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Bird Watching Tours |
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Himalayan Birding Tour |
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Duration :: 10 Nights & 11 Days |
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Places to be Visit
:: Delhi - Saatal - Pangot (Nainital),
Ranikhet - Corbett National Park - Delhi |
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Tour Synopsis:
The mountains around Nainital rise to over 2,80 metres. On a clear
day, the view from the pine-clad ridges above the town is nothing
short of spectacular and, gazing across the snow-capped giants towards
the borders with China and Tibet, we may be able to see Nanda Devi, at
8,500 metres, India's highest peak.
The bird life is no less magnificent, with Lammergeier, Himalayan
Griffon, Great Hill Barbet, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Black-throated
Jay, Streaked Laughing-thrush, Altai Accentor, Red-headed Tit, and
Golden Bush-Robin among an impressive list of upland species.
From Pangot via Nainital, we'll move slowly into the Himalayas to
Ranikhet, birding as we go amid some splendidly scenic countryside.
Our next destination is Saatal, that is seldom frequented by birders
in large numbers. This place has interesting trails where one can see
large feeding flocks of various Himalayan bird species. A drive to
Corbett is rewarding as we stop enroute for birding, looking for wall
creepers, forktails, etc.
Corbett, India's oldest national park, was established in 1935 and
extends across 200 square miles. The setting is superb and the sheer
variety of bird life astounding, with 580 species known in the park -
from Changeable Hawk-eagle, Red Jungle Fowl, Emerald Dove, Brown Fish
Owl, and Black-headed Oriole to Plumbeous and White-capped Redstarts,
Himalayan Rubythroat, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, and Himalayan Bulbul.
Corbett also supports a great assortment
of large animals
including Sloth Bear, Marsh Mugger Crocodile, Indian Elephant, leopard
and the Royal Bengal Tiger. For those with a passion for wildlife, the
hysterical wailing of jackals, trumpeting of elephants, and an
occasional roar of a tiger are among the marvels of Corbett. By
mid-morning the bushes burst into life with crowds of small birds,
from wood-shrikes and warblers to exuberant minivets and the exotic
Marshall's Iora.
There will be much to see, and a walk past a regular wintering site
for the elusive and beautiful Ibisbill can be fairly exciting. During
the stay one can make excursions to places more sublime than Corbett
itself - that most ethereal of India's monuments, the majestic Taj
Mahal and the colorful, historical cities of Rajasthan. Join us for an
adventure by bus, train, safari jeeps, on foot, and by bicycles
through the bird-filled jungles of northern India! |
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Itinerary |
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Day 01
:: Delhi- Saatal
Drive in the morning to Saatal (7 hours). Afternoon birding with a
guide near the lodge. This habitats offers different species like
White-crested Laughing Thrushes, black winged kite, Red-billed
Leothrix, Himalayan Ruby throat, crested and rock bunting. This
scattered and deliberately undeveloped area is one of the most
pleasant destinations. Overnight stay.
Day 02 :: Saatal
Full day birding in and around Saatal. Look for laughing thrushes,
accentors, woodpeckers etc. Ov ernight
stay.
Day 03 :: Saatal-Pangot (Nainital)
You will be transferred to Pangot (2 hr.), a journey that takes you on
one of the world's more spectacular mountain roads as we climb up into
the Kumaon Hills on our way to this delightful "lake city." One can
stop along the way to look for birds which may include blue whistling
thrush, yellow billed blue magpie, blue capped rock chat, white capped
redstart etc. Rest of the day free for birding at Pangot. One can see
Slaty headed parakeet, grey bushchat, long-tailed shrike, lesser
kestrel, shikra, chestnut bellied rock thrush etc. Streaked
Laughing-Thrush is a common garden bird here.
Day 04 :: Pangot
A long trail leads up to Cheena Peak, which at 2610 metres offers
views of the Garhwal Himalayas including Nanda Devi. Also a very good
birding area is the quiet old road through forests towards Corbett
National Park. The viewpoint is alive with Grey headed Canary
flycatchers, White-throated Laughing thrushes, Grey-winged Blackbirds
and green backed tits. We can also look for Hill Barbet, Slaty grey
Woodpecker, black chinned babbler, black headed and maroon orioles.
Nearby mountains could include Himalayan Griffon Vulture, Lammergeier
and Chukar, Khalij Pheasant, crimson Sunbird and the Fire-capped Tit |
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Request for a custom-made itinerary |
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Day 05
:: Pangot- Ranikhet
Early start for a 3.5-hour drive to Ranikhet through the Himalayan
roads. Rest of the day birding in the surroundings. One can see
fire-tailed or green tailed sunbirds, sultan tits, scaly breasted
wren-babbler, Black bulbul, Black capped Sibia, Black Eagle, King
Vulture, Black breasted sunbird, Blue throated Barbet etc.
Day 06 :: Ranikhet
Full day birding in Ranikhet and surrounding areas. You could come
across Blue whistling thrush, B ooted Hawk Eagle, Broad billed roller,
green, gold or rose finch, Brown crested tit etc.
Day 07 :: Ranikhet-Corbett National Park
Corbett Tiger reserve has a spectacular avifauna diversity. About 580
species of resident and migratory birds have been recorded in and
around the reserve and 49 species of diurnal raptors are found here
forming a characteristic element of the avifauna. Great pied hornbill,
Pallas's fishing eagle, lesser grey headed fishing eagle, red-thighed
falconet are some of the endangered birds found in Corbett. More birds
include Tawny Fish Owl, Great Hornbill, scaly bellied woodpecker, red
breasted Parakeet, Himalayan Swiftlet, grey headed Fish Eagle,
Stork-billed Kingfisher and Himalayan Rubythroat. Tiger Camp makes an
ideal base for birding.
Day 08 :: Dhikala Forest Lodge (Corbett
National Park)
Drive early morning to Dhikala tourism zone. Arrive at the main
tourist complex, Dhikala – check in. Afternoon visit to the grasslands
for birding. Overnight stay at Dhikala Forest Lodge. 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 etc |
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Request for a custom-made itinerary |
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Day 09 :: Corbett National Park
M orning elephant safari through the grasslands and dense forests. This
is the best mode of transport for wildlife viewing. Return at 0900
hours for breakfast and then spend time till lunch on a watchtower
overlooking a water hole. Drive to Tiger Camp. Arrive Tiger Camp 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 10 :: Corbett National Park
Full day at Corbett with a morning or evening elephant / jeep ride
into the park. You may search the boulder-strewn river for the rare
and elusive Ibisbill as well as brown dipper. The best birding areas
are in the buffer zone along the Kosi River near Tiger Camp. You can
also bird-watch across the river from the resort which can be crossed
by a bridge a short distance upriver from the hotel or by wading
across the Kosi. It can be fairly rewarding as one can see mergansers,
crested kingfisher, green heron, egrets and cormorants etc.
Day
11
:: Corbett National Park-Delhi
You will explore the river edge at Kumeria for Brown Fish Owl, barred
owlet, Plumbeous Redstart, brown dipper and the three species of
forktails. Many new species are possible in the forest and could
include Crested Tree Swift, Spangled Drongo and Blue-bearded
Bee-eater. Drive back to Delhi at noon. Arrive Delhi in the evening (6
hour drive) |
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Bird sightings depend greatly on
season, timing, and patience.
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No. of day can be increased or
decreased.
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While sending us yr. request pls.
mention the category of the Hotels you would like to have ie; Budget
or high end hotels.
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