This is a specially-designed wetland Bird-Photo-Tour focussed around two outstanding wintering Indian locations for waterbirds (i) Jalpaiguri District in West Bengal State is home to thousands of wintering wildfowl and via individual boats, one client per boat, each driven by a skilled local boatsman, photographers can obtain point-blank views of its waterbirds (ii) The Indian State of Gujarat has wintering Pelicans, Flamingos, Indian Skimmers and Crab Plovers amongst many other wetland birds including other specialities such as Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse. These species can be enjoyed at close range offering a superb opportunity for portrait-quality images.
Cranes / Flamingos: Demoiselle Crane / Sarus Crane / Common Crane / Lesser Flamingo / Greater Flamingo
Pelicans / Wildfowl: Great White Pelican / Dalmatian Pelican / Falcated Duck / Baer’s Pochard / Small Pratincole
Others: Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse / Indian Skimmer / Crab Plover
Guiding Fees / Ground Transportation / Accommodation / Meals / Entrance Fees / Tipping for Drivers, Boatsmen, Hotel and Restaurant Staff.
International Flights / VISA Fees / Travel Insurance / Tips for Local Guide / Alcohol / Laundry / Items of a Personal Nature
Days 1-5 Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal State (4N / 3D / 6S): Arrival Bogdogra Airport in West Bengal State, transfer to Jalpaiguri District. Photographic Targets via Chartered Boats: Baer’s Pochard / Cotton Pygmy Goose / Falcated Duck / Small Pratincole / Red-crested Pochard / River Lapwing / Smew / Common Goldeneye.
Day 5-8 Mahesana District, Gujarat State (3N / 2D / 4S): Fly to Sardar Vallabhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, Gujarat State, transfer to Mahesana District. Photographic Targets via Chartered Boat: Painted Stork / Sarus Crane / Demoiselle Crane / Sociable Lapwings / Lesser Flamingo / Greater Flamingo / Dalmatian Pelican / Great White Pelican / Black-necked Grebe / Bar-headed Goose.
Day 8-12 Kutch District, Gujarat State (4N / 3D / 6S): Afternoon drive 2-hours to Kutch District. Photographic Targets: Lesser Flamingo / Greater Flamingo / Great White Pelican / Dalmatian Pelicans / Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse / Greater Spotted Eagle / Imperial Eagle / Steppe Eagle / Peregrine Falcon / Rufous-tailed Lark / Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark / Crested Lark.
Day 12-16 Jamnagar District, Gujarat State (4N / 4D / 8S): Drive 4-hours to Jamnagar District. Photographic Targets: Lesser Flamingo / Greater Flamingo / Indian Skimmer / Crab Plover / Great White Pelican / Dalmatian Pelican / Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse / Pallas’s Gull / Heuglin’s Gull / Slender-billed Gull / Eurasian Oystercatcher / Gull-billed Tern.
Day 16 Bagdogra Airport (0N / 0D / 0S): Drive 4-hours to Fly to Sardar Vallabhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad for international departures.
[Key: N=Night, D=Full Day, S = Session / Half-Day].
Nick Ludovic Green has spent much of his life travelling and photographing birds across Asia and Oceania, developing a depth of field experience that few bird photographers achieve. Over more than 15 years in the region, Nick has led 150+ bird photography tours in 35 countries, carefully designing each itinerary to give photographers the best possible access to light, behaviour and habitat.
Through extensive long-term travel, Nick has photographed 2,500 bird species across Asia and Oceania, many at portrait-quality standard. In China alone he has documented over 1,200 species, working in every province and returning repeatedly to key locations to refine photographic opportunities, an experience that directly benefits photographers travelling with him.
His longer bird photography expeditions include a four-month journey across Melanesia, a three-month traverse of Xinjiang Autonomous Region in China's western frontier, and a four-month Himalayan journey from Kashmir, Ladakh and Bhutan to Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. These extended field projects have helped build deep regional knowledge and trusted local relationships.
Nick’s images have been published internationally, and his methods reflects a long-term commitment to careful, respectful bird photography. On tour, he is known for his organized, supportive approach and practical in-field guidance, helping bird photographers of all levels improve their work whilst enjoying unhurried time amongst the region’s most sought-after species.
(i) The guesthouses are all in close proximity to the bird photography locations (ii) Walking is at a light pace (iii) There is no requirement to hike nor climb. (iv) None of the locations are at altitude (v) There is no camping. Summary: for these five reasons this trip has been graded as 'Easy'.
: Gujarat / West Bengal
