Delhi, Sultanpur, Sat Tal, Pangot and Corbett
Bird Watching In The Himalayan Foothills Of Uttarakhand
Overview
Our tour begins at the picturesque town of Sattal. Named after the cluster of 7 freshwater lakes, this enchanting settlement in Uttarakhand is the dream destination for every birder and nature lover. We will spend the day here looking for some of the rarest Himalayan species including the Chestnut-headed Tesia, Greater and Lesser Yellownape, Blue-throated Barbet and Black Bulbul to name a few.
Next on our list is Pangot. Covered with Oak and Pine trees and interspersed with gurgling brooks, Pangot is the ideal destination for birding. Here we will spot many endemic and migratory birds including Cheer Pheasant, Slaty-backed and Spotted Forktail, Black-headed Jay, and Streaked Laughingthrush. We will make our stay at the Jungle Lore Birding Lodge from where we will take trekking excursions to explore the beautiful nature trails of Pangot.
Our final destination is Corbett National Park, the abode of the fabled Royal Bengal Tigers. Set against the backdrop of Nainital hills, Corbett rivals all others for the title of being the most beautiful national park of the country. Here, we will take wildlife safaris through the park to explore the unique wildlife of Uttarakhand.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Shanti Palace
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.
After checking in, we can proceed to our first birding destination, Sultanpur National Park, for a day of birding.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Lavanya Resort
From Delhi, we move today to the Himalayan foothills, namely the village of Sat Tal. Sat Tal, named after the seven lakes in the area, is a birding paradise, with species such as Blue-winged Minla, Ashy Bulbul, Mountain Bulbul, Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush, and more, found here. After some refreshment, our guide will accompany you to the various birding sites, and we will spend the rest of the day birding in Sat Tal.
Overnight stay.
The habitat offers species such as:
White-crested Laughing Thrush, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Red-billed Leothrix, Siberian Rubythroat, Rock Bunting etc. This scattered and deliberately undeveloped area is one of the most pleasant destinations. Look for Rufous-chinned & White Crested Laughing Thrush, Rufous-breasted Accentor, Greater Yellow-naped Flameback, Speckled Piculet, Golden Bush Robin etc
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Lavanya Resort
We have a full day of birding today in Sat Tal to look for our targets. The Himalayan region is also home to a wide variety of woodpecker species, such as Himalayan, Brown-fronted, and Rufous-bellied Woodpeckers, Greater and Lesser Yellownapes, and more.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Jungle Lore Birding Lodge or similar
We have an early morning birding session today in Sat Tal. After checking out at 0930hrs, we continue our mountain birding odyssey, and move to Pangot. There are plenty of birding spots and stops en route, and we will arrive in Pangot in time for a late lunch.
We will spend the rest of the day birdwatching around Pangot.
Dinner and overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Jungle Lore Birding Lodge or Similar
We have a full day of birding today at Pangot to look for our targets. Around 250 bird species have been recorded in this area, and one can see a variety of Himalayan species like Himalayan Vulture, Blue-winged Minla, Spotted & Slaty-backed Forktails, Blue Whistling Thrush, Rufous-bellied and Himalayan Woodpeckers, Rufous-bellied Niltava, Kalij Pheasant, and a variety of other species.
Overnight stay.
Accommodation: Jungle Lore Birding Lodge or Similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Early morning, you will proceed for the birding tour with your guide. You will go for a short and very interesting hike towards Kilbury to see the feeding flocks. A packed breakfast will be served.
Return to the lodge for lunch, and in the afternoon, proceed for birding in the lower altitude to look for birds of Terai.
Overnight stay at the Lodge.
Species: We spend the day birding at Cheena Peak and Kilbury [6500-7500 feet]. The walks can be done at a very easy pace. We will encounter an excellent selection of Himalayan species including Lammergeier, Himalayan Griffon, Blue-winged Minla, Spotted and Slaty-backed Forktail, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Rufous-bellied Niltava and Khalij Pheasant. The numerous perennial and seasonal creeks are home to an amazing variety of flora and fauna including Leopard, Himalayan Palm Civet, Yellow-throated Himalayan Martin, Ghoral, Sambhar and Barking Deer.
Accommodation: Tiger Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, drive to Corbett National Park. Established in 1936 as Hailey National Park in order to protect tigers and their habitat, Corbett National Park is India’s oldest national park. In the 1970s, it also became the first national park to come under the Project Tiger initiative. An afternoon of birding along the river at Kumeria with a guide will help you get acquainted to the birdlife of the park.
Overnight stay at Tiger Camp
Note: Our guide will help you to complete your check list of target species.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Tiger Camp
Today we have morning and evening safaris in Corbett National Park to explore the forest, and look for tigers, elephants, and birds. Corbett boasts a myriad of different landscapes – hills, rivers, lakes, marshy areas, grasslands, and dense forest. This variety of habitats offers you a wide assortment of animals, including Tiger, Asian Elephant, Sloth Bear, Indian Muntjac, Yellow-throated Martens, and many more. For birdwatchers, there are more than 500 species of birds seen, including Great Hornbill, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Lineated Barbet, Long-tailed Broadbill, Black Francolin, and much more. Some of the more interesting species include Pallas’s and Lesser Fish Eagle, Cinereous Vulture, Tawny Fish Owl, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Ibisbill, Wallcreeper, Hodgson’s Bushchat, Bright-headed Cisticola, Rosy Minivet and Himalayan Rubythroat.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Shanti Palace
We will have our last morning safari in Corbett today. After an early lunch, we depart Corbett for Delhi, where we will reach by late evening. You will then be transferred to your hotel.
Overnight stay
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None
Transfer to Delhi airport for your onward flight.
Highlights
- A large list of bird species of North India & the Himalayan region
- Great birding in scrubland, wetlands, Riverine and Himalayan Eco-system
- A large variety of mammals
- Tiger Safaris
- Himalayan views
- Farm fresh Indian meals
- Quaint lodges and camps
- Easy birding
- Sightseeing is possible
- Glimpses of the beautiful landscape, architecture and lifestyle of North India
Included
- Accommodations on twin sharing basis (note that if specified hotels are not available, similar category of hotel accommodation will be provided) Meals: as per the itinerary
- Jungle visits in Corbett National Park, with 4WD, entrance fee & park guide Transport in a private vehicle for the entire trip
- Guide at each destination Government tax
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
