Overview
Chopta in the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary provides some excellent winter and spring birding, and fantastic landscapes. A mix of pine and deodar forest with rhododendrons, amidst lush 'bugyals' or grassy meadows, it is probably the best and most easily accessible place in India to see the stunning 'nine-colored' state bird of Uttarakhand, the Himalayan Monal. That alone would be worth the long drive, but the area has much more to offer.
Arrive Delhi airport. You will be met and transferred to the hotel.
Evening free for rest or visit the local market. You may ask us for tours (optional) covering various monument sites, museums, bird watching habitats, tourist market, food joints, theater, performance venue etc.
Overnight stay.
After an early breakfast, you will check out and drive to Dehradun. From Dehradun, you move a little further to Walterre, an elegant boutique bungalow designed for birders, arriving in time for lunch. Spend the rest of the day birdwatching in the Doon Valley.
Dinner and overnight stay at Walterre Resort.
We will check out after an early breakfast and head to Chopta. The road to Chopta runs along the Ganga and Alaknanda Rivers before turning into the Mandakini valley in Rudraprayag. On arrival at the Magpie Jungle Camp, we will have some refreshments. In the evening, one can take a walk at the camp’s grassland patches for acclimatization or visit some of the nearby places for a short walk.
Full day birding at Tungnath. Tungnath is part of the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary (Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary) and is the home to Himalayan Monal - the species voted as the most beautiful bird of India. Overnight stay
Note: From birding point of view this trek can be very rewarding
Species to be spotted: Kalij Pheasant, Himalayan Monal, Chukar Partridge, Hill Partridge, Crested Kingfisher, Brown Dipper, Spotted Forktail, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Speckled Piculet etc.
We have a full day of birding in and around Chopta today to look for targets. Chopta is probably the best and most easily accessible place in India to see Himalayan Monal, as well as other birds like Kalij and Koklass Pheasants, Brown Dipper, nuthatches, and laughing thrushes.
Post Breakfast, check out and drive to Delhi to connect flight back home.
Included
- Accommodation for 01 night in Delhi Accommodation for 02 nights at Walterre
- Accommodation for 03 nights in Chopta Meals as per itinerary
- Birding guide Dedicated transportation for 07 days
Location
Stories
Ladakh
The Black-necked Crane is one of the many sought-after species for birders visiting Ladakh. The grace of cranes has inspired stories, songs, and even artwork throughout the ages.
Bandhavgarh
Somewhere or the other, we've all heard that we need to get in touch with our inner child. With such a playful nature, it seems these subadult tigers in Bandhavgarh have beaten us to it.
Andamans
The Andaman Teal, previously considered a subspecies of the Sunda Teal, is one of the many sought-after endemics that the islands have to offer.
Uttarakhand
A myriad of beautiful flowers are in bloom at Jungle Lore Birding Lodge, not only enhancing the beauty of the lodge, but attracting many nectar- and insect-feeding birds
