Delhi, Jaipur, Tal Chhapar, Kheechan, Bikaner, Desert National Park, Siana, Mount Abu, Little Rann of Kutch, Bhuj, Ahmedabad
Birds And Wildlife of Rajasthan And Gujarat Tour
Overview
Western India is known for its vibrant culture, rich traditions, and amazing cuisine. But when it comes to wildlife and birdwatching, some may disregard the arid habitats of the area in favour or lush forests or mountain passes. This tour is designed to show you that even the arid regions of Gujarat and Rajasthan are bursting with life. Such a unique habitat means that there is a variety of unique wildlife in the region, much of it adapted to the harsh conditions. An added highlight is a peek into the lifestyle of the people that call these states home.
Meals: on own
Accommodation: Hotel Pride
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 in Delhi, Lunch and Dinner in Jaipur
Accommodation: Umaid Mahal
After an early morning excursion to Sultanpur National Park, we move to the royal city of Jaipur, a place rich with history. Jaipur is filled with various temples, palaces, forts, and other monuments hearkening back to the days of the Maharajas. If time permits, a little sightseeing may be possible. An afternoon safari at Jhalana is the perfect way for wildlife lovers to explore Jaipur. Jhalana is a leopard- and bird-rich habitat ideal for a quick but fruitful safari.
Key species: Leopard, Indian Pitta, Red-wattled Lapwing, Indian Peafowl, Indian Paradise Flycatcher
Overnight stay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Forest Rest House
Post breakfast, we head to Tal Chhapar Sanctuary. Located in the Churu district of Northwestern Rajasthan, the sanctuary area is mostly covered by grasses with very few trees. It lies on the passageway of many migratory birds including raptors, quails, sandgrouse, and more.
Key species: Blackbuck, Indian Spotted Creeper, Tawny Eagle, Red-necked Falcon, Crested Lark
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Forest Rest House
Full day of birding in Tal Chhapar to look for targets. In the Tal Chhapar Sanctuary, a special type of grass is found, locally called “Mothiya”. This grass is not only food for the herbivores of the park, but the small round seeds of the grass are also enjoyed by people.
Key species: Blackbuck, Red-naped Ibis, Booted Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Short-toed Snake Eagle, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Lalgarh Palace
After breakfast, check out from the hotel, and drive to Kheechan via Bikaner. A variety of interesting birds can be found in Bikaner, especially around the Jorbeer Vulture Conservation Reserve. The veterinary use of diclofenac led to massive drops in vulture populations in India in the ‘90s. Cattle carcasses are dumped here in order to give these scavengers a safe place to properly feed.
The village of Kheechan is famous for the huge gathering of Demoiselle Cranes, which are fed by the villagers as part of their religious practices. Starting from roughly 100 cranes visiting Kheechan in the 1970s, the village now plays host to around 15,000 cranes (2010 estimate) every year, a spectacle every birdwatcher should definitely see.
Key species: Demoiselle Crane, Griffon Vulture, Cinereous Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Himalayan Vulture, Steppe Eagle
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast in Kheechan, Lunch and Dinner in DNP
Accommodation: Sam Desert
After breakfast, check-out and leave for Desert National Park for a full day of birding in the Thar Desert. The region is a haven for migratory and resident birds of the desert. Many eagles, harriers, falcons, and vultures are spotted here, as well as the highly-endangered Great Indian Bustard.
Key species: Great Indian Bustard, Saker Falcon, Laggar Falcon, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Black-bellied Sandgrouse
Overnight stay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Sam Desert
Full day of birding in Desert National Park.
Key species: White-footed Fox, Great Indian Bustard, Trumpeter Finch, Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
Overnight stay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Siana
From Jaisalmer, we head to Siana, a small village lying where the desert begins to merge into the rugged Aravalli Hills. Siana is surrounded by dry plains and rocky outcrops, as well as patches of scrub jungle. This mosaic of habitats supports a good diversity of birds. Siana is also home to a healthy population of leopards.
Key species: Leopard, Sirkeer Malkoha, Indian Eagle-Owl, White-bellied Minivet, Red Collared Dove
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Siana
Full day of birding in Siana.
Key species: Leopard, Jungle Bush Quail, Rock Bush Quail, Painted Sandgrouse, Laggar Falcon, Indian Vulture
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Sunset Inn
After an early breakfast, check-out and get ready for a long drive to Abu Road. Arrive Abu Road in the late afternoon. Evening birding to look for targets. The most sought-after species here is the Green Avadavat, a munia whose range has been restricted to Mount Abu after the pet trade diminished its numbers.
Key species: Green Avadavat, White-naped Tit, White-capped Bunting, White-eared Bulbul
Overnight stay
Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Royal Safari
We bid farewell to Mount Abu and head to the saline desert of the Little Rann of Kutch. The Little Rann has been designated as the Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary, as it is home to the rare and endangered Indian Wild Ass or “Khur”, and is also a birding paradise. Spend an evening of birdwatching.
Key species: Indian Wild Ass, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Indian Spotted Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Crested Lark, Bimaculated Lark, Peregrine Falcon, Laggar Falcon, Merlin
Overnight stay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Royal Safari
Full day of birding in the Little Rann with morning and evening safaris. During the safaris, one can expect numerous dryland bird species like sandgrouse, larks, coursers, plovers, chats, warblers, babblers, and shrikes. Among the many winter visitors is the highly endangered Macqueen’s Bustard. The saline desert is also a perfect hunting ground for many species of raptors, like eagles, falcons, buzzards, and harriers.
Key species: Indian Wild Ass, Nilgai, Macqueen’s Bustard, Common Crane, Lesser Flamingo, White-tailed Lapwing, Bar-headed Goose, Greylag Goose
Overnight stay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Infinity
From the Little Rann of Kutch, we head to coastal town of Bhuj in the Great Rann of Kutch. Bhuj is home to some of the more range-restricted birds that visit India.
Key species: Grey Hypocolius, Sociable Lapwing, White-naped Tit, Pallid Scops Owl
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Infinity
Full day of birding in Bhuj.
Key species: Grey Hypocolius, Marshall’s Iora, Sykes’s Warbler, Indian Skimmer, Crab-plover, Indian Eagle-Owl
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Infinity
Full day of birding in Bhuj.
Key species: Sociable Lapwing, Greater Hoopoe-Lark, Black-headed Bunting, Red-headed Bunting, Red-tailed Wheatear
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: None
It’s time to bring our adventure to a close. Post breakfast, transfer to Ahmedabad for your onward journey.
Tour Ends.
Highlights
- Great Desert Birding with species like Great Indian Bustard, Green Avadavat, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, etc.
- Excellent mammal diversity such as Wild Ass, White-footed Fox, Striped Hyena, Nilgai, etc.
- Beautiful Landscapes
- Interesting cultures
- Great photographic opportunities
- Unique experiences
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 16 Days | Dedicated transport from Day 16 Days
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
