Northern India & the Himalayan Foothills

Tour Code: IND29

A 17-day classic birdwatching and wildlife holiday visiting Bharatpur and the Himalayan foothills of northern India.

17 days from
£4,595 (Inc flights)
Land only price from
£4,095
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

Northern India offers some of the finest birdwatching in Asia, spiced with the additional thrill of seeing such magnificent mammals as Asian Elephant and Tiger. The itinerary for this perfect introduction to Indian avifauna begins at Bharatpur Reserve in Rajasthan before moving to the picturesque surroundings of Corbett National Park and then finally higher into the Himalayan foothills as we visit the former hill-station of Nainital. Over 300 bird species are likely during this holiday including waterbirds, raptors and a splendid range of Himalayan specialities augmented by winter visitors from Siberia. An equally impressive variety of mammals includes Asian Elephant, Tiger, Nilgai, Sambar and Spotted Deer whilst an historical perspective is provided by sightseeing

  • Perfect introduction to birdwatching in India
  • Storks, herons & wildfowl… to laughing-thrushes, babblers & forktails
  • Great Black-headed Gull, Olive-backed Pipit, Red-flanked Bluetail & Siberian Rubythroat
  • Ibisbill, Lammergeier & Wallcreeper amongst highlights
  • Chance of Tiger in Corbett National Park
  • Plus Asian Elephant, Nilgai, Smooth-coated Otter and various deer & monkeys
  • Superb scenery, including the Western Himalaya from Nainital
  • Sightseeing tours of Agra including the Taj Mahal
  • Reptiles, including Gharial & Mugger Crocodiles plus huge Rock Pythons
  • Expertly escorted by an Indian Naturetrek naturalist

Grading

Birdwatching walks of moderate length.

The marshes, forests and Himalayan foothills of northern India must surely represent most birdwatchers’s dream holiday destination, combining as they do the mystic appeal of the east with a stunningly varied avifauna. The itinerary for this exciting tour is acknowledged as providing the classic Indian birdwatching tour and by concentrating on three main centres, allows plenty of time to absorb the range of different species evident with each change in elevation. The frustrations of travel in this vast country are also kept to a minimum.

Our tour begins in the capital city, Delhi, but even in the densest urban areas of India, birds are rarely absent and the circling clouds of Black Kites over the city are an astonishing sight for European eyes. The outskirts of the city offer an excellent chance to gain an introduction to Indian birdlife and it is easily possible to see 80 or more species at Sultanpur National Park and Bird Sanctuary, where we spend our first day.

Keoladeo Reserve at Bharatpur in Rajasthan is one of the most outstanding wetland areas in Asia and we will spend four days exploring this paradise for birds. Here we will find jheels crowded with huge numbers of wildfowl and waterbirds, savannah inhabited by dry country birds, and patches of forest frequented by woodpeckers, barbets, minivets and many other woodland birds. Turning our attention skywards we will see clouds of storks, eagles and vultures soaring on the thermals over the marshes and during our walks we will frequently meet these raptors, perching tamely in waterside trees causing endless identification headaches. Every corner of this relatively small reserve is full of interest and after we have savoured the initial spectacle of the geese, ducks, storks and herons that crowd the wetlands, we can devote time to looking for wintering flycatchers and northern visitors such as Olive-backed Pipit, Siberian Rubythroat and Dusky Warbler. Elsewhere Dusky Horned Owls peer down from bulky stick nests, Painted Snipe bob at the edges of swampy pools and nightjars perch motionless in their day-time roosts. Although we may find nearly 200 bird species during our stay, not all the attractions are ornithological and other Bharatpur residents include huge Rock Pythons, Nilgai, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Smooth Otters and even the rare Fishing Cat.

After pausing for a day to admire the Moghul splendours of the Red Fort and Taj Mahal at Agra, we travel back to Delhi then into the forested hills and wide river valleys of the Corbett National Park which was named after the famous hunter-turned-conservationist, Jim Corbett. Asian Elephants, Wild Boar and herds of deer browse the vegetation in this superbly scenic reserve, the latter providing prey for a healthy population of Leopards and Tigers. We will search by jeep for these elusive predators, although the abundance of ground cover provides plenty of hiding places to conceal somnolent big cats during the daylight hours and sightings are always a bonus. Easier to find are the rare fisheating Gharial Crocodiles which occur along the fast-flowing Corbett rivers, sharing this habitat with Blue Whistling-thrushes, Plumbeous Redstarts and White-capped River Chats. Mysterious Ibisbills descend from the higher mountains to spend the winter months on some of these rivers and Wallcreepers are often to be seen probing for insects in the crevices of riverside boulders. At Corbett, our base is a comfortable hotel just outside the park boundary, where we are free of the prohibition on walking that applies inside the reserve and can more easily enjoy the superlative birdwatching.

Our final destination takes us deeper into the Himalayan foothills to spend four nights at the hill resort of Nainital. The increase in elevation to over 2,000 metres will bring a new selection of birds, including representatives of such typical Himalayan families as laughing-thrushes, forktails and accentors, plus wintering gems from the north like the Red-flanked Bluetails, which can often be found in our hotel garden. If conditions permit, the icy peaks of the western Himalayan mountains may be observed from a ridge above the resort, evidence of our proximity to this most impressive of mountain ranges which exert such influence on the avifauna of the region.

At the end of our stay in this most idyllic of locations we return to Delhi but, before reaching the capital, we have one last natural history treat as the road crosses over the sacred River Ganges and we may be rewarded by views of the rare Gangetic Dolphin in the waters below the bridge. A fine conclusion to a tour which provides a staggering variety of birdwatching and natural history encounters.

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Fly Delhi
Day 2
Delhi
Day 3/6
Bharatpur
Day 7
Agra; drive Delhi
Day 8/11
Corbett
Day 12/15
Nainital
Day 16
Delhi
Day 17
Fly London
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What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation: A mixture of comfortable hotels and simple tourist lodges, most with private facilities.
  • Food: All included in the tour cost, except for main meals in Delhi. Allow ?30.
Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Fri 10th Jan – Sun 26th Jan FULL £4,995
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£4,495
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£995
Fri 7th Nov – Sun 23rd Nov SPACES £4,595
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£4,095
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£995

2026

Departures Availability Cost
Fri 9th Jan – Sun 25th Jan SPACES £4,595
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£4,095
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£995
Fri 6th Nov – Sun 22nd Nov SPACES £4,595
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£4,095
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£995 
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Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists


The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.


Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours


We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.


The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.

Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:



Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection


Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.


 




Our specialist recommends...






"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."

Byron Palacios - Tour Leader




  


 


All Birdwatching Tours

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Tour Dates or Itinerary Don't Suit?

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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

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Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!