Nepal is indeed a paradise for birds with over 800 species recorded representing
10% of the world’s population in just a tiny fraction of the earth’s land mass. Just to lista few: eight species of stork, six species of pheasant, 17 species of cuckoo, 3 species of crow, cormorant, egret, black ibis, eagle, falcon, duck, chukar, partridge, sarus crane, lapwing pigeon, bengal green pigeon, dove, parakeet, koel cuckoo, owl, vulture, peafowl, red jungle fowl, swallow, black drong, blue jay, wood pecker, black-headed shrike, common myna, red-vented bulbul, paradise flycatcher, brahminy duck,
house sparrow, red mania, and hawk. The opportunity to see these and other birds will make your trip a memorable and enjoyable one. These trips also provide panoramic mountain views, glimpses of wild animals and exposure to the local people’s culture and traditions
ITINERARY
Day 01 : Kathmandu:
Upon arrival at the Kathmandu airport, welcome by our representative & transfer to the hotel. At the hotel briefing about the program by our representative.
Day 02 :Kathmandu:
Sightseeing of Kathmandu city, Swayambhu nath, Museum and Patan city.
Day 03 :Kathmandu:
Sightseeing around Pashupatinath, Boudhanath and Bhaktapur.
Day 04 :Kathmandu:
Full day bird & butterfly watching in Phulchowki (2759m), & Godavari Royal Botanical Garden.
Day 05 :Koshi Tappu:
Drive from Kathmandu to Koshi Tappu, Biratnagar. Evening bird, butterfly & dolphin watching.
Day 06 : Koshi Tappu:
Full day bird, butterfly & dolphin exploring activities on foot and in boats in Koshi Tappu.
Day 07 :Chitwan:
Drive from Koshi Tappu to Chitwan for 9-10 hrs through the beautiful landscapes. Evening jungle activities in Chitwan. Evening enjoy Tharu cultural programmes.
Day 08 :Chitwan:
Whole day jungle activities in Chitwan including jungle walk, elephant ride, canon ride, village visit and explore the jungle on foot and jeeps for birds viewing, butterfly watching. In the evening enjoy a cultural dance performed by local villagers.
Day 09 :Chitwan:
Full day jungle activities like jungle walk, canon ride, bird watching, nature walk etc.
Day 10 :Bardia:
Drive from Chitwan to the Bardia National Park. Evening jungle activities
Day 11 :Bardia:
Full day Jungle activities including elephant back safari, nature walks, jungle drive, bird watching and trekking in the Churia Hills to observe more birds. Overnight in the tented camp.
Day 12 :Bardia:
Full day jungle activities with cultural visits to Tharu village, Gangetic dolphin viewing, rafting in the Karnali river. In the evening Tharu (ethnic tribe) cultural performance.
Day 13 :Kathmandu:
Drive to Nepalgunj for about 2 hrs then fly to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to the hotel.
Day 14 :Kathmandu:
Free day in Kathmandu for shopping etc.
Day 15 : Departure to onward destination.
Birds of the Kathmandu Valley
Within the Kathmandu valley alone, over 500 species of birds have been recorded. The surrounding hills offer a varied ecology ranging from primary and secondary forests to rhododendron, oak and pine forests. In addition, the wetlands and open fields inside the valley make up a diverse habitat for many species of birds.
The most popular bird watching spot is the Phulchoki hill, the highest peak on the Valley rim situated 20 km South East of Kathmandu, with some 265 species recorded to date. The birds seen here included babblers, warblers, tits, thrushes, minivets, woodpeckers, eagles and many migrant birds. Godavari, at the foot of Phulchoki hill where the Royal Botanical Garden is situated, records over 100 species of birds including the lesser racket-tailed drongo, Tibetan siskin and the spotted forktail.
The Shivapuri Watershed and Wildlife Reserve
Situated 11km to the North of Kathmandu, is another very good location. Nagerjun Royal Forest on Jamacho hill is situated 5 km from Kathmandu on the way to Kakani from Balaju. It is a renowned sight for bird enthusiasts with blue magpies, kalij pheasants, Bonelli’s eagles, great Himalayan barbets amongst thwe many species found here.
The Valley Wetlands
The wetlands in the valley, the banks of the Manohara river on the way to Bhaktapur, and the Bagmati river, which flows into the Valley from Shivapuri hill and out through Chobhar Gorge, are good places for watching waders and waterfowls. Harbouring 40 species of birds mostly dependent on wetlands, Taudaha, a lake on the way to Dakshinkali, attracts flocks of migrant birds.
Popular Bird Watching Sites Outside the Kathmandu Valley
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
As well as other kinds of fauna, the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is renowned for being one of the best locations for birding. Still within Nepal’s sub-tropical Terai belt, this is the smallest (175 sq km) and Easternmost reserve in Nepal, just to the North East of the convergence of the Sapt Koshi and Trijuga Khola rivers. Its situation on the Sapt Koshi floodplain means that the environment of this reserve varies dramatically according to the seasons. During the Monsoon (May to September) the flow becomes torrential and covers most of the floodplain, while during the dry seasons, many flat, sandy islands are exposed. The habitat is a combination of scrub grassland and deciduous riverine forest, with over 280 species of birds recorded so far, including 20 species of duck, ibises, storks, swamp partridges (Francolinus gularis), herons, egrets, Bengal floricans (Eupodotis Bengalensis), and many other exotic and migratory waterfowl not found elsewhere in Nepal.
Chitwan National Park
Is approximately five hours by road from Kathmandu or a 35 minute flight situated in the Terai region. It is renowned for its array of birds, with over 255 species recorded. There are many species of parakeets. Other birds include Blue-Throat (thrush), Long-tailed Nightjar, Indian Peafowl, Great Barbet, red-billed blue magpie and Tickell’s red-breasted blue flycatcher. A two night/three day package, staying at a lodge within the park, is an ideal way to combine bird watching with other pursuits.
Bardia National park
Bardia is also a popular destination for bird watching situated in the far West of Nepal it is an area of extensive jungle which is covered by sal forest riverine and grass lands. A boat ride on the slow moving expanse of the Karnali River provides plenty of opportunities to view a vast variety of birds including Ruddy Shelduck, darters, brahmini kites, brown headed gulls, cormorants, oriental pied hornbills, night heron & purple heron, cinnaon bitterns, orioles and majestic peacocks.
Trekking Regions
One of the best ways of viewing birds in Nepal is a leisurely trek through the foothills of the Kingdom. There are three main trekking areas in Nepal: the Langtang region six hours by road North of Kathmandu, the Solu Khumbu region eight hours by road East of Kathmandu and the Annapurna region, six hours by road or a 30 minute flight West of Kathmandu. Of the three trekking regions, the Annapurna region offers the widest variety of species. The region is also easily accessible.
The Annapurna Conservation Area
To set the scene a little, the Annapurna region is a Conservation Area is the largest and most protected region in the World (ACA), covering around 2600sq km towards the North-central region of Nepal. The Kali Gandaki river runs North to South through this region, through the world’s deepest gorge, some 6000m below the high Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs, seven of these peaks are over 7000m, the highest (Annapurna I) at 8091m.
A few facts and figures above, but as you can imagine, the ACA supports a remarkable but delicate biodiversity, with 441 recorded species of birds (so far), including the only endemic species of Nepal, the spiny babbler (Turdoides Nepalensis). The bird habitat ranges from the sub-tropical lowlands towards Pokhara in the south of ACA to dry sub-alpine conditions above the tree-line towards the North.
The Kali Gandaki valley is also a major migration pathway in the autumn, when 40 species, including demoiselle cranes (Anthropoides Virgo), can be seen around Jomsom and Tukche. Happily this coincides with one of the two trekking seasons (Spring and Autumn).
Migrating West about this time further South around Kaare and Dhampus are about 20 identified species of eagle and other birds of prey. The most commonly observed are:lammergeier gypaetus barbatus (Bearded Vulture), known as the giddha in Nepal, it frequently occurs at 4100m.and the golden eagle Aquila Cryaetos, known as baaj in Nepal.
There are six Himalayan pheasants to be found in ACA: Himalayan The Monal Lophophorus impejanus satyra Tragopan Tragopan satyra (Crimson Horned Pheasant) Blood Pheasant Ithaginis cruentus Koklass Pheasant Pucrasia macrolopha Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallichiiKalij Pheasant Lophura leucomelana, are the most commonly occurring of Nepali pheasants.