Desert National Park & Tal Chappar Birding Tour 7N/8D
Desert National Park & Tal Chappar Birding Tour 7N/8D
No. of days
8
Trip Type
#
Activity Level
Moderate
Experiences
Best time
October to April
Region
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Overview
Rajasthan, the northwestern state of India, is rich in history and culture, where royal heritage is visible not only in its grand palaces and monuments but also in its wildlife. The animals and birds here carry a certain regal charm that makes this region truly special. This tour offers you the chance to explore some of the finest birdwatching spots in Rajasthan.
Beyond the famous forts and bustling markets, Rajasthan holds a treasure trove for birders. The open grasslands of Tal Chappar are home to large herds of Blackbuck and a remarkable variety of arid-zone birds such as the Indian Spotted Creeper, Yellow-eyed Pigeon, and numerous species of larks and raptors.
One of the standout experiences of the tour is Kheechan, a village famous for the thousands of Demoiselle Cranes that migrate here each year. For generations, local people have fed the cranes, making this stop a vital refueling station and a breathtaking sight to behold.
Further west Rajasthan, near the Pakistan border- Desert National Park (DNP) is home to endangered species like the Great Indian Bustard, Macqueen’s Bustard, Red-necked Falcon, and Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Wintering eagles and harriers add to the spectacular birding opportunities here. The Desert National Park was given international recognition in 1980 and spans 3,162 square kilometers in Jaisalmer city. It is an identified listing to the UNESCO World Heritage List and a Significant Wildlife Region.
DNP occupies one of the country’s biggest and wealthiest desert and semi-arid areas, with a variety of habitats including grasslands, sand dunes, scrublands, farms, water bodies, and rocky terrains. It offers a rich variety of birdlife, attracting both resident and migratory species. Raptors like the Short-toed Snake Eagle, Tawny Eagle, Greater and Indian Spotted Eagles, and several falcons are commonly seen, alongside sandgrouse by the park’s water bodies. Most notably, this park is one of the last strongholds for the Great Indian Bustard—a magnificent bird now critically endangered with fewer than 150+ left in the wild.
Trip Highlights
- Spot rare birds and raptors: Great Indian Bustard, Macqueen’s Bustard, Indian Spotted Creeper, Demoiselle Crane, Red-necked Falcon, Black-bellied Sandgrouse.
- Discover desert mammals: Blackbuck, Chinkara, Desert Fox, Desert Cat.
- Safari through historic sites: Tal Chappar grasslands, Bikaner Jorbeer Vulture Reserve, Kheechan village, Desert National Park.
- Visit Kheechan to witness thousands of Demoiselle Cranes and experience local traditions.
- Witness huge vulture congregations and diverse raptor species in Jorbeer.
- Experience migratory and resident desert birdlife: Yellow-eyed Pigeon, Long-tailed Shrike, Great Grey Shrike, Hoopoe-Lark, Trumpeter Finch, Cream-coloured Courser, Merlin.
- Enjoy expert-guided safaris, bird photography, and immersive sessions in varied habitats.
- Experience Rajasthan’s vibrant culture, fort cities, and local hospitality
Image Galllery
Itinerary
Day 1 – Delhi Arrival & Transfer to Tal Chappar
We will pick you up at Delhi Airport. From there, we will travel approximately 7 hours (370 km) to Tal Chappar Sanctuary, entering unique grassland and desert habitats. After checking in and relaxing, we will enjoy an evening birding walk.
Key species: Indian Spotted Creeper, Yellow-eyed Pigeon, Great Grey Shrike, Long-tailed Shrike, Desert Wheatear.
Overnight in Tal Chappar.
Day 2 – Full-day Birding in Tal Chappar Sanctuary
Today, we will explore Tal Chappar’s grassland trails, spotting a remarkable diversity of arid-zone birds and mammals.
Key species: Red-necked Falcon, Greater Spotted Eagle, Pallid Harrier, Montagu’s Harrier, Western Marsh Harrier, Blackbuck, Chinkara.
Overnight in Tal Chappar.
Day 3 – Morning Birding & Transfer to Bikaner
We will start the day with morning birding at Tal Chappar, focusing on major arid-region species. After lunch, we will drive to Bikaner and visit the Jorbeer Conservation Reserve for vulture and raptor, where we hope to capture impressive mixed flocks and rare birds.
Key species: Cinereous, Griffon, Indian, Egyptian, and Red-headed Vultures; Indian Eagle-Owl; Montagu’s and Pallid Harrier; White-eyed Buzzard; Laggar Falcon; Water and Buff-bellied Pipits; Greater Short-toed and Bimaculated Larks.
Overnight in Bikaner.
Day 4 – Kheechan Cranes & Travel to Jaisalmer
We will visit Kheechan village in the morning to witness the spectacular Demoiselle Crane migration, where thousands of cranes gather for feeding—a magical sight and a photographer’s dream.
Key species: Demoiselle Crane, Indian Peafowl.
Later, we will continue our journey to Jaisalmer, the gateway to Desert National Park. We will arrive in the afternoon, enjoy lunch, and take some time to rest. In the evening, we will explore the vibrant city of Jaisalmer, immersing ourselves in its rich culture and historic charm.
Overnight at Jaisalmer.
Day 5 – Birding in Desert National Park
Today, we will enjoy a full-day safari in Desert National Park, exploring sand dunes, scrub, and grassland habitats that support a variety of arid-zone birds and mammals.
Key species: Great Indian Bustard, Macqueen’s Bustard, Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark, Desert Lark, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Desert Wheatear.
Overnight at DNP.
Day 6 – Desert National Park Explorations
We will spend another day in Desert National Park with morning and evening safaris, focusing on Critically Endangered Great Indian Bustard (one of the largest and heaviest birds in the world. Weighing upto 16 to18 Kg. only 150+ individuals left) along with other specialties such as Cream-coloured Courser, Greater Hoopoe-Lark, White-browed Bush Chat, Red-tailed Wheatear, Plain Leaf Warbler, Trumpeter Finch, and more.
Overnight at DNP.
Day 7 – Desert National Park Birding
Today, we will dedicate our time to targeted birding across the park’s diverse habitats, maximizing chances to spot arid specialists and migratory winter visitors.
Key species: Macqueen’s Bustard, Red-tailed Wheatear, Spotted Sandgrouse, Merlin,
Overnight at DNP.
Day 8 – Final Birding & Departure to Jodhpur
After an early morning birding session in Desert National Park, we will transfer to Jodhpur (approximately 5.5 hours/325 km) for your onward flight to Delhi or further connections, taking home memories and stunning photographs of Rajasthan’s avian treasures.
No. of days
8
Trip Type
#
Activity Level
Moderate
Experiences
Best time
October to April
Region
Overview
Rajasthan, the northwestern state of India, is rich in history and culture, where royal heritage is visible not only in its grand palaces and monuments but also in its wildlife. The animals and birds here carry a certain regal charm that makes this region truly special. This tour offers you the chance to explore some of the finest birdwatching spots in Rajasthan.
Beyond the famous forts and bustling markets, Rajasthan holds a treasure trove for birders. The open grasslands of Tal Chappar are home to large herds of Blackbuck and a remarkable variety of arid-zone birds such as the Indian Spotted Creeper, Yellow-eyed Pigeon, and numerous species of larks and raptors.
One of the standout experiences of the tour is Kheechan, a village famous for the thousands of Demoiselle Cranes that migrate here each year. For generations, local people have fed the cranes, making this stop a vital refueling station and a breathtaking sight to behold.
Further west Rajasthan, near the Pakistan border- Desert National Park (DNP) is home to endangered species like the Great Indian Bustard, Macqueen’s Bustard, Red-necked Falcon, and Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Wintering eagles and harriers add to the spectacular birding opportunities here. The Desert National Park was given international recognition in 1980 and spans 3,162 square kilometers in Jaisalmer city. It is an identified listing to the UNESCO World Heritage List and a Significant Wildlife Region.
DNP occupies one of the country’s biggest and wealthiest desert and semi-arid areas, with a variety of habitats including grasslands, sand dunes, scrublands, farms, water bodies, and rocky terrains. It offers a rich variety of birdlife, attracting both resident and migratory species. Raptors like the Short-toed Snake Eagle, Tawny Eagle, Greater and Indian Spotted Eagles, and several falcons are commonly seen, alongside sandgrouse by the park’s water bodies. Most notably, this park is one of the last strongholds for the Great Indian Bustard—a magnificent bird now critically endangered with fewer than 150+ left in the wild.
Trip Highlights
- Spot rare birds and raptors: Great Indian Bustard, Macqueen’s Bustard, Indian Spotted Creeper, Demoiselle Crane, Red-necked Falcon, Black-bellied Sandgrouse.
- Discover desert mammals: Blackbuck, Chinkara, Desert Fox, Desert Cat.
- Safari through historic sites: Tal Chappar grasslands, Bikaner Jorbeer Vulture Reserve, Kheechan village, Desert National Park.
- Visit Kheechan to witness thousands of Demoiselle Cranes and experience local traditions.
- Witness huge vulture congregations and diverse raptor species in Jorbeer.
- Experience migratory and resident desert birdlife: Yellow-eyed Pigeon, Long-tailed Shrike, Great Grey Shrike, Hoopoe-Lark, Trumpeter Finch, Cream-coloured Courser, Merlin.
- Enjoy expert-guided safaris, bird photography, and immersive sessions in varied habitats.
- Experience Rajasthan’s vibrant culture, fort cities, and local hospitality
Image Galllery
Itinerary
Day 1 – Delhi Arrival & Transfer to Tal Chappar
We will pick you up at Delhi Airport. From there, we will travel approximately 7 hours (370 km) to Tal Chappar Sanctuary, entering unique grassland and desert habitats. After checking in and relaxing, we will enjoy an evening birding walk.
Key species: Indian Spotted Creeper, Yellow-eyed Pigeon, Great Grey Shrike, Long-tailed Shrike, Desert Wheatear.
Overnight in Tal Chappar.
Day 2 – Full-day Birding in Tal Chappar Sanctuary
Today, we will explore Tal Chappar’s grassland trails, spotting a remarkable diversity of arid-zone birds and mammals.
Key species: Red-necked Falcon, Greater Spotted Eagle, Pallid Harrier, Montagu’s Harrier, Western Marsh Harrier, Blackbuck, Chinkara.
Overnight in Tal Chappar.
Day 3 – Morning Birding & Transfer to Bikaner
We will start the day with morning birding at Tal Chappar, focusing on major arid-region species. After lunch, we will drive to Bikaner and visit the Jorbeer Conservation Reserve for vulture and raptor, where we hope to capture impressive mixed flocks and rare birds.
Key species: Cinereous, Griffon, Indian, Egyptian, and Red-headed Vultures; Indian Eagle-Owl; Montagu’s and Pallid Harrier; White-eyed Buzzard; Laggar Falcon; Water and Buff-bellied Pipits; Greater Short-toed and Bimaculated Larks.
Overnight in Bikaner.
Day 4 – Kheechan Cranes & Travel to Jaisalmer
We will visit Kheechan village in the morning to witness the spectacular Demoiselle Crane migration, where thousands of cranes gather for feeding—a magical sight and a photographer’s dream.
Key species: Demoiselle Crane, Indian Peafowl.
Later, we will continue our journey to Jaisalmer, the gateway to Desert National Park. We will arrive in the afternoon, enjoy lunch, and take some time to rest. In the evening, we will explore the vibrant city of Jaisalmer, immersing ourselves in its rich culture and historic charm.
Overnight at Jaisalmer.
Day 5 – Birding in Desert National Park
Today, we will enjoy a full-day safari in Desert National Park, exploring sand dunes, scrub, and grassland habitats that support a variety of arid-zone birds and mammals.
Key species: Great Indian Bustard, Macqueen’s Bustard, Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark, Desert Lark, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Desert Wheatear.
Overnight at DNP.
Day 6 – Desert National Park Explorations
We will spend another day in Desert National Park with morning and evening safaris, focusing on Critically Endangered Great Indian Bustard (one of the largest and heaviest birds in the world. Weighing upto 16 to18 Kg. only 150+ individuals left) along with other specialties such as Cream-coloured Courser, Greater Hoopoe-Lark, White-browed Bush Chat, Red-tailed Wheatear, Plain Leaf Warbler, Trumpeter Finch, and more.
Overnight at DNP.
Day 7 – Desert National Park Birding
Today, we will dedicate our time to targeted birding across the park’s diverse habitats, maximizing chances to spot arid specialists and migratory winter visitors.
Key species: Macqueen’s Bustard, Red-tailed Wheatear, Spotted Sandgrouse, Merlin,
Overnight at DNP.
Day 8 – Final Birding & Departure to Jodhpur
After an early morning birding session in Desert National Park, we will transfer to Jodhpur (approximately 5.5 hours/325 km) for your onward flight to Delhi or further connections, taking home memories and stunning photographs of Rajasthan’s avian treasures.
