India - Northern: Birds & Tigers (Small Group) 2025

01 Feb 2025 - 17 Feb 2025 (17 days)

USD7,895 - No Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Lev Frid

Tour price (Per person): USD7,895 * GBP6,296 * EUR7,597 * AUD12,676

Single Supplement: USD1,195 * GBP953 * EUR1,150 * AUD1,919

Can be linked with: India - Assam Extension (Small Group) 2025

India - Northern: Birds & Tigers (Small Group) 2026

06 Jan 2026 - 22 Jan 2026 (17 days)

USD8,300 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Glen Valentine

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*

Tour price (Per person): USD8,300 * GBP6,619 * EUR7,987 * AUD13,327

Can be linked with: India - Assam Extension (Small Group) 2026

We start our incredible tour in New Delhi, exploring the nearby Sultanpur jheel for a host of ducks, geese, gulls and waders, in addition to rarer species such as Striated Grassbird, Red Avadavat, Yellow-bellied Prinia and Sind Sparrow.

We move on, ascending the Kumaon Himalayan foothills to Manila Here we bird amidst endless forested vistas and towering snowcaps seeking out high altitude specialities that include Cheer, Kalij and Koklass Pheasants, no less than five species of Zoothera thrushes, the lovely Golden Bush Robin and much, much more. Descending lower down the foothills, we reach the famous Corbett National Park. This scenically spectacular area affords some excellent birding with good chances for Tawny and Brown Fish Owls, Pallas's and Lesser Fish Eagles, Red Junglefowl, Slaty-headed Parakeet, Crested Treeswift, Golden-fronted Leafbird, Rufous and Grey Treepies, beautiful White-crested Laughingthrush, stunning Rufous-bellied Niltava, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, three species of elegant forktails, skulking cupwings bird flocks often containing over 30 species, as well as two monotypic families in Wallcreeper and Ibisbill.

We spedn time in the famous Ranthambore National Park, where we search for the desirable Bengal Tiger, undoubtedly one of the best places on earth to see this giant cat! Other game abounds and we stand reasonable chances of observing Leopard and Sloth Bear. The rich woods, chaurs and dry thickets of this scenically stunning park also offer up Red Junglefowl, the resplendent Indian Peafowl, Indian Scops Owl, Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Crested Serpent Eagle, White-bellied Drongo, the active White-browed Fantail and the endemic Painted Sandgrouse.

Next we visit the world-famous waterbird sanctuary of Keoladeo National Park, better known as Bharatpur. Here we will bird the jam-packed wetlands that teem with waterfowl, pelicans, herons, storks, cranes, raptors, waders and migrant passerines. Some of the species we will look for include Sarus Crane (the world's tallest flying bird), Cotton Pygmy Goose, Painted and Black-necked Storks, Asian Openbill, Black Bittern, Pheasant-tailed and Bronze-winged Jacanas and migratory White-tailed Lapwing. 

A boat trip down the Chambal River takes us to one of the last strongholds of the strange Ganges River Dolphin and Indian Skimmer. Other river specialists here include Black-bellied and River Terns, River Lapwing and the bizarre Gharial. Nearby grassland and scrub plains are host to Indian Courser, the endemic Sykes's Lark, a trio of wheatears and Isabelline Wheatear. Finally, we head to the fabulous Taj Mahal - allowing us to marvel at the elegance of its design and the immense numbers of intricately carved and inlaid semi-precious stones that adorn its walls. 

This fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable birding and wildlife tour of Northern India is taken at a leisurely pace and its multi-faceted birding, wildlife and cultural focus means it can be enjoyed by both birders and non-birders alike.

Top Birds

Sarus Crane; Koklass & Cheer Pheasants; Ibisbill; Wallcreeper; Long-billed Thrush; Little Forktail; Painted Sandgrouse; Black Bittern; Indian Skimmer; Sykes's Lark; Bluethroat; Red-billed Blue Magpie; Golden Bush Robin; Collared Falconet; Black Francolin; Indian Peafowl; Indian Courser; Indian Skimmer.

Top Mammals

Bengal Tiger; Leopard; Sambar; Nilgai; Chital; Hog Deer; Yellow-throated Marten; Ganges River Dolphin (rare); Sloth Bear (rare); Jungle Cat.

Habitats Covered

wetlands, teak woodlands, rivers, sal (oak & rhododendron) forests, dry acacia woodlands

Expected Climate

cool to mild in lowlands, cold in Himalayan foothills with a chance of snowfall

Max Group Size

6 with 1 Rockjumper leader

Tour Pace & Walking

UNDEMANDING: This tour is ideal for birders and wildlife enthusiasts of all experience levels. It’s suitable for most mobility levels and offers a relaxed pace, ensuring an enjoyable experience for everyone.

undemanding

Accommodation

comfortable to luxurious hotels & lodges

Ease of Birding

mostly unchallenging

Number of Species Expected

+-375

Other Attractions

Taj Mahal; Kosi, Chambal River; Fatehpur Sikri; Agra Fort; Himalayan scenery

Photographic Opportunities

good to incredible

What our clients say about us

Glen Valentine
BG, Pvt Castleman India

This was a great trip. A terrific itinerary and we saw lots of birds and we saw tigers at Ranthambhore and Corbett. Glen and [the local leader] were excellent guides—great spotting skills, and they made sure everyone saw the bird. The logistics worked very well because Glen and [the local leader] were a great team.

David Hoddinott
LB - India 2019

To David Hoddinott with many thanks. In my book, you are still the best guide I’ve ever birded with. Please give my regards to the office team. I am very proud to be part of the Rockjumper Family.

Glen Valentine
DH - India 2024

We had a great tour. It was smaller even than usual, as two of the participants departed after two days due to illness. Glen, was as always his uber-keen birder, cheerful self. His magic pulled out quite a few surprising sightings.

Stephan Lorenz
LC & PD, Northern India 2017

We had a wonderful trip with Rich Lindie and Stephan Lorenz, and we would certainly be happy to travel with either of them again. They were both excellent with the birds, had a great sense of humour, and were helpful and patient when individuals required extra assistance. In addition to the birding, we enjoyed a long list of mammals sighted in the various national parks. The accommodations and meals were also very good.

David Hoddinott
SS, India 2018

David Hoddinott is wonderful and a great leader.

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