14 Days Birding in Ladakh
Black Necked Crane and Indo-Tibetan Birds
This tour is ideal for birdwatchers who want to see special trans-Himalayan species while a lot of them are Pale- arctic. This tour is meant for birders who are in good physical health and can walk in high altitude area. The treks and walks are moderate in nature. This tour can be customized. Best time: May to September
Day 1: Arrive Delhi
Overnight: Hotel Sunstar.
Day 2: Delhi - Leh (11000 ft)
Flight to Ladakh. One of the most sensational flights in the world.
Transfer to the hotel.
Settle in and acclimatize since you have gone from a relatively low elevation in New Delhi to over 11,000 feet!
Overnight: Good Standard Hotel
Day 3: Surrounding area of Leh
Today morning we will bird along Shey marshes. One can expect some interesting birds!
Target Species: Common Rosefinch, Hume's Lesser Whitethroat, Blue Rockthrush, Eurasian Hobby, Booted Eagle, Bluethroat, Hume's Short-toed Lark, Plain Mountain Finch, Rock Bunting, Citrine Wagtail etc.
Overnight: Good Standard Hotel
Day 4: Surrounding area of Leh
Today morning we will bird at Thiksey.
Afternoon visit to Hemis area after Stok Palace.
Target Species: Golden Oriole, Long-tailed Shrike, Blue-whistling Thrush, Eurasian Cuckoo, Hill pigeon, Tibetan Snowfinch, Eurasian Crag Martin, Lammergeier, Fire-fronted Serin, plain Mountain Finch, Blue Sheep etc.
Overnight: Good Standard Hotel
Day 5: Leh - Khardung La (18,380 ft)
Today morning we will be going on an excursion to bird at Khardung La, the highest motorable pass in the world.
Target Species: Brown Dipper, Alpine Accentor, Himalayan Snowcock, Brandt’s Mountain Finch, Great Rosefinch, White-winged Redstart, Yellow-billed Chough etc.
Mammals will be Himalayan Marmot, Mouse Hare, Woolly Hare, and Blue Sheep.
Afternoon at leisure to visit to Leh town.
Overnight: Good Standard Hotel
Day 6: Leh - Zingchan - Rumbak (12,540 ft) - Trek (approx 5 hr.)
Drive to Zingchan.
Trek to Rumbak for birding.
Full day birding in Rumbak Valley.
Target Species: Golden Eagle, Himalayan Griffon, Tibetan Snowfinch, Chukar, Fire-fronted Serin, Sulphur-bellied Warbler, White-throated Dipper etc.
Overnight: Tented Camp
Day 7 - 8: Rumbak
Full day birding around Rumbak Valley.
Target Species: Brown & Robin Accentor, Tickell’s Leaf Warbler, Streaked Rosefinch, Tibetan Snowfinch, Chukar, Fork-tailed Swift, Red-billed Chough, Himalayan Snowcock, Fire-Fronted Serin, Twite etc.
One can also expect to see Blue Sheep, Red Fox and maybe the elusive Snow Leopard.
Overnight: Tented Camp
Day 9: Rumbak - Zingchan - Trek (3½ hr.) - Leh
Morning birding in Rumbak Valley.
Trek to Zingchan. Check the forest patch at Zingchan for unusual species such as Rusty-tailed Flycatcher, Grey Bushchat etc.
Travel to Leh for overnight stay.
Overnight: Tented Camp
Day 10: Leh - Puga (14,520 ft)
We will spend the day travelling to Puga stopping en route for birding at Chumathang. Wewill also check the stream at Puga emerging out of sulphur spring for Black-necked Crane.
Target Species: Golden Eagle, Ibisbill, Horned Lark, Black-necked Crane, Brown-headed Gull, Ruddy Shelduck etc.
Overnight: Tented Camp
Day 11: Puga-Across Namshang La (15,840 ft)-Thadsang Karu (15,246 ft)-Tso Moriri (14,916 ft)-Puga
Morning excursion to the lakes for waterbirds and the stream, rock faces and bushes for raptors and passerines.
Target Species: Ruddy Shelduck, Bar-headed Goose, Lesser Sand-plover, White-winged Black Tern, Long-legged Buzzard, Black-necked Crane, Eurasian Eagle-owl, White-winged Redstart, Robin Accentor, Asian House Martin, White-throated Dipper, Lammergeier etc.
Overnight: Tented Camp.
Day 12: Puga - Across Polo Konga (16,236 ft) - Tso Kar (14,949 ft)
Travel to Tso Kar in the morning across Polo Kongka Pass where one can see large flocks of Brandt’s Mountain Finch. As you enter the lake area, you may cranes, waders and waterfowl. Tibetan Wild Ass, Marmot, Stolizka’s Mountain Vole are mammal species that are seen commonly.
Afternoon visit to fresh water lake.
Target Species: Brandt’s Mountain Finch, Black-necked Crane, Tibetan Sandgrouse, Plain-backed Snowfinch, Horned lark, Hume’s Short-toed Lark and Tibetan Snowfinch.
Overnight: Tented Camp
Day 13: Tso Kar - Across Taklang La (17,358 ft) - Leh
After morning birding at Tso Kar.
Travel to Leh via Tanglang La stopping en route for birding.
Arrive Leh in the afternoon.
Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight: Good Standard Hotel
Day 14: Leh - Delhi - By Flight
Morning flight back to Delhi.
Day at leisure or birding or a city tour.
Leave Delhi by late evening flight.
Tour Price: Rate of Exchange UK £1 = INR 70 will apply
Based on 2-4 paying persons: UK £ 1700 per person
Based on 5-8 paying persons: UK £ 1400 per person
Single room supplement: UK £ 375
The price is valid from Oct 2011 to June 2012
Price includes: land transport, accommodation, guided birding, three meals a day (breakfast, lunch & dinner), permits etc.
Price excludes: Flights, Indian visa, travel insurance, tips, laundry, phone calls, all drinks, extra snacks and meals not specified above, Camera/video (if applicable) fee at monuments/parks etc.