Duration: 11 nights 12 days
Destination: Leh-Rumbak Valley-Puga-Tso Moriri-Tso Kar
Best Season: May-June
Synopsis
Considering being a stunningly barren cold desert, one would not expect Ladakh to be a birdwatching hotspot. However, the diversity of avian wildlife here will surprise and delight any dedicated birdwatcher.
Despite having a harsh climate, more than 300 species of birds have been recorded in the Ladakh region, many being water birds that breed in Ladakh’s high-altitude lakes.
From birds of prey to waterfowl to flycatchers and warblers, the variety of bird life in Ladakh makes birdwatching here an exceptional experience.
This tour is designed specifically to give you the best birdwatching experience that Ladakh can offer.
This tour is meant for birders who are in good physical health and can walk in high altitude area. The treks and walks are moderate in nature. The bird species are special trans-Himalayan species while a lot of them are Palearctic.
Itinerary
Day 01: Delhi – Leh
Fly from New Delhi to Leh in the morning. We will spend the day in the vicinity of the hotel for birding and acclimatization. One can expect to see Black Redstart, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Mountain Chiffchaff, Black Kite, Red-billed Chough, Cinereous Tit etc. Overnight in hotel.
Meals: dinner
Day 02: Surrounding area of Leh
This morning we will bird along the Shey marshes. One can expect Common Rosefinch, Hume’s Whitethroat, Blue Rock Thrush, Eurasian Hobby, Eurasian Coot, Booted Eagle, Bluethroat, Common Tern, Hume’s Short-toed Lark, Plain Mountain Finch, Rock Bunting, Citrine and Grey Wagtails etc. Afternoon visit to Trisul lake for Red-crested Pochard, Northern Pintail, Eurasian Teal, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Garganey etc. Overnight in hotel.
Meals: breakfast & dinner
Day 03: Surrounding area of Leh
Today morning we will bird at Thiksey. One can expect to see Indian Golden Oriole, Long-tailed Shrike, Blue Whistling Thrush, Common Cuckoo, Common Rosefinch, Hill Pigeon etc. Afternoon visit to Hemis area after Stok Palace for Tibetan Snowfinch, Eurasian Crag Martin, Northern House Martin, Bearded Vulture, White Wagtail, Red-fronted Serin, Plain Mountain Finch, Blue Sheep etc. Hotel Snow View or similar.
Meals: breakfast & dinner
Day 04: Excursion to Khardung La
Today morning we will bird at Khardung La. We will be reaching a height of 18500 feet, the highest motorable pass in the world. One can expect Eurasian Wren, Brown Dipper, Robin & Alpine Accentors, Himalayan Snowcock, Brandt’s Mountain Finch, Great Rosefinch, White-winged Redstart, Alpine Chough etc. Mammals seen will be Himalayan Marmot, Mouse Hare, Woolly Hare, and Blue Sheep. Afternoon free at the hotel. Hotel Snow View or similar.Meals: breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner
Day 05: Leh – Rumbak Valley
Drive to Chinjan in the morning. Trek to Rumbak for birding. Full day birding in Rumbak Valley. One can expect Golden Eagle, Himalayan Vulture, Tibetan Snowfinch, Chukar Partridge, Red-fronted Serin, Sulphur-bellied Warbler, White-throated Dipper etc. Overnight stay in fully serviced tented camp or in a home stay (promoted by Snow Leopard Conservancy).
Meals: breakfast, packed lunch & dinner
Day 06: Rumbak Valley
Full day birding around Rumbak. One can see Brown & Robin Accentors, Tickell’s Leaf Warbler, Streaked Rosefinch, Tibetan Snowfinch, Chukar Partridge, Common & Salim Ali’s Swifts, Red-billed Chough, Himalayan Snowcock, Red-fronted Serin, Twite etc. One can also expect to see Blue Sheep, Red Fox and the elusive Snow Leopard. Overnight stay in fully serviced tented camp or in a home stay (promoted by Snow Leopard Conservancy).
Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 07: Rumbak Valley – Leh
Morning birding in Rumbak Valley. Trek to Chinjan. Check the forest patch at Chinjan for unusual species such as Rusty-tailed Flycatcher, Grey Bush Chat etc. Travel to Leh for overnight stay in Hotel Snow View or similar.
Meals: breakfast, packed lunch & dinner
Day 08: Leh – Puga
We will spend the day travelling to Puga stopping en route for birding at Chumathang. One can expect to see Golden Eagle, Common Merganser, Ibisbill, Horned Lark etc. Check the stream at Puga emerging out of sulphur spring for Black-necked Crane, Brown-headed Gull, Ruddy Shelduck etc. Overnight stay in fully serviced tented camp.
Meals: breakfast, packed lunch & dinner
Day 09: Tso Moriri and Lake Tadsang Karu
Morning excursion to the lakes for Ruddy Shelduck, Bar-headed Goose, Ruff, Lesser Sand Plover, White-winged Tern, Long-legged Buzzard etc. Black-necked Crane is big a possibility too. Spend the evening near the camp checking the stream, rock faces and bushes for Eurasian Eagle-Owl, White-winged Redstart, Robin Accentor, Asian House Martin, White-throated Dipper, Bearded Vulture etc. Overnight stay in fully serviced tented camp at Puga.
Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 10: Puga – Tso Kar
Travel to the lake in the morning across Polo Kongka Pass. One can see large flocks of Brandt’s Mountain Finch. As you enter the lake area, you may see Black-necked Crane, Common Redshank, lots of other waders and waterfowl. Tibetan Wild Ass, Marmot, and Stoliczka’s Mountain Vole are mammal species that are seen commonly. Explore the area for Little Owl, Tibetan Sandgrouse, Plain-backed Snowfinch etc. Horned Lark, Hume’s Short-toed Lark and Tibetan Snowfinch are some of the common birds here. Afternoon visit to fresh water lake for Pied Avocet, breeding colony of Great Crested Grebe, Ruddy Shelduck etc. Black-necked Crane is a possibility too. Overnight stay in fully serviced tented camp.
Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 11: Tso Kar – Leh
After morning birding at Tso Kar, travel to Leh via Tanglang Pass stopping en route for birding. Arrive Leh in the afternoon. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight stay in Hotel Snow View or similar.
Meals: breakfast, packed lunch & dinner
Day 12: Leh – Delhi
Fly to New Delhi in the morning. Arrival in Delhi before noon. Tour Ends.
Meals: breakfast in flight
Meals: breakfast in flight
Fly to New Delhi in the morning. Arrival in Delhi before noon. Tour Ends.
Maximum participation will be of 8 persons.
Extensions available for Lahul, Spiti and Kinnaur
Please let us know the number of people travelling on this tour and we will send you the total cost. We also specialize in customizing the tour. Should you need any changes we would be happy to modify the itinerary.
The tour may include arrangements such as accommodation, travel, meals, permit, guides, activities etc. or services as required by the client.
Cancellation charges are 30 days before arrival date 25%, 21 days before arrival date 50%, 15 days before arrival date 90%, 7 days before arrival date 100% of the total itinerary cost.
Remaining balance to reach Asian Adventures at least 30 days before tour commencement by wire transfer (to bank account stated above) or by sending a cheque made payable to Asian Adventures to the above address. Alternatively you can pay the balance in cash upon arrival.