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Golden Triangle India Holidays Delhi Taj Mahal Jaipur Rajasthan Tigers

Birding in Himalayas, India: Keoladeo + Sultanpur + Ranthambore + Jim Corbett

Birding Holiday, India: Golden Triangle + Himalayas
Birding in Himalayas India Keoladeo Sultanpur Ranthambore Jim Corbett
18 NIGHTS FROM:
$5,935
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
7IPB18D
• Birding in Himalayas, India
• Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary
• Naini Devi Bird Reserve
• Sattal Lakes
• Jim Corbett National Park
• Taj Mahal & Agra Fort
• Chambal National Reserve
• Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary
• Ranthambore Tiger Reserve
• Okhla Bird Sanctuary

This amazing holiday combines birding in Himalayas, India with Keoladeo and Sultanpur Bird Sanctuaries near Delhi, the amazing Taj Mahal, Ranthambore Tiger Reserve & Jim Corbett National Park, with private jeeps. Also visit Naini Devi Bird Reserve, the Sattal Lakes, Chambal National Reserve & Okhla Bird Sanctuary. English-speaking driver, local birding guides, all park fees & transfers included.

Day 1
You will be met at Delhi Airport and transferred to your hotel in this ancient capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis.
 
Delhi's strategic location was one of the main reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power and today it is a conglomerate of seven cities. The division between the old walled city and New Delhi marks a division in lifestyles, with the old city retaining its past traditions whilst New Delhi strives to match the pace of the 21st century.
 
In the afternoon enjoy a half day excursion with a naturalist to Sultanpur National Park Bird Sanctuary. Situated 1.5-hours west of the city, it is home to over 150 different resident species including the Painted stork, Spotted owlet, Paddyfield pipit, Purple sunbird, Little cormorant, Gray francolin, Black francolin, Indian roller, White-throated kingfisher, Spot billed duck,  White ibis, Black headed ibis, Little egret, Great egret, Cattle egret, India crested lark, Eurasian thick-knee, Red vented bulbul, Rose ringed parakeet, Red wattled lapwing, Shikra, Common hoopoe, Eurasian collared dove, Red collared dove, Laughing dove, Rock pigeon, Magpie robin, Greater coucal, Weaver bird, Bank mynah, Common mynah and Green bee eater.
 
During the winter months bird numbers swell as over 100 migratory species arrive from Siberia, Europe and Afghanistan. These include the Siberian crane, Black tailed godwit, Greater flamingo, Ruff, Black winged stilt, Common teal, Common greenshank, Northern pintail, Yellow wagtail, White wagtail, Northern shoveler, Rosy pelican, Gadwall, Wood sandpiper, Spotted sandpiper, Eurasian wigeon, Spotted redshank, Starling, Bluethroat and Long billed pipit. In the summer months there are also a few migratory species including the Eurasian golden oriole, Asian koel, Comb duck, Blue cheeked bee eater, Blue-tailed bee-eater, Black crowned night heron and Cuckoo (Note: The bird sanctuary is closed every Tuesday).
Day 2
Today enjoy a full day private tour of modern New Delhi and the 17th century walled city of Old Delhi, which came to prominence when Shah Jahan moved his capital here from Agra.
 
In Old Delhi enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride through 300-year old Chandni Chowk market, a maze of lanes crowded with noisy shops selling an extraordinary variety of items and foods, and past the Jama Masjid (or Friday Mosque), the largest in India, and drive past the imposing walls & battlements of the Red Fort, once the most opulent palace in the Mughal Empire. We continue to the Raj Ghat - the simple but moving memorial on the site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated.
 
In the afternoon our tour of New Delhi starts with a visit to the Qutub Minar, an ancient victory tower built of red sandstone and marble in 1199 and still the tallest minaret in India. With its imposing cylindrical towers and surrounding ruins, it is today a World Heritage Site. Our next stop is Humayun's Tomb, the beautiful mausoleum of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, that inspired the Taj Mahal.
 
We drive along the Rajpath - the capital's broadest avenue - where you will see the imposing arch of the India Gate war memorial, Parliament House, the Rashtrapati Bhavan presidential residence built for the Viceroy of India, and the government buildings on Raisina Hill.
 
Note: The Red Fort is closed on Mondays.
Day 3
This morning we drive 3.5-hours from Delhi to the ancient city of Agra, set along the banks of the Yamuna River and originally the capital of the Mughal Empire.
 
Agra is world renowned as the home of the Taj Mahal - that great symbol of love built by emperor Shah Jahan in the 16th century as a memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal.
 
On arrival we visit Agra Fort, a massive structure with walls over 70-ft high and 1.5-miles long that encompasses an astounding collection of well preserved buildings, many of them completed during the reign of Shah Jahan. After he was deposed by his son, he was imprisoned in this fort where he remained until his death - spending the rest of his life looking out along the river to the final resting place of his beloved wife.
 
In the late afternoon, we visit the Mehtab Bagh Gardens that are located across the river from the Taj Mahal, to enjoy your first views of this magnificent edifice at sunset.
Day 4
Rise early to visit the romantic Taj Mahal at sunrise, a truly magnificent white marble mausoleum that took 22 years to build. Apart from its stunning design and perfect symmetry, it is noted for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best marble inlay work ever done. Sunrise and sunset are particularly good times to visit and see the dome subtly change its colour.
 
After returning to your hotel for breakfast, we drive 1.5-hours south to Dhaulpur, where we enjoy an afternoon boat ride on the Chambal River which is known for its bird life.
 
We then continue 1.5-hours to Bharatpur. This is the home of Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary, the most famous bird sanctuary in India and a Ramsar World Heritage site. Birding is at its peak from December to February, when many migrants visit.
Day 5
Today enjoy birding in Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary with a naturalist birding guide, including a morning birding walk and 2-hour afternoon cycle rickshaw ride deeper into the park.
 
This sanctuary consists of a combination of dry grasslands, woodlands, swamps and wetlands that in winter (December/March) attract huge congregations of water-dependent migrants. Birding here is outstanding, except during May/June when the wetlands dry up. It is home to over 360 different species including:
 
Water birds: painted stork, cormorant, egret, asian open-billed, black-headed ibis, darter, shoveller, teal, bronze-winged and pheasant-tailed jacanas, ruddy shelduck, demoiselle and sarus cranes, gadwall, pintail, mallard, coot, purple moorhens.
 
Raptors: king vulture, white-rumped vulture, marsh harrier, pied harrier, crested serpent eagle, ring-tailed fish eagle, short-toed eagle, black-shouldered kite, Pallas's fish eagle, tawny eagle, collared scops owl, spotted owlet, dusky horned owl.
 
Others: lark, pipit, kingfisher, dove, myna, bulbul, blue jay, oriole, plum-headed parakeet, hoopoe, shrike, bee-eater, wagtail, finch.
 
Migrants: steppe eagle, pale and marsh harriers, osprey, common teal, Indian little ringed plover.
Day 6
Rise early this morning and drive 2-hours to Dhaulpur for a birding boat ride on the Chambal River.
 
Afterwards we return to Bharatpur and enjoy an afternoon of birding in the fields outside Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary.
Day 7
Today enjoy birding in Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary with a naturalist birding guide, including a morning birding walk and 2-hour afternoon cycle rickshaw ride deeper into the park.
 
This sanctuary consists of a combination of dry grasslands, woodlands, swamps and wetlands that in winter (December/March) attract huge congregations of water-dependent migrants. Birding here is outstanding, except during May/June when the wetlands dry up. It is home to over 360 different species including:
 
Water birds: painted stork, cormorant, egret, asian open-billed, black-headed ibis, darter, shoveller, teal, bronze-winged and pheasant-tailed jacanas, ruddy shelduck, demoiselle and sarus cranes, gadwall, pintail, mallard, coot, purple moorhens.
 
Raptors: king vulture, white-rumped vulture, marsh harrier, pied harrier, crested serpent eagle, ring-tailed fish eagle, short-toed eagle, black-shouldered kite, Pallas's fish eagle, tawny eagle, collared scops owl, spotted owlet, dusky horned owl.
 
Others: lark, pipit, kingfisher, dove, myna, bulbul, blue jay, oriole, plum-headed parakeet, hoopoe, shrike, bee-eater, wagtail, finch.
 
Migrants: steppe eagle, pale and marsh harriers, osprey, common teal, Indian little ringed plover.
Day 8
Enjoy another morning of birding in Keoladeo Ghana National Park with a local naturalist guide.
 
In the afternoon transfer to Bharatpur Station in good time to board the 15.50 express train (air-conditioned chair car) travelling for 2.15 hours to Sawai Madhopur in southeast Rajasthan.
 
You will be met at Sawai Madhopur station and transferred to your hotel situated near Ranthambore National Park. This world famous tiger sanctuary was originally the hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Jaipur. Today it is the largest wildlife reserve in northern India and covers an area of over 250 sq miles (400 sq km).
 
Note: When you board the train take only a small day pack, as your main luggage will remain with your driver. To avoid unnecessary stress, on the train you will be accompanied by a local helper who will ensure you disembark at the correct stop. Please note he is not a guide and may have limited English. Always be alert for possible theft (eg do not wear expensive watches or jewellery & never leave your belongings unattended); do not buy any food or drink from hawkers and know the toilets are likely to be in a poor condition. Because of the very short (2-minute) stops at each station, train travel in India is not recommended for the elderly or those travelling with children, where a road transfer will be substituted. This will also be done during adverse weather conditions.
Day 9
This morning enjoy a private jeep safari in Ranthambore National Park, accompanied by a birding guide. In addition to the many mammals and reptiles found here, there are over 270 different bird species - including eagles, falcons, owls, greylag geese, flamingos, parakeets, fly catchers, bee-eaters, grebe, terns, woodpeckers, hornbills and kingfishers.
 
Early morning is the best time to see tigers in this reserve, but be aware that it is extremely difficult to find them in the jungle and sightings are never guaranteed. Best viewings are generally at the end of the dry season (March to May, although it is extremely hot from April onwards), when the tigers search out the waterholes - but you need to take at least 4 game drives for a good chance of a sighting.
 
Other animals you can hope to see include leopard, hyena, jackal, jungle cat, caracal, civet, desert cat, mongoose, ratel, sloth bear, langur & macaque monkeys, wild boar, palm squirrel, flying fox, porcupine, long-eared hedgehog, marsh crocodile, tortoise and softshell turtle. Also antelope such as sambar deer, chital, nilgai, chinkara and black buck.
 
In the afternoon return to the park for another birding and game drive.
 
Note: Zones 1 to 5 are closed every Wednesday and during Holi and the monsoon season (July to early October). Zones 6 to 10 are closed every Tuesday, but otherwise remain open all year.
 
You will need to take a copy of your passport with you to enter the national park. Please note that we have no control over the driver and vehicle allocated to you, as this is done by the local park authorities according to a rota. In the winter months wear warm clothes, including woolly hats and gloves to protect you from the wind chill in your open vehicle.
Day 10
After a final early morning private jeep safari in Ranthambore National Park, return to your hotel for breakfast.
 
We then drive 4-hours to the chaotic and colourful "Pink City" of Jaipur that is home to over 3 million people. On arrival check into your hotel in this capital city of Rajasthan.
 
Note: Zones 1 to 5 are closed every Wednesday and during Holi and the monsoon season (July to early October). Zones 6 to 10 are closed every Tuesday, but otherwise remain open all year.
 
You will need to take a copy of your passport with you to enter the national park. Please note that we have no control over the driver and vehicle allocated to you, as this is done by the local park authorities according to a rota. In the winter months wear warm clothes, including woolly hats and gloves to protect you from the wind chill in your open vehicle.
Day 11
Today enjoy a full day tour of the city of Jaipur, which has been declared a World Heritage Site due to its cultural heritage.
 
Our first stop is to view the magnificent Hawa Mahal (the "Palace of the Winds") designed in the form of the crown of the Hindu god Krishna. This five-storey frontage looks like a bee's honeycomb with 953 small windows, each decorated with intricate latticework so that the court ladies living in secluded purdah could watch royal processions, without being seen themselves. Built of red and pink sandstone, it is particularly striking early in the morning when lit by the sunrise.
 
We continue to the imposing Amber Fort - another World Heritage Site. This magnificent royal palace was built from pale yellow & pink sandstone and white marble and is divided into four main sections, each with its own courtyard. You will enter via the main courtyard (Jaleb Chowk), where returning armies would display their war booty and women could view them from the veiled windows of the palace. Once inside explore the amazing Palace of Mirrors and Hall of Public Audience.
 
After lunch (own account) we visit the Jantar Mantar Observatory, the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world and also a World Heritage Site. It is the best preserved of five observatories built by Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur. It has 17 large instruments, many of them still in working condition.
 
Our day finishes with a visit to the nearby City Palace, the former Royal Residence part of which is now a museum. One of the major attractions here is the armoury with its impressive array of pistols, blunderbusses, flintlocks, swords, rifles and daggers used by the Maharajas of Jaipur. The Textile and Costume Museum on the first floor is another fine display, with items from all over India.
Day 12
A full day on the road today as we travel 6-hours from Jaipur to the bustling city of Delhi.
 
Check into your hotel in this bustling modern city.
 
Note: Please let us know if you would prefer to fly to Delhi, with your guide taking any excess baggage overland.
Day 13
Rise early this morning and transfer to New Delhi Station in good time to board the 06.00 express train (air conditioned executive class) to Kathgodam, arriving around 11.40.
 
Here you will be met and transferred 1.5-hours on mountain roads to the former British hill station of Nainital in the Himalayas, set on a beautiful lake with the Naina Devi Hindu Temple on its northern shore. A cable car runs to Snow View observation point (at 2,270m), with vistas over the town and mountains including Nanda Devi, Uttarakhand’s highest peak.
 
After checking into your hotel, enjoy an afternoon of birding with a specialist birding guide in the Himalayan Botanical Gardens.
 
Note: To avoid unnecessary stress, on the train you will be accompanied by a local helper who will ensure you disembark at the correct stop. Please note he is not a guide and may have limited English. Always be alert for possible theft (eg do not wear expensive watches or jewellery & never leave your belongings unattended); do not buy any food or drink from hawkers and know the toilets are likely to be in a poor condition. Because of the very short (2-minute) stops at each station, train travel in India is not recommended for the elderly or those travelling with children.
Day 14
Today is devoted to birding in the Naini Devi Himalayan Bird Conservation Reserve, travelling along winding mountain roads with a specialist birding guide.
 
From the town of Pangot, we explore on foot the forests of Kilbury. In this birding sanctuary you will find a variety of habitats, ranging from sub-tropical Himalayan broad-leaf forests, alpine grasslands, meadows and pine forests, to rhododendron shrubberies. Naini Devi is also home to five different species of oak.
 
The wide variation in altitude in this region supports diverse bird life, with over 580 different species - including the chestnut-bellied nuthatch, hill partridge, chukar partridge, kalij pheasant, koklass pheasant, goldcrest, rufous sibia, black-chinned babbler, black-throated tit, rock bunting, yellow-breasted greenfinch, red-billed leiothrix and green-tailed sunbird. The endangered bearded vulture and Himalayan griffon can also be found here.
 
A variety of mammals can also be found in Naini Devi Himalayan Bird Conservation Reserve including barking deer, yellow-throated marten, stoat, mountain weasel, yellow-bellied weasel, Royle's pika and several types of bats.
Day 15
Today we travel 2-hours from Nainital to our wilderness lodge situated along the northern perimeter of Jim Corbett National Park.
 
The Western Himalayan region of Uttarakhand has one of richest and most diverse bird habitats in Asia, with over 620 recorded species, largely due to the great variation in altitude, with rich and varied forest types found in a relatively small region. Vanghat is situated in a range of hills that are a transition zone between the plains to the south and the mountains to the northeast, so almost all these species can be seen here - either as residents or migrants.
 
Along the way we stop for birding on the banks of the Kosi River to search for sought after species, such as the migrant Ibisbill. We then continue to our birding lodge, accessed by walking 1.3-miles (2 km) across the countryside, followed by a bamboo-raft river crossing.
Day 16
Today is devoted to birding in the the broad-leafed forested hills and riverine valley habitat at Vanghat, adjacent to the northern sector of the national park that cannot be accessed by day visitors. A rich mix of forest, riverine and mountain species can be sighted here year round, with the winter months being especially good for migratory birds. All birding is done on foot, accompanied by a specialist birding guide from the lodge.
 
The riverine habitat attracts Lesser and Grey-headed fish eagles, numerous kingfishers and the Brown fish owl, which at dusk is more often heard than seen. Emblematic Great hornbills journey daily up and down the valley, their vast wings audible in flight and they have been spotted feeding on the Ficus trees on the riverside opposite camp. Brown dipper, Wallcreeper and several species of forktail (the Spotted and Little forktail being the most common), Plumbeous and White-capped water redstart and several wagtail species are amongst the altitude migrant visitors to the area.
 
Walking in the forest reveals the vocal White-throated and White-crested laughingthrush and the beautiful but vociferous Common green magpie. In the upper canopy look out for for the colourful Long-tailed broadbill, Maroon orioles and hunting parties of Blue-winged minla, Black-throated tit, Grey-headed canary flycatcher, Chestnut-bellied nuthatch and Scarlet minivet. Plain-backed and the much sought after Scaly thrush prefer to forage in the undergrowth between sal trees, where one also comes across Khaleej pheasants and junglefowl.
 
Mammals that can be seen here include herds of elephants that amble through the valley, wild boar, porcupine, barking deer (also known as muntjac), sambar deer, mongoose, marten and troops of langur monkeys. The shy Himalayan goral (a goat antelope species) is frequently seen on the rock faces of the valley opposite the lodge and the extremely rare Himalayan serow antelope is sometimes seen. Cat species are also in abundance around Vanghat, although sightings are always difficult. The forests of Jim Corbett have one of the highest densities of tigers in India and leopards are also present, as well as many smaller species such as the jungle cat, fishing cat and Pallas's cat. Sloth bears and Himalayan black bears are occasional visitors and smaller predators include the Indian python and cobra. In the Ramganga River you can find the Indian otter, mugger crocodile, goonch (a giant catfish) and the immense golden mahseer, the largest carp and a legendary game fish that can reach over 9 ft (2.7 m) in length.
Day 17
This morning spend more time birding around Vanghat with your guide.
 
In the afternoon we travel 1.5-hours to our lodge situated near the entrance to Jim Corbett National Park - the oldest wildlife sanctuary in Asia, magnificently situated in the foothills of the majestic Himalayas Mountains.
 
This national park was named after Jim Corbett - the famous hunter turned conservationist who played a key role in its development. Established to protect the endangered Royal Bengal tiger, over 73% of the park consists of dense and moist deciduous forest, with a wide diversity of flora and fauna including nearly 500 different plant species. Check into your lodge situated near the entrance to this famous reserve.
Day 18
Rise early today and depart before breakfast on a private jeep safari into Jim Corbett National Park, accompanied by a specialist birding guide.
 
This national park is home to the Royal Bengal tiger, over 50 mammals, 25 reptiles and more than 570 different bird species. It is also one of the very few places in India where you can enjoy viewing Asian elephants in the wild. The Ramganga River, which originates in the lower Himalayas, traverses more than 60 miles (100 km) before entering the park near Marchula and provides a vital perennial water source to this national park, which also provides sanctuary to sloth bears, Himalayan black bears and the Indian grey mongoose.
 
Early morning is the best time to track tigers and other wildlife, but be aware that it is extremely difficult to find tigers in this national park and sightings are rare. Best viewings are generally at the end of the dry season (March to May), when the tigers search out the waterholes. Game drives usually last 3 to 4 hours, but you can return to your lodge sooner if you wish.
 
After lunch at your hotel, in the afternoon enjoy another private jeep safari in the park.
 
Note: You will need to take a copy of your passport with you to enter the national park. Please note that we have no control over the driver and vehicle allocated to you, as this is done by the local park authorities according to a rota. In the winter months wear warm clothes, including woolly hats and gloves to protect you from the wind chill in your open vehicle.
 
This tiger reserve is closed during the Holi & Diwali festivals, as well as during the monsoon season (July to mid November).
Day 19
This morning enjoy a final jeep safari in Jim Corbett National Park.
 
Afterwards transfer 6-hours to Delhi Airport for your flight home.