The Western Tragopan

ITINERARY:
Day 1: Depart for Delhi

Day 2 Delhi - Kalka
On arrival in Delhi we will be met and transferred to our hotel for the overnight stay on immediate occupancy basis. Early in the morning, we will visit the Okhla barrage for birding. In the afternoon we will transfer to the train station in time to board the overnight train to Kalka. On arrival we will check-in to our hotel for over night stay.

Day 3: Kalka-Narkanda
This morning we will drive to Narkanda (7-hour drive) stopping enroute for birding. On arrival in Narkanda, we will check into our hotel for overnight stay.

Day 4: Narkanda - Sangla
This morning we will drive to Sangla (2900 metres; 6-hour drive) through the breathtaking gorges of the Greater Himalayas. We will bird around Sangla in the evening. We will be in the tents overnight.

Day 5: Sangla
We will do a day journey to Chitkul this morning (2-hour drive) stopping for birding enroute. Chitkul is the last inhabited village surrounded by green fields and High Mountain peaks. We will stay in the tents overnight.

Day 6: Sangla
We will walk around Sangla and Fort Kamru birding along the way. We will stay in the tents overnight.

Day 7: Sangla - Sarahan
We will drive to Sarahan this morning (1920 metres; 4-hour drive), which is a beautiful village surrounded by apple orchards. We will spend rest of the day birding around. We will also visit a pheasant-breeding centre. We will be at the hotel overnight.

Day 8: Sarahan - Tirthan Valley
We will drive to Goshaini this morning (3000 metres; 8-hour drive) via Jalori pass and Shoja. The access to Shoja winds through thick forests, alpine trees that provide an untouched habitat. We will arrive at lunch and later in the afternoon take a walk on the forest-logging road into pristine pheasant country. We will stay at the hotel overnight.

Day 9: Tirthan Valley
We will walk towards the Great Himalayan National Park this morning. In the afternoon we will walk downstream along River Tirthan. We will stay at the hotel overnight.

Day 10: Tirthan & Banjar Valley
A day visit to Bahu and Jibhi for birding is scheduled for today. We will stay at the hotel overnight.

Day 11: Tirthan Valley - Delhi
We will drive to Bhuntar this morning (3-hour drive) in time to connect our flight to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi, we will be met and transferred to our hotel for overnight stay.

Day 12: Delhi - Onward Destination
We will visit the Delhi zoo for birding in the morning. Afternoon is free for individual activities. Later in the evening we will transfer to the international airport in time to connect our flight to onward destination.

Pre Departure Extension:

Day2 Delhi - Amritsar
This morning we will transfer to the station in time to connect to our train to Amritsar. On arrival we will check-in to our hotel for over-night stay. Afternoon we will visit the Golden Temple.

Day 3 Amritsar
This morning we will drive to Harike Bird sanctuary for a full day birding in this lake.

Day 4 Amritsar - Chandigarh
This morning we will drive to Chandigarh (7 hrs). On arrival we will check-in to our hotel for over night stay. Next morning we will drive to Narkanda to join our main program.