Delhi, Jaipur, Tal Chhapar, Kheechan, Bikaner, Desert National Park, Siana, Mount Abu, Little Rann of Kutch, Bhuj, Ahmedabad
11 Fascinating Sanctuaries of Western India For 350 species in 16 Days
Overview
When you mention wildlife and birdwatching, the first destinations that come to mind are either thick and verdant forests, mountain passes, or wetlands. Much of Western India may seem dry and uninviting at first glance. But a deeper look will prove you wrong. Much of the wildlife here is uniquely adapted to these habitats, making them some of the rarest creatures in the subcontinent. This tour is specially designed to take advantage of the amazing birdwatching and wildlife destinations that Western India has to offer, and help you encounter and admire these beautiful, yet endangered, animals.
Are the deserts really deserted?
Northwest India is characterized by a dry and deserted habitat, formally known as the Thar Desert Subregion. This region includes places like the Thar Desert and the Rann of Kutch.
While these desert and seasonal salt marsh habitats may look dry and uninviting, they play host to many scrubland birds, both resident and migrant, such as Great Indian Bustard, Lesser Florican, Common Crane, Pallid and Montagu’s Harriers, Eastern Imperial Eagle, and more. In addition, some of the surrounding water bodies play host to migratory waterfowl such as Greylag and Bar-headed Geese, Dalmatian and Great White Pelicans, Greater and Lesser Flamingoes, countless waders, and more.
The best time to visit these regions would be winter (between November and February), despite the cold. Summer in these regions is very harsh, and during the monsoon, many of the areas can be waterlogged or flooded. Migratory species are obviously best seen during this time.
However, if quails (Rain, Rock Bush, Jungle Bush) and Lesser Florican are among your targets, then monsoon would be ideal. These species are more active during this due to the fact that they court and breed then. In addition, the courtship calls and displays of Rain Quail and Lesser Florican are a delight to watch and photograph.
Meals: on own
Accommodation: Hotel near the airport
Arrive at Delhi airport. You will be met and transferred to the hotel. You have the evening free to rest or to visit the local market. You may ask us for tours (optional) covering various monument sites, museums, bird watching habitats, tourist markets, food joints, theatre, performance venues, etc.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Umaid Bhawan or similar
After an early breakfast, check out and drive to Sultanpur for a couple of hours birding. Continue to drive to Jaipur (227 km / 5 hr.) (we have to reach Jaipur by 1500 hrs). Arrive in Jaipur and opt for an afternoon (1515 - 1745 hr.) jeep safari in Jhalana Safari Park to look for Leopards and birds.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Leopard, Spotted Deer, Indian Courser, Red Collared Dove, Sind Sparrow, Black-breasted Weaver, Bengal Bush Lark
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Forest Rest House
Post Breakfast, drive to Tal Chhapar. Arrive at Tal Chhapar in the afternoon / late afternoon. Evening birding to look for targets (if time permits).
Overnight stay.
Key species: Indian Spotted Creeper, Red-necked Falcon, Long-tailed Shrike, Great Grey Shrike, Bimaculated Lark, Greater Short-toed Lark
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Forest Rest House
Full day birding in Tal Chhapar to look for targets. You can also opt for jeep safari on direct payment (advance booking is not required here) to go deep into the jungle.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Eastern Imperial Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Lesser Whitethroat, Sykes’s Warbler, Sykes’s Lark, Crested Lark
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Khurja
After breakfast, check out from the hotel, drive to Kheechan via Bikaner.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Cinereous Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Indian Vulture, Red-headed Vulture, Demoiselle Crane, Indian Peafowl
Meals: Breakfast in Kheechan and Dinner in Camp
Accommodation: Desert camp
After breakfast, check-out and leave for Desert National Park for full day birding to look for Great Indian Bustard, White-browed Bush Chat, Cream-coloured Courser, Greater Hoopoe-Lark, Eagles such as Indian Spotted Eagle, Bonelli’s, Short-toed Snake Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle etc. are found here, Plain Leaf Warbler and Trumpeter Finch can be found here.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Desert Camp or similar
Full day birding at Desert National Park
Overnight stay
Key species: Great Indian Bustard, Macqueen’s Bustard, Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark, Merlin, Saker Falcon, Laggar Falcon, Trumpeter Finch, Black-bellied Sandgrouse
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: In the hotel
Post morning birding in Desert National Park, drive to Siana
Overnight stay.
Key species: Bengal Fox, White-footed Fox, Great Indian Bustard, Northern Raven, Desert Lark, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: In the hotel
Full day birding at Siana.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Indian Eagle-Owl, Lesser Whitethroat, White-bellied Minivet, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Pallid Harrier, Montagu’s Harrier
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Rising Sun Retreat
After an early breakfast, check out and get ready for the long yet fun drive to Abu Road. Arrive at Abu Road in the late afternoon. Evening birding to look for targets.
Overnight stay
Key species: Green Avadavat, Shikra, Bonelli’s Eagle, Black Redstart, Siberian Stonechat
Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Rann Riders
In the morning, drive to Little Rann of Kutch (7 Hours). Spend the evening birding.
Overnight stay
Key species: Ruddy Shelduck, Bar-headed Goose, Greylag Goose, Lesser Flamingo, Common Crane, Pied Avocet, White-tailed Lapwing, Grey-headed Swamphen, Common Moorhen
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Rann Riders
Full day birding in Little Rann of Kutch with morning and afternoon jeep safaris.
Overnight stay
Key species: Indian Wild Ass, Nilgai, Common Crane, Common Babbler, Desert Wheatear, Variable Wheatear, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Indian Roller
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: CEDO Camp
After Breakfast, check out from the lodge and proceed towards Bhuj.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: CEDO Camp
Full day birding in and around Bhuj.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Macqueen’s Bustard, Sociable Lapwing, Indian Courser, Cream-coloured Courser, Greater Hoopoe-Lark, White-naped Tit, Grey Hypocolius, Marshall’s Iora, Sykes’s Nightjar, Red-tailed Wheatear
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None
Post breakfast, transfer to Ahmedabad for your onward journey.
Tour Ends.
Highlights
- Birds and Mammals
- Bird Watching
- Village Visits
- Jungle Safari
- Asiatic Lion Sighting
- Photography
- Local Cuisine
- Quaint Accommodation
Included
- Accommodation on twin sharing basis for 16 days as per the itinerary Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Tal Chapper Park Entrance fee Bikaner and Kheechan visit -Desert National Park entrance fee and permit
- Birding in Abu Road 02 Jeep safaris in Little Rann of Kutch with park entrance fee
- 02 full day jeep hire in GRK for birding safari AA Dedicated birding guide from 15 Days
- Dedicated transport from Day 16 Days All taxes
Video
Location
Stories
Ladakh
North India, the land of Ladakh, looks as though it was made for birdwatching and photography.
Gir National Park Gujarat
Sometimes it is not just the species spotted but also the amazing moments. Some of our guests had the unique opportunity to witness the mating of Asiatic Lions in the Gir Forest, truly a special moment.
Delhi
Surajpur is an amazing wetland close to the nation’s capital. Apart from being one of the monsoon homes for the Bristled Grassbird, it is also home to another sought-after species: the Bengal Bush Lark.
Rajasthan
One advantage of living near the birding hotspot of Bharatpur is that you can see some amazing birds, like the graceful Sarus Crane, in your backyard during this lockdown
