The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary at Thattekad is a mere 40 min drive from Cochins Nedumbassery Airport. A good place to stay is the Hotel Maria International at Kothamangalam, a 10min drive away. If you want to see the maximum number of birds, start early around 7am. You will have to engage a forest guide to enter the forest area. Mr Joy at the Hotel Maria can do this for you, or you can arrange directly in advance through the forest department. You can negotiate rates - usually 100 per hour but cheaper if you do a whole day or half day trek. If you are interested you can trek all the way upto Neriamangalam. You are sure to see a splendid variety of birds, butterflies and other insects.
The sanctuary is famous for the highly endangered Ceylon Frogmouths. Usually the guides are aware of the resting perches of these nocturnal birds, so a sighting is virtually guaranteed. Great Malabar Hornbills are also in plenty. The largest Indian butterflies - Southern Birdwing, Blue Mormon, Red Helen, Paris Peacock, etc are also abundant. Nilgiri Langurs, Malabar Giant Squirrels are also easy to sight. Orchids and wildflowers are also abundant and if you are lucky to be there in the flowering season, you will not be disappointed. If you are going in a wet or very humid season, be sure to watch out for leeches.
Carry water as it is very humid inside the jungle. After you finish with the sanctuary, do also visit the Bhoothanthakettu reservoir and the Periyar barrage close by, and you can also go upto the Malakara reservoir a bit further. These are all very scenic spots not to be missed. It is convenient to visit this Sanctuary on the way to or from Munnar.
Avoidable in the monsoons.