Trip Overview

BIRD WATCHING TOUR IN NEPAL

 ‘country with 8% of the world's bird’s population of more than 857 different species’

Highlights:

“The best country for bird watching, a paradise for ornithologist and bird lovers.
In Nepal where more than 857 different species and world’s 8 % birds are found,.
Exciting and pleasant hikes in scenic green mid-hills around Kathmandu Valley.
Scenic bird-watching locations range from the lowlands of Terai belt, valleys, to high hills. 
Enchanting bird-watching at Nepal’s one and only bird sanctuary, Koshi Tappu”.   

Short Previews of Bird Watching Tour in Nepal:

Mode of Tour: Hotels and Resorts in Kathmandu and beyond.
Tour grade: Leisure, short moderate hikes up and Downhill.
Activities: Bird Watching, Jungle Safari with scenic short flights.
Beyond Kathmandu: 12 Nights and 13 Days with flights and drives.
Places of interest: Around Kathmandu city heritage sites. Phul-Chowki, Shivapuri Hills, Koshi Tappu, Pokhara and Chitwan National Park.

Total Trip: 15 Nights & 16 Days (main arrival to final departures)

BEST SEASONS FOR BIRD WATCHING TOUR IN NEPAL:
The best time and seasons for the Bird Watching Tour in Nepal are spring and autumn, including winter. Spring begins in March and ends in May, a lively time for pleasant walks and scenic views. Days are fine and clear with enough sunshine hour till late afternoon from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.  

But it can get overcast in the afternoon sometimes, with chances of light rains and snowfalls. Days are much longer with sunlight hours, but cold morning and late afternoon till nighttime. It depends upon the areas of tours. Spring is the best time for nature lovers, when wildflowers are in seasonal bloom, especially the rhododendrons of various species. 

The next best season is autumn/fall, where most days are bright, with sunny days for clear views. The autumn/fall starts from September to November, one of the high seasons in Nepal for various tours and adventures. 

 Most days are fine with crystal clear blue sky, but it gets dark soon due to limited sunshine hours. The morning and late afternoon until the nighttime is cold, and chances of light showers. 

Winter time is also best for Bird Watching Tour in Nepal, with domestic and migratory birds. Most days are crystal clear with blue sky, but short days, due to limited sunlight hours from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Overviews:

Birds Watching Tour in Nepal offers a wide range of exciting and exotic places from the Far East to Western Nepal. Include the Northern Himalayas' high green hills and the south, warmer sub-tropical flat land of the Terai belt. Nepal is one of the world's richest countries in terms of its unique landscapes and geographical position. Along with altitude variation, the elevation ranges from 60 m above sea level to the world's highest point. The Mt. Everest at 8,848.86 m, with a dramatic change all within a distance of 150 km. Thus resulting in a dramatic climatic variation from Sub-Tropical-Alpine to Arctic Cold.

The country occupies only 0.03% of the earth, with an area of 147,181 sq. km. But enriched with exotic flora and fauna, likewise with 02 % of all the flowering plants in the world. 04 % of mammals on earth, and 11 of the world's 15 families of butterflies with more than 500 species. 

Includes 600 indigenous plant families and 319 species of exotic orchids. The world's 08% population of birds with more than 857 different species. This makes Nepal one of the most enchanting places with a wide range of areas to choose from, as per one’s interest. Bird Watching in Nepal leads to an interesting and exciting moderate adventure amidst pristine wilderness. 

Bird lovers and ornithologists can enjoy various species of birdlife around Nepal's National Parks. From the low land of Chitwan and Bardiya National Parks to the high Himalayan regions, Sagarmatha and Langtang National Parks.

Apart from the wide range of bird-watching destinations in Nepal, Kathmandu Valley with green hills. Offers one of the best places for bird watching around its green environments. Covered with lush green vegetation, lined with tall rhododendrons, oaks, pines, and fir trees. The surrounding hills of Kathmandu Valley is a perfect home for all types of bird species. Including migratory birds, jungle fowls, and pheasants.    

Nepal is a deep forested country, and the lowlands of Terai with dense with tropical jungles. Where most of the country’s national parks are located, while others are in the high Himalayan mountainous areas. Around these parks, are many rare species of bird life from the cold region birds. Like the raven, mountain crows, snow pigeons, goose hawks, Lammagier (bearded eagle), and Tibetan snow cocks / hen. Including the magpie, thrush, and pheasants like Danfe Monal or Lophorous (National Bird of Nepal). 

Including Kalij pheasants, Tragopan, and in the mid hills various birds, likewise the black neck storks, eagles, and vultures. The list ranges to smaller birds like pit and sunbird and the low land of Terai with exotic birds. Such as peacocks, jungle fowls, a wide range of water birds, ducks, porchards, storks, egrets, and the beautiful long-tailed paradise flycatcher.

Places of interest for bird watching in Nepal: 

Phul-Chowki 2,760 meters:
Phul Chowki, the highest hill that surrounds Kathmandu Valley towards 18 k.m. south-east of Kathmandu city, is a perfect place for bird life along with views of the Himalayas, which is above the famous picnic spot of Godavari green area with botanical garden. 

Phul-Chowki, where one can observe some exotic bird life Redheaded Trogan, a very rare bird, was sighted in April 2002 (it was last seen, in Nepal 44 years ago). About 90 species have been recorded in this area, including the endemic spring babbler, as well as the Curia, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Rufous Bellied Pied Woodpeckers, and the Black-throated Parrot Bill, to name a few.

Shivapuri Watershed & Wildlife Reserve, 2,523 m 

Other areas of the valley are Shivapuri Watershed Reserve, 12 km north of the city, and Nakarjung Hill in the north-west. Shivapuri Hill, can be reached with options from east of Sundarijal or north of Buddhanilkanta / Narayanthan, the reserve managed by Nepal Army. Birds to observe are Laughing Thrush, Crested Serpent Eagle Ruby-throats, little Pied Fly Catchers, magpies, sunbirds, and pheasants. Nakarjung Hill is another good escape from the city life of Kathmandu at a mere distance of 2 hrs. Hike to the top offers a grandstand view of Kathmandu Valley surrounded by a serene forest of rhododendrons, pines, oaks, and magnolia trees on the walk full of bird life as in Shivapuri hills.

Beyond Kathmandu Valley:

Pokhara 860 m: 

Scenic Pokhara Valley, with two well-known lakes, Phewa Tal and Begnas Tal, and the surrounding areas, are highly recommended. The areas with minimum disturbances, away from human-inhabitation forests around the south shore of Phewa Lake. In the fields and pools, especially, the winter time is best to observe Egrets, Herons, Pipits, buntings, etc. The other birds are River Gulls, Terns, Ducks, Falcons, etc. 

Begnas Tal is 15 km away from Pokhara, with terraced hills and a a lightly forested area surrounding by the Begnas Tal (lake). Birds sighted here are a few species of Ducks, Pheasant-Tailed Jacana; Hoppie Grey-bellied Tesia, Common Pintail snipes, bulbuls, etc. Bird watching is best in October and April.

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve: 

Located in Eastern Terai, Far East Nepal, the Koshi area is a great spot  for waterfowl and waders, with more than 26 species of ducks alone. 

Here, bird watching is best done by boat, gliding through the waters in the stillness of the early morning and evenings. Over 450 bird species, have been sighted here, including Black Ibis, Honey Kites, Ospreys, Black Headed Orioles, Peregrine Falcons, Partridges, and Storks. Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is the only Bird Sanctuary in Nepal.

Chitwan National Park:
Another favorite and popular bird watching spot spot spot spot spot is at Chitwan, in the lowlands of Nepal, known as the Terai, which is about 4-5 hours’ drive from Kathmandu and 4 hours from Pokhara. The Chitwan National Park is the best-known site in Nepal for bird watching on an elephant ride and in a jeep or enjoying a nature walk, accompanied by a guide or naturalist, or preferably an ornithologist. 

The area consists of Sal Forest, Riverine forest, and grasslands, with three rivers forming the boundary of the parks. Some 500 species of birds, have been recorded in Chitwan, like the Blue Indian Roller, Stork-billed Kingfishers, Bengal Florican, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Bee-eaters, and Cormorants. All the above bird-watching programs is led by guides who knows the areas of bird-watching where special local ornithologists can be arranged.

The best season is from February to May and October to November. 

and the winter seasons are best for migratory birds in the lowlands of Nepal. Another way to watch bird life is by rafting the Trisuli and Seti rivers downstream to Chitwan National Park.