Species & Habitats

Birding in Western India

Rajasthan's deserts and grasslands, Gujarat's wetlands and salt flats — western India is one of the great wintering grounds for migratory birds on earth. This is a long, slow expedition across ecosystems, following the light and the flocks from the Thar to the Rann, and moving at the pace the birds set.

The journey

An Introduction

Over two to three weeks we move between desert, grassland, wetland and estuary — photographing cranes at Keechan, raptors across the Thar, flamingos on the Rann and the winter visitors that gather at Bharatpur and Chambal. The itinerary is built for serious birders: early starts, long drives, and the kind of time that lets a landscape reveal itself.

You may photograph

Highlight Species

Demoiselle Crane
Peregrine Falcon
Steppe Eagle
Common Crane
Greater Flamingo
Short-eared Owl
Trumpeter Finch
Rosy Starling

Rhythm

Number of Nights Recommended

Minimum of 14–21 nights — the longest of our species journeys, and the only way to cover the range of ecosystems honestly.

Season

Best Time to Visit

December to March, the peak of the winter migratory season across western India.

Where we go

Best Areas to Explore

Little Rann of Kutch
Greater Rann of Kutch
Chambal
Bharatpur
Jamnagar
Desert National Park
Keechan

Plan your journey

Plan a western India birding journey with us

Travel with our naturalist across the deserts, wetlands and coastlines of western India — on an expedition shaped around your dates, your stamina and the species you most want in the viewfinder.

Enquiries