North India Birding Tour
Top Species on the North India Birding Tour
Black-necked Ibis
Greater Flamingo
Demoiselle Crane
Common Crane
Marsh Harrier
Destinations
- Day 01 : Arrival in New Delhi (flight)
- Day 02 : New Delhi – Bharatpur (210 Kms, 4 Hrs. drive)
- Day 03 to 04 : Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
- Day 05 : Bharatpur – Dholpur – Bharatpur (85 km, 2 hrs drive)
- Day 06 : Bharatpur – Delhi (Taj Mahal Optional) (by surface 210 Kms, 4 hrs drive)
- Day 07 : New Delhi – Corbett (by surface 275/5-6 hrs)
- Day 08 to 10 : Corbett National Park
- Day 11 : Corbett – Koshi River
- Day 12 : Nainital & Pangot
- Day 13 : Nainital & Sattal
- Day 14 : Nainital – New Delhi (by surface – 280 Kms, 6-7 hours drive)
- Day 15 : New Delhi Fly Home
Highlight Species
- Eurasian Coot
- Black-winged Stilt
- Black-Hooded Orile
- Purple Sunbird
- Grey-bellied Cuckoo
- Rudy Shelduck
- Painted Spurfowl
- White-throated Woodpecker
- Black-shoulder kite
- Tawny Fish Owl
- Brown Fish Owl
- Himalayan Griffon
Tour Overview - North India Birding Tour
Experience the avian wonders of India on our captivating North India Birding Tour! This 15-day adventure takes you through some of the most renowned birding destinations, promising a symphony of feathers, songs, and colors.
Your journey commences in the vibrant capital, New Delhi, where you’ll be greeted with warmth and assistance. From there, the tour unfurls, leading you to Bharatpur, home to the iconic Keoladeo Ghana National Park, where over 400 species of water birds await your gaze. The ancient hunting preserve of Maharajas has now transformed into a sanctuary for bird enthusiasts.
Dholpur, on the banks of the Chambal River, introduces you to the realm of the elusive Gharial crocodile and a diverse array of bird species. The Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, may also grace your itinerary.
Corbett National Park, nestled in the Himalayan foothills, offers thrilling encounters with tigers and a stunning blend of flora and fauna. Dhikala Zone, a photographic paradise, beckons you.
Koshi River welcomes you with its avian treasures before you proceed to Nainital, Pangot, and Sattal, where the melodies of laughing thrushes and sightings of woodpeckers will be your daily companions.
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Detailed Itinerary - North India Birding Tour
On arrival at the airport our representative will meet you. He will hand over the travel related documents and transfer you to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 02 : New Delhi – Bharatpur (210 Kms, 4 Hrs. drive)
After breakfast check out from the hotel and transfer to Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Keoladeo Ghana National Park, commonly known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is a home to more than 400 species of water birds and is also called as a paradise for Bird Watchers. The park is one of the finest and is an ideal habitat for the birds. The lightly wooden and swampy terrain is widely spread over 29 sq. kms. This bird sanctuary was once a private shooting and hunting preserve for the Royal Family, Maharaja of Bharatpur. Today we see it as a protected breeding ground for various bird species. On arrival check-in to the lodge. Overnight at the lodge in Bharatpur.
Day 3 & 4 : Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
Morning and afternoon proceed for birding excursions. The Keoladeo National Park, formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, is regarded as one of the world’s most important bird breeding and feeding places. It began as a royal hunting reserve in the 1850s, and it served as a game reserve for Maharajas and British. In reality, Lord Linlithgow, Viceroy of India from 1936 to 1943, and his hunting party shot thousands of ducks in a single day! Keoladeo was designated as a national park in 1982, and UNESCO designated it as a World Heritage Site in 1985. The park is home to about 400 different bird and animal species, including the basking python, painted storks, deer, and nilgai.
Noted Salim Ali, an Indian ornithologist and naturalist, used his clout to persuade the government to approve the creation of Keoladeo National Park. It was also recognized as a breeding habitat for the Siberian crane, which is extremely rare and difficult to spot. The treks in Keoladeo National Park are well-defined and may be completed on foot, by bicycle, or by rickshaw. The park management has actually taught the rickshaw drivers in bird watching, and they make excellent tour guides. All meals and overnight at the hotel in Bharatpur.
Day 5 : Bharatpur – Dholpur – Bharatpur (85 km, 2 hrs drive)
Morning after early breakfast drive to Dholpur. On arrival a boat safari at Chambal river. The Chambal Valley is known for its famous bandit legends. That phase is now complete, and the Chambal National Sanctuary — one of the last refuges of the Gharial crocodile, the most critically endangered species among the other important species of fauna and birds found in Chambal – has emerged as a modern conservation success story. There are around 300 species of birds recorded in the area. Some of the birds species we find here are Indian Skimmer, Black-bellied Tern, Black-necked Stork, Sarus Crane, White-tailed Lapwing, Grey-headed Lapwing, Indian Courser, Pallas’ Gull, Pallas’ Fish Eagle, Pallid Harrier and many more. On the way back birding around the outskirt of Bharatpur looking for Indian cursor, White Tailed lapwing, Grey-headed lapwing, Green Sandpiper and many more. Later come back to the lodge. Overnight at the lodge in Bharatpur.
Day 6 : Bharatpur – Delhi (Taj Mahal Optional) (by surface 210 Kms, 4 hrs drive)
Morning excursion to Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. After lunch check out from the hotel and transfer to New Delhi. Optional (On the way visit Taj Mahal). On arrival transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in New Delhi.
Day 7 : New Delhi – Corbett (by surface 275/5-6 hrs)
Early breakfast and transfer to Corbett National Park 275 kms/ 5-6 hrs drive. Arrive at the park gate, and change into the safari vehicle with your baggage. Take out your camera equipment, and enter the park. The next 32kms drive to the Forest Rest House is a safari. Reach the Forest Rest House, and check in.
Depending on the time left for the safari, proceed for an afternoon safari in the most scenic national park of India. Return from the afternoon safari at sunset. Dinner and overnight at the Forest Rest house.
Day 8 : Corbett National Park
Begin your morning safari at sunrise. Corbett has aptly been described as the land of the Roar, Trumpet and Song. It represents a scene of remarkable beauty. Corbett had the proud distinction of being the chosen venue for the inauguration of Project Tiger in India. The rich biodiversity of the Reserve is partly attributed to the variety of habitat found here. Due to the location of the Reserve in the foothills of the central Himalayas, both Himalayan and peninsular flora and fauna is found in the Reserve. Return from the afternoon safari at sunset. Meals and overnight at the Forest Rest House.
Day 9 : Corbett National Park
Morning and afternoon safaris in Dhikala zone of Corbett. The variety of wildlife, and landscapes in Corbett is unparalleled not only in India, but it can be easily said to be amongst the top 3 national parks in the world. Trip Advisor chose Corbett to be the 2nd most popular park in the world.
Tigers of Corbett have a dark orange coat that make them very attractive. Male tigers in Corbett are rarely seen, and would occasionally snarl on seeing a tourist vehicle. Tigresses of Corbett are the prettiest in the entire country. Some of them have become bold and do not hesitate to come out with their young cubs.
The terrain of Corbett is a mix of dense woodlands, open grasslands, river beds. While moving from one forest type to another one needs to change the camera settings often so as not to overexpose images. The light in different backdrops is quite different and dramatic. Seeing tigers in these different backdrops in one jungle is unique.
Corbett is also a great place to photograph birds. It is common to see some raptors perched on trees next to the Ramganga river waiting for their food. One can commonly see Pallas’s Fishing Eagle, Lesser Fishing Eagle, Changeable Hawk Eagle, Crested Kingfishers on the tress next to the riverbed.
Day 10 : Corbett National Park – Koshi River
Morning Jeep safari inside national park and after breakfast checkout from the lodge and drive toward the exit gate of Corbett. Do not pack your camera equipment, as the animals do come on this road to say good bye to you. A 3 nights stay seems very less in this paradise. Come outside of the Dhangari gate and transfer to the hotel close to Koshi river. Afternoon proceed for birding along the Kochi river, looking for Ibis bill, Brown Dipper in winter wallcreeper has also been sighted in the area.
Day 11 : Kosshi River – Nainital (by surface – 100 Kms, 2 hour drive)
After a relaxed breakfast check-out from the lodge and transfer to Nainital. On the way to Nainital there are several spots for birdwatching. You will be stopping to the places where there are more movements of the birds. There are chances of seeing Himalayan Vulture on the way to Nainital. Kalij Pheasants will be roaming on the forest floor on the way drive to Nainital. On arrival check-in to the lodge. Afternoon proceed for birding around Nainital.
The bird species you find in the area are White-crested Laughing Thrush, Spotted Laughing Thrush, White-throated Laughing Thrush, Striated Laughing Thrush, Streaked Laughing Thrush, Variegated Laughing Thrush, Great Slaty woodpecker, Large Scaly Bellied green woodpecker, Rufous Woodpecker, Scaly Bellied Woodpecker, Blacknaped Green Woodpecker, Lesser Golden Backed Woodpeckers, Himalayan Pied Woodpeckers and many more.
Wall creeper is also one of the species which you will find around this area. Later by sunset get back to the lodge. Dinner and overnight at the lodge in Nainital
Day 12 : Nainital & Pangot
Morning bird watching in Pangot and near by area and later drive to birding at Sattal and close by. The entire drive is through the forested area of Cheena Peak Range via Snow View Point and Kilbury. One can see a variety of Himalayan species along the way such as lammergeier, Himalayan griffon, bluewinged minla, spotted & slaty-backed forktail, rufous-bellied woodpecker, rufous-bellied niltava, khalij pheasant, variety of thrushes etc.
More than 200 species have been recorded at Pangot and surrounding areas. The numerous perennial & seasonal creeks are home to an amazing variety of flora and fauna including the Leopard, yellow-throated Himalayan martin, Himalayan Palm Civet, ghoral, barking deer, sambhar, Red Fox etc. Evening go for bird watching in Pangoot. Overnight stay at Nanital.
Day 12 : Nainital & Pangot
Morning bird watching in Pangot and near by area and later drive to birding at Sattal and close by. The entire drive is through the forested area of Cheena Peak Range via Snow View Point and Kilbury. One can see a variety of Himalayan species along the way such as lammergeier, Himalayan griffon, bluewinged minla, spotted & slaty-backed forktail, rufous-bellied woodpecker, rufous-bellied niltava, khalij pheasant, variety of thrushes etc.
More than 200 species have been recorded at Pangot and surrounding areas. The numerous perennial & seasonal creeks are home to an amazing variety of flora and fauna including the Leopard, yellow-throated Himalayan martin, Himalayan Palm Civet, ghoral, barking deer, sambhar, Red Fox etc. Evening go for bird watching in Pangoot. Overnight stay at Nanital.
Day 13 : Nainital & Sattal
After breakfast drive towards Sattal, and on the way do birding. Sattal is 23 km from Nainital. Full day birding around sattal. The avian fauna of Sattal in quite versatile and diversified. The lake is home to a number of resident and migratory birds. Around 500 bird species migrate to Sattal from the Great Himalayas during winters. Some of them are Himalayan Griffon, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Kingfisher, barbets, parakeets, flycatchers, tits, rock thrush, babblers, owlets, woodpeckers, lammergeier, pheasants, black eagle, pigeon, minla etc.
Evening come back to Nainital. Dinner and overnight at Nainital.
Day 14 : Nainital – New Delhi (by surface – 280 Kms, 6-7 hours drive)
Morning birding around the lodge. Later after a relaxed breakfast check out from the lodge and transfer to New Delhi. On arrival transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in New Delhi.
Day 15 : New Delhi Fly Home
Early morning at 04:00 AM get transfer to the airport to board a flight to home at 07:35.
