12-Days Birding in Rajasthan
Delhi- Ajmer-Mt. Abu-Kumbhalgarh-Jodhpur-Kheechan-Thar Desert-Jaipur
This tour is designed for bird watchers interested in species of the desert areas such as Indian Bustard, Cream-coloured Courser, White-naped Tit and very large congregation of birds in different habitats. Optional stops: Tal Chappar for Yellow-eyed Pigeon, Bharatpur, Ranthambhor, Chambal, Agra. The best time to bird here is between November & March.
Day 01: Arrive in Delhi
Arrive in Delhi by flight. You will be met and transferred to the hotel.
Overnight: Good Standard Hotel
Day 02: Delhi-Ajmer
Drive from Delhi to Ajmer early in the morning.
Arrive in Ajmer in the afternoon. Rest of the day birding around Sonkhaliya.
Target Species: Indian bustard, Indian Courser, Grey and Painted Francolin, Rufous-fronted Prinia, Sarus & Demoiselle Cranes, Stoliczka’s Bushchat and White-naped Tit as well as a variety of raptors.
Overnight: Good Standard Hotel
NB another day (optional) can be spent at Tal Chappar to look for Yellow-eyed Pigeon.
Day 03: Ajmer-Mt. Abu
Morning birding in Sonkhaliya closed area.
Drive to Mt. Abu ( 7-8 hours).
Arrive in Mt. Abu in the late evening.
Overnight: Good Standard Hotel
Day 04: Mt. Abu
Here we will look for scrubland birds. One can get two hours for sightseeing in the evening. Overnight stay in a Hotel.
Target Species: Green Avadavat, Common Woodshrike, Plum-headed & Rose-ringed Parakeet, Common Iora etc.
Overnight: Good Standard Hotel
Note: another day (optional) can be spent at Udaipur for sightseeing or a layover day.
Day 05: Mt. Abu-Kumbhalgarh
Drive in the morning to Kumbhalgarh (90 km / 2½ hours).
Rest of the day birding with a guide in and around the fort looking for target birds.
Target Species: White-naped Tit, Green Avadavat, Indian Pitta, Common Rosefinch, Crested Bunting, Short-toed Eagle, Jungle Bush-quail, Thick-billed Flowerpecker etc.
Overnight: Good Standard Hotel
Day 06: Kumbhalgarh-Jodhpur
After morning birding, drive to Jodhpur stopping en route for birding and cultural highlights.
Overnight: Good Standard Hotel
Day 07: Jodhpur-Kheechan-Jaisalmer
Drive to Jaisalmer (6 hours) stopping en route at Kheechan to see large congregation of Demoiselle Cranes and other species.
Arrive in Jaisalmer in the evening. The drive is through the dry desert scrub and very productive for raptors.
Overnight: Good Standard Hotel
Day 08: Jaisalmer
Morning birding at Gadisar Lake which can be very productive for waterfowl.
Rest of the day birding in and around Jaisalmer.
Target Species: Isabelline, Variable & Desert Wheaters, Common Kestrel, Shikra, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse etc.
Overnight: Good Standard Hotel
Day 09: Jaisalmer
Full day excursion to Khuri village for birding.
Target Species: Common Raven, Black-crowned Sparrow Lark, Desert & Orphean Warblers, House Bunting etc.
Overnight: Good Standard Hotel in Jaisalmer
Day 10: Desert National Park
Full day excursion to Desert National Park to look for Great Indian Bustard etc.
Target Species: Great Indian Bustard, Stoliczka’s Bushchat, Cream-colored Courser, Greater Hoopoe Lark, Eagles such as Lesser-spotted, Bonelli’s, Short-toed, Imperial, Plain Leaf Warbler and Trumpeter Finch.
Overnight: A desert camp in the sand dunes.
Day 11: Jaisalmer-Jaipur
Morning birding in Desert National Park.
Return to Jaisalmer at noon.
Connect overnight air-conditioned train to Jaipur in the afternoon.
Overnight: An air-conditioned sleeper class train.
Day 12: Jaipur
Arrive in Jaipur early morning.
You will be met and transferred to a small hotel for wash and change.
Morning birding around Jal Mahal to look for water birds.
Return to the hotel and check-out at noon.
Proceed to Delhi airport to connect flight.
Note: Bharatpur, Ranthambhor Tiger Reserve, Chambal & Agra can be combined with this tour.
Tour Price: Rate of Exchange UK £1 = INR 70 will apply
2 paying persons: UK £ 1580 per person; 4 paying persons: UK £ 1225 per person; 6 paying persons: UK £ 1150 per person;
8 paying persons: UK £ 1100 per person; 10 paying persons: UK £ 1075 per person; 12 paying persons: UK £ 1050 per person;
Single room supplement: UK £ 450
The price is valid from Oct 2011 to June 2012
Price includes: Land transport, accommodation, meals as per the itinerary, guided birding, permits, rail fare.
Price excludes: International and domestic flights, Indian visa, travel insurance, tips, laundry, phone calls, all drinks, bottled water, extra snacks and meals not specified above, camera/video (if applicable), fee at monuments etc.