There are few birding destinations in India which are on MUST VISIT list for every birder. Chopta is one such fantastic birding place, apart from the splendid natural beauty.
Nature India proudly announces a new Birding destination, Chopta, in western Himalayas. Only 8 participants per batch, Please go through the dates & details 🙂
Date: 23rd November, 2019, 7.00 am to 28th November, 2019 eve 5.00 pm (Travel days excluded). The bookings for the Meticulously planned bird-watching trip are on…..book your seats now (see the complete details at the end of this blog)…..Birdwatch in one of the India’s greatest birding hot-spots with Nature India.
We will be visiting Chopta, Mandal and Makkumath areas during the trip.
Chopta (Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary)
Situated in the Western Himalayan mountain ranges in the State of Uttarakhand, Chopta is a part of Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary and with its lush green meadows interspersed with Pine & Fir forest, it is popularly known as mini Switzerland. Chopta came to prominence recently not just because of its abundant birdlife, but also because of the diversity and ease of birding.. Situated at an altitude of 2600 meters msl this small hamlet provides some mesmerizing views of the imposing Himalayan ranges & grassy slopes dotted with Pine, Deodar & Rhododendron trees, surrounded with lush green meadows.
Chopta is around 225 kms from Dehradun with a comfortable roads that travels along the rivers of Ganga, Alaknanda & Mandakini. The Best season for birding in Chopta valley is between November to May.
A birding hotspot, Chopta became famous because of its amazing bird diversity, which include a long list of Western Himalayan birds, especially the Himalayan Monal which is supposedly a relatively easy bird to see along with several good birds including, Koklass Pheasant, Various species of Tits like, Rufous-vented, Grey-crested, Fire-capped, Black-throated, Spot-winged, Green-backed etc…, several species of Warblers like, Grey-hooded; Black-faced; Ashy-throated; Buff-barred; Western-crowned etc…, Bar-throated Minla, Mrs. Gould and Green-tailed Sunbird; Collard, Black & Yellow and Spot-winged Grosbeak; White-throated, Striated, Streaked & Variegated Laughingthrush, Rufous-gorgeted, Blue-throated, Ultramarine & Verditer Flycatcher; Himalayan, Rufous-bellied & Grey-headed Woodpecker; Great Barbet; White-tailed and Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch; Bar-tailed Treecreeper; Mistle Thrush etc…..
Along with the bird-life, the scenic natural beauty is what also catches your fascination, no wonder it is called a mini Switzerland of India 🙂
Makkumath & Mandal
In Himalayas altitude changes rapidly within short distances, so bird life also varies. That is the reason why it is very important to cover both, high as well as low altitudes places to see diversity in bird life. Along with Chopta which is high altitude areas, we will be visiting Makkumath & Mandal areas which are at approx.2000 mts to get some low altitude species. These regions are clothed with the lush green forests where several species can be encountered including Golden Bush Robin, White-tailed Rubythroat, Tickell’s Leaf Warbler, Tickell’s Thrush, Rufous-bellied Niltava, Aberrant Bush Warbler, Oriental Turtle Dove, Eurasian & Black-headed Jay, Grey-winged Blackbird, Great Barbet, White-browed Shrike-Babbler, Long-tailed Minivets, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Green-backed Tit, Russet Sparrow, etc…
Check out some trip report from the area
http://birdingdiary.blogspot.in/2016/05/birding-in-western-himalayas-dhanolti.html
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Nature India is conducting a well planned trip to Chopta that will cover most of the birding sites in the Chopta valley…… see below for complete details.
TRIP DETAILS & ITINERARY
Date: 23rd November, 2019, 7.00 am to 28th November, 2019 eve 5.00 pm
Mode of Local Travel : Comfortable SUV’s (Innova / Tavera)
Suggested Travel Options:
Flight Options (To be done by the participants): Since there is no direct flight reaching early morning to Dehradun, you can break your journey, Mumbai to Delhi and Delhi to Dehradun
Delhi to Dehradun (23rd Nov.19):
Air India flight no. AI-9645 – 2831, leaving Delhi at 6.20 hours, reaching Dehradun at 7.20 hours.
Dehradun to Mumbai (28th Nov.19): Indigo flight no. 6E-963 leaving Dehradun at 18.05 hours, reaching Mumbai at 23.45 hours via Delhi
Train Options (To be done by the participants):
- New Delhi to Dehradun by 12205 Nandadevi Express, Staring from New Delhi at 23:50 Hrs on 22nd Nov.19, reaching Dehradun at 5.50 Hrs on 23rd Nov.19
Planned Tour Itinerary: (Dehradun to Dehradun)
Day 1: 23rd Nov 2019 (Saturday): Pick-up from Dehradun railway station at 06:00 hours – Proceed to Mandal (approx. 270 kms or 8 Hrs) – Breakfast & Lunch on the way – Check-in and Diner – Overnight stay at hotel in Mandal
Day 2: 24th Nov 2019 (Sunday): Full day birding around Mandal – Overnight stay @ Hotel hotel in Mandal
Day 3: 25th Nov 2019 (Monday): Early morning check-out and proceed towards Chopta – Full day birding around Chopta, Monal Point etc.- Overnight stay @ Hotel Green View in Chopta
Day 4: 26th Nov 2019 (Tuesday): Full day birding around Chopta – Overnight stay @ Hotel Green View in Chopta
Day 5: 27th Nov 2019 (Wednesday): Start early morning for Makkumath with packed breakfast – Lunch at chopta – start from chopta for Mandal – night stay @ Hotel Gurukrupa, Mandal
Day 6: 28th Nov 2019 (Thursday): Start early morning for Dehradun – Lunch on the way – reach Dehradun Airport by 16.00 hrs or earlier
Trip charges : Rs.27400/- (Dehradun to Dehradun only)
(Includes Stay in Hotel in Mandal & Hotel Green View in Chopta on twin sharing basis, Local travel by Innova / Tavera, All Park entry charges, All meals including lunch, dinner and breakfast , Expert charges, Information articles & on board snacks and mineral water)…….
These charges are Dehradun to Dehradun only……. participant has to make their own travel arrangement upto Dehradun and Back . This does not include any charges other than the above.
Group Size: 8 persons
Registration: You can register by sending a confirmation mail to natureindiatours@gmail.com and by paying non-refundable advance of Rs.13000/- (and only after our confirmation mail) as per the payment guidelines given below……
Stay Arrangement: Hotel Gurukrupa in Mandal….. an absolutely basic but neat & clean hotel.
Hotel Green View in Chopta (refer below image), a basic but neat clean hotel with amazing view on lush green valley.
Resource Person: Local Expert and Mr. Mandar Khadilkar
Mode of Payment: You can either
1) Transfer the money directly to our A/c. please mention your name, date and other details….
2) Courier a cheque
Bank Account details and address to send courier, will be given to those who will register.
Please Note:
1) Once registered, the advance amount of Rs. 12000/- is strictly non-refunadable
2) The seats will be confirmed only against the advance amount on first come basis
3) Alcohol & Smoking is strictly prohibited on Nature India Tours
4) Nest photography or any collection of specimens is prohibited
5) Kindly register on this trip only if you agree with Nature India’s rules and policies
http://natureindiapolicies.blogspot.in/2012/08/nature-india-policies.html
Please revert on natureindiatours@gmail.com ID, in case you need any clarification …..
For any other queries we are available on 8779599356 / 9820455713 (Adesh) or 9930318665 / 8369427283 (Mandar)
Thanks for your patience.
Looking forward for a very rewarding trip with you all !!
Warm Regards,
Adesh Shivkar & Mandar Khadilkar
Nature India 