have a lot of territory in these hills. Once thickly forested over their entire length and breadth, a proportion of the Ghats are now rich agricultural land, with spices, tea, coffee, vegetables, and more are grown. Rich soils and perfect climatic conditions make the Ghats one of the greatest areas of biodiversity in Asia.

There are many accommodation options in the Ghats ranging from simple jungle camps to fully equipped tree houses and luxury resorts. The services of a resident naturalist are available at many places and your trip will certainly be more informative if you are accompanied by a knowledgeable local. The diversity of animal species in the Ghats is staggering. The area is home to elephants, tigers, leopard, and bears. While populations of these iconic species are healthy, the dense undergrowth and extensive territory make sightings more a matter of luck than anything else. This is perhaps what makes a sighting such a thrill. In most areas, sightings of various species of deer, monkeys, and small mammals such as squirrels and mongooses are very common. Bird life is also abundant making the Ghats a bird watchers' paradise. The quality and range of activities within the various parks vary greatly depending on whether they are under Government control or privately operated.

In the area where the three southern states- Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala- meet, three great National Parks adjoin one another, creating a massive area of tropical wilderness with a rich variety of flora and fauna. Mudamalai, Wayanad and Bandipur are the three parks.

Bandipur

Bandipur is also in Karnataka, around 100km from Mysore. It is particularly famous for its elephant population but is part of Project Tiger as well. The BR Hills Tented Camp is set amidst an area of diverse vegetation with open forests which lend themselves to excellent wildlife viewing. In all the locations, morning and evening jeep safaris into the respective sanctuaries are accompanied by a naturalist who will explain the local flora and fauna.

Mudamalai National Park

The Tamil Nadu section of this massive reserve is Mudamalai National Park. The two major activities in this park are short elephant rides and van trips into the park. Elephant numbers are healthy here too, as well as deer, peacocks, leopards, hornbills, and many more. As this park is close to Ooty, many local day-trippers come here making a true wilderness experience rather unlikely. Very close to Mudamalai is the private reserve of Wild Canopy where visitors may stay in wonderfully constructed tree houses 15 meters above the forest floor. This is a rare opportunity to stay in the forest itself with animals passing beneath your accommodation to drink at nearby waterholes.

Munnar

Munnar, also formerly a British hill station, is set at an altitude of 6000ft amidst an area of breathtaking beauty; a haven of peace and tranquillity, Munnar is one of the most idyllic tourist destinations in Kerala. With long vistas to tea plantations, pristine valleys, and mountains, and exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests, Munnar has all these and more. The nearby Eravikulam National Park is the last refuge of the endangered Nilgiri Thar, a mountain goat endemic to the Western Ghats. Also close by is Raja Malai, the highest peak in the area and a prime region for trekking.

Central and North India

Keoladeo Ghana National Park near Bharatpur (65km from Agra) is home to the greatest diversity of bird species in Asia and a major stopping point for migratory birds from northern Asia during the winter months of October to February. Here you can see a variety of herons, storks, cranes, ibis, and countless wading birds. Being only a few kilometres from the town, it is easy to make more than one visit to the park during your stay. The best way to explore the park is by cycle rickshaw and many of the drivers are very knowledgeable about the birdlife here.

Corbett Tiger Reserve

Corbett Tiger Reserve was established in 1936 as India's first National Park. It is famous for its wide variety of wildlife and its beautiful location in the foothills of the Himalaya by the Ramganga River. It covers an area of 1318 sq km. The diversity of wildlife here is spectacular with elephant and langur monkeys being common.More unusual animals include rhesus macaques, hog deer, barking deer, and several types of crocodiles. The park is closed from mid-June to mid-November due to the monsoon.

Reaching the prime tiger spotting region of India- Bandhavgarh and Kanha National Parks in Madhya Pradesh state- requires significant travel by plane, train, and road. The effort is worth it however as these two parks offer virtually guaranteed tiger sightings. Visits to these parks include jeep safaris and elephant rides as alternate ways to explore the environment. Aside from tigers, these parks are also home to nilgai, wild boar, jackal, gaur, sambar deer, and porcupine. The birdlife is also varied with larger birds such as vultures being present.

Camel Trekking

Camel Trekking For visitors to Rajasthan the most authentic way to see the desert landscapes of this vast state is from the back of a camel. From a short trek of a few hours to multi-day epics with nights under the stars, a camel trek will be a highlight for many visitors to the north. The treks can be arranged from Jaisalmer and Pushkar.