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].
Lobsang is an experienced guide with a first-class understanding of the needs of the bird photographer. One of India's top bird guides and currently serving as President of the Arunachal Pradesh Bird Club, Lobsang has a wealth of bird photography experience throughout India, particularly the bird-rich Himalayan region, growing up in Dirang and living not far away today in the mountains surrounding the Tenga Valley. Appointed as a Director and Shareholder of Bird-Photo-Tours Asia, Lobsang is 'India Managing Director' with particular responsibility for both India inbound and outbound Bird-Photo-Tours.
(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
