Itinerary:

         Kathmandu - 1 day

After arrival at the airport in Kathmandu we will spend the first day exploring this remarkable 2000 year old city. Depending on flight arrival times we will climb the steep stairway up to the Swayambhunath Temple, one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in Nepal. The temple offers spectacular views of Nepal’s capital city. Depending on time and energy we may visit other famous Kathmandu landmarks before retreating to our hotel room. We will schedule time around dinner for you to do some shopping for outdoor gear for our trek into the mountains. Kathmandu offers some of the best value shopping for outdoor and mountaineering clothing in the world. 

Phulchowki – 1 day

An early morning start on day 2 will see us heading for Phowlchowki mountain, which stands at 2762 metres, high above the Kathmandu valley. As we ascend the mountain on a bumpy mountain track we pass through a range of different habitats, reaching a mix of heaths and scrubby forest at the very top. Phulchowki is a splendid introduction to birding in Nepal. Species like Bay Woodpecker, Small Minivet, Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, Puff-throated Babbler and Great and Golden-throated Barbet are a feast to the eyes. With luck in the early hours of the morning we may be treated a sighting of one Nepal’s most impressive forest birds – the Cutia, a species which is very difficult to find elsewhere. As we near the top the avifauna changes and in this more heath-dominated environment birds like Nepal Fulvetta, Whiskered Yuhina and Rufous Sibia can be seen. Birds of prey that we may encounter include Besra, Black Eagle and Mountain Hawk-Eagle. As we descend in the late afternoon we may be lucky enough to stumble across a Kalij Pheasant or two crossing the road in front of us. Not only this mountain great for birding, it offers spectacular views of the high Himalayas before we start climbing them on day two of our tour. We return to Kathmandu for the night, and have another chance at stocking up on outdoor gear.

Dunche – 1 day

After a hearty breakfast on day 3, we leave the ancient city of Kathmandu and take the road that heads north towards the high Himalayas. We pass through the age old terraced fields of the Kathmandu valley. After crossing our first of many mountains we descend down to a small town called Trisuli Bazaar where we will enjoy lunch. From here our route takes us higher towards the settlement of Dunche. As we approach Dunche we will pass through an attractive patch of forest. Here we will get our first taste of Himalayan forest birding. Colourful Grey-hooded Warblers flit about in the mid-stratum and we will start getting to grips with the myriad of Phylloscopus Warblers that frequent these forests in the Northern winter including the Greenish, Blyth’s Leaf and Buff-barred varieties. In the stands of Sal (Shora robusta), the localised Spot-winged Starling can be seen. Dunche is where we will overnight. Other species that we will search for in the Dunche area include the striking Spotted Forktail and its smaller relative, the Little Forktail. Flashes of colour along mountain streams could be either Plumbeous or White-capped Water Redstarts, both exquisite species. Groups of charismatic, babbly Streaked and Chestnut-crowned Laughing-thrushes are sure to be one of the highlights of any birders experience in the Himalayan foothills.

Saybru – Our trek starts – 2 days

After dropping from Dhunche on to cross a tributary of the Trisuli River, we ascend to traverse hillsides of pine forests.  Here we will encounter our first mixed flocks containing species like Verditer, Snowy-browed and Slaty Blue Flycatchers; Green-backed, Black-lored and Black-throated Tits; and Black-faced, Western-crowned and Chestnut-crowned Warblers. The Whiskered Yuhina has a an impressive crest and a very Himalayan look about it. We are likely to enjoy numerous sightings of the striking Himalayan Bulbul as well as groups of Black Bulbul, which presents an impressive mix of grey, black and red colours. All along the trail the views are spectacular. Far below us flows the Trisuli River, to the west lie the impressive, snow-covered Garnesh Himal and ahead a selection of high Tibetan peaks. Syabru is our destination for this evening. With luck we may find the beautiful and localised Pied Ground Thrush in the late afternoon light.

Lama Hotels – 2 days

From the village of Syabru we turn eastwards into the Langtang Valley. We follow the Langtang Khola upstream. This is the focal area of the Langtang National Park and an outstanding area for wildlife.  We soon enter the magnificent mixed forest that dominates the lower valley.  Amongst oaks and rhododendrons, beautifully decorated with mosses and lichens, are Himalayan Black Bears, Red Pandas and Leopards. Sadly, they are hard to see, but we do have a good chance of sighting the shaggy Himalayan Tahr , Goral (a type of ungulate) and Himalayan Mouse-hares. Bird species that we may find include Green-tailed Sunbird, Brown-fronted Woodpecker, forest gems such as the Bay Woodpecker, Red-headed Bullfinch, Beautiful Niltava and the unique Chestnut-headed Tesia, as well as Spotted and Little Forktail. We will stop along the way to inspect cliff-hanging bee`s nests and if luck is on our side may have the rare and very elusive Orange-rumped Honeyguide in attendance!

Langtang Village – 2 days

As we continue our trek slowly northwards through the forest, we will have occasional tantalising glimpses of one of the region’s highest peaks - Langtang Lirung, at 7227 metres above sea level. Our trail takes us through the evergreen oak trees, until at last the trail enters open ground at Ghora Tabela about 3000m (9870 feet) above sea level. There was once a Tibetan resettlement project here, but now the only residents are the soldiers of a Nepalese army post.  Here, we are above the tree line. A few temporary settlements, used by the herders who bring their livestock up to graze in the high pastures each summer dot the landscape. Amongst the scrub, boulders and potato fields, as we get closer to Langtang village, we may come across flocks of the aptly-named Snow Pigeon, Plain Mountain Finch, Rufous-breasted Accentor, Tickell`s Leaf Warbler and Blue-fronted Redstart. On this part of the trek we overnight at Langtang village which lies at 3300m (10,850 feet) above sea level. Langtang village is built in Tibetan style and accommodates the headquarters of the National Park and a Buddhist monastery. In the stone-walled fields around the village, potatoes and buckwheat are grown, and in the pastures above the village, yaks are grazed.

Kyangin Gompa – 2 days

Beyond Langtang village the valley opens out further and the our views will become more expansive.  To our left is the impressive peak of Langtang Himal, and ahead is the great snow-covered bulk of Ganchempo which stands at 6387m above sea level. At 3749m above sea level (12,200 feet) we reach the monastery of Kyangjin. The monastery is set well above the Langtang River and is surrounded by snowy peaks. There is a cheese factory here, set up in 1955 with the support of Swiss aid. During the summer months large quantities of yak`s cheese are produced, which can be purchased at the factory. Across the valley a beautiful forest of gnarled birch trees, dwarf rhododendrons and junipers provide a high altitude refuge for birds such as the Great and Red-fronted Rosefinches. The Blood Pheasant is an aptly-named, mesmerizing species that occurs up here in the high mountains. It is accompanied by the Himalayan Monal, another spectacular ground-dwelling species of the Phasianidae family from these reaches. Tibetan Snowcock and Snow Partridge also occur. The rare Musk Deer is a mammalian attraction. The enigmatic Ibisbill breeds along the stony riverbed as do White-browed and Citrine Wagtails. We have an afternoon and a full day exploring the glaciers, peaks and stony riverbeds in this stark but spectacular alpine wilderness.

Sin Gomba – 2 days

Our time in Sin Gompa, takes us through outstanding mixed forest which offers us our best chance of glimpsing the rare Satyr Tragopan. Other species we may find include Black-faced and Variegated Laughingthrush and both Whiskered and Stripe-throated Yuhina. The Orange-flanked Bush Robin is a a cracker of a bird that lives in the forest undergrowth. Above the forest, are beautiful alpine meadows, littered with rhododendron and juniper bushes and carpeted with anemones, irises and a variety of primulas. The views here are magnificent - to the west, over the cavernous Trisuli valley, stand the Himalchuli, Manaslu and Ganesh Himal peaks (7422m above sea level, whilst Langtang Himal lies just to the north. We will keep a constant lookout for Golden Eagles and Lammergeiers that may be flying overhead. 

Gosainkunda - 2 days

The spectacular Gosainkunda lake lies at 4300m above sea level. The lake is surrounded by the high Himalayas to the north and east and is sacred to adherents of both Hindu and Buddhist faiths. Here we are in Accentor country, both Altai and Alpine Accentor occur; we also stand a chance at the stunning Blue Grandala. Above we will scan the skies for Lammergeier and Himalayan Griffon. At this altitude, the beautifully marked Snow Partridge, the Snow Pigeon and Red-fronted Rosefinch all occur.

Ghopte – 2 days

From Gosainkund the trail climbs more gently through wild and rugged terrain, passing four smaller lakes before the summit of the Laurabini pass at 4602m (15,100 feet). Flocks of striking Blue Grandalas greet us beyond the pass as we descend through flower-filled pastures to rocky ravines. Here, junipers and dwarf bamboo cling to the steep boulder-strewn slopes. It is in these shrubberies near the alpine zone that we search for the highly range-restricted Gould’s Shortwing. The aptly-named Fire-tailed Myzornis is another special of this environment. Other species up here include Brown Dipper, Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler, Aberrant Bush Warbler, Fire-tailed Sunbird and the superb Golden Bush Robin. The Ghopte area also gives us another shot at the Snow Partridge and Blood Pheasant.

Magingoth & Kutumsang – 2 days

On our way to Magintoth we pass through orchid-filled oak forests and we are treated to expansive views of the east Himalyan chain. As we gently descend we will search for White-collared Blackbird, Scaly Thrush, Grey-crested Tit and any other species that we may have missed on earlier. At Kutumsang we have a chance at the Mountain Scops Owl, a small species of the Otus genus.

Chisapani – 1 day

Tonight is our final night on trek and we descend down a steep slope to Patibhanjyang. From here we climb again up to Chisapani, where we spend our last night of the trek. As we approach Chispani, the open fields hold the tricky Upland Pipit.

Burlang Bhanjang and return to Kathmandu– 1 day

An early morning climb brings us to Burlang Bhanjyang at 2400 metres or (8000 feet). This village lies atop a ridge, amongst oak and rhododendron forest. On a clear day, a stunning view of the Himalayas from Annapurna to Mount Everest presents itself here as a farewell to our mountain adventure. The birding is not yet over and as we descend through oak and then subtropical forest we will look out for Hoary-throated Barwing and Red-tailed Minla. We are likely to be entertained by vociferous groups of White-crested and White-throated Laughingthrushes, whilst Tickell`s thrushes sing from the tops of oak trees. Our transport awaits us at the edge of the Kathmandu valley. After one of the birding adventures of a lifetime we will travel by vehicle back the Kathmandu. We will reach Kathmandu in the afternoon/ early evening of day 21 of the tour.

Tour notes

Severity of Trek

This trek is designed to enable participants to enjoy the birds, plants and animals of the higher Himalayas. The trek is not strenuous, but does require 5 to 7 hours of slow walking per day. This trek reaches an altitude of 4600m at Ghopte, but as we start walking lower down a number of days earlier, there is time to acclimatize to the altitude.

Clothing & Gear requirements

Warm clothing will be important at as it cold up in the high mountains. You will need a good sleeping bag, a warm fleece jacket, gloves and of course a hat to protect against the mountain sun. Waterproof gear is recommended as the weather can be unpredictable. As it may also be sunny and warm, warm weather clothes such as shorts and t-shirts are also important. . sun blocks, chap stick, spare batteries are all important. Electricity in Dunche & Thulosyabru can be uncertain so do not rely on getting batteries or electronic equipment charged whilst on the trek. Kathmandu offers good quality outdoor gear at very good prices so there is no need to lug everything with you before you start. You can buy all of the above upon arrival in Kathmandu.

Food

Lunch and Dinner will be a blend of Nepalese, Chinese and continental. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options are available. Meals are served in the lodge restaurants. Breakfast will consist of Porridge and cereal, toast, eggs, juice and coffee. The majority of the meals will be freshly cooked.

Accomodation

Lodge or Tea house accommodation consists of basic clean rooms with beds and linen. It is advisable to bring your own sleeping bag for extra warmth, although one can be arranged upon request.

Please note:

Itinerary is subject to change based on local accommodation availability and conditions

Departures are dependent on securing a minimum number of participants