Wings of Nepal: A Birding Journey from the Himalayas to the Terai
16-Day All Inclusive Birding Expedition $6,700
Day 1: Arrive at Kathmandu
February 12, 2027
Elevation: 4,600 ft / 1,400m · Accommodation: Kathmandu Guest House (KGH), Thamel
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer to the iconic Kathmandu Guest House. This historic boutique hotel established in 1968 has welcomed legendary mountaineers, authors, and explorers for over five decades. Set within a beautiful garden courtyard and home to the Museum of Nepali Art (MoNA), the KGH is itself a cultural landmark that helped shape Kathmandu's most vibrant tourist district.
Spend the remainder of the day at leisure exploring the extraordinary neighborhood of Thamel — a labyrinth of colorful lanes filled with Tibetan handicraft shops, trekking gear outfitters, traditional bookstores, bakeries, rooftop restaurants, and local art galleries. The narrow streets are alive with the sights and sounds of Kathmandu street life at its most vibrant. Evening welcome tea and cocktails with your expedition team in the KGH garden courtyard, followed by a briefing with your birding guide.
Day 2: Kathmandu Cultural Tour
February 13, 2027
Elevation: 4,600 ft / 1,400m · Accommodation: Kathmandu Guest House (KGH), Thamel
A full day exploring the spiritual and artistic heritage of the Kathmandu Valley, one of the world's most extraordinary concentrations of sacred architecture, ancient art, and living religious tradition. Two of Nepal's greatest cultural sites anchor the day, with time to explore at each.
Morning: Swayambhunath Temple
This will be a full day visiting some of the area's fantastic cultural sites with some birding woven in. We begin the morning at Swayambhunath, one of the oldest and most sacred Buddhist stupas in Nepal and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, perched dramatically on a hilltop above the entire Kathmandu Valley. The approach via 365 stone steps, flanked by ancient sculptures, prayer wheels, and the resident rhesus macaques that have made their home in the temple complex -- builds anticipation for the spectacular complex at the summit. The great whitewashed stupa is the defining symbol of Nepal. Surrounding the main stupa is a constellation of smaller shrines and gilded pagodas representing with monks, pilgrims, and devotees performing their daily rituals in a scene unchanged for centuries. The hilltop setting provides sweeping panoramic views across the entire Kathmandu Valley, with the distant snows of Langtang and Ganesh Himal visible on clear mornings.
Swayambhunath is also an outstanding urban birding site. The forested hilltop and temple gardens attract a surprising variety of species and the broad views from the stupa terrace allow excellent raptor watching over the valley. Black Kites soar above this dramatic scene while we may also be blessed with the sight of a huge Himalayan Griffon or a dashing Eurasian Hobby. Spotted Owlets sometimes roost in the temple niches or old trees and more common species including Oriental Turtle Dove and Asian Pied Starling.
Afternoon: Patan Museum & Patan Durbar Square
After lunch, journey to Patan — one of the three ancient royal cities of the Kathmandu Valley and a treasure house of Newari art and architecture. The Patan Museum, housed in a meticulously restored wing of the 17th-century royal palace complex overlooking Patan Durbar Square, is widely regarded as one of the finest museums in all of Asia for South Asian sacred art. Its luminous galleries display an extraordinary collection of bronze and gilt copper sculptures of Hindu and Buddhist deities, intricate religious paintings (paubha and thangka), ceremonial ritual objects, and architectural woodcarvings spanning over a millennium of continuous Newar artistic tradition.
Highlights include masterful representations of Vajrayana Buddhist deities and bodhisattvas, exquisite examples of the repoussé metalwork for which Patan's craftspeople have been celebrated for centuries, ancient palm-leaf manuscripts, and ritual implements of exceptional refinement. The museum building itself is an architectural treasure — its traditional Newari courtyards, intricately carved wooden windows and struts, and tranquil garden create an atmosphere of contemplative beauty that enhances every object on display. After the museum, explore Patan Durbar Square itself, a UNESCO World Heritage Site surrounded by ancient temples, pagodas, and the remarkable Hiranya Varna Mahavihar (Golden Temple). Dinner on your own in Thamel.
Day 3: Phulchowki Hill - Full Day Birding
February 14, 2027
Elevation: 4,600–9,058 ft / 1,400–2,760m · Travel: 1 hr 20 min each way · Accommodation: KGH, Thamel
Pre-dawn departure for Phulchowki Hill (9,058 ft), the highest peak of the Kathmandu Valley rim and Nepal's most species-rich local birding site. The forested slopes of dense rhododendron, oak, and alder harbor a remarkable concentration of Himalayan specialties across elevational gradients. A full day on the mountain is essential and should provide us with an extraordinary assemblage of forest birds.
Species that will demand our attention include White-crested, White-throated and Streaked Laughingthrush, White-browed and Golden Bush-Robin, Silver-eared Mesia, Red-faced Liocichla, Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler, Scaly-breasted Cupwing, White-bellied Erpornis, Hoary-throated Barwing, Scaly Thrush, Grey-bellied Tesia, Grey-winged and White-collared Blackbird. Blue-naped Pitta and Fire-tailed Sunbird are just some of the stunning jewels of the forest. This is the expedition's best opportunity for the Spiny Babbler, Nepal's only endemic bird.
Additional species we may find include: Black-faced Warbler, Maroon-backed Accentor, Rufous Sibia, Himalayan Cutia and Brown Bullfinch. Black Eagle and Mountain Hawk-Eagle fly above the forest while dusk can give us Mountain Scops-Owl and Collared Owlet.
Day 4: Fly from Kathmandu → Koshi Tappu
February 15, 2027
Elevation: 4,600 ft → 246 ft / 1,400m → 75m · Accommodation: Koshi Tappu Wildlife Camp
On our early morning flight to Biratnagar we may be treated to views of Everest, Makalu, Kanchenjunga and other Himalayan peaks. Road transfer to Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Nepal's premier Ramsar-listed wetland with over 527 species recorded. After our mid-afternoon arrival there will be time for an orientation walk and later a longer evening excursion.
The reserve's wetland edges and riverine forest margins hold an abundance of birds including Lesser Whistling Duck, Cotton Pygmy Goose, Red-wattled Lapwing and Stork-billed Kingfisher. Black-hooded Oriole and Greater Coucal are just some of the species that occupy the riverine forest margins. Crested Serpent Eagle and Pallas's Fish Eagle, an endangered species, are some of the raptors that take advantage of this rich fare.
Day 5: Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
February 16, 2027
Elevation: 246 ft / 75m · Accommodation: Koshi Tappu Wildlife Camp
A full day immersed in Koshi Tappu's extraordinary diversity of wetland, grassland, and riverine habitats. Our pre-dawn departure for the Koshi Barrage should give us Indian Skimmer, Black-bellied and River Tern. Small Pratincole and Eurasian Oystercatcher. Falcated Duck, Bar-headed Goose, Baer's Pochard and Ferruginous Duck are some of the waterfowl here.
A mid-morning boat trip on the Sapta Koshi River is a unique way to show the group a special habitat that can have Great Thick-knee and River Lapwing, but the most special feature of the cruise will hopefully be views of Gangetic River Dolphin.
In the afternoon we will visit unique grassland habitats where such species as Swamp Francolin, Siberian Rubythroat, Red Avadavat, Yellow-bellied Prinia and Striated Grassbird occur. Bengal Florican and Rufous-vented Grass Babbler, critically endangered species will be also be a focus of our afternoon tour.
Day 6: Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
February 17, 2027
Elevation: 246 ft / 75m · Accommodation: Koshi Tappu Wildlife Camp
Another full day at Koshi Tappu gives us an opportunity to find any additional species not yet seen including Wreathed Hornbill, Bengal Florican and various warblers and flycatchers. We will also explore wetland pools, excellent habitat for Spot-billed Pelican, Lesser Adjutant, Black-necked Stork, Stork-billed Kingfisher and Watercock. White-rumped and Red headed Vultures often soar over the reserve's forest buffer zone. Morning focus on sal and riverine forest; afternoon for a second grassland pass and broader water bird coverage.
Day 7: Drive Koshi Tappu → Chitwan
February 18, 2027
Elevation: 246 ft → 330 ft / 75m → 100m · Accommodation: Chitwa
One last morning birding at Koshi Tappu will provide us with other wildlife and birds such as Brown Dipper and Plumbeous Water Redstart. Our road transfer west takes us across the unique Terai habitat to Chitwan National Park (approximately 6–7 hours) crosses several major Himalayan river systems, the Kamala, Bagmati, and Narayani, each with boulder-strewn riverbeds that are prime habitat for two of Nepal's most sought after birds, Ibisbill and Wallcreeper. We will also search these special river habitats for Spotted and Little Forktail, Long-billed and Great Stone-Plovers.
Day 8: Chitwan National Park
February 19, 2027
Elevation: 330 ft / 100m · Accommodation: Hotel Jungle Crown or Landmark Forest Park
Our first full day in Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with over 540 recorded species. The park's extraordinary mosaic of sal forest, riverine forest, tall-grass meadows, and oxbow lakes produces one of the most diverse species lists in Asia. Morning birding in the eastern sal forest, one of Nepal's best site for Oriental Pied and Great Hornbill, Red-headed Trogon Blue-bearded Bee-eaters. An afternoon canoe trip on the Rapti River may show us raptors such as Crested Serpent Eagle, Changeable Hawk-Eagle Grey-headed Fish Eagle and Brown Fish Owl. Non-avian wildlife including Gharial Crocodile and One-horned Rhinoceros could be a special bonus of this outing.
Day 9: Chitwan National Park — Full Day
February 20, 2027
Elevation: 330 ft / 100m · Accommodation: Hotel Jungle Crown or Landmark Forest Park
Another full day covering Chitwan's grasslands, Bishajari Lakes oxbow complex, and forest trails provide many waterbirds and forest species. Evening owling session from the lodge perimeter. Anticipated Species include; Purple and Black-crowned Night Heron, Jungle Bush Quail, Indian Pitta and Pied Harrier. Evening owling may uncover Mottled Wood and Brown Hawk-Owl.
Day 10: Drive to Kande → Trek to Australian Camp (Thulakharka)
February 21, 2027
Elevation: 330 ft → 5,800 ft → 6,070 ft / 100m → 1,768m → 1,850m · Accommodation: Hotel Guarans, Thulakharka
Depart Chitwan for the five-hour drive to Kande (5,800 ft), a trailhead village above Pokhara in the Annapurna foothills with birding stops along the way. From Kande, a one-hour hike through oak and rhododendron forest leads to Australian Camp at Thulakharka (6,070 ft) — one of Nepal's finest vantage points, with a sweeping panorama of the Annapurna and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) massifs. Afternoon birding on arrival around the camp's forest edges and terraced farmland. Anticipated Species on the hike and at the camp include: Kalij Pheasant, Rufous-bellied Niltava, Blue-capped Rock Thrush, Verditer and Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher, Chestnut-tailed Minla, Red-billed and Yellow-billed Chough, Eurasian Kestrel and Himalayan Monal, Nepal's national bird.
Day 11: Thulakharka — Full Day Montane Birding
February 22, 2027
Elevation: 6,070 ft / 1,850m · Accommodation: Hotel Guarans, Thulakharka
A full day of montane birding from the Australian Camp area with panoramic Himalayan views. The Annapurna Range (and the unmistakable fish-tail peak of Machhapuchhre form a wall of ice and rock as a backdrop to the day's birding. The mixed forest of oak, rhododendron, and alder at this elevation hosts a rich assemblage of Himalayan mid-elevation specialists rarely encountered in the lowlands. Species here include: Satyr Tragopan, Nepal Parrotbill, Rufous Sibia, White-browed Fulvetta, Black-eared Shrike and Spiny Babblers, Rusty-flanked Treecreeper, Blue-fronted and White-capped Water Redstarts. When not enjoying the huge diversity of forest species we will search the sky for Lammergeier (Bearded Vulture), Himalayan Griffon and Mountain Hawk-Eagle.
Day 12: Mardi Himal Trail Birding
February 23, 2027
Elevation: 6,070–7,500+ ft / 1,850–2,300+m · Overnight: Thulakharka
A full-day birding excursion along the Mardi Himal trekking route from Thulakharka — ascending into higher elevation forest and alpine scrub with increasingly spectacular mountain views. The route ascends through dense rhododendron and oak forest into bamboo zones and open rocky slopes, each habitat zone yielding different species assemblages. Return to Thulakharka for the final night in this mountain habitat. Anticipated Species include: Blood Pheasant and Snow Partridge (found in the rocky alpine zones),Grandala, Fire-tailed and Green-tailed Sunbird, Stripe-throated and Whiskered Yuhina, White-browed and Rufous-breasted Bush-Robin, Alpine and Altai Accentor, Rosy Pipit and Tickell's Leaf Warbler
Day 13: Trek Down → Pokhara + Fewa Lake Birding
February 24, 2027
Elevation: 6,070 ft → 2,700 ft / 1,850m → 820m · Accommodation: Waterfront Resort by KGH Group, Pokhara
Morning descent on foot (approximately one hour) from Thulakharka to the trailhead, followed by jeep transfer to Pokhara (2,700 ft), Nepal's second city. Check in to the Waterfront Resort, an elegant lakeside property on the shores of Phewa Lake. Afternoon birding around the lake and its forested margins. Species near the lake include: Pied, Common and Crested Kingfisher, Osprey, Grey Heron, Great and Little Egret, Little Cormorant, Asian Openbill Stork, Eurasian Coot, Green Sandpiper, Ruddy Shelduck and Red-crested Pochard
Day 14: Pokhara Valley Birding → Fly to Kathmandu
February 25, 2027
Elevation: 2,700 ft / 820m · Accommodation: Kathmandu Guest House (KGH), Thamel
Final morning birding in the Pokhara Valley, one of Nepal's most beautiful birding settings, with the Annapurna massif reflected in the lakes and rice paddies alive with activity. The Pokhara Valley's combination of lake, forest, wetland, and open farmland produces excellent species diversity. Afternoon flight to Kathmandu. Transfer to Kathmandu Guest House for the final night.
Anticipated species here include: Indian Roller, Green Bee-eater, Coppersmith Barbet, Alexandrine and Rose-ringed Parakeet, White-throated Kingfisher, Asian Paradise-Flycatcher, Oriental Magpie-Robin, Jungle and Common Myna, Spotted Owlet and Steppe Eagle
Day 15: Flexible Day in Kathmandu
February 26, 2027
A flexible day for revisiting favorite sites, exploring Kathmandu's cultural treasures, or simply relaxing. Options include a return trip to productive birding areas based on species we may have missed, visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Swayambhunath or Boudhanath Stupa, or time for shopping and personal exploration.
This evening, we gather for a farewell dinner to share highlights and tally our trip list.
Day 16: Depart Kathmandu for Home
February 27, 2027
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward journey home, taking with you memories of Nepal's incredible birdlife, landscapes and hospitality.
Note: This itinerary may be adjusted based on local conditions, weather and bird activity to maximize the group's experience.