An Exclusive Birding Odyssey in Chopta, Uttarakhand – The Mini Switzerland of India.
THE MONAL, KOKLASS & CHEER PHEASANT TRAIL
- Best Time to Visit: March to May (Spring) & September to November (Post-Monsoon)
- 4 to 11 Days (Customizable)
- Location: Chopta, Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, India (~2,600m)
Chopta’s Top 10 Wildlife & Birds
- Day 1: Arrival in Chopta/Sari (approx. 7-8 hours from Rishikesh/Dehradun). Check into a birding-friendly eco-camp. Afternoon light birding along the lower forested trails. Overnight at camp.
- Day 2: Full day birding in Chopta. Early morning session for the Himalayan Monal near the treeline. Explore the meadow (Bugyal) for Rufous-breasted Accentors and White-throated Redstarts.
- Day 3: Trek to Tungnath Temple (3,680m). Target the Himalayan Monal, Snow Partridge, and Alpine Accentor. Birding on the way back to the camp.
- Day 4: Final morning session in the rhododendron forests. Check out and depart for your return journey.
- Day 1: Arrive in Dehradun and drive to Mandal/Chopta. Stop for birding at the lower elevation forests of Mandal. Check into a birding lodge.
- Day 2: Full Day Birding in Makku Farm & Forests. Target Himalayan Monal, Koklass Pheasant, and woodpeckers. Evening birding for laughingthrushes and sunbirds.
- Day 3: Trek to Tungnath (3,680m) & Chandrashila Peak. Birding along the treeline for Snow Partridge, Finches, and Monals.
- Day 4: Drive to Sari village and trek to pristine Deoriatal lake. Spot water-associated birds, raptors, and flycatchers in the lush forest.
- Day 5: Short morning birding session near the lodge. Check out and drive back to Dehradun.
- Day 1: Pickup from Dehradun/Rishikesh. Drive to Mandal village for lower altitude birding (Spotted Forktail, Laughingthrushes). Overnight in Mandal or Chopta.
- Day 2: Morning birding around Faguinya Khet for pheasants. Drive to Chopta (2,900m) for an evening walk targeting Alpine Accentors.
- Day 3: Early morning birding for Himalayan Monal. Visit Makku Bend for Bar-throated Siva and Golden Bush Robin.
- Day 4: Trek to Tungnath Temple and Chandrashila Peak. Target Snow Partridge, Alpine Accentors, and Redstarts.
- Day 5: High altitude buffer day. Explore trails near Chopta for finches, Nuthatches, and Tits (e.g., Grey-crested Tit). Rhododendron photography.
- Day 6: Final morning birding session for any missed species, followed by breakfast, check-out, and drive back to Dehradun/Rishikesh.
- Day 1: Arrive at Dehradun/Haridwar, drive to Chopta. Evening birding near the camp.
- Day 2: Full day birding in Chopta & Baniyakund. Trek towards Tungnath for Himalayan Monal and Snow Partridge. Afternoon in rhododendron forests.
- Day 3: Drive to Mandal Valley. Target Spotted Laughingthrush, Blue-winged Minla, and warblers.
- Day 4: Scenic drive (7-9 hrs) from Chopta to the Kumaon lake region. Check-in at a birding lodge in Sattal.
- Day 5: Morning session in specialized bird hides (Kalij Pheasant, Blue-throated Barbet). Afternoon at Sattal Christian Ashram area.
- Day 6: Birding at Chanfi riverine habitat for Crested Kingfisher and Forktails. Afternoon around Sattal Lake.
- Day 7: Final morning birding. Transfer to Kathgodam Railway Station or Pantnagar Airport.
- Day 1: Drive from Delhi (10-12 hrs) or Haridwar to Chopta. Overnight at a birding camp.
- Day 2: Full Day Birding in Chopta for Himalayan Monal, Snow Partridge, and finches.
- Day 3: Trek towards Tungnath (3,680m) to spot Collared Grosbeak and Accentors.
- Day 4: Morning birding in Mandal/Makku Bend for flycatchers and warblers.
- Day 5: Full-day transfer from Mandal region to the lush forests of Sattal.
- Day 6: Full Day Birding in Sattal Hides (Red-billed Leiothrix, Blue-throated Blue Flycatcher).
- Day 7: Morning trek for Himalayan specialties in Chopta, evening birding in the area.
- Day 8: Final morning walk near Sattal lake. Transfer to Kathgodam for evening train to Delhi.
- Day 1: Arrive at Sattal. Afternoon birding around Garud Taal (Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler, Great Barbet).
- Day 2: Morning in bird hides (Rufous-throated Partridge). Evening at Chanfi river (Brown Fish Owl, Crested Kingfisher).
- Day 3: Morning birding at Shyamkhet (European Goldfinch). Scenic drive to Mandal village.
- Day 4: Full day birding around Mandal village and stream banks (Scarlet Finch, Brown Dipper).
- Day 5: Head to Chopta's alpine meadows for the Himalayan Monal and Koklass Pheasant. Afternoon walk to Monal Point.
- Day 7: Morning birding near Ukhimath (Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Wallcreeper). Drive back to Sattal.
- Day 8: Sattal Studio Hides and Mahesh Khan Forest (Common Green Magpie, White-crested Laughingthrush).
- Day 9: Final birding session. Transfer to Kathgodam.
- Day 1: Arrive in Sattal via Kathgodam. Evening birding session around the lodge.
- Day 2: Full Day Birding in Sattal (studio point and lake trail). Target White-crested Laughing Thrush and Crested Kingfisher.
- Day 3: Morning in Sattal, afternoon day trip to Chanfi river valley (Spotted Forktail, Tawny Fish Owl).
- Day 4: Drive to Pangot with en-route birding via Nainital and Kilbury. Afternoon birding in oak forests.
- Day 5: Full Day Birding in Pangot (Cheer Pheasant, Koklass Pheasant, Hill Partridge).
- Day 6: Early morning birding in Pangot, followed by a scenic 8-9 hour drive to Chopta.
- Day 7: Full Day Birding in Chopta (Himalayan Monal, Satyr Tragopan).
- Day 8: Explore trails around Chopta and Tungnath for alpine species and raptors.
- Day 9: Final morning in Chopta. Drive back to Sattal for the last overnight stay.
- Day 10: Departure from Kathgodam/Pantnagar.
- Day 1: Transfer to Sattal. Post-lunch birding (Grey-headed Woodpecker, Kalij Pheasant).
- Day 2: Full-Day Birding in Sattal (Sattal Studio, Garud Tal, Christian Ashram trails).
- Day 3: Sattal to Pangot via Chafi. Stop for riverine species (Brown Dipper).
- Day 4 & 5: Two full days in Pangot and Kilbury Forest. Focus on raptors and Woodpecker Point.
- Day 6: Scenic transfer to Chopta (6-7 hours) with en-route birding. Check into Duggalbitta/Chopta.
- Day 7, 8 & 9: Three full days in Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary (Mandal, Makku Math, Deoriatal, Tungnath Trek). Target the Himalayan Monal, Snow Partridge, and Scarlet Finch.
- Day 10: Morning birding in Chopta, drive back to Sattal. Evening relaxed birding around the lodge.
- Day 11: Final early morning birding walk/hide visit. Depart for onward journey.
Authentic Himalayan Homestays
Experience true mountain hospitality. We partner with cozy, eco-friendly forest camps and local homestays positioned right in the heart of the habitat. You’ll wake up to the calls of Himalayan birds right outside your window, minimizing travel time and maximizing your connection with nature.
Maximum Birding Hours
Our itineraries are built by photographers, for photographers. We don’t rush. We start before dawn and stay out through the golden hours, ensuring you have the time, patience, and perfect lighting to capture that dream shot of the elusive Himalayan Monal.
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:
Chopta’s high-altitude alpine climate (2,600m–3,680m) features pleasant days (10°C–20°C in spring) that drop sharply to near-freezing temperatures at night, requiring proper preparation for sudden weather changes. To stay comfortable on the trails, pack a versatile layering system including moisture-wicking thermals, a warm fleece mid-layer, and a heavy-duty, wind-and-waterproof down jacket. Essential trekking gear includes sturdy, waterproof hiking boots with excellent grip for the Tungnath trail, thermal socks, insulated gloves, a warm beanie, and high-SPF sun protection. For your birding equipment, bring high-quality binoculars (8×42 or 10×42) and a camera with a 400mm+ telephoto lens, but critically, remember to pack extra batteries and keep them close to your body heat, as the cold mountain air drains power rapidly.
CHECK DATES & PRICING ON WHATSAPP
Address
.
junglebooktrails@gmail.com
Phone No
+91 74004 13805
Business Hours
Weekdays - 8AM to 5PM
Weekends- OFF