Learning to see a forest
The Himalayan forests around Ranikhet and Binsar host over 200 species of birds. Our guides teach you to hear the forest before you see it.
A living community, hiding in plain sight
Most people look at a forest and see trees. A birdwatcher looks at the same forest and sees a living community of hundreds of species, each with a role, a voice and a story. Our birdwatching mornings teach you to slow down enough to notice what has always been there.
The Kumaun Himalaya is one of India's richest birding regions, where the plains meet the mountains. We walk at Kalika near Oakakhi, on the Kasar Devi ridge above Almora, and at the hides by the Sattal lakes.
“The forest does not perform for you. You must become quiet enough that it forgets you are there.”
The Turiya Trails wayBirds you may encounter
Great Barbet
Its loud, mournful call is the unofficial soundtrack of the Kumaun forests. Brightly coloured, usually heard high in tall trees before it is seen.
Khalij Pheasant
A forest pheasant often heard before seen. Its calls carry through the understorey at dawn around Ranikhet and Kalika.
Black Francolin
Heard in the early mornings around Oakakhi. A ground bird with a sharp, repeating call.
Verditer Flycatcher
A flash of blue at the forest edge, and one of the birds on our home list at Kalika.
Lammergeier
The bearded vulture rides thermals for hours over the ridges. One of the most dramatic birds of the Himalaya.
Himalayan Monal
Uttarakhand's state bird, found higher up between about 2,500 and 4,500 metres. A possibility on our mountain journeys, not at Ranikhet.
Birds we have photographed in Kumaun
Wild birds keep their own schedule. We never guarantee a particular sighting.
What a session looks like
- An early start, 5:30 to 6am, when birds are most active
- Walking in silence unless the guide signals
- Birds identified by call before sight
- Binoculars and a field guide provided
- Two to three hours covering two or three kilometres, slowly
- Tea afterwards and a look back at what was seen
- No target list. Presence over checklist.
Kalika forest and the oak forests around Oakakhi, the Kasar Devi ridge, and the Sattal lakes. On First Light, also Pangot and Kilbury.
March to June for summer migrants and breeding plumage. October to February for winter species. Each season is a different forest.
A maximum of six people. Smaller groups see more.
On its own
Birdwatching at Kalika
Kalika forest, Ranikhet · 3 hours from first lightOur home list. Barbets, pheasants, flycatchers and the forest they live in. Binoculars provided.
Birdwatching at Kasar Devi
Kasar Devi ridge, Almora · 3 hours from first lightPine and oak on an open ridge, with long views and a different set of birds.
Birdwatching at Sattal
Sattal lakes, near Bhimtal · Half dayThe famous hides by the seven lakes, where patience is everything. Hide charges included.
Prices are per person, for a minimum of two people. Solo guests are welcome to join a scheduled session. Sessions at Kasar Devi and Sattal begin there. We can arrange transport from Ranikhet at cost. Private sessions for your own group can be arranged on request.
Let’s plan a quieter kind of journey.
Tell us what you are looking for, how many of you there are and roughly when. We will help you find the right walk, sky or forest, and we will be honest if we are not the right fit.