Munnar & Thattekad
05-10 Jan, 2027
- Ex. Kochi Airport
Duration
6 Days & 5 Nights
Tour Type
Birding
Group Size
6 People
Status
Booking Open
Munnar & Thattekad
LRK is a vast seasonal salt desert in Gujarat, spread across nearly 5,000 sq km, known for its dramatic landscapes and exceptional wildlife photography opportunities. Once a shallow part of the Arabian Sea, it has evolved into a unique ecosystem where cracked white salt flats dominate summer, shallow wetlands appear during the monsoon, and dry open plains return in winter—creating constantly changing visual conditions. The terrain is mostly flat and saline, punctuated by elevated islands called bets, which support scrub vegetation and serve as refuges for wildlife.
LRK is globally famous as the last stronghold of the Indian Wild Ass, along with mammals such as Desert Fox, Striped Hyena, Nilgai, Blackbuck, and Jungle Cat.
For bird photographers, LRK is a winter paradise, hosting over 300 species including Greater and Lesser Flamingos, Cranes, Pelicans, Bustards, a wide variety of Ducks, Geese, Waders, and an impressive diversity of raptors like Harriers, Eagles, Falcons, and Owls.
The open habitat, minimal visual clutter, dramatic skies, and golden light make LRK ideal for clean compositions, behaviour shots, and wide-angle wildlife images. Alongside its natural history, the region is culturally significant, with traditional salt farming by the Agariya community adding a strong human element to storytelling photography, making the Little Rann of Kutch one of India’s most distinctive and rewarding destinations for wildlife and bird photography itineraries.
Birds: Pallid Scops-Owl, Short-eared Owl, Indian Scops-Owl, Peregrine Falcon, Imperial Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle, Indian Spotted Eagle, Booted Eagle, Pallid Harrier, Montagu’s Harrier, Common Kestrel, Red-necked Falcon, Great White Pelican, Dalmatian Pelican, Gadwal, Greater Flamingo, Lesser Flamingo and More..
Mammals: Wild Ass, Desert Fox, Striped Hyna, Blackbucks, Jungle Cat, Nilgai
Itinerary
Arrive airport at 10AM.
From here Thattekad home stay is around 1 hr.
Post lunch we will go to the hide.
Overnight at Homestay.
Meal Plan: Lunch + Evening Tea + Dinner
Today morning head to the jungle in search of Malabar trogon and Sri Lanka Frogmouth.
Return to homestay for Lunch
Post lunch we will be doing Hide photography
Return by dusk and post dinner go for night trail in search of Nightjars, Owls.
Overnight at Homestay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Tea + Dinner
Today morning head to the jungle and we will try for those birds which are missing in this trip.
Return to homestay for Lunch
Post lunch check out and start our journey to Munnar.
Reach Munnar by 5-6PM.
No night birding / trail in Munnar.
Meal Plan: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Tea + Dinner
The day will start early and we will get to Ervakulam Sanctuary, it is famous for Nilgiri Tahr.
Here we will look for all endemic birds, which is Nilgiri Pipit, the vulnerable Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, White bellied Shortwing, Nilgiri Verditer Flycatcher, Kerala Laughingthrush, Grey breasted Laughingthrush, Black and orange Flycatcher.
Post lunch we will explore near by tea states and forest for more birds.
Meal Plan: Breakfast + Lunch + Evening Tea + Dinner
Our birding start around 7 AM. Today we will go to the hide, and will do photography till 1 PM.
We would be targeting species like Asian Fairy Blue Bird, Vernal Hanging Parrot, Crimson-backed sunbird, Lotens Sunbird, Little Spider hunter, Yellow Browed Bulbul, Flame-throated Bulbul Etc.
Post lunch we checkout and head to the airport.
We request the participants to book the flight after 7PM.
Meal Plan: Breakfast + Lunch
Trip Charges
Standard
₹49,500
- Per Person
- Twin Sharing
Couple
₹47,000
- Per Couple
- Twin Sharing
Avians*
₹97,500
- Per Person
- Twin Sharing
Single Occupancy: ₹9,500 Additional
Cancellation more than 60 days before the expedition: 25% of the total amount paid will be refunded.
Cancellation between 46 and 60 days before the expedition: Refund will be subject to unrecoverable booking and supplier cancellation charges.
Cancellation within 45 days of the expedition: No refund will be provided.
- Accommodation
- Stay in Hotel / Resort / Homestay (twin-sharing basis)
- Meals as per itinerary (Breakfast/Lunch/Evening Tea /Dinner)
- Birding
- Guide and driver charges
- Driver charges
- Birding excursions as mentioned in the itinerary
- Transport
- Airport pickup from Kochi Airport on Day 01
- Transportation throughout the itinerary
- Airport drop-off at Kochi Airport on Day 06
- Expertise
- Services of an experienced tour leader
- Wildlife and birding briefing sessions
- Photography guidance and/or photo review sessions
- Tips & Gratitude
- Hotel staffs
- Safari drivers
-
- Travel to the Starting Point & Additional Stay
- Airfare, train tickets, or transportation to Kochi
- Accommodation before or after the scheduled trip
- Meals and transportation outside the itinerary
- Any expenses arising from early arrival or extended stay
- Personal Expenses
- Laundry
- Telephone calls
- Room service
- Snacks or meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Any other personal expenses
- Insurance
- Travel insurance
- Medical insurance
- Emergency & Unforeseen Expenses
- Medical treatment
- Emergency evacuation
- Additional accommodation
- Transportation or other expenses arising from unforeseen circumstances
- Anything not mentioned under ‘Inclusions’
- Travel to the Starting Point & Additional Stay
-
- Arrival at Kochi Airport
- Please plan to reach Kochi Airport before 10:00 AM on Day 01.
- This will allow sufficient time for airport pickup and the afternoon birding schedule.
- Departure from Kochi Airport
- Book your flight ticket after 7PM on Day 06
- Arrival at Kochi Airport
-
- Arrival at Kochi Airport
- Please plan to reach Kochi Airport before 10:00 AM on Day 01.
- This will allow sufficient time for airport pickup and the afternoon birding schedule.
- Departure from Kochi Airport
- Book your flight ticket after 7PM on Day 06
- Arrival at Kochi Airport
Photography Equipments & Accessories
- Camera Bodies: If possible carry 2 camera bodies to avoid changing lenses frequently during safaris.
- Lenses: For the best photography experience, we recommend carrying a 500mm prime telephoto lens for bird photography, a 200–500mm telephoto zoom lens for photographing birds and mammals at varying distances, and a 15–30mm wide-angle lens for capturing landscapes, habitats and environmental compositions.
- Spare batteries
- Extra memory cards (carry multiple, fast cards)
- Lens cleaning kit and big towels to protect gear from dust
Clothing & Essentials
- Wear neutral-colored clothing and avoid bright colors.
- Avoid army or military-style camouflage patterns.
- Avoid carrying unnecessary jewelry or other valuables.
- Carry sunglasses and a bandana/scarf for sun, wind, and dust protection.
- Carry a flask or reusable water bottle.
- Warm clothing is essential: light woollens. Mornings and evenings can be cold, especially at Munnar.
- Carry a waterproof jacket or rain protection, as mountain weather can change quickly.
- Carry a torch/headlamp with spare batteries.
- Comfortable, sturdy walking shoes are recommended.
Health & Safety
- Carry a basic first aid kit
- Include any personal or prescribed medications
- Hand sanitizer and insect repellent recommended
- Motion sickness medicine (essential for winding mountain roads)
Storage & Backup
- External Hard Drive (HD/SSD) for daily backups
- Laptop for reviewing and storing images at the end of each day
Trip Location
Gallery
Have Any Question?
- +91 8655 242625
- +91 9136 137274
- ask@aviantrips.com










































