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Western India Birding Tour
Western India Birding and Wildlife Tour - Gujarat & Rajasthan
Western India Birding Tour (KBG - 04)
Region : West India
10
Days

Activity

Comfort

Cost per Person

US$ 2250

based on a minimum of 2 persons travelling

Tour Overview

The arid North West India holds one of the most diverse bird species of the sub-continent. Experience the great Rann of Kutch, the exciting tour of the Aravalli Hills around Mount Abu - home to the Green Avadavat and Bera where one can sight leopards and birds like Striped Hyena, Desert & Jungle Cat, critically endangered Indian Vulture, Laggar and Red-necked Falcon, Rock Bush Quail, Sirkeer Malkoha and Painted Sandgrouse. You will also be going to India's arid Western Rajasthan, to get on the trail of the Great Indian Bustard in the vast Desert National Park. The Western India Birding Tour is indeed a tour through one of the most diverse Indian landscapes.



Western India Birding Tour

Day 1: Ahmedabad - Little Rann of Kutch
Arrive Ahmedabad airport in the morning & met and transferred to Little Rann of Kutch (100 kms/2 hrs drive approx.) Arrive Little Rann of Kutch and check in to the lodge. Afternoon explore the Little Rann of Kutch by exclusive jeep, accompanied by naturalist.
Day 2: Little Rann of Kutch
We take morning and afternoon jeep rides into the heart of the Little Rann of Kutch today, returning for lunch. The Little Rann is most famous for its still healthy population of Indian Wild Ass and we should see several as we go in search of the areas avian specialties. Our main targets include wintering Macqueen’s Bustard, roosting Sykes’s Nightjar, Greater Hoopoe Lark, Lesser Flamingo, Indian Courser, White-tailed Plover, Great White and Dalmatian Pelicans, Montagu’s and Pallid Harriers, Imperial, Tawny and Greater Spotted Eagles and occasionally Sociable Plovers.  
Day 3: Little Rann of Kutch - Mount Abu
After a final drive at Little Rann of Kutch we depart for Mount Abu (125 kms / 3 hrs), Arrive Mount Abu and check in to the hotel. Spending the afternoon around the open scrub and fields on the top of Mount Abu will hopefully bring us into contact with another rare Indian subcontinent endemic – Green Avadavat. Mount Abu is one of the few known localities for the species and we have an excellent chance of finding a small flock feeding quietly at the base of nearby bushes. White-capped and Crested Buntings are also possible here and any time spent in the forest lower down could include Indian Scimitar Babbler.
Day 4: Mount Abu - Bera
Morning birding at Mount Abu for species that we may have missed out on. Later depart  for Bera (100 kms/2 hrs drive approx). Aravalli Range, is home to some of the species like Jungle Bush Quail, Painted Francolin, Grey Junglefowl, Red Spurfowl, Alexandrine and Plum-headed Parakeets, White- naped Woodpecker, White-spotted Fantail, Tawny-bellied Babbler, Jungle Prinia, Sulphur-bellied Warbler, Indian Yellow Tit and Crested. Arrive Bera and check in at your hotel / Camp. Evening jeep safari to Bera in-search of Leopards and birding.
Day 5: Bera
Morning jeep safari and birding in Bera with your accompanying bird guide. We have a great chance of seeing Leopard, Striped Hyena, Desert & Jungle Cat, critically endangered Indian Vulture, Laggar and Red-necked Falcon, Rock Bush Quail, Sirkeer Malkoha and Painted Sandgrouse.Evening jeep safari to Bera in-search of Leopards and birding.
Day 6: Bera - Chandelaogarh
After an early breakfast drive to Chandelaogarh (200 kms / 05 hours). Arrive Chandelaogarh and check in to your hotel. Evening birding around Chandelao Village (birding around the Lakes and in the fields).  
Day 7: Bera – Jaisalmer DNP
Today we will make our way to Sam Village (Near Jaisalmer - 360 kms / 7 hrs). Arrive Sam, and check in at your tented Camp.  
Day 8-9: Jaisalmer (Desert National Park)
We have two full days to explore Desert National Park by private vehicle & camel cart. The principal target is India’s most famous, but unfortunately now on rapid decline – Great Indian Bustard. However, the area is also full of birds including another declining, rare species – Stoliczka’s Bushchat, which we hope to find whilst searching for the bustard. A whole range of semi-desert species are also possible here – Cream-coloured Courser, Black-bellied, Chestnut-bellied and Painted Sandgrouse, ‘Desert’ Lesser Whitethroat, Eastern Orphean Warbler, Asian Desert Warbler, ‘Punjab’ Raven, Macqueen’s Bustard, Desert Lark, Variable Wheatear, and Lagger Falcon. Three critically endangered vultures are also possible – Indian, White-rumped and Red-headed, along with the more widespread Eurasian Griffin and Egyptian Vulture.  
Day 10: Jaisalmer to Jodhpur - Departure
Early morning drive to Jodhpur Airport (320 kms/6 hrs drive approx.) to end the Western India Birding Tour.  

Inclusions

  • Accommodation with all meals
  • Air-conditioned vehicle 
  • All entrances to Wildlife Sancturies and National Parks
  • Camel cart for 02 full day in Desert National Park
  • 04 jeep safaris (by exclusive jeeps) in Little Rann of Kutch
  • 03 jeep safaris (by exclusive jeeps) in Bera
  • 01 night safari in Desert National Park
  • Accompanying excellent Indian bird guide throughout the tour
  • All currently applicable taxes

Quote does not include:

  • Tips to the guide and driver
  • Flights and  airport tax.
  • Camera fees wherever levied.
  • Any expenses of personal nature; beverages, liqour, laundry, phone. 
  • Any increase in the entrance fee to the National park. 

Gallery

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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