Bird Watching in Nepal
Bird Watching in Nepal
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Nepal boasts over 800 species of birds, almost 8% of the world`s recorded population. This is not surprising, in a country which rises from near sea level in the Terai Region through the low hills and the foothills to the mighty Himalayas and the highest place on earth, all within a distance of approximately 200km. From the lowland jungle of the Terrai and the Koshi Tappu barrage through dense rhododendron and Oak forest of the middle hills to the windswept plateaus of the high Himalaya there is always something to keep one twitching The birds are: eight species of stork, egret, wood pecker, and Black-headed shrike, six species of pheasant, 17 species of cuckoo, and 3 species of crow. The best time for bird watching Trip is March and December.



Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu .
Day 02: Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing.
You will visit the medieval palaces, temples, Buddhist Stupas, monasteries and courtyards, all with intricate wood, metal and stone works. The places of interest are Pashupatinath Temple, Bouddhanath Stupa, Bhaktapur and Kathmandu Durbar Square.
Day 03: Kathmandu – Patan - Bird watching in Godavari Botanical Garden.
Drive to Patan than you will visit the Durbar Square, Krishna temple and Golden temple. From here you will continue to Godavari. Check in hotel and after refreshment, bird watching trip in Godavari botanical garden.
Day 04: Godavari – Phulchoki Hill – Kathmandu. 
After breakfast, leave with lunch pack and hike up the Phulchoki hill. Full day birding. In the evening return to Kathmandu.
Day 05: Birding in Nagarjun forest and Shivapuri Watershed and Wildlife Reserve.
Return to hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 06: Kathmandu – Koshi Tappu (519km, 11hrs by drive).
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve lies on the flood plains of the Sapta Koshi in Saptari& Sunsari districts of Eastern Nepal. The Reserve covers 175 sq. km & established in 1976. The vegetation is mainly tall Khar-pater grassland with a few patches of Khairsissoo, scrub forest & deciduous mixed riverine forest. The Reserve offers important habitat for a variety of wildlife. The last surviving population (about 100 individuals) of Wild Buffalo is found here. Other mammals occurring here are hog deer, wild boar, spotted deer & blue bull. A total of 423 species of birds are recorded here, including 20 of ducks, two of ibises, many storks, egrets, herons and the endangered swamp partridges and Bengal Floricans. 183 species of different birds are recorded a day here. Visitors can see minimum 100 types of birds in a day.
Day 07: Full day Bird Exploring activities on foot and in boats. Koshi Tappu is one of the Asia finest wetlands and fabulous bird watching area. Almost all of Nepal's long list of wildfowl, waders, storks, ibises, herons, egrets, tems and gulls occur here plus a great variety of land-birds that include such specialties as Swamp Franclolin, Red-necked Falcon and Striated Marsh Wabler.
Day 08: Koshi Tappu – Chitwan.
Drive to Chitwan for 9-10 hours through the beautiful landscapes. There are ample chances to see White-rumpled Need tail Swifts and Ibis bills en-route. Upon arrival in Jungle Lodge, welcome & get information by the naturalist. Chitwan National Park is the most famous national park in Nepal, which offers 450 species of birds including four species of deer, leopard, sloth bear, wild boar & much other wildlife. This park is well known for one horned Rhinoceros & it is a shelter for few royal Bengal Tigers.
Day 09: Jungle activities. Full day birding trip in different vegetation of the park, from wetlands to grasslands to sal forest. Overnight at Chitwan.
Day 10: Chitwan - Royal Bardia National Park. Drive to the Bardia National Park. Royal Bardia National Park is the largest lowland sanctuary & most undisturbed wilderness area in Terai. Thickly covered with the trees and carpeted with grass & savannah, the park has the second largest tiger population after Chitwan National Park. Other wild animal roam here are the one horned rhino, wild elephant, swamp deer, black buck antelope, crocodile, and Gangetic Dolphin etc. Endangered birds include the Bengal florican, lesser florican, silver-eared mesia and Sarus crane.
Day 11: Bardia. Jungle activities: elephant-back safari, nature walks, jungle drive, bird watching, trekking in the Churia Hills to observe more birds.
Day 12: Drive back to Kathmandu. Overnight at Kathmandu hotel.
Day 13: Free day in Kathmandu for shopping and other activities.
Day 14: Departure.