Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Ramnagar to Manila (80 km)

Arrive at Ramnagar Railway Station at 04:00 hrs by Ranikhet Express (Train No. 15013), which departs from Old Delhi (DLI) at 22:00 hrs.
Pick-up from the station and depart for Manila (approx. 3 hours).
Birding en route at Garjiya Temple and surrounding areas.
Breakfast and lunch en route, depending on birding time.
Arrive in Manila by afternoon and check in at the hotel.
Afternoon birding in and around Manila.
Evening owling session.
Overnight stay: Manila

Expected birds: Ibisbill, Nepal Wren-Babbler, Crested Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Common Kingfisher, Wallcreeper, Himalayan Rubythroat, Rufous-bellied Niltava, Small Niltava, Slaty-blue Flycatcher, Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Hume’s Warbler, Grey-breasted Prinia, Black-rumped Flameback, Yellow-bellied Fantail, Taiga Flycatcher, River Lapwing, Lesser Fish Eagle, Plumbeous Water Redstart, White-capped Redstart, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, and more.

Day 02: Manila

Full-day birding on the Ramnagar Road and Saraikhet Road areas.
Overnight stay: Manila

Expected birds: Cheer Pheasant, Koklass Pheasant, Mountain Scops Owl, Upland Pipit, Collared Owlet, Asian-barred Owlet, White-capped Bunting, Himalayan Buzzard, Himalayan Griffon, Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Himalayan Prinia, Scaly-bellied Woodpecker, Himalayan Woodpecker, Spot-winged Grosbeak, Himalayan Bluetail, Grey-winged Blackbird, Bar-tailed Treecreeper, Striated Laughingthrush, Yellow-breasted Greenfinch, Blue-fronted Redstart, Kalij Pheasant, Great Barbet, Maroon Oriole, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Black-throated Accentor, Pink-browed Rosefinch, and many more.

Day 03: Manila to Chaukori (180 km / approx. 7 hrs)

Morning birding session in Manila followed by breakfast.
Check out and depart for Chaukori.
Arrive by evening and check in at the hotel.
Overnight stay: Chaukori

Expected birds: Asian Barred Owlet, Long-tailed Minivet, Long-legged Buzzard, Crested Serpent Eagle, Long-tailed Shrike, Crested Kingfisher, Black-winged Kite, etc.

Day 04: Chaukori to Munsiyari (100 km)

Morning birding session in Chaukori.
Check out after breakfast and depart for Munsiyari.
Lunch en route.
Afternoon birding at Ginni Bend, Kalamuni Top, and Betuli Dhar.
Arrive at Munsiyari by evening and check in at the hotel.
Overnight stay: Munsiyari

Expected birds: White-tailed Nuthatch, Blue-fronted Redstart, Mistle Thrush, Collared Owlet, Dark-breasted Rosefinch, Rock Bunting, Himalayan Monal, Speckled Piculet, Spot-winged Rosefinch, Grey-crested Tit, Yellow-browed Tit, Spotted Forktail, and more.

Day 05: Thamri Kund & Nanda Devi Area

Morning birding at Betuli Dhar, Kalamuni Top, and Ginni Bend with packed breakfast.
Return to the hotel for lunch.
Afternoon birding around the Nanda Devi Temple area.
Overnight stay: Munsiyari

Target species: Himalayan Monal, Satyr Tragopan, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Alpine Accentor, Mrs. Gould’s and Fire-tailed Sunbirds, Lammergeier, Variegated Laughingthrush, Spotted Laughingthrush, Himalayan Beautiful Rosefinch, and more.

Day 06: Madkote Area and Kalamuni Top

Morning birding along the Madkote Road with packed breakfast.
Return to the hotel for lunch.
Evening session at Kalamuni Top or Nanda Devi area depending on sightings.
Overnight stay: Munsiyari

Expected birds: Spot-winged Rosefinch, Scaly-breasted Wren-Babbler, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Brown Dipper, Alpine Swift, Lemon-rumped Warbler, and others.

Day 07: Munsiyari to Sattal (255 km / approx. 10 hrs)

Early morning check-out and departure for Sattal.
Birding en route for missed species.
Arrive at Sattal by evening.
Overnight stay: Sattal

Day 08: Sattal Studio & Chaanfi

Morning birding at Sattal hide.
Afternoon birding at Chaanfi.
Overnight stay: Sattal

Expected birds: Tawny Fish Owl, Brown Wood Owl, Slaty-headed Parakeet, Crested Kingfisher, Green Magpie, Spotted Forktail, Mountain Bulbul, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler, and many more.

Day 09: Sattal to Kaladhungi

Morning birding at Sattal Road and Studio Point.
Check out after lunch and depart for Kaladhungi.
Overnight stay: Kaladhungi

Day 10: Baur Reservoir and Kotabagh

Morning birding session at Baur Reservoir.
Afternoon birding at Ranikota Trail.
Overnight stay: Kaladhungi

Expected birds: Yellow-breasted and Red-headed Buntings, Bengal Bushlark, Paddyfield and Blyth’s Reed Warblers, Oriental Skylark, various pipits, buntings, ducks, bitterns, and other wetland species.

Day 11: Nainital and Departure

Check out and keep luggage in the hotel’s common room or vehicle.
Morning birding session in Nainital with packed breakfast.
Lunch en route.
Afternoon birding around Kaladhungi.
Evening transfer to Ramnagar Railway Station.
Drop-off by 21:00 hrs.

Expected birds: Vinaceous Rosefinch, Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Black-chinned Babbler, Indian Grey Hornbill, Spotted Owlet, Rufous Treepie, Red-billed Leiothrix, and others.

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FAQs

What is the Kumaon Birding Tour of Manila, Munsiyari, Sattal and Kaladhungi about?
This tour is a birdwatching journey through some of the best birding and nature locations in the Kumaon Himalayas. It combines forests, lakes, hills, and river valleys, making it a great choice for bird lovers and nature photographers.

How long is this birding tour?
The itinerary is an 11-day birding tour, giving travelers enough time to explore multiple habitats and enjoy a more relaxed birding experience.

What is the best time to take this tour?
The best time is usually from October to April, when the weather is more comfortable and bird activity is generally strong in the Kumaon region.

Which places are covered in this tour?
The tour usually includes Manila, Munsiyari, Sattal, and Kaladhungi, along with nearby birding spots such as Garjiya, Baur Reservoir, Ranikota, and the Nainital area.

What kind of birds can I expect to see?
You may see a wide mix of Himalayan birds, forest species, water birds, and high-altitude species depending on the route and season. Common sightings can include pheasants, thrushes, flycatchers, warblers, owls, woodpeckers, and finches.

Is this tour suitable for beginner birdwatchers?
Yes, it is suitable for both beginners and experienced birdwatchers because it covers diverse but accessible birding locations with excellent habitat variety.

Is this tour good for bird photography?
Yes, this tour is highly suitable for bird photography because it includes forests, reservoirs, hills, and mountain landscapes that create great chances for natural bird images.

Do I need to be very fit for this birding tour?
A basic level of fitness is enough for most travelers. The tour may include early mornings, road journeys, and short birding walks, but it is generally manageable for regular nature travelers.

Why is the Kumaon region popular for birding?
The Kumaon Himalayas are popular because they offer a rich mix of bird habitats, from lower forests and riverside areas to higher hill zones. This diversity supports a wide range of resident and migratory species.

Can this itinerary be customized?
Yes, birding tours like this can often be customized based on the traveler’s dates, interests, and pace, depending on the tour operator’s flexibility.

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