Trip Finder
Plan your trip to Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
Estimated sighting chances, the zones to book, month-by-month closures and indicative costs for what you want to see here.
* Estimated chance per safari, based on reported animal density and sighting reports — not an official Forest Department figure. Prices are indicative ranges.
About this location
A compact bird sanctuary in the Ernakulam district, Thattekad is considered the richest bird habitat in peninsular India. Over 300 species in a small area of riverine and evergreen forest — exceptional for forest birding photography, especially the ultra-rare Sri Lanka frogmouth.
Species You Can Photograph in Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
Best season guide
Peak photography conditions typically align with Jan–Dec. Add buffer days for weather and park closures.
JanExcellent
FebExcellent
MarExcellent
AprGood
MayOff-season
JunOff-season
JulOff-season
AugOff-season
SepGood
OctExcellent
NovExcellent
DecExcellent
Safari Zones
Walking trail
| Zone | Entry gate |
|---|---|
| Dr. Salim Ali Bird Trail | Thattekad sanctuary office |
Guided walking trail
| Zone | Entry gate |
|---|---|
| Black Baza Trail | Thattekad sanctuary office |
| Trogon Trail | Thattekad sanctuary office |
Birding route (outside core)
| Zone | Entry gate |
|---|---|
| Urulanthanni forest road | Thattekad / Kuttampuzha |
| Kuttampuzha - Mamalakandam road | Kuttampuzha |
How to Reach
- Nearest airport
- Cochin International Airport (~50 km)
- Nearest railway station
- Aluva (~50 km)
By Air
Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport, about 50 km away. Continue by taxi or pre-booked cab.
By Rail
Aluva is the nearest railway station, about 50 km away. Taxis and autos cover the last stretch.
By Road
Thattekad is about 12 km from Kothamangalam and ~60 km from Kochi. Local bird guides meet visitors near the sanctuary office for dawn walks.
Expert Wildlife Creators in Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
No one's claimed this park yet
Be the first expert here — if you're a wildlife photographer or guide who knows Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, join as a creator.
Available trips
No listed trips here yet
No trips are currently targeting Thattekad Bird Sanctuary. Browse every active trip, or message a local creator directly to ask about planning one.
Recent Wildlife Sightings
Seen wildlife here? Be the first to report it
No field reports have been logged for Thattekad Bird Sanctuary yet. If you're a wildlife creator, log what you've seen here — or browse sightings from other destinations.
Photography tips for Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
Reach the gate before opening light; many species move along edges of forest, meadows, or water at dawn. Use a long lens with a bean bag or gimbal head on shared vehicles, and keep spare batteries warm in cold destinations like high Himalaya.
Respect buffer zones and guide instructions — ethical positioning keeps stress off animals and often yields cleaner frames. Review your images in the field to adjust exposure for harsh midday sun versus misty mornings typical of Kerala.
More in Kerala
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- Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
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- Parambikulam Tiger Reserve
- Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary
- Periyar National Park
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- Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary
- Silent Valley National Park
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- Vembanad Lake
- Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
- Western Ghats
- Western Ghats birding belt