BIRD WATCHING TOUR IN NEPAL
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INTRODUCTION
“Nepal may be a small country in size but its a bird watchers paradise. Packed with national parks and a topography that encompasses the sub-tropical to alpine conditions, Nepal plays host to more than 850 species of birds.”
Nepal is a bird watchers paradise with national park and conservation areas making up a large part of its territory. More than 850 species of birds are found in Nepal, and surprisingly a good number of these birds can be spotted in and around the Kathmandu Valley alone. Bird watching is possible in any corner of Nepal, be it in the sweltering plains where Koshi Tappu, Chitwan and Bardiya are the main sites while in the mountainous region, the Everest and Annapurna regions boast other well-known species of birds. The Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve in the eastern Terai is the place to be. Bird watchers cannot miss this wonderful reserve which abounds in birds of all kinds. It's a place where one sees trees packed with birds as if posing for a photograph.
The hills around Kathmandu valley especially Nagarjun, Godavari and Phulchowki are popular bird watching areas and the Taudaha Lake on the way to Dakshinkali is ideal for watching migratory water fowl during the winter months.
The higher Himalayan regions are home to a wide array of raptors and birds of prey, boasting a diverse range of species. But Koshi Tappu has better sightings of an incredible variety of both resident and migratory birds that come from as far away as Siberia. Nepal’s national bird is the lophophores, Impede Pheasant locally called Danphe which is found in the Himalayan region. Asiatic Roads specialized in organizing Bird watching trips accompanied by our experienced naturalists.
Itinerary In Detail
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1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400 m / 4,592 ft.). Eve: Group welcome dinner.
Upon arrival in Katmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, meet, assist and transfer to hotel. After welcome refreshments and room check in the hotel, there will be a short briefing and orientation about the trip. Rest of the day is free for leisure.
Eve: Group welcome dinner followed by Nepali Cultural Show.
Overnight at hotel. -
2: Full day bird watching tour in Upper Phulchowki Hill (2,700m / 8,856 ft).
Phulchowki is the highest hill situated in the south of Kathmandu valley well acclaimed for its vegetation
(Botanical Garden) and bird watching. Kick-start your birding excursion, with a 14 km drive towards south of Kathmandu for about 40 minutes by private car. On reaching Godavari (with Botanical Garden) start hiking gradually uphill through dense sub – tropical forest for four hours. The hill is said to host around 265 species of birds. Phulchowki offer panoramic view of eastern part of Annapurna range to Gaurishankar in the east with breathtaking view of Kathmandu valley.
Eve: Later descend down and drive back to Kathmandu.
Dinner and overnight at hotel. -
3: Full day bird watching tour in Lower Phulchowki Hill.
Shortly after breakfast start your second day birding excursion around lower Phulchowki. Later in the afternoon return back to hotel.
Dinner and overnight at hotel. -
4: Birding excursion around Taudhaha Lake, Machhegaun & Dakshinkali.
After breakfast we start our birding excursion towards Taudhaha (The Kathmandu valley wetlands), we will also visit Machhegaun and Dakshinkali. The lake is home to birds visiting from Tibet, China, Korea, Mongolia, Siberia and central Asia. Birds such as the Common Coot, the Great Cormorant, the Common Teal, the Eurasian Wigeon, the Gadwall and the Mallard are some of the prominent species that could be sighted at Taudaha and surrounding area such as Machhegaun and Dakshinkali. In the evening return back to hotel.
Dinner and overnight at hotel. -
5: Fly to Biratnagar and drive to Koshi Tappu wildlife Reserve (75 km / 2 hrs.)
After breakfast transfer to Kathmandu’s domestic airport to board the 35 min. flight to Biratnagar (Capital of Koshi Province), upon arrival in Biratnagar meet by local naturalist and drive to Koshi Tappu wildlife reserve forcheck in and lunch. After lunch and rest go on birding excursion around wildlife camp, where we can mostly witness farmland and grassland birds.
Dinner and overnight at tented Camp. -
6: Birding excursion in Koshi Tappu wildlife Reserve.
Occupying an area of 175 square kilometers, the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is the smallest national park in the Terai plains of Nepal. It lies on the floodplains of the Sapta Koshi River in south-eastern Terai. The grassland area was gazette in 1976 to preserve the dwindling populations of the wild buffalo and was declared a Ramsar site in 1987. The Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve provides shelter to 485 bird species. Flocks of migratory birds visit the reserve during the winter and spring – from October to March, the perfect months for Birdwatching. Some migratory birds from Siberia and Tibet fly to the reserve during winter. The Koshi barrage and the Koshi River are the best places to spot them. There are records of rare and endangered bird species like Bengal Florican, Sarus Crane, Black- necked Stork, Red-necked Falcon, etc. But it’s not only birds that represent the reserve. The river is home to mugger crocodiles, turtles, fishes and Gangetic Dolphin. Animals like Blue Bull, Spotted Dees, Wild Boars and Hog Deer can spotted roaming around the reserve.
Dinner and overnight at tented Camp. -
7: Birding Safari by Boat
After breakfast raft boat on the upper part of Sapta Koshi River with naturalist to view some of the water birds, water buffaloes, dolphins and various water habitats. End boat trip by the bank of river and enjoy picnic lunch. Later short drive to Koshi Barrage to view some bird life and fresh water dolphins. Later afternoon return to the camp. Rest of the day is for leisure.
Dinner and overnight at tented camp. -
8: Fly to Kathmandu and Heritage tour.
After breakfast, after the bid farewell to camp staff and naturalists drive to Biratnagar airport to board the flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival proceed for an excursion of UNISCO sites, such as Bouddhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple and Kathmandu Durbar Square “The home of living goddess Kumari”.
Dinner and overnight at hotel. -
9: Birding hike to Shivapuri National Park.
After breakfast drive to Chisopani by 4WD. Shortly afterwards start birding hike to “Shivapuri National Park”. Shivapuri National Park also serves as watershed, where climb leads towards higher slopes within forest. While on a hike, we take time to witness birds. Commonly seen species are White – capped, Plumbeous water redstart near its stream, spotted fork- tail, Orange flanked Bush robin and Yellow billed blue Magpie. End your hike in Budhanilkantha and get transferred to hotel.
Eve: Group farewell dinner.
Overnight at hotel. -
10: Final departure.
Free until final departure transfer to Kathmandu’s International Airport to board the final departure flight to your onwards destination.
10 Days From
Any Question?
Feel free to call our travel experts.
+977 9851189018, +977 9801089018
info@asiaticroads.com
10 Days From
Any Question?
Feel free to call our travel experts.
+977 9851189018, +977 9801089018
info@asiaticroads.com
10 Days From
Any Question?
Feel free to call our travel experts.
+977 9851189018, +977 9801089018
info@asiaticroads.com
Reviews
In my 2 week stay, John was very professional and took me around to experience all that Kathmandu and surrounding areas has to offer. Sites were seen and many locals were met through John’s network.
Steven Stone
TravellerIn my 2 week stay, John was very professional and took me around to experience all that Kathmandu and surrounding areas has to offer. Sites were seen and many locals were met through John’s network.