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India - Western: Desert Specials

© Demoiselle cranes by Adam Riley
India - Western: Desert Specials 2027

15 Feb 2027 - 01 Mar 2027 (15 days)

USD5,500 SPACES AVAILABLE

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Tour Leader: Erik Forsyth

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Tour Price (Per person): USD5,500 (GBP4,279 * EUR4,884 * AUD8,152)

Flight costs: USD280 (GBP218 * EUR249 * AUD415)

India - Western: Desert Specials 2028

04 Feb 2028 - 18 Feb 2028 (15 days)

USD5,800 SPACES AVAILABLE

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Tour Leader: Nigel Redman

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Tour Price (Per person): USD5,800 (GBP4,512 * EUR5,150 * AUD8,597)

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated, and dates may change*

India - Western: Desert Specials 2029

06 Feb 2029 - 20 Feb 2029 (15 days)

USD5,900 SPACES AVAILABLE

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Tour Leader: Glen Valentine

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Tour Price (Per person): USD5,900 (GBP4,590 * EUR5,239 * AUD8,745)

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated, and dates may change*

The wonderfully diverse nation of India is well known for its verdant landscapes and the snow-capped Himalayas. It therefore surprises many visitors to learn that India also boasts remarkable desert ecosystems. This tour focuses on these underappreciated habitats, exploring some of the less-visited parks and reserves of the country’s arid western regions.

Key sites include Desert National Park, Tal Chappar, and the Great and Little Ranns of Kutch, all of which rank among the most important protected areas in western India. In contrast, we will also spend time in the more verdant and scenic Mount Abu, adding ecological variety to the journey.

This tour offers the chance to observe some of the most threatened and sought-after bird species in India, and indeed globally. Targets include the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard, the scarce White-browed Bush Chat, as well as Indian Spotted Creeper, Yellow-eyed Pigeon, Green Avadavat, Sociable Lapwing, Asian Houbara, White-naped Tit, and Marshall’s Iora. We will also search for two of the world’s more enigmatic monotypic families: Crab-plover and Grey Hypocolius.

General birding throughout the tour is excellent, combining resident specialties with large numbers of overwintering northern migrants. Expect impressive gatherings of cranes, substantial flocks of waterfowl and waders, and a wide range of desert-adapted passerines. Mammal viewing is another highlight, with good chances of encountering Blackbuck, Indian Gazelle, and Indian Wild Ass, among others.

Top Birds

Great Indian Bustard & Asian Houbara; Grey Hypocolius; Crab-plover; huge numbers of Demoiselle & Common Cranes; Dalmatian & Spot-billed Pelicans; Green Avadavat; Indian Spotted Creeper; Sociable Lapwing; Indian Courser; Red-headed, Cinereous & White-rumped Vultures; Eastern Imperial Eagle; White-eyed Buzzard; Laggar Falcon; Painted, Spotted & Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse; Sykes’s & Savanna Nightjars; White-naped & Indian Black-lored Tits; Marshall’s Iora; Brown Rock Chat; Pied & White-browed Bush Chats; Bimaculated, Rufous-tailed & Sykes’s Larks; Desert Whitethroat; Bay-backed Shrike; Rufous-fronted Prinia; Eastern Orphean & Asian Desert Warblers; Sind Sparrow.

Top Mammals

Asiatic Wild Ass; Blackbuck; Nilgai; Chinkara (Indian Gazelle); with chances for Golden & Grey Wolves; Bengal and the desert subspecies of Red Fox; Striped Hyena; Jungle & Wild Cats.

Habitats Covered

semi-desert scrub, salt-flats, seasonal wetlands, grassland, scrubland, dry deciduous forest, coastline

Expected Climate

Variable temperatures from very cold to warm.

Max Group Size

8 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local birding 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. Long travel days, many target species.

Accommodation

Variable. Comfortable in larger towns to basic at some sites.

Ease of Birding

Moderate to easy. Most species provide good visuals in open conditions but may require repeat attempts. Target driven tour with long days.

Photographic Opportunities

Good to very good in open conditions, lighting can be difficult. No dedicated hides.

What our clients say about us

Dušan Brinkhuizen
CV, India - Western: Desert Specials 2026

Dusan was a great guide. His prep everyday for the best locations specifically to visit for the specialty birds was outstanding and mostly successful. The local crew were also outstanding. Bablu is a great source of all information and a very pleasant travelling companion. The driver and his assistant came up with an outstanding plan to retrieve my forgotten phone. The long drives were taxing but I understand as the distance between areas we visited were extensive. The food was way better than I had expected. All the hotels were great.

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

An excellent tour! Paul Josop lived up to our expectations for a Rockjumper guide - excellent knowledge of the birds; conscientious about getting everyone on the birds; on top of all the arrangements for meals, lodging and transportation; worked well with the local guide; and shared his excitement and good humor throughout the trip. The WhatsApp group that he set up was brilliant. He shared photos with us, as did other participants, and it was an easy way for us all to keep in touch. We would love to travel with Paul again.

David Hoddinott
CH, India 2018

David Hoddinott is simply outstanding: Calm, focused, truly excellent knowledge of the birds, their calls and habits. He has a wonderful sense of humour, too.

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

Another excellent tour with Glen. He is amazing. The local guides and ground support were also excellent. The accommodations were quite luxurious although quite cold. Warm layers are definitely a must for this trip. One suggestions for the tour information: Under annoyances add a comment about the poor air quality around Delhi and the dust during afternoon game drives. Suggest that participants bring N95 masks and dust protection for optics. Looking forward to our next Rockjumper trip.

Robert Williams
PR, India 2023

As usual another fantastic journey masterfully organized and enabling us to discover places and birds in the best possible way. Supreme guide, all matters perfect, except the lack of heating in the bus. Chilly India, believe it or not !

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