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
Embark on an unforgettable 15-day North India Birding Tour designed for nature lovers and birding enthusiasts alike. This immersive journey explores some of India’s most celebrated birdwatching destinations, offering an enchanting experience filled with vivid plumage, melodic calls, and rare sightings.
Your adventure begins in the bustling capital, New Delhi, where you’ll be warmly received and assisted. From here, travel to Bharatpur, home to the legendary Keoladeo Ghana National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a haven for over 400 species of waterbirds, once a royal hunting reserve.
Continue to Dholpur, set on the scenic banks of the Chambal River. Here, encounter the rare Gharial crocodile and a diverse range of birdlife. A stop at the Taj Mahal in nearby Agra offers a perfect cultural interlude.
Next, venture into the Himalayan foothills to Corbett National Park, India’s first national park, where birdwatching combines with thrilling chances to spot the elusive tiger. The Dhikala Zone provides ideal conditions for photography and wildlife observation.
The Koshi River floodplains offer another rich birding ecosystem before you ascend to the cool heights of Nainital, Pangot, and Sattal. These mountain forests are alive with the sounds of laughing thrushes, woodpeckers, barbets, and more.
Whether you’re an experienced birder or a curious traveller, this tour offers an unmatched opportunity to witness the vibrant birdlife and diverse habitats of Northern India.
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Detailed Itinerary - North India Birding Tour
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be greeted by our representative, who will assist you with all travel-related documents and ensure a smooth transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 02 : New Delhi – Bharatpur (210 Kms, 4 Hrs. drive)
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and proceed to Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Also known as Keoladeo Ghana National Park, this renowned sanctuary is home to over 400 species of water birds, making it a paradise for bird watchers. Spread across 29 sq. km, the park features lightly wooded areas and swampy terrain, providing an ideal habitat for avian species.
Historically, it served as a private hunting preserve for the Maharaja of Bharatpur, but today it stands as a protected breeding ground for numerous bird species. On arrival, check in to the lodge. Overnight stay at the lodge in Bharatpur.
Day 3 & 4 : Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
In the morning and afternoon, embark on birding excursions in Keoladeo National Park, formerly known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary—one of the world’s most significant bird breeding and feeding grounds. Originally established as a royal hunting reserve in the 1850s, it served as a game reserve for Maharajas and British officials. Notably, Lord Linlithgow, the Viceroy of India (1936–1943), once led a hunting party here that shot thousands of ducks in a single day.
Declared a national park in 1982 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, Keoladeo is home to nearly 400 species of birds and animals, including painted storks, nilgai, deer, and even basking pythons. The park also once served as a critical breeding ground for the endangered Siberian Crane.
Indian ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali played a pivotal role in persuading the government to recognize and protect this unique ecosystem. Visitors can explore the park via well-laid trails—on foot, by bicycle, or by cycle-rickshaw. Interestingly, the rickshaw drivers are trained in bird identification and serve as knowledgeable guides.
All meals and overnight stay at the hotel in Bharatpur.
Day 5 : Bharatpur – Dholpur – Bharatpur (85 km, 2 hrs drive)
After an early breakfast, drive to Dholpur for a memorable boat safari on the Chambal River. Once infamous for its bandit tales, the Chambal Valley has transformed into a remarkable conservation success story. Today, the Chambal National Sanctuary stands as one of the last strongholds of the critically endangered Gharial crocodile, along with a host of other significant species of fauna and avifauna.
The sanctuary boasts a record of approximately 300 bird species. Key sightings here may include the Indian Skimmer, Black-bellied Tern, Black-necked Stork, Sarus Crane, White-tailed Lapwing, Grey-headed Lapwing, Indian Courser, Pallas’s Gull, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, and Pallid Harrier, among many others.
On the return journey, enjoy birding around the outskirts of Bharatpur, keeping an eye out for species such as the Indian Courser, White-tailed Lapwing, Grey-headed Lapwing, Green Sandpiper, and more.
Later, return to the lodge. Overnight stay at the lodge in Bharatpur.
Day 6 : Bharatpur – Delhi (Taj Mahal Optional) (by surface 210 Kms, 4 hrs drive)
In the morning, enjoy one final birding excursion at the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, soaking in the rich avian diversity of this renowned wetland.
After lunch, check out from the hotel and proceed on your drive to New Delhi. En route, you have the option to visit the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra — a timeless symbol of love and one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Upon arrival in New Delhi, transfer to your hotel. Dinner and overnight stay 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 is known as the land of Roar, Trumpet, and Song, and offers remarkable scenic beauty. It was the first park chosen for the launch of Project Tiger in India. The park’s rich biodiversity is due to the variety of habitats it offers. Its location in the Himalayan foothills allows both Himalayan and peninsular species to thrive here. Return from the afternoon safari at sunset. Meals and overnight at the Forest Rest House.
Day 9 : Corbett National Park
Morning and afternoon safaris take place in Corbett’s Dhikala zone. The diversity of wildlife and landscapes here is unmatched, not only in India but globally — TripAdvisor ranks Corbett as the world’s second most popular park.
Corbett’s tigers have a striking dark orange coat. Male tigers are seldom seen and may snarl at tourist vehicles, while the tigresses, considered the most beautiful in India, are often bolder and sometimes appear with their cubs.
The terrain varies between dense forests, open grasslands, and riverbeds. As you move through these, adjusting camera settings is essential due to the changing and dramatic light conditions. Spotting tigers in these diverse settings within one park is a rare experience.
Corbett is also excellent for bird photography. Raptors such as Pallas’s Fishing Eagle, Lesser Fishing Eagle, Changeable Hawk Eagle, and Crested Kingfishers are commonly seen perched near the Ramganga River, patiently waiting for their next catch.
Day 10 : Corbett National Park – Koshi River
Morning jeep safari inside the national park followed by breakfast and checkout from the lodge. Keep your camera ready, as wildlife often appears along the exit road to bid farewell. Three nights in this paradise feel too short. Exit through Dhangari gate and transfer to a hotel near the Koshi River. In the afternoon, enjoy birding along the riverbank, spotting species like the Ibisbill and Brown Dipper; during winter, the rare Wallcreeper has also been seen here.
Day 11 : Kosshi River – Nainital (by surface – 100 Kms, 2 hour drive)
After a leisurely breakfast, check out from the lodge and transfer to Nainital. En route, you’ll stop at several prime birdwatching spots where bird activity is high. Keep an eye out for the majestic Himalayan Vulture soaring above and Kalij Pheasants roaming the forest floor along the way. Upon arrival, check in to the lodge. In the afternoon, head out for birding around Nainital.
The area hosts a rich variety of species, including 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, Black-naped Green Woodpecker, Lesser Golden-backed Woodpecker, Himalayan Pied Woodpecker, and many more.
Wallcreeper is another notable species often spotted in this region. Return to the lodge by sunset. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge in Nainital.
Day 12 : Nainital & Pangot
Morning bird watching in Pangot and nearby areas, followed by a drive to explore birding spots at Sattal and its surroundings. The journey takes you through the forested Cheena Peak Range via Snow View Point and Kilbury, offering opportunities to spot a variety of Himalayan species such as lammergeier, Himalayan griffon, blue-winged minla, spotted and slaty-backed forktail, rufous-bellied woodpecker, rufous-bellied niltava, kalij pheasant, and numerous thrush species.
Over 200 bird species have been recorded in Pangot and the surrounding regions. The many perennial and seasonal creeks provide habitat for diverse flora and fauna, including leopard, yellow-throated Himalayan martin, Himalayan palm civet, ghoral, barking deer, sambar, and red fox. In the evening, enjoy further bird watching in Pangot. Overnight stay in Nainital.
Day 13 : Nainital & Sattal
After breakfast, drive towards Sattal with birding stops en route. Located 23 km from Nainital, Sattal offers a full day of birdwatching in a remarkably diverse environment. The lake and its surroundings serve as a haven for numerous resident and migratory bird species. During winter, about 500 bird species migrate here from the Great Himalayas. Notable sightings include Himalayan griffon, red-billed blue magpie, kingfisher, barbets, parakeets, flycatchers, tits, rock thrush, babblers, owlets, woodpeckers, lammergeier, pheasants, black eagle, pigeons, and minlas.
In the evening, return to Nainital for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 14 : Nainital – New Delhi (by surface – 280 Kms, 6-7 hours drive)
Morning birdwatching around the lodge, followed by a leisurely breakfast. Afterwards, check out from the lodge and transfer to New Delhi. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel. Overnight stay 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.
