NORTH INDIA BIRDING AND MAMMAL TOUR
MID JANUARY TO EARLY FEBRUARy
Day 01: Arrival at Delhi airport in the morning (alternatively meet group there). On arrival proceed to Okhla bird sanctuary for introductory bird watching tour. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Early morning birdwatching at Lodhi Garden. Straight transfer to airport for flight 9W 2553 (1140 hrs / 1325 hrs) to Jodhpur. On arrival drive to Jaisalmer (280 km). Overnight at hotel.
The Desert National Park is situated in the Indian state of Rajasthan near Jaisalmer. The Desert National Park is a protected sanctuary. The park is considered not only the largest in the state of Rajasthan but amongst the largest in India, covering 3100km2. The desert is a harsh place however it still boasts a large number of migratory birds due to its close proximity to Bharatpur.
The Great Indian Bustard is a magnificent bird and at times is common Raptors abound, Harriers, Falcons, Buzzards, Kestrel and Vultures. Short- toed Eagles, Tawny Eagles, Indian and Greater Spotted Eagles, Laggar Falcons and Common Kestrels are the most common raptors.
The substantial part of the park is on a landscape which comprises extinct salt lakes and thorny scrub, with large areas of sand dunes. Other top birds include the critically endangered Red-headed and White-rumped Vultures, Long-legged Buzzard, Green Bee-eater, Great Grey Shrike, Black-crowned Sparrowlark, Rosy Starling, Desert Wheater, Trumpeter Finch.
Mammals the park is known for include Chinkara, Desert Fox, Indian Fox, Desert Cat, Hairy-footed Gerbil, Desert Hare and Long-eared Hedgehog.
Day 03: Full day explore Desert National Park with packed lunch. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04: Full day explore Desert National Park with packed lunch. Dinner at local restaurant in time to transfer to Jaisalmer railway station. We board the overnight train Ranikhet Expresss (0045 hrs / 1420 hrs to Jaipur. Overnight on the train.
Ranthambore National Park is a vast wildlife reserve near the town of Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan. It is a former Royal hunting ground and home to tigers, leopards and marsh crocodiles. It’s landmarks include the imposing 10th-century Ranthambore Fort and the Ganesh Mandir temple. Padam Talao Lake is known for its abundance of water lilies.
The park hosts a variety of mammals, including: Tiger, Leopard, Striped Hyaena, Sambar Deer, Chital, Nilgai, Hanuman Langur, Jungle Cat, Caracal, Sloth Bear, Black Buck, Rufous-tailed Hare, Indian Wild Boar, Chinkara, Common Palm Civet, Common Yellow Bat, Desert Cat, Five-striped Palm Squirrel, Indian False Vampire, Indian Flying Fox, Indian Fox, Indian Gerbil, Indian Mole Rat, Indian Porcupine, Long- eared Hedgehog, Ratel, Small Indian Mongoose, Small Indian Civet and Common Mongoose.
Top birds of the area include Cotton Pygmy Goose, Painted Spurfowl, Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Great Thick-knee, River Tern, Black-headed Ibis, various vultures, White-eyed Buzzard, Indian Scops Owl, Black- rumped Flameback, White-bellied Drongo, Bay-backed Shrike, Indian Bushlark, Hume’s Warble, Indian Robin & White-capped Bunting.
Day 05: Arrive Jaipur at 1420 hrs and drive to Ranthambore National Park (180 km). Overnight at hotel.
Day 06: Morning and afternoon game drives by private jeep into the park in search of Tigers and other wildlife. Overnight at hotel.
Day 07: Morning and afternoon game drives by private jeep into the park in search of Tigers and other wildlife. Overnight at hotel.
Day 08: After early breakfast drive to Bharatpur (250 km) en-route birding at Surwal Lake. Continue to Bharatpur. Afternoon bird watching in the bird sanctuary. Overnight at hotel.
Keoladeo is famous as one of Asia’s finest birding areas, with over 380 resident and migrant species, including chances of Sarus, Common, Demoiselle and Siberian Cranes. Waterbirds abound as do raptors, along with similar birds to Ranthambore. Mammals once again are excellent with prospects of Golden Jackal, Striped Hyaena, Fishing Cat, Jungle Cat, Nilgai and Black Buck.. The park derives its name from the temple of Keoladeo (Shiva) and ‘ghana’ which locally means dense, implying the nature of the vegetation.
Day 09: Morning and afternoon bird watching into bird sanctuary. Overnight at hotel.
The Chambal originates at Janapav on the south slope of the Vindhya Range in Madhya Pradesh. The Chambal and its tributaries drain the Malwa region of northwestern Madhya Pradesh, while its tributary the Banas, which rises in the Aravalli Range drains southeastern Rajasthan. It ends a confluence of five rivers, including the Chambal, Kwari, Yamuna, Sind, Pahuj, at Pachnada near Bhareh in Uttar Pradesh state.
The Chambal River is considered pollution free,and as such hosts amazing riverine faunal assemblage including 2 species of crocodilians – the Mugger Crocodile and bizarre Gharial, 8 species of freshwater turtles, Smooth-coated Otters and Gangetic River Dolphin.
Birds of the area include Sarus Crane, Black-necked Stork, River Lapwing, Pallas’s Gull, Indian Skimmer, Black-bellied Tern, River Tern, Red-naped Ibis, Sand Lark, Desert Wheatear, Baya Weaver, White-browed Wagtail.
Day 10: Early morning proceed for the excursion to Chambal River at Dholpur (90 km) for bird watching. Return to Bharatpur en-route doing birding in nearby villages. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11: Morning bird watching at bird sanctuary. Leisurely transfer to Delhi (250 km). Overnight at hotel.
Jim Corbett National Park, which is a part of the larger Corbett Tiger Reserve, a Project Tiger Reserve lies in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand. The magical landscape of Corbett is well known and fabled for its tiger richness. Established in the year 1936 as Hailey National Park, Corbett has the glory of being India’s oldest and most prestigious National Park. It is also being honored as the place where Project Tiger was first launched in 1973. It spans over an extent of 520km2, the area comprises hills, marshy depressions, riverine belts, grasslands and a large lake. It is among the few tiger reserves in India that allows overnight stays in the National Park. Wildlife viewing is in open 4×4 Jeeps and on elephant back. Sheltering a healthy population of tigers and rare species like Otters and Gharial, the park is one of the most sought after destinations for wildlife buffs. Dhikala, situated at the border of the extensive Patil Dun valley, is the most popular destination in Corbett because of its superb location and sheer abundance of wildlife present.
Day 12: After breakfast drive to Corbett National Park (300 km) en-route birding at country side. Overnight at The Den at Kumeria.
Day 13: Full day bird watching near Kosi River and Kumeria Forest. Overnight at The Den.
Day 14: After breakfast drive to Dhikala (30 km) which is located right in the middle of Corbett National Park. Afternoon jeep safari into the park. Overnight at Dhikala Forest Lodge.
Day 15: Morning and afternoon bird watching by jeeps at Dhikala. Overnight at Dhikala Forest Lodge.
Pangot is located about 15 kilometers from Nainital, which is a popular hill station. The drive to here passes through prime birding sites such as the forested area of Cheena Peak Range via Snow View Point and Kilbury. The main attraction of Pangot are its birds; around 200 bird species have been recorded in this area.
Day 16: After breakfast drive to Pangot (65 km). Later afternoon birding around lodge. Overnight at lodge. Day 17: Full day bird watching at Pangot village, Baggar and Gughu Khan. Overnight at hotel.
Day 18: After breakfast drive to Sattal (55 km). Overnight at hotel
Sattal : The lake has an altitude of 1370 metres. Sattal is unique for its biodiversity and ecological amplitude. It has 150 species of resident and migratory birds, 20 species of mammals, over 525 species of butterflies and over 11,000 species of moths, beetles, and other insects.
Day 19: Full day bird watching at Sattal area. Later drive to Lal Kuan (40 km) and board overnight train to Delhi. Overnight on the train.
Some target birds of these areas near or on the foothills of the Himalayas, include Ibisbill, Kalij Pheasant, Brown Fish-Owl,, Jungle Owlet, Great Hornbill, Great Barbet, Slaty-headed Parakeet, Common Green Magpie, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Himalayan Black-lored Tit, Grey-hooded Warbler, Himalayan Bulbul, White-crested Laughingthrush, Wallcreeper, Brown Dipper, Rufous-bellied Niltava, Spotted Forktail, Himalayan Rubythroat, Crimson Sunbird.
Day 20: Arrive early morning at Delhi railway station and proceed for the excursion to Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary. Overnight at hotel.
Day 21: After breakfast transfer to international airport to board the flight at 1040 hrs. End of the tour…
Cost of the tour is from $6,100, with a maximum group size 6.
Single supplement: $1300.
Above cost includes:
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Accommodation on double/twin sharing basis in above mentioned Hotels
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All meals as per program
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Indian brand bottled water during all transfers, long drives and sightseeing
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Air-conditioned Toyota Innova car as per program
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Accompanying English speaking naturalist for throughout the tour
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Jeep safari by one jeep in to the parks as per park rules
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Entry fees for national parks
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Train travel from Jaisalmer to Jaipur and Lal Kuan to Delhi in 1st class air-conditioned car
Above cost does not include:
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Any airfare
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Travel or other insurance
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Any snacks, tea/coffee etc during sightseeing, drives, train, flight journey etc.
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Anything not mentioned in inclusion above.
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Any expenditure of personal nature like Tipping, tabled drinks (soft/hard drinks, alcoholic
beverages), mineral water at hotels/lodges and at all other places except as mentioned in inclusion
above, laundry, telephone calls.
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Video camera or still camera fee.
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Any sudden increase in price due to steep hike in fuel cost, change in government tax policy or for
any reason beyond our control like acts of God, natural calamity, law and order situation, riots etc
and any forced change in itinerary for any unforeseen situation or reason beyond our control
Tips
Field guide for the region: Birds of the Indian Subcontinent by Helm Field Guides
Map of areas covered from Desert National Park in the west, across to Corbett National Park in the east:
