• Good chance of seeing about 300 bird species during the holiday
• Visit the finest bird watching sites in Nepal
• Annapurna Sunrise Trekking 3210m.
• Birding on Phulchowki Mountain 2,756 metres, the most bird-rich site in the Kathmandu Valley
• Look for Himalayan Pied Kingfisher, Ibisbill & Brown Dipper
• Indian Rhino, langurs, Sambar & Hog Deer, Chitwan National Park
• Bird Nepal’s terai (lowland) habitat for species such as White-rumped Needletail Swift
• Led by expert local naturalist and trekking guides

Day  01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300 m/4,264 ft)

Upon our arrival in Kathmandu, Sacred Himalaya will arrange to pick us up from the airport. We will then be transferred to Hotel Moonlight. In the evening, there will be a welcome dinner hosted by Sacred Himalaya. For dinner, you will be served excellent Nepalese cuisine which will introduce you to the country’s food culture.
Included meals: Dinner

Day 02: Kathmandu Birdwatching Phulchowki, at 2,756 metres.

Today we will spend birdwatching on the forested slopes of Phulchowki, at 2,756 metres the highest
peak in the valley. Phulchowki is a wonderful spot for birds and plants located in the eastern outskirts of Kathmandu valley. The variety of laughingthrushes, fulvettas, bulbuls, flowerpeckers, sibia, flycatchers, sunbirds, tits and warblers is tremendous. We will drive up Phulchowki in the early morning. Here we should get good views of the snow-clad Great Himalayan range, including the Annapurna range, Langtang, Manasalu and many of Nepal’s other high peaks (provided the weather is clear!). We will then spend the rest of the day walking down the mountain through its fine temperate forest, with a picnic lunch en route. Some of the many highlights should include Himalayan Bluetail, Fire-tailed Sunbird, White-collared and Grey-winged Blackbirds (in winter months), Long-tailed Minivet, White-tailed Nuthatch, Buff-barred Warbler, Orange-bellied Leafbird and many more. More elusive species include Himalayan Cutia, Kalij Pheasant, Red-billed Leiothrix and Black-faced Warbler.

At the base of Phulchowki hill. Within this mixed broadleaf patch we hope to find some of the lower altitude species such as the spectacular Blue-whstling Thrush, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Lemon-rumped Warbler, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Fantail and perhaps the elusive Spotted Forktail.

Mammals are, of course, more elusive. However, stealthy progress may reward us with views of some of the more common diurnal species. The cheeky Rhesus Macaques that scavenge a living around the villages are far from shy than their far more elegant cousins, the Grey Langurs, are more wary, and more likely to be encountered at Chitwan National Park. The reclusive Assamese Macaque is still more wary and infrequently encountered. Higher up the mountain, the Orange-bellied Squirrel is the most likely mammal to be found, preferring the oak and rhododendron forests. The exquisite Yellow-throated Marten is also worth looking for, being regularly seen here; whilst the Indian Muntjac, though regularly heard on the mountain, is less easy to see. Such animals as Leopard have been seen on rare occasions in the past by our groups but you should consider yourself very lucky to encounter this sought-after species!
Included meals: Breakfast

Day 03: Sightseeing in Kathmandu: Swayambhunath and Kathmandu Durbar Square

After breakfast, we begin our sightseeing tour by visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu. Kathmandu Durbar Square showcases Nepalese art and architecture at its best. The architecture is typical of the Malla dynasty who ruled over Nepal from the 12th to the 18th century. Swayambhunath Temple is popular among the foreigners as the Monkey Temple owing to the large monkey population residing in the area.
Included meals: Breakfast

Day 04: Drive to Chitwan (815 m/2,674 ft): 4-5 hours

Today we take an early morning breakfast and drive to Chitwan located 175 kilometers from Kathmandu. We descend down along the winding road on the banks of the Trishuli River. After checking in to the hotel, there will be a briefing on the activities we will be engaged in during our stay in Chitwan. On arrival, we will transfer to a comfortable Jungle Villa Resort for 3 nights. Located on the edge of Chitwan National Park, Jungle Villa Resort is spread over 8 acres of land and have 24 rooms in a natural setting of lush vegetation, overlooking the national park. The rooms are tastefully decorated with en suite facilities.

 The park comprises 932 square kilometers of grassland, Sal and riverine jungle, a magnificent environment with a greater variety of wildlife than any other protected areas of Nepal. Over 500 species of birds have been recorded here and we can expect to see nearly one third of these, as well as many mammals and reptiles. These are likely to include the endangered Great One-horned Rhino, Wild Boar, Sambar, Muntjac, Spotted and Hog Deer, Rhesus and Languar Monkeys, and the Marsh Mugger and the fish-eating Gharial Crocodiles. Leopards, Sloth Bears, and Gaur (wild bison) are all found in the reserve and occasionally seen by the lucky ones! Over 100 adult Tigers occur in the area but are very elusive and difficult to see. Amongst the smaller mammals that we may encounter are both Hoary-bellied Squirrel and Northern (or Five-striped) Palm Squirrel, and both Small Indian and Indian Grey Mongooses.

At afternoon we walk on the banks of the Rapti River to enjoy the sunset in the sub-tropical jungles of Chitwan. In the evening, we enjoy dinner along with a brief cultural program showcasing the tribal dances unique to the Chitwan region of Nepal.
Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 05-06: Chitwan National Park

We will be based in Chitwan National Park for two full days. Making early starts we will spend the first or last few hours of daylight exploring the surrounding riverine forest and grassland on elephant back. Most mammals, including the Rhino, ignore this unique, and surprisingly quiet, mode of travel and it is certainly the most productive and enjoyable way to search for the more elusive mammal species. During the rest of the day we will explore the rivers and go in search of further mammal species, and the park’s rich and colorful birdlife, on jeep and on foot through the forest. These should be outstanding days.
Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner.

Day 07: Drive from Chitwan to Lake City Pokhara

Early in the morning, we spend our time bird-watching as Chitwan National Park is also home to a large variety of resident and migratory birds. We then have breakfast and drive towards beautiful lake city Pokhara for Annapurna Sunrise Trekking. We reach there by evening.
Included meals:BB