The Birdlife of North India

DAY 1  DEPART UK

Depart the UK on your flight to Delhi.

DAY 2  DELHI

On arrival in Delhi, you will be welcomed by your guide and transferred to your hotel to freshen up and relax. In the evening, take a tour of Old Delhi, negotiating the labyrinthine lanes of Chawri Bazaar and Chandni Chowk by cycle rickshaw.

DAYS 3 & 4  CORBETT NATIONAL PARK

About a six-hour drive will transport you northeast of Delhi to Corbett National Park, one of the oldest national parks in India nestled between the Himalayan foothills. During your two-night stay, you will have the opportunity to enjoy two safaris right in the heart of the Dhikala Zone. Head out early in the morning and later in the afternoon, with time in between to relax in this remote location.

DAYS 5 & 6  VANGHAT LODGE

You’ll now venture deeper into Corbett National Park for a two-night stay at the Vanghat Lodge. The property comprises just four thatched cottages sitting along a bend of the remote Ramganga River and backed by the forest-clad foothills of the Himalayas. A sense of adventure here is a must as the lodge is only accessible on foot with a 2km hike and a bamboo raft river crossing!

During your stay, you can take part in a variety of activities, like exploring the area by jeep or on foot or embarking on guided hikes of varying lengths. Birdwatching is a speciality of Vanghat and tailored birding activities are available with over 500 species spotted in this region.

DAYS 7 & 8  PANGOT

You will be collected by your driver and transferred east into the foothills of the Himalayas to Pangot, a journey of about four hours. Pangot is a village surrounded by thick forest, streams and walking trails and is home to over 350 bird species. You’ll stay for two nights at the Jungle Lore Birding Lodge and spend a full day exploring the local area with a naturalist to take in the diverse birdlife of the region. Hikes can range between one to five hours, and you’ll also have a vehicle at your disposal for travelling around.

DAY 9  TRAIN TO DELHI

Board the Kathgodam New Delhi Shatabdi train that will transport you five hours back to Delhi. Travelling by train is integral to the Indian way of life, and it makes for a memorable experience. On arrival in Delhi, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay.

DAYS 10 & 11  CHAMBAL RIVER

The journey to beautiful Chambal takes around five hours, where you will be for a two-night stay at a lovely eco-lodge in a wildlife-filled setting. The Chambal River is home to a variety of residents, from turtles to dolphins, crocodiles and exotic birds; it’s an ideal spot for nature lovers.

Your first morning here includes a relaxing river safari; a great way to get close to the birds and animals in the water and along the banks. You’ll be in the company of a trained naturalist who will provide expert information. Later, visit the Carus Crane Conservation Reserve, a wetland area that is a breeding ground for large numbers of the Sarus Cranes.

DAYS 12 & 13  BHARATPUR

Your next destination is Bharatpur, about a three-hour drive from Chambal, where you will stay for two nights. Spend the day birdwatching, first in the morning spotting birdlife by boat in the exotic Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary. Then enjoy a late afternoon exploration of the Keoladeo Ghana National Park by cycle-rickshaw. While the park is man-made, it is home to over 360 bird species and receives thousands of migratory birds each year.

DAYS 14 & 15  DELHI & FLY HOME

You will be transferred around four and a half hours back to Delhi for an overnight stay before flying home the following day.