Haibung Bird Trek
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.
About this trek
Birds and Mountain — the Haibung Bird Trek — is a three-day, lodge-based birding trip on the northern edge of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. Day 1 drives from Kathmandu via Sundarijal to Haibung and a local resort; day 2 is a full day of forest walks, with morning and afternoon sessions split by a midday rest; day 3 is an early session and the return drive.
The draw is the bird list. Haibung's mid-hill broadleaf forest holds Spiny Babbler (Turdoides nipalensis), the only bird species endemic to Nepal — a target birders fly here to tick. Fire-tailed Sunbird (Aethopyga ignicauda), Yellow-billed Blue Magpie (Urocissa flavirostris), Golden Bush Robin (Tarsiger chrysaeus), and Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler (Pomatorhinus ruficollis) share the same ridge, with flowerpeckers, warblers, and Black Eagle (Ictinaetus malaiensis) on the thermals above.
Spring and summer are best; winter birding is possible but activity starts later in the day. We run small groups with a naturalist guide who can name what you're looking at, in the canopy and on the call. Forest walks run three to five hours a day on undulating trails, with no high altitude — the trip suits solo birders, families, and small groups alike.
Trip Facts
- Best season
- March–May and June–August
- Group size
- 2–8 trekkers
- Total distance
- ~15 km
- Avg walking
- 3–5 hours on undulating forest trails, split into morning and afternoon sessions
- Start / end
- Kathmandu → Kathmandu (via Sundarijal)
- Accommodation
- Local lodge at Haibung (twin/shared), 2 nights
- Guides & porters
- English-speaking naturalist birding guide (lodge-based, no porters) (estimated — operator to confirm)
- Minimum age
- 12+
Trek Highlights
- Spiny Babbler (Turdoides nipalensis) — Nepal's only endemic bird species
- Fire-tailed Sunbird (Aethopyga ignicauda) in the mid-hill broadleaf forest
- Black Eagle (Ictinaetus malaiensis) on the ridge thermals above Haibung
- Yellow-billed Blue Magpie (Urocissa flavirostris) and Long-tailed Minivet (Pericrocotus ethologus)
- Yellow-bellied (Dicaeum melanozanthum) and Fire-breasted (Dicaeum ignipectus) Flowerpeckers, plus Golden Bush Robin and Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler
- Lodge-based birding with a naturalist guide — morning chorus, midday rest, afternoon mixed flocks
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Drive from Kathmandu via Sundarijal to Haibung and settle at the lodge. An optional sunset walk along the forest edge picks up late-afternoon activity. Accommodation: Lodge.
Book a Departure
No published departures right now — get in touch and we'll set up a private date.
Upcoming Departures
Year-round
1 departureCustom and private departures available year-round on request.
What's Included
- Private transport Kathmandu–Haibung–Kathmandu (via Sundarijal)
- Lodge accommodation at Haibung (twin/shared), 2 nights
- Meals at the lodge across the trip
- English-speaking naturalist birding guide
- Post-trip bird checklist
Not Included
- Travel insurance
- Bottled drinks and beverages
- Personal expenses and tips
- Any park entry permit if required on the trails used
- Items not listed under "What's Included"
Frequently Asked Questions
Will we see the Spiny Babbler?
Spiny Babbler is resident in Haibung's scrub-and-forest mosaic and is a regular target here, but no sighting is guaranteed. We do not publish a recent-trips sighting rate — ask us for a checklist before you book.
Is this trip suitable for non-birders in the group?
Yes — the walks are short, the lodge is comfortable, and Haibung's ridge views and forest are worth the trip on their own. Bring binoculars regardless.
Best month to go?
March–May for breeding activity and song; June–August for monsoon greens and active mixed flocks. Winter works but birds get going later in the day.
What's the daily walking like?
Forest walks on undulating trails, roughly three to five hours a day, split into a morning and an afternoon session. There is no high altitude, and the lodge base means no porter loads or camp setup.
Who is this trip for?
The source describes it for solo birders, families, or small groups. The naturalist guide names species by call and in the canopy, so it works for first-timers as well as listers chasing the endemic.
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