Overview
This six nights and seven days tour is focused upon exploring the enchanting landscape and unique birdlife of Ladakh. The journey will kickstart in Leh followed by two nights stay in Tso Kar and one night stay in Tso Moriri. During the trip, you will come across some many endangered and endemic species of Ladakh including Black-necked Crane, Tibetan Snowcock, Ibisbill, and Chukar. Led by a knowledgeable guide and ground handler, we will make sure you are laden with a great photo album and left with lasting experiences.
Tso Kar is a high-altitude lake in the Rupshu Plateau in Ladakh. Due to the salinity of the lake, most of the resident fauna is found in its tributaries and in the nearby Startsapuk Tso. There are large breeding colonies of waterfowl. In the vicinity of the lake Black-necked Cranes and Tibetan Sandgrouse are relatively common. The basin of the Tso Kar and the adjoining More Plains constitute one of the most important habitats of the Tibetan Wild Ass (Kiang), Tibetan Gazelle, Tibetan Wolf and Tibetan and Red Foxes. Himalayan Marmots can be found in the higher areas.
Currently, the lake basin has no special protection, but there are plans to include it within a national park which may be established in the highlands of south-eastern Ladakh.
Tso Moriri or Lake Moriri is a high-altitude lake in the Changthang Plateau in Ladakh. The lake and surrounding area are protected as the Tso Moriri Wetland Conservation
Reserve.
Tso Moriri is the largest of the high altitude lakes that lies completely within India and Ladakh in this region. It is about 26 km north to south in length and 3-5 km wide. Largely based on the ecological diversity of the Lake and its surroundings, as well as the adjoining Nuro Sumdo wetland, Tso Moriri was notified in November 2002 under the List of Ramsar Wetland sites under the Ramsar Convention.
My week in the land of high passes
Ladakh is truly a stunningly beautiful country, one that has beauty in its rugged and almost bare landscape. Not only are the landscapes and views beautiful here, but the people are too. Friendly locals, who are not only super helpful, but also a joy to chat with, colorful traditions, and, of course, yummy Ladakhi food!
Although Ladakh is one of the best places to see Snow Leopard in India, particularly in Hemis National Park, I sadly did not have time for it and decided on a relatively quick birding visit.
The stunning scenery and amazing monuments are accompanied by a fantastic diversity of wildlife, much of which is not found in the rest of the subcontinent. The high altitude and desert-like conditions mean that much of the wildlife here is specialized, even if not endemic.
Needless to say that my life list got a serious boost with all the birds of Ladakh. From jackdaws and choughs to Chukar Partridge, endangered Black-necked Cranes, Horned Lark, and more. I even got to see a majestic herd of Kiang (Tibetan Wild Ass).
Of course, as a foodie, no journey of mine is complete without sampling the local delicacies. From momos and thukpa (way better than the street versions you get throughout India) to sky and the famous butter tea, almost every dish here is designed to warm you through and through, something I was grateful for. The only disadvantage is that keeping awake during an afternoon birding session becomes a very difficult task indeed.
And photos! How could I forget the photos? Ladakh is amazingly photogenic. From the rugged mountain passes to the cute little young monks, to the picture-perfect lakes of Tso Kar and Tso Moriri, and, of course, the amazing wildlife. Although it would be impossible for me to forget Ladakh, the number of photos I’ve taken will never let me!
Please Note, the Acronyms in Bird Species
R stands for Resident Birds
S stands for Summer
W stands for Winter
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Mahey Retreat
Arrive in Leh. You will be met by an Asian Adventures representative. Transfer to the hotel. Birding in Leh, and the outskirts, itself can be highly productive, and the hotel environs themselves will showcase many of the common birds of the area, including House Sparrow, Western Yellow Wagtail (S), Tickell's Leaf Warbler (M), Sulphur-bellied Warbler (M), Common Chiffchaff (S+M), Mountain Chiffchaff (S+M), Barn Swallow (R), Red-rumped Swallow (S+M), Common House Martin (S), Black Redstart (R), Large-billed Crow (R), and some raptors.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Mahey Retreat
Today, your guide will take you for a birdwatching session around Leh. We will have ample opportunities for birding, as well as visiting some sites around Leh. You will return to the hotel with a lovely photo album.
Overnight stay
Key Species: Water Rail (W), Corn Crake (W), Spotted Crake (W), Baillon's Crake (W), Great Bittern (W+S), Little Bittern (M), Solitary Snipe (S+W), Upland Buzzard (R), Pine Bunting (W) and Reed Bunting (W)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Guest House
Today, you will travel to Tso Kar (153 km / 4 hr.). Reach Tso Kar. Check in to the Hotel. Later, go birdwatching with your guide. Return to the hotel in the evening. Overnight stay.
Key Species: Plateau Pika, Ladakh Pika, Woolly Hare, Little Owl (R), Red-necked Phalarope (M), Himalayan Snowcock (R), Tibetan Snowcock (R), Black-necked Crane (S), Ibisbill (R), Brandt's Mountain Finch (R), Great Rosefinch (R)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Guest House
Spend the full day today birdwatching at the Tso Kar area.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Blue Sheep, Tibetan Gazelle, Kiang, Eurasian Magpie (R), Ground Tit (R), Eversmann's Redstart (W), White-crowned Penduline Tit (W), Horned Lark (R), Red-throated Pipit (S)
Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Guest House
Today, proceed to Tso Moriri (88 km / 3.5 hr.) for bird watching and photography. Return to Tso Kar in the evening.
Overnight stay
Key species: Bar-headed Goose (W), Greylag Goose (S+W), Red-crested Pochard (R), Northern Pintail (R), Little Gull (W), Upland Buzzard (R), Golden Eagle (R), Saker Falcon (R), Eurasian Bittern (W), Lesser Grey Shrike (M), Eurasian Jackdaw (R), White-throated Dipper (R), Song Thrush (W), Spotted Flycatcher (M+W), Eversmann's Redstart (W)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Mahey Retreat
Today, you will leave the lakes and travel back to Leh (153 km / 4 hr.). We shall be stopping en route for bird watching and photography. The landscape is breathtaking as you cross the high mountain passes.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Chukar Partridge (R), Alpine Chough (R), Tibetan Sandgrouse (R), Little Owl (R), Black-necked Crane (S+M)
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None
You will be driven to Leh airport for your onward journey.
Tour ends.
Highlights
- Fantastic birdwatching experiences
- Diversity of high-altitude birds and mammals
- Stunning rugged Himalayan landscapes
- Opportunities for wildlife, landscape, and cultural photography
- Delicious local Ladakhi cuisine
- Stay in quaint lodges and homestays
Included
- Accommodation for 03 Nights in Leh Accommodation for 03 Nights in Tso Kar
- Meals as per itinerary Dedicated transportation for 07 Days
- Asian Adventures guide for the entire tour All applicable 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