Tour Code: FTW 521 BW
Title: Bird Watching Tour
Duration: 13 Nights/ 14 Days
Destination: Kathmandu, Phulchowki, Koshi Tappu, Chitwan National Park & Bardia National Park
Nepal is a paradise for bird lovers with over 848 species (almost 8% of the world total) of birds. And among them almost 5 hundred species are found in the Kathmandu Valley alone. The most popular bird watching spots in Kathmandu are Phulchoki, Godavari, Nagarjun, Bagmati River, Taudaha and so on. Get your binoculars and look forward to a rewarding experience.
The wetlands and open fields inside the valley make up a diverse habitat for many species of birds. Besides this, lots of birds but in different species found in Nepal depending on the vegetation and altitude of Nepal. Nepal is home of some endangered birds like Impeyan Pheasant, Nepal’s national bird and Spiny Babler, found only in Nepal. This program takes one, to explore the birds as well as wildlife in some of the very famous wetlands and National parks of Nepal. Tour
DAY 01: ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU
Upon arrival at the International airport, meet, welcome by our representative and transfer to the Hotel. At the hotel briefing about the program by our representative. Rest of the day free for personal activities. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
DAY 02: KATHMANDU CITY SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast proceed for local sightseeing covering Kathmandu city, Swoyambhunath stupa, Patan Durbar Square. Return to hotel . Dinner and overnight at hotel.
DAY 03: KATHMANDU CITY SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast proceed for local Kathmandu sightseeing covering Pashupatinath, Boudhanath & Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
DAY 04: DRIVE TO PHULCHOWKI
After breakfast proceed to Phulchowki which is situated about 15km Southeast of Kathmandu, this mountain is 2759m high. It is a good spot for hiking. Rhododendron of different varieties and colors from pure white to dark red are found here. This is also the most popular bird watching spot in the valley. 265 species of birds are recorded here till date. The birds seen here include flycatchers, yuhinas, sunbirds, flower peckers, rosefinches, babbkers, warblers, tits, thrushes, minivets, woodpeckers, eagles and many migrant birds. Godavari, at the foot of Phulchowki hill where Royal Botanical Garden is situated, records over 100 species of birds including lesser Rackettailed drongo, Tibetan siskin and the spotted forktail. Return to Kathmandu & Overnight.
DAY 05: KATHMANDU - BIRATNAGAR KOSHI TAPPU
After breakfast, drive from Kathmandu to Biratnagar Approx (10 /11 Hrs) (Optional by flight)- Koshi Tappu is easily accessible from Biratnagar after half and an hour drive.
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve lies on the flood plains of the Sapta Koshi in Saptari and Sunsari districts of Eastern Nepal. The Reserve covers 175sq.km and established in 1976. The vegetation is mainly tall Khar-pater grassland with a few patches of Khairsissoo, scrub forest and deciduous mixed riverine forest. The Reserve offers important habitat for a variety of wildlife. The last surviving population (about 100 individuals) of Wild Buffalo are found here.
Other mammals occurring here are hog deer, wild boar, spotted deer and 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 of 100 species of birds in a day.
DAY 06: KOSHI TAPPU
Full day Bird Exploring activities on foot and in boats. Koshi Tappu is one of the Asia’s 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 specialities as Swamp Francolin,
Red-necked Falcon and Straited Marsh Wabler.
DAY 07: KOSHI TAPPU-ROYAL CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK
Drive to Chitwan for 9-10 hrs through the beautiful landscapes. There are ample chances to see White-rumped Needtail Swifts and Ibisbills en-route. Upon arrival in Jungle Lodge, welcome and 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 and many other wildlife. This park is well known for one horned Rhinoceros and it is a shelter for few Royal Bengal Tigers. Besides this Chitwan also supports a great variety of flora and fauna.
DAY 08: CHITWAN
Whole day Jungle activities including Jungle walk, elephant ride, canon ride, village visit and explore the jungle on foot and jeeps for birds viewing. In the evening enjoy a cultural dance performed by local villagers.
DAY 09: CHITWAN
Full day jungle activities like jungle walk, canon ride, bird watching, nature walk etc.
DAY10: CHITWAN – ROYAL BARDIA NATIONAL PARK
Drive to the Bardia National Park. Royal Bardia National Park is the largest lowland sanctuary and most undisturbed wilderness area in Terai. Thickly covered with the trees and carpeted with grass and savannah, the park has the second largest tiger population after Chitwan National Park. Other wild animal roams 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. Overnight in the tented camp.
DAY 12: BARDIA
Jungle activities: Cultural visits to Tharu village, Gangetic Dolphin viewing, rafting in the Karnali river. In the evening Tharu (ethnic tribe) Cultural performance.
DAY 13: BARDIA-NEPALGUNJ TO KATHMANDU
Drive from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu (Optional by flight). Upon arrival in Kathmandu, Shopping and personal visit in Kathmandu. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
DAY 14: FINAL DEPARTURE TRANSFER
Today you are free until transferred to International airport for onward flight.
