Destinations for solo birding (on foot) in India & Nepal (1 Viewer)

[satyajit_gupte]

Hi everyone,
My favorite way to bird is on hikes and walks. I want to get recommendations for destinations that are good for solo birding around India & Nepal and that are accessible through hikes (of all kinds).
Some walks and hikes that I have enjoyed birding on include - hikes in Sikkim (yuksom-khechopealri), hiking in Bhutan (around Thinpu, bhumthang valley), trails in the state of Goa (western ghats), walks in Eaglenest (Arunachal pradesh).
I am really keen on sites that I can access in E and W Himalayas that don't require me to hire a guide.
Thank you !

 

[kb57]

It's many years since I did it (1989 to be precise ) but the Langtang Valley trek in Nepal was good for birds, and as it went into a National Park the forest habitat was better preserved than on some of the other tourist trekking routes. It also takes you into a high-altitude valley with birds such as Ibisbill. Easy to do solo as well.

 

[James Lowther]

It's many years since I did it (1989 to be precise ) but the Langtang Valley trek in Nepal was good for birds, and as it went into a National Park the forest habitat was better preserved than on some of the other tourist trekking routes. It also takes you into a high-altitude valley with birds such as Ibisbill. Easy to do solo as well.

there are very new rules that mean unguided trekking in many parts of Nepal (national parks etc.) is now illegal unfortunately
cheers,
James

 

[kb57]

there are very new rules that mean unguided trekking in many parts of Nepal (national parks etc.) is now illegal unfortunately
cheers,
James

Unfortunately I can kind of see why - a lot of the trails were becoming a bit of a mess of informal tea shops and tourist stuff even then

 

[James Lowther]

i think the stated motivation is safety related

 

[DMW]

i think the stated motivation is safety related

The real motivation is lobbying by the large commercial trekking agencies.
I understand it's still possible to tek in the Everest region without a guide as the region has some autonomy and refused to apply the rule.

 

[DMW]

Some suggestions in the western Himalayas:
-The Naini Tal area in Winter - not particularly wild or remote but a good variety of species, some nice day walks, and very easy to get to.
-Great Himalayas NP - not sure whether you can get away without a guide here, but beautiful mountain forests and some good hikes here. I'm sure there mist be other parts of the Kullu Valley outside the park with good trekking.
- Padder Valley in the Kishtwar area. Nice forests here accessible from Gushaini village.

 

[satyajit_gupte]

Some suggestions in the western Himalayas:
-The Naini Tal area in Winter - not particularly wild or remote but a good variety of species, some nice day walks, and very easy to get to.
-Great Himalayas NP - not sure whether you can get away without a guide here, but beautiful mountain forests and some good hikes here. I'm sure there mist be other parts of the Kullu Valley outside the park with good trekking.
- Padder Valley in the Kishtwar area. Nice forests here accessible from Gushaini village.

thanks a lot for your suggestions!

 

[andrewins]

Hi everyone,
My favorite way to bird is on hikes and walks. I want to get recommendations for destinations that are good for solo birding around India & Nepal and that are accessible through hikes (of all kinds).
Some walks and hikes that I have enjoyed birding on include - hikes in Sikkim (yuksom-khechopealri), hiking in Bhutan (around Thinpu, bhumthang valley), trails in the state of Goa (western ghats), walks in Eaglenest (Arunachal pradesh).
I am really keen on sites that I can access in E and W Himalayas that don't require me to hire a guide.
Thank you !

Hello, could you share your experience of birding on trails in Goa, please? I’m going to visit this state of India soon soli and trying to find any useful info.

 

[satyajit_gupte]

Hello, could you share your experience of birding on trails in Goa, please? I’m going to visit this state of India soon soli and trying to find any useful info.

Hello, I grew up in Goa and would recommend these trails around the western ghats for great forest birds
1. Cotigao Wild Wildlife Sanctuary - easy walking trails. A bit tough to get to though. Excellent for forest birds
2. Bondla wild life sanctuary - this is easier to get to. There is a (rather well maintained IMO) small zoo, so it does get more visitors than cotigao. The walks are very easy , unless you get off the beaten track
3. Molem wild life sanctuary (aka Bhagwan mahaveer WLS) - excellent trails in the forest. Also easy to get to. Great forest birds
4. Hike to Dudhsagar waterfalls. This is a long hike (depending on where you start). This is the adventurous way to see the birds. There's a fair bit of walking along railway tracks and through tunnels. I have done this hike and camped on the hill from where the waterfall tumbles down several times, but that was a long time ago. You get to wake up to the songs of a malabar whistling thrush
5. Succor plateau. Great for scrub birds . Very easy to get to and you can wander on the trails that run between quaint villages.

Have a great time birding in Goa !

 

[andrewins]

Hello, I grew up in Goa and would recommend these trails around the western ghats for great forest birds
1. Cotigao Wild Wildlife Sanctuary - easy walking trails. A bit tough to get to though. Excellent for forest birds
2. Bondla wild life sanctuary - this is easier to get to. There is a (rather well maintained IMO) small zoo, so it does get more visitors than cotigao. The walks are very easy , unless you get off the beaten track
3. Molem wild life sanctuary (aka Bhagwan mahaveer WLS) - excellent trails in the forest. Also easy to get to. Great forest birds
4. Hike to Dudhsagar waterfalls. This is a long hike (depending on where you start). This is the adventurous way to see the birds. There's a fair bit of walking along railway tracks and through tunnels. I have done this hike and camped on the hill from where the waterfall tumbles down several times, but that was a long time ago. You get to wake up to the songs of a malabar whistling thrush
5. Succor plateau. Great for scrub birds . Very easy to get to and you can wander on the trails that run between quaint villages.

Have a great time birding in Goa !

Thank you very much! One strange question please) Is it safe walking alone down the villages from Socorro plateau at dark after birding owls and nightjars there?

 

[satyajit_gupte]

Thank you very much! One strange question please) Is it safe walking alone down the villages from Socorro plateau at dark after birding owls and nightjars there?

Yes, I think it's safe to walk alone after dark around the plateau. I'll add that a lot of folks get their dogs for a walk to the plateau (especially on weekends). So if you want to avoid that , go there on a weekday. The local youth do indulge in a bit of beer drinking and there are sadly some broken glass shards around. Savannah nightjar is esp common around the main "parking lot". Jerdon's nighjar is a bit rarer. I've only seen spotted owlets there. I haven't done any serious night birding at that location