Birding Tour
Corbett, Binsar and Nainital
Duration: 8 Nights / 9 Days
The Area
Indian Subcontinent is one of the major birding
destinations in south Asia. The region has almost
1300 bird species to offer to the avid birder. Himalayan
foothills constitute ideal mix of habitats suitable
to a large variety of bird species. This 9 days
birding tour takes you from the bird-filled Sal
(Shorea robusta) forests and riverine grasslands
of Corbett National Park to the Oak-Rhododendron
forests of Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary and the beautiful
mountainous hill station of Nainital. The area has
to offer more than 750 species of birds in addition
to various mammals, reptiles and butterflies that
can be seen in the wilds of Himalayan foothills.
It is also a great experience to observe different
facets of India as you travel through the land.
Corbett National Park
Corbett National Park situated in the foothills
of Himalayas is a major birding location. Created
in 1936 as the first national park of India, Corbett
has a bird tally of more than 550 species. The area
attracts large number of sub-Himalayan species in
the winters in addition to an equally large number
of long-distance migrants.
Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary
Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary situated in District Almora
offers a different spectrum of birdlife. Famed for
its beautiful view of famous Himalayan peaks, this
protected area turns into a birder's paradise in
winters attracting altitudinal migrant forest birds
which come down to the moderate elevations in the
winters. Almost 200 bird species have been reported
from Binsar.
Nainital
The hill station of Nainital situated on lower elevations
as compared to Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary but on
a higher elevation than Corbett National Park is
an ideal spot for a birder looking for the Himalayan
and sub-Himalayan species in winters. More than
200 species have been reported from the area.
Day 1: Delhi- Kumerian,
Corbett
Morning arrive by flight to New Delhi. Met on arrival
and transferred by coach, to the hotel for wash
& change.
Later leave for Corbett National Park(296 kms, 6
hrs). The drive from Delhi to Kumerian gives you
the opportunity to observe the beautiful Indian
landscape and many roadside birds can be spotted.
Birds you can see from your coach may include Common
Kingfisher, Rose-Ringed Parakeet, Rock Pigeon, Eurasian
Collared Dove, White-breasted Water hen, Common
Sandpiper, Black-Winged Stilt, Red-Wattled Lapwing,
Black-shouldered Kite, Black Kite, Cattle Egret,
Indian Pond Heron, Common Myna, Bank Myna, Red-Vented
Bulbul, Jungle Babbler and Grey Wagtail.
Enroute enjoy a stop at Garh Mukteshwar on the banks
of the Holy River Ganges, which can be very rewarding.
1-2 hours of halt is recommended to check the birdlife
on the banks of the River. Among the various species
to be seen are Ruddy Shellduck, Indian Cormorant,
Palas' Fishing Eagle, Black-headed Gull, Brown Headed
Gull, Black-bellied Tern, Indian Skimmer, Common
Stonechat, Common Babbler, Sand Lark, and Indian
Silverbill. The river is also home to the rare River
Dolphins. Spotting one or two of these beautiful
aquatic mammals can be very exciting.
Arrive at Kumerian via Ramnagar, a small town situated
at a distance of 250 km from Delhi, on the western
bank of River Kosi is the gateway to the Corbett
country. Interesting birds like Ibisbill, Common
Merganser, Crested Kingfisher, Great Thick-Knee,
Long- billed Plover, Western Reef Egret and Wallcreeper
are known to be sighted from the banks of River
Kosi close to the town. 1-2 hours of birding is
recommended before proceeding to Kumerian Reserve
Forest situated 30 km north of Ramnagar.
On arrival check in to your resort for two nights
Overnight at the resort
Day 2: Kumerian
A birding tour to Corbett is incomplete without
a two nights' halt at Kumerian. Morning proceed
for full day birding in Kumerian.Birding in the
Kosi riverbed and the nearby streams can be very
exciting as there are possibilities of finding Speckled
Piculet, Lesser Yellownape, Greater Yellownape,
Streak-throated Woodpecker, Himalayan Flameback,
Great Barbet, Lineated Barbet, Oriental Pied Hornbill,
Slaty-Headed Parakeet, Tawny Fishing Owl, Brown
Hawk Owl, Pallas's Fish Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle,
Mountain Hawk Eagle, Gold-Fronted Leafbird, Orange-Bellied
Leafbird, Red-Billed Blue Magpie, Grey Treepie,
Black-hooded Oriole, Small Minivet, Spangled Drongo,
Large Woodshrike, Blue Whistling Thrush, Grey-winged
Blackbird, Slaty-backed Flycatcher, Rufous-Gorgeted
Flycatcher, Snowy-Browed Flycatcher, Slaty Blue
Flycatcher, Rufous-bellied Niltava, Grey-headed
Canary Flycatcher, Little Forktail, Spotted Forktail,
Velvet-Fronted Nuthatch, Black Bulbul, Grey-breasted
Prinia, Tickell's Leaf Warbler, Hume's Warbler,
Greenish Warbler, Golden-Spectacled Warbler, White-throated
Laughingthrush, White-crested Laughingthrush, Black-Chinned
Babbler, Blue-Winged Minla, White-Bellied Yuhina
and Green-Tailed Sunbird. Some of the very special
birds to look for in this area are Brown Dipper,
Slaty-backed Forktail and Black-throated Sunbird.
Evening at leisure.
Overnight at the resort
Day 3: Dhikala, Corbett
Morning transfer by surface to Dhikala (34 kms,4
hrs). On arrival check in to the Dhikala Forest
Resthouse for two nights; situated in the heart
of the National Park. Set up in 1936 as the first
national park of India and situated in the foothills
of Himalayas in the Siwalik ranges, Corbett National
Park attracts sub-Himalayan species in the winters.
Long distance migrants also spend their winters
here. Many passage migrant species use Corbett's
protected habitat as resting place on their journey
south and on their return journey to far north.
Dhikala is situated on the bank of River Ramgang
in the Patli Dun valley. The scenic beauty of the
place is awesome. The riverbed is more than a kilometer
broad and grasslands, which attract herds of Elephants,
Spotted Deer and Hog Deer, surround the resthouse.
Among the main mammals to be seen around Dhikala
are Tiger, Leopard, Jungle Cat, Indian Elephant,
Wild Boar, Rhesus Macaque, Hanuman Langur, Golden
Jackal, Sambar, Indian Muntjac, Grey Mongoose and
Small Indian Civit. With some amount of luck it
is possible to spot Eurasian Otters in the River
Ramganga. Sightings of Marsh crocodile and the attractive
Fish-eating Crocodile are almost guaranteed. A ride
on the back of the domestic elephant from Dhikala
is the best way to track the elusive Tiger.
Major birding attractions at Dhikala are Black Francolin,
Red Junglefowl, Kalij Pheasant, Indian Peafowl,
Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Scaly-bellied Woodpecker,
Greater Flameback, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Blue-throated
Barbet, Great Hornbill, Dollarbird, Stork-billed
Kingfisher, Blue-bearded Bee-Eater, Green-billed
Malkoha, Lesser Coucal, Red-breasted Parakeet, Crested
Tree Swift, Brown Fish Owl, Jungle Owlet, Large-tailed
Nightjar, Red Collared Dove, Emerald Dove, Pin-tailed
Green Pigeon, Ruddy-breasted Crake, Long-toed Stint,
Great Thick-Knee, Long-billed Plover, Pallas's Gull,
Osprey, Lesser Fish Eagle, Himalayan Griffon, Eurasian
Griffon, Cinereous Vulture, Short-toed Snake Eagle,
Hen Harrier, Besra, Tawny Eagle, Rufous-bellied
Eagle, Changeable Hawk Eagle, Collared Falconet,
Common Green Magpie, Ashy Woodswallow, Large Cuckooshrike,
Short-billed Minivet, Yellow-bellied Fantail, Verditer
Flycatcher, Small Niltava, White-tailed Rubythroat,
Desert Wheatear, Brahminy Starling, Bar-tailed Treecreeper,
Ashy Bulbul, Zitting Cisticola, Aberrant Bush Warbler,
Grey-sided Bush Warbler, Dusky Warbler, Smoky Warbler,
Lemon-rumped Warbler, Greenish Warbler, Grey-Hooded
Warbler, Puff-Throated Babbler, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar
Babbler, Red-billed Leiothrix, Indian Bushlark,
Oriental Skylark, Crimson Sunbird, Chestnut-shouldered
Petronia, Yellow Wagtail, Long-billed Pipit, Crested
Bunting, White-capped Bunting and Chestnut-eared
Bunting.
Day 4:Corbett Tiger
Reserve/National Park
Morning and afternoon go for safari drives to the
core area of the Corbett Tiger Reserve.
Day 5: Corbett- Binsar
Morning enjoy a safari at Dhikala. Later move out
of the park on a birding pace to Kumerian for Lunch.
From Kumerian it is 4-5 hours(135 kms)drive to Binsar
Wildlife Sanctuary. Drive from Kumerian to Binsar
is steep climb and full of birding opportunities.
Grey Bushchats, Himalayan Bulbuls, Black Bulbuls,
Blue-capped Rock Thrush, Pale-billed Flowerpecker
and Blue-Headed Barbets are common birds. With any
luck we may have our first sighting of Lammergeier.
There can be many Himalayan Griffon, Eurasian Griffon
and Steppe Eagles in the sky. By the time we reach
our destination it will be dark.
On arrival check into the Tourist rest House for
one night. Overnight at the resort
Day 6: Binsar
Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at a distance
of 25 km. from the hill town of Almora. The elevation
ranges from 1500-2450 meters. Binsar is a protected
area covering 45 Sq. Km and from the gate of the
Sanctuary. The area initially runs through beautiful
Chir Pine forest offering wonderful birding opportunities.
The Chir Pine forest makes way for the Mixed Oak-Rhododendron
forest. As the road runs along the side of the hill,
visibility is good. Where the motor road ends one
can take a two km birding trek to the Zero Point,
the highest point in Binsar. The trek runs through
thick mixed forest but offers good birding. From
Zero point one can view the Himalayas and the beautiful
valleys around are a treat to the eyes.
An early morning birding excursion may result in
sightings of Koklass Pheasant, one of the rare Himalayan
Pheasants. The area happens to fall on the historic
range of elusive Western Tragopan. Among the interesting
birds in the area are Golden Eagle, Black Eagle,
Red-headed Vulture, Common Kestrel, Wedge-tailed
Green Pigeon, Slaty-headed Parakeet, Collared Owlet,
Grey Nightjar, Great Barbet, Rufous Woodpecker,
Ashy Drongo, White-browed Shrike Babbler, Chestnut-tailed
Minla, Alpine Accenter, Rufous-naped Tit, White-throated
Tit, Eurasian Treecreeper, Eurasian Tree Sparrow,
Red-mantled Rosefinch and Red-headed Bulfinch.
Some of the common birds that may be seen in Binsar
are Kalij Pheasant, Himalayan Woodpecker, Asian
Barred Owlet, Oriental Turtle Dove, Long-tailed
Minivet, Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush, Grey-winged
Blackbird, White-tailed Nuthatch, Spot-winged Tit,
Green-backed Tit, Striated Prinia, Chestnut-crowned
Laughingthrush and Rufous Sibia.
Binsar is also home to a healthy population of Leopards.
Other mammals found in the area are Black Himalayan
Bear, Yellow-throated Marten, Wild Boar, Goral,
Barking Deer, Kashmir Flying Squirrel and Indian
Porcupine.
Day 7:Binsar-Sat-tal/Nainital
Morning you will be transferred by surface to Nainital(17
kms,1 hr form Sat-tal) via Almora and Bhowali for
3 hours to birding valleys of Mehragaon and Sat-tal(77
kms,2hrs 30 mins from Binsar) The drive is smooth
and at birding pace. Mehragaon, just before Sat-tal
is an ideal birding location. Some of the rare birds
like Black-Breasted Accenter and Siberian Rubythroat
can be seen here. Sat-tal is a densely wooded area
having a group of seven small lakes. A day's birding
may produce a mix of bird species like Rusty-cheeked
Scimitar Babbler, Speckled Piculet, Brown-fronted
Woodpecker, White-browed Shrike Babbler, Long-billed
Thrush, Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler, Chestnut-Headed
Tesia, Golden Bush Robin, Spotted Forktail, Scaly
Thrush, Rufous-Breasted Accenter, Vinaceous Rosefinch
and Fire-fronted Serin. In the evening the group
drives for 1 Hr. to the lovely lake city of Nainital.
On arrival check in to the resort for two nights.
Overnight at the resort
Day 8: Nainital &
Mangoli Valley
Another day's birding at Nainital and Mangoli Valley(12
kms,1 hr form Nainital) can be very rewarding. A
morning trek for two hours around the hotel in Nainital
may produce Great Barbet, Eurasian Jay, Black-headed
Jay, Long-tailed Thrush, Plain-Backed Thrush, Pied
Thrush, Chestnut Thrush, Chestnut-Belied Rock Thrush,
Slaty Blue Flycatcher, Orange-Flanked Bush Robin,
Black-Lored Tit, Mountain Bulbul, Black-Chinned
Babbler, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Mrs. Gould's
Sunbird, Russet Sparrow, Olive-backed Pipit, Yellow-breasted
Greenfinch, Pink-browed Rosefinch, and Rock Bunting.
If one is lucky one may come across Common Hill
Partridge, Chir Pheasant or rarely seen Koklass
Pheasant.
Mangoli Valley is a beautiful narrow valley situated
at 45 minutes distance from Nainital. The rest of
the day can be spent here as this place has the
reputation of throwing surprises like the rare Scarlet
Finch.
Some of the birds to be seen around are Lammergeier,
Lesser Spotted Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle, Golden
Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Common
Kestrel, Brown-fronted Woodpecker, House Swift,
Grey-backed Shrike, Long-billed Thrush, Blue-throated
Redstart, Brownish-Flanked Bush Robin, Long-billed
Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Aberrant
Bush Warbler, Smokey Warbler, Golden-spectacled
Warbler, Buff-Barred Warbler, Lemon-Rumped Warbler,
Ashy-throated Warbler, Grey-hooded Warbler, Goldcrest,
Striated Laughingthrush, Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush,
Green Shrike Babbler, Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler,
Upland Pipit, Rufous-breasted Accentor, Black-throated
Accentor, Spot-winged Grosbeak and Vinaceous Rosefinch.
Overnight at the resort.
Day-9: Nainital-New-Delhi
Morning you will transfer by surface to New Delhi(300
kms,7 hrs 30 mins). On the way we can stop for an
hour at River Ganges once again to check the species
we may have missed on our first halt here. A couple
of rare River Dolphins may also show up as a bonus.
We reach New Delhi in the evening and check in to
a Luxury hotel for wash & change. After dinner,
we depart for the airport to catch our flight back
to home.
Itinerary recommended for Individual birders as
well as groups of up to 18-20 pax
Best Season
Though the area covered under the given itinerary
is known for good bird sightings throughout the
year we recommend, for the benefit of the western
birder, the winter months from November till March.
This is the time most of the altitudinal migrant
species as well as long distant migrants can be
seen in the foothills of Himalayas.
Mode of Transportation
Depending on the size of the group, from
light vehicles to 21 seated buses. Bigger vehicles
are not allowed inside Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary.
In Corbett National Park 4x4 petrol-driven Gipsys
will be provided for transfers, wildlife viewing
and birding.
