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Bird watvhing

Birding Destinations in Nepal

Kathmandu Valley

In the Kathmandu valley alone, more than 500 species of birds have been recorded. The surrounding hills offer a varied ecology ranging from primary and secondary forests to rhododendron, 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 Phulchowki hill (2750m), the highest peak on the Valley rim situated 20 km South East of Kathmandu, with some 265 species recorded to date. We can see birds like babblers, warblers, tits, thrushes, woodpeckers, eagles and many more. 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, the spotted fork tail.

Phulchoki

Phulchoki is another sound area, with a Redheaded Trojan, a very rare bird sighted there in April 2002 (it was last seen n Nepal 44 years ago). Phulchoki is 2750 meters and 18kms southeast of Kathmandu and is reached via the Godavari and the Botanical Gardens. You can start walking from behind the gardens, with a combination of trails and roads. The hillside is covered with forest featuring outstanding flora as well as diverse birds. About 90 species have been recorded in this area including the endemic spring babbler, Mountain Hawk Eagle, as well as the Curia, Rufous Bellied Pied Woodpeckers, and the Black-throated Parrot bill, etc.

Bagmati & Manohara

Bird watching begins right here in Kathmandu by the banks of Bagmati and Manohara rivers. Birds sighted along these rivers are the Egrets, Herons, Kingfishers, Ibis bill, Wood Sandpipers, and Plovers. The Chovar gorge and Tanda are recommended sites along these rivers. Away from human disturbances, many birds are seen here.

The Shivapuri watershed & Wildlife Reserve

This site is another popular destination for the bird watchers. It lies 2 km north of Kathmandu. Some of the birds sighted here are the Laughing Thrush, Crested Serpent Eagle, Little Pied flycatchers, Ruby Throats, Babblers etc.

Nagarjuna

Phulchoki

The other destination is Nagarjuna, which lies northwest of Kathmandu, only 10 minutes drive from City center of Kathmandu. Some of the birds sighted here are Pheasants, Magpies, Sunbirds, and Ruby Throats etc.

Chitwan national park

It takes approximately five hours by road from Kathmandu or a 35-minute flight situated in the Terai region. The national park established in 1973 was the first one in Nepal and covers 932 Sq.km making it the largest national park in Nepal. Blue-Throat (thrush), Long-tailed Nightjar, Great Barbet, red-billed blue magpie, Indian Peafowl, and Tick ell’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.

Koshi Barrage and Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve

The Koshi Tappu wildlife reserve is situated in the far eastern region of Nepal. The reserve is best known for the waterfowl and waders, with about 26 varieties of ducks alone. The best way to see the birds here is to go along the river by boat, gliding through the waters in the stillness of the early morning and evening. The reserve has more than 450 species of birds including Honey Kites, Ospreys, Black Ibis, Peregrine Falcon, Black headed, Storks, and Partridges.

The Pokhara valley

Pokhara is one of the perfect locations to see the bird watching, particularly in the less inhabited area. Around Phewa Lake, you discover such types of birds Herons, falcons, pipits, egrets, ducks, terns and buntings plus gulls. Likewise, The Begnas Lake, where Happie Grey Bellied Tesias, ducks, bulbuls, pheasant-tailed jacana can be seen. In the higher areas of Nepal on the trekking routes are also excellent for bird watching. Such trekking areas, Jomsom Trek, Langtang and Gosainkunda Trek, Annapurna sanctuary, Rara Jumla Trek, Arun valley, Sagarmatha national park, are best location to see the birds. Besides trekking routes, Lumbini also the good place to discover the birds. Sarus crane the world’s tallest and endangered bird can be found in Lumbini.

Bardiya National Park

Bardia National Park offers Bengal florican, lesser florican, silver-eared mesia, saurus crane and other common birds of nature. Shey Phoksundo National Park is equally rich in many species of birds such as the pheasant (danphe- the national bird of Nepal ), blood pheasant, cheer pheasants, red and yellow billed cough, raven, jungle crow, snow partridge and many others. Rara National Park offers Resident Gallinaceous birds and migrant waterfowl are of interest to park visitors. The great -crested grebe, black necked grebe and red crested pochard seem during winter. Other common birds are a snow cough, chukor partridge, impeyan pheasant, Kalij pheasant and blood pheasant.

Trip Facts

Accomodiation
Duration

15 days
Difficulty
Group

pax
Best Season

Trip Highlights

Group size: Min 2 Max 15
Min. duration: 15 days
Start/Finish: Kathmandu /Kathmandu
Difficulty: Easy
Tour style: Hotel

For 02 pax USD 1543 per-person.
For 05 pax USD 1412 per-person.
For 10 pax USD 1148 per-person.
For 15 pax USD 1050 per-person

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1334m), transfer Hotel, Bird watching tour in Nepal briefing with officially arrangements. overnight at kathmandu.

Day 02: Breakfast- Fly to Nepalgunj or drive to Bardia. 1 hour to Samsara Safari camp.
Refreshment and Check-In. briefing on the Park followed by Nature walk in local Surroundings.

Day 02: Full day Birding on Jeep and Walking. Picnic Lunch at Watch Tower in the Jungle.

Day 03: Breakfast and then Drifting in Karnali River on Rubber Raft whole day. Picnic Lunch.

Day 04: Breakfast and then drive to Badhaiya lake.

Day 05: Drive to Lumbini. Birding on the way. Sacred Garden Visit.

Day 06: Breakfast. Drive to Chitwan- Vulture Restaurant in Nawal Parasi on the way.
Resort Check-In. Refreshment drinks followed by Briefing on National Park. Sunset-Walk.

Day 07: Whole day Jungle Drive with pack lunch: Lame Taal (lake), Tamor Lake.

Day 08: Drive to Bishajari Lake. Back to Resort for Lunch. Canoeing (40min.) and then Birding in Sal-forest
Dinner at the resort followed by Indigenous Tharu Culture Performance.

Day 09: Breakfast. Drive to Koshi. Birding and Lunch on the Way. Camp Check-In in the Evening.

Day 10: Breakfast: Birding in Koshi River, Wet-Land and Swamp surroundings.
Lunch, Short rest, Birding walk looking for Owls and other species.

Day 11: Drive to Biratnagar and Fly to Kathmandu

Day 12: Breakfast- Birding in Godavari Botanical Garden. Lunch.

Day 13: Shivapuri – Birding until afternoon, transfer to hotel. overnight at Kathmandu

Day 14: After breakfast, Trekker nepal tour guide will take to for historical monuments sightseeing in kathmandu valley such as Boudhanath : visit Bodhnath Stupa, one of the best Buddhist shrines in the world, where we observe Buddhist monks in prayer in the monasteries surrounding the stupa than visit Pashupatinath: the most famous Hindu temple in the country, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Here you see Hindu holy men (sadhus) meditating, pilgrims bathing and occasionally funeral pyres burning on the ghats. Kathmandu durbar square: you will enjoy with different Hindus Temple , Goddes Kumari, legend of kathmandu valley etc & in the evening farewell dinner in Nepalese restaurant. Overnight at Kathmandu.

Day 15: After breakfast, Relaxing/shopping with own activities , Trekker Nepal representative will drop to Kathmandu international airport for onward journeys or if you have time to stay in Nepal will arrange any other trip such as Chitwan Jungle safari tour, Lumbini tour, Chitwan jungle safari tour , river rafting etc.

Include/Exclude

SERVICE INCLUDES

Airport pick up and transfer to hotel.
4-night accommodation in Kathmandu on BB basis on twin sharing as mentioned in itinerary
An experienced, helpful and friendly Government license holder Bird watching tour guide.
Kathmandu Nepalgunj flight ticket as mentioned in itinerary
Pokhara accommodation and transportation
Bardia bird watching tour as mentioned in itinerary
Hotel accommodation in Bardia
Bardia Lumbini overland transportation by private vehicle as mentioned in itinerary
Lumbini hotel accommodation
Koshi tapu bird watching tour
Lumbini bird watching tour as mentioned in itinerary
Two-night hotel accommodation in Chitwan as mentioned in itinerary
Three-time meal Breakfast, lunch & dinner during Chitwan bird watching tour as mentioned in itinerary
Chitwan National park bird watching tour as mentioned itinerary
Chitwan National park to Koshi tapu wildlife Reserve overland transportation by private vehicle as mentioned in itinerary
Shivapuri bird watching tour as mentioned in itinerary
Phulchowki bird watching tour as mentioned in itinerary
Godavari Botanical garden bird watching tour as mentioned in itinerary
Kathmandu valley sightseeing tour with guided trip as mentioned in itinerary
Kathmandu valley tour with private vehicle as mentioned in itinerary
All program as mentioned in itinerary
Overland transportation
Trekking guide both way flight ticket
Insurance for Nepalese staff. ( Trekking guide, and porters)
Guide and porter fares and taxes.Government Tax and office service charge.
Airport drop

SERVICE EXCLUDES

Lunch & Dinner during Kathmandu / stay
International flight ticket
Nepal entry visa fee US$ 40 (duration 60 days from the date of issue)- you may easily issue the visa upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport – Kathmandu.
Disembarkation Airport Tax in Nepal – approx. US$ 24. all equipment
High-risk medical insurance
Entrance fees while sightseeing tour in Kathmandu valley.
Alcoholic beverage and telephone calls
Hot drinks, Soft drinks such as cola, mineral water
Nepal Visa Fee
Emergency rescue evacuation if needed
Purely personal nature expenses
Tipping /Tips(Tipping is Expected).

Accomodation

Accommodations We will be staying at Ti-se guest house in Kathmandu, hotel and teahouses during the tour. All accommodations are on twin-shared basis.Although single rooms are readily available in Kathmandu and the tour regions.

Meal

Meals During Tour, you can enjoy authentic Nepalese food as well the more common international cuisine (Tibetan, Continental, Italian, Indian, etc.). Breakfast and dinner will be served from the tea-houses or from a lodge menu where we spend the night whereas lunch will be served on the way to the next destination. All meals will be provided during tour.