This one beats a wildlife safari. How about trekking in a thick, leafy jungle — a rainforest actually — spotting wildlife even as the monsoons take over? Though diminishing rapidly, the rainforests of the subcontinent make for great holiday destinations as most of these spots don’t feature in the average tourist’s itinerary.

Nature treks are very doable in these forests and be prepared to spot rare birds and even reptiles on your walk. We have pick three rainforests in India and one in neighbouring Sri Lanka as destinations for your monsoon break.

Rainforest Resort

Athirapally Falls, Kerala

Kochi airport is only 55km away (an hour’s drive) from this eco-friendly, boutique resort. From air-conditioned, luxury rooms to treehouse suites, the resort offers accommodation to suit all budgets. The foremost attraction nearby is the Athirapally Falls and the thick Sholayar Forest. Expect to spot hornbills, lizards, monkeys, maybe even elephants and deer on your nature trek.

“The waterfall is only a short walk from the resort and can be viewed from every single room,” promises Arun Nair, resort manager. The return airfare to Kochi per person ex-Calcutta is approximately Rs 12,000. The resort can arrange a car pick-up from the airport.

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Rainforest Resort has four kinds of rooms, priced between Rs 8,500 per night for a luxury room to Rs 14,000, plus taxes per night for a suite on double occupancy basis. It includes breakfast. Nature treks are organised at extra cost. Go to www.rainforest.in.

Sundarban Tiger Camp

Sundarbans, West Bengal

A UNESCO world heritage site, the thickly forested Sundarbans is the largest estuarine delta in the world and home to the famous Royal Bengal Tiger. The forests receive heavy rainfall every year and are also home to a plethora of birds — the kingfisher, woodpecker, whistling teals, herons and falcons. Crocodiles, dolphins and spotted deer also make this a wildlife enthusiast’s haven. You can take a bus from Calcutta, which can be organised by the resort.

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A 2-night and 3-day stay in an air-conditioned executive cottage at the Sundarban Tiger Camp will cost Rs 8,700 for two. It includes transfer by bus from Calcutta, all meals, guide charges, plus a cruise on a luxury motor boat. Go to www.sunderbantigercamp.com.

Agumbe

Karnataka

This is where the popular television serial, Malgudi Days (both the original and 2006 version), based on R K Narayan’s novel, was shot. Located in the Shimoga District of Karnataka, Agumbe is known as the Cherrapunji of the south since it receives an average of 7,000mm to 8,000mm of rainfall annually. The nearest airport is in Mangalore, about 100km away.

Home to the Agumbe Rainforest Research Station (ARRS), the rainforests here are the habitat of the King Cobra, one of the most venomous (and now endangered) snakes in the world. The area is dotted with waterfalls — but don’t forget to wear your leech socks if you want to do a trek.

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You can stay at Mallya Residency, which is a tad basic and offers 10 double rooms with attached bath at a mere Rs 350 a night. Meals will cost extra. The resort arranges for pick-ups from Mangalore airport on request. Call 08181-233042.

Kudawa luxury camp

Sinharaja rain forest, Sri Lanka

The Sinharaja forest has been declared a National Heritage Wilderness Area by UNESCO because of its bio-diversity and ecological importance. Expect to find interesting and age old trees and medicinal plants, a variety of butterflies, reptiles and birds when you go trekking here. Staying at the Kudawa Camp will be fun but you can also drive down from Colombo (a three-hour drive) for the nature trek if don’t want to stay at the camp. Entry fee to the forest is Rs 700 per person including guide charges. Transfer in an air-conditioned car/van from Colombo costs around Rs 6,900.

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Sri Lankan Expeditions organises 1-night and 1-day camps for those who want a taste of Sinharaja. You can check-in at the camp at noon and go for a half-day trek into the forest. Spend the evening enjoying a barbeque dinner with other camp-mates. The next morning, treat yourself to a bird-watching trail and a picnic breakfast before checking out. The package per person costs around Rs 10,000. Log on to www.srilankanexpeditions.com.