Birds, Tigers & Himalayan Trails of North India

Arrive in Delhi, India’s vibrant capital where ancient heritage blends seamlessly with modern life. Upon arrival, meet our representative and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a relaxed birding excursion around the wetlands and green spaces on the outskirts of Delhi, home to a surprising diversity of resident and migratory bird species. Overnight stay in Delhi.

After breakfast, travel to Ranthambore National Park, one of India’s most celebrated tiger reserves and an excellent birding destination in Rajasthan. Surrounded by dry deciduous forests, lakes, and ancient ruins, Ranthambore offers exceptional opportunities to observe both wildlife and birdlife. Enjoy your first safari or birdwatching session around the park’s scenic landscapes. Overnight stay in Ranthambore.

Spend the day exploring the rich habitats of Ranthambore National Park with morning and afternoon safaris. While the park is famous for Bengal Tigers, it also supports a remarkable variety of birds including Painted Spurfowl, Indian Pitta, Crested Serpent Eagle, Paradise Flycatcher, Painted Sandgrouse, and numerous waterbirds around the lakes. The dramatic scenery and ancient fort ruins make Ranthambore a paradise for wildlife photographers and bird enthusiasts alike. Overnight stay in Ranthambore.

Today explore the diverse birding areas surrounding Ranthambore National Park including wetlands, grasslands, village landscapes, and forest edges. These varied ecosystems attract francolins, quails, owls, woodpeckers, migratory ducks, raptors, and colorful passerines. The peaceful countryside also offers an authentic glimpse into rural Rajasthan. Overnight stay in Ranthambore. 

After breakfast, drive to Bharatpur, home to the world-famous Keoladeo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest bird sanctuaries in Asia. Upon arrival, enjoy an evening birdwatching excursion through the park’s wetlands and woodland trails. Keoladeo attracts hundreds of resident and migratory bird species, making it a dream destination for bird photographers and ornithologists. Overnight stay in Bharatpur.

Spend the entire day exploring the rich wetland ecosystem of Keoladeo National Park by cycle rickshaw and on foot. The sanctuary is renowned for storks, pelicans, cranes, owls, ducks, eagles, kingfishers, and numerous migratory species during winter months. Birdwatchers may also encounter rare raptors and a wide range of waders across the marshlands and shallow lakes. Overnight stay in Bharatpur.

Drive towards the Chambal River region near Dholpur, one of India’s most pristine river ecosystems. Enjoy birding along the Chambal River, famous for Indian Skimmers, River Terns, Black-bellied Terns, Sarus Cranes, and numerous migratory waterbirds. The sanctuary is also known for gharials, marsh crocodiles, and the endangered Gangetic Dolphin. Overnight stay in Dholpur. 

After breakfast, continue to Agra for a guided visit to the magnificent Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, followed by a tour of the historic Agra Fort. Later, drive back to Delhi for an overnight stay. This cultural interlude beautifully complements your wildlife and birding journey through North India.

Drive to Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand, India’s oldest national park and a paradise for birdwatchers and wildlife lovers. Located in the Himalayan foothills, Corbett boasts riverine forests, grasslands, and dense sal woodlands supporting over 500 bird species. Evening birding around the Kosi River and surrounding forest areas offers chances to spot kingfishers, fish eagles, wagtails, and hornbills. Overnight stay in Corbett

Begin the day with an early morning jeep safari in Corbett National Park. Apart from Tigers and Asian Elephants, the park shelters an extraordinary diversity of Himalayan and sub-Himalayan bird species including Great Hornbills, Crested Kingfishers, fish owls, barbets, woodpeckers, and eagles. Enjoy another birding session in the afternoon around forest trails and riverbeds. Overnight stay in Corbett.

Today explore the rich birding habitats around Kumeria and nearby forest patches outside Corbett. These areas are excellent for spotting Himalayan birds including flycatchers, laughingthrushes, minivets, bulbuls, and nuthatches. Continue with a wildlife safari experience inside Corbett for more opportunities to encounter India’s iconic wildlife. Overnight stay in Corbett. 

Drive through the scenic Himalayan foothills to Pangot, a peaceful mountain village near Nainital known as one of India’s finest Himalayan birding destinations. Surrounded by oak, rhododendron, and pine forests, Pangot is famous for pheasants, woodpeckers, warblers, and colorful Himalayan birds. Evening birdwatching around the forest trails. Overnight stay in Pangot.

Spend a full day birding in the forests and higher elevations around Pangot. The region offers opportunities to observe Himalayan Griffons, Koklass Pheasants, Cheer Pheasants, Himalayan Woodpeckers, Blue-winged Minlas, and many other mountain species. Clear days also reward visitors with breathtaking Himalayan views, creating perfect conditions for landscape and bird photography. Overnight stay in Pangot.

After breakfast, drive to Sat Tal, a serene cluster of interconnected Himalayan lakes surrounded by forests. Sat Tal is among the best birdwatching destinations in Uttarakhand and attracts a remarkable range of resident and migratory species. Spend the afternoon exploring forest trails and lakeside habitats in search of broadbills, partridges, flycatchers, owls, and colorful Himalayan songbirds. Overnight stay in Sat Tal. 

Enjoy a final morning birding session around Sat Tal before driving back to Delhi. Transfer to the international airport for your onward flight, carrying unforgettable memories of India’s rich birdlife, wildlife safaris, Himalayan landscapes, and cultural treasures.