3 Days / 2 NightsTamil Nadu

Nilgiris Photography and Birding Tour from Coimbatore

Our Nilgiris photography and birding tour is a 3-day private trip from Coimbatore built around early light and late light. You shoot a sunset at Kotagiri on Day 1, bird at Longwood Shola and photograph tea estates and Coonoor viewpoints on Day 2, and catch a sunrise or lake session at Ooty or Pykara on Day 3. You stay two nights in Kotagiri or Ooty. It is priced from ₹8,500 per person; it covers an AC vehicle with our own driver, fuel, toll, parking, driver charges and both nights.

Call +91 93426 62373Book now

By Benny VUpdated

Nilgiri flycatcher, part of our nilgiris photography and birding tour
  • Duration3 Days / 2 Nights
  • Stay2 nights in Kotagiri or Ooty
  • Hotel3-star or similar
  • Ideal forAmateur and serious photographers, birders, small camera clubs

Nilgiris photography and birding tour at a glance

  • Duration3 days / 2 nights
  • RouteCoimbatore to Kotagiri to Coonoor to Ooty or Pykara to Coimbatore
  • Stay2 nights in Kotagiri or Ooty, 3-star or similar confirmed in your quote
  • Pricefrom ₹8,500 per person; the rate per person falls as your group grows
  • Best foramateur and serious photographers, birders, small camera clubs
  • Pickup pointsyour home, hotel, Coimbatore airport, railway station or bus stand
  • Main stopsa Kotagiri sunset point, Longwood Shola, tea estates, Dolphin’s Nose and Lamb’s Rock, Ooty Lake or Pykara
  • Optionala local naturalist for the birding morning

Benny Mon Holidays runs its own vehicles and drivers from an office at Ganapathy, Coimbatore. WhatsApp or call +91 93426 62373 for a quote.

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. Day 1: Coimbatore to Kotagiri, sunset landscape session

    Afternoon drive up to Kotagiri. Check in, then head out for the sunset. Kodanad, on the eastern edge of the hills, is the usual choice for wide valley views. Your driver may change the sunset spot on the day depending on weather and cloud.

  2. Day 2: Longwood Shola birding, tea estates and Coonoor viewpoints

    Dawn at Longwood Shola, when the birds are most active. After breakfast, shoot tea estate rows in the morning light, then drive to Coonoor for Lamb's Rock and Dolphin's Nose in the afternoon.

  3. Day 3: Ooty or Pykara sunrise or lake session, then home

    Early start for a sunrise at Pykara or a misty session at Ooty Lake. Back for breakfast, check out and drive down to Coimbatore.

Places you will see

Longwood Shola is a patch of shola forest right next to Kotagiri town, listed as a Ramsar wetland site by the Tamil Nadu State Wetlands Authority. Entry needs forest department permission, which we help you arrange. Timings and fees depend on the forest department on the day; if it is closed, we swap in another stop nearby.

From Dolphin's Nose, 12 km from Coonoor bus stand, you look across a deep valley to Catherine Falls. Lamb's Rock, 8 km from Coonoor, is a sheer drop with views over the Coimbatore plains.

The Pykara river drops in a series of cascades, and the last two falls are 55 m and 61 m high, says the Nilgiris district page on Pykara. Pykara Lake is about 21 km from Ooty on the Mysore road.

Best time to go

October to March gives the clearest air for landscapes. Ask us about birding months before you book. Monsoon mist from June to September suits moody shots, but rain can wipe out a whole session.

Vehicle for your group size

The vehicle is part of the package price. We match it to your group, and you can ask for a different one.

How many people are travelling?

4

What is included / not included

Included

  • AC vehicle with our driver for all 3 days, including pre-dawn starts
  • Pickup and drop in Coimbatore
  • 2 nights hotel stay
  • Sightseeing as per the plan
  • Fuel, toll, parking and driver charges

Not included

  • Meals
  • Entry tickets
  • Personal expenses
  • Our team will help with anything else when you book

Price and how to book

From ₹8,500 per person. One to three photographers with gear fit an Innova or Innova Crysta with room for tripods. A camera club of 10 to 17 fits a Tempo Traveller. WhatsApp or call +91 93426 62373.

  1. Send your dates, number of people and pickup point on WhatsApp, or call +91 93426 62373.
  2. We reply with the price per person and the hotel and vehicle for your group.
  3. Confirm the booking. We share the driver's name and number before the trip.

Where Kodanad is

Kodanad is often listed with Ooty, but it is on the Kotagiri side of the Nilgiris, not in Ooty. That is why we suggest staying in Kotagiri: you reach the viewpoint for sunset and get back without a long drive in the dark.

Getting from Kotagiri to Ooty

The road from Kotagiri to Ooty runs through tea country and is a short drive. On Day 3 we use it before dawn, so pack your bags the night before.

Ask for a quote

Send your dates, group size and any target species. Call or WhatsApp +91 93426 62373, email bennymonholidays@gmail.com, or use our contact page. Office: 2 B, Old Sathy Rd, Kovilthottam, Sridevi Nagar, Ganapathy, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641006. See more Kotagiri trips and Tamil Nadu packages.

Frequently asked questions

Will the driver wait while we shoot?

Yes. The driver stays with you at each stop. Tell us your sunrise and sunset times and we plan the starts.

Do you provide a naturalist?

A local naturalist is optional and paid separately; your written quote states the cost.

Can we fly a drone?

Drone flying needs permission in forest areas and near some viewpoints. We do not arrange drone permits.

Can we change spots for better light?

Yes. If cloud blocks a view, we move to another viewpoint the same day.

How do payment and cancellation work?

A 30% advance confirms your trip, and the balance date is in your written quote. Cancel 15 days or more before the trip and we refund the full advance. From 14 to 3 days before, we refund half the advance. Within 2 days of the trip, the advance is not refunded.

Who is this package not for?

Families who want the regular sights at normal hours should take the Kotagiri and Coonoor trip or the Ooty and Coonoor package. Women travelling together can look at our women-only South India trip, older travellers at the senior citizens South India tour, and anyone short on time at the Ooty 2-day trip. If you want a quieter hill stay in Tamil Nadu, try Meghamalai in three days.

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Benny V

Written by

Benny VFounder, Benny Mon Holidays

Benny V started Benny Mon Holidays in Coimbatore and has 8 years of experience in travel. More than 2,400 happy customers have booked a tour package or a vehicle with his team.

About Benny Mon Holidays

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