We’re delighted you’re considering this special Himalayan birding trip with us. This itinerary has been carefully designed to showcase the incredible birdlife and landscapes of Kumaon Himalaya during the peak winter season.

This tour combines three of Uttarakhand’s finest birding destinations — Sattal, Munsyari and Darma Valley — offering an exceptional diversity of habitats ranging from lush mid-elevation oak forests to remote Himalayan valleys near the Indo-Tibetan Himalaya.

Sattal, located amidst dense oak-pine forests and freshwater lakes, is one of North India’s richest birding hotspots with more than 500 recorded bird species. Winter transforms these forests into a paradise for birders as a variety of winter visitors arrive from higher elevations, joining the rich resident birdlife. Birding here includes productive forest trails, bird hide sessions, lakeside habitats, and riverine exploration. Species such as thrushes, finches, grosbeaks, warblers, tits, woodpeckers, laughing thrushes, and raptors are often encountered during this season.

As we move higher into the mountains towards Munsyari, the scenery changes dramatically. Surrounded by the magnificent Panchachuli peaks, Munsyari offers birding across terraced farms, rhododendron forests, conifer slopes, river valleys, and lower alpine habitats. Winter birding here can be particularly rewarding as many species descend from higher elevations in search of food and milder conditions. The region supports species such as Himalayan Monal, various woodpeckers, rosefinches, accentors, finches, and several Himalayan passerines. Mammals like Himalayan Goral, Yellow-throated Marten, Barking Deer, Himalayan Weasel, Golden Jackal, and occasionally Red Fox may also be encountered.

The final section of the tour takes us into the Darma Valley — one of Kumaon’s most scenic and less explored Himalayan valleys. The valley holds pristine riverine forests, rocky slopes, traditional villages, and lower-elevation wintering habitats that support a remarkable range of Himalayan birds. Winter often concentrates birdlife at accessible elevations, creating excellent opportunities to observe and photograph a variety of specialties. Species such as Snow Pigeon, Himalayan Griffon, Accentors, Rosefinches, Redstarts, Wallcreeper, and various warblers can be encountered depending on weather conditions and accessibility.

Together, these three destinations create an extraordinary birding experience covering an impressive range of ecosystems and wildlife — from colorful forest birds and wintering thrushes to elusive pheasants, raptors, and many more — all while enjoying breathtaking mountain scenery, peaceful forest trails, remote valleys, and authentic village landscapes.