Classic North India Birding

Meals: On own
Accommodation: Hotel Shanti Palace

Arrive Delhi. You will be met and transferred to the hotel.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch in Delhi, Dinner in Ranthambhore
Accommodation: Ranthambhore Heritage Haveli

Leave for Sultanpur at 0530 hrs (an hour's drive) for 3-4 hours of productive birding. Return to the hotel at 1100 hrs. Check out at 1145 hrs and transfer to Delhi Railway station for a day train to Ranthambore at 1330 hrs. Arrive at Ranthambore at 1925 hrs. You will be met and transferred to the Resort.

Overnight stay

Key species: Indian Peafowl, Indian Courser, Red Collared Dove, White-throated Kingfisher, Sind Sparrow, Black-breasted Weaver, Bengal Bush Lark

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Ranthambhore Heritage Haveli

Morning and afternoon safaris in the national park for tiger tracking, wildlife viewing, and birdwatching. 

Overnight stay.

Key species: Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Indian Peafowl, Rufous Treepie, Crested Bunting, White-browed Fantail, Spotted Owlet, Indian Scops Owl

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch in Ranthambhore, Dinner in Bharatpur
Accommodation: Hotel Kadamb Kunj

Enjoy a final morning safari in Ranthambore National Park. After lunch, drive to Bharatpur stopping en route for birding. Arrive in Bharatpur in the early evening. Birding outside the fields if time permits. Overnight stay. 

Key species: Indian Peafowl, Grey Francolin, Indian Courser, Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Great Grey Shrike, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark, Blue Rock Thrush, Baya Weaver

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner in Bharatpur
Accommodation: Hotel Kadamb Kunj

Birding in Keoladeo National Park on foot and cycle rickshaws with a birding guide. 

Overnight stay.

Key species: Sarus Crane, Dusky Eagle-Owl, Knob-billed Duck, Lesser Whistling Duck, Cotton Pygmy Goose, Great White Pelican, Bar-headed Goose

Meals: Breakfast and Packed Lunch from Bharatpur, Dinner in Agra
Accommodation: Jaypee Palace

Enjoy a morning birding session outside the park. Check out at 1030 hrs and drive to Chambal (90 km / 2 hrs.) Arrive in Chambal and get ready to enjoy the afternoon safari at Dholpur. Later drive to Agra. Arrive Agra in the evening. Check-in to you hotel.

Overnight stay.

Key species: Indian Peafowl, Grey Francolin, Indian Courser, Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Spotted Owlet, Long-tailed Shrike, Great Grey Shrike, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch in Agra, Dinner in Noida
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Kaushambi

Morning guided tour of the Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays). Apart from the Taj Mahal, Agra is also home to the massive Red Fort, which has been the seat of Mughal rulers for several years. Shikandra, the red sandstone mausoleum of Emperor Akbar, is also a popular monument.

Later, we will drive to Noida. Arrive in Noida in the late evening. 

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast in Noida, Late Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Wildlife Resort

In the morning, drive from Noida to Corbett National Park (220 km / 7 hr.). Arrive at the resort for late lunch. Afternoon safari in Corbett National Park. 

Overnight stay.

PC: Tiger - Kintoo Dhawan

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Wildlife Resort

Morning and afternoon jeep safaris for birding and wildlife viewing. 

Overnight stay

Key species: Tiger, Asiatic Elephant, Indian Muntjac, Sambar, Great Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Lineated Barbet, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Black Francolin, Kalij Pheasant.

PC: Tiger - Kintoo Dhawan

Meals: Breakfast in Corbett, Lunch and Dinner in Pangot
Accommodation: Jungle Lore Birding Lodge

Morning bird walks at Kumeria. Return for lunch. One can look for Black Bulbul, Brown Fish Owl, Little and Spotted Forktail, Yellow-bellied and White-browed Fantail, White-crested Laughingthrush, Black-winged Cuckooshrike, Striated Heron, Wallcreeper, Red-breasted Parakeet, Long-tailed Minivet, Brown Dipper, Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark, etc. Afternoon drives to Corbett Falls stopping en route at Dabka Causeway to look for Ashy Crowned Sparrow-Lark. After birding at Corbett Falls continue to Pangot. Arrive for lunch. Afternoon leisurely birding in and around the lodge. One can see Crested Woodpeckers such as Greater Yellownape, Scaly-breasted, Speckled Piculet, etc., large flocks of Slaty-headed Parakeets, numerous Spotted and Oriental Turtle Doves, Grey Bush Chat, and Russet Sparrow. Large-billed Crow, Grey Treepie, Black-headed Jay, Maroon Oriole, Large Cuckooshrike, Black-throated and Yellow-browed, and Smaller numbers of Himalayan Black-lored Tit and Green-backed Tit. White-tailed Nuthatches, and Bar-tailed Treecreeper.

Overnight stay.

PC: Nepal Wren Babbler - Kintoo Dhawan 

Full-day birding at Cheena Peak, Kilbury, and Timla Pani. 

Overnight stay.

Key species: Kalij Pheasant, Cheer Pheasant, Koklass Pheasant, Hill Partridge, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Striated Laughingthrush, Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Slaty-headed Parakeet.

PC: Cheer Pheasant - Kintoo Dhawan

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Jungle Lore Birding Lodge

Another full day of birding at Cheena Peak, Kilbury, and Timla Pani. Overnight stay.

Key species: Rufous-throated Partridge, Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Black-throated Bushtit, Black-throated Sunbird, Green-backed Tit, Grey-hooded Warbler, Rufous-bellied Niltava, Small Niltava.

PC: Koklass Pheasant - Kintoo Dhawan 

Meals: Breakfast in Pangot, Packed Lunch from Pangot, and Dinner in Sat Tal
Accommodation: Lavanya Resort

Spend the morning birding in Pangot. Check out at 0900 hrs and drive to Sat Tal (39 km / 2 hr.), stopping en route at various birding locations. Arrive in Sat Tal and go straight up to the Studio area for birding. In the evening, transfer to the hotel. 

Overnight stay.

The entire drive is through the forested area of Cheena Peak Range via Snow View Point and Kilbury. One can see a variety of Himalayan species along the way such as Bearded Vulture, Himalayan Vulture, Blue-winged Minla, Spotted and Slaty-backed Forktail, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Rufous-bellied Niltava, Kalij Pheasant, variety of Thrushes etc. More than 200 species have been recorded at Pangot and surrounding areas. The numerous Perennial and seasonal Creeks are home to an amazing variety of flora and fauna including the Leopard, Yellow-throated Marten, Himalayan Palm Civet, Ghoral, Barking Deer, Sambar, Red Fox etc.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch in Sat Tal, and Dinner in Delhi
Accommodation: Hotel Shanti Palace

Half day birding in Sat Tal with your guide. The habitat offers species such as White-crested Laughingthrush, Rufous-gorged 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 Laughingthrush, Rufous-breasted Accentor, Greater Yellownape, Speckled Piculet, Golden Bush Robin, etc. 

Drive back to Delhi (371 km / 8 hr.). Arrive in Delhi.

Overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None

After breakfast, checkout and drive to Delhi airport to connect the flight back home.