Private 18-Day Rajasthan and Gujarat Desert Birding Expedition

Meet the representative at Delhi airport and transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free for rest and preparation.

Drive southwest into Rajasthan and finish with an introductory session in grassland and village-edge habitat, subject to arrival time.

Use morning and afternoon field sessions in open grassland and scattered acacia for harriers, eagles and other dry-country birds, with Blackbuck and occasional smaller mammals also possible.

Bird around Tal Chhapar before driving to Bikaner. A late visit to Jorbeer introduces the area's concentrations of eagles, vultures and kites.

Spend the day around Jorbeer and nearby scrub for wintering vultures and eagles, Yellow-eyed Pigeon, sandgrouse and other arid-zone birds.

Travel toward Jaisalmer with a stop at Khichan for wintering Demoiselle Cranes, then continue to the desert base near Sam or Khuiyala.

Explore permitted areas near Sudasari and Sam by 4x4, concentrating on Great Indian Bustard and a wider community of coursers, wheatears, bushchats and desert raptors. The bustard is critically endangered and never guaranteed.

Begin near suitable waterholes, then cover gravel plains, dunes and arid scrub for sandgrouse, falcons and other desert specialists. The route follows recent sightings and field conditions.

Make the long drive from the Thar Desert to the wooded Aravalli hills. If daylight permits, begin the search for Green Avadavat after arrival.

Bird rocky slopes and scrub around Mount Abu for Green Avadavat and hill specialists, then travel into Gujarat to Dholavira on the edge of the Great Rann.

Explore thorn scrub and open habitat around Khadir Bet before continuing toward the Nakhatrana region. Late birding focuses on dry woodland and open-country species.

Wait near fruiting Salvadora before sunrise for Grey Hypocolius. As the morning develops, move through thorn scrub for White-naped Tit, with Marshall's Iora and Stoliczka's Bushchat among the additional Kutch specialties.

Combine grassland, saline plain and seasonal wetland birding for cranes, sandgrouse and raptors. An evening wildlife drive may be offered when access and conditions allow.

Complete the overland journey to Jamnagar, rest after check-in, and then scan a productive lake or wetland for storks, spoonbills, skimmers, gulls and seasonal waterbirds.

Plan a tide-aware coastal session around Narara for Crab-plover, Great Knot and other waders, then visit Khijadia Bird Sanctuary for freshwater and coastal birdlife.

Travel to the Little Rann, with an afternoon field session for Indian Wild Ass, dry-country birds and raptors if arrival time permits.

Two 4x4 drives explore saline flats, temporary wetlands and the raised islands known as bets. The search covers Indian Wild Ass, MacQueen's Bustard, Short-eared Owl, cranes, pelicans and other winter visitors.

Take an optional final walk near the lodge, then transfer to Ahmedabad airport according to the confirmed flight schedule.