Nepal offers many wildlife and birding options in the central Himalayan range. The Kanchenjunga Conservation Area which shares borders with the Indian counterpart of the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve to the east hosts the most varied avian fauna in this magnificent landscape. Kanchenjunga Ridge and Mechi River in eastern Nepal cuts the border between the hilly regions of Nepal and India. Meanwhile, the Kali & Sarda rivers define the border between Uttarakhand and Nepal. Since we will be majorly showcasing the best birdlife of Nepal here; thus we will focus on sharing the birding tours in Eastern Nepal and Central Nepal.

Speaking of which, the best circuit for an eastern Nepal birding tour for 2 weeks or 15 days would be Kanchenjunga Conservation Area and Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. Koshi Tappu is a lowland floodplain and confluence of multiple Himalayan rivers in the southeastern part of Nepal. The habitat type for this wildlife reserve is mostly marshes, wet grassland, impounded rivers, and riverine forests. Some parts of this wildlife reserve are dry and constitute scrub patches as well. A large number of passage migrants and waterfowl arrive in this wetland in winter from the higher Himalayas or central Asia. The Central Asian flyway passes through this wildlife reserve making it an IBA and Ramsar site for the country. This wildlife sanctuary hosts Ducks, Gooses, Plovers, Lapwings, Pochards, Harriers, Large Eagles, Crakes, Pelicans, Bush Warblers, Reed Warblers, Crakes, Chats & Allies, and Grassbirds in big numbers from Autumn to winter till early spring. Some of the interesting and endangered grassland species from Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve include Bengal Florican, Swamp Francolin, and Bristle Grassbird. A couple of Vulture species are also recorded from this birding hotspot of eastern Nepal.

Kanchendzonga Conservation Reserve on the higher elevation is home to nearly 400 plus recorded bird species of adjoining Sikkim and Darjeeling hills of India. The guardian deity - mount Kanchenjunga to all religious groups is the adobe for all. This is the best place where multiple pheasant species can be sighted along with the magnificent Red Panda. For the Red Panda only, people come here to experience the elusiveness of this near-threatened species in the wild. The early morning calls echo through the gorges - for Himalayan Monal and Satyr Tragopan mesmerize the birdwatchers visiting this sanctuary. There are numerous species of Timaliidae babblers - Scimitar Babblers, Leiothrixes, Shrike-babblers, Wren Babbler, Cupwings, Shortwings, Tesias, Minlas, and more to witness while one visits this magnificent Conservation reserve of eastern Nepal. [Detailed Itinerary]

Other best routes for birdwatching and wildlife experience areas in Nepal will be Royal Chitwan National Park, Phulchowki-Shivapuri Wildlife Reserve, and Langtang National Park. A long birding tour itinerary of 20 days will be great to plan for this birdwatching trip. All these three areas have very diverse bird habitats. Royal Chitwan National Park is a floodplain adjoining India and a major confluence of multiple Himalayan rivers like Kali Gandaki, Trishuli, Rapti, etc. This south-central forest is known for Tigers, Elephants, Rhinos, and Water buffalos. Apart from the megafauna of this National Park, it is also known for many rare and endangered bird species. The combination of grasslands, Sal-Teak forests, riverine swamps, small lakes, and well-wooded small hillocks around the protected area hosts rare bird species like Jerdon's Babbler, Slender-billed Babbler, Swamp Francolin, Bristled Grassbird, Indian Grassbird, etc. Around the lakes and rivers, one might see different species of Fish-eagles. Grasslands are also famous for sighting Harriers. Whereas, the adjacent hillocks are great places for Hornbill species, Trogons, Broadbills, and eagle owls.