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American Birding Association India - Taj, Tigers & Birding Safari

8th

to 18th

February 2016 (11 days)

Bengal Tiger in Ranthambhore National Park by Adam Riley

The American Birding Association, in partnership with Rockjumper Birding Tours, welcomes you to their

India – Taj, Tigers & Birding Safari. Home to over a billion people in arguably the world’s richest cultural

landscape, India is a country with no equal. This great nation boasts a staggering geographical diversity

ranging from deserts and forests to tropical, palm-lined shores and snow-capped peaks. India is of course

also famous for its rich avifauna and iconic mammalian megafauna, foremost of which is the regal Bengal

Tiger. Starting and ending in the capital New Delhi, our safari explores two of the most famous birding and

wildlife national parks in the northern parts of this amazing country; the royal wildfowl sanctuary of

Keoladeo National Park at Bharatpur and the fabled Ranthambhore National Park, the tiger reserve

widely considered to be one of the best places to see this most magnificent of the world’s big cats. We will

also ensure that we have time to marvel at the incredible Taj Mahal and other breathtaking historic

buildings in and around Agra. We invite you to join us in this unforgettable celebration of India’s incredible

birds, iconic mammals, dramatic scenery, rich history and kaleidoscope of cultures!

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ABA: India - Taj, Tigers & Birding Safari

The magnificent Taj Mahal by Adam Riley

YOUR SAFARI AT A GLANCE…

DETAILS

Safari Dates 8th

to 18th

February 2016 (11 days)

Safari Price US$ 3,850 per person sharing (see below)

Safari Size This safari is limited to 72 participants with 5 Rockjumper leaders & 3 ABA staff.

For our birding excursions, we will break into smaller groups of 15 or fewer.

THE ITINERARY

8th

February Arrival in New Delhi and overnight at the Radisson Blu Plaza

9th

February Bus from New Delhi to Bharatpur and afternoon excursion to Keoladeo

National Park

10th

– 12th

February Full day excursions to Keoladeo National Park, Bund Baretha and Agra

(Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri)

13th

February Bus from Bharatpur to Ranthambhore and afternoon excursion in

Ranthambhore National Park

14th

– 17th

February 3 days of morning and afternoon excursions into Ranthambhore National

Park and 1 day birding Banas River and Lake Soorwal

18th

February Bus to New Delhi and final departure

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THIS SAFARI CAN BE LINKED WITH

Sultanpur National Park morning or afternoon excursion February 6 & 7 US$ TBA

Tughluqabad morning or afternoon excursion February 6 & 7 US$ TBA

Sultanpur National Park and Tughluqabad full day

excursion February 6 & 7 US$ TBA

Old and New Delhi sightseeing and historical excursion –

half or full day February 6, 7 & 19 US$ TBA

Himalayan foothills – Jim Corbett National Park and

Nainital February 18 to 27 US$ TBA

Assam – Kaziranga and Nameri National Parks February 18 to 24 US$ TBA

Highlights of Indian Subcontinent – Sri Lanka, Bhutan

and Assam

February 18 to

March 6 US$ TBA

Southern India – Birding & Wildlife of the Western Ghats February 18 to

March 1 US$ TBA

Sri Lanka – Endemic Birds & Big Game February 18 to 29 US$ TBA

Plum-headed Parakeets in Ranthambhore National Park by Adam Riley

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THE SAFARI IN DETAIL…

Day 1, 8th

February: Arrival in New Delhi. On arrival in India’s bustling capital city of New

Delhi, you will be transferred to the luxurious Radisson Blue Plaza within a few minutes’ drive of

the new and efficient Indira Gandhi International Airport. This hotel has been selected for its

convenience to the airport, excellent service and high quality meals and rooms. Please note however

that it does not offer much in the way of birding opportunities on the grounds due to its location in a

built-up area. For those wishing to enjoy birding in and around New Delhi we highly recommend

Sultanpur National Park and Tughluqabad, which are offered as optional pre- and post-safari

excursions.

Tonight we will convene at 6pm for a private dinner and introduction to your ABA hosts and

Rockjumper tour leaders, with details on the upcoming activities and opportunity for questions.

Day 2, 9th

February: Bus from New Delhi to Bharatpur and afternoon excursion to Keoladeo

National Park. Today we will experience our first real taste of traditional India as we bus out of

New Delhi to the quieter but nevertheless humanity-filled rural zone of eastern Rajasthan. We will

pass through small towns and villages and farming homesteads where people still live lives little

changed by the modern world. Domestic livestock abound including camels, donkeys, goats, sheep,

holy cows and, at times, even elephants clogging the roadways. People are continually busy going

about their daily chores, be it selling roasted peanuts and vegetables from carts, collecting cow

patties for cooking fuel, or working the fields. This first glimpse of India will be fascinating but no

doubt also a culture shock!

White-throated Kingfisher by Adam Riley

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At the same time we will also see our first common open country birds from the bus and we’ll keep

an eye out for Black and Black-winged kites, Egyptian Vulture, ubiquitous Red-wattled Lapwings,

flocks of screaming Rose-ringed Parakeets, Black Drongo, Bank and Common mynas, Eastern

Jungle and House crows, and House Sparrow. Splashes of color might turn out to be White-throated

Kingfishers or Indian Rollers perched prominently on posts in fields. We can expect better views of

all these species during the course of our safari.

As we enter the State of Rajasthan we will have a rest stop and plan to reach our elegant historical

lodge in Bharatpur in time for lunch. The Bagh is termed a “heritage hotel” due to the fact that it’s

tastefully designed within a 12-acre garden that was once the Maharaja of Bharatpur’s orchard.

These extensive grounds offer superb birding and whilst we are being served lunch we may even

see our first wild Indian Peafowl; surely the most spectacular bird in the world! Other regular

species that can be found on the more than 2 miles of terraced walkways around this comfortable

lodge include Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Spotted Owlet, Asian Koel, Greater Coucal, Indian

Gray Hornbill, the remarkable Eurasian Hoopoe, Coppersmith and Brown-headed barbets, Black-

rumped Flameback, Red-vented Bulbul, the shy Orange-headed Thrush, Oriental Magpie Robin and

gangs of noisy Jungle Babblers.

Black-necked Stork flying over Keoladeo National Park by Adam Riley

After lunch and checking in for 4 nights, we will take our first excursion to Keoladeo National Park.

Usually known simply as ‘Bharatpur’, the extensive series of shallow ponds were artificially

created as a duck-shooting preserve by a former Maharaja of Bharatpur, but is now a wetland

sanctuary attracting thousands of wintering waterfowl, waders, cranes, and raptors. This afternoon,

we will explore the reserve by means of bicycle rickshaw, following the network of raised dykes

that criss-cross the labyrinth of ponds. Scanning through the waterbirds is usually our first priority

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and we will likely be overwhelmed by the staggering numbers of species. Possibilities include Bar-

headed and Graylag geese, Ferruginous, Lesser Whistling and Indian Spot-billed ducks amongst a

variety of other migrant waterfowl, Pied and White-throated kingfishers, Great, Little and Indian

cormorants, Oriental Darter, Gray and Purple herons, Eastern Great, Yellow-billed and Little egrets,

Black-crowned Night and Indian Pond herons, Painted, Woolly-necked and the impressive Black-

necked stork, Asian Openbill, Black-headed Ibis, Eurasian Spoonbill, Dalmatian Pelican, Pheasant-

tailed and Bronze-winged jacanas, White-breasted Waterhen, Purple Swamphen, and Pied Avocet,

Black-winged Stilt, White-tailed Lapwing and a variety of migrant waders. Standing at nearly 6ft

tall, the world’s tallest flying bird, the Sarus Crane, is usually joined at this time of year by small

numbers of migratory Common Cranes. Sadly the population of Siberian Cranes that overwintered

here became extinct in 2002.

The delightfully common Black-rumped Flameback by Adam Riley

At sunset we will return to The Bagh for a delicious Indian meal and a well deserved rest in our

splendid, marble-bedecked rooms!

Days 3 - 5, 10th

- 12th

February: Full day excursions to Keoladeo National Park, Bund Baretha

and Agra (Taj Mahal, Red Fort and Fatehpur Sikri)

Over our next three full days, we have a choice of the following excursions, and any one excursion

may be repeated if desired:

Option A: Keoladeo Ghana National Park full day with birding focus. We have the full day to

explore the riches of this amazing reserve. Besides re-examining the waterbird smorgasbord that we

sampled on our first afternoon, we will spend time birding marshy edges that attract a variety of

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migrant passerines including the secretive Bluethroat, Blyth’s and Clamorous reed warblers, and

Western Yellow, Citrine, White and White-browed wagtails, whilst Wire-tailed and Red-rumped

swallows hawk insects overhead. Raptors are especially well represented in the reserve, with

concentrations of large migrant eagles such as Eastern Imperial, Greater Spotted, Steppe and Indian

Spotted being of special interest. Other raptors we may find include Egyptian Vulture, Crested

Serpent, Short-toed Snake, Bonelli's and Booted eagles, Western Marsh Harrier, Shikra, Eurasian

Sparrowhawk and Laggar Falcon.

Crested Serpent Eagle is regularly encountered at Keoladeo by Adam Riley

Extensive areas of arid Acacia dominated woodland and dry grasslands surround the ponds and we

will be sure to explore this habitat for coveys of Gray Francolin, Yellow-crowned Woodpecker,

Greater Coucal, Oriental Skylark, Bay-backed Shrike, Brahminy and Asian Pied starlings, the very

uncommon and localized Marshall's Iora if we are fortunate, White-eared Bulbul, Gray-headed

Canary-Flycatcher, Zitting Cisticola, Purple Sunbird, Baya Weaver, and small flocks of Indian

Silverbill. These Indian residents share their habitat during these winter months with a wide range

of migrants from northern Asia, notably Red-breasted Flycatcher, Hume’s, Greenish and the very

localized Brooks’s leaf warblers, the skulking Siberian Rubythroat, Olive-backed Pipit and

Isabelline Wheatear. In the early evening we will search for the nocturnal residents of the area such

as Dusky Eagle-Owl, Spotted Owlet, Indian Scops Owl, and Large-tailed, Indian Gray and Jungle

nightjars.

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A family of water-loving Nilgai at Keoladeo by Adam Riley

Mammals we should see include groups of the huge Nilgai (also known as Blue Bull), largest of all

Asian antelope, Sambar, and the lovely Spotted Deer, sounders of Wild Boar, Golden Jackal,

Rhesus Macaque, the attractive Northern Palm Squirrel, and Asian Palm Civet if we are fortunate.

Several interesting reptiles also occur including Mugger Crocodile, massive Indian Soft-shelled

Turtles, and our local guides usually keep tabs on the whereabouts of the resident Indian Rock

Pythons.

We will enjoy a delicious hot meal served to us inside the park.

Option B: Keoladeo Ghana National Park full day with photography focus. For the keener

photographers, this day will allow for more dedicated photography and time will be spent on

ensuring superb photographic opportunities rather than trying to find target bird species.

Option C: Birding excursion to Bund Baretha and Aravalli Hills. Off the beaten tourist route,

to the west of Bharatpur lie the ancient Aravalli Hills and a vast waterbody called Bund Baretha.

We will spend the full day birding the wetlands and dry scrub of this traditional area. Interesting

historical sites include the hunting palace of the Maharaja of Bharatpur perched on a hill with

sweeping views of the lake and an extensive ancient fort. On the birding front, a day trip here is

highly rewarding as many interesting species, especially migrants, occur in this area that are

difficult to find elsewhere.

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The stunning Red Avadavat by Adam Riley

In particular, one of the specials that we will be seeking is the Critically Endangered Indian Vulture,

which still nests in small numbers on the Aravalli Hills. India’s vultures have been decimated by a

recent inadvertent poisoning event that has brought nearly every species to the very brink of

extinction. Other targets include waterbirds such as Red-crested Pochard, Cotton Pygmy Goose,

Knob-billed Duck, Black Bittern, the rare Indian Skimmer, and the elusive Brown Crake. Drier

country species may include Barred Buttonquail, Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Brown-fronted

Woodpecker, Indian Bush Lark, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark, Eastern Orphean Warbler, Yellow-

eyed, Large Gray and Common babblers, flocks of Small Minivet, Common Woodshrike, Southern

Gray and the lovely Bay-backed shrike, Striolated, Red-headed and Black-headed buntings, the

nomadic Black-breasted Weaver and stunning flocks of Red Avadavat.

Option D: Historical excursion to Fatehpur Sikri and Agra including the Taj Mahal and Agra

Red Fort. On this notable day we will head east out of Bharatpur to the city of Agra, home of

arguably the world’s most famous and spectacular historic building, the Taj Mahal! Our first stop of

the day will be at the ancient city of Fatehpur Sikri. Taking 15 years to build, this amazingly well

preserved city was constructed by Mughal emperor Akbar and served as the empire's capital.

However it was abandoned in 1585 soon after the city’s completion due to the water supply being

unable to sustain the growing population. Today numerous notable imperial buildings and a

fabulous mosque still stand, and a visit to Fatehpur Sikri is a truly memorable experience.

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Fatehpur Sikri by Adam Riley

Moving onwards to Agra, we will visit the fabled Agra Red Fort, located in the center of the city

and serving as a monumental reminder of the fascinating history of the region. This UNESCO

World Heritage Site is more accurately a 94-acre walled city and was constructed in the 16th

century. Exploring this architecturally spectacular complex is fascinating and from here we will

also enjoy our first views of the shimmering marble Taj Mahal. In fact Shah Jahan, who built the

Taj Mahal in memory of his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal, spent his final years here at the Agra Fort

as a captive of his son Aurangzeb who deposed him. Shah Jahan apparently died here whilst

imprisoned in a tower with a view of the Taj Mahal.

After a delicious lunch, we will embark upon the cultural highlight of our safari, the magnificent

Taj Mahal, literally meaning “Crown of Palaces”. It is also a World Heritage Site and is famous for

the elegance of its design, its extraordinary translucent white marble dome, its mathematical

symmetry and the immense numbers of intricately carved and inlaid semi-precious stones that adorn

its walls. Begun in 1632, tens of thousands of architects and laborers, and over a thousand

elephants, toiled for more than 20 years to complete this breathtaking edifice, which was

commissioned by the grief-stricken Shah Jahan after his third wife died during the birth of their 14th

child. This is without a doubt one of India’s most iconic and impressive sites and should not be

missed!

Whilst marveling at these three remarkably different yet impressive historical sites we will no doubt

also keep an eye out for birds, and species that we may encounter include Brown Rock Chat and

Dusky Crag Martin which call these building home, families of Spotted Owlets in the gardens,

raptors (Egyptian Vultures are frequently seen around the Taj Mahal), and waterbirds on the holy

Yamuna River, including the elegant River Lapwing.

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A small section of Agra Fort by Adam Riley

Day 6, 13th

February: Bharatpur to Ranthambhore National Park. After our final breakfast at

The Bagh, we will board our coaches for the drive to Ranthambhore National Park, home of the

Royal Bengal Tiger! After arrival, we will transfer to our conveniently situated lodge for lunch

before making our way to the national park for our first afternoon safari in this beautiful reserve.

Located in the Sawai Madhopur district of south-eastern Rajasthan, Ranthambhore National Park is

one of India’s largest parks, protecting over 150 square miles (over 540 square miles including the

buffer zone) of a rich mosaic of deciduous woodland, bamboo thickets, lakes and marshes.

Dominated by the 10th

century Ranthambhore Fort which sits atop a plateau 700ft above the plains,

this scenic reserve contains high concentrations of herbivores such as Spotted Deer, Sambar and

Wild Boar, and it is this abundance of prey species that supports one of the healthiest populations of

Tiger anywhere on Earth. Over 60 Tigers currently inhabit the park, quite a few of which are

habituated to the presence of tourists. Locating these magnificent cats requires a combination of

skill and patience – and, of course…a dose of luck!

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Large male Royal Bengal Tiger in Ranthambhore by Adam Riley

Travelling in safari-converted open canter trucks, we will explore the network of roads within the

park watching for telltale signs such as pugmarks or scat in the road, and listening for the alarm

calls of Sambar, Spotted Deer, Southern Plains Gray Langur or Indian Peafowl. With luck, these

will lead us to a tiger padding along a dusty track or sprawled out in the dappled sunlight of a

bamboo thicket. If we are fortunate we may even find a Tiger photogenically arranged on one of the

abundant 10th

century ruins dotted around the park, or swimming across a lake. Looking into the

amber eyes of this, the largest of all the big cats, undoubtedly ranks as one of the world’s ultimate

wildlife experiences, and this afternoon and over the next few days your Rockjumper and local

guides will do their utmost best to ensure that each of us obtains a view of this magnificent feline!

Days 7 - 10, 14th

– 17th

February: Ranthambhore National Park and surrounds. Over our next

four full days, we have a choice of the following excursions, and any one excursion may be

repeated if desired:

Option E: Ranthambhore National Park with birding and wildlife focus

Option F: Ranthambhore National Park with wildlife focus

Option G: Ranthambhore National Park with photographic focus

We will have up to four days to explore the rich mosaic of deciduous woodland, bamboo thickets,

meadows, lakes and marshes inside this fantastic reserve. The tropical dry deciduous and thorn

forest covers an area of more than 540 square miles; so needless to say, there is plenty of space to

roam! Each day we will fortify ourselves with an excellent buffet breakfast before heading into the

park, returning late morning for lunch and some down time, with an afternoon excursion back into

the national park.

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Male Royal Bengal Tiger in Ranthambhore by Adam Riley

Although our main reason for visiting Ranthambhore is to search for Tigers, the rich woods and

meadows of this scenically stunning park also offer excellent birding. The mixture of deciduous

woodland and meadows on the valley floors support good numbers of resplendent Indian Peafowl,

the stunningly beautiful Painted Spurfowl, chances for elusive Jungle and Rock bush quails,

Yellow-legged Buttonquail, endemic Painted Sandgrouse, lovely Spotted Dove, the uncommon

White-naped Woodpecker, Black-rumped Flameback, the impressive Brown Fish and Rock Eagle

owls, Indian Scops Owl, Savanna Nightjar, Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, the large Alexandrine and

eye-numbingly colorful Plum-headed parakeets, Sirkeer Malkoha, Tree Pipit, Southern Gray, Bay-

backed and Long-tailed shrikes, Common and, if lucky, Marshall’s iora, White-bellied Drongo,

Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher (which can often be located by its sweet song given from dense bamboo

patches), flocks of Small Minivet, Large Cuckooshrike, the active White-browed Fantail, Siberian

Chiffchaff, Greenish Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Gray-breasted and Jungle prinias, Chestnut-

shouldered Petronia, and the seemingly ever-present and often very tame Rufous Treepies and

Jungle Babblers. While in the area we will also keep our eyes peeled for Indian Vulture, which nest

on the cliffs entering the park, the rare Red-headed Vulture, Pallid and Western Marsh harriers,

Shikra, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, the unusual White-eyed Buzzard, Bonelli’s and Greater Spotted

eagles, and the chunky Crested Serpent Eagle.

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The lovely Painted Spurfowl is one of Ranthambhore’s top birds by Adam Riley

Around the lakes and marshes, waterbirds abound. Species we may encounter include Woolly-

necked, Black and Painted storks, Asian Openbill, Black-headed Ibis, flocks of migrant waterfowl

and waders, Common and White-throated kingfishers, flocks of Gray-throated Sand Martin and

skulking Bluethroats.

Besides the main target of obtaining an unforgettable Tiger experience, Ranthambhore hosts an

exciting cast of supporting mammals. The Leopard population is healthy and although they can be

harder to find than Tiger, they are nevertheless regularly sighted. Striped Hyena prefer the park

outskirts and areas nearer to our lodge and we will make an effort to find them. Sloth Bears roam

the park in small numbers and we may be fortunate to encounter these versatile creatures. Other

predators include Indian Wolf (rare), Golden Jackal, Indian Fox, Jungle Cat, Ruddy, Indian Gray

and Small Indian mongoose. The default herbivores are the elegant Spotted Deer or Chital, and

much larger Sambar. Less common are Indian Gazelle or Chinkara, and Nilgai. Sounders of Wild

Boar are frequently encountered as are the dainty Indian Palm Squirrel and troops of often tame

Southern Plains Gray Langur, and we can dream of spotting an Indian Pangolin…..

Photographic opportunities in Ranthambhore National Park abound and range from spectacular

scenery, impressive Banyan trees, ancient forts and ruins, Tigers and other wildlife, to birds that are

often comically tame! Photographers will not lack for subjects during their time in and around the

park.

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The huge Brown Fish Owl is regularly encountered along the streams in Ranthambhore by Adam Riley

Option H: Banas River and Lake Soorwal with birding focus

If this option is taken we will depart very early and visit two wetland sites located some miles on

either side of our lodge. To reach the Banas River, we will travel eastwards passing through remote

rural villages and dry farmland and scrub, stopping along the way as we spot birds of interest. The

sandy margins of the river and surrounding dry plains will provide us with excellent birding,

particularly of migrant species. Targets include the unusual Indian Black Ibis, River Lapwing, Great

Thick-knee, overwintering waders, Common and the diminutive Jack snipe, Chestnut-bellied

Sandgrouse, flocks of Rosy Starling, migrant Greater Short-toed and resident Indian Bush larks, a

variety of pipits including Richard’s, Blyth’s, Tawny and Paddyfield, no less than 5 species of

wagtails, Isabelline Shrike, Zitting Cisticola and Black-breasted Weaver.

After lunch back at our lodge, we will pass through the busy city of Sawai Madhopur and head

westwards to Lake Soorwal. Here we will seek a host of water associated birds that may include

Spot-billed, Dalmatian and Great White pelicans, Eastern Osprey, Red-crested and Ferruginous

pochards, Garganey, Spotted Redshank, Temminck’s Stint, Little Ringed Plover and the sought-

after Greater Painted Snipe. Occasionally the elegant Demoiselle Crane and rare Indian Skimmer is

recorded here, and we will look out for a variety of gulls and both River and Black-bellied terns.

Dry country targets will include Indian Courser, Indian Stone-curlew, Yellow-wattled Lapwing,

Blue-tailed and Little Green bee-eaters, attractive Rufous-tailed Lark, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark,

and a variety of wheatears including Variable, Isabelline and Desert. Flocks of buntings sometimes

occur and we will look out for Red-headed, Black-headed and Gray-necked. If we are fortunate we

may even find the impressive corkscrew-horned Blackbuck this afternoon.

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River Lapwing photographed along the sandy banks of the Banas River by Adam Riley

Day 11, 18th

February: Ranthambhore to New Delhi and departure. This morning we depart

after breakfast for the drive back to bustling New Delhi, where our Indian adventure will come to a

close at the airport or, for those staying on, at one of the airport hotels.

Please note that several pre and post ABA safari tour options throughout the Indian subcontinent

have been arranged by Rockjumper Birding Tours and these are detailed below. Rockjumper’s

specialist private tour department would also be very willing to assist in the arranging of any

customized private tours for participants before or after the ABA Safari, covering a wide range of

destinations throughout Africa, Asia or Australasia.

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ABA SAFARI FEE , TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The India ABA Safari participation fee is US$3,850 per person sharing with a single supplement

fee of US$700. If you are prepared to share a triple room, participation fee is US$3,570 per person

sharing (a saving of US$280 per person).

ABA India Safari inclusions are:

all accommodations on a sharing basis, from first to final night of the ABA India Safari

(February 8th – 17th);

all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) from dinner on the first day (February 8th) to lunch

the final day (February 18th);

drinking water at meals and during day activities;

all ground transportation from Indira Gandhi International Airport and back from first

(February 8th) to final day (February 18th) of the safari;

all costs of specialist bird guides and local guides;

7 daily excursions (3 in the Bharatphur area and 4 in the Ranthambhore area) spanning

February 10th-12th and 14th-17th – please choose from the list of optional excursions in this

document and please note that some excursions may be either booked out or not operate due

to insufficient bookings;

activities as outlined in the itinerary on February 8th, 9th, 13th and 18th;

all reserve and park entrance fees;

optional evening presentations by experts on relevant subjects on some evenings of the ABA

India Safari;

all tips related to tour services (excluding tour leaders). Any tipping by participants is

entirely voluntary.

Exclusions:

all flights and any airport taxes related to these flights;

any visa, passport and vaccination costs;

travel and medical insurance;

costs incurred before the official start of the ABA India Safari and after the official end;

all beverages other than water;

national park camera fees;

all personal costs including laundry, snacks, meals taken in the absence of the official

activities, telephone calls and any service charges related to these costs.

The ABA India Safari cost is subject to major currency fluctuations and other significant events

beyond the control of Rockjumper Birding Tours (e.g. major increases in park fees, government

charges, fuel costs and hotel charges) and we reserve the right to modify the safari cost, within

reason, at any time until full payment has been received. Furthermore, if total subscription for the

ABA India Safari is below 57 participants, there may be an additional surcharge.

The single supplement will be charged if you wish to have single accommodation. This single

supplement is based on the cost of a single room for the duration of the ABA India Safari. If

Rockjumper cannot provide you with a rooming partner although you choose to share, the single

supplement will become applicable. We will, however, make all reasonable efforts to ensure that a

rooming partner is found if you do wish to share. The triple fee saving will be allocated when three

people agree to share one room for the duration of the safari.

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IMPORTANT NOTES: a) Rates are based upon group tariffs; if the tour does not have sufficient registration (a

minimum of 57 paying participants) a small party supplement will have to be charged.

b) Furthermore, these costs are subject to unforeseen increases in tour related costs and may

have to be adjusted as a result.

c) Lastly, we may be forced to change or alter the itinerary and / or the designated

Rockjumper leader/s at short or no notice due to unforeseen circumstances; please be aware

that we will adhere as close to the original program as possible.

Tipping:

As noted above, gratuities (drivers, hotel staff, restaurants etc.) are included on this tour. However,

this does NOT include your Rockjumper leader/s. If, therefore, you feel that he/they have given you

excellent service, it is entirely appropriate to tip them.

Please note:

• It is important for the comfort of your fellow travelers that you do not over-pack. Kindly stick to

44 lb for check in luggage and 18 lb for hand luggage.

• This India safari does not require a high level of fitness, but participants should be in good

general health and reasonably fit as some of the birding will be done on foot. Guests will be

notified when longer walks may be undertaken. If you have any physical or medical limitations

or conditions, please notify us in advance of departure.

• Accommodation throughout the trip is of a good standard and the hotels and resorts that we

make use of range from comfortable to rather luxurious. There is no camping on this trip.

• The open canter (Ranthambhore National Park) or jeep (Banas River and Lake Soorwal)

excursions can be very cold, please bring sufficient warm clothing, including gloves and beanie

(woolly hat).

Flights:

Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi is the main port of entry for international flights

into India for those travelling on this India Safari and is well serviced by many of the world’s major

airlines. However, please DO NOT book your international flights until you have consulted the

Rockjumper office for confirmation on the status of the safari.

CUSTOMIZED PRIVATE TOURS

In addition to the above offerings, we are also able to arrange tailor-made birding and wildlife trips

to numerous destinations throughout Asia, Africa and Australasia, so please don't hesitate to contact

Cuan Rush in our private tours department ([email protected]) should you wish to

explore this option. Furthermore, these customized adventures offer a variety of accommodations,

ranging from simple to stylish and luxurious, all of which are especially chosen for their charm,

exemplary guest services and locality to top birding spots, and, of course, your particular budget.

mailto:[email protected]

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ROCKJUMPER TOUR LEADERS

Our ABA India Safari tour leaders are:

Adam Riley

Adam qualified as a chartered accountant, but his lifelong passion for birding, wildlife and travel

led to him co-founding Rockjumper Birding Tours in 1998. Adam has traveled extensively

throughout the world, leading birding tours to more than 60 countries and in the process racking up

a bird list of over 2,000 species on the African continent and 7,000 worldwide. Adam is the

Managing Director of Rockjumper and co-founder of Indri, Oryx and Tau.

Cuan Rush

Cuan first earned a conservation diploma before launching his career in bird related work, including

spending several years developing birding multi-media products. Cuan divides his time between

heading Rockjumper’s custom tour department and leading tours throughout Africa and Asia. His

passion, knowledge and enthusiasm for birds is evident to all the participants on his tours.

David Erterius

David hails from southernmost Sweden, where his fascination with birds dates back as far as he can

recall. He is passionate birder who loves sharing his exceptional knowledge and unbounded

enthusiasm with others. David has extensive Palearctic and African experience and is now a full

time Rockjumper leader based in South Africa.

Glen Valentine

Glen’s unquestionable passion for birds developed at an extremely tender age. Glen has traveled

extensively in Africa and is fast becoming Rockjumper’s lead Asia and Australasia birding tour

leader. He possesses exceptional birding skills and a personable nature, coupled with hearty levels

of enthusiasm.

Forrest Rowland

Forrest took his first international birding trip at the age of 9 and this has blossomed into a lifelong

love affair with the planet’s birds and wildlife. He has spent many years in the field, honing his

birding skills throughout the world. Forrest heads up Rockjumper’s New World division and is our

primary tour leader in this exciting region.

ABA STAFF WHO WILL BE ATTENDING THE INDIA ABA SAFARI

George Armistead is a lifelong birder and the events coordinator for the ABA. George spent 2002-

2012 organizing and leading birding tours for Field Guides Inc., guiding trips on all seven

continents. He enjoys vast open-country habitats and seabirds most of all. Based in Philadelphia, he

is an associate at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, and spends much of his free

time birding the coast between Cape May, New Jersey and Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.

Jeffrey A. Gordon is the President of the American Birding Association. Jeff’s special areas of

interest include how we build a bigger, more inclusive tent of birders, and how we can come

together to have the greatest possible positive impact on the future of birding and the birds that have

meant so much to us all. Prior to coming aboard at the ABA, Jeff spent several decades leading

birding tours, working as an interpretive naturalist, and learning about the birding industry as a

freelance writer, speaker, video editor, and trip leader.

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Liz Deluna Gordon has been a birder for 25 years. After growing up in the Rio Grande Valley of

Texas and not knowing about the birds in her backyard for 13 years, she discovered Green Jays and

chachalacas. There was no stopping her after that. Her goal in life became to teach that birds and

bird habitat were worth caring for and protecting, and as a hairdresser she had a captive audience

every day! She was one of the founders of the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival, and after 10

years of festival life she left Texas to move to Delaware, in order to finally hear wild Canada Geese

and to marry Jeff Gordon. She and Jeff were mentors for the ABA/Leica Tropicbirds in Texas and

Cape May. Jeff eventually brought her to Colorado Springs, where she first volunteered and

eventually became Adjutant at the ABA office. She helps with whatever needs doing: some days,

it’s cleaning the break room fridge, some days she is organizing and fulfilling the Birders’

Exchange applications, and others she’s answering the phones and answering questions about where

to take injured birds. A passion for birds and protecting their habitats drives her every day.

SCHEDULED TOURS PRE AND POST ABA INDIA SAFARI

Half day and Full day Excursions

Old and New Delhi sightseeing and historical excursion

We have the entire day to enjoy and explore the historical attractions of both Old and New Delhi.

(For those who do not know, “Old Delhi” refers to the traditional, pre-existing city that was once

the seat of the Moghuls and has a long history dating back thousands of years. “New Delhi”, on the

other hand, was constructed by the British just south-west of Shahjahanabad (see below), at which

time people started referring to the older city as “Old Delhi”, with New Delhi formally being

inaugurated as the new seat of national government in 1931.) One of Old Delhi’s major attractions

that we will visit is the ancient city of Shahjahanabad, which is nestled to the west of the Red Fort,

and is named after Shahjahan, the great Mughal builder who in 1648 constructed Shahjahanabad as

the seventh city of Delhi. Originally secured within a 6 mile stone wall with 10 gates connecting the

city with the surrounding area, nowadays only some of its gates and parts of the wall still stand –

though it nevertheless remains a very impressive monument to human effort and ingenuity.

We will also visit the fabled Red Fort, located in the center of the city and dating back to the

peak of the Mughal reign. It took 9 years to build this spectacle, and today it is classed as a World

Heritage Site. There are many other interesting historic sites in Old Delhi including Lahore Gate

(the main entrance to the Red Fort), Diwan-i-Am (the “Hall of Audience” in the Red Fort where the

Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and his successors received members of the general public), Diwan-i-

Khas (the “Hall of Private Audiences” in the Red Fort where the emperor received courtiers and

state guests), Moti Masjid (the beautiful white marble mosque within the Red Fort complex),

Sunehri Masjid (an ornately constructed mosque in Old Delhi built in 1721), and Jama Masjid (the

best-known mosque in India and completed in 1656), some of which we will have time to visit

during the course of the day.

In New Delhi we will have the opportunity to visit the India Gate, a 137 ft (42m) high stone

memorial arch which bears the names of over 90,000 Indian army soldiers who died in World War

One, the Northwest Frontier operations, and the Afghan fiasco that all took place within a few

decades of each other. If time allows, we can also explore the well-kept Lodi Garden, which harbors

the ancient tombs of the Sayyid and Lodi rulers of the 14th

and 15th

centuries. Today should prove

to be a fascinating cultural day indeed!

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Sultanpur National Park

Sultanpur National Park, or Sultanpur Jheel (jheel meaning lake) as it’s more commonly referred to,

is a small national park situated outside New Delhi. Previously a salt pan, the local salt industry was

shut down when it became economically unviable in the early 20th century. A respected

ornithologist, Peter Jackson, subsequently urged Indira Gandhi (India’s Prime Minister during the

1960s and founder of the Delhi Birdwatching Society), to declare Sultanpur Jheel an official bird

sanctuary. This consequently occurred in 1972, following which it was eventually granted its

national park status. Consisting mainly of a lake surrounded by grasslands with scattered Acacia

woodland, it offers excellent birding with over 300 species having been recorded, including large

numbers (and over 100 species) of over-wintering migrants. A popular picnic spot for the residents

of New Delhi and surrounding areas, it has four watchtowers located at different points, an

education and interpretation center, a library, and even binoculars for visiting birders. During our

excursion here we will cover the park’s various habitats including Acacia woodland, the jheel itself,

cultivated fields, pastures, and semi-desert areas using the trail that circumnavigates the lake. We

will scan the wetland and its fringes for Great White and Dalmatian pelicans, Woolly-necked and

the striking Painted and Black-necked storks, Black-headed and Red-naped ibis, Greater Flamingo,

Little Cormorant, Indian Pond Heron, Bar-headed Goose (a migrant from the Tibetan Plateau),

Ruddy Shelduck, Indian Spot-billed and Knob-billed ducks, Cotton Pygmy Goose, Gadwall,

Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Small Pratincole, migratory White-tailed and Northern

lapwings, and both Spotted and Common redshanks, to name just some of the potential species.

Birding the more open and arid surrounding areas can be rewarding, with Grey and Black

francolins, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Eurasian and Oriental skylarks, Greater and Hume’s

Short-toed larks, Bimaculated and Crested larks, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark, Desert, Isabelline

and Variable wheatears, Red-wattled Lapwing, and even Common and Demoiselle cranes all being

possible. Exploring the woodland and scrubby areas may produce White-throated Kingfisher, the

lovely Plum-headed and Rose-ringed parakeets, Southern Gray, Long-tailed and Bay-backed

shrikes, Indian Robin, Red-vented Bulbul, Rosy Starling, Plain and Ashy prinias, Black Drongo,

Black Redstart, Large Gray and Jungle babblers, Black-rumped Flameback, Red-breasted

Flycatcher, Eurasian Hoopoe, Bluethroat, Hume’s Leaf Warbler, Purple Sunbird, Pied Bush Chat,

Baya and Black-throated weavers, and Crested Bunting. Raptors we will look out for include

White-eyed and Long-legged buzzards, Pallid, Montagu’s and Western Marsh harriers, Steppe and

Greater Spotted eagles, Western Osprey, and Merlin, while outside the sanctuary it is sometimes

possible to find Indian Courser. Mammals that we should see are the large Nilgai (or Blue Bull),

Indian Mongoose, Golden Jackal, and Indian Fox, with additional possibilities for Blackbuck, Four-

horned Antelope, Striped Hyena, and even Jungle Cat.

Tughluqabad

This extremely impressive edifice, stretching over 3½ miles, was constructed in the 14th

century by

Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq, founder and first ruler of the Muslim Tughluq dynasty, but was abandoned

shortly after completion following a curse by the Sufi mystic and saint, Nizam-ud-din. This was

apparently because Nizam-ud-din’s workers were pulled off his own property, where he was busy

constructing a water well, in order to assist building Tughluqabad, much to his disapproval! As a

result, this old city now comprises only disintegrating walls and a few remaining structures,

including an impressive mausoleum harboring the graves of the unfortunate ruler, and (or so it is

believed) his wife and son, with scrubby areas and Acacia woodland having reclaimed much of the

remaining property. This regrowth in turn provides habitat for some noteworthy birds, and key

targets on our excursion to this interesting site include Indian Grey Hornbill, Jungle Bush Quail,

Sirkeer Malkoha, and Rufous-fronted Prinia. We will walk along a network of small paths and

tracks in our attempt to locate these specials and a host of other species on offer, which could

include Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Plum-headed Parakeet, Bay-backed Shrike, Spotted Owlet,

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the beautiful Green Bee-eater, Indian Roller, the colorful Coppersmith Barbet, Indian Bush Lark,

Red-whiskered and White-eared bulbuls, Blue Rock Thrush, Ashy and Plain prinias, Common

Tailorbird, Oriental Magpie-Robin, Bluethroat, Brown Rock Chat, Long-tailed Shrike, Common

Woodshrike, Rufous Treepie, Asian Pied Starling, Long-billed Pipit, Indian Silverbill, and the

stunning little Red Avadavat.

SCHEDULED TOURS POST ABA SAFARI

ABA HIMALAYAN FOOTHILLS: CORBETT NATIONAL PARK & NAINITAL Our Himalayan adventure concentrates on the very best birding sites in the far northern parts of this

amazing country, and includes a visit to the world-famous Corbett National Park and the hill station

of Nainital. Targets are both plentiful and beautiful, including such sought-after species as Cheer

Pheasant, Hill Partridge, Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Collared Falconet, Ibisbill, Wallcreeper, the

stunning Red-billed Blue Magpie – one of Asia’s most beautiful birds!, Slaty-headed Parakeet,

Greater Flameback, Long-tailed Broadbill, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler, Green Shrike-Babbler,

Chestnut-headed Tesia, the impressive yet scarce Long-billed Thrush, White-throated Bush Chat,

Red-billed Leiothrix, Golden Bush Robin, White-capped Redstart…and many more! Birds aside,

other wildlife possibilities include the endangered Gharial, Asian Elephant, Wild Boar, Hog Deer,

Sambar, and Northern Red Muntjac, while the surrounding Himalayan scenery is simply stunning!

ABA Himalayan Foothills: Corbett National Park & Nainital: February 18 – 27 (10 days)

US$ TBA per person sharing, single room supplement if required US$TBA

Maximum group size: 12 participants with 1 Rockjumper leader & 1 local leader

ABA ASSAM EXTENSION KAZIRANGA & NAMERI NATIONAL PARKS Kaziranga National Park is quite simply one of the most spectacular wildernesses in all of Asia, and

has rightfully been compared to the great wildlife reserves of Africa. Aside from harboring

impressive numbers of a great variety of Asian mega-fauna, the reserve also protects no less than 15

threatened mammal species, as well as being the last stronghold for the Indian One-horned

Rhinoceros. To maximize our chances of success for locating the greatest number of possible

species during our time here, we will utilize both jeep and elephant back to search not only for the

rhino (which we can expect many encounters with, sometimes at extremely close range!), but also

for Indian Elephant, Swamp, Hog and Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Bengal Florican, Swamp

Francolin, Pied Falconet, and numerous other exciting birds and mammals, including additional

chances for Bengal Tiger. To boot, we will also spend time exploring the riches of Nameri National

Park. Boasting luscious deciduous and evergreen forests along the Jia Bhoroli River, this park is a

haven for many rare creatures, including one of Asia’s rarest birds, the critically endangered White-

winged Duck, which we will endeavor to find. Additional targets include Ibisbill, Great Stone-

curlew, Oriental Hobby, Pale-capped Pigeon, the spectacular Sultan Tit, Blue-bearded Bee-eater,

Vernal Hanging Parrot, Black-breasted Thrush, and the huge and magnificent Great hornbill!

ABA Assam Extension Kaziranga & Nameri National Parks: February 18 – 24 (7 days)



HIGHLIGHTS OF THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT This incredible offering covers the highlights of three amazing countries on the Indian

Subcontinent; namely Sri Lanka, India and brilliant Bhutan! It begins in Sri Lanka, a friendly island

nation boasting verdant scenery characterized by terraced tea plantations and forest patches, and

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blessed with many surprisingly large national parks brimming with game and beautiful birds. Yala

National Park and Sinharaja Rainforest will be the sites we visit here, and during our explorations

we will search for a host of endemic species including Sri Lanka Junglefowl, stunning Sri Lanka

Blue Magpie, Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Legge’s Flowerpecker, Spot-winged Thrush, and the localized

Serendib Scops Owl. Mammals will also form part of our focus and we can expect encounters with

Asian Elephant, Water Buffalo, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Bonnet Macaque, and possibly even

Leopard!

Heading north, we continue our adventure in the formerly independent Assam, nestled in

north-eastern India. Our time here will be spent in Kaziranga National Park, one of the most

spectacular wildernesses in all of Asia, and one of very few places where the prehistoric Indian

One-horned Rhinoceros still occurs. In fact, game abounds in the watery meadows that make

Kaziranga so aesthetically pleasing – no other site in Asia can match the vast herds of big mammals

that occur here! From both jeep and elephant back, we will search for Bengal Florican, Swamp

Francolin, Pied Falconet, and a plethora of other exciting birds and mammals that occur abundantly

in this biologically diverse part of the natural world.

The last leg of our sojourn is through one of the least spoilt countries in the mighty

Himalayan range, namely Bhutan. Boasting incredible mountain scenery and endless verdant

forests, and shrouded in Buddhist myth and legend, this exceptional nation is replete with a plethora

of incredible and beautiful birds, and we can expect to be blown away by some of the species we

will encounter here! As we journey through this fabled land we will regularly cross dramatic

mountain passes that are adorned with brightly colored prayer flags and chortens (temples), and

these give way to vast countrysides often dominated by impressive dzongs (temple-fortresses) that

so characterize this unique country. Himalayan Monal, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Ward’s Trogon,

Golden-naped Finch, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, and Ibisbill are but a few of the sensational birds

that will vie for our attention in this magical destination.

ABA Highlights of the Indian Subcontinent: February 18 – March 6 (18 days)



ABA SOUTHERN INDIA – BIRDING & WILDLIFE OF THE WESTERN GHATS

Hemming the rugged lands of southern India are the impressive Western Ghats Mountains, a land

of endless valleys, rolling tea estates and breathtaking highland vistas, well known for harboring a

superb range of highly localized endemic birds and a host of special mammals. This comprehensive

tour showcases many of these special creatures: the gorgeous Indian Pitta, scarce White-bellied

Minivet, Black-chinned Laughingthrush, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, rare Sri Lanka Frogmouth, exquisite

Malabar Trogon, Malabar Whistling Thrush and Heart-spotted Woodpecker are just some of the

incredible birds we will search for, while Indian Elephant, Gaur (Indian Bison), Wild Boar and

Smooth-coated Otter are potential mammal highlights. Join us for an unbeatable birding exploration

to the southern part of this immense and extremely rewarding nation!

ABA Southern India – Birding & Wildlife of the Western Ghats: February 18 to March 1 (13 days)



ABA SRI LANKA ENDEMIC BIRDS & BIG GAME The small, friendly island nation of Sri Lanka provides one of the most enjoyable and rewarding

birding tours imaginable. With plenty of endemics, most of which are extremely easy to locate,

comfortable lodges, and an abundance of wildlife, it makes perfect sense that Sri Lanka has become

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such a popular birding destination. Our Sri Lanka tour targets all 34 endemics and other wildlife

highlights of the island. Commencing at lowland rainforest sites, we will seek out specials such as

Sri Lanka Spurfowl and the brilliantly vibrant Sri Lanka Blue Magpie. Next we ascend the terraced

highlands of central Sri Lanka where overwintering species include Indian Pitta, Pied Thrush, and

the lovely Kashmir Flycatcher, while the rare Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush is one of many hill

endemics that we will specifically target. Moving on to the dry zone, we next explore the fabulous

Yala National Park and Bundala saltpans. Here we will focus not only on the area’s birds, but also

on Sri Lanka’s impressive big game including Leopard (Yala hosts Asia’s highest population of

these predators), Asian Elephant, Water Buffalo, and – with a bit of luck – perhaps even a foraging

Sloth Bear! From here we then venture to the verdant Sinharaja Forest, which provides our final

opportunity to mop-up the remaining Sri Lanka endemics, including Red-faced Malkoha, Layard’s

Parakeet, Green-billed Coucal, the outrageous Sri Lanka Frogmouth, and recently described

Serendib Scops Owl.

ABA Sri Lanka Endemic Birds & Big Game: February 18 – 29 (12 days)



Spotted Deer (or Chital) by Adam Riley

american birding association - aba...

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