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 Tour
Synopsis:
The mountains around
Nainital rise to over 2,80 metres. On a clear day, the view from the
pine-clad ridges above the town is nothing short of spectacular and,
gazing across the snow-capped giants towards the borders with China
and Tibet, we may be able to see Nanda Devi, at 8,500 metres, India's
highest peak.
The bird life is no
less magnificent, with Lammergeier, Himalayan Griffon, Great Hill
Barbet, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Black-throated Jay, Streaked
Laughing-thrush, Altai Accentor, Red-headed Tit, and Golden Bush-Robin
among an impressive list of upland species.
From Pangot via
Nainital, we'll move slowly into the Himalayas to Ranikhet, birding as
we go amid some splendidly scenic countryside. Our next destination is
Saatal, that is seldom frequented by birders in large numbers. This
place has interesting trails where one can see large feeding flocks of
various Himalayan bird species. A drive to Corbett is rewarding as we
stop enroute for birding, looking for wall creepers, forktails, etc.
Corbett, India's
oldest national park, was established in 1935 and extends across 200
square miles. The setting is superb and the sheer variety of bird life
astounding, with 580 species known in the park - from Changeable
Hawk-eagle, Red Jungle Fowl, Emerald Dove, Brown Fish Owl, and
Black-headed Oriole to Plumbeous and White-capped Redstarts, Himalayan
Rubythroat, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, and Himalayan Bulbul.
Corbett also supports
a great assortment of large animals including Sloth Bear, Marsh Mugger
Crocodile, Indian Elephant, leopard and the Royal Bengal Tiger. For
those with a passion for wildlife, the hysterical wailing of jackals,
trumpeting of elephants, and an occasional roar of a tiger are among
the marvels of Corbett. By mid-morning the bushes burst into life with
crowds of small birds, from wood-shrikes and warblers to exuberant
minivets and the exotic Marshall's Iora.
There will be much to
see, and a walk past a regular wintering site for the elusive and
beautiful Ibisbill can be fairly exciting. During the stay one can
make excursions to places more sublime than Corbett itself - that most
ethereal of India's monuments, the majestic Taj Mahal and the
colorful, historical cities of Rajasthan. Join us for an adventure by
bus, train, safari jeeps, on foot, and by bicycles through the
bird-filled jungles of northern India!
Itinerary
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Day 01 Delhi-Saatal
Drive in the
morning to Saatal (7 hours). Afternoon birding with a guide near
the lodge. This habitats offers different species like
White-crested Laughing Thrushes, black winged kite, Red-billed
Leothrix, Himalayan Ruby throat, crested and rock bunting. This
scattered and deliberately undeveloped area is one of the most
pleasant destinations. Overnight stay.
Day 02 Saatal
Full day birding
in and around Saatal. Look for laughing thrushes, accentors,
woodpeckers etc. Overnight stay.
Day 03
Saatal-
Pangot (Nainital)
You will be
transferred to Pangot (2 hr.), a journey that takes you on one
of the world's more spectacular mountain roads as we climb up
into the Kumaon Hills on our way to this delightful "lake city."
One can stop along the way to look for birds which may include
blue whistling thrush, yellow billed blue magpie, blue capped
rock chat, white capped redstart etc. Rest of the day free for
birding at Pangot. One can see Slaty headed parakeet, grey
bushchat, long-tailed shrike, lesser kestrel, shikra, chestnut
bellied rock thrush etc. Streaked Laughing-Thrush is a common
garden bird here.
Day 04
Pangot
A long trail
leads up to Cheena Peak, which at 2610 metres offers views of
the Garhwal Himalayas including Nanda Devi. Also a very good
birding area is the quiet old road through forests towards
Corbett National Park. The viewpoint is alive with Grey headed
Canary flycatchers, White-throated Laughing thrushes,
Grey-winged Blackbirds and green backed tits. We can also look
for Hill Barbet, Slaty grey Woodpecker, black chinned babbler,
black headed and maroon orioles. Nearby mountains could include
Himalayan Griffon Vulture, Lammergeier and Chukar, Khalij
Pheasant, crimson Sunbird and the Fire-capped Tit.
Day 05 Pangot-
Ranikhet
Early start for
a 3.5-hour drive to Ranikhet through the Himalayan roads. Rest
of the day birding in the surroundings. One can see fire-tailed
or green tailed sunbirds, sultan tits, scaly breasted
wren-babbler, Black bulbul, Black capped Sibia, Black Eagle,
King Vulture, Black breasted sunbird, Blue throated Barbet etc.
Day 06 Ranikhet
Full day birding
in Ranikhet and surrounding areas. You could come across Blue
whistling thrush, Booted Hawk Eagle, Broad billed roller, green,
gold or rose finch, Brown crested tit etc.
Day 07 Ranikhet-Corbett
National Park
Corbett Tiger
reserve has a spectacular avifauna diversity. About 580 species
of resident and migratory birds have been recorded in and around
the reserve and 49 species of diurnal raptors are found here
forming a characteristic element of the avifauna. Great pied
hornbill, Pallas's fishing eagle, lesser grey headed fishing
eagle, red-thighed falconet are some of the endangered birds
found in Corbett. More birds include Tawny Fish Owl, Great
Hornbill, scaly bellied woodpecker, red breasted Parakeet,
Himalayan Swiftlet, grey headed Fish Eagle, Stork-billed
Kingfisher and Himalayan Rubythroat. Tiger Camp makes an ideal
base for birding.
Day 08 Dhikala
Forest Lodge (Corbett National Park)
Drive early
morning to Dhikala tourism zone. Arrive at the main tourist
complex, Dhikala – check in. Afternoon visit to the grasslands
for birding. Overnight stay at Dhikala Forest Lodge. Birding in
the lower jungle track along the Ramganga river is very
rewarding for water birds such as river lapwings, waders,
mergansers and other waterfowl. While relaxing at the lodge or
visiting the grasslands one can see large-tailed nightjar,
jungle owlet, spot-bellied owlet, grass owl, common and
white-tailed stonechat, black francolin, purple and crimson
sunbird, golden-fronted leafbird, black-shouldered kite, hen
harrier, changeable hawk-eagle etc.
Day 09 Corbett
National Park
Morning elephant
safari through the grasslands and dense forests. This is the
best mode of transport for wildlife viewing. Return at 0900
hours for breakfast and then spend time till lunch on a
watchtower overlooking a water hole. Drive to Tiger Camp. Arrive
Tiger Camp for dinner. Overnight stay.Some of the best birding
areas of Dhikala are Sambhar Road and Khinanauli. One can expect
to see great slaty woodpecker, great hornbill, puff-throated
babbler, white-rumped shama, pallas's fish eagle etc.
Day 10 Corbett
National Park
Full day at
Corbett with a morning or evening elephant / jeep ride into the
park. You may search the boulder-strewn river for the rare and
elusive Ibisbill as well as brown dipper. The best birding areas
are in the buffer zone along the Kosi River near Tiger Camp. You
can also bird-watch across the river from the resort which can
be crossed by a bridge a short distance upriver from the hotel
or by wading across the Kosi. It can be fairly rewarding as one
can see mergansers, crested kingfisher, green heron, egrets and
cormorants etc.
Day 11 Corbett
National Park-Delhi
You will explore
the river edge at Kumeria for Brown Fish Owl, barred owlet,
Plumbeous Redstart, brown dipper and the three species of
forktails. Many new species are possible in the forest and could
include Crested Tree Swift, Spangled Drongo and Blue-bearded
Bee-eater. Drive back to Delhi at noon. Arrive Delhi in the
evening (6 hour drive).
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