The
Great
Hornbill
Congregation VALPARAI, ANAIMALAI TIGER RESERVE

TOUR OVERVIEW

The Outback Experience presents a one of a kind expedition into the rainforests of the Anaimalais. The Anaimalais hills is easily the richest habitat and bio-diversity in the Western Ghats, and we invite a maximum of 3 participants to join us and experience this rainforest wonderland first-hand.

Amongst its amazing attractions, the unique and endangered lion-tailed macaque, will be on the top of our list and the Anaimalais is easily the best place on Earth to observe and photograph these amazing creatures. The highly-endangered Nilgiri tahr is another flagship specie that we will be looking out for as we ascend the hills and the other amazing wildlife that we are likely to come across are Malabar giant squirrels, flying squirrels, brown palm civets, a good chance to see a leopard lurking amongst the tea, elephants and gaur grazing peacefully and the list of cold-blooded animals, which includes the beautiful Anaimalai gliding frog, Jayram’s bush frog, the large-scaled pit viper and the Anaimalais pit viper.

The Anaimalais is also a fabulous destination to go birding. The key species we will be spending ample time with the Great Indian Hornbill. During the months of November and December, several hundred of these amazing birds congregate at Valparai to feed on the fruits of the Maesopsis eminii tree. This tree species was introduced from Africa to be used as a shade tree in many of the coffee plantations.

The other species of birds we are likely to come across are the white-bellied treepie, Indian scimitar babbler, Malabar trogon, Malabar whistling thrush, Wynaad laughingthrush, rufous babbler, grey-headed bulbul and the list goes on.

Integral to the programme will be hands-on learning on nature conservation, photography, wildlife tracking, outdoor survival skills, not to forget, a whole lot of fun!

Serving as base camps for the exploration of all this glory will be amazing and quaint British bungalows situated in the middle of tea estates and close to fantastic shola forests that are a perfect balance between homely comfort and the spirit of adventure.

Book a place now, for easily our most exciting expedition on offer!

TOUR TAKEAWAYS

With an array of activities including rainforest exploration, animal tracking, birdwatching, and photography learning, you are sure to have an unforgettable experience. The specific of the camp include

  • Only 3 participants to maximise individual attention and increase productivity of images
  • Comprehensive understanding of photography and wildlife
  • A chance to see and photograph the amazing congregation of the Great Indian Hornbill.
  • Superb wildlife sightings including many endemic mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles
  • Special emphasis on landscape photography
  • Four nights and five days in one of India’s richest wildlife habitats – The Western Ghats
  • A very luxurious stay and delicious meals at a private estate
  • A fun-filled great holiday
  • A thorough experience of the Anaimalais
  • Expert individual guidance from wildlife photographer, Phillip Ross

TOUR ITINERARY

BATCH 1: 10th to 13th November, 2022 (SOLD OUT)

BATCH 2: 13th to 16th November, 2022 (SOLD OUT)

DAY 1:

Note: This tour includes all travel to and from Coimbatore International Airport/ Railway Station to Valparai and back in an A/C MUV.

Arrive at Coimbatore airport (flight costs not included) by 9AM, and be greeted by your driver to escort you to the hills of Valparai. You will soon find yourselves ascending the hills. The view gets more stunning by the second, and there are several opportunities en route to stop and capture some amazing vistas. Chances of sighting and photographing the endangered Nilgiri tahr, too, are very high.

Following an invigorating ride, we arrive and be greeted by tour leader Phillip Ross, at a quaint bungalow situated in the middle of a tea estate and close to a fantastic shola forest. We check-in and while enjoying a scrumptious lunch, Phillip will introduce everyone to the Anaimalais with a brief on the wildlife found in the area, the afternoon’s plan and also a presentation on the ideal settings for their cameras. Later that evening, we proceed to a private forest patch that is home to two troops of lion-tailed macaques. We keep our eyes peeled and hope that the macaques reveal themselves without much difficulty. This area is also known for its amazing birdlife too and gives us a good chance to spot some endemics to the area. After an exhilarating experience with the macaques, we return to the bungalow and set up and deploy a camera trap in order for us to capture some of the Anaimalais nocturnal wonders. Later that evening, we set out for the much awaited late evening walk in a private estate that is home to several amphibians and reptiles and walk along a brook to look out for various macro subjects. We have a great chance to come across various bush frogs, gliding frogs, lizards, spiders, caecilians, beetles, centipedes and an array of insect life.

We end the night with a delicious dinner.

DAY 2:

We wake early and return to the lion-tailed macaque forest patch for another rendezvous. We spend most of the morning observing and photographing these magnificent animals along with some fascinating birding.

After breakfast, we checkout and depart for hornbill land. As we descend into this amazing valley we will already begin to hear the congregation from afar, before we get to sight these amazing birds in all of their splendour. We spend the entire evening with these birds, capturing several different perspectives in order to capture a hard-to-beat portfolio. While sitting around the campfire, we spend the evening reviewing pictures and sharing some insights about the day.

DAY 3:

We awake to the calls of the hornbills, and at the crack of dawn, we go out once again for another amazing opportunity to photograph these extraordinary birds. After breakfast, we proceed to the gorgeous Sholayar Dam. Here each participant can get a panoramic view of the Anaimalais and take home some breathtaking landscape images, before checking into the amazing Sheikalmudi Bungalow, a beautifully restored British bungalow. After some much needed rest, we embark on an amazing drive through the Vazhachal forest reserve to spend the rest of the evening tracking and photographing mammals and winged beauties along the way, with the hope of coming across a leopard, elephants and a troop or two of Nilgiri langurs.

We return to the property for some refreshing beverages and snacks, and a superb presentation on photography by Phillip, before another late evening walk with our macro lens to try and photography some rare amphibians and reptiles before retiring for the night.

DAY 4:

We awake to the sweet call of ‘the whistling schoolboy’ the Malabar whistling thrush. After a hot beverage, we embark on drive around the property and do some birding. The Anaimalais are one of the best places in the Western Ghats for birding and the area has over 250 species of avian wonders, most of which are endemic to the region.

Once back at camp, we enjoy a lovely breakfast, before we descend the hills looking for wildlife as the morning-light fills the surrounding hills and valleys. We halt for a quick break along the way before driving back to Coimbatore airport/ Railway Station, where we are sure, you will be waiting to tell your friends and family some fascinating tales.

COST & TERMS

How much does it cost?

Individuals

INR 46,900/-

per participant(Exclusive. of 5% GST)

Pals

INR 90,800/-

for two participants(Exclusive. of 5% GST)

Outbacker

INR 44,900/-

per participant(Exclusive of 5% GST)

Outbacker: Participated in at least three previous The Outback Experience tours or workshops

Inclusions

  • Road transfers from Coimbatore, to the destinations and return in a well equipped MUV
  • Road transfers in and around Valparai, in an SUV.
  • Twin-accommodation in comfortable deluxe rooms
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and hot beverages (coffee and tea)
  • Expedition fees
  • Camera fees

Exclusions

  • 5% GST
  • Any extra meals and beverages ordered
  • Anything that is not expressly mentioned in the inclusions list

Payment Terms

100% payment in advance for confirmation of booking.

Payment can be made via bank transfer to our account. Please inform us of the reference number once the payment is made.

Cancellation Fees

  • 10% outside 30 days before the camp
  • 25% between 29 and 22 days before the camp
  • 50% between 21 and 15 days before the camp
  • 75% between 14 and 8 days before the camp
  • 100% within 7 days before the camp

Have questions about this tour?

We hope you'll find your answers here.

Who is this tour for and what is the Covid-19 safety protocols?

Anybody above the age of 18 with a passion to learn and master photography. There are no other eligibility criteria.

All participants will only be allowed to be a part of the tour if he/she is vaccinated with at least one dose of any Covid-19 vaccine. Incase, any participant is not vaccinated, then a negative RT-PCR certificate within 72 hours from the start of the tour, is mandatory.

How do I make the payment?

We have multiple payment options available from which you may choose one as per your convenience. Details will be shared when we receive your enquiry.

How many participants can be expected to attend?

A maximum of 3 adults are expected. The Outback Experience’s USP is to provide as much individual attention and quality time to each participant as possible and thus the workshop strength has been kept low. We do not cater to very large groups per batch!

Where are we staying and what sort of accommodation and food can we expect?

We will be staying at three beautiful properties in the Anaimalais. These quintessential British bungalows are situated amongst a tea garden and overlooks the jungle. The food served is a delicious buffet spread of local, Indian and continental delicacies.

What are the requisites for the tour?

Bringing your own camera is strongly recommended. This camera should ideally be a Digital SLR (DSLR) or Mirrorless Camera with a telephoto, macro and wide angle lens to make the most out of the photography tour. In case you do not have the recommended equipment, please contact us and we will help you hire a camera or lens.

How do I register for the tour ?

Fill up the form in the ‘BOOK NOW’ section and we’ll get back to you with all the necessary details in a jiffy.

BOOK NOW!

Please submit your details, to enrol for this event.

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