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Birding In The Hills And Mountains Of India - 14 Nights / 15 Days

This Birding tour to India covers the popular hill stations and some of the interesting rural parts of North India . The birding tour through the hills and the mountains of the Foothills of Himalayas. It is one of the most popular Eco Tour through India with a minimum negative environmental impacts and maximizing the benefits to the local through your visit.

Tour Overview & Description

Duration : 14 Nights / 15 Days

Location : North India – Hills and Mountains

Best Season : March to November

Category : Cultural, Nature and Birding Holiday Tour

Covering : Delhi > Shimla > Narkanda > Shoja > Great Himalayan National park > Kangra Valley Home stay > Dharamshala > Amritsar > Delhi

You can take it : As a private, personalised tour (tour dates would be of your choice)

Special About Tour :

This Birding tour to India covers the popular hill stations and some of the interesting rural parts of North India. The birding tour through the hills and the mountains of the Foothills of Himalayas. It is one of the most popular Eco Tour through India with a minimum negative environmental impacts and maximizing the benefits to the local through your visit.

The Birding tour through Himachal Pradesh we cover the places including Chail, Shimla, Shimla Water Catchment area Narkanda, Jalori Pass, Shoja (Seraj valley), Thirtheen Valley, Great Himalayan National park, Kangra valley - where we stay in a home stay for 03 nights and experience the Indian Rural life, Dharamshala famous as the Home to Buddhism and Dalai Lama ji, Amritsar famous for the Golden temple. This entire region is incredible for birds, with a remarkable avian diversity that can be attributed to the variety in climate, topography and vegetation.

Himalayan Griffon Vultures, Golden Eagles, Lammergeyers, long-tailed Minivets, Yellow-bellied Fantails, Wallcreepers, White-collared and Grey-winged blackbirds, Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler, Spectacled Finch, Golden Bush Robin, Blue-capped Redstart, Black-throated Thrush, Black-throated Accentor, Plumbeous Water Redstarts, Forktails, The White-capped Water Redstart ,The Brown Dipper, The Yellow-billed Magpie, The Grey headed and Black-crowned flycatcher-warblers, The Bar-tailed Tree creeper, the Gold crest and the White-cheeked Nuthach. Himalayan woodpecker, Himalayan Bulbul are few of the bird species that you might see during your visit on this most popular India birding tour.

The Great Himalayn National Park is well known for the endangered Western Tragopan, Monal Pheasant, The Koklass, White-crested Kaleej, Cheer Pheasant.A thoroughly enjoyable tour that offers a comprehensive overview of the exceptional birdlife of northern India's varied habitats.

Brief Itinerary : Delhi (02 Nights) > Chail (01 Nights) > Shimla (02 Nights) > Narkanda  (01 Night) > Shoja (02 Nights) > Great Himalayan National park (01 Night) > Kangra valley home stay (03 Nights) >Dharamshala (01 Night) > Amritsar (01 Night)

Day 1 Arrival New Delhi International Airport

You will be met from your flight to Delhi International Airport by Summit Safari’s representative, and he will accompany you to your hotel in Delhi. Rest of the day is free at leisure to relax after the flight. Overnight in Hotel in Delhi.

Day 2 Delhi to Chail

Early in the morning, you will be assisted to board the super fast Shatabdhi Express train from New Delhi departure at (07:40 AM) to Chandigarh arrival at (11:10 AM). Breakfast will be served to you on this first class train. At Chandigarh you will be met by your driver and guide and they will drive you to Chail 4 hrs. On arrival at Chail you will check into your hotel and evening would be free to walk in the forest around your hotel to get acclimatize for the Birding tour in India. Overnight stay in Chail.

Day 3 Chail to Shimla

Today early morning around 07:00 AM, your guide will take you for a walk to the nearby forest where you can notice different kinds of birds, this will be your first bird watching experience in India. Later after around 2 hrs, return back to the hotel and after breakfast around 10:30 AM you will check out from the hotel and drive to Shimla. En route if interested we can visit the zoo in Kufri where the main thing to notice is the various Pheasants from The Himalayas. We will also take a walk of 1-2 hrs near Kufri to spot some of the Birds. Later drive to Shimla and on arrival check into hotel / home stay in Shimla as per your interest. Rest of the time is free at Leisure.

Day 4 Local sightseeing & Birding at Shimla Water Catchment & wildlife sanctuary area

Today morning we will take you for a half day sightseeing tour of Shimla and will visit the monkey temple on the top of Jakhoo hills, Christ Church, the Gaiety Theatre, The Indian Institute of Advance studies , also Known as the Vice Regal lodge. Later by 1:00 P.M we will drive you to Shimla wildlife sanctuary area where we will walk through the Shimla water catchment and wildlife sanctuary area, and can spot various birds. Later by evening 5:00 P.M return back for the second night stay in the hotel / home stay in Shimla.

Please Note: Shimla water catchment area and the wildlife sanctuary remains closed on Mondays.

Day 5 Shimla to Narkanda

Today morning after breakfast we will drive you on the Indian Tibet Border road to Narkanda, via Fagu, Theog Matiana. Enroute we will stop at various places and at Fagu and at Matiana, where there are chances to see the Himalayan Griffon Vultures. We will arrive at Narkanda to stay in a forest lodge for 01 night. After lunch we will take you for 2-3 hrs of walking in the nearby forest where there are enough changes to spot various birds and pheasants. In the evening we will return back to the forest lodge at Narkanda.

Day 6 Narkanda to Shoja, over Jalori Pass

Today early morning around 07:00 AM we will take you for a birding walk of 2 hrs and there are again many chances to spot various Himalayan birds. Later after breakfast around 10:00 AM we will check out from the hotel / forest lodge and will drive you to Shoja over Jalori Pass. Today we will drive you through various small villages and there are many chances to stop and view various birds. We will reach Shoja by late afternoon. Check in to the hotel and have some time to rest. Shoja is located in Seraj valley, famous for breathtakingly beautiful views of the mountains and the forests. In the evening we will take you to stroll around the area which will provide you some more chances to spot some birds and pheasants.

Day 7 Shoja – drive to Jalori pass

The mornings in Shoja are quiet invigorating. Today early morning after some tea and cookies we start our drive to Jalori pass 5 kms (25 minutes), from where we will start our walk to Serolsar lake. The walk through Oak and cedar wood forest provides many opportunities to spot various birds and pheasants. Today we will carry packed breakfast with us and will spot the birds at our own pace. We will walk to the Lake around 5 kms one side, and takes around 4-5 hrs both sides , with a rest. We can have some tea or local food in the tea shop run by the local family near the lake. Today there are chances to Spot some pheasants and birds including Asian Paradise Flycatcher, white-throated tit, Indian blue robin, Blue Whistling teal, grosbeaks, red billed blue magpie, white-collared blackbird, yellow browed tit, mistle thrush, ultramarine flycatcher etc. Later as per your comfort we will return back to Shoja. Rest of the day at leisure. Second night in the same hotel in Shoja.

Day 8 Shoja - Jibhi and further to Gushaini village in the Great Himalayan National Park

Today we will drive you to the Great Himalayan National Park – village Gushaini - Tirthan Valley in the Great Himalayan National Park, via Jibhi and Banjar valley. We will arrive here by afternoon and later after lunch we will take you for a walk around the Tirthan river and the valley and there are opportunities to spot several birds and pheasants including the, yellow-billed blue magpie, Indian blue robin, brown dipper, Asian Paradise flycatcher, spotted owlet, jungle myna, booted eagle, honey buzzard, white eyed buzzard, Asian barred owlet, Golden oriole, common kestrel etc. Overnight stay in a Home stay in Gushaini village in the Great Himalayan National park.

Day 9 Great Himalayan National Park (Gushaini) to Kangra valley Home stay

Today morning 07:00 AM we will take you for a walk around the Great Himalayan National park which would provide us more chances to spot some more spices of birds. Later after breakfast around 10:00 AM we will check out from the hotel / home stay and will drive to kangra valley Home stay to stay two nights with an incredible Indian family at basdi village near jawalamukhi. These places are out of reach of regular tourist. Enroute we will visit rewlaser famous for its lake and Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh temples around the lake. Lunch would be in a local restaurant in Rewalser. Later we continue our drive to basdi vialle, where we will arrive by evening. Rest of the time is free to relax of your own.

Day 10 Local Sightseeing and Birding tour around the village

Today morning we will take you to visit, the famous Hindu Temple at "Jawalamukhi" (The temple of flames – as the natural fire flames are burning out of the temple walls at many places for the centuries). Later we will drive you to visit another nearby village known as Bankhandi (1 hrs), where we will meet the different local communities and see how they do coir making, bamboo basket making, local musicians and meeting the local people etc. We will also get chances to spot various birds of the foothills of Himalayas. We will have our lunch in the village with a local family and later on we will walk around this village which will provide us a chance to meet the local people and to know about their life and traditions. By evening we will return back to the village Basdi for the second night stay in a home stay.

Day 11 Relaxing day / Walk around Basdi village

After a leisurely breakfast we will walk around the Basdi village and will visit a local school, where we will meet the local children’s and the teachers. We will also attend the school prayers which are held regularly during the morning time. We will take seasonable fruits / juice, stationary with us to distribute among the school children. There are around 25 students in the village primary school. Today we will spend our time relaxing and walking around the village. This day we can even arrange an Indian Cooking class for you where you can learn some Indian curries. The sight of the village home stay is so nice in the natural environment that many species of birds come around the home itself. If interested in the evening we will take you for a boat ride on river Beas and to visit the local colourful market in a nearby village. Third night in the same home stay in Basdi village.

Day 12 Home stay to Dharamshala / Mecleodganj (local sightseeing around Dharamshala)

After breakfast at 09:00 A.M we will drive to Dharamshala, en route we will visit Kangra fort and later continue our drive to Dharamshala. On arrival at Dharamshala we will visit Norbulingka institute at a place known as Sidhbari, an institute working for the preservation of traditional Tibetan arts and crafts. At present, it houses over 300 teachers, students and workers. The arts and crafts include Thanka painting, tailoring, metal sculpture and wood crafts. There is a Losel doll museum a monastery and a popular restaurant inside the Norbulingka institute where you can have your lunch. After lunch we will drive you to Mecleodganj where you will check in to the hotel and later we will leave for a sightseeing tour including, the Dalai Lama’s Buddhist monastery, St.John church, situated in the wilderness- where Lord Elgin is buried (1863). Evening is free to explore the local market of Mecleodganj.

Day 13 Dharamshala to Amritsar

After breakfast at 08:00 A.M we will drive you to Amritsar. Enroute we will stop for comfort break. We will arrive Amritsar in the afternoon and check in to your pre-booked hotel. After freshen up yourself around 03:00 PM we will take you to visit the Wagha Border. Indo-Pak Border to watch the Retreat Ceremony-30 KM on the road to Lahore is India-Pakistan Border (Wagha Border). A visit to the border is an interesting experience especially at Sunset, when the retreat ceremony takes place with the Border Security Force on the Indian Side and the Sutlej Rangers on the Pakistan side putting up a well coordinated and spectacular display. The sound from the Bugles blown together from both sides paints past on the canvas when India and Pakistan were one, simultaneously Flags of the two nations are ceremoniously retrieved and lights are switched on marking the end of the day. Later return back to the hotel for dinner. After diner 08:30 P.M we will take you to visit the Golden temple in Amritsar, which is one of the biggest and the most religious sight of Sikh people. The Walls of the golden temple are gilded with Gold. Overnight stay in hotel in Amritsar.

Please Note: Carry your passports this day with you to visit the Border ceremony at Wagha.

Day 14 Amritsar to New Delhi by train

Today early morning at 4:30 AM we will check out from the Hotel in Amritsar and we will transfer you to Amritsar railway station to board the Shatabdhi Express train number 12014, leaving Amritsar at 05:00 A.M to New Delhi, arriving at 11:20 AM. On arrival at New Delhi railway station you will be met by our driver and we will check into the hotel. Late around 1;00 P.M we will take you for a half day of sightseeing in Delhi visiting some of the famous sights of Old Delhi and New Delhi. We will return back to the hotel by evening.

Please Note: This day you can even choose to fly from Amritsar to New Delhi. There are a couple of flights on the route and we can suggest you the same at the time of your planning the tour with us.

Day 15 Fly back to your country

Today after breakfast we will drive you to New Delhi international airport, from where you will board your flight back to home.

End of the tour and the services.......!

Special Note

The tours shown on the website are which we run regularly. It can be altered & Customised and we like to discuss plans with clients and can make suggestions about special places to visit depending on our clients’ interests, and available time. You can get an idea of your holidays from the above mentioned tour itinerary.

We do not club our clients to groups. We suggest, plan and organize only tailor-made, personalised tour holidays to India for each client. Either you can make your own group, we would be happy to organize a personalise tour for your or organizing things for your private group. Our Knowledgeable tour escorts is with you throughout the trip (if required), to all the famous sights and wherever required or we provide a local knowledgeable guide on spot for your tour to make history and culture come alive through the stories that unfold throughout the journey. In case you do not require accompanying tour escort with you please tell us and we will be happy to arrange local, knowledgeable guides at all the places for your tour, as per your choice.

Accomodation / Hotels

To serve the best, there is no problem regarding accommodation on the tour. These places have plenty of hotels / guest Houses and Home stays which are well equipped with all modern amenities and comprises variety of luxury, deluxe, heritage and budget hotels / fixed tented accommodation and jungle lodges/ safari camps. One can choose the place of accommodation according to one's requirement and budget.

You stay in comfortable mid range Indian Hotels or A class star category luxury hotels which offer immaculate hospitality to guests, a couple of nights you will stay in comfortable neat and clean Home stay which would give you a experience of life lived in rural India. We would like to discuss and make suggestions about accommodation at the time of planning your holidays with us, all as preferred by you.

Meals Plan: Room + Breakfast.

Cloths: Cottons  with  Light woolens


Arrangements

You will follow the itinerary as a private tour, accompanied by one of our excellent Guides/ tour escorts through out the trip. Internal travel chauffeur-driven luxury jeep / car.

Tour Cost :The cost of the package is on Demand and based on no of Pax


Inclusions

  • All tour and sightseeing by Cab / Train / Volovo / Flight (Based on Tour & Location)
  • Hotel Accommodation Including Taxes & GST at Standard / Deluxe / Luxury hotels as per your choice of the tour package and budget
  • Daily buffet Breakfast and Dinner included during the tour stay
  • Welcome Drink & Traditional Welcome based on tour package and budget

Exclusions

  • Any kind of Lunch / Extra food, Laundry, Phone Call Charges
  • Any kind of Adventure Activity, Rides, Entry Tickets etc.
  • Any thing that not mentioned in Inculsions

Contact Summit Safari India Now!

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