The bird-rich, high-productivity grasslands, cultivation fields, and sal forests in the lowlands of Nepal, at the foothills of the mighty Himalayas, are a wintering paradise for a host of Palearctic bird species, including many raptors. Many species gather in good numbers at selected locations. For years we have scouted these locations and this tour is the distilled result of this effort. We have designed this tour to target some 400 species of birds, including 45+ raptor species. Many charismatic mammals can be seen as well including One-horned Rhino, Swamp Deer, …and we’ll also take a chance on Leopards and Bengal Tiger! This 17-day tour will be conducted at a leisure pace with lots of time to watch individual birds, and observed bird and mammal behavior.

Four Spectacular Destinations

We will focus on four excellent birding destinations in the lowlands of Nepal: Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Chitwan National Park, Lumbini Fields, and Suklapahanta National Park. Since the tour starts and ends in Kathmandu, we’ll take the opportunity to pay a full day visit to Pulchowki Hill, to target some of its great birds and take in the fantastic views of the Himalayas and the vibrant valleys below.

Kathmandu and Phulchoki Mountain

Phulchoki Mountain, the highest peak on the rim of the Kathmandu Valley, lies 16 km southeast of Kathmandu. Nearly 290 species of birds have been recorded here, including the range-restricted Spiny Babbler. The summit (2700 m) affords fantastic views of the Himalayas, from Annapurna (7,937 m), Manaslu (8,163 m), Ganesh I (7,422 m), and Gaurishankar (7,134 m), as far to Mount Everest (8,849 m), the highest mountain on Earth! Raptorial highlights here include Besra, Crested Serpent Eagle, Bonelli’s, Steppe, and Indian Black Eagle, Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Long-legged, and Upland Buzzards, and Himalayan Vulture. Other birds of interest:  Himalayan Cutia, Kalij Pheasant, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Long-tailed Broadbill, and Large Niltava.

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Patnali Forest, and Koshi Riverbank

The Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is situated in the southeastern corner of Nepal, close to the country's border with India. It is Nepal's smallest wildlife reserve covering 175 square kilometers, but over 525 species of birds have been recorded here. A kilometer-long barrage that spans over the Koshi River was built to prevent flooding in the plains of northern India, to the south. The vast expanse of open water created by the Koshi River, marshes, lagoons, sandbanks, mudflats and arable land that lie around represent outstanding wetland habitat, and one of the finest birdwatching sites in Asia. Raptor highlights here include Marsh, Hen, Pied, and Pallid Harriers, White-eyed Buzzard, Pallas’s Fish-Eagle, Steppe, Greater Spotted, Indian Spotted, and Imperial Eagles, Crested Serpent Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Common and Lesser Kestrels, and Red-necked and Peregrine Falcons. Other birds of interest: Swamp Francolin, and Bengal Florican. We should see roughly 100 species of birds each day spent here. Mammals occurring in the reserve: Wild Water Buffalo, Asian Elephant, Fishing Cat, Jungle Cat, Golden Jackal, Hog Deer, Wild Boar, Spotted Deer, and Nilgai–the subcontinent's largest antelope.

On the Koshi riverbank, and about one hour drive from the reserve, lies the Patnali Forest. Some forest raptors occurring here include Black, and Jerdon’s Bazas, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Besra, Crested, and Northern Goshawks, and Collared Falconets. Noteworthy non-raptorial birds: Pied Hornbill, and Abbott’s Babbler. This is a good area to spot Bengal Fox and Large Gray Mongoose.

Chitwan National Park

With 932 square kilometers of grasslands, Sal, and riverine forests and over 540 species of birds recorded, Chitwan National Park ranks high among the top birding destinations in Nepal. Raptorial highlights here include Crested Honey Buzzard, Crested Serpent Eagle, Gray-headed Fish Eagle, Booted Eagle, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, and Eurasian Hobby. Other birds of interest: Great Hornbill, Bengal Florican, Slender-billed Babbler, and Gray-crowned Prinia, among many others. Some 50 species of mammals occur in Chitwan NP, including One-horned Rhino, Asian Elephant, Wild Boar, Asiatic Wild Dog, Jungle Cat, Golden Jackal, Sambar, Muntjac, Spotted, and Hog Deer, Rhesus, and Langur Monkeys, Sloth Bear, and Leopard and Bengal Tiger. Reptilian highlights include Marsh Mugger and Gharial.

Lumbini Fields

Some 350 species of birds occur here including Crested Honey Buzzard, White-eyed Buzzard, Western Marsh, Hen, and Pied Harriers, Indian Spotted, Greater Spotted, Steppe, and Tawny Eagles, plus seven species of vultures. Sarus Cranes breed in the vicinity. Mammals include Nilgai, Wild Boar, Golden Jackal, Jungle Cat, Bengal Fox, Spotted, and Hog Deer, and Flying Fox.

Suklaphanta National Park

This 305-square kilometer National Park is located in the far southwestern corner of Nepal. It boast of the richest, most extensive grasslands in Asia, and is home to 445 species of birds including Slender-billed Vulture (breeding), plus White-rumped, and Red-headed Vultures, all three of them Critically Endangered, in addition to Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Western Marsh, Hen, and Pied Harriers, White-eyed Buzzard, Indian Black, Booted, Bonelli’s, and Rufous-bellied Eagles, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Himalayan, and Long-legged Buzzards, plus Red-necked and Peregrine Falcons. Non-raptorial specialties: Swamp Francolin, Great Slaty Woodpecker (one of the largest of the world’s woodpeckers), White-naped Woodpecker, Indian Grassbird, Finn's Weaver, and White-throated Bushchat. Some 30 species of mammals include Swamp Deer (largest herds in the world have been recorded here), Asian Elephant, One-horned Rhino, Spotted, Hog, and Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Hispid Hare, Nigali, Smooth Coated Otter. Rarely seen but spectacular Leopard and Bengal Tiger also occur here.