The state of Rajasthan is rich in history and culture. The royal heritage is highly evident not only in the palaces and monuments, but also in the wildlife. This tour gives you the opportunity to explore some of the best birdwatching destinations in Rajasthan.
Your tour starts in Delhi, a centre of civilization for millennia, and now the capital of India. Apart from many historical monuments and heritage buildings, there are also many birding destinations close to the capital region.
From Delhi, we will travel to Sultanpur National Park. One of the smaller national parks in the country, Sultanpur nonetheless offers a fantastic birding experience. The park consists mainly of wetland, with adjoining forest and grassland patches that will be the perfect kickstart to your list.
Our next destination is Tal Chapper. Once the hunting ground of the Maharaja of Bikaner, this small protected area has a large population of Blackbuck and Chinkara, and a very impressive list of birds.
We then have the chance to observe two amazing birding spectacles, in very contrasting locations! At the Jorbeer Vulture Conservation Reserve, you can enjoy close views of the largest congregations of raptors to be found in India, including a variety of vultures.
Somewhat more pleasant surroundings await us in Kheechan, famous for its wintering flock of several thousand Demoiselle Cranes. For years, the villagers have put out grain for the cranes. Feeding times in the morning and evening provide an amazing sight and sound, and we will stay to enjoy the evening at close range.
We then drive to the fortified city of Jaisalmer. West of Jaisalmer, close to the Indo-Pakistan border, lies the Desert National Park, our next destination on this tour. This is the last remaining stronghold of the Great Indian Bustard, now sadly reduced to a population of less than 200 birds and with a real risk of extinction during our lifetimes.
Our final destination on this tour is Jaipur. Home to monuments that speak to its royal past, Jaipur is also home to Jhalana Leopard Reserve, a leopard-rich habitat located conveniently nearby the city.
Delhi (Google Map)
Your adventure begins as you touch down in New Delhi. You will be met at the airport by our representative and transferred to the nearby city of Gurugram (Gurgaon) or to Sultanpur, where you will be staying for the night.
Meals: on own
We will spend the morning with an early visit to Sultanpur National Park for a couple of hours of birding. A fantastic wetland habitat, Sultanpur is home to many migratory waterfowl and scrub forest birds. When combined with the nearby grassland patches, it is a very promising birding destination. At about 1100 hrs., we will check out and travel to Tal Chapper (370km / 07 hrs.), from where we enter the desert habitats and concentrate on some of the real specialties of this tour.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Forest Rest House
We have the full day to explore the grassland sanctuary of Tal Chapper. The walking and motorable trails in Tal Chapper will yield an amazing diversity of arid-area birds.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Forest Rest House
We have another half day of birding in Tal Chapper to look for targets. Once the hunting ground of the Maharaja of Bikaner, this small protected area has a large population of Blackbuck and Chinkara, and a very impressive list of birds. These include Indian Eagle-Owl, Montagu’s and Pallid Harriers, White-eyed Buzzard, Laggar Falcon, large flocks of the declining Yellow-eyed Pigeon, Indian Spotted Creeper, Rufous-tailed and Great Grey Shrikes, huge mixed flocks of Greater Short-toed and Bimaculated Larks, and Water and Buff-bellied Pipits.
After half a day of birding we will drive to the city of Bikaner for an overnight stop.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Lal Garh Palace
Today is a very special day, as we have the chance to observe two amazing birding spectacles, in very contrasting locations! After an early breakfast we leave for the Jorbeer Conservation Reserve, more explicitly known as the Jorbeer Carcass Dump, where you can enjoy close views of the largest congregations of raptors to be found in India. Hundreds of Himalayan, Griffon and Egyptian Vultures gather here, joined by equally large numbers of Steppe Eagle, Black-eared Kite, and smaller numbers of Tawny and Eastern Imperial Eagles, with the chance of something rarer such as White-tailed Eagle or Saker Falcon, both of which have wintered in recent years. It is also fascinating to see birds such as Hoopoes feeding amongst the carcasses.
By 1100 hrs., we will leave for Kheechan, which is famous for its wintering flock of several thousand Demoiselle Cranes. For years the villagers have put out grain, as much as 500 kg per day, for the cranes. We will be able to spend the evening admiring and photographing this amazing spectacle.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Lalgarh Palace
After a morning session of birdwatching and photography in Kheechan, we move on the city of Jaisalmer, and Desert National Park, where we will have a full day of birdwatching in the Thar Desert. The region is a haven for migratory and resident birds of the desert. Many eagles, harriers, falcons, and vultures are spotted here, as well as the highly-endangered Great Indian Bustard.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast in Kheechan and Dinner in Camp
Accommodation: Paddav LC
We have a full day of birding today to explore the very unique Desert National Park. This is one of the last remaining strongholds of the Great Indian Bustard, now sadly reduced to a population of less than 200 birds and with a real risk of extinction during our lifetimes.
Overnight stay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Paddav LC
We have another full day of birding today in Desert National Park to look for more targets. Aside from the bustard, there are several specialities to find here, including many raptors, Spotted and Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Cream-coloured Courser, Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark, Desert Lark, Greater Hoopoe-Lark, the little-known White-browed (Stoliczka’s) Bush Chat, Red-tailed Wheatear, Plain Leaf Warbler, and Trumpeter Finch.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Paddav LC
After some final birding in the Desert National Park we drive east to Jodhpur (325km/5.5hrs). We will spend the afternoon visiting a nearby Bishnoi village. The Bishnoi are well-known for their animal-loving nature, as dictated by their religious tenets, and their villages are a fascinating study of human-animal coexistence.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast
After an early breakfast, we will check out from our hotel and travel to Jaipur (330km/6.5hrs). We will have the opportunity for an evening safari in Jhalana Leopard Reserve. Not only is Jhalana home to a dense population of leopards and deer, but is also an ideal birding destination, with species like Jacobin Cuckoo, Indian Pitta, Jungle Nightjar, and more calling it home.
Overnight stay
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Umaid Mahal
After a final morning safari in Jhalana, we will return to our hotel for breakfast. We will then check out and proceed to Delhi (255 kms / 5.5hrs).
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Shanti Palace
After a final morning safari in Jhalana, we will return to our hotel for breakfast. We will then check out and proceed to Delhi (255 kms / 5.5hrs).
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Shanti Palace
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Delhi airport for your onward flight.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None
