Gujarat Bird Watching Tour

Day 1: : Arrive at Velavadar

Time permitting visit Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary enroute before reaching Velavadar. Velavadar lies on the Ahmedabad - Bhavnagar highway and renowned for its population of Blackbucks. Prominent birds around the area comprise Sandgrouse, harrier roost, lesser florican and larks.

Day 2: Velavadar - Sasan Gir

Early morning safari exploring Velavadar and proceed to Sasan Gir (220 kms - 4 hours), abode of Asiatic Lions and considered excellent for bird watching. The park checklist has 250 birds and about 50 other species (including the endangered lesser florican and the saras crane) are recorded in the grasslands along the periphery of the sanctuary. Evening Safari in Gir.

Day 3: Morning and Evening Safari at Sasan Gir

Sasan Gir has number of areas / wetlands that offer excellent Bird watching opportuniteis. Undertake safaris (morning and evening) for exploring different areas of the park.

Day 4: Sasan Gir - Jamnagar

Early Morning Safari. Proceed to Jamnagar (200 kms - 4 hrs). Jamnagar is renowned for its Salt Pans / Marine Sanctuary and lakes around that are a bird watchers delight. Visit Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary (10 kms) in evening.

Day 5: Narara Island

Early morning drive 2 hours west from Jamnagar to Narara Island, one of India's best sites for Crab-plover. Other option is to Visit areas around Jamnagar good for bird watching (Dichda, Bardia Sanctuary, Lakhota Lake).

Day 6: Jamnagar - Nakhatrana

Proceed to Nakhatrana (310 kms - 5.5 hrs) around noon. Nakhatrana is a the base point to visit Bird watching, craft villages and pilgrimage areas in Kutch. Visit Banni Grasslands in evening. Banni Grasslands bordering the Great Rann of Kutch are renowned for a wide variety of birds and an exclusive bird watching experience.

Day 7:

Visit Greater Rann of Kutchh and Bird watching areas around Nakhatrana, The area is good for large birds (Flamingos, Storks, Cranes etc.), Raptors and rare birds such as white naped tit, Grey Hypocolius etc.

Day 8:

Proceed early for Dasada (360 kms - 6.5 hrs). Dasada, part of Little Rann of Kutch is a bird watching destination at 90 kms from Ahmedabad. The Little Rann of Kutch Wildlife sanctuary spreads over 4950 sq km in area comprising a range habitats from saline desert plains, arid grasslands, rocky and thorn scrub to lakes and marshes.

Day 9:

Explore Bird Watching around Dasada. Nawa Talao lake, the wetland near Patdi fort and many reservoirs of Surendranagar district offer good winter birding opportunities. Birds like rose-coloured starling and green pigeon are often seen at Dasada village.

Day 10: Departure

Depart for Ahmedabad. Enroute visit Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary. Rann Riders is 44 km from Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, a 105 sq km sanctuary comprising a large lake and its surrounds. Nalsarovar is renowned as one of the finest birding places in Western India