Birdingpaltours around the world

Plan your next birdwatching trip
using a local professional Birdingpal guide...

• If you are you an independent birdwatcher, who does not care for large group tours, then Birdingpaltours is for you
• Our tours are flexible, safe and the use of a local guide lets you participate in the planning
• A local guide knows all the hotspots and you get the most out of your trip
• You select the date and length for a trip to suit youself
• If your time is limited, we’ll design a tour to fit your needs
• A professional Birdingpal guide can customize your tour, and you will see the birds you want.
• Your guide is also your travel companion, who will make sure you experience the native people, scenery, culture, history and food, first hand.
• You will enjoy the advantage of all the attention you get in a small group, for the same price or perhaps even less, than you will pay if you travel with the large tour groups from other countries
• Remember, the next time you travel, you do not have to miss the birdwatching if your partner or travel companions are non birders; a local guide is flexible, and will easily accommodate other needs too
• Hiring a Birdingpal guide will boost the local economy and help protect birds other wildlife and their habitat

"Munsyari Valley "

Corbett Park, famous for its tigers, elephants and leopards, is also a bird watcher’s dream, with over 580 species. Nainital, the popular hill station, built around a beautiful lake, is surrounded by mountains and forest, where wildlife abounds and more than 500 species of birds can be seen. It is a notified bird sanctuary. Further afield can be found the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, which is considered an ‘Important Bird Area’ by Bird life International. There are more than 200 species in the sanctuary, including Forktail, Blackbirds, Laughing Thrush, Kalij Pheasant, Nuthatches, Parakeets and Monal. Kausani, known for its tea gardens and Himalayan panorama, also boasts numerous bird species, including the beautiful Blue Magpies. No matter which birding trek you decide upon, you will enjoy the natural beauty and tranquillity of the Kumoan, spectacular views of the Himalayas and surrounding countryside.

"Nainital Lake"

We will be happy to organise your own personalised itinerary to include the places you would like to visit and give you the best chance of spotting those birds you really want to see.

Electronic map of India

Year round birdwatching tours in Uttarkhand

16 DAYS: CORBETT PARK; NAINITAL; MUKTESHWAR; BINSAR SANCTUARY.
11 DAYS: NAINITAL AND SURROUNDING AREA.

Save money with our 2012 fixed date birdwatching tours to Uttarkhand

Tour I
16 DAYS: CORBETT PARK; NAINITAL; MUKTESHWAR; BINSAR SANCTUARY.

Itinerary
Expect 350+ birds.

Day 1: Delhi to Ramnagar(Gargiya).
Delhi International Airport pick up and 6 hour drive to Corbett Park, 275km. from Delhi.
Alternatively, if you wish to spend some time in Delhi prior to your birding trek, the pick up can be arranged from your hotel.
Alternatively, if you are averse to travelling by car, most of the journey can be done by overnight A.C. sleeper train.
Explore the Ramganga river area and Sitabani area.
Overnight stay in ‘Tiger Camp’
Day 2-3 and 4: Corbett Park.
We will spend three full days in Corbett-park exploring the park by jeep, on foot, and on elephant back.
Birding near the Ramganga River can be particularly rewarding for Lapwing, waders, mergansers and various other waterfowl.
Birds to be seen: Kalij-Pheasant, Great-Slaty Woodpecker, Stork-billed and Crested Kingfisher, Brown and Tawny Fish Owls Ibisbill, Great Thick-Knee Mountain Hawk Eagle, Grey Headed and Lesser Fish Eagles, Indian Pitta (summer only) and Bright-Headed Cisticola. A wide variety of sub- Himalayan forest birds and western Himalayan species are present in the winter. (Woodpeckers, drongos, thrushes, chats, warblers, and babblers.) Over 400 species have been recorded.
Overnight stay in Old Forest Rest House.

"The distinctive Hoopoe"

Day 5: Corbett to Nainital.
Morning birding in Corbett Park. Afternoon (two and half hour) drive to Nainital.
Overnight stay at Shervani Hill Top Inn.
Day 6-7-8 and 9: Nainital (1938mts).
We will spend four days bird-watching in Nainital, and surrounding area (Snow-view (2270mts.), Kahala-garden, Purani-Chungi, Shuka-tal, Tiffin-top (2292mts.), Ayar-pata, Mangoli–valley, Naini-lake, Hanumangarh-temple, Sat-Tal, Kilbury (2525mts.), Cheena-peak (2611mts.) Alma-peak and Pangot.
Birds to be seen: Black-headed Jay, Eurasian-Jay, Chestnut-headed Laughing thrush, Spotted–Laughing Thrush, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Spotted Forktail, Altai, Rufous-breasted and Black-throated Accentors, Russet-Sparrow, Collared-Grosbeak, Lammergeier, Himalayan-Griffon, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Scaly bellied Woodpecker, Himalayan Woodpecker, Greater-Yellownape, Lesser-Yellownape, Orange-flanked- bushRobin, White-tailed Nuthatch, Hill-Partridge, Rufous-throated Hill Partridge, Bush Quail, Kalij Pheasant, Koklass Pheasant, Cheer-Pheasant, Orential-turtle Dove, Spotted Dove, Beautiful–Finch, Brown-bull finch and many more.
Thrushes, chats, warblers and Rose-finches in winter.
Overnight stay at Sharvani Hill Top Inn.
Day 10: Nainital to Mukteshwar (2286mts).
Morning birding in Nainital followed by a two and half hour drive to Mukteshwar.
Overnight stay at comfortable accommodation Hotel Sahil.

"Black-throated Tit"

Day 11 an 12: Mukteshwar (2286mts).
We have two and half days in Mukteshwar to explore the area. Mukteshwar, set atop a high ridge, is a beautiful Himalayan resort, surrounded by fruit orchards and thick coniferous forest. The famous Indian Veterinary Research Institute is located here. We will be looking out for Partridges, Quails, Francolin, Flycatchers, Parakeets, Warblers, Babblers, Vultures, Eagles, Drongos, Magpies and Thrushes.
Overnight stay at comfortable accommodation Hotel Sahil.
Day 13: Mukteshwar to Binsar.
Morning birding in the area around the Veterinary Research Institute then on to Binsar, three and a half hours away by car.
Overnight stay in the Tourist Rest House or Binsar Retreat tent colony(At the time of writing Binsar does not have electricity; the rest house is lit by candlelight!)
Day 14 and 15: Binsar (2412mts).
We have two full days to explore the park. Binsar sanctuary, just 32 kilometres from Almora, is very peaceful, is rich in biodiversity and has excellent Himalayan views. The Sanctuary was established in 1988, in order to protect the shrinking broad leaf oak (Quercus) forests of the Central Himalayan region. At lower altitudes there are pine forests, which give way to Oak and Rhododendron at higher altitude.
We can expect to see Kelij-Pheasant, Cheer-Pheasant, Koklass-Pheasant, Hill-Partridge, Rufous-throated Partridge, Bush-Quail, Chukur, Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Sparrow Hawk Eagle, White-capped Redstart, Grey-winged Blackbird, Rufous-bellid Rock Thrush, Scaly Thrush, White-collared Blackbird, Long-tailed Thrush, Blue-capped Redstart, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Rufous-bellied Niltava, Grey-headed Canary, Flycatcher, Verditer Flycatcher and White-tailed Nuthatch to name a few.
Overnight stay at Tourist Rest House(K.M.V.N.) or Binsar Retreat (Tent colony).
Day 16: Binsarto Nainital to Delhi.
Morning birding in Binsar and 4 hour drive to Nainital.
Lunch and leisurely afternoon in Nainital before returning to Delhi.

16 Day tour price is: 2 pax Rupee(INR)110,000 per person. 4 pax Rupee(INR)90,000 per person.
Single Supplement Rupee(INR)40,000
Due to currency fluctuations and fuel cost we reserve the right to adjust any pricing prior to departure.

Convert your tour cost into your currency of choice.

Tour II

11 DAYS: NAINITAL AND SURROUNDING AREA.

Itinerary
Expect 250+ birds.

Day 1: Delhi to Nainital.
Delhi International Airport pick up 6 hour drive to Nainital.
Alternatively, if you wish to spend some time in Delhi prior to your birding trek, the pick up can be arranged from your hotel.
Alternatively, if you are averse to travelling by car, most of the journey can be done by overnight A.C. sleeper train.
Birds to be seen around Nainital, include the White-throated Laughing Thrush, Kalij-Pheasant, Chestnut-crown Laughing Thrush, Grey-winged Blackbird, White-collared Blackbird, Eurasian Blackbird, Hill Partridge, Rufous-throated Hill partridge, Collared Grossbeak, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Brown-fronted Woodpecker, Himalayan Woodpecker, Large Woodshrike, Maroon Oriole, Bar-tailed Treecreeper, Rufous Shibia, White-browed Shrike Babbler, Black-throated Sunbird, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Russet Sparrow, White-browed Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Straited Laughingthrush, Chestnut-crowned Laughing Thrush, Yellow-breasted Greenfinch, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Black Eagle, Spotted Forktail, Altai, Rufous-breasted and Black-throated Accentors. Thrushes, Tits and Finches in the winter.
Overnight at the comfortable Shervani Hill Top Inn.
Day 2
Snow-view (2270mts), Chena-peak (Naina-Peak) (2611Mts) Tallest of the mountains around Nainital commands the finest view. On a clear day a wide range of the snow clad Himalayas is visible and from the summit a bird’s eye view of Nainital, Camel’s- back (2605mts). This is approximately a 12km trek. Birds to see Kalij-Phesant, Black-headed Jay, Eurasian Jay, Black-faced Warbler, Grey-winged Blackbird, Streaked Laughingthrush, White-throated Laughingthrush, Straited Laughingthrush, Himalayan Woodpecker, Rusty-cheeked Scimiter Babbler and more.
Overnight at Shervani Hill Top Inn.

"Green Backed Tit"

Day 3
Bara-Patthar, Old-grave-yard, Char-Khet, Saria-Tal and Khurpa-Tal a picturesque paradise for anglers. This is approximately a 9km trek. Birds to be seen Spotted-winged Tit, Black-throated Tit, Maroon Oriole, Bar-tailed Treecreeper, Orential Turtle Dove, Great Barbet, Plumbeous Water Redstart and more.
Return to Nainital by car.
Overnight at Shervani Hill Top Inn.
Day 4
Nainital to Tonkey, Kilbury,(2535mts) and Pangot. This is approximately a 12km trek. Birds to be seen Common Rosefinch, Verditer Flycatcher, Large Woodshrike, Black Drongo, Ashy Drongo, Rufous-throated Partridge, Hill Partridge, Whiskered Yuhina, Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush and more.
Return to Nainital by car.
Overnight at Shervani Hill Top Inn.
Day 5
Nainital to Pitaria, Ranu-Dhar and Gari-Khet. This is approximately a 14km trek. Birds to be seen Russet Sparrow, Spotted Dove, Red Collared Dove, Blue Whistling Thrush, Blue-fronted Redstart, Grey Bush Chat, Black Redstart, Common Stone Chat, Grey-hooded Warbler, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker and more.
Return to Nainital by car.
Overnight at Shervani Hill Top Inn.

"White-throated Laughingthrush"

Day 6
Nainital to Mangoli Valley and Alma Peak. This is approximately a 4.5km trek. Birds to be seen Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Long-tailed Minivet, Sccarlet Minivet, Greater Yellownape, White-winged Redstat, Green-backed Tit, White-crested Laughingthrush, Asian Barred Owlet, Plum-headed Parakeet, Slaty-headed Parakeet and more.
Return to Nainital by car.
Overnight at Shervani Hill Top Inn.
Day 7
Nainital to Pitaria and Pangot by old path behind Cheena Peak. This is approximately a 12.5km trek. The trek takes us through dense forest looking for Leopard, Barking Deer, Ghoral, Wild Bear, Pine Marten, Fox, Porcupine and Langur Monkey.
Birds to be seen Scaly-bellied Woodpecker, White-taile Nuthatch, Black Eagle, Altai, Rufous and Black-throated Accentors, Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush, Eurasian Blackbird, Rufous Sibia, Dark-throated Thrush, Long-tailed Broadbill, Dark-sided Flycatcher and more.
Return to Nainital by car.
Overnight at Shervani Hill Top Inn.

"Asian Barred Owl"

Day 8
Nainital to Sat-Tal by car 21km. Birding around Sat-tal Tiffin-Top. This is approximately a 5km trek. Birds to be seen White-browed Fantail, Long-tailed Mimivet, Himalayan Bulbul, Red-vented Bulbul, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Oriental White-eye, Black-throated Sunbird, Common Quail and more.
Return to Nainital by car.
Overnight at Shervani Hill Top Inn.
Day 9
Nainital to Bhrama-Sthali by car 25km followed by a 3km. walk from road. Birds to be seen Koklass Phesant, Himalayan Griffon, Lammergeier, Eurasian Griffon, Rufous-billed Niltava, Spotted Laughingthrush, Scaly Thrush, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Black Eagle, Changeable Hawk Eagle, Brown-fronted Woodpecker, Jungle Bush Quail and more.
Return to Nainital by car.
Overnight at Shervani Hill Top Inn.
Day 10
Nainital to Snow–View, Kahala-gardan, Purani-chungai (small water stream), Duani-khal and Rathi-Ghat by car 17km. This is approximately a 14km trek. Birds to be seen Spotted Forktail, Blue-capped Redstart, Black Redstart, Black Bulbul, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Orange-flanked Bush Robin, Oriental Magpie Robin, Indian Robin, Great Tit, White-collared Blackbird, Grey Wagtail, White-browed Wagtail, Blue-capped Rock Thrush, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Chestnut–bellied Rock Thrush and more.
Return to Nainital by car.
Overnight at Shervani Hill Top Inn.
Day 11
Nainital to Delhi with morning birding around Snow-view, Naini-lake and Ayaraptha.
Return to Delhi.

11 Day tour price is: 2 pax is Rupee(INR)75,000 per person. 4 pax is Rupee(INR)60,000 per person.
Single Supplement Rupee(INR)25,000
Due to currency fluctuations and fuel cost we reserve the right to adjust any pricing prior to departure.

Convert your tour cost into your currency of choice.

Included:
All transportation, airport pickup and return to Delhi by taxi, accommodation, food, safe drinking water (bottled, boiled or chlorinated) and English speaking guiding.
Excluded:
International flights, travel insurance, extra charge for video cameras, photography for commercial purposes, alcoholic beverages etc.
Notes.
In case of extraordinary weather conditions, we reserve the right to modify the itineraries.
Minimum lead time 3 weeks.
To check availability for tours on short notice, fill out “Request for Quote” form with desirable dates.
Suggested List of clothing and equipment:
Winter heavy woollen & summer light woollen clothing, Trekking Boots, Sunhat, Sleeping Bag, Water bottle, Torch with spare batteries, Sunglasses, Personal medical kit, Binoculars, Telescope and Bird book, Sun block lotion.
Walking is easy to moderate. Altitude 350 m to 4500m up and down hills.
Vehicle: Max. 6 seats.

Should you only need a guide for a day please send a message to Sunil.   

Sunil Kumar, your local Birdingpal guide My name is Sunil Kumar I have been a registered (Tourism Department of Uttarakhand) guide since 1995. I have lived here, in Nainital, all of my life and have extensive knowledge of the area. I specialise in tailor-made itineraries to suit the independent traveller, and in particular bird-watchers, as I am a keen bird-watcher and nature lover myself. My mother tongue is Hindi and I speak good English.

Testimonials.
We had a very good day’s bird spotting with Sunil, in spite of the rain. Sunil knows where all the good birds are and eyes like a hawk.
Andy Anderson and Ben Blewitt, AA Birding and Travel (Australia)
We spent an excellent morning bird watching around Snow View and Fairlight with Sunil. He immediately started finding interesting birds and took us on a wild path through the forest. He was very knowledgeable, not only about birds, but also pointed out all the peaks. Among the birds he showed us were, Black Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Brown-headed Woodpecker, Greater Yellownape, Rufous Sibia, Bar-tailed Tree Creeper, Streaked Laughing Thrush, Striated Laughing Thrush, Rufous-crowned Laughing Thrush, White-throated Laughing Thrush, Nepal House Martin, Long-tailed Minwet (to name but a few).
James Champion (My father was a conservator of forests in Nainital in 1930-40). Personally I want to thank you for a wonderful birding experience, a lovely sunrise over the Himalayas and very interesting talks on the trails. Nigel Champion, UK.
We came to Nainital from far away, not to honeymoon but to birdwatch. Had we not met Sunil by accident, we may not have achieved the purpose of our week long visit. Sunil was a great help in getting us to the few places where the hard to locate birds can be found. Sunil can identify these birds by their vocalisations before he sees them. We consider Sunil an expert birding guide and now also a friend. India can and should be proud of such a fine young man. Thank you Sunil, thank you India for your beautiful birds.
Birdingpals Alicia and Dieter Kamm, Sierra Vista, Arizona
Sunil has the complete set of everything that makes a bird Guide perfect. His knowledge of local birdlife (including call's, habitat,ages,sexes,etc.)is excellent for all species. His English is really top notch, he is personable, friendly, affordable,and very cool and relaxed. Sunil also knows about all the local' Furnies' (Mammals, Barking deers, Serow, Goral, Himalayan marten etc.). Above all Sunil is exeeding reasonably priced. You couln't ask for more in a birding Guide. He is by far best birding Guide, I have had in all of India (and I've been birding here for 5 months). James Lambert (England)

Some facts about India.

India is a land of villages and a large part of its population lives there. Agriculture is the main occupation for the people, hence real Indian village life is the picture of a farmer’s life.

More facts about India.

Guide books and CD’s recommended:

Birds of the Indian Subcontinent. RICHARD GRIMMETT, CAROL INSKTPP, TIM TNSKIPP
Birds of India. AMANO SAMARPAN
A Field Guide to Birds of the Indian Subcontinent. KRYS KAZMIERCZAK, Ber Van Perlo(Illustrator)
Common birds of Indian subcontinent. ANANDA BANERJEE.
Birds of prey of the Indian subcontinent. RISHAD NAORJI
Birds of Northern India. RICHARD GRIMMETT, TIM INSKIPP.

Find lowest prices here

Bird Recordings from India

Bird Songs of Tropical Asia 2.0 and 3.0 by Jelle Scharringa www.wildsounds.com

Request a Quote from Birdingpaltours
Trip Description:
Full Name:
Street Address:
Town:
State or province:
Postal or Zip Code:
Country:
Nationality:
Email Address:
Confirm Email Address:
Telephone Number:
Desired departure week: See note below form:
Number of people:
Name & Address of Travel Companions
Notes
Type this word:   DOVE

Email to a friend
secure email provided by barewire.net
To Email:
Your Email:
Your Name:
Subject Line:
Message:	This is an automatic message to tell you about a trip for birdwatchers. I visited Birdingpaltours and thought you would be interested: http://www.birdingpal.org/tours/IndiaItinerary.htm
Type this word:	WREN

For more tours around the world visit
Birdingpaltours

Last update 21/11/2011