Upcoming Tours

North and East Sikkim are not regularly visited by birders but provide an excellent variety of East Himalayan birds that are often more confiding and easier to see than in the more popular sites in Arunachal Pradesh.

The first few days of this tour are spent in Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary, close to western Bhutan. The sanctuary covers a vast altitudinal range, to over 4,000 m, bringing with it many changes in birdlife as we ascend through the rhododendron and juniper forest to the alpine lakes. We will make use of one or two simple homestays in the area and have time to explore thoroughly, through the famous zigzag roads of Zuluk to the Nathang Valley. Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Slaty-backed Forktail, Blue-winged Laughingthrush, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Long-tailed Broadbill, and Great Parrotbill, are some of our target species.

Afterwards, the Tibetan plateau in the north gives a completely different birdlife. This is relatively unexplored territory and a land of pheasants, snowfinches and swarming flocks of Grandalas! This area is excellent for mammals and we will look for herds of Kiang, the Tibetan Wild Ass, as well as Himalayan Serow, Tibetan Sand Fox, and even a Pallas’s Cat.

This is a very special tour to experience one of the birding wonders of the entire world. Only in the last few years have Amur Falcons been known to congregate in such large numbers on migration. For just a few weeks at the end of October and early November in Nagaland, in India’s Northeast, phenomenal numbers of this beautiful falcon gather together to feed and roost during their remarkable migration from eastern Russia and China to southern Africa. To stand at dusk with hundreds of thousands of Amur Falcons swirling around above our heads, and in total silence except for their calls, is truly awe-inspiring.

Before we enjoy our Amur spectacle, we will spend some time birding in the Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary, set up by the local village council, from the first Naga village to ban hunting, in 1998. Here we hope to find Mountain Bamboo Partridge, Black-tailed Crake, Naga Wren Babbler, Striped and Brown-capped Laughingthrushes, Spot-breasted Scimitar-Babbler, and Crested Finchbill.

This tour is specially arranged so that you can take just one week off work (or school: Autumn half-term is the perfect time to catch the peak of Amur migration!) and be back in the office (or school) on Monday morning to regale your colleagues (or school friends, if they’re interested!) with stories of an unforgettable week!

Northeast India is one of the most bird-rich regions in the world. The dense forests are home to various species of skulking babblers and similarly plumaged warblers, but also beautiful pheasants and other stunners including the recently discovered Bugun Liocichla.

We start this tour with a visit to lowland Nameri National Park on the Jia Bhoreli river, which has a wide variety of species including Pied Falconet, Oriental Hobby and White-winged Duck. Dirang is our next stop, the base for exploring the Sangti Valley, Mandala Road and, weather-permitting, the high-altitude Sela Pass. At 4,200m, there are birds here that are extremely difficult to find elsewhere in Arunachal and we will hope to connect with Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Solitary Snipe and Grandala.

Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary needs little introduction to birdwatchers. Unusually for Arunachal Pradesh, this montane forest has the advantage of easy access to a wide altitudinal range thanks to a jeep track which cuts through its heart from Eaglenest Pass at 2800 m down to the flood plains of Assam at 100 m. Eaglenest gained fame when Bugun Liocichla was described, new to science, in 2006. As well as that, we will hope to see many other excellent birds, including Blyth’s and Temminck’s Tragopans, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Ward’s Trogon, Blackish-breasted Babbler (Sikkim Wedge-billed Babbler), Long-billed Wren-babbler, Beautiful Nuthatch, and many more.

Kaziranga National Park is our final stop, with its Indian Rhinoceros, Wild Water Buffalo, Asian Elephant, and a chance of Tiger. Several localised and endangered birds such as Bengal Florican and Greater Adjutant will be amongst our many targets.

The main focus of this tour is a birding trek through the largest protected area in the Eastern Himalayas, and third largest in India, the Namdapha National Park. However, we will have time to start with a short trip to ascend the Mishmi Hills, most notably looking for the highly localised Mishmi, or Rusty-throated, Wren-babbler. First described from one specimen collected in 1947, it was not seen again until 2004.

Namdapha National Park is seldom visited due to the difficulty of access. The area is mountainous, crisscrossed by many watercourses forming part of the catchment area of the Brahmaputra through the Noa-Dihing (Diyun) river system. It is unique in harbouring all four big Himalayan cats: Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard and the rarely seen Clouded Leopard. However, the higher elevations of the park are inaccessible and our chances of seeing any of these are minimal.

A great diversity of birds however is guaranteed. This is the best site in India to see the critically endangered and declining White-bellied Heron, and we will check many of the rivers for it. Other birds could include Rufous-throated and White-cheeked Hill Partridges, Ward’s Trogon, Brown, Rufous-necked and Wreathed Hornbills, Pied Falconet, Blue-naped Pitta, White-crowned Forktail, Green and Purple Cochoas, Long-tailed Broadbill, Sultan Tit, Beautiful Nuthatch and Snowy-throated Babbler.

India is blessed with countless wildlife experiences, from the jungles, to the deserts, and everything in between. This tour to Central India is the perfect itinerary to enjoy India’s birds whilst giving yourself the best possible chance of seeing wild Tigers! We cover two reserves, Bandhavgarh and Kanha National Parks, with excellent populations and reliable sightings of tigers.

We start with India’s most famous bird reserve, Keoladeo National Park, more commonly known as Bharatpur, which guarantees spectacular wetland birding. A boat ride along the Chambal river, the best place in India to see the fish-eating crocodile Gharial, Ganges River Dolphin, and highly threatened birds including Indian Skimmer. It’s not just wildlife on this tour either, for from Agra we include two Indian must-dos: a visit to the majestic Taj Mahal, followed by the Indian Railways experience with an overnight sleeper train.

This tour focuses on the endemic birds of the Western Ghats of South India, one of the 36 global biodiversity hotspots due to its large amount of endemism and diversity. The area is important for wintering migrants too, and we are guaranteed some great birds and wildlife throughout as we visit most of the top birding sites in the region. We will see most of the 37 South Indian endemics, plus many of those shared with Sri Lanka, and an excellent selection of large mammals. Key bird species include lots with Malabar and Nilgiri in their name!

Starting from Bangalore in Karnataka, we take a southerly route through Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Main birding sites include the River Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, Mudumalai National Park, the Nilgiri Hills, Periyar National Park and Thattekad Bird Sanctuary.

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Pristine beaches, clear waters, sandy shores and beautiful sunsets make the Andaman Islands a tropical idyll. But the main interest for birders are the 20 endemic and near-endemic birds. Being closer to Myanmar, Thailand and Indonesia than India, the avifauna is also closely related to that of southeast Asia.

Target species will include Andaman Green-Pigeon, Andaman Cuckooshrike, Andaman Crake, Andaman Nightjar, Andaman Scops Owl, Andaman Treepie, Andaman Shama and Andaman Teal – some imaginative naming! – as well as non-endemics that are easier to encounter here than in much of the rest of India, such as Slaty-breasted Rail, Black-naped Tern, Black Baza, Violet Cuckoo and Beach Thick-knee.

There will be opportunities for snorkelling the wonderful coral reefs around the islands for those who would rather take in some wildlife below sea level!

The western deserts of India, provide spectacular birding in one of India’s richest cultural regions, home to some of the rarest birds in the country. The Thar Desert of Rajasthan, in the Desert National Park, is the last remaining stronghold of the Great Indian Bustard, a species that sadly could well be extinct in our lifetimes. Nearby is one of India’s avian spectacles, the wintering flock of thousands of Demoiselle Cranes at Khichan. Other key birds include Spotted and Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Yellow-eyed Pigeon, Stoliczka’s Bushchat, and a fine assortment of cranes, raptors, larks, wheatears and buntings.

A break from desert landscapes awaits us at the charming hill station of Mount Abu, the only regular site for the endemic Green Avadavat.

Moving on to the state of Gujarat we will spend time in the Little Rann of Kutch Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary, before ending up at the vast salt desert of the Greater Rann. This unique region is astonishingly rich in bird life, particularly in winter when large numbers of waterfowl, along with desert species, can be seen.

The Gujarat coast is one of the richest areas for wintering waterbirds in India and we start in Jamnagar where sites such as Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary will show us thousands of flamingos and hopefully large flocks of one of our main targets here, Crab Plover.

Gir National Park is the only site remaining in India for the Asiatic Lion. The local population is currently doing well with an estimated 600 lions, and we also have a reasonable chance of seeing a Leopard. Birds include Mottled Wood Owl, Brown Fish Owl, Painted Sandgrouse, Indian Pitta, Red-headed Vulture, and Barred Buttonquail.

Velavadar National Park protects a large remaining area of grassland, a habitat very much threatened elsewhere, with a spectacular evening harrier roost. It is famous for its Blackbucks, Wolf and Striped Hyena. Birds include Common Crane, Dalmatian Pelican, Eastern Imperial Eagle, and Painted Francolin, as well as the rare Stoliczka’s Bushchat.

This special tour focusses on one main bird that, sadly, could well be extinct in our lifetimes. As well as the spectacular Great Indian Bustard, the Thar Desert of Rajasthan provides some wonderful birding in one of India’s richest cultural regions.

First, we will spend time at India’s most famous bird reserve, the Keoladeo National Park, or Bharatpur. From there we will enjoy one of India’s avian spectacles at close quarters, the wintering flock of thousands of Demoiselle Cranes at Khichan. Other key birds include Spotted and Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Yellow-eyed Pigeon, Stoliczka’s Bushchat, and a fine assortment of cranes, raptors, larks, wheatears and buntings.

This tour is specially arranged so that you can take just one week off work or school – Spring half-term in February is the perfect time of year for Rajasthan – and be back in the office (or school) on Monday morning to regale your colleagues!

Is there a better introduction to India, its scenery, wildlife and birds, than this classic tour from Delhi? For the first-time visitor it is perfect, and the enormous variety of birds throughout means it is always a thrill, even for the regular birder.

We start with big cats, with an afternoon safari at Jhalana giving a good chance of seeing a Leopard, and then to Ranthambore National Park, where Tigers here have been reputed to be fearless of human presence and are often seen during the daytime, so it is one of the best places to see wild tigers anywhere in the world.

Keoladeo National Park, better known as Bharatpur, is well-known to birders as one of the most outstanding wetland reserves in Asia, attracting large numbers of wildfowl, herons, storks, cranes, waders, owls and raptors. A boat on the river at the nearby Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary should give us superb views of Indian Skimmers and Black-bellied Terns, with the fish-eating Gharial crocodile and, if we’re lucky, a Gangetic River Dolphin.

After seeing the Taj Mahal, we move to Corbett National Park, a scenic reserve with a bird species list approximately the same as Britain and Ireland! Some of the more interesting include Pallas’s and Lesser Fish Eagles, Tawny Fish Owl, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Ibisbill, Wallcreeper, Hodgson’s Bushchat, Rosy Minivet and Himalayan Rubythroat.

Just three hours’ drive away and the habitat, and birdlife, changes drastically as we get our first views of the mighty Himalayas. Pangot is a small hamlet in Uttarakhand near Nainital, and we will stay at Jungle Lore, India’s first and foremost birding lodge. The oak, pine and rhododendron forests here have excellent birding, including such desirable targets as Cheer and Koklass Pheasants, Bearded Vulture, Upland Pipit and Grey-crowned Prinia.

Chopta in the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary provides some excellent winter and spring birding, and fantastic landscapes. A mix of pine and deodar forest with rhododendrons, amidst lush ‘bugyals’ or grassy meadows, it is probably the best and most easily accessible place in India to see the stunning ‘nine-coloured’ state bird of Uttarakhand, the Himalayan Monal. That alone would be worth the long drive, but the area has much more to offer.

The Eastern Himalaya region teems with biodiversity, including some very special birds and mammals. Manas National Park is a tiger reserve on the Bhutan border, and part of an important elephant corridor. It has a fantastic selection of mammals including the gorgeous Golden Langur. For birds it is a prime site for the critically endangered Bengal Florican, and may also produce Black-tailed Crake, Pied Harrier, Wreathed Hornbill, Red-headed Trogon, Indian Grassbird, Hodgson’s Bushchat and Rufous-vented Laughingthrush.

Cherrapunjee is famous for being one of the wettest places in the world. For birders though, the Tawny-breasted Wren-babbler is one key reason to visit: a poorly known endemic species that is almost entirely restricted to Meghalaya.

Northeast India is one of the most bird-rich regions in the world. The dense forests are home to various species of skulking babblers and similarly plumaged warblers, but also beautiful pheasants and other stunners including the recently discovered Bugun Liocichla.

We start this tour with a visit to lowland Nameri National Park on the Jia Bhoreli river, which has a wide variety of species including Pied Falconet, Oriental Hobby and White-winged Duck. Dirang is our next stop, the base for exploring the Sangti Valley, Mandala Road and, weather-permitting, the high-altitude Sela Pass. At 4,200m, there are birds here that are extremely difficult to find elsewhere in Arunachal and we will hope to connect with Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Solitary Snipe and Grandala.

Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary needs little introduction to birdwatchers. Unusually for Arunachal Pradesh, this montane forest has the advantage of easy access to a wide altitudinal range thanks to a jeep track which cuts through its heart from Eaglenest Pass at 2800 m down to the flood plains of Assam at 100 m. Eaglenest gained fame when Bugun Liocichla was described, new to science, in 2006. As well as that, we will hope to see many other excellent birds, including Blyth’s and Temminck’s Tragopans, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Ward’s Trogon, Blackish-breasted Babbler (Sikkim Wedge-billed Babbler), Long-billed Wren-babbler, Beautiful Nuthatch, and many more.

Kaziranga National Park is our final stop, with its Indian Rhinoceros, Wild Water Buffalo, Asian Elephant, and a chance of Tiger. Several localised and endangered birds such as Bengal Florican and Greater Adjutant will be amongst our many targets.

This is a specialist birding trip in the spectacular Great Himalayan National Park, focussed on the stunning, enigmatic and very seldom seen Western Tragopan. Find yourself in the midst of this pristine landscape of the mighty Himalayas, enjoying some fantastic birding and hopefully one of the least observed birds in India! As well as the tragopan we hope to see Cheer and Koklass Pheasants, Himalayan Monal, Bearded Vulture, White-cheeked Nuthatch, Spotted Nutcracker, Pink-browed Rosefinch, Collared Grosbeaks and more.

This tour is specially arranged so that you can take just one week off work or school – Summer half-term in May is the perfect time of year for Tragopans – and be back in the office (or school) on Monday morning to regale your colleagues (or school friends, if they’re interested!) with stories of an unforgettable week!