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check in

19 Dec,26

check out

22 Dec,26

4 Seats Left

Location

Kothamangalam

Duration

4D/3N

₹ 38,000₹ 42,000

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1 Rating & Review

₹38,000₹ 42,000

1 Rating & Review

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Overview

Explore the rich avian diversity of Kerala’s Western Ghats on this 4-day bird photography expedition to Thattekad Bird Sanctuary and Munnar’s montane forests. Learn bird photography techniques from a DCP Masterclass Mentor as you photograph endemic lowland and high-altitude species in stunning natural habitats.

DCP Experts

DCP Safety

Entry fees

Images Review

Meals

Rent Lens

Stay

About The Tour

Join DCP Expeditions on an immersive bird photography journey through two of Kerala’s most iconic birding landscapes—Thattekad Bird Sanctuary and the shola grasslands of Munnar. Thattekad, known as the “Amazon of India,” boasts a dazzling variety of resident and migratory species, including many endemics of the Western Ghats.

The expedition also explores the cool montane forests of Munnar, home to high-altitude specialties and shola endemics. From hide sessions in Thattekad to forest trails in Munnar, this expedition provides the ideal ground for both beginner and advanced bird photographers to refine their craft.

The trip is guided by a DCP Masterclass Mentor who will help you master technical shooting skills, behaviour-based composition, and creative approaches in varied light conditions. Whether you’re chasing trogons in the lowlands or laughingthrushes in the hills, this tour offers unmatched photographic diversity in a compact format.

Target Species: 

Malabar Trogon, Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Indian Pitta, Heart-spotted Woodpecker, Grey Junglefowl, Malabar Grey Hornbill, White-bellied Blue Flycatcher, Kerala Laughingthrush, Nilgiri Flycatcher, Black-and-orange Flycatcher, Rufous Babbler, Yellow-browed Bulbul

Quick Information

Route:

Kochi - Thattekad - Munnar - Kochi

Start Point:

Kochi airport

Duration:

3 nights 4 days

End Point:

Kochi airport

Inclusions

  • Photography sessions in two rich habitats: Thattekad and Munnar
  • All local transfers from Kochi Airport including inter-destination travel
  • Accommodation on twin-sharing basis with all meals (BLD)
  • Birding trails, bird hide access, and expert local guides
  • DCP Photography Mentor support throughout the tour
  • Sanctuary entry fees, night trail access, and birding permissions
  • Image review and feedback sessions

Experts

How To Reach

Nearest airport is Kochi International Airport. Tour includes pick and drop from and to Kochi airport.

Nearest railway station is at Aluva which is 47 kilometres away. It is the second largest station in Ernakulam and all trains going to South Kerala stop here.

There are regular buses and taxis available from all nearby cities like Kochi, Madurai, Alappuzha and Thrissur. Tour includes pick and drop from and to Kochi airport.

Getting Ready

Things to carry:

  • Camera- Any good DSLR / Mirrorless camera.
  • Lens – preferably 400 mm and above tele lens
  • Carry Bean bag to mount the lens
  • Please carry good sturdy tripod
  • Carry full charged batteries along with charger
  • Carry back up memory cards /HDD storages drives, Laptop
  • Carry warm clothes considering winter cold.
  • Carry odomos or any mosquito repellent lotions or creams to protect from bites.
  • Carry basic first aid and regular prescribed medications if any

Do not worry if you don’t own a super-telephoto lens as we now have an equipment support division. Equipment is available on rental - please mail us at rentals@dcpexpeditions.com.

Itinerary

Arrive at Cochin International Airport in the morning, where you’ll be welcomed by our team. From here, we begin a scenic drive to your eco-lodge near the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, nestled in the foothills of the Western Ghats. After check-in and a refreshing cup of tea or coffee, we kick off our first birding session exploring the surrounding forests. Expect to photograph woodpeckers, munias, junglefowl, and several Western Ghats endemics. Lunch will be served around 1:00 PM, followed by a briefing with our local birding guide. In the afternoon, we enter a specially designed bird hide inside the sanctuary for an exclusive photography session, focusing on shy species in their natural habitat. The day concludes with image reviews and storytelling over dinner and hot beverages. Overnight stay at Thattekad.
Wake-up call at 5:30 AM followed by tea or coffee at 6:00 AM. We start the day early at a pre-arranged hide to photograph species like Malabar Grey Hornbill, White-bellied Treepie, and Black-naped Monarch under beautiful morning light. By late morning, we explore forest trails searching for rare nocturnal species such as Sri Lanka Frogmouth and Jerdon’s Nightjar, alongside spectacular birds like Malabar Trogon, Grey-headed Bulbul, and Black Baza. Return to the lodge by noon for lunch and a short rest. The afternoon session resumes at 3:00 PM with a second hide session, offering opportunities to capture Western Ghats endemics like flycatchers, pittas, treepies, barbets, and starlings. As the light fades, we attempt night photography of Mottled Wood Owl, Nightjars, and, if lucky, the elusive Slender Loris. A thrilling day ends with dinner and rest at the lodge.

We begin at 5:00 AM with a quick tea break before setting out on a 2-hour scenic drive to Munnar, home to Kerala’s iconic high-altitude shola-grassland ecosystem. En route, we make birding stops to photograph roadside species. After breakfast in Munnar, we focus on montane targets such as Nilgiri Flycatcher, Black-and-Orange Flycatcher, and the rare Nilgiri Wood Pigeon around Rajamala and Kanniamala Shola. Post-lunch, we head to the picturesque Lockhart Gap region and Bodi Ghats to explore surrounding grasslands and rocky scrub habitats for sightings of Yellow-throated Bulbul, Sirkeer Malkoha, Blue-faced Malkoha, and Indian Robin. After an action-packed day, we drive back to Thattekad for dinner and overnight stay.

Our last day begins at 6:00 AM with a final visit to a local hide near Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, offering one more chance to capture Malabar Parakeet, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Red Junglefowl, and other lowland endemics. Post the hide session, we take a slow walk inside the sanctuary for one last chance to photograph Frogmouths, Trogons, or raptors like Black Baza. After returning to the resort, enjoy a well-earned breakfast. Check-out and bid farewell to the forests of Kerala. Our team will arrange drop-off to Cochin International Airport for your onward flight.

Field Learnings

Key Learning Highlights

  • Mastering the use of bird hides to capture shy and elusive forest species
  • Framing birds in complex rainforest and shola backgrounds for visual impact
  • Predictive shooting: Understanding bird behavior to pre-visualize decisive moments
  • Exposure control in low-light forest conditions using ISO, aperture, and shutter speed
  • Selecting and managing autofocus settings for fast-flying species
  • Ethical practices in bird photography—minimizing disturbance in sensitive habitats
  • Composing images that balance natural elements like branches, light, and color
  • Shooting across diverse altitudes—adapting techniques from lowland rainforest to high-elevation grasslands
  • Use of fill light and ambient light control in forest interiors
  • Reviewing and critiquing images to improve composition, sharpness, and storytelling

What You Will Learn

During this immersive bird photography expedition across Thattekad Bird Sanctuary and the high-altitude forests of Munnar, participants will gain hands-on experience in photographing birds across vastly different habitats — from lowland rainforests to montane shola-grassland ecosystems. You’ll learn how to adapt to challenging light conditions under dense forest canopies, perfect your skills with long telephoto lenses, and understand the nuances of hide photography. The DCP mentor will guide you through visual storytelling techniques, bird behavior prediction, composition in cluttered environments, and best practices in ethical bird photography.

You’ll also explore how to handle real-time challenges like shooting fast-moving flycatchers in dim light, using manual and semi-automatic exposure modes effectively, and selecting the right autofocus settings for different situations. Post-session reviews will help you refine your images, and structured feedback will be provided to help elevate your photography from documentation to artistic expression.

Package Cost

Indian nationals: 
Twin sharing: INR 38,000 per person inclusive of all taxes 
Single occupancy: INR 45,500 per person inclusive of all taxes

Foreign nationals: 
Twin sharing: US$ 585 per person inclusive of all taxes
Single occupancy: US$ 700 per person inclusive of all taxes

Gold members - Upto 5% off
Silver members - Upto 3% off

WhatsApp to ask for a payment link / QR code to pay.

[Save upto 2.5% of tour cost by opting to pay via NEFT / RTGS / UPI]

Cost includes

  1. Transport from Kochi airport to Thattekad location and return
  2. Internal transfer from Thattekad to Munnar
  3. Accommodation and food (BLD) - as per itinerary
  4. DCP Panel Experts charges
  5. All guide fee
  6. Night trail or walk
  7. Sanctuary entry fee

Cost does not include:

  1. Camera-fee at sanctuaries.
  2. Mineral Water, Soft Drinks, Laundry Charges, Phone Calls, Tips etc.
  3. Any kind of insurance, Medical or/and Emergency Charges.
  4. Any extra meals not included in the above itinerary.
  5. Taxes

Map

Thattekkad

Policies

Cancellation policy

  1. All cancellations before 30 days of the event date - 100% refund
  2. All cancellations between 20 - 30 days of the event date - 50% refund
  3. All cancellations within 20 days of the event date - No refund possible

FAQ's

Yes. Please write to us on info@dcpexpeditions.com as it is subject to availability.

Thattekad and Munnar - Bird Photography Masterclass Expedition, Dec 2026

Reviews

  0 Ratings & 1 Reviews

Awesome workshop, lots of different species of birds , very knowledgeable and helpful mentor in Kane, flawless arrangements, homemade tasty food, highly recommend to anyone interested in bird photography

Read More
  • Dr C R Suvarna
  • 25, Feb 2025 02:41:39 am
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+91 8779885656 | +91 9930475656  | +91 9819839821

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