Elevation: Kathmandu – 1,400 m (4,593 ft)
Habitat: Kathmandu Valley, urban areas, gardens, and surrounding hills
Birding Focus: Introduction to Nepal’s birdlife and tour briefing

Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, where you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel.

After check-in and some time to relax, meet your birding guide for a short tour briefing. Review the upcoming itinerary, birding locations, transportation arrangements, and photography opportunities.

If time permits, enjoy a short introductory birding session around the hotel or nearby green areas. This can provide your first opportunity to observe common Kathmandu Valley birds before the main birding activities begin.

Overnight: Kathmandu
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner as per package
Elevation: 1,400 m (4,593 ft)

Elevation: Kathmandu – 1,400 m (4,593 ft) | Pokhara – 822 m (2,697 ft)
Distance: Approximately 200 km by road
Travel Time: 25–30 minutes by flight or 6–8 hours by private vehicle
Habitat: Mid-hill forests, agricultural landscapes, river valleys

Your Nepal Raptor Migration Tour begins with a scenic journey from Kathmandu to Pokhara, an ideal base for exploring Nepal’s Himalayan foothills and bird-rich habitats.

Travel by domestic flight or private vehicle, enjoying spectacular Himalayan views and changing landscapes along the way. After arriving in Pokhara, settle into your hotel and prepare your binoculars, spotting scope, cameras, and field guides for the upcoming birding days.

During the migration season, the surrounding foothills and forests can provide opportunities to observe raptors such as Steppe Eagle, Black Eagle, Oriental Honey-buzzard, Crested Serpent Eagle, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Besra, Common Kestrel, and Himalayan Vulture, depending on weather and seasonal conditions.

If time permits, an optional evening birding session can be arranged around suitable habitats near Pokhara.

Overnight: Pokhara
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner as per package
Elevation: 822 m (2,697 ft)

Elevation: Approximately 1,500–2,000 m (4,921–6,562 ft)
Habitat: Himalayan foothill forest, open slopes, ridges, and agricultural landscapes
Birding Focus: Raptor migration and Himalayan forest birds

After breakfast, travel from Pokhara toward the Thoolakharka area, an important location for observing raptors moving along the Himalayan foothills. As you gain elevation, the landscape changes from lowland valleys to forested slopes, open ridges, and traditional farmland.

After settling into the area, begin an afternoon birding session depending on weather and raptor activity. The surrounding ridges and open areas provide opportunities to scan the sky for migrating birds of prey, while the forests may produce a variety of resident Himalayan species.

Keep your binoculars, spotting scope, and camera ready, as raptor activity can vary considerably with wind, temperature, and weather conditions.

Overnight: Thoolakharka area
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Elevation: Approximately 1,500–2,000 m (4,921–6,562 ft)

Elevation: Approximately 1,500–2,000 m (4,921–6,562 ft)
Habitat: Forested ridges, open slopes, Himalayan foothills
Birding Focus: Raptor migration and soaring birds

Spend the entire day at the Thoolakharka raptor migration watchsite, scanning the skies and surrounding ridges for migrating birds of prey. The morning and late afternoon can be particularly productive as thermals and favorable winds encourage raptors to soar along the Himalayan foothills.

With a spotting scope and binoculars, watch for species such as Steppe Eagle, Black Eagle, Oriental Honey-buzzard, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Besra, Common Kestrel, and Himalayan Vulture, along with other resident and migrating raptors.

The day will be dedicated to patient observation, photography, species identification, and recording raptor movements. Bird activity will depend on weather, wind, thermals, and seasonal migration patterns.

Overnight: Thoolakharka area
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Elevation: Approximately 1,500–2,000 m (4,921–6,562 ft)

Elevation: Thoolakharka – approximately 1,500–2,000 m (4,921–6,562 ft) | Pokhara – 822 m (2,697 ft)
Habitat: Himalayan foothill forests, open ridges, grassland, and agricultural landscapes
Birding Focus: Raptor migration and bird photography

Spend the morning and early afternoon at Thoolakharka enjoying raptor watching and bird photography. Scan the open skies and ridgelines for migrating birds of prey while exploring nearby forest habitats for resident Himalayan birds.

Depending on weather and seasonal conditions, you may encounter Steppe Eagle, Black Eagle, Oriental Honey-buzzard, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Besra, Common Kestrel, and Himalayan Vulture, along with other raptors and forest species.

After the afternoon birding session, drive back to Pokhara. Enjoy the changing scenery as you descend from the Himalayan foothills into the Pokhara Valley. Arrive in Pokhara in the evening and relax at your hotel.

Overnight: Pokhara
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Elevation: Pokhara – 822 m (2,697 ft)

Elevation: Peace Pagoda – approximately 1,100 m (3,609 ft) | Pokhara – 822 m (2,697 ft)
Habitat: Forested hills, open slopes, scrubland, and surrounding foothill habitats
Birding Focus: Raptor watching, bird photography, and forest birds

After breakfast, head to the Peace Pagoda area on the southern side of Pokhara for a morning of raptor watching and bird photography. The forested hills and open viewpoints provide opportunities to scan the sky for soaring raptors and observe a variety of Himalayan foothill birds.

Spend time exploring the surrounding woodland and open areas, with opportunities to photograph Black Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Oriental Honey-buzzard, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, and other raptors and forest species, depending on the season and weather conditions.

Continue birding through the afternoon before returning to Pokhara in the evening. Enjoy the panoramic views of the Annapurna and surrounding Himalayan ranges from the Peace Pagoda area before descending back to the valley.

Overnight: Pokhara
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Elevation: Pokhara – 822 m (2,697 ft)

Elevation: Pokhara – 822 m (2,697 ft) | Kathmandu – 1,400 m (4,593 ft)
Distance: Approximately 200 km
Travel Time: About 6–8 hours by private vehicle
Habitat: River valleys, mid-hill forests, terraced farmland, and agricultural landscapes

After breakfast, depart Pokhara and drive back to Kathmandu. The scenic journey follows river valleys and passes through terraced farmland, forested hills, and traditional villages, offering occasional opportunities to spot birds along the route.

Arrive in Kathmandu in the afternoon or early evening and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax after the raptor migration and bird photography tour.

Overnight: Kathmandu
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Elevation: Kathmandu – 1,400 m (4,593 ft)

Elevation: Phulchowki Hill – 2,762 m (9,062 ft)
Habitat: Subtropical forest, oak and rhododendron woodland, mossy forest, and alpine scrub
Birding Focus: Himalayan forest birds and high-elevation species

After breakfast, drive from Kathmandu to Phulchowki Hill, one of the best birding destinations in the Kathmandu Valley. The gradual increase in elevation provides access to a variety of forest habitats and a rich diversity of Himalayan birds.

Spend the day birding along the forest trails and viewpoints, looking for species such as Himalayan Cutia, White-browed Shrike-Babbler, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Rufous Sibia, Red-billed Leiothrix, Mountain Bulbul, Kalij Pheasant, and other resident and migratory birds.

The cool mountain forest and diverse vegetation make Phulchowki an excellent location for birdwatching, photography, and observing high-elevation Himalayan species.

After the birding session, return to Kathmandu in the afternoon or evening.

Overnight: Kathmandu
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Elevation: Phulchowki Hill – 2,762 m (9,062 ft)

After breakfast, enjoy your final moments in Kathmandu before departing for Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward journey. Our representative will assist you with your airport transfer according to your flight schedule.

As your Raptor Migration Tour in Nepal comes to an end, we say goodbye with wonderful memories of Himalayan landscapes, diverse birdlife, and exciting raptor-watching experiences.

Meals: Breakfast
Departure: Kathmandu