Amritsar, Dharamshala, Pong, Harike
Himalayas And Wetlands: Birds of Himachal Pradesh And Punjab
Overview
This North India birdwatching tour has been designed to provide an incredible amount of diversity in a relatively small area and short time. It concentrates on two main sites in the Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh, an area that deserves more birding attention, as well as the Harike Bird Sanctuary in Punjab. Some extreme Indian rarities, such as Chaffinch, Yellowhammer, Whooper Swan, Common Gull, and Red-necked Grebe, all of which have recent records in this area, are also possible here!
The tour starts in Dharamshala for a quick taste of Himalayan birding. Most birds in the Himalayas follow an altitudinal migration pattern and, at this time of year, heavy snowfall at higher elevations will often push birds to the lower elevations. The sites around Dharamshala are noted for such altitudinal migrants.
We then head down into the plains to the most important wetland sanctuary in this part of India, the Pong Dam Lake, also known as Maharana Pratap Sagar. This huge lake, a Ramsar wetland, holds an impressive number of waterfowl and there are few sites that can beat the sight of tens of thousands of Bar-headed Geese against the backdrop of the snow-covered Himalayas. Finally, we head to Punjab, to Amritsar and the Harike Bird Sanctuary, another Ramsar wetland. Our brief visit here will be focussed on a few key target species seldom seen elsewhere in India, including the Rufous-vented Grass Babbler (formerly the Rufous-vented Prinia), the Sind subspecies of Jerdon’s Babbler, and the charming White-crowned Penduline Tit.
Meals: On Own
Accommodation: Park Plaza
International arrivals are most convenient to Delhi or Amritsar, where there may be time for some local birding depending on flights.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Glenmoore Cottage
From Amritsar, we take an early morning drive (or a morning flight from Delhi) to Dharamshala for the start of our Himalayan birding. Our first birding is likely to be in the orchards and terraced fields which can attract good numbers of finches and accentors.
Key species: White-capped Redstart, Great Barbet, Black-headed Jay, Blue Whistling Thrush
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Glenmoore Cottage
A full day of birding around Dharamshala
Key species: Spotted Forktail, Asian Barred Owlet, Russet Sparrow
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Glenmoore Cottage
A full day of birding in and around Dharamshala.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Pink-browed Rosefinch, Dark-breasted Rosefinch, Brown Dipper, Blue-throated Barbet
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge at Pong
From Dharamshala, a two-hour drive takes us into a completely different habitat, which explains why this part of India has probably the highest recorded day species total for the whole country! Pong Reservoir is huge, and it is impossible to explore it fully, but there are many excellent areas along its shores that we will visit, including the vulture feeding station which will hopefully attract White-rumped and Slender-billed Vultures as well as the wintering Himalayan Griffons.
Key species: Bar-headed Goose, Red-necked Grebe, Black-headed Gull, Brown-headed Gull
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge at Pong
A full day of birding at Pong Reservoir.
Key species: Black Stork, Pallas’s Gull, Greylag Goose, Northern Lapwing, Ruddy Shelduck
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel at Makhu
After a morning session at Pong Reservoir, we head to Amritsar for the night, and a visit to the impressive Golden Temple.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel at Makhu
We have a full day to cover areas surrounding the Harike wetland. Rufous-vented Grass Babbler is the main target, with the recently discovered population of Jerdon's Babbler another range-restricted species here. Logistics permitting, we may be able to take a boat out onto the wetland.
Key species: Rufous-vented Grass Babbler, Jerdon’s Babbler, Cetti’s Warbler, Brown Shrike, Great Crested Grebe, Striated
Grassbird
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None
Following a full morning's birding at Harike we head to Amritsar to catch our flight back to Delhi.
Key species: White-crowned Penduline Tit, Rufous-vented Grass Babbler, Jerdon’s Babbler, Cetti’s Warbler, Brown Shrike, Common Woodshrike, Striated Grassbird
Highlights
- Himalayan View
- Birds and Mammals
- Bird Watching
- Trekking
- Village Visits
- Fruits Orchard
- Photography
- Local Cuisine
- Quaint Accommodation
Included
- Accommodation for 01 night in Delhi or Amritsar Accommodation for 03 nights in Dharamshala
- Accommodation for 02 nights in Pong Accommodation for 02 nights in Harike
- Meals as per itinerary Birding with Mike Prince
- A dedicated vehicle 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
