This is a perfect plan for an exploratory bird-watching tour to North India. It takes you to two of the most significant wetlands that are also Ramsar Sites – Pong Bird Sanctuary and Harike Wetland and also to the middle Himalayas to experience altitudinal migration of the high altitude birds during winters. It involves hikes and camping but both of very beginners level. You can experience the mountains without going too far away from your comfort zone.
Duration: 9 nights / 10 days
Activities: Birding
Tour starts from: Amritsar and Ends at: Gaggal Airport
Places covered: North Indian States of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab
Grade: Medium (Outdoor Camps and Hill Walking Involved)
Best Time to Visit: Mid-October to Mid-March
Elevation: 300-2000 metres above sea level
Weather
Months | Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar |
Temp (Min) °C | 05 | 05 | 00 | 00 | 05 | 05 |
Temp (Max) °C | 36 | 33 | 30 | 30 | 33 | 36 |
Focus On: Winter Migratory & High Altitude Birds
Monuments: Golden Temple, Guler Fort, Dalai Lama Temple, Norbuligka
Other Attractions: Cultural Interaction and Food Tasting of Punjabi, Himachali and
Tibetan flavours
Max. Group Size: 08
Day 01: Arrival at Amritsar, Guided Golden Temple visit and traditional Punjabi dinner.
Day 02: Leave for Harike wetland, morning and evening birding at Harike. Overnight stay near Harike.
Day 03: Full day birding at Harike wetland.
Day 04: Leave for Pong lake, birding at pong lake post lunch (a birding hot-spot with over around 400 species recorded at the place with over 1,00,000 migratory birds coming every year).
Day 05-06: Full day birding at Pong lake and nearby areas.
Day 07: Toy train and drive to Dharamshala. Birding in Dhauladhar mountains post lunch.
Day 08-09: Full day exploration of Dharamshala and Mcleodganj including Naddi, Dal lake, river trails, tea gardens, Tibetan food tasting, His Holiness Dalai Lama temple, NGO and lot of other things with our expert.
Day 10: Departure from Gaggal Airport after morning birding trail.