For eBird Trip Report page, please click here / eBird Gezi Raporu için tıklayınız.
Namaste!
Nestled in the heart of South Asia, Nepal is a landlocked gem cradled by the majestic Himalayas. Home to the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, it dazzles with its awe-inspiring mountain vistas and a vibrant tapestry of cultures. With its diverse ethnic groups and deep-rooted Hindu and Buddhist traditions, Nepal offers more than just scenic beauty—it’s a cultural and natural wonderland.
For bird enthusiasts, Nepal is paradise. Its varied landscapes—spanning towering Himalayan peaks to lush lowland forests—support an impressive 840 bird species, as recorded on eBird. Whether you’re gazing at snow-capped ridges or exploring verdant wetlands, there’s a thrill for every birder.
My birding journey in Nepal began with an incredible trip in 2023 alongside my friends Ali and Fatih. I met Shankar through Ali’s recommendation, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions of the trip.
Shankar designed a masterful itinerary, blending lowland explorations with high-altitude treks up to 3,800 meters, ensuring a rich and diverse birding experience.
Here’s the itinerary:
Day 1-3: Chitwan National Park
Day 4: Phewa Lake – Wetlands
Day 5: Sarangkot Hill
Day 6: Kuri Village
Day 7: Kalinchowk Temple
Day 8: Road birding to Kathmandu
Day 9: Birding at Phulchowki Hill and Godawari Village
My target? To spot over 300 species, including 240+ lifers. With Shankar’s expertise, that dream came true.
Let’s begin the journey!…
Day 1
Landing in Nepal, the visa process was a breeze—bring your pre-filled “on-arrival” form and head straight to the payment desk. The only hiccup? An hour lost waiting for luggage. But the moment Shankar greeted us, his infectious energy swept away any fatigue.
The drive to Chitwan National Park was an adventure in itself. The road was rougher than anticipated, clogged with trucks and buses weaving precariously.
Despite the chaos, we made stops to hunt for the elusive Ibisbill—alas, it evaded us. Still, a handful of common birds joined my lifelist along the way.
After an eight-hour journey, we rolled into Tigerland Safari Resort. As if on cue, a Brown Booboo greeted us at the gate—a thrilling an amazing lifer! Dinner awaited us at the restaurant, a delicious spread that hit all the right spots. Energized, we ventured out for some night birding. Success came quickly with sightings of the Spotted Owlet and Jungle Owlet, though the Indian Scops Owl remained out of reach.
Total Species: 31
Total Lifer…..: 18
Day 2
The day began with the calls of the Hawk-Cuckoo, whose beautiful songs woke me up. The weather was foggy until around 10:00 AM.
We traveled around Kasara and found some beautiful birds, such as the Stork-billed Kingfisher and Greater Painted Snipe.
Before embarking on the boat trip, spotting the Yellow-breasted Bunting, a species listed as Critically Endangered, filled me with immense joy and excitement. It felt like a rare and special moment in my birdwatching journey.
We then set off on a boat from Batihani on the Rapti River. The weather started off a bit dusky, but soon cleared up to a bright, sunny afternoon. The riverbanks were teeming with birdlife, and we quickly added a few gems to my lifelist. An Oriental Pied Hornbill flew overhead, followed by an Oriental Darter drying its wings on a fallen tree. On the sandbars, we spotted a River Lapwing, and a Common Merganser swam gracefully by, adding to my lifelist.
As we continued down the river, we spotted a Mugger Crocodile basking on the shore, its eyes watching us intently. It was a perfect, tranquil birding experience on the river, with plenty of surprises along the way.
After a peaceful 1.5-hour boat trip, we drove to Dibyanagar for an exciting birding session. The area was brimming with activity, and in no time, I added some fantastic species to my lifelist. A Smoky Warbler flitted by, followed by a Chestnut-capped Babbler in the undergrowth. We also spotted a Gray-backed Shrike perched on a tree and heard an Asian Koel calling from a distance. The diversity of birds made for an exciting day, with many more species added to my growing list.
After lunch, we drove through the Rapti Bridge-Kasala Khola section of Chitwan National Park, where the birding was nothing short of spectacular. The area was alive with birds, and we were immediately drawn to the stunning Indian Peafowl. Numerous peacocks strutted around, their iridescent feathers a breathtaking sight.
As we continued, I added both the Greater Flameback and Himalayan Flameback woodpeckers to my lifelist, their vivid plumage standing out in the trees. A Ruddy-breasted Crake appeared in the underbrush, and a Yellow-footed Green Pigeon perched elegantly nearby. With many more species spotted, the day was a perfect success, adding numerous lifers to my list.
After a day of birding in Chitwan, we returned to the lodge for dinner. As we sat down, Shankar suggested we give one more try to find the Indian Scops Owl, which we had missed the previous day. And guess what? He spotted it! Another lifer added to my list for the day.
Total Species: 140
Total Lifer…..: 82!
Day 3
We started our birding adventure early in Chitwan National Park. After several new birds, we saw the Nepalies Rhino.
Afterwards our day kicked off with an unforgettable sight: a Tiger spotted on the road in the distance. Though far, it was still an incredible moment.
As we continued, a majestic Great Hornbill flew overhead, its impressive wingspan a sight to behold. The day brought many lifers, including a Green-billed Malkoha, a Slender-billed Babbler, and a White-browed Scimitar Babbler—each new bird adding excitement to the list.
We stopped for lunch in the field, hoping to find a nightjar, but despite searching, we couldn’t spot one.
As we resumed our journey, the tension rose when we encountered Durbe, a dangerous elephant known for killing 23 people. The elephant charged toward us, creating an exhilarating moment of pure wildlife drama.
On the way back to the lodge, we were thrilled to spot a Collared Falconet, the perfect way to end a day filled with thrilling wildlife encounters and fantastic birding.
Chital – Spotted Deer
Total Species: 105
Total Lifer…..: 38
Day 4
We left Chitwan early in the morning and began our drive toward Pokhara. The plan for the day was to do roadside birding until we reached Phewa Lake, where we would spend time birding by the lake.
During our coffee breaks, we continued birding along the way, adding more species to my Nepal list.
It was exciting to add the Crimson Sunbird, White-rumped Vulture, and Himalayan Vulture to my lifelist.
We reached Phewa Lake in Pokhara around 14:00 and enjoyed a quick lunch in the field, surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the area. The birding began almost immediately, and I was thrilled to quickly spot my three target species: a couple of Pheasant-tailed Jacanas gracefully walking on the lake’s floating vegetation, a group of Bar-headed Geese, and hundreds of Gray-headed Lapwings feeding in the field.
Afterward, we focused on finding buntings and pipits. It didn’t take long before we added a Pine Bunting, a Little Bunting, and the incredible Red-headed Bunting to our list. The Red-headed Bunting was particularly special—it was only the 9th recorded sighting in Nepal! Our guide, Shankar, was overjoyed to see it, sharing in the excitement of this rare find.
After such an amazing day of birding, we headed to Hotel Kantipur for some well-deserved rest, reflecting on the memorable birding moments we had witnessed.
Total Species: 88
Total Lifer…..: 13
Day 5
The day started early at 05:30, and the main reason for our visit was to find the Spiny Babbler, Nepal’s only endemic bird. We made our way up Sarangkot Hill and waited for the sunrise. Unfortunately, the fog was thick, which made visibility quite poor. However, the birding started strong with my first lifer of the day—the Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler. We also heard the distinctive, noisy calls of the White-crested Laughingthrush in the distance.
Not long after, we heard the calls of the Spiny Babbler! We eagerly followed the sound and were rewarded with clear views of this stunning bird, making it a truly special moment. It felt incredible to see such a rare and endemic species up close.
On our way back to Kathmandu, we added the Red-headed Vulture to my lifelist. Shankar specifically chose the restaurant where we had lunch. While we searched for the Barred Owlet, we couldn’t find it, but we were rewarded with sightings of the Blue-throated Barbet and the Himalayan Black-lored Tit, which felt like a perfect dessert after lunch.
After lunch, I discussed the possibility of spotting an Ibisbill with Shankar once again. We decided to revisit the area with high hopes, and I had a strong feeling that today was the day. Sure enough, we were rewarded with the sight of this beautiful bird—the Ibisbill!
We arrived at the International Guest House in Kathmandu around 20:00. After a quick snack, headed to my room to rest and recharge for the adventures awaiting me tomorrow.
Total Species: 46
Total Lifer…..: 13
Day 6
Today, we began the second part of our trip—birding in the higher mountains!
After a 6-hour drive to the hotel, we made several stops along the way to look for new bird species. Once we checked in and had lunch, we headed out for some nearby birding.
As expected, the birdlife varied with each elevation. I was thrilled to add some fantastic lifers to my list, including Stripe-throated Yuhina, Whiskered Yuhina, Striated Laughingthrush, and Maroon Oriole. It was a great start to this new chapter of the trip!
Total Species: 58
Total Lifer…..: 23
Day 7
We started early in the morning, gearing up for a challenging yet exciting birding adventure to Kalinchowk Temple, which sits at an elevation of 3,800 meters. The weather was clear and crisp, perfect for both hiking and birding.
To save time and energy, we opted to take the cable car up to the temple area. The ride offered stunning views of the surrounding mountains, and soon we were at the top, ready to explore. Kalinchowk Temple is a sacred pilgrimage site dedicated to the goddess Kalinchowk Bhagwati. The temple is perched on a mountain ridge, offering panoramic views of the Himalayas, including peaks like Gauri Sankar and Langtang.
As we began birding around the temple, I was thrilled to add several lifers to my list. I spotted the Altai Accentor hopping along the rocky terrain, followed by a Dark-breasted Rosefinch and a Himalayan White-browed Rosefinch perched nearby. A pair of –Spotted Laughingthrushes and a Black-faced Laughingthrush also appeared in the brush, adding to the excitement of the morning.
But the true highlight of the day came when we spotted a female Himalayan Monal flying across the ridge. Her colorful plumage flashed in the sunlight as she soared across the sky, creating an unforgettable moment in the breathtaking surroundings.
It was an incredible day at Kalinchowk Temple, filled with both spiritual awe and birding wonders.
Total Species: 55
Total Lifer…..: 22
Day 8
On the way back to Kathmandu, we made several stops for birding, adding some beautiful lifers to my list, including the Black-throated Tit, Rufous-breasted Accentor,Upland Pipit and Little Forktail.
We arrived at the hotel earlier than expected and took some time to rest and recharge.
Total Species: 71
Total Lifer…..: 13
Day 9 – The Last Day of Birding
We started early in the morning, driving toward *Phulchowki Hill* in *Godawari*, Nepal, excited for the day ahead. The journey was scenic, and as we arrived, we began birding right away.
Our first find was an Asian Barred Owlet, which we located by its distinct call. It was a great start to the day. As we climbed higher, we noticed how the bird species began to change with each elevation, adding new excitement to our birding adventure.
We stopped for a packed lunch near a small water source, and it turned out to be an incredible spot. Hundreds of birds gathered to drink and bathe, providing us with amazing photo opportunities. I captured beautiful shots and videos of species like the Blue-winged Minla, Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush, and Nepal Fulvetta, all bustling around the water.
At the highest point of our climb, we reached the Phulchowki Temple at 2,760 meters. This small but beautiful temple offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. It’s a peaceful spot to reflect and take in the surroundings.
The final day of birding was truly amazing, filled with unforgettable sights and sounds. It was the perfect way to wrap up our birding adventure in Nepal.
Total Species: 90
Total Lifer…..: 26
Reflections
This journey wouldn’t have soared without Shankar. His passion, knowledge, and uncanny ability to find rarities made him the finest guide—and friend—I’ve encountered.
Nepal’s birding riches have left me hooked—I’m already plotting my return.
Namaste and happy birding!