BIRDING TRIP IN LADAKH

DORJEY DAYA  is a local born, soft-hearted by nature & pro-vegetarian, A wildlife photographer since more than a decade. Take keen interests in birding and wildlife, a hobby turned in to a professional birder & wildlife lover, recorded more than 200 species in high altitude area (In Indian Himalayas). Along with local birders & wildlife lovers founded “ The Wildlife Conservation & Birds Club of Ladakh” a Founder member.  Dorjey Daya is also a propertier of Maitreya Tours, a travel company based in Leh-Ladakh & owner of Maitreya Residency; a luxury homestays at the bank of river Indus, 10 minute drive from Leh airport. 

We can design and prepare birding  trip and wildlife itinerary according to your available timing and period but the best time to visit for birding in Leh-ladakh, would be early spring period, when it is a migration period. The wintering birds fly off  to higher altitude and high places and summer birds are welcoming during this time. Late Sept and early Octobet is again the great migration period.So during this period birds flock at Tsokar basin and several days before they fly off to warm places. Black necked Crane also make preparation to fly out from this place.There are several hibitate area  of Blacke Necked Crane for breeding in Ladakh during the summer.

INR.40,000/-

Day 01: Delhi to Leh

Arrival in Leh airport and transfer to hotel/Homestays(Option of choice as per your budget) for complete rest  for acclimatization at the  altitude of 3500 meters .

Day 02:  Local trip/short day birding

After a very good breakfast, let us start a short birding trip around the Indus belt and second day for acclimatization. Overnight hotel/Homestays in Leh.

Day 03 :Local trip around Indus belt.

Loca trip for birding at different location at the Indus river side and other birding area.

Day 04: Leh to Tsokar drive 170 km, 3/5 hrs :

Drive and pitch a camp or check in at Resort and rest for the day and evening take views of the lake. Overnight at Salt lake side.

Day 05 : Day around Tsokar lake : 

Today we will spend  the whole day around the Tsokar lake  for birding and capturing some of the most exciting pictures of widlife.  Fair chances of  spotting Tibetan Argali, Upland Buzzard, Golden Eagle, Black necked Crane, Tibetan Sandgross, Bar Headed Goose, Strip Geese, Ruddy Shelduck, Gadwall, Common Merganser, Red Crested Pochard, Common Kestrel,  Little Owl,  Brown headed Gull etc .Tibetan Wild Ass, Tibetan Wolf and Red Fox are also can be seen.  There is a nest of staffe eagle around some of the near by mountain.  Overnight Camp/Guesthouse/Homestays accomodation.

Day 06  : Day at Tsokar lake side.

Birding day at Tsokar high altitude area and during the period of first week of October, it is the great migration time and thousand of birds flock here for preparation to fly out from the cold winter  season in the himalayan region.

Day 07  : Tsokar to Tsomoriri (4520m) about 3 to 4 hrs.

Drive crossing Polokongka la (4920m) & Namshang la (4800m). We drive watching along the way, stopping at Puga. We have a good chances of Bharal, Himalayan Marmots and Ladakh Urial apart from birds like Bar headed Goose, Afternoon explore the lake area. Overnight camp/Guesthouse  at Korzok.

Day 08 : Explore the day at Tsomoriri lake.

Day 09: Tsomoriri to Hanle via Mahe.

Distance of 160 km, 4/to 5 hours drive in jeep. Great place to see the Black necked Crane, Tibetan Gazelle. Overnight in Home Stays. If you are a foreigner then, this trip may not possible due to restricted area.

Day 10  : Day around Hanle : 

This day is spent exploring around the areas of Hanle. You will see many birds apart from Desert Wheatear, Horned Lark, Common Merganser . If you are lucky good chance to see Lynx and  Pallas Cat. Overnight in Home Stays. Hanle is one of the place, where Pallas cat are often seen and capture in the camera by many. It will be our turn for one such beautiful shot.  Require great patience and persistence.

Day 11 : Hanle to  Leh drive back to Leh.

Day 12 :  Leh – Delhi  

Transfer to Leh airport and fly out with a sweet memories of Ladakh-Himalayas!

This itinerary will not fully applicable for foreigner  for birding trip as  the Hanle area due to protected area permit/restricted area not issued.

PRICES INCLUDES:

- Accommodation on Twin Sharing basis with all meals in Homestays/Hotel

- All meals at Camp /  in home-stays 

- All transportation (by Jeep) in Ladakh 

- Guide/ Spotter services throughout the tour in Ladakh 

- Home stay charges / Camping fees

- Sporting Scope & Binocular. 

PRICES DO NOT INCLUDES:

- Flight tickets from Delhi-Leh-Delhi

- Sleeping Bags, trekking shoes and clothing.

- Any Kind of Personal Expenses, Personal binocular or Optional Tours / Extra Meals Ordered

- Anything not specifically mentioned under the head “Prices Included”. 

- Tips, Insurance, Laundry, Phone Calls.

- Any Kind of Drinks (Alcoholic, Mineral, Aerated)

- Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary/ stay on account of flight cancellation due to bad weather, ill health, roadblocks and/or any factors beyond control.