North India Birding Tour with Bharatpur

Tour Overview

This North Indian Birding Tour takes you to Chambal. This sanctuary, once the abode of gangs of dacoits comprises ravines and river spread over three states – Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. This sanctuary is famous for the rare Gangetic dolphin, Indian Mugger, gharial, turtles, and 225 species of birds. It is one of the best places to see the Indian Skimmer. In a 3 hrs boat trip you can see perhaps some 40 species of birds, among them flamingos, Indian Skimmers resting on a sand bank, an Asian Openbill, Wooly-necked Stork, Eurasian Spoonbill, Whiskered and Black-bellied Tern, Ruddy and Common Shelduck, some Calidris, Tringa, Limosa, and Charadrius wading birds, Brown-headed Gull, Bar-headed Goose, Lesser Whistling Goose, teals and ducks, White-breasted and Pied Kingfisher, Shikras and a Brahminy Kite. Next, we move on to Bharatpur, a World Heritage bird sanctuary. This is the best place in India for bird watching. The surrounding marshlands were once nurtured and developed by the royal family to support the famous duck shoots, which satisfied many a bored Maharajas’ morbid craving for both sport and meat. With the fading of the royal lifestyle the first family of Bharatpur, like many other royals, switched over from plundering to conservation. Ghana has become a vast field laboratory for ornithologists and is one of the world’s best-studied wetland ecosystems. 354 species of birds are found in this small park of 29 sq km of which 11 sq. km. are marshes and the rest scrubland and grassland. The unique mix of marshes, pastures and woodland at Keoladeo is the key to the high density and diversity of birds.. It is possible to spot 150 species in a single morning. The last stop is at Ranthambhor which used to be the hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Jaipur. Today, it is famous for its tigers and is one of the best places in the country to see these majestic predators in the wild. The tigers can be easily spotted even during the day. Ranthambore’s royal past manifests itself in the picturesque ruins the dot the Park. There are lake palaces, old fortifications and majestic thousand year old fortifications on a height overlooking the Park. The Park covers an area of 1334 sq. km. and is set between the Aravali and Vindhya ranges. Its deciduous forests were once a part of the magnificent jungles of Central India. The terrain is rugged and there are rocky ridges, hills and open valleys. It is centered by five lakes which attract water birds and mammals during the winter months. The park also offers good birding. Species recorded here include the crested serpent eagle, Bonelli’s eagle, great Indian horned owl, grey partridge, common sandgrouse, quail, red spur fowl, paradise fly catcher, pheasant tailed jacana, painted stork, white necked stork, spoonbill, green pigeon, whitebacked vulture, king vulture, whitebreasted kingfisher, spotted dove, ring dove and the golden Wood pecker.

Day 1: Chambal

Arrive Delhi airport and depart  for Chambal (280 kms/5 hrs drive). Arrive Chambal and check in to the lodge. You can enjoy an afternoon boat ride on Chambal river. The most notable bird species of the Chambal is the localized Indian Skimmer. Other notable species include the Small Pratincole, Great Thick-knee, River Tern and Black-bellied Tern. Other species present in the area include Osprey, Black Kite Black-eared Kite, Bonelli’s Eagle, Long- legged Buzzard, Steppe Eagle, Rock Dove, Asian Koel, Brown Boobook (or Brown Hawk-Owl), Sand, Greater Short-toed and Crested Larks, Grey-throated Sand Martin, Masked and Himalayan Wagtails, Desert Wheatear, Rufous-fronted and Plain Prinias, Lesser Whitethroat, Common and Large Grey Babblers and Bank Myna. The river also hosts the Gangetic Dolphin, the endemic fish eating Gharial and Marsh Crocodiles.

Day 2: Bharatpur

After birding in the morning, depart  for Bharatpur (140 kms/3 hrs drive). Arrive Bharatpur by lunch, check in to the hotel. Afternoon birding in Keoladeo bird sanctuary on cycle rickshaws. Bharatpur is an unraveled breeding site for the Painted Stork, Asian Openbills, Indian & Little Cormorants, Purple & Black Crowned Night Herons, Black headed Ibises & Eurasian Spoonbills. Some of the other notable species here are the Ferruginous and Comb ducks, Cotton Pygmy Goose, Sarus and Common cranes, Great White and Dalmatian Pelicans, Yellow and Black bitterns, Greylag and Bar-headed goose, Red-crested and Common pochards. Other common species include White-breasted Waterhen, Brown Crake, Greater Painted-Snipe (sometimes numbering over 30 birds in a village pool), Ruff, Spotted Redshank, Temminck’ s Stint , Bronze-winged and Pheasant-tailed jacanas, Pied Avocet and Black- winged Stilt.

Day 3: Bharatpur

One full day birding in Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary accompanied by our local guide. Overnight at hotel    

Day 4: Naunera - Bund Baretha

Full day birding at Naunera Wetland & Bund Baretha. Overnight at hotel  

Day 5: Ranthambhore

Morning birding into the sanctuary. Later transfer to the station to board the train for Sawai Madhopur. Golden Temple Mail/12903 at 1030/1255 hrs. Arrive Sawai Madhopur station and transfer to Ranthambhore National Park (15 min drive). Post lunch game drive into the national park  

Day 6: Ranthambhore National Park

Morning & Afternoon game drives into the national park.

Day 7: Delhi & Departure

Morning game drive into the National Park. Later transfer to the Sawai Madhopur station to board the train for Delhi. Golden Temple Mail/12903 at 1230/1835 hrs. Arrive Delhi and transfer to the airport to board the flight for onward destination.  

Inclusions

• Accommodation in the above mentioned hotels as per mentioned meal plan
• Air-conditioned vehicle (car for 02 & 03 people, Toyota Innova for 04 people, AC Tempo Traveller for 05, 06, 07 & 08 people) for all transfers as per the above mentioned itinerary
• 04 jeep safari by  jeeps to Ranthambhor National Park with local park naturalist 
• 01 full day and 02 half days birding at Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary with cycle rickshaw
• 01 full day birding around Naunera and Bund Baretha (Near Bharatpur)
• Accompanying Naturalist (bird guide) Arrival Delhi (Day 01) till departure Delhi (Day 07)
• All Entrances to the national parks visiting as per the above itinerary.
• 03 hours boat safari to Chambal River for birding with bird guide
• 01st class air-conditioned train from Bharatpur to Sawai Madhopur and Sawai Madhopur to Delhi
• All Meals from Day 01 (lunch) till Day 07 (breakfast in Ranthambhor)
• All current Govt. applicable taxes

Quote does not include:

• Any International airfare to/from India including International airport tax.
• Meals not specified.
• Camera fee wherever levied.
• Any increase in airfares by the airlines in future.
• Any increase in entrances and rail fares as per Government notifications in future.
• Any additional taxes levied by the Government of India on the tourism sector in future.
• Any expenses of personal nature such as hard/soft drinks, laundry, phone/fax calls, tips etc.
• Any item not mentioned in the quote includes section.
• Any increase in the entrance fee to the National park. The quote is based on the presently applicable entrance fee.

Route Maps

FAQs

Q: Do I need a Visa to enter India?
Yes. https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html

Q: What kind of climate should I expect?
India is tropical and would be hot and humid most of the year except during November to February when it is cooler. In addition, the deserts-like conditions in the Rann area and Desert National park can become windy and cold in winter and hot in summer.

Q: Are tour dates flexible?
Yes.

Q: What are the accommodations like?
Accommodations we use are all birder friendly accommodations near the birding areas, clean and with great service.

Q: Can you provide me with a list of the hotels we will be staying at?
It would be sent along with the detailed itinerary we send to you.

Q: Can I book extra nights of hotel accommodation before or after my tour ?
Yes, we can arrange pre and post night extensions.

Q: Do you cater to dietary requirements?
Yes we do but we would require adequate advance notice.

Q: What is the Indian currency?
Indian Rupee. The higher denomination notes are 100, 500 and 2000 rupees.

Q: Are foreign currencies accepted locally?
The USD, GBP and EURO are easily accepted at all places.

Q: Are there ATMs available?
Yes. Banking services and numerous ATMs available throughout this area

Q: Are credit and charge cards widely accepted ?
Yes, all the hotels we use & most shops in locations mentioned in this itinerary accept credit cards

Q: Should I purchase travel insurance before travelling ?
Yes, it is highly recommended that you take out travel insurance before travelling to India, covering any medical situation, hospitalisation, cancellation and loss of your baggage. We cover your causality evacuation to the nearest hospital which is included in the cost. However, this does not cover the cost of medical treatment at the hospital.

Q: What vaccinations will I require?
Please check with your doctor. The areas which fall within this tour are malaria prone.

Q: Air airport transfers included?
Yes. Pick up from the airport and drop to the airport are included as mentioned in the itinerary.

Q: What kind of electrical travel adaptor will I need?
India uses 230 Volts, 50 Hz alternating current as the power source. Plugs and sockets have either grounded / earthed 3 Pin connections (Type D) or ungrounded 2 pin connections (Type C). The two pin plug is also called the Europlug. It has two round 4 mm (0.157 in) pins. It can be inserted in either way into the socket. Hence there is no fixed live (hot) and neutral (cold) terminals. The three pin plug is rated at 6A / 250V. It has three round pins in a triangular pattern. The earth terminal is slightly larger than the live and neutral terminals. For Higher current, there is a 15 Amp version of the same 3 Pin plug, usually called the Power Plug or the M Plug. Live and neutral are 1 inch (25.4 mm) apart. Earth terminal is 1+1⁄8 in (28.58 mm) away from live and neutral terminals. Typically, refrigerators, heaters and other high power devices are connected to this 15 Amp socket.

Q: Will a standard European electric plug (2 round pins) fit into a power point in India?
Yes. To insert the 2 pin plug into a Type D 3 Pin socket which in some cases may be closed by default, push a pen into the Ground/Earth terminal. This opens up the protected 2 Pin terminals and you can insert the 2 Pin plug.

Q: Will a standard American electric plug fit into a power point in India?
No. But any electrical store will sell you an adapter for around 50 cents or less.

Q: What is included in my tour?
Accommodation with all meals, all transfers, all birding walks, safaris, birding guide.

Q: What is not included in the tour?
Tips, flights, camera fees, personal expenses, beverages and liquor.

Q: How much should I tip?
Tipping is the customary way of saying thank you for a good trip. Any amount is welcome and is certain to augment the income of the bird guide and driver. Please remember that this is their only means of livelihood.

Q: Tell me more about the birding guides?
Our birding guides are knowledgeable and speak very good English.

Q: Is there any restrictions on drinking liquor or smoking?
Gujarat is a 'dry' state where liqour is banned. Smoking in public is not permitted.

Q: What will the meals be like on my tour?
Meals are usually ethnic Indian fare, mainly vegetarian

Q: Is there a 24 hours hotline for me to call during an emergency?
Yes. The number will be provided to you before you start the tour

Q: What is the Internet access like?
All places have internet, not necessarily in the rooms but near the reception.  

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