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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)

USD5,595 SPACES AVAILABLE

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Tour Leader: Erik Forsyth

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Tour Price (Per person): USD5,595 (GBP4,340 * EUR4,958 * AUD8,256)

Single Supplement: USD990 (GBP768 * EUR877 * AUD1,461)

Flight costs: USD280 (GBP217 * EUR248 * AUD413)

India - Western: Desert Specials 2028

04 Feb 2028 - 18 Feb 2028 (15 days)

USD5,900 SPACES AVAILABLE

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Tour Leader: Nigel Redman

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Tour Price (Per person): USD5,900 (GBP4,576 * EUR5,229 * AUD8,706)

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

India - Western: Desert Specials 2029

06 Feb 2029 - 20 Feb 2029 (15 days)

USD6,200 SPACES AVAILABLE

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Tour Leader: Glen Valentine

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Tour Price (Per person): USD6,200 (GBP4,809 * EUR5,495 * AUD9,148)

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

Glen Valentine
BG, Pvt Castleman India

This was a great trip. A terrific itinerary and we saw lots of birds and we saw tigers at Ranthambhore and Corbett. Glen and [the local leader] were excellent guides—great spotting skills, and they made sure everyone saw the bird. The logistics worked very well because Glen and [the local leader] were a great team.

David Hoddinott
PJ, Andaman Islands 2018

The Andaman Islands were a first for RockJumper and a first for David Hoddinott. It was an incredible experience and also exciting to share the first of all new endemics  with David .

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.

David Hoddinott
TM, India 2018

This was my first Rockjumper trip. I definitely will be a repeat customer. The booking process was easy and painless. The transport and hotel logistics during the trip were flawless. David Hoddinott and Ansar Khan were excellent guides and worked diligently to make sure we saw as many birds as possible.

David Hoddinott
SS, India 2018

David Hoddinott is wonderful and a great leader.

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