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. Birds of the Kathmandu Valley

Within the Kathmandu Valley alone, over 500 species of birds have been recorded. The surrounding hills offer a varied ecology ranging from primary and secondary forests to rhododendron, oak and pine forests. In addition, the wetlands and open fields inside the Valley make up a diverse habitat for many species of birds.

The most popular bird watching spot is the Phulchoki hill, the highest peak on the Valley rim situated 20 km southeast of Kathmandu, with some 265 species recorded to date. The birds seen here included babblers, warblers, tits, thrushes, minuets, woodpeckers, eagles and many migrant birds. Godavari, at the foot of Phulchoki hill where the Royal Botanical Garden is situated, records over 100 species of birds including the lesser Racket-tailed drongo, Tibetan siskin and the spotted forktail.

The Shivapuri Watershed and Wildlife Reserve.
Situated 11km to the north of Kathmandu, is another exciting location. Nagerjun Royal Forest on Jamacho hill is situated 5 km from Kathmandu on the way to Kakani from Balaju. It delights bird enthusiasts with blue magpies, kalij pheasants, Bonelli痴 eagles, Great Himalayan barbets and other exotic birds.

As for the wetlands in the Valley, the banks of the Manohara river on the way to Bhaktapur, and the Bagmati river, which flows into the Valley from Shivapuri hill and out through Chobhar Gorge, are good places for watching waders and waterfowls. Harbouring 40 species of birds mostly dependent on wetlands, Taudaha, a lake on the way to Dakshinkali, attracts flocks of migrant birds.

Good roads lead to all these places and guides are also available. Accommodation is easy to find in the Valley with a wide range of hotels to suit all pockets.

Popular Bird Watching Sites Outside the Kathmandu Valley

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
As well as other kinds of fauna, the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is renowned for being one of the best locations for birding. Still within Nepal's sub-tropical Terai belt, this is the smallest (175 sq km) and easternmost reserve in Nepal, just to the northeast of the convergence of the Sapta Koshi and Trijuga Khola rivers. Its situation on the Sapta Koshi floodplain means that the environment of this reserve varies dramatically according to the seasons. During the Monsoon (May to September) the flow becomes torrential and covers most of the floodplain, while during the dry seasons, many flat, sandy islands are exposed. The habitat is a combination of scrub grassland and deciduous riverine forest, with over 280 species of birds recorded so far, including 20 species of duck, ibises, storks, swamp partridges (Francolinus gularis), herons, egrets, Bengal floricans (Eupodotis bengalensis), and many other exotic and migratory waterfowl not found elsewhere in Nepal. To avoid the twelve hour bus ride, it is advisable to take an internal air flight to Biratnagar from Kathmandu.

Chitwan National Park
Is approximately five hours by road from Kathmandu or a 35 minute flight situated in the Terai region. It is renowned for its array of birds, with over 255 species recorded. There are many species of parakeets. Other birds include Blue-Throat (thrush), Long-tailed Nightjar, Indian Peafowl, Great Barbet, Red-billed Blue Magpie and Tickell痴 Red-breasted Blue Flycatcher. A two night/three day package, staying at a lodge within the Park, is an ideal way to combine bird watching with other pursuits.
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Bardia National Park
Bardia is also a popular destination for bird watching situated in the far west of Nepal it is an area of extensive jungle which is covered by sal forest riverine and grass lands. A boat ride on the slow moving expanse of the Karnali River provides plenty of opportunities to view a vast variety of birds including Ruddy Shelduck, Darters, Brahmini Kites, Brown Headed Gulls, Cormorants, Oriental Pied Hornbills, Night Heron & Purple Herons, Cinnaon Bitterns, Orioles and majestic Peacocks.

Trekking Regions
One of the best ways of viewing birds in Nepal is a leisurely trek through the foothills of the Kingdom. There are three main trekking areas in Nepal: the Langtang region six hours by road north of Kathmandu, the Solu Khumbu region eight hours by road east of Kathmandu and the Annapurna region, six hours by road or a 30 minute flight west of Kathmandu. Of the three trekking regions, the Annapurna region offers the widest variety of species. The region is also easily accessible.

The Annapurna Conservation Area
To set the scene a little, the Annapurna region is a Conservation Area is the largest and most protected region in the World (ACA), covering around 2600sq km towards the north-central region of Nepal. The Kali Gandaki River runs north to south through this region, the world痴 deepest gorge, some 6000m below the highest peaks of ACA痴 central Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs, seven of these peaks at over 7000m, the highest (Annapurna I) at 8091m. A few facts and figures above, but as you can imagine, the ACA therefore supports a remarkable but delicate biodiversity, with 441 recorded species of birds (so far), including the only endemic species of Nepal, the Spiny Babbler (Turdoides nepalensis). Bird habitat ranges from the sub-tropical lowlands towards Pokhara in the south of ACA to dry sub-alpine conditions above the tree-line towards the north.

The Kali Gandaki valley is also a major migration pathway in the autumn, when 40 species, including Demoiselle Cranes (Anthropoides virgo), can be seen around Jomosom and Tukche. Happily this coincides with one of the two trekking seasons (Spring and Autumn).

Migrating west about this time further south around Kaare and Dhampus are about 20 identified species of eagle and other birds of prey. The most commonly observed are: Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus (Bearded Vulture), known as the Giddha in Nepal, it frequently occurs at 4100m. Golden Eagle Aquila cryaetos, known as Baaj in Nepal.

There are six Himalayan pheasants to be found in ACA: Himalayan The Monal Lophophorus impejanus satyra Tragopan Tragopan satyra (Crimson Horned Pheasant) Blood Pheasant Ithaginis cruentus Koklass Pheasant Pucrasia macrolopha Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallichii Kalij Pheasant Lophura leucomelana, are the most commonly occurring of Nepali pheasants.

Nature Trails Ongoing Bird watching and wildlife programmes run from October to May each year.

An introduction to the Birds of the Kathmandu Valley. Seven days

The tour is designed for those with less time or for those people wanting an introduction to birding whilst pursuing other pursuits in Nepal. It is a full and very interesting tour providing some wonderful opportunities for bird spotting and staying overnight at three different destinations, including two hill resorts outside of the Kathmandu Valley.

Including.
a. Five days in the Kathmandu Valley. Visiting all the important birding sites.
b. Four days at hill resorts outside of the valley. (Two days each at different hill locations)
c. English speaking Nepali birding expert.
d. Air conditioned support vehicle for the duration of the tour.

Overland Cost $595.

Inclusive of four nights 4* hotel accommodation in Kathmandu B/B basis. Four Nights in a resort hotel B/B basis at two different locations each around 30kms from Kathmandu. Air conditioned support/transport vehicle for the duration of your tour. An English speaking Nepali Birding expert.

Make your trip 'classic' with Classic Asia travels and tours. Twenty Days.

A fully inclusive and varied tour (apart from lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara) allowing the bird enthusiast a chance to view birds in a variety of ecological locations and at varying altitudes. From The Terrai plain in the South of the country at almost sea level to our Study Centre in the Annapurna Himal at an altitude of 6,400 feet. Experience the birds of the exotic Kathmandu Valley, the wet lands of the Terrai plains, the dense Jungle terrain of Royal Chitwan National Park and the wonderful lakeside setting in Pokhara which has arguably the most impressive mountain backdrop anywhere in the World. We then journey to Nature Trail's Study Centre in the Annapurna Region. A total birding experience which in terms of species is very hard to match anywhere in the World..

Tour Breakdown.

a. Six days in the Kathmandu valley including two days in a hill resort and visiting all the important birding sights inclusive a full days sightseeing around the Kathmandu valley.
b. Internal flight to Biratnagar an exclusive stay on a full board basis. Three nights Four days at the Koshi Tappu Wildlife reserve.
c. Air conditioned support/ transport overland for a two nights three days stay inside Royal Chitwan National Park.
d. Air conditioned support/ transport for three nights fours days stay in Pokhara Phewa Lake and surrounds. (staying at our resort hotel)
e. Trek for one day for a three nights four days exclusive stay at Nature Trails Study Centre in the Annapurna Region.
f. One further night at our resort hotel in Pokhara followed the next day by an internal early morning flight to Kathmandu, transfer for one further night hotel accommodation in Kathmandu.
g. Airport Transfer for onward destination.

Cost $1795. Inclusive of.

Five nights hotel accommodation 4* Hotels in Kathmandu B/B. All Transport pick ups and Airport transfers as described in Nepal, including internal flights (Kathmandu Biratnagar and Pokhara Kathmandu). Three nights four days all inclusive tented camp at the Aqua Birds Resort within the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve.

Two nights three days all inclusive stay at the Machan Jungle Lodge Resort inside Chitwan National Park (of which there are only six).


Four nights at our Resort Hotel in Pokhara B/B. Three nights four days all inclusive stay at Nature Trail's Study Centre in the Annapurna region. All National Park reserve and conservation fees and relevant taxes. The services of an English speaking Nepali birding expert throughout the duration of the tour.

These itineraries run from the beginning of October through to May each year. The price is based on a minimum of four people travelling. We offer a 10% discount on the quoted price for groups of 6 and above.