Join us for an adventure through the bird-filled marshes and forests of northern India.
Our journey takes us to Bharatpur which is without doubt the greatest waterbird sanctuary
in all Asia. This bird paradise is spread over eleven square miles of wetland, woodland
and thorny scrub with hundreds of birds. Highlights include huge Sarus Cranes, Dusky
Eagle-Owl and Siberian Rubythroat. A boat cruise on the Chambal River gives us the
opportunity to look for Indian Skimmer, Small Pratincole and Gangetic Dolphin. In
Agra we will visit the mighty Agra Fort and one of the modern day wonders of the
world the majestic Taj Mahal. The mountainous areas of Saatal and Pangot offer not only
magnificent scenery but superb birding (over 200 species in Pangot alone). On the last
phase of our trip our stay at the Corbett National Park offers overs 580 bird species
in its various habitats as well as tigers, reptiles and more than 50 species of mammals.
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max. 10 persons
- Day 1
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Departure
Overnight flight from Europe
- Day 2
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Arrival
Arrive Delhi International airport in the day. You will be met and transferred to
the hotel (day room). Day at leisure.
(1 overnight)
- Day 3-5
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Bharatpur
Drive to Bharatpur in the morning (4 hours). Two full days of birding in the Keoladeo
Ghana National Park on foot and with cycle rickshaws. Keoladeo National Park has some of
the finest wetlands in the world and is now classified as a UNESCO world heritage site.
Over 400 species have been recorded in the park. Ducks are numerous and include Lesser
Whistling and Spot-billed Duck, Comb Duck. During our two days we hope to see Sarus,
Common and Demoiselle Crane, Black-necked and Painted Storks, Asian Openbill, Greylag and
Bar-headed Geese and Eurasian Spoonbill, Black-headed Ibis, Eurasian Spoonbill, Pheasant-tailed
and Bronzed-winged Jacanas and Oriental Darter. The wooded areas will bring us other species
such as Yellow-footed Green-pigeon, Common Woodshrike, Bay-backed and Long-tailed Shrike,
White-eared Bulbul, Red-breasted and Taiga Flycatcher, Indian Grey Hornbill, Yellow-crowned
and Brown-capped Woodpeckers. Circling above possibly Grater Spotted Eagle, Red-headed Vulture
or Crested Serpent Eagle. The approaching dusk may bring us Collared Scops Owl, Dusky Horned-Owl
or a few nightjars. A third of all the species found here are winter migrants which breed as far
as Siberia & Central Asia.
Note: A boat ride will be arranged subject to availability.
(3 overnights Bharatpur)
- Day 6
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National Chambal Sanctuary
Transfer to Chambal early in the morning. Morning boat cruise on the Chambal River to see
Indian Skimmer, Black-bellied Tern, River Lapwing, Small Pratincole, Great Thick-knee,
Pied Kingfisher as well as large flocks of migratory waterfowl, cranes, fish-eating
Marsh Crocodile, Gangetic Dolphin, turtles etc.
Overnight Chambal Safari lodge.
- Day 7
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Agra
After breakfast transfer to Agra where we will visit the famous Taj Mahal & Red Fortress.
Afterwards birding in the gardens and at the Yamuna River. In the evening we will take the
overnight train to Lan Kuan at 2130 hours.
Overnight in air-conditioned sleeper train.
- Day 8
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Saatal-Pangot (15 kms from Nainital)
Arrive Lal Kuan at 0830 hours. You will be met and transferred to Saatal. Our route takes us
through the magnificent scenery of the Kumaon Hills as we make our way to this delightful
'lake city'.(2 hours)
Along the way mixed feeding flocks and a large variety of Himalayan species such as Black-throated
and Rufous-breasted Accentor, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Blue-Throated Barbet, Black Bulbul,
Black-throated and Green-backed Tits, Golden-spectacled, Grey-hooded, Hume’s and Lemon-rumped
Warblers, White Crested and Rufous-chinned Laughing Thrush, Dark-throated Thrush, Blacklored,
Rufous-bellied Niltava, White-tailed and Siberian Rubythroats, Orange-flanked and Golden Bush Robins.
In the evening drive to Pangot (2 hours).
4 overnight at Jungle Lore Birding Lodge.
- Day 9-10
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Pangot
Full day birding at Cheena Peak, Kilbury & Timla Pani.The entire drive takes us through the forested
areas of the Cheena Peak Range via Snow View Point and Kilbury, which are the main habitats for some
really superb birding. One can see a variety of Himalayan species along the way such as Lammergeier,
Himalayan Griffon, Spotted & Slaty-backed Forktail, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Rufous-bellied Niltava,
Khalij Pheasant, a variety of thrushes and so many others. More than 200 species have been recorded at
Pangot and in the 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.
- Day 11
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Pangot
Another day of birding at Pangot village, Baggar and Gughu Khan. These walks can be very rewarding.
One can see Crested Serpent-Eagle, Mountain Hawk-Eagle, woodpeckers such as Brown-fronted, Stripe-breasted,
Rufous-bellied etc. Various thrushes. Striated Prinia can be see in the terraced fields. Warblers such as
Tickell’s Leaf-Warbler, Greenish, Golden-spectacled, Grey-hooded. Flycatchers such as Asian Brown, Rusty-tailed,
Ultramarine, Verditer, Tickell’s blue. etc. Orange-flanked Bush Robin, Blue-capped Redstart. Laughingthrushes
such as White-throated, Striated, streaked and Chestnut-crowned etc. Look for Accentor, Upland Pipit,
Blue-winged Minlas, Whiskered Yuhina.
- Day 12
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Mongoli Valley - Corbett National Park
Early morning drive to Bajun (45 minutes). Trekking in the Mongoli Valley. The trek will last about 4-5 hours.
Packed lunch will be served. Afterwards we will make our way to the Corbett National Park (ca. 3 hrs from Mongoli)
India’s oldest Tiger Reserve. Nestling in the foothills of the Himalayas the park extends over an area of 1200 sq kms.
at an elevation between 400-1200 meters. Here the avifauna of the lower Himalayas meets that of the Indian plains.
This great location is home to over 580 bird species. Flowing through the park the Ramganga River attracts many
migratory birds, especially species that migrated north in the summer and down the Himalayas in winter.
En route we will stop to look for Ibisbill. One can see Crested-, Greater Yellownape- and Scaly-breasted,
Speckled Piculet etc. Large flocks of Slaty-headed Parakeets, numerous Spotted and Oriental Turtle Doves, Grey Bushchat,
Russet Sparrow, Indian-, Oriental-, Large-hawk and Eurasian Cuckoo. Large-billed Crow, Grey Treepie, Black-headed Jay,
Maroon Oriole, Large Cuckoo Shrike, Tits such as Rufous-naped, Black-throated & Yellow-browed as well as
smaller numbers of Black-lored and Green-backed. White-tailed Nuthatches, Chestnut Bellied Nuthatches and
Bar-tailed Tree Creeper are also to be expected.
Overnight stay in a cottage at Tiger Camp.
- Day 13
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Dhikala Forest Lodge (Corbett National Park)
Early morning drive to Dhikala beautifully situated at the edge of the broad Patli Dun Valley through which the
Ramganga flows in numerous channels. Dhikala offers an awesome uninterrupted panoramic view of the valley, with
the Kanda ridge in the backdrop. Corbett has an official tiger population of ca. 143. For security reasons it is
not permitted to enter Corbett on foot. Excursions take place in a car or jeep or an elephant safari.
In the afternoon jeep safari to the grasslands for birding. Birding in the lower jungle track along the Ramganga
river is very rewarding for water birds such as River Lapwings, waders, mergansers and other waterfowl. While
relaxing at the lodge or visiting the grasslands one can see Large-tailed Nightjar, Jungle Owlet, Spot-bellied
Owlet, Grass Owl, Common and White-tailed Stonechat, Black Francolin, Purple and Crimson Sunbird, Golden-fronted
Leafbird, Black-shouldered Kite, Hen Harrier, Changeable Hawk-Eagle and much more.
Overnight at Dhikala Forest Lodge.
- Day 14
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Corbett National Park
Dawn elephant safari through the grasslands and dense forests looking for birds and mammals. This is the best mode
of transport for wildlife viewing. Return for breakfast and then spend time till lunch on a watchtower overlooking
a water hole. Drive to Tiger Camp in time for dinner.
Overnight stay.
Some of the best birding areas of Dhikala are Sambhar Road and Khinanauli. One can expect to see Great Slaty Woodpecker,
Great Hornbill, Puff-throated Babbler, White-rumped Shama, Pallas’s Fish Eagle etc.
- Day 15
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Corbett National Park - Delhi
In the morning we will bird at Kumeria and from Garjia temple to Tiger Camp where we will have lunch.
Return for lunch. One can look for Black
Bulbul, Brown-eared Bulbul, Brown Fish owl, Little & Spotted Forktail, Yellow-bellied and
White-browed Fantail, White-crested Laughing Thrush, Black-winged Cuckoo Shrike, Little Heron, Wall Creeper, Red-breasted Parakeet, Short-billed and
Long-tailed Minivet, Brown Dipper, Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark just to name a few. Afternoon drive to Delhi (6 hrs).
Overnight hotel in Delhi.
- Day 16
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Departure
Transfer to the airport New Delhi for flight to Europe.
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