Valparai| Anaimalai Tiger Reserve
The Anaimalai Expedition
Three nights and four days in the rainforests of the Anaimalais, tracking lion-tailed macaques and Great Indian hornbills, with wildlife photographer Phillip Ross.
A one-of-a-kind rainforest expedition
The Outback Experience presents a one-of-a-kind expedition into the rainforests of the Anaimalais, based in quaint bungalows amid tea estates and close to fantastic shola forests. The endangered lion-tailed macaque is the top wildlife target, alongside the Nilgiri tahr, Malabar giant squirrel, flying squirrels, brown palm civets, leopards, elephants and gaur.
From September to November, Great Indian hornbills congregate at fruiting Maesopsis eminii trees in large numbers - a highlight of the tour. Cold-blooded subjects include Anaimalai gliding frogs, Jayaram’s bush frogs and large-scaled pit vipers, alongside birds such as the white-bellied treepie, Indian scimitar babbler and Malabar trogon.
Phillip Ross leads the expedition, with hands-on learning on nature conservation, photography and wildlife tracking throughout.
What you come home with
With a small group tracking some of the Western Ghats’ rarest wildlife, you are sure to have an unforgettable expedition. The specifics include:
- Limited to 4 participants, to maximise individual attention
- Superb endemic mammal, bird, amphibian and reptile sightings
- Macro and landscape photography emphasis
- Three nights and four days in the Western Ghats
- Private estate accommodation with delicious meals
- Expert guidance from wildlife photographer Phillip Ross
Four days, as they run
Day1
Arrive by 1:30 p.m. at the tea-estate bungalow, check in, have lunch, and settle in for a wildlife briefing and camera-settings presentation. In the evening we visit a private forest patch home to two troops of lion-tailed macaques, and deploy a camera trap for nocturnal captures.
A late macro walk seeks bush frogs, gliding frogs, lizards, spiders, caecilians, beetles and centipedes, before dinner.
Day2
An early return to the macaque forest for observation and birding, then breakfast, before descending to the hornbill valley for a full evening with the hornbills. That evening, a picture review and campfire conversation with Phillip.
Day3
Dawn hornbill photography in the morning mist, then breakfast and a visit to a waterfall for landscape photography (with a chance of hornbills against the falls). After lunch and rest, another hornbill session, then an estate drive tracking mammals and birds, and a late macro walk for rare amphibians and reptiles.
Day4
A final dawn, woken by Malabar whistling thrush and hornbill calls, for one last photography escapade before breakfast and departure.
How much does it cost?
Individuals
INR 59,900/- per participant (Exclusive of 5% GST)Pals
INR 118,800/- for two participants (Exclusive of 5% GST)Outbacker
INR 57,900/- per Outbacker (Exclusive of 5% GST)Outbacker: Participated in at least three previous tours or workshops, conducted by The Outback Experience.
Inclusions
- Twin-sharing accommodation in deluxe rooms
- Road transfers via SUV within Valparai
- All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and hot beverages
- Expedition fees
Exclusions
- Road transfers to and from Valparai
- 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 tour
- 25% between 29 and 22 days before the tour
- 50% between 21 and 15 days before the tour
- 75% between 14 and 8 days before the tour
- 100% within 7 days before the tour
From the tea estate
Have questions about this tour?
We hope you’ll find your answers here.
Who is this tour for?
Anybody above the age of 18 with a passion to learn and master photography. There are no other eligibility criteria.
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 4 participants 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 group 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 a beautiful property amongst a tea garden overlooking the jungle, with buffet meals of local, Indian and continental delicacies.
How do I register for the tour?
Fill up the form in the enquiry section below 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. Tell us how many participants are travelling.
Plan a customised trip
If these dates don’t suit you, we’d be happy to create a customised wildlife tour around your preferred travel dates.
Whether you choose to travel independently or with one of our photography guides, we’ll arrange the best naturalists, drivers, and accommodation to match your interests and budget. With over two decades of experience in wildlife travel, we’ll ensure you enjoy an exceptional and well-planned safari experience.