Arrive at Delhi International Airport and transfer to your hotel. If time permits, we will enjoy an introductory birding session around the hotel grounds or a nearby city forest.
Early morning visit to Sultanpur National Park. Targets: Indian and Little Cormorant, Purple Heron, Greylag Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Pochard, Indian Spot-billed Duck, Northern Shoveler, Graceful Prinia, Zitting Cisticola, Oriental Skylark, Greater Short-toed Lark, and Ashy-crowned Sparrow-lark. After birding, we drive to Tal Chhapar.
Morning and afternoon Jeep safaris in the grasslands. Targets: Knob-billed Duck, Black and Grey Francolin, Greater Flamingo, Red-collared Dove, Yellow-footed Green-pigeon, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Wood Sandpiper, Common Redshank, Red-naped Ibis, Tawny Eagle, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Red-necked Falcon, Great Grey Shrike, White-eyed Buzzard, Sykes’s Warbler, Small Buttonquail, Indian Spotted Creeper, and White-browed Fantail.
Travel to Khichan. Afternoon visit to the famous Demoiselle Crane feeding grounds. Look for thousands of Demoiselle Cranes, Desert and Variable Wheatears, Lesser Whitethroat, Crested Lark, Laggar Falcon, Greater Spotted Eagle, and Long-legged Buzzard.
After morning birding at the Pakshi Chugga Ghar (feeding station), we drive to the golden city of Jaisalmer. Afternoon birding near the hotel or local watering holes.
Two full days exploring the vast Desert National Park. The primary target is the Great Indian Bustard. Other sightings include Yellow-wattled, Sociable, and White-tailed Lapwings, Spotted Owlet, Short-eared Owl, Eurasian Eagle-owl, Rock Eagle-owl, Northern Wryneck, Water Pipit, and the rare Crested Bunting.
A full-day transit to Jalore.
Morning and afternoon Jeep safaris through rocky hills and scrub. Targets: Indian Vulture, Indian Thick-knee, Rock Bush-quail, Painted Sandgrouse, Sirkeer Malkoha, White-bellied Minivet (Rare), and Large Grey Babbler. Mammal targets: Leopard, Indian Gazelle (Chinkara), Desert Fox, and Asiatic Wildcat.
Drive to the hill station of Mount Abu. Targets: Green Munia (endemic), Oriental Honey-buzzard, Changeable Hawk-eagle, Plum-headed Parakeet, Spot-breasted Fantail, Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher, Indian Scimitar-babbler, and Grey-necked Bunting.
Morning drive to the Little Rann. Safari highlights include the Asiatic Wild Ass (Khur), Blackbuck, Desert Fox, and Wolf. Bird targets: Macqueen’s (Houbara) Bustard, Greater Hoopoe-lark, Steppe Eagle, Imperial Eagle, and thousands of flamingos and waterfowl.
Morning safari followed by a drive to Bhuj/Nakhatrana.
Full day in the Banni Grasslands. Look for Grey Hypocolius (rare winter visitor), various eagles, and diverse harriers. Mammals include the Golden Jackal and Bengal Fox.
Visit the Abdasa grasslands for the Great Indian Bustard and Lesser Florican (seasonal). Also look for White-browed Bushchat, Stoliczka’s Bushchat, and various Coursers and Plovers.
Morning birding followed by a drive to Ahmedabad Airport for your onward flight.