Birds of Nepal
Birding Trek Adventure
Day 1 Kathmandu 1350m
Prior to your landing in Kathmandu, you should have some excellent views of
the Himalayas eastwards of Dhaulagiri. After checking into your hotel you
will be briefed by your Tour leader on your programme.
Day 2 Phulchowki 1520-2760 m.
After a very early breakfast we depart for Phulchowki 18km Southeast of
Kathmandu. Phulchowki at 2760m is the highest of the mountains encircling
the Kathmandu valley and provides an ideal introduction to the birds of
Nepal. Regularly recorded resident species include Besra, Black Eagle,
Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Kalij Pheasant, Common Hill Partridge, Ashy Woodpigeon,
Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Mountain Scops Owl, Collared Owlet,
Golden-throated Barbet, Speckled Piculet, Crimson-breasted Pied and Rufous-bellied
Pied Woodpeckers, Grey-chinned Minivet, Striated Bulbul, Orange-bellied
Leafbird, Spotted Forktail, Chestnut-headed and grey-bellied Tesias,
Chestnut-crowned and black faced Warblers, Rufous-bellied Niltava, Lesser
Scaly-breasted Wren-Babbler, Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler, Grey-throated
and Spiny Babblers, White-crested, striated, Rufous-chinned and grey-sided
Laughing thrushes, Red-billed Leiothrix, Cuttia, White-browed Green and
Black-eared Shrike-Babblers, Hoary Barwing, Blue-winged Minla, Nepal
Fulvetta, Yellow-browed Tit, Brown-throated Treecreeper, Black-throated
Sunbird, Maroon Oriole, Eurasian and Lancelated Jays, Red-billed Blue Magpie
and Brown Bullfinch. A further 55 species have been known to visit the area
as migratory or occasional visitors. Phulchowki’s forests are also very rich
in flora and butterflies. Mammals include Leopard, Yellow-throated Marten
and Orange-bellied Squirrel. After this fine introduction to Nepali Birds,
we will return to our hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 3 By Road to Pokhara
A scenic drive of approximately 7 hours plus a stop for lunch at Mugling
beside the Trisuli River. The southern side of the lake is covered in
extensive forest with rich bird life and excellent views of the Annapurna
range, Phewa Lake and Pokhara. We will have plenty of time for a late
afternoon exploration of this forest.
Day 4 Pokhara 915m
Today we explore in detail the forest along the southern shore of the lake.
Apart from the many birds found here, you will also be rewarded with some of
the best views of the Annapurnas and Machhapuchhare, Pokhara has to offer.
Species regularly seen in this forest and along the shore of the lake
include Besra, Red-thighed Falconet, Pallid and Pied Harriers, Eurasian
Griffon, Red-headed and Eurasian Black Vultures, Kalij Pheasant, Ducks,
Gulls, Terns, Waders, Bulbul, Black-backed Forktail, Puff-throated Babbler,
White-crested, Lesser Necklaced and Rufous-chinned Laughing Thrushes,
Red-billed Leiothrix, Minivetts, Crimson Sunbird, Maroon Oriole, Lesser
Racket-tailed Drongo, Red-billed and Green Magpies, Long-tailed Mountain
Thrush, Chestnut-headed and Grey-bellied Tesias, Chestnut-crowned Warbler,
Small and Rufous-bellied Niltavas and Snowy-brown Flycatcher, Long-tailed
Broadbill, Pale Blue Flycatcher, White-tailed Robin, Spiny Babbler,
White-browed Scimitar-Babbler, Striated Munia, Lesser Whitethroat and
Thick-billed Warbler.
Day 5 Pothana 2035m
Walking approx. 6 hrs.
We start with a short drive to Hengja. The starting point for our trek.
The trail first runs through thin forest and terraced fields to Dhampus
(1600m). From here we climb through secondary forest for about l.5 hours to
Pothana (2035m), which lies on an oak-forested ridge top with good views of
Machhapuchhare and Annapurna South and plenty of Birds.
Day 6 Riverside 1390m
Walking approx. 4 hours
After an early morning bird watching excursion we start with a walk
along the ridge before descending steeply to Thorka 1820m and Landrung 1715m
above the Modi Khola. From here the trail descends further to our campsite
beside the Modi Khola. Some of the species likely to be seen along this
route are: Red-headed and Eurasian Black Vultures, Black and Bonelli’s
Eagles, Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Common Hill Partridge, Speckled and Ashy
Woodpigeons, Barred Cuckoo-Dove, Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Collared Owlet,
Upland Pipit, Striated Bulbul, Golden-throated Barbet, Bay and
Crimson-breasted Pied Woodpeckers, Slaty-backed and Spotted Forktails,
Chestnut-headed Tesia, Chestnut-crowned and Black-faced Warblers,
Rufous-bellied Niltava, Greater and Lesser Scaly-breasted Wren-Babblers,
White-crested and Striated Laughing-thrushes, Red-billed Leiothrix, Cuttia,
Hoary Barwing, Nepal Fulvetta, Yellow-browned Tit, Black-throated Sunbird,
Yellow-billed Blue, Red-billed Blue and Green Magpies, Cinnamon Sparrow,
Jungle Nightjar, Pacific Swift, Blue-capped Rock-Thrush, Tickell’s Thrush,
Ferruginous, Asian Sooty and Little Pied Flycatchers.
Day 7 Phainsi Kharka 2300
Walking 5 hrs. approx.
We will start with a couple hours’ climb to Ghandruk 1950m which is also
the seat of the headquarters of the Annapurna conservation area. Above
Ghandruk the trail continues through thick forest of oak and rhododendron to
our next camp site at Phainsi Kharka. Again, the area is very rich in birds
and we will have plenty of time to look out for them.
Day 8 Banthanti 2650m.
Walking approx. 4 hours
We continue our climb through thick forests to Tadapani and its
magnificent views of Annapurna South, Himchuli and Machhapuchhare. After a
brief descent we have another short climb before the trail levels out. Our
camp site is situated beside a lodge approximately five minutes walk before
Banthanti. The lodge is surrounded by thick forest and a large population of
birds.
Day 9 Chitre 2450m
Walking approx. 5 hours
We continue our climb following a small river which becomes a narrow
gorge to Deorali, a pass of 3080m with awesome views of the Annapurna Range,
the Kali Gadanki Gorge and Dhaulagiri. From the pass we descend through
forest (look out for monkeys) to a forest clearing campsite besides a small
stream (weather permitting), otherwise we will continue for another 45
minutes to the Dhaulagiri Lodge. Birds found here include Eurasian Black
Vulture, Northern Goshawk, Black Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Common Hill
Partridge, Koklas and Kalij Pheasant, Eurasian Woodcock, Ashy Woodpigeon,
Collared Owlet, Tawny Owl, Orange-rumped Honey Guide, Scaly-bellied Green,
Crimson-breasted Pied and Rufous-bellied Pied Woodpecker, Maroon-backed and
Altai Accentors, Orange-flanked, Golden, White-browed and Rufous-breasted
Bush Robins, Blue-capped Redstart, Plain-backed and Long-tailed Mountain
Thrushes, Long-billed Thrush, White-collared and Grey-winged Blackbirds,
Chestnut and Mistle Thrushes, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Black-faced Warbler,
Greater Scaly-breasted Wren-Babbler, Great, Brown and Black-throated
Parrotbills, Striated, Spotted and Black-faced Laughing-Thrushes,
White-browed and Green Shrike-Babblers, Hoary Barwing, Black-browed,
Yellow-browed and Grey-crested Tits, Bar-tailed Treecreeper, Lancelot Jay,
Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Eurasian Nutcracker, Red-browed Finch, Eurasian
Goldfinch, Common Crossbill, Plain Mountain-Finch, Collared Crossbeak,
Rosefinches and Bullfinches. Other wildlife along the route include Rhesus
Macaque, Grey Langur, Red Fox, Lesser Panda, Yellow-throated Marten,
Himalayan Tahr, Bharal and Orange-bellied Squirrel.
Day 10 Forest Camp or Dhaulagiri Lodge.
We spend today Birdwatching in this great forest, alive with birds.
Day 11 Gorepani
Walking approx. 3 hours.
We start with an climb to Gorepani again the trail passes through
forests of oak and rhododendron. The rest of the day is spent birding around
Gorepani.
Day 12 Nagi via Poon Hill
Walking approx. 6 hours.
We start with a climb to Poon Hill (3193m) which can be reward with
excellent mountain views from Dhaulagiri to Annapurna. Higher up the the oak
and rhododendron forest are replaced by conifers with open grass and scrub
covered slopes. Look out for Altai Accentor and Plain-Mountain Finch in open
grassy areas near Poon Hill. After Poon Hill we start descending for Nagi
(2600m) through Oak and Rhododendron forest with a rich population of birds.
Day 13 Purano Goan
Walking approx. 6 hours.
We continue descending to Purano Goan. With plenty of birds,
Day 14 Pokhara
Walking approx. 4 hours
A steep descent to the Rhurungbi Khola brings us to the confluence with
the Modi Khola and Birthanti 1200m and drive to Pokhara.
Day 15 By Road to Chitwan
Transfer by road from Pokhara to Chitwan. A drive of approx. 4 hours. After
checking in, you will have time for a late afternoon Nature Walk or Elephant
Safari. The Royal Chitwan National Park covers 932 sq. km. and supports some
450 species of birds. Flocks of Common and Demoiselle Cranes occur on
passage between March and May and October/November. Along the marshes and
small lakes there are Cormorants, Darter, Cinnamon Bittern, Black-crowned
Night and Purple Herons, Asian Openbill, Woolly-necked and Lesser Adjutant
Storks, Lesser Whistling Duck, Cotton Pygmy Goose, Balloons Ruddy-breasted
and Brown Crakes, Purple Gallinule, Bronze-winged Jacana, Painted Snipe and
Stork-billed Kingfisher, Chestnut-crowned and Spotted Bush Warblers, Yellow
bellied Prinia, Clamorous Reed, dusky and Smoky Warblers, and Red-capped
Babbler. Forest species regular seen are Lesser Fishing and Grey headed
Eagle, Brown Fish Owl, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Kalij Pheasant, Emerald Dove,
Orange-breasted Green and Pompadour Green Pigeon, Moustached Parakeet,
Green-billed Malkoha, Brown Hawk Owl, Crested Treeswift, Pied and Great
Hornbills, Streak-throated Green, Rufous, Himalayan Golden-backed and
Greater Golden- backed Woodpeckers, Large Woodshrike Rosy Minivet, Black-
crested Bulbul, Golden fronted Leafbird, Pale-chinned Flycatcher,
Black-napped Monarch, Puff-throated Babbler, White-browed Scimitar-Babbler,
Grey-throated Babbler, Crimson Sunbird, Thick-billed Flowerpecker, Hill
Mynah, Black-hooded Oriole, White-rumped Shama, Lesser Necklaced, Greater
Necklaced and Rufous-necked Laughing-thrushes, Nepal Fulvetta, Streaked
Spiderhunter, yellow-bellied Warbler, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Forest Eagle,
Tawny Fish Owls, Red-headed Trogon, White-browed Piculet, Great Slaty
Woodpecker, Long-tailed Broadbill, Ruby-cheeked Sunbird and Little
Spiderhunter.
Elephant Safari, travel through open grassland and
dense forests on elephant back in search of rare game. Be on the look out
for the great one horned rhino, four species of deer, wild boar, sloth bear,
leopard, bison and the big one, The Royal Bengal Tiger.
Canoeing, a traditional dugout canoe takes you on
a silent trip down the Rapti River to view birds, crocodiles and the animals
of the river bank.
Nature walk, our trained naturalists take you to
prime spots to view deer, rhino, sloth bear and other wild life. Detailed
knowledge of the wild life and jungle will enhance your trip.
Birding, an early morning walk along the Rapti
River is a must to view many of the 450 species of exotic birds including
Giant Hornbill, Lesser Florican and Paradise Flycatcher. Again, you will be
accompanied by our experienced naturalists.
Day 16 Chitwan
Full day Safari Programme
Day 17 Chitwan
We depart the Lodge by Land Rover for an excursion further into the Chitwan
National Park.
Day 18 Chitwan
After lunch we have a one hour drive to Hedauda where hopefully we will find
the very rare Ibisbill in the gravel beside the Rapti river.
Day 19 Kathmandu
After an early morning Birdwatching walk we transfer by road to Kathmandu.
Day 20 Kathmandu
Kathmandu stands at 1350 meters and the valley is surrounded by hills at an
altitude of around 2400 meters. There are three important cities in the
valley, the most significant being Kathmandu itself. Patan is the most
Buddhist of the three and is across the Bagmati River to the south of
Kathmandu, but so close as to be almost an extension of the capital.
Bhaktapur, also known as Bhadgaon, is the most "mediaeval" and is situated
in the eastern part of the valley. While Kathmandu and Patan have undergone
great changes in the two decades since Nepal ended its long isolation,
Bhaktapur has changed very little and is still much as it was three decades
ago.
Machendra Nath Temple, a pagoda of high artistic beauty.
Hanuman Dhoka, historic seat of Royalty with old temples and palaces. Temple
of the Living Goddess (Kumari) with profusely carved wooden balconies and
window screens. Kasthamandap, an edifice constructed from wood of a single
tree. The National Museum houses a splendid collection of ancient artifacts.
Singh Durbar, an imposing stucco palace built in neo classical style as
residence of the erstwhile Rana prime ministers now acts as State
secretariat.
Patan, 5 kilometers Southwest of Kathmandu, Patan
is full of Buddhist monuments and Hindu temples. It is also known as the
city of artists. Visit Durbar Square, residential palace of Malla Kings. See
Krishna Mandir with stone carvings from Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabarata,
statue of bird God Garuda, Big Bell Royal baths, Ashoke Stupa, Taleju
Temple, Temples of Maha Buddha and Jagat Narian. Visit the Tibetan refugee
center to watch the spinning, dyeing and weaving of hand made carpets of
intricate designs.
Bhadgoan, 13 kilometers west of Kathmandu, Bhadgoan
was built in 889 A.D. and is home of medieval art and architecture. See
Durbar square with the Lion gate, Palace of 55 windows, Bell of barking
dogs, Nayatapola, Bhairava and Dattaraya Temples and monastery with carved
Peacock windows.
Swayambu Nath, 6.5 kilometers west of Kathmandu,
situated on a hillock, this 2000 years old stupa is the worlds most glorious
Buddhist shrine and is surrounded by several small pagodas. The main temple
is capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt and is painted on the four sides with
all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha.
Boudhnath, 8 kilometers east of Kathmandu, this
colossal Buddhist stupa is built on a octagonal base, inset with prayer
wheels and is surrounded by houses of Buddhist priests and Lama monks. It is
1500 years old and is the largest Lamaist shrine in the world.
Pashupati Nath, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is the
holiest and most famous Nepalese temple. Situated 5 kilometers Northeast of
Kathmandu on the bank of the sacred Bagmati river, it is an impressive
pagoda style structure with gilt roof and richly carved silver doors. It has
bathing and cremation ghats which are of absorbing interest to the tourist,
particularly in the mornings and on festival days.
Day 21
Depart Kathmandu
All itineraries are subject to change without notice.
Bird sightings depend greatly on season, timing, and
patience. Sightings mentioned in the itinerary are only a guide line and can
not be guaranteed
