Sunday 30th November – Sunday 14th December 2008  

Kathmandu Valley, Chitwan and Koshi Tappu

The small Himalayan kingdom of Nepal lies between Tibet to the north and India to the south. Hugely diverse in habitats, it has recorded over 850 species of bird - a remarkably high number for such a small country.

Our tour covers the three top birding sites. Starting at Chitwan National Park, with its fine selection of grassland and tropical forest specialities, the highlight may well be our afternoon elephant ride in search of Indian Rhinoceros, Sloth Bear and possibly Tiger or Leopard. Driving east to Koshi Tappu, we will stop along the way to look for the elusive Ibisbill. Koshi is one of the finest wetlands in all Asia, and it is possible to see well over 100 species in a day including mouth-watering gems such as Siberian Rubythroat, Swamp Francolin, Falcated Duck, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Pied Harrier, or even the rare Gangetic Dolphin. The final two days will be spent on Phulchowki, the highest peak in the Kathmandu Valley at just over 9,000ft. Here we will search the oak and rhododendron covered slopes for large, mixed species flocks, as well as seeking out specialities such as Spiny Babbler, Cutia, White’s Thrush and Black-throated Parrotbill. Nepal is a wonderful country with friendly people, fantastic wildlife and some of the most breathtaking scenery anywhere in the world.

Ibisbill