Primates of India

Rainforest Calls, Treetop Shadows & Curious Eyes

India is home to over 15 species of primates, from agile gibbons in the Northeast to rare macaques in the Western Ghats. These intelligent, social animals thrive in a variety of forested habitats, and our special interest trips focus on locating Hoolock Gibbons, Lion-tailed Macaques, Golden and Capped Langurs, Phayre’s Leaf Monkey, and Lorises—with chances to see many others en route. The best time to travel is October to April, depending on the destination. Key access points include Guwahati, Kochi, and Agartala.

At A Glance
Nearest Airports
Guwahati, Dibrugarh (Assam/Arunachal), Kochi (Kerala), Agartala (Tripura)
Best Time
October–April
Habitats
Tropical Rainforests, Evergreen Hills, Deciduous Woodland
Min Recommended Stay
04–06 Days
Main Destinations
Assam/Arunachal (Hoolock Gibbon), Manas (Golden & Capped Langur), Tripura/Valparai (Phayre’s Leaf Monkey & Lion-tailed Macaque), South India (Lorises)

Other species commonly encountered include Bonnet and Rhesus Macaque, Hanuman Langur, Northern Pig-tailed Macaque, and various regional subspecies.

Places to Go:

1
Assam/Arunachal – Hoolock Gibbon (~200–800 m; evergreen forest): India’s only ape; seen in small family groups moving swiftly through upper canopy in protected rainforest patches. . 
2
Manas NP – Golden & Capped Langur (~100–900 m; sub-Himalayan forest): Golden Langurs near forest-village edges; Capped Langurs deeper in the forest—both are highly photogenic and regionally endemic. 
3
Tripura & Valparai – Phayre’s Leaf Monkey & Lion-tailed Macaque (~300–1,400 m; moist deciduous & shola forest): Rare, range-restricted primates—one in Northeast India, the other in Kerala’s tea-forest matrix. . 
4
Western Ghats – Slender & Grey Slender Loris (~300–900 m; dry deciduous & scrub forest): Nocturnal and difficult to spot; guided night walks in Goa, Tamil Nadu and Kerala offer ethical sightings of these bug-eyed primates. . 

Suggested Itineraries

Special Interest, Wildlife, Exploration Privately Guided

India’s Primate Trails

11 nights, 12 days

Encounter rare species such as Gee’s Golden Langur, Western Hoolock Gibbon, Bengal Slow Loris, Lion-Tailed Macaque, and various macaques and langurs across multiple terrains.

Visit places like Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary (Assam) for gibbons and slow lorises, the Western Ghats for lion-tailed macaques, and eastern Assam sanctuaries where golden langurs reside.

View Highlights