North India includes a vast array of habitats and scenery, and the widest variety of birds and other wildlife in India, as well as some of the country’s most famous tourist sites. Corbett National Park alone has a bird species list approximately the same as Britain and Ireland, as well as a healthy population of Tigers and Asian Elephants. Whilst the name Keoladeo Ghana might not be well-known, the alternative name of Bharatpur with its huge waterbird flocks, is probably the most famous Indian wildlife reserve globally. Nearby of course, is the most famous symbol of India, the incomparable Taj Mahal.
The Himalayan foothills provide wonderful birding, with laughingthrushes, minivets, minlas and forktails amongst the exciting bird families to be easily seen, and higher up into the mighty mountain range there are specialities such as Himalayan Monal and other pheasants. Further north and everything changes again, with a Tibetan influence on landscape, culture, food and wildlife, and this is where to escape the oppressive summer heat of the plains.
Desirable bird species for visiting birders include Cheer Pheasant, Himalayan Snowcock, Indian Spotted Eagle, Black-necked Crane, Ibisbill, Indian Skimmer, Tawny Fish Owl, Wallcreeper, Kashmir Nuthatch, Siberian and Himalayan Rubythroats, and Orange Bullfinch.
North India includes the states of Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, through Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, to the northernmost extent of India in Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. For the best possible introduction to India, its birds and wildlife, we recommend the Classic North India tour.
