March 1 - 31, 2027

Most people coming to India arrive one or two days early to get acclimatized and shake off the long flight.  The limit is 6 people. 

4 People have committed to this tour

2 spaces remain

This tour has a little bit of everything and takes you to some of the most remote areas of India.  Starting in the planes of NW India we visit the iconic Bharatpur National Park and then Ranthambore for a chance at sighting a tiger.  Then its off to the remote NE and areas that only recently opened up to tourism.  We bird both sides of the huge Brahmaputra river which acts as a geographic barrier to many species.  In Nagaland we stay in a community that has remained unchanged for 800 years and the birding is amazing.  A quick stop in Kaziranga National Park for Rhinos and gibbons before crossing the main river.  A canoe trip will take us into the lowland rain forest of Nameri and chances of the state bird, the critically endangered White-winged duck.  Then its up into the mighty Himalayas.  We bird all the way up to 14,000 ft on Sela pass and spend several nights in the Eagle Nest preserve, probably one of the most famous birding locations in the world.  Here we will camp surrounded by forest with no access apart from a dirt road.  We descend back into the Assam river plain to send our last days in Manas National park, one of the few remaining areas for the Bengal Florican.   Expect upwards of 550 species and an unforgettable journey.

$7200 USD based on double occupancy.  The Single Supplement is $1500 USD if you room alone

This is all inclusive except: Two internal flights probably about $350 USD (we will purchase this so the group flies together), Tips for hotels and safaris about $300 USD, and tips for Indian guide and driver.  

NE India is remote; the hotels, while safe and clean are less fancy and the roads in the mountains are very twisty.  This trip is for people with a sense of adventure.  We use two 4x4 vehicles and expect shear drop offs to the side of the road in some places.  At the EagleNest tribal preserve we camp.  The tents are fixed wall tents on platforms with cots, and plenty of blankets.  There is a building for eating around a stove and hot water is provided for showers.  Its basic but probably one of the most exciting places you will ever bird.  Sela pass is at 14,000ft.  We only spend a shot time there but participants should be prepared for the altitude.  We spend time acclimatizing over the previous few days.

We will see a lot of birds (more than 550 species).  In many areas the vegetation is thick and the birding challenging although very rewarding.  Feeding flocks flash through and each one can be different depending on the elevation.

The first part of the tour is very different.  Extremely comfortable hotels and the birding is much easier with open habitats and marshes.  In the NE we tend to walk along quiet roads with the vehicle following along behind.  We see far more birds when on foot but tend to drive to listen for the next feeding flock or to get into a new elevation habitat.

This is a small group of 6 participants and two guides.  There will be some long drives but we stop to bird along the way to break up the journey.  There will be some early starts to take advantage of the cooler mornings and for these we will often have a packed breakfast or lunches in the field.  Otherwise, we eat at local restaurants and eateries where the food is safe and clean.

A unique component of our trips is that we use different local guides in each of the new areas we visit.  Each are experts in their local area are are knowledgeable about the history and culture too ...  In Ranthambore a local guide will accompany us on our safari trips who will have up to date information of tiger sightings and the best places to go to hopefully see the big animals.  In Bharatpur, Brijendra had previously worked with Sali Ali, the famous Indian Ornithologist and is a wealth of knowledge.  Dombe is our guide in NE India and is must be one of the best guides I have ever worked with.  He grew up next to the Eaglenest preserve and not only is an amazing birder but is patient and will get you on the birds.  Visa will join us in Nagaland and he has been a guide there for many years.  Again, a fabulous chap who is so much more than a bird guide.

Steve Dougill will also accompany the trip.  I have birded in this area on 6 tours now and can help to navigate the India culture, the visa process and the birds.  I work hard to make the trip fun for everyone.

We will experience several unique and different parts of India.  We will interact with locals and so expect curiosity and many photos taken.  The foods, religion,  culture, music ... will be different in the different regions we go to.

This tour travels to extremely safe areas.  You will always be with one of the tour leaders but it is perfectly possible to visit a market or temple to have an authentic experience. 

It is hard to shake off the bad reputation India has for health concerns.  This might have been true 10 or 20 years ago, but is no longer true.  We visit tried and tested restaurants where filtered water is used.  We are in the dry season so water born diseases are rare.  There is no malaria.

The most frequent ailment I see is the common cold.  Delhi can have bad pollution in the winter months so a face mask is advised and some cough drops.   A few people from each tour will get mild stomach issues.  This is likely due to the change in diet rather than a more serious infection.  Still, it is advisable to bring anti diarrhea medicine and have a prescription for an antibiotic like Cipro.

It is possible that we will run into a few leaches in Assam and the Himalayan foothills.  These are not dangerous but are an annoyance.  Leach socks can be brought.

We eat local food and it is delicious.  In almost all cases we can request less spice.  Alcohol is not included in the tour but you are able to purchase wine, beer and spirits at some of the hotels.  In Aranachal Pradesh we can stop in a "wine shop" to purchase alcohol. 

In the NW hotels are excellent  Staff are friendly and they have a relaxing atmosphere.  Western toilets are the norm. In Nagaland we stay in the small community in a friendly homestay that is an unforgettable experience.  The hotels in Aranachal Pradesh are more basic but clean and safe.  The camp at Nameri National Park is in yurts with attached bathrooms and AC.  Very Nice.  The EagleNest and Shelong camp is more basic.  The wall tents are on platforms and you sleep on cots with lots of blankets.  Its basic but an amazing experience.  Hot walk is provided in a shower stall and western toilets are present.  We all eat in a building with a wood burning stove for heat.

Delhi

Bharatpur 

Ranthambhore 

Khonoma

Kaziranga National Park

Nameri National Park

Eagle Nest Camp

Manas National Park

We travel through a whole range of altitudes and habitats so the weather we encounter will be very varied.  The extremes will be sub-tropical lowland rain forest in Nameri where day time temperatures will be in the 80's.  Early mornings in the Himalayas can be a bit chilly and I suggest a puffy and gloves and a wooly hat.  For the day we go up to Sela pass it will be cold.  It can drop below freezing and we could have snow.  Warm clothes are essential.  I don't expect too much rain but trails could be muddy.  In the mountains it is possible to have periods of misty drizzle for some of the time so a rain jacket and umbrella are advised, as are sturdy water proof shoes.

Fly into and out of New Delhi, Indria Gandhi International Airport (DEL).  There are many options from the US.  I normally travel via Doha or another Middle East country to break up the journey or visit my dad in the UK.  No matter what, it is a long trip and with the time difference it will seem like almost two days, although on the return journey you will arrive on the same day you depart.  We will arrange pickup from the airport at any time, even if it is 2am.

India requires that you obtain a visa in advance.  On signing up for the tour I will provide all the information you need but a month long tourist eVisa is a relatively painless application online and costs about $35 USD.  It can only be applied for, no sooner than, one month before your arrival date.

Internal security at the airports is very strict and I will provide information on electronics in carry-on luggage and all the documents you require. 

This tour required two internal flights.  You will need to pay for these but we can purchase them in advance so everyone is on the same flights.  The tour leaders will be present at all times to navigate the travel.

You will need a travel adaptor to be able to charge your electrics in India

The Indian Rupee is the local currency and it is advisable to use the ATM at the Delhi airport to get money out.  You can take pout 10,000 IRP at one time but can repeat this again.