The Best Himalayan Raptor Migration

Tucked away in the foothills of the Nepali Himalayas, the small mountain village of Thulo Kharka 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 Thulo Kharka 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.

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 soaking up the Himalayan sun.

Raptors of the Central Terai

At the base of the Himalayas, the Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands ecoregion spans from Uttar Pradesh in India to the south-western extreme of Bhutan. This narrow strip (av. 25 km) contains the highest density of tigers, rhinos and ungulates in Asia. Savannas, grasslands, evergreen and deciduous forests, and steppe are all represented. In the Central Terai in Nepal; the alluvial plains along river valley bottoms, for the most part covered with tall grasslands and marshes, give way to Sal forests on the hillsides.

This habitat complexity promotes high species diversity. For instance, 541 species of birds have been recorded in Chitwan National Park. Raptors recorded in the park include Osprey, Black Baza, Black-shouldered, and Black Kite, Lesser, and Gray-headed Fish Eagles, Eurasian Black, Red-headed, Griffon, White-rumped, and Egyptian Vultures, White-eyed Buzzard, Crested Serpent-Eagle, Western Marsh, Pallid, and Pied Harriers, Shikra, Crested Goshawk, Greater Spotted, Rufous-bellied, and Booted Eagles, Collared Falconet, and Laggar, and Peregrine Falcons.

In Lumbini, south of Pohkara, we will target Short-toed Snake Eagle, White-eyed Buzzard, Eastern Imperial Eagle, several species of vultures at a local vulture restaurant, and other birds such as Sarus Cranes. To most tourists, however, Lumbini is the revered place of birth of Siddharta Gautama, better known as Buddha.

NEW! Western Terai Extension

20 – 26 November

Shukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve is tucked against the Indian border in the far western Terai (subtropical lowlands). The 30,500 ha reserve was established in 1976 and, together with the contiguous Indian Tiger Reserve Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary (India), represents the Tiger Conservation Unit Shukla Phanta-Kishanpur—c. 190,000 ha of grasslands and subtropical moist deciduous forests.

Some 423 species of birds have been recorded in the reserve, including 43 species of diurnal birds of prey such as White-rumped, Slender-billed, and Red-headed Vultures, Eastern Marsh, Hen, Pallid, and Pied Harriers, and Greater, and Indian Spotted Eagles, Rufous-bellied, and Changeable Hawk-Eagle, and Gray-headed Fish Eagle, among others.

The reserve boasts one of the largest populations of Swamp Deer, and due to good visibility in the extensive open grasslands, it is arguably one of the best places to see Royal Bengal Tiger in Nepal.

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 | Main Tour

Day 1

5 November

Arrive in Kathmandu at Tribhuvan International Airport (IATA code: KTM). Transfer to Hotel Shanker in Thamel. Dinner and overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 2

6 November

Breakfast and checkout. Shuttle to airport. Fly to Pokhara (25 min).

Drive to Khare (1250 m a.s.l.). From there we will hike uphill (1.5 h) to Thulo Kharka (2,000 m a.s.l.). We will rely on hired help to carry our luggage and equipment. Check-in upon arrival, and relax after at the hawkwatch while eating lunch and watching the migration. The lookout is a short 5-min (level) walk from the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Thulo Kharka.

Days 3–9

7–13 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 Thulo Kharka.

The raptor flight at Thulo Kharka 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 Thulo Kharka.

Day 10

14 November

Breakfast and checkout. Hike downhill from Thulo Kharka and drive to Lumbini. Check-in at the Lumbini Buddha Garden Resort. Local Lumbini in the afternoon, looking for Short-toed Snake eagle, White-eyed Buzzard, Eastern Imperial Eagle and other raptors. Lunch and overnight at the Lumbini Buddha Garden (LBG).

Day 11

15 November

Breakfast, then raptors in the Lumbini area and/or vulture restaurant at Gaindahwa Lake. Lunch, dinner and overnight in LBG.

Day 12

16 November

Raptors around Lumbini, and vulture restaurant. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight in LBG.

Day 13

17 November

Breakfast and checkout. Drive to Chitwan National Park. Check-in at the Tigerland Safari Resort (TSR). Lunch. Evening outing to the park to look for raptors, other birds, and, if we are lucky One-horned Rhino and Royal Bengal Tiger! Dinner and overnight in TSR.

Day 14

18 November

Breakfast. All day in Chitwan NP targeting raptors, birds, and mammals. Boat ride, either in the morning or in the afternoon. Picnic lunch in the park. Dinner and overnight at the TSR.

Day 15

19 November

Breakfast and checkout. Morning in Chitwan NP. Lunch. Drive to Kathmandu in the afternoon. Check-in at the Hotel Shanker.

Day 16

20 November

Checkout and transfer to the airport to catch flights back home, or continue on the Western Terai Extension.

Day-by-Day Itinerary | Tour Extension

Day 1

20 November

Fly to Dhangadhi. Drive to Sukhla Phanta Wildlife Reserve (2 h). Arrival at our private tented camp. Lunch. Explore the reserve in the afternoon. Dinner.

Days 2-6

21-25 November

Sukhla Phanta Wildlife Reserve, targeting tigers, swamp deer, elephants, and birds from 4×4 vehicles. All meals will be prepared from scratch by our cook. Meals and overnight in our private tented camp.

Day 7

26 November

Breakfast and checkout. Drive back to Dhangadhi, and catch our flight to Kathmandu, where the tour ends. Extra nights in Kathmandu can be arranged upon request.

¹ Numbers correspond to tallies recorded by Thulo Kharka 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)