Overview
The northwestern state of Rajasthan is rich in fascinating history and culture. The royal heritage is highly evident not only in the palaces, and monuments of the state but also in the wildlife. There is something regal about the animals and birds that call this state home. This tour gives you the opportunity to explore some of the best birdwatching destinations in Rajasthan.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Forest Rest House
Arrive in Delhi. You will be met by an Asian Adventures representative and proceed to Tal Chapper (370km / 07 hrs.), from where we enter the desert habitats and concentrate on some of the real specialties of this tour.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Indian Spotted Creeper, Yellow-eyed Pigeon, Great Grey Shrike, Long-tailed Shrike, Desert Wheatear
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Forest Rest House
We have the full day to explore the grassland sanctuary of Tal Chapper. The walking and motorable trails in Tal Chapper will yield an amazing diversity of arid-area birds.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Red-necked Falcon, Greater Spotted Eagle, Pallid Harrier, Montagu’s Harrier, Western Marsh Harrier
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Lal Garh Palace
We have another half day of birding in Tal Chapper to look for targets. Once the hunting ground of the Maharaja of Bikaner, this small protected area has a large population of Blackbuck and Chinkara, and a very impressive list of birds. After half a day of birding we will drive to the city of Bikaner for an overnight stop.
Key species: Cinereous Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Indian Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Red-headed Vulture, Indian Eagle-Owl, Montagu’s and Pallid Harriers, White-eyed Buzzard, Laggar Falcon, Yellow-eyed Pigeon, Indian Spotted Creeper, Long-tailed and Great Grey Shrikes, huge mixed flocks of Greater Short-toed and Bimaculated Larks, and Water and Buff-bellied Pipits
Meals: Breakfast in Kheechan and Dinner in Camp
Accommodation: Paddav Luxury Camp
From Bikaner, we will move to the village of Kheechan. After a morning session of birdwatching and photography in Kheechan, famous for its large flocks of Demoiselle Crane, we move on to the city of Jaisalmer, and Desert National Park, where we will have a full day of birdwatching 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: Demoiselle Crane, Indian Peafowl, Great Indian Bustard, Steppe Eagle, Saker Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Trumpeter Finch
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Paddav Luxury Camp
We have a full day of birding today to explore the very unique Desert National Park. This is one of the last remaining strongholds of the Great Indian Bustard, now sadly reduced to a population of less than 200 birds and with a real risk of extinction during our lifetimes.
Overnight stay
Key species: Great Indian Bustard, Macqueen’s Bustard, Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark, Desert Lark, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Desert Wheatear
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Paddav Luxury Camp
We have another full day of birding today in Desert National Park to look for more targets. Aside from the bustard, there are several specialities to find here, including many raptors, Spotted and Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Cream-coloured Courser, Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark, Desert Lark, Greater Hoopoe-Lark, the little-known White-browed Bush Chat, Red-tailed Wheatear, Plain Leaf Warbler, and Trumpeter Finch.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None
After some final birding in the Desert National Park we drive east to Jodhpur (325km/5.5hrs) for your connecting flight back to Delhi.
Included
- Accommodation on twin / single sharing basis Meals as per the itinerary
- Birdwatching in Tal Chapper, Bikaner, Kheechan and DNP Permits of DNP
- Local jeep hire in DNP (04 persons per jeep basis) Dedicated transport
- Arrival and departure transfers in Delhi All taxes
Location
Stories
Ladakh
The Black-necked Crane is one of the many sought-after species for birders visiting Ladakh. The grace of cranes has inspired stories, songs, and even artwork throughout the ages.
Bandhavgarh
Somewhere or the other, we've all heard that we need to get in touch with our inner child. With such a playful nature, it seems these subadult tigers in Bandhavgarh have beaten us to it.
Andamans
The Andaman Teal, previously considered a subspecies of the Sunda Teal, is one of the many sought-after endemics that the islands have to offer.
Uttarakhand
A myriad of beautiful flowers are in bloom at Jungle Lore Birding Lodge, not only enhancing the beauty of the lodge, but attracting many nectar- and insect-feeding birds
