Birding in Nepal

A 16-day expedition through four eastern-Nepal habitats — Phulchowki above Kathmandu, Sindhuli Gadi, the Koshi Tappu wetland, and the Ilam hills — tracking red panda (Ailurus fulgens, IUCN Endangered) alongside resident and migratory birds including Sultan Tit (Melanochlora sultanea). Naturalist-led, small group, starts and ends in Kathmandu. Red panda sightings are not guaranteed.

Urban Birds of Kathmandu is a flexible half-day to multi-day birding outing run inside the valley — forest edges, farmland, creeks, and scrub slopes 15–40 minutes from the city. Targets include the Spiny Babbler (Turdoides nipalensis), the only bird endemic to Nepal. Naturalist-led, with a post-trip checklist, using the Kathmandu-based bird guides we work with year-round.

A one-day naturalist-led bird walk on the southern edge of the Kathmandu Valley — Godawari Community Forest at the base, with an optional second day climbing Phulchauki Hill (2,760 m). Subtropical and temperate forest; over 300 species recorded on the hill, 100+ logged on past single days. Max-8 group, led by a licensed birder. Sunday–Friday departures.

A 3-day birding trip from Kathmandu to Haibung, on the northern edge of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. The mid-hill broadleaf forest holds Spiny Babbler (Turdoides nipalensis) — Nepal's only endemic bird — alongside Fire-tailed Sunbird and a dozen other target species. Small group, naturalist-led, based at one local lodge with morning and afternoon forest walks.

A walk-in birding trek through Langtang National Park, north of Kathmandu, with habitats running from riverside creeks to alpine pass. Park records list 380 bird species, ten of them globally threatened. The route names Ibisbill (Ibidorhyncha struthersii) on the Langtang Khola and crosses to Gosainkunda. Naturalist-led, locally-owned teahouses, IPPG-aligned porters.

Wings on Migration is a 10-day bird tour from Kathmandu through Pokhara to Chitwan, working three habitats — Godawari forest edge, the Pokhara valley rim, and the Chitwan lowland grassland — during the November–March migration window. Targets include the Critically Endangered Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis) and Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indicus). Max-10 group, naturalist-led, vehicle-based.

A 16-day birding circuit from Kathmandu's Phulchauki rim through the Annapurna mid-hills — Kande, Ghandruk, Ulleri — down to Chitwan's sal forest and oxbow wetlands. Mixed broadleaf and cloud forest above 2,000 m; sal and grassland on the Terai floor. Max-8 group, naturalist-led, with a post-trip species list compiled from the trip leader's records.