Sattal Birding Tour: 2 Nights / 3 Days
Sattal Birding Tour: 2 Nights / 3 Days
No. of days
3
Trip Type
#
Activity Level
Moderate
Experiences
Best time
October to April
Region
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Overview
If you’re short on time but want to experience the magic of Himalayan birding, our 2 Nights / 3 Days Sattal Winter Birding Tour is the perfect choice for you. Designed especially for birders who are usually busy in their day to day life and also for those birdwatchers who want to have a good birding experience in a short duration. This compact itinerary lets you see more birds in less time without compromising on the quality of the experience.
Sattal, located in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, is not only one of the most popular birding hotspots of Uttarakhand but also one of the top birdwatching places in India. Just 6 hours drive from Delhi or an hour’s drive from Kathgodam railway station, it is easily accessible and suitable for all ages and all kinds of birders — right from beginners picking up their binoculars for the first time to seasoned and professional photographers chasing lifers. What makes this tour even better is that it can be arranged at very short notice, making it an ideal quick getaway for weekends or short holidays.
The landscape here is a paradise for birdwatchers. Within a small area, Sattal offers diverse habitats:
- Chanfi – River and stream habitats where species like forktails, kingfishers, and dippers thrive.
- Ramgarh- Dense oak and rhododendron forests, home to woodpeckers, laughingthrushes, tits, and a variety of warblers.
- Ranikhet- Pine forests and hillsides, where high-altitude specialties like the Cheer Pheasant, Himalayan Prinia and Upland Pipit can be found.
- And of course, the exclusive bird hides of Sattal, which offer unmatched opportunities for photography of small passerines and colorful Himalayan species.
One of the biggest attractions of this tour is the chance to see rarities and Himalayan birds, such as the Cheer Pheasant (critically endangered), the elusive Koklass Pheasant, and the high-altitude Upland Pipit. Added to this, birders often encounter a delightful mix of more common yet equally stunning species like barbets, woodpeckers, rosefinches, laughingthrushes, owls, and raptors.
In just two nights and three days, we will cover Sattal’s best hides, river trails, oak forests, and nearby birding hotspots like Ranikhet, Chanfi, and Ramgarh — ensuring that every moment of this short trip is filled with birding action. Whether you’re a photographer hoping for close-up shots or a birder wanting to add lifers to your checklist, this winter tour has something for everyone.
With the backdrop of crisp winter air, peaceful lakes, and the call of Himalayan birds echoing through the valleys, the Sattal Winter Birding Tour offers a refreshing escape into nature that is easy to access, rich in species, and immensely rewarding.
Preferred Tour Season
November – March offers optimal conditions for winter birding in Sattal and its surrounding areas.
Image Galllery
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Hide Session - Evening Birding in Chanfi
Morning: Upon your early morning arrival in Sattal, we’ll head straight for an exciting hide session. This allows for excellent photographic opportunities and close-up views of species such as the Black Francolin, Common Green Magpie, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler, Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush, Great Barbet, Blue-throated Barbet, Russet Sparrow, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, and Common Rosefinch.
Evening: We’ll explore the Chanfi region (Sattal Vicinity), known for its nocturnal and waterside birds. Here, we’ll search for the Asian Barred Owlet, Brown Fish Owl, and Tawny Fish Owl, along with waterbirds like the Crested Kingfisher, Slaty-backed Forktail, Little Forktail, and Spotted Forktail. Smaller birds like various tits and warblers are also commonly seen.
Day 2: Ranikhet for Pheasants - Evening Birding in Ramgarh
Morning: We’ll visit Ranikhet, a key location for some of the region’s most sought-after species. Our primary targets will be the critically endangered Cheer Pheasant and the elusive Koklass Pheasant. We’ll also keep an eye out for other high-altitude species like the Himalayan Prinia and Upland Pipit.
Evening: Our focus shifts to Ramgarh, a fantastic spot for a variety of forest high-altitude birds. Expect to encounter species such as the Black-chinned Babbler, Black-faced Warbler, Collared Owlet, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Himalayan Woodpecker, Mountain Bulbul, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Black-throated Tit, Striated Laughingthrush, Buff-barred Warbler, and Ashy-throated Warbler, among many other small passerines.
Day 3: Sattal Bend Area Trail & Departure
Morning: We’ll explore the renowned Sattal Bend area trail, a productive habitat for a diverse range of birds. This trail offers chances to spot the Gray-winged Blackbird, Brown-fronted Woodpecker, Red Junglefowl, Rufous-bellied Niltava, White-throated Laughingthrush, Speckled Piculet, and Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike. There’s also a possibility of sighting raptors like the Mountain Hawk-Eagle, as well as the Orange-bellied Leafbird, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, and Himalayan Parakeet.
Afternoon: After a rewarding morning of birding, we will facilitate your departure from Sattal.
No. of days
3
Trip Type
#
Activity Level
Moderate
Experiences
Best time
October to April
Region
Overview
If you’re short on time but want to experience the magic of Himalayan birding, our 2 Nights / 3 Days Sattal Winter Birding Tour is the perfect choice for you. Designed especially for birders who are usually busy in their day to day life and also for those birdwatchers who want to have a good birding experience in a short duration. This compact itinerary lets you see more birds in less time without compromising on the quality of the experience.
Sattal, located in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, is not only one of the most popular birding hotspots of Uttarakhand but also one of the top birdwatching places in India. Just 6 hours drive from Delhi or an hour’s drive from Kathgodam railway station, it is easily accessible and suitable for all ages and all kinds of birders — right from beginners picking up their binoculars for the first time to seasoned and professional photographers chasing lifers. What makes this tour even better is that it can be arranged at very short notice, making it an ideal quick getaway for weekends or short holidays.
The landscape here is a paradise for birdwatchers. Within a small area, Sattal offers diverse habitats:
- Chanfi – River and stream habitats where species like forktails, kingfishers, and dippers thrive.
- Ramgarh- Dense oak and rhododendron forests, home to woodpeckers, laughingthrushes, tits, and a variety of warblers.
- Ranikhet- Pine forests and hillsides, where high-altitude specialties like the Cheer Pheasant, Himalayan Prinia and Upland Pipit can be found.
- And of course, the exclusive bird hides of Sattal, which offer unmatched opportunities for photography of small passerines and colorful Himalayan species.
One of the biggest attractions of this tour is the chance to see rarities and Himalayan birds, such as the Cheer Pheasant (critically endangered), the elusive Koklass Pheasant, and the high-altitude Upland Pipit. Added to this, birders often encounter a delightful mix of more common yet equally stunning species like barbets, woodpeckers, rosefinches, laughingthrushes, owls, and raptors.
In just two nights and three days, we will cover Sattal’s best hides, river trails, oak forests, and nearby birding hotspots like Ranikhet, Chanfi, and Ramgarh — ensuring that every moment of this short trip is filled with birding action. Whether you’re a photographer hoping for close-up shots or a birder wanting to add lifers to your checklist, this winter tour has something for everyone.
With the backdrop of crisp winter air, peaceful lakes, and the call of Himalayan birds echoing through the valleys, the Sattal Winter Birding Tour offers a refreshing escape into nature that is easy to access, rich in species, and immensely rewarding.
Preferred Tour Season
November – March offers optimal conditions for winter birding in Sattal and its surrounding areas.
Image Galllery
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Hide Session - Evening Birding in Chanfi
Morning: Upon your early morning arrival in Sattal, we’ll head straight for an exciting hide session. This allows for excellent photographic opportunities and close-up views of species such as the Black Francolin, Common Green Magpie, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler, Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush, Great Barbet, Blue-throated Barbet, Russet Sparrow, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, and Common Rosefinch.
Evening: We’ll explore the Chanfi region (Sattal Vicinity), known for its nocturnal and waterside birds. Here, we’ll search for the Asian Barred Owlet, Brown Fish Owl, and Tawny Fish Owl, along with waterbirds like the Crested Kingfisher, Slaty-backed Forktail, Little Forktail, and Spotted Forktail. Smaller birds like various tits and warblers are also commonly seen.
Day 2: Ranikhet for Pheasants - Evening Birding in Ramgarh
Morning: We’ll visit Ranikhet, a key location for some of the region’s most sought-after species. Our primary targets will be the critically endangered Cheer Pheasant and the elusive Koklass Pheasant. We’ll also keep an eye out for other high-altitude species like the Himalayan Prinia and Upland Pipit.
Evening: Our focus shifts to Ramgarh, a fantastic spot for a variety of forest high-altitude birds. Expect to encounter species such as the Black-chinned Babbler, Black-faced Warbler, Collared Owlet, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Himalayan Woodpecker, Mountain Bulbul, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Black-throated Tit, Striated Laughingthrush, Buff-barred Warbler, and Ashy-throated Warbler, among many other small passerines.
Day 3: Sattal Bend Area Trail & Departure
Morning: We’ll explore the renowned Sattal Bend area trail, a productive habitat for a diverse range of birds. This trail offers chances to spot the Gray-winged Blackbird, Brown-fronted Woodpecker, Red Junglefowl, Rufous-bellied Niltava, White-throated Laughingthrush, Speckled Piculet, and Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike. There’s also a possibility of sighting raptors like the Mountain Hawk-Eagle, as well as the Orange-bellied Leafbird, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, and Himalayan Parakeet.
Afternoon: After a rewarding morning of birding, we will facilitate your departure from Sattal.
