Best of Uttarakhand and the Himalayas

The published plan begins with an evening departure from London Heathrow on British Airways flight BA0257. The stated 19:35 schedule should be reconfirmed for the chosen departure.

After the Delhi arrival, travelers are met and transferred to a hotel in Noida. Afternoon birding at Surajpur covers shallow wetland, reedbeds and grassland on the city’s edge. Black-breasted Weaver and Red Avadavat are among the possibilities, together with Striated Babbler and Bengal Bushlark. The timing is earlier than the usual local breeding period for Bristled Grassbird.

Haiderpur is a large wetland that receives relatively few visiting birders. Indian Skimmer and Black-bellied Tern have occurred, although the itinerary timing makes both unlikely. Late-winter waterbirds and other migrants should provide the main interest.

Morning birding at Haiderpur is followed by the transfer to Corbett Tiger Reserve. After check-in and lunch, the Kumeria river edge is explored for fish-owls, Asian Barred Owlet, river redstarts, Brown Dipper, Wallcreeper and several forktails. A wintering Ibisbill is possible. Image-caption text embedded in the imported description has been omitted from the narrative.

Days 4–5 combine jeep safaris in the Jhirna or Bijrani ranges with walks outside Corbett along the Kosi River and through Mohan and Kumeria forest. Winter descent brings high-altitude birds into the foothills, including Ibisbill, redstarts, forktails and Brown Dipper. Sal forest searches cover hornbills, woodpeckers, Kalij Pheasant, green-pigeons, laughingthrushes and Long-tailed Broadbill. Pallas’s and Lesser Fish-Eagles, Cinereous Vulture, Tawny Fish-Owl, Wallcreeper and Himalayan Rubythroat are further priorities.

After morning birding outside Corbett, the route climbs to Pangot with stops for the first true Himalayan species. Blue Whistling-Thrush and Chestnut-bellied Rock-Thrush may occur, alongside Red-billed Blue-Magpie and Himalayan Bulbul. Arrival is planned for a late lunch and afternoon birding near the lodge.

Days 7–8 explore oak, pine and rhododendron forest from Jungle Lore at Pangot. An easy-paced walk towards Kilbury covers vultures, Kalij Pheasant, minlas, forktails, woodpeckers, niltavas and magpies. Mammals may include Goral, deer, Yellow-throated Marten or Himalayan Palm-Civet; Leopard requires considerable luck. Lower-elevation birding after lunch adds variety. Wider searches cover Cheer and Koklass Pheasants, owls, raptors, thrushes, warblers, flycatchers, laughingthrushes and parakeets, with Grey-crowned Prinia a particularly localized target.

The short transfer reaches Sattal, a group of freshwater lakes among green hills. Two nights allow time for woodland birding and close photographic opportunities.

Birding around Sattal concentrates on Rufous-throated and Common Hill-Partridges, both secretive species. Green-tailed Sunbird, Eurasian Griffon, Lesser Yellownape, barbets, Slaty-headed Parakeet, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, laughingthrushes and Golden Bush-Robin add to the possible list. A local hide can provide close views for photographers.

The journey continues to Jageshwar, a narrow deodar-lined valley known for ancient Shiva temples dating from approximately the eighth to twelfth centuries. The stay at Van Serai provides a quieter cultural and landscape interlude within the birding route.

After breakfast, the group drives to Munsiyari for four nights. The town lies at about 2,298 metres and overlooks the Panchachuli peaks, Nanda Devi and Nanda Kot. It is also a gateway towards the Namik, Milam and Ralam glaciers and the historic Johar Valley trade route.

Days 13–15 explore Munsiyari sites such as the Gori River, Balanti Farms, alpine meadows, Kala Muni and Khalia Top. Satyr Tragopan is the primary target and is difficult throughout India. Spot-winged Rosefinch and White-collared Blackbird are further priorities, with Spotted Laughingthrush and Chukar also possible. Cheer and Koklass Pheasants join Himalayan Monal in the wider search. Snow Pigeon, Bearded Vulture, Himalayan Griffon, woodpeckers, tesias, flycatchers, laughingthrushes, bullfinches and serins form part of the broader highland community.

Following morning birding, the group checks out for the approximately six-and-a-half-hour drive to Kausani.

An early departure from Kausani follows the Ganga and Alaknanda rivers before entering the Mandakini valley near Rudraprayag. Chopta’s pine and deodar forest, rhododendrons and grassy bugyals provide strong winter and spring birding. Himalayan Monal is a central attraction and should already have been sought at Munsiyari.

Days 18–20 use a flexible plan from the Magpie Jungle Camp because snow and altitude strongly affect local bird distribution. Heavy snow may concentrate birds lower down near Mandal at around 1,500 metres, where rock-bee colonies can attract Yellow-rumped Honeyguide. Much accessible habitat lies near 2,000 metres. A possible ascent towards Tungnath Temple reaches roughly 3,700 metres; the climb is steep, and a pony may be used uphill before walking down. An early arrival at higher ground improves the chance of Snow Partridge before disturbance by other visitors.

Morning birding precedes the long drive from Chopta to Dehra Dun. The final night is at Walterre. Stops along the way provide an outside chance of Spectacled Finch, an occasional winter visitor.

Morning birding in the Doon Valley is followed by the final drive to Delhi. The gardens at Walterre may provide Nepal Wren-Babbler and other last additions before departure.

The published plan references British Airways flight BA0142 from Delhi at 01:50, reaching London Heathrow at 06:40; the current schedule must be reconfirmed. A separate Kashmir birding extension may be possible.