Annapurna Birding Tour

Welcome to Nepal. Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, our representative will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a short walk around the vibrant streets of Thamel or relax after your international flight. In the evening, meet your birding guide for a detailed trip briefing covering the itinerary, target bird species, weather conditions, and trekking preparations before beginning your exciting Annapurna birdwatching adventure.

After breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara along the Prithvi Highway. The journey follows beautiful river valleys, terraced farmland, and picturesque villages while providing opportunities to observe roadside birds including kingfishers, wagtails, drongos, shrikes, egrets, and raptors. Arrive in Pokhara during the afternoon and enjoy birdwatching around Phewa Lake before checking into your hotel. Overnight stay in Pokhara.

After breakfast, drive approximately one and a half hours to Nayapul before beginning the trek to Tikhedhunga. The trail follows the Modi Khola through forests, farmland, and charming villages. Birdwatching begins immediately with opportunities to observe barbets, woodpeckers, minivets, bulbuls, laughingthrushes, flycatchers, and numerous Himalayan forest birds. Arrive at Tikhedhunga for an overnight stay surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery.

Today's trek climbs through magnificent rhododendron and oak forests, one of Nepal's richest bird habitats. Watch for Himalayan Monal, Kalij Pheasant, Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush, Black-faced Laughingthrush, Green-tailed Sunbird, yuhinas, fulvettas, tits, and various warblers. The forest offers outstanding opportunities for bird photography throughout the day. Reach Ghorepani in the afternoon with panoramic views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri.

Begin with optional sunrise at Poon Hill before trekking through pristine cloud forests toward Tadapani. The trail passes extensive rhododendron forests that support numerous Himalayan bird species. Target birds include Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Rufous Sibia, Blue-fronted Redstart, White-browed Fulvetta, Golden Bush Robin, and several species of flycatchers. Arrive in Tadapani, a renowned birdwatching hotspot within Annapurna Conservation Area.

Enjoy early morning birdwatching around Tadapani before descending through dense forests toward the traditional Gurung village of Ghandruk. Search for woodpeckers, treecreepers, minlas, laughingthrushes, tits, nuthatches, and beautiful Himalayan flycatchers along the trail. After lunch, drive back to Pokhara while enjoying scenic mountain landscapes. Evening birdwatching around Phewa Lake is possible before overnight accommodation in Pokhara.

Spend the day exploring Pokhara Valley's diverse bird habitats including Phewa Lake, Peace Pagoda Forest, and nearby wetlands. Expect kingfishers, cormorants, herons, eagles, storks, parakeets, orioles, leafbirds, flowerpeckers, sunbirds, and many migratory species depending on the season. The combination of wetlands and forests makes Pokhara one of Nepal's excellent birdwatching destinations. Overnight stay in Pokhara.

After breakfast, drive back to Kathmandu through scenic river valleys and traditional villages. En route, stop for birdwatching whenever suitable habitats appear, searching for raptors, wagtails, swallows, kingfishers, bee-eaters, and riverside birds. Arrive in Kathmandu during the afternoon and transfer to your hotel. Spend the evening preparing for the final birdwatching excursion to Phulchowki Hill.

Today explore Phulchowki Hill, Nepal's premier birdwatching destination. Its mixed broadleaf forests support an exceptional diversity of Himalayan birds. Search for Spiny Babbler, Nepal's only endemic bird, along with Himalayan Cutia, Scarlet Finch, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Rufous-bellied Niltava, Chestnut-headed Tesia, various laughingthrushes, yuhinas, woodpeckers, and many colorful forest species. Return to Kathmandu after a rewarding day of birding.

After breakfast, depending on your international flight schedule, enjoy some free time for last-minute shopping or relaxation. Our representative will transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward journey. Depart Nepal with unforgettable memories of the Annapurna Himalayas, incredible birdlife, beautiful mountain landscapes, and the warm hospitality of the Nepalese people.