NOTE: This tour is being redesigned to include Chitwan National Park in 2015. Come back soon to learn about the details. (25 November 2014)

Tucked away in the foothills of the Nepali Himalayas the small mountain village of Thoolakharka is witness to a breathtaking spectacle of raptor migration every autumn. Weather and geography work together here to bring raptors to fly by the lookout at eye level or lower, and at unbelievable close ranges.

This recently discovered watchsite located at the edge of the Annapurna Conservation Area is the perfect venue to enjoy the passage of some 30 species of migratory raptors and several resident species as well. The raptor highlights at Thoolakharka range from an impressive 10 species of migratory eagles, including 6,500+ Steppe Eagles (peak passage mid-November), the residents Indian Black Eagle, and Mountain Hawk-Eagle, 4 migratory vultures, including some 1,300 massive Himalayan Vultures, 5 resident vultures—wind-masters like the Bearded Vulture.

Accommodation at Thoolarkharka is spartan but comfortable. Single and double rooms with private bathrooms and hot water are available. Meals are rather simple but quite tasty. Without access to the Internet or TV, surrounded by friendly people, and with the Annapurna range as the backdrop, this is the perfect raptor migration holiday for those willing to experience the finest looks at some of the most impressive representatives of the raptor world, while walking barefoot on short-trimmed grass, a cup of home-made ginger lemon tea in the hand, and soaking up the Himalayan sun.

Make a difference!

®, L.L.C. will make a financial contribution to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary for every member that signs up for this tour. Join us on this tour and make a lasting contribution to raptor conservation.

®, L.L.C is also a sponsor of the Nepal Raptor Migration Project run by former Hawk Mountain intern Tulsi Subedi.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1

5 November

Arrive in Kathmandu at Tribhuvan International Airport (IATA code: KTM). Transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 2

6 November

Breakfast and checkout. Morning flight (25 min) to Pokhara. Lunch in Pokhara.

Drive to Khare (1250 m a.s.l.). From there we will hike uphill (1.5 h) to Thoolakharka (2,000 m a.s.l.). We will rely on hired help to carry our luggage and equipment. Hot tea upon arrival, and relax after checking in at our hotel. The lookout is a short 5-min (level) walk from the hotel, so those who still have the energy can take a short first peek at the hawkwatch. Dinner and overnight in Thoolakharka.

Days 3–15

7–19 November

Our daily routine will be quite simple. Every morning we will wake up and eat breakfast, walk the 5-minute walk to the watchsite, pick our favorite spot (chairs available) and enjoy the migration! Around noon we’ll head back to one of the little restaurants in the village (or have our meals brought from the restaurant to the lookout), eat lunch, and get back to hawkwatching in the afternoon until sunset. Dinner and overnight in Thoolakharka.

The raptor flight at Thoolakharka during our stay will be dominated by Steppe Eagles as more than 6,500¹ individuals of all ages and plumages pass the lookout every autumn, with average days of 300 birds, and a record day of 572 eagles! Himalayan Vulture (1,270 per season; 103 on peak day) will tend to be more frequent towards the end of our stay. Oriental Honey Buzzard (381; 34), Common Buzzard (180; 11), and the odd Hen Harrier (19; 4) are to be expected upon arrival in Thoolakharka, becoming increasingly rarer later. Larger birds, including most eagles and vultures will either be equally abundant throughout our visit or become more frequent towards the end. In this category we are to expect, among others, Griffon Vulture (85; 14), Cinereous Vulture (73; 10), and Booted Eagle (155; 15). While still other species such as Bonelli’s Eagle (13; 8), Golden Eagle (7; 1), or Greater Spotted Eagle (3; 1), are rare but expectable migrants at the site. Local species such as Bearded Vulture, Red-headed Vulture, or displaying Black Indian Eagles and Mountain Hawk-Eagles can be seen, usually in pairs, several times a week.

There are wonderful hiking trails in the nearby forests so folks wanting to have a break or a leisure walk will have plenty of choices to wander about birdwatching or looking for wildlife at pretty much anytime we choose to during our stay in Thoolakharka.

Day 16

20 November

Checkout after breakfast. Hike back to Khare, and drive to Pokhara. Visit vulture restaurant. Picnic lunch. Drive back to Pokhara. Catch our flight back to Kathmandu.

Tour ends upon arrival at the airport. Transfer to a hotel and extra nights in Kathmandu can be arranged as extras.

¹ Numbers correspond to tallies recorded by Thoolakharka official counters in autumn 2012.

Target Species

common name

1. Osprey
2. Oriental Honey-buzzard
3. Black Kite
4. Black-eared Kite
5. Pallas’s Fish Eagle
6. White-tailed Eagle
7. Bearded Vulture
8. Egyptian Vulture
9. Slender-billed Vulture
10. White-rumped Vulture
11. Griffon Vulture
12. Himalayan Vulture
13. Red-headed Vulture
14. Cinereous Vulture
15. Short-toed Snake Eagle
16. Crested Serpent Eagle
17. Hen Harrier
18. Eastern Marsh Harrier
19. Pallid Harrier
20. Pied Harrier
21. Eurasian Sparrowhawk
22. Northern Goshawk
23. Common Buzzard
24. Long-legged Buzzard
25. Upland Buzzard
26. Mountain Hawk-Eagle
27. Indian Black Eagle
28. Greater Spotted Eagle
29. Booted Eagle
30. Steppe Eagle
31. Eastern Imperial Eagle
32. Golden Eagle
33. Bonelli’s Eagle
34. Eurasian Hobby
35. Amur Falcon
36. Lesser Kestrel
37. Common Kestrel
38. Saker Falcon
39. Peregrine Falcon

latin name

1. Pandion haliaetus
2. Pernis ptilorhynchus
3. Milvus migrans govinda
4. Milvus migrans lineatus
5. Haliaeetus leucoryphus
6. Haliaeetus albicilla
7. Gypaetus barbatus
8. Neophron percnopterus
9. Gyps tenuirostris
10. Gyps bengalensis
11. Gyps fulvus
12. Gyps himalayensis
13. Sarcogyps calvus
14. Aegypius monachus
15. Circaetus gallicus
16. Spilornis cheela
17. Circus cyaneus
18. Circus spilonotus
19. Circus macrourus
20. Circus melanoleucos
21. Accipiter nisus
22. Accipiter gentilis
23. Buteo buteo
24. Buteo rufinus
25. Buteo hemilasius
26. Nisaetus nipalensis
27. Ictinaetus malaiensis
28. Clanga clanga
29. Hieraaetus pennatus
30. Aquila nipalensis
31. Aquila heliaca
32. Aquila chrysaetos
33. Aquila fasciata
34. Falco subbuteo
35. Falco amurensis
36. Falco naumanni
37. Falco tinnunculus
38. Falco cherrug
39. Falco peregrinus

Suggested Field Guides

Grimmett, R., T. Inskipp, and C. Inskipp. 2000. Birds of Nepal. Helm Field Guides.

Ferguson-Lees, J., and D.A. Christie. 2005. Raptors of the World. Paperback Edition. Princeton University Press, New Jersey.

Tour Map

Tour Leader

Tour Co-Guide

Tour Showcase

Terms

, L.L.C. reserves the right to alter this itinerary as necessary, or to cancel the tour prior to departure, with full refund to participants.

, L.L.C. or its agents may decline to accept or retain any person as a member of this tour at any time.

No smoking will be permitted while with the group, either when indoors or in the field.

Travel medical insurance is strongly recommended.

All passengers will be required to sign a hard copy of the Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk form upon meeting with the tour leader in Kathmandu.

No participants will be allowed in the group without a signed copy of the Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk form.

Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk Form
(including Terms)