Birds, Tigers and Taj – North India Bird Tour
Tour Duration: 15Nights /16 Days
Tour Destinations: New Delhi – Sultanpur – Okhla – Corbett – Kosi River – Nainital – Agra – Bharatpur – Chambal (Dholpur) – Ranthambore – New Delhi
Northern India boasts an extraordinary blend of cultural heritage and biodiversity, featuring iconic landmarks like the Taj Mahal and the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger. This tour includes thrilling safaris in Ranthambore National Park to spot the elusive striped cat, while birding enthusiasts can enjoy rich avian life in hotspots like Nainital, Corbett, Bharatpur, and the scenic Chambal River. Experience Northern India’s unmatched wildlife and timeless wonders in one unforgettable journey.
Day 1: Arrival in New Delhi
Arrive at New Delhi Airport and meet your representative. You will be transferred to your hotel for rest and preparation ahead of your birding adventure across Northern India.
Day 2: Birdwatching at Sultanpur National Park & Okhla Bird Sanctuary
Start your journey at Sultanpur National Park, a top birdwatching destination near Delhi, home to a variety of resident and migratory birds. Expect to see Northern Shoveler, Bar-headed Goose, Greater Flamingos, Spotted Owlet, Indian Spotted Eagle, and more. Post lunch, visit Okhla Bird Sanctuary for sightings of Striated Babbler, Yellow-bellied Prinia, and other regional species. Return to your hotel for overnight stay.
Day 3: Transfer to Corbett National Park (Dhikala Zone)
After breakfast, travel to Corbett National Park, India’s oldest and a wildlife-rich reserve. Check in at the Dhikala Forest Rest House and enjoy an afternoon safari. Keep your eyes out for Royal Bengal Tigers, Asian Elephants, Wild Boar, Indian Muntjac, and birds like Hen Harrier, Crested Kingfisher, and Golden-headed Cisticola.
Day 4: Jeep Safari in Corbett National Park
Experience morning and evening safaris in diverse ecosystems of Corbett, spotting Sloth Bears, Barking Deer, Kalij Pheasants, and Blue-bearded Bee-eaters. Birders will delight in species like Ashy Bulbul, Himalayan Rubythroat, and White-bellied Drongo. Overnight at Dhikala.
Day 5: Kosi River Birding
Head to the Kosi River for riverine and forest birding. Expect sightings of Ibisbill, Brown Dipper, Wallcreeper, and forest species like Great Hornbill, Red-breasted Parakeet, and Velvet-fronted Nuthatch. Return to your accommodation after a day of immersive birding.
Days 6–7: Explore Nainital’s Avifauna
Travel to Nainital, nestled in the Himalayan foothills, and explore its unique montane birdlife. Seek species such as Cheer and Koklass Pheasants, Himalayan Bluetail, Maroon Oriole, and Bearded Vultures. Possible sightings of the Himalayan Goral, a native mountain goat species. Overnight in Nainital.
Day 8: Transfer to Agra
Enjoy morning birding in Nainital, followed by a scenic drive to Agra. Check into your hotel and relax for the evening.
Day 9: Taj Mahal & Agra Fort, Drive to Bharatpur
Visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, followed by a tour of Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later, drive to Bharatpur (Keoladeo Ghana National Park), a Ramsar site and one of the world’s premier bird sanctuaries. Enjoy an evening birdwatching session.
Day 10: Full-Day Birding at Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
Explore Bharatpur’s wetlands and woodlands via foot or rickshaw. Key sightings include Sarus Cranes, Spoonbills, Garganey, Pheasant-tailed Jacanas, and raptors like Eastern Imperial Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle, and Marsh Harriers. Look for Dusky Eagle Owl, Siberian Rubythroat, and reptiles like Indian Rock Python. Overnight at Bharatpur.
Day 11: Chambal River Safari (Dholpur)
Drive to Chambal River for a boat safari in the National Chambal Sanctuary, known for Gharials, Gangetic Dolphins, and rare birds such as Indian Skimmer, Small Pratincole, Great Stone Curlew, and Laggar Falcon. Return to Dholpur for overnight stay.
Day 12: Drive to Ranthambore National Park
Travel to Ranthambore, a renowned tiger reserve with a rich historical backdrop. Enjoy an afternoon jeep safari in the rocky terrain surrounded by ancient ruins and diverse fauna. Overnight at a wildlife lodge.
Days 13–14: Safaris in Ranthambore National Park
Experience morning and afternoon game drives in search of the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger. Ranthambore also offers great birding with species like White-naped Woodpecker, Painted Spurfowl, Stork-billed Kingfisher, and raptors such as Bonelli’s Eagle and Crested Serpent Eagle. Overnight stay at Ranthambore.
Day 15: Train to New Delhi
After a final morning safari, catch a train back to New Delhi. Check into your hotel and unwind.
Day 16: Departure from New Delhi
Enjoy a leisurely morning before transferring to the airport for your flight back home or onward destination.
Tour Cost Inclusions
• Accommodation in comfortable wildlife lodges, forest rest houses, and quality hotels on a twin-sharing basis at all destinations: New Delhi, Corbett (Dhikala), Kosi River, Nainital, Agra, Bharatpur, Dholpur (Chambal), and Ranthambore.
• All meals included from Day 1 dinner to Day 16 breakfast (breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily).
• All surface transfers and travel in a dedicated air-conditioned private vehicle with professional driver, as per itinerary.
• AC class train tickets for the Ranthambore–New Delhi sector.
• All national park entry fees and forest permits for the following destinations: Sultanpur National Park, Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Corbett National Park, Kosi River, Nainital, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Chambal River, and Ranthambore National Park.
• All scheduled wildlife safaris and birding excursions, including:
• Jeep safaris in Corbett (Dhikala region)
• Jeep drives in Ranthambore National Park
• Birding walks at Kosi River, Nainital, and Bharatpur
• Boat safari on the Chambal River
• E-Rickshaw ride in Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
• Guided heritage visits to the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, with applicable monument entry fees.
• Expert naturalist or birding guide accompanying you throughout the trip, along with local guides wherever required.
• End-to-end tour assistance, including airport transfers, hotel check-ins, and on-ground coordination.
• Bottled drinking water provided during transfers and all field activities.
Tour Cost Exclusions
• International flight tickets to/from New Delhi.
• Visa charges, overseas travel or medical insurance, and any health-related expenses.
• Optional activities or excursions not explicitly listed in the itinerary.
• Personal expenses including laundry, phone calls, room service, minibar usage, spa services, and alcoholic beverages.
• Professional photography or video equipment fees at monuments or wildlife parks (beyond standard still camera charges).
• Tips and gratuities for drivers, naturalists, lodge staff, and porters.
• Additional meals, drinks, or hotel stays not covered in the itinerary (prior to Day 1 or post Day 16).
• Any extra costs due to flight delays, natural disasters, weather interruptions, or roadblocks.
• Anything not specifically listed under “Tour Cost Inclusions.”