WINGS OVER MUNSIYARI: HIGH-ALTITUDE BIRDING IN THE HIMALAYAS
A Birder’s Paradise: Discovering the 325+ Species of Gori Valley.
- Best Time to Visit: March to June (Spring) & October to November (Autumn)
- Duration Options: 4 to 12 Days (Customizable)
- Location: Munsiyari, Pithoragarh District, Uttarakhand, India
- Nearest Railhead/Airport: Kathgodam / Pantnagar
TRIP OVERVIEW
Explore the Gori Valley & High-Altitude Meadows
A Munsiyari birding tour offers an exclusive, high-altitude bird-watching experience, focusing on species like the Himalayan Monal, Satyr Tragopan, and various rare pheasants. Located in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district, this remote hamlet features a unique transition from temperate oak forests to alpine meadows, making it an Important Bird Area (IBA) boasting over 325 species.
Key Highlights for Birding
- Satyr Tragopan: The "Holy Grail" for many birders; found in dense bamboo and rhododendron undergrowth.
- Himalayan Monal: Uttarakhand's state bird, known for its iridescent, rainbow-like plumage.
- Cheer Pheasant: Often found on steep, grassy slopes around Kalamuni and Khaliya.
- Bearded Vulture (Lammergeier): Massive raptors often seen soaring near the cliffs of Kalamuni Top.
- Grandala: Look for these stunning, neon-blue birds in large flocks during the winter months.
MUNSIYARI’S TOP 10 BIRDS
- Day 1: Kathgodam/Pantnagar to Munsiyari (10–11 hrs). En-route birding at Binsar and Birthi Falls (Plumbeous Water Redstart). Overnight in Munsiyari.
- Day 2: Early trek to Khaliya Top meadow. Target: Himalayan Monal, Koklass Pheasant, Altai Accentor. Afternoon forest trail birding.
- Day 3: Morning at Thamri Kund (Khalij Pheasant, Bar-tailed Treecreeper). Afternoon at Betulidhar ridge for raptors (Golden Eagle, Wallcreeper).
- Day 4: Early morning sunrise over the peaks. Long drive back to Kathgodam/Pantnagar for departure.
- Day 1: Kathgodam to Munsiyari. Mid-day stop at Birthi Falls (Brown Dipper).
- Day 2: Morning at Thamari Kund (Himalayan Woodpecker, Laughingthrushes). Afternoon at Gori River banks for Lammergeiers.
- Day 3: 6-7km trek to Khaliya Top (3,500m). Search for Satyr Tragopan and Alpine Accentors.
- Day 4: Morning at Kalamuni Pass (Cheer Pheasant, Nuthatches). Afternoon in Darkot Village for buntings and finches.
- Day 5: Final morning session. Drive back to Kathgodam, scanning valleys for Steppe Eagles.
- Days 1 & 2: Arrival in Munsiyari. Full day birding at Khaliya Top for Monals and Accentors.
- Day 3: Morning at Thamri Kund. Afternoon birding near Darkot Village (Verditer Flycatcher, White-capped Redstart).
- Day 4: Betulidhar Ridge for high-altitude raptors (Himalayan Griffon) and mixed Himalayan forest birds.
- Day 5: Madkot Valley. Lower-altitude birding for Crested Kingfisher, Slaty-backed Forktail, and Brown Dipper.
- Day 6: Early bird walk (Himalayan Bluetail) and departure to Kathgodam.
- Days 1-3: Arrival and deep exploration of Khaliya Top and Thamri Kund mixed oak-rhododendron forests.
- Day 4: Betulidhar Ridge raptor watching and evening village trails.
- Day 5: Madkot Valley riverine and subtropical forest birding.
- Day 6: Darkot Village terraced fields and surrounding forest edges (Grey-hooded Warbler).
- Day 7: Final bird walk and departure to Kathgodam.
- Days 1-4: Extensive birding in Munsiyari (Khaliya Top, Thamri Kund, Betulidhar Ridge).
- Day 5: Drive Munsiyari to Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary (7-8 hrs). Birding en route at river valleys.
- Day 6: Full day in Binsar. Morning walk to Zero Point (Ultramarine Flycatcher, Green-backed Tit).
- Day 7: Dense oak forest birding in Binsar (Black-headed Jay, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler).
- Day 8: Early morning forest edge birding, then departure to Kathgodam.
- Days 1-4: Munsiyari high-altitude hotspots (Khaliya Top, Thamri Kund, Betulidhar).
- Day 5: Madkot Valley for riverine species (Crested Kingfisher, Slaty-backed Forktail).
- Day 6: Scenic drive to Binsar with stops near Almora.
- Days 7-8: Two full days in Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary (Rufous Sibia, Himalayan Woodpecker, Bar-tailed Treecreeper).
- Day 9: Morning birding and departure to Kathgodam.
- Days 1-6: Deep dive into Munsiyari. Covers Khaliya Top, Thamri Kund, Betulidhar, Madkot Valley, and Darkot Village. Maximize chances for the Satyr Tragopan and Cheer Pheasant.
- Day 7: Transfer to Binsar (7-8 hrs).
- Days 8-9: Immersive birding in Binsar’s temperate forests for mid-elevation species (White-throated Laughingthrush, Black-headed Jay).
- Day 10: Departure to Kathgodam/Pantnagar.
- Days 1-4: Local Munsiyari, Thamri Kund, Betulidhar, and Madkot Valley.
- Day 5: Trek 5-6km to Khaliya Top. Birding along alpine trails. Overnight camp at Khaliya Top.
- Day 6: Full day high-altitude birding at Khaliya Top camp. Target: Himalayan Monal, Altai Accentor, Golden Eagle. Overnight camp.
- Day 7: Morning birding, trek down, and drive to Binsar.
- Days 8-10: Three days of mid-elevation forest birding in Binsar
- Day 11: Departure to Kathgodam.
- Days 1-2: Arrival and 2 nights mid-elevation forest birding in Binsar.
- Days 3-6: 3 nights Munsiyari low- and mid-elevation birding (Thamri Kund, Madkot, Darkot).
- Days 7-9: Trek to and spend 3 nights camping at Khaliya Top for exclusive high-altitude birding.
- Days 10-11: Drive to and spend 2 nights lowland lake & wetland birding in Sattal (Common Kingfisher, Blue-throated Barbet).
- Day 12: Final morning birding in Sattal and departure.
325+ Species Recorded in the Region.
- Pheasants & Partridges: Satyr Tragopan, Himalayan Monal, Cheer Pheasant, Koklass Pheasant, Himalayan Snowcock.
- Raptors: Bearded Vulture, Golden Eagle, Himalayan Griffon, Mountain Hawk-Eagle.
- Passerines: Grandala, Rufous Sibia, Yellow-bellied Fairy-Fantail, White-throated Laughingthrush, Altai Accentor, Green-tailed Sunbird.
Authentic Himalayan Homestays
Experience true Kumaoni hospitality in authentic, hand-picked Himalayan homestays and eco-lodges located right on the edge of prime birding habitats. By bypassing crowded commercial hotels, you will wake up to the calls of Laughingthrushes and enjoy traditional, locally sourced organic meals—the perfect comfort food after a freezing morning trek at Khaliya Top. These cozy accommodations provide the essential warmth and comfort needed to recharge for your next high-altitude adventure.
Maximum Birding Hours
Our itineraries are meticulously designed for serious birders and photographers who want to maximize every minute of daylight. We hit the trails well before dawn to ensure you are perfectly positioned during the morning golden hour, exactly when rare and shy species like the Satyr Tragopan and Himalayan Monal are most active. To keep you immersed in the Gori Valley forests and high mountain ridges without interruption, we regularly arrange packed trail breakfasts and lunches, allowing for true dawn-to-dusk exploration.
Inclusions
- Accommodation in twin sharing with all meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) in all mentioned stays.
- Guide charges for Bird photography along with transfer charges for Birding as mentioned in the itinerary.
- Pick up and Drop charges from the domestic Airports to Resort / Homestay.
- All Tolls and Parking fees.
Exclusions
- Anything not specifically mentioned in the Inclusions list above.
Payment Policy:
Secure your trail with a 25% deposit. 50% is due 4 months prior to the trip, and the remaining 25% must be cleared 1 month before departure.
Cancellation & Refunds:
6 months before: 25% fee. 4 months before: 45% fee. Within 1 month: No refund. Note: In case of natural calamities, payments will be adjusted toward a future tour.
Climate & Gear Advice:
Munsiyari’s high altitude (1,200m–3,500m at Khaliya Top) means the weather can be extreme and unpredictable. Spring and autumn days are pleasant, but mornings and nights are freezing, especially at higher camps. Pack a strategic layering system: thermal base layers, a thick fleece, and a heavy-duty windproof/waterproof down jacket. You will need sturdy, ankle-supporting trekking boots for steep trails like Khaliya Top, plus warm gloves and a beanie. For photography, a DSLR/Mirrorless camera with a 400mm–600mm lens is essential for distant raptors and shy pheasants. Crucial tip: Bring 3-4 extra camera batteries and keep them warm inside your jacket, as the freezing alpine air will drain them rapidly.
CHECK DATES & PRICING ON WHATSAPP
Address
.
junglebooktrails@gmail.com
Phone No
+91 74004 13805
Business Hours
Weekdays - 8AM to 5PM
Weekends- OFF