Destination to Cover: Delhi, Kathgodam, Pangot, Nainital, Binsar, Betalghat, Corbett park
Duration:11 nights and 12 days
Day 1 : Delhi / Kathgodam
Arrival, meeting and assistance upon arrival as our representatives welcome you and escort you to your Hotel.
Day 2 : Delhi - Kathgodam
You have full day free at leisure activities. Connect overnight train to Kathgodam (railhead for Nainital) at 2240 hr. from Old Delhi railway station.
Overnight : Air-conditioned train.
Day 3 : Kathgodam / Pangot / Nainital
Arrive at Kathgodam railway station and transfer to Pangot via Nainital (50 km, 3 hr.). It is a thrilling journey that takes you on one of the world's more spectacular mountain roads as we climb up into the Kumaon Hills on our way to this delightful ‘lake city.’ You can stop along the way to look for birds which may include Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, Long-tailed Broadbill, Black-throated Jay, and Blue-headed Redstart. Overnight : Hotel at Nainital (Standard Room).
Day 4 : Nainital
A long trail leads up to Naina Peak, which offers views of the Garhwal Himalayas including Nanda Devi. Also a very good birding area is the quiet old road through forests towards Corbett National Park. The viewpoint is alive with Red-headed and White-throated Laughing thrushes, Grey-winged Blackbirds and Red-flanked Bluetails. We can also look for Hill Partridge, Golden Bush-Robin and Scaly-breasted Wren-Babbler. Nearby mountains could include Himalayan Griffon Vulture, Lammergeier and Black Eagle, Hill Barbet, White-browed Shrike-Babbler and the Fire-capped Tit.Overnight : Hotel at Nainital (Standard Room).
Day 5 : Nainital / Binsar
Early morning after breakfast we start for a 5 hour (110 km ) drive to Binsar through the Himalayan roads. Upon arrival check into your hotel. Rest of the day free for birdwatching in the surroundings. Overnight : Jungle Resort at Binsar.
Day 6 : Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary
Full day birding trek in Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. A 6 hour trek from Jhadidhar/Snow View point and back, we ascend from 5600 feet to approximately 9000 feet. An ideal birding route where you spy (birds) through the pine level forests to dense oak and rhododendron forests of the Binsar Sanctuary.Overnight : Jungle Resort at Binsar.
Day 7 : Binsar / Betalghat
This day you will be passing through coniferous forests, a patchwork of farm fields and the deciduous woodland towards Betalghat. Each of these habitats offers different species like White-crested and Rufous-chinned Laughing-Thrushes, Red-billed Leothrix, White's Thrush, Himalayan Ruby-throat, Black-throated Accentor and White-capped Bunting. The scattered and deliberately undeveloped area of Betalghat is one of the most pleasant destinations.Overnight : Hotel at Betalghat.
Day 8 : Betalghat
Another full day at Betalghat for birding along the Kosi river and the waterfalls. One can look for forktails, wall creeper, lesser and greater yellownaped woodpeckers, crimson and green tailed sunbirds and many more other spices.Overnight : Hotel at Betalghat.
Day 9 : Betalghat / Corbett Tiger Reserve
This we will drive to Corbett Tiger Reserve. The Corbett Tiger reserve has a spectacular avifauna diversity. About 580 species of resident and migratory birds have been recorded in and around the reserve and 49 species of diurnal raptors are found here forming a characteristic element of the avifauna. Great pied hornbill, pallas's fishing eagle, lesser grey headed fishing eagle, red-thighed falconet are some of the endangered birds found in Corbett. More birds include Brown Hawk-Owl, Great Hornbill, numerous woodpeckers, Slaty-headed Parakeet, White-rumped Spinetail, Himalayan Swiftlet, Lesser Fish-Eagle or even Great Thick-knee, Stork-billed Kingfisher and Himalayan Rubythroat. Tiger Camp makes an ideal base for birding. Overnight : Jungle Resort at Corbett
Day 10: Corbett Tiger Reserve
Full day at Corbett with a morning or evening elephant / jeep ride into the park. You may search the boulder-strewn river for the rare and elusive Ibisbill as well as Wallcreeper. The best birding areas are in the buffer zone along the Kosi River near Tiger Camp. You can also bird-watch across the river from the resort which can be crossed by a bridge a short distance upriver from the hotel or by wading across the Kosi.Overnight : Jungle Resort at Corbett
Day 11 : Corbett Tiger Reserve / Kathgodam
You may explore the river edge for Brown Fish Owl, Himalayan Kingfisher, Brown Dipper, Plumbeous and White-capped Redstarts and perhaps three species of forktails. Many new species are possible in the forest and could include Crested Tree Swift, Great Hornbill, Hair-crested Drongo and Blue-bearded Bee-eater. On day 10, you will be transferred to Kathgodam (80 km, 2 hr.) to connect overnight train to Delhi. Overnight : Air-conditioned train.
Day 12 : Delhi Departure
Early in the morning we will arrive Delhi. Meeting and assitance upon arrival to Delhi. Transfer to airport to board a flight back home.
