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India - Small Mammal Expedition

© Gharial by Adam Riley
India - Small Mammal Expedition 2028

13 Jan 2028 - 25 Jan 2028 (13 days)

USD10,395 SPACES AVAILABLE

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Tour Leader: Local Leader

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Tour Leader: Robert Williams

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Tour Price (Per person): USD10,395 (EUR9,226 * GBP7,930 * ZAR172,623 * CAD14,905)

Single Supplement: USD1,925 (EUR1,708 * GBP1,469 * ZAR31,967 * CAD2,760)

Flight costs: USD138 (EUR122 * GBP105 * ZAR2,292 * CAD198)

India supports an extraordinary variety of mammals across a remarkable range of habitats, from the wooded Aravalli hills and the ravines of the Chambal to Rajasthan's dry scrub, granite outcrops and sweeping desert landscapes. This specialist itinerary has been designed around active searching at the times when elusive carnivores, small cats, civets, bats and nocturnal mammals are most likely to be encountered.

The journey begins around New Delhi with mammal and bat watching before continuing to the Chambal River, where boat safaris offer opportunities for Ganges River Dolphin, Gharial and several scarce turtles. Several nights around Kailadevi provide our best sustained chance of finding Asiatic Wolf, Striped Hyena, Jungle Cat, Rusty-spotted Cat and other secretive mammals. We then travel to Jawai for Leopard before concluding in the Thar Desert near Jaisalmer, where desert cats, foxes, hedgehogs, rodents and bats become the focus.

 

Top Birds

Great Indian Bustard; Indian Skimmer; Black-bellied & River Terns; River Lapwing; Great Thick-knee; Indian & Cream-colored Coursers; Painted & Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse; Rock Bush Quail; Black-crowned & Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Larks; Bimaculated & Desert Larks; White-browed Bush Chat; Greater & Lesser Flamingos; Sarus & Demoiselle Cranes; Black & Painted Storks; Indian, Dusky, & Brown Fish Owls; Indian Scops Owl; Laggar & Red-headed Falcons; Bonelli’s, Eastern Imperial, & Steppe Eagles; Egyptian, Cinereous, & White-rumped Vultures.

Top Mammals

Jungle, Rusty-spotted, & Leopard Cats; Asiatic Wildcat; Caracal; Leopard; Asiatic Wolf; Striped Hyena; Golden Jackal; Bengal Fox; Indian Desert Fox; Ganges River Dolphin; Sloth Bear; Common Palm Civet; Small Indian Civet; Indian Crested Porcupine; Indian Long-eared Hedgehog; Indian Hedgehog; Indian Gazelle; Nilgai; Indian Hare; Indian Grey Mongoose; Wild Boar; Northern Plains Langur; Indian Flying Fox; Fulvous Fruit Bat; Naked-rumped Tomb Bat; Greater & Lesser Mouse-tailed Bats; Blyth’s Horseshoe Bat.

Habitats Covered

Urban wetlands and wooded parks; semi-arid and thorn scrub; Aravalli rocky ridges and plateaux; Acacia and dry deciduous woodland; open and dry grassland; dry streambeds, rocky gullies, and eroded ravines; seasonal water bodies and caves; the Chambal River, sandy banks, and exposed islands; agricultural fields and pasture; granite hills, caves, and boulder fields; seasonal river courses; reservoirs and freshwater wetlands; Thar Desert dunes; stony and gravel plains; salt-lake depressions; xerophytic scrub; fallow cultivation.

Expected Climate

January is generally cool and dry, with very cold early-morning jeep and boat excursions—especially in Rajasthan—and warmer daytime conditions. Warm layers, gloves, a scarf or buff, and a beanie are recommended.

Max Group Size

8 with 1 Rockjumper Tour leader and 1 Indian tour leader

Tour Pace & Walking

MODERATE TO CHALLENGING: This tour requires a good level of fitness, stamina, and overall health. It’s best suited for experienced birders who are comfortable with a more active itinerary. Please note that it may not be ideal for avid photographers, new birders, or those with mobility or health concerns.

Moderate

Accommodation

Comfortable

Ease of Birding

Moderate

Number of Species Expected

250-300

Other Attractions

Chambal River; Desert National Park.

Photographic Opportunities

Good

What our clients say about us

David Hoddinott
LB - India 2019

To David Hoddinott with many thanks. In my book, you are still the best guide I’ve ever birded with. Please give my regards to the office team. I am very proud to be part of the Rockjumper Family.

Glen Valentine
MW, India - Northern: Birds & Tigers (Small Group) 2026

Our India-Northern birds and Tigers was a great tour. Our guide, Glen, was, as usual, superb. He worked very hard at getting us not only the “usual” birds but worked with our local guide Robin to find some incredibly rare and hard to find birds, two of which were lifers for Glen. The food was great during the tour, and the logistics well-planned and executed.

Dušan Brinkhuizen
MW, India - Western: Desert Specials 2026

Feedback for India – Western Deserts 2026 Overall, this was quite a trip. I had gone on the India – Northern Birds & Tigers just prior to this trip, so the number of new birds for us was low. However, we got most of the birds we were hoping for, a testament to Dušan and the highly-skilled local guides. We were well taken care of during the trip and all the accommodations were first class. The group were all serious birders, and we all got along together well and were able to contribute to the very respectful tally of the birds. The travel was a lot more than I anticipated. Several days were essentially all driving, with a brief stop or two to stretch and check for birds. I strongly recommend adding a day at Mt. Abu. We had only a few hours of birding there, sandwiched between very long drives. Adding a day there will be a great relief from spending so much time in the bus and allow us to catch up a bit on our sleep. I did a survey among our group and all greed that adding a day would be a great relief and would not keep any of us from choosing the trip. The birds were nearby, which helped a lot as we didn’t have a long drive to get to the birds. One location in particular, Desert National Park, was almost two hours. A closer accommodation needs to be scouted out. Dušan did a great job, and his enthusiasm kept us going when sleep depravation was hitting us. The guy never wanted to quit. We got all three mega birds, the Hypocolius, the Indian Spotted Creeper, and the Forest Owlet, quite well. All three were a great experience, especially the Hypocolius, as most of the group were family listers. We even had one of our group finish off the families during the trip! Thanks for offering and recommending this trip.

Quinton Paul Josop
GM, India - Southern: Endemics of the Western Ghats (Small Group) 2026

I had a wonderful time on this tour. The group had great chemistry, the accommodations and food were excellent and we visited many beautiful places. This and much more made for a very pleasurable experience. I hadn't been with Paul before on a tour; I'll certainly be checking on his tours now. Put simply, he was excellent. In addition to his obvious birding skills, he handled all phases very efficiently, and he made sure everyone could/would see as many birds (and mammals, etc) as they could, and his outgoing, pleasant personality all added up to a very rewarding and memorable experience. The guides and many other people of India really added to our trip. They were very friendly and helpful. That added a lot to our trip. Lastly, but not least, THANK YOU to all the Rockjumper staff. They helped me with all my questions and requests. They always do this. (Side note; this was my 11th nd 12th tours with Rockjumper) Again , THANKS to all at Rockjumper.

Erik Forsyth
NM, Northern India

I just have to write and tell you how much I enjoyed the N. India trip and how superb the leaders are… Erik and Rich worked so well together and both are so funny, such a great combination…. With much gratitude to RBT for bringing birds and mammals into my life.

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