Chopta is a village located in Uttarakhand state of India and a base for trekking to Tungnath, third temple of Panch Kedar which is at a distance of 3.5 km. Chopta offers amazing views of the imposing Himalayan range including Trishul, Nanda Devi and Chaukhamba. It is located at an elevation of 2680mts above sea level. Chopta is surrounded by forest of pine, deodar and rhododendron and is rich in variety of flora and fauna.This place is popularly known as ‘Mini Switzerland’ in Uttarakhand. Chopta region has many treks and trails through jungle and grasslands. Because of abundance of birds Chopta is becoming popular among bird watchers.
Travel Itinerary:
Day 1: Pick up from Haldwani Railway Station (Arrival by Ranikhet Express at 05:05hrs) and departure for Chopta and night stay in a guest house on twin sharing basis. Afternoon birding at Mandal if time permits or birding at Kainchi or near Ranikhet.Target Birds: Crested Kingfisher, Brown Dipper, Spotted Forktail, Red-billed Blue Magpie at Kainchi and Steppe Eagle near Ranikhet.
Day 2: Whole day birding at Dugalbitta, Makku farm and on Makkumath village road with packed meals- Return to hotel and Night Stay- BLD
Target Birds: Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Speckled Wood Pigeon, Ashy Wood Pigeon, Black-throated Tit, Coal Tit, Kalij Pheasant, Hill Partridge, Pink-browed Rosefinch, Scarlet Finch, Spot-winged Rosefinch, White-collared Blackbird, Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird, Maroon Oriole, Whiskered Yuhina, Collared Grosbeak, Golden Bush Robin, Himalayan Woodpecker, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker etc.
Day 3: Early morning pony ride to Tungnath with packed brunch. Half day birding on Tungnath trek and afternoon birding on Chopta-Makku road – Return to hotel and Night Stay- BLD
Target Birds: Himalayan Monal, Koklass Pheasant, Chukar Partridge, Altai Accentor, Alpine Accentor, White-browed Fulvetta, Golden Bush Robin, Scaly-bellied Woodpecker, Grey-crested Tit, Yellow-browed Tit, Bar-throated Siva, White-collared Blackbird, Chestnut Thrush, Spotted Laughingthrush, Bearded Vulture, Himalayan Vulture, Snow Pigeon etc.
Day 4: Whole day birding at Mandal. Return to hotel during evening and Night Stay- BLD
Target Birds: Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Eurasian Jay, Mistle Thrush, Green-tailed Sunbird, Collared Owlet, Himalayan Woodpecker, Brown-fronted Woodpecker, Speckled Wood Pigeon, Ashy Wood Pigeon, Black-headed Jay, Green-shrike Babbler, Pink-browed Rosefinch, Stripe-throated Yuhina, Bar-throated Siva, Himalayan Vulture, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler, Red-headed Bullfinch etc.
Day 5: Morning birding around hotel, check out at 08:00 hrs and departure for Kathgodam Railway Station, drop at Kathgodam RS; tour concludes- BLD.
Target Birds: Winter Wren, Koklass Pheasant, Himalayan Monal, Alpine Accentor, Black-throated Accentor, Fire-fronted Serin, Bearded Vulture, Himalayan Vulture, Himalayan Wood Owl etc.
–End of Tour —
Target Birds: Himalayan Monal, Koklass Pheasant, Snow Partridge, Himalayan Snowcock, Bearded Vulture, Snow Pigeon, Speckled Wood Pigeon, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Grey-crested Tit, White-browed Fulvetta, Variegated Laughingthrush, Winter Wren, Golden Bush Robin, Rufous-breasted Accentor, Black-throated Accentor, Pink-browed Rosefinch, Scarlet Finch, Red-headed Bullfinch
- Conveyance charges (01 Innova) from Kathgodam Railway Station and back
- Four nights stays at Hotel Valley View Resort, Bhulkan with neat and comfortable rooms on twin/triple sharing as per itinerary
- All meals (vegetarian only) as mentioned in the itinerary
- All entry fees, guide charges, pony charges, taxi and driver charges
- Service of a dedicated professional wildlife photographer and naturalist for the entire tour
- All applicable taxes
Tour Cost Exclusions
- Travel cost from participant’s home town to Kathgodam and back
- Any extra food item not included in the meal as per itinerary
- Any alcoholic beverage
- Any non-alcoholic beverage not included in the meal as per itinerary
- Laundry, phone call, etc. personal charges
- Tips
- Anything which is not mentioned in “Tour cost includes”
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