Delhi, Goshaini, Rolla, Bhuntar, Srinagar, Dachigam, Gulmarg and Sonmarg
Great Himalayan National Park And Kashmir Birding Tour
Overview
In terms of both wildlife and culture, the northernmost reaches of the Indian Himalayas are a completely different place from the foothills we are so familiar with, and a contrast to the rest of India as well. Forming a boundary between the oriental and Palearctic bioregions, this area has the best of both worlds, with many bird species not found anywhere else in the country.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Shanti Palace or similar
Your adventure begins as you touch down in New Delhi, a centre of civilization for millennia, and now the capital of India! You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Or maybe take in some of the historical sites like Humayun’s Tomb, India Gate, or Lodhi Gardens.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
From Delhi we travel to Goshaini, in the Tirthan Valley, via Bhuntar Being a year-round destination, Goshaini is an ideal base for birding in the Great Himalayan National Park, being roughly 8km away from the park.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
From Goshaini, we move to Rolla and onward to the Great Himalayan National Park. The route from Goshaini to Rolla goes through the ecozone of the park. As the human habitation becomes less, the natural wilderness improves, and you can truly enjoy the Himalayan jungle. We will have four full days to explore the Great Himalayan National Park.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
A full day of birding in Great Himalayan National Park. As a result of its vast elevation range, the park has a diversity of forest zones and habitats, such as alpine, glacial, temperate, and subtropical forests, each with their unique representative flora and fauna. This means you have the chance to explore various habitats, and experience their varied fauna.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Another full day of birding in Great Himalayan National Park. The park is at the junction of the world's two major faunal regions: the oriental to the south and the palearctic to the north. The high altitude ecosystem of this region has common floral and faunal elements with both these bioregions. If you have experienced either of these bioregions, it is interesting to see how they gradually progress from one to the other.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Your third full day of birding in Great Himalayan National Park. While climbing up to the alpine meadows of the park, you have great chances of observing the Himalayan Monal. As the day gets warmer, you can look out for raptors like Golden Eagle and Bearded and Himalayan Vultures.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Your last full day in the Great Himalayan National Park.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
We will descend today from Rolla back to Goshaini, birding along the way.
Key species: Blue Whistling Thrush, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Black-and-yellow Grosbeak, Plain Mountain Finch, Red-headed Bullfinch, Rock Bunting
Meals: Packed Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Shanti Palace
It is time to bid adieu to this park and travel back to Bhuntar, for your flight to Delhi.
Meals: Breakfast in Delhi and Dinner in Srinagar
Accommodation: Ibrahim Houseboat
In the morning, you will be transferred to Delhi Airport for your connecting flight to Srinagar. Arrive in Srinagar in the late morning or at noon. You will be met and transferred to Ibrahim Houseboat. Evening birding tour in the forest near Shankaracharya Temple. Return to your houseboat for overnight stay.
Key species: Alpine Chough, Himalayan Bulbul, Great Barbet, Himalayan Woodpecker, Black Bulbul, Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Ibrahim Houseboat
A full day of birding in Dachigam National Park. One can expect to see high-altitude specialists such as Musk Deer, Kashmir Stag, Himalayan Black and Brown Bears, as well as a variety of birds such as Wallcreeper, various redstarts, Koklass Pheasant, choughs, and many more. Return to the houseboat in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Ibrahim Houseboat
Spend two full days exploring the Gulmarg region. There are many sites to see in Gulmarg if you don't want to explore the birdlife of the area.
Overnight stay
Key species: Himalayan Vulture, Himalayan Bulbul, Black Bulbul, Dark-sided Flycatcher, Coal Tit, Rufous-naped Tit, Goldcrest, Brown Dipper, Tibetan Blackbird
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Shanti Palace
It’s time to bid adieu to Srinagar and head back down to Delhi. You will be transferred to Srinagar airport to fly back to Delhi in the late morning. Arrive in Delhi at noon. You will be met and transferred to the hotel. Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight stay
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None
After breakfast, transfer to Delhi airport for your flight back home. Tour Ends.
Highlights
- Himalayan View
- Architecture
- Birds and Mammals
- Bird Watching
- Village Visits
- Local people
- Photography
- Local Cuisine
- Quaint Accommodation
Included
- Accommodation on twin / single sharing basis Meals as per the itinerary
- Flight by plane Flight and transfer to the hotel
- Guided birdwatching All permits | All surface transfers by a private vehicle
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
