The Indian monsoon transforms the arid plains of Rajasthan into lush green grassland — and with it comes a short, spectacular window to see one of India’s rarest and most elusive birds, the Lesser Florican. Secretive and nearly invisible for most of the year, this critically endangered member of the bustard family becomes active and visible only during the monsoon, when displaying males perform their extraordinary leaping courtship display over tall grass and farmland, springing straight up out of the vegetation to be seen and then vanishing again just as quickly.

The grasslands of Sonkhaliya, a short drive from Ajmer, are the undisputed stronghold for this display, and this tour is built entirely around giving you the best possible chance of seeing it. Alongside the florican, the same monsoon-flushed grassland and farmland habitat holds a superb supporting cast of species that also become active and vocal only in this season — Rock Bush Quail and Rain Quail calling from the fields, Painted Francolin, Indian Eagle Owl and Indian Nightjar, along with wetland species such as Pheasant-tailed and Bronze-winged Jacana, and the ever-colourful Indian Pitta.

This is a tightly focused, high-value short break — ideal for birders chasing this single spectacular species, or as an add-on to a wider Rajasthan or North India birding circuit.