Needless to say, by the time I returned to the camp, I was a happy birder indeed! I managed to see Snow Partridge, Red-billed Chough, and two lifers: Red-fronted Rosefinch and, of course, my main target - Himalayan Monal. The fresh mountain air does indeed have a sense of piety and purity to it.įor birders, this trek can be rewarding too. Not only was I able to get Lord Shiva’s blessings for my further adventures, but the trek itself was very rewarding. This temple is the highest Shiva Temple and looks absolutely stunning against the mountain backdrop. My first day of birdwatching in Chopta was spent with a day-long session around Tungnath. Although I could probably spend a week or even a month birding in Chopta alone, two days would have to suffice. After checking in at the camp and a cup of hot chai and a plate of pakoras (my mountain favorite), I did a little time pass birding in and around the campgrounds. Leaving Dehradun on the third day of my trip, I headed to Chopta, a region that has gained fame among birdwatchers and photographers over the last couple of years. The gardens of Walterre were also a great place for Crimson Sunbird, and I managed to get some amazing sightings and decent photos of it, as well as several Phylloscopus warblers, woodpeckers, and a few babblers too. Needless to say, my luck coupled with the skill of the birding guide was such that I got great views of this beauty. My main target here was the somewhat boring-looking Nepal Cupwing, a bird that was once thought to be endemic to Nepal until it was found in the ground of Walterre Resort in Mussoorie, where I was lucky enough to be staying. Dehradun is one of the most popular hill stations in the country and acts as a birding gateway to the rest of Garhwal. My first destination on this tour of the Himalayan foothills was the picturesque Doon Valley, home to the hill station of Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand. As usual, my tour operator helped me in planning the perfect week-long wildlife getaway. Having explored the birdwatching and wildlife destinations of Kumaon the previous year, it was only logical that my next Himalayan destination should be the other region of Uttarakhand known as Garhwal. Apart from big cats (Tiger and Leopard), this tiger reserve is best known for its elephant population. This variation in habitat accounts for the rich diversity and wide variety of flora and fauna of Rajaji. Rajagopalachari, a prominent figure in India’s freedom struggle, Rajaji National Park is mostly made up of dense broadleaved deciduous jungles, and wetland and grassland patches. That alone would be worth the long drive, but the area has much more to offer. It is famous among photographers and birders for being the best and most easily accessible place in India to see the Himalayan Monal, as well as other pheasants, woodpeckers, laughing thrushes, rosefinches, and more. A variety of montane habitats, from pine forests to alpine meadows, results in a rich diversity of birds. Apart from being home to many tourist attractions, the Doon Valley is also a great birding destination, acting as a gateway to the rest of the Garhwal region, with species like Grey-headed and Scaly-bellied Woodpeckers, Crimson Sunbird, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Cinereous Vulture, and more.Ĭhopta, in the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, provides some excellent winter and spring birding, and fantastic landscapes. Nestled amidst the Himalayas and the Shivaliks, and Rivers Ganges and Yamuna, Dehradun is one of the most popular hill stations in the country. Apart from a rich history, this region is also home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, and some of the most famous birdwatching destinations of Uttarakhand. In ancient times, this rugged mountain region was home to many forts or ‘garhs’ which were then conquered and united to create the Kingdom of Garhwal. The Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand denotes mainly the westernmost region of the state of Uttarakhand.
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