Annapurna Circuit Birding : December 2024
Annapurna region is definitely one of the best places in Nepali himalayas for birding. Annapurna trekking system consists of many beautiful trails with magnificent views surrounding the Annapurna massif. From temperate species in the south to some of the elusive mountain species, Annapurna trek has it all.
Within the Annapurna system Annapurna Circuit trek possesses a massive birding opportunity as massive as the Annapurna massif itself. Out of 889 species recorded in Nepal at the moment, over 350 species have been recorded in the Annapurna region. A birding trip to Nepal is incomplete without doing the Annapurna Circuit trek. The trek itself comprises a diversity of landscapes, languages, cultures and biodiversity. From spotted forktails, the ubiquitous blue whistling thrush around the rivers to varieties of laughing thrushes and warblers and the white-rumped, himalayan, griffons and the last but not the least the bearded vultures of the higher himalayas.
Annapurna Circuit Trek details
Length: 14-21 days (flexible depending on trekking/birding needs)Starting elevation: 760 meters asl (Besi-sahar)
Difficulty- Moderate to challenging (Click here for details)
Maximum elevation: 5416 meters asl (Thorang-La Pass)
Best season: Fall season- October to November, Spring season- March to end of April
Itinerary
The itinerary can vary depending on your package and birding needs. For a non-birding trekking package click here.
The following package is for a complete Annapurna trek (including the Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary trek).
Annapurna Circuit trek is one of the most popular treks in the world that combines the mid-hill landscapes/cultures and traditions to varying landscapes and cultures the north under the shadows of the mountains. The trek begins in the village of Besi-Sahar, the headquarters of Lamjung.
Day 1- Drive to Besi-Sahar
The drive to Besi-Sahar (760 meters) from the capital city of Kathmandu takes about 6 to 7 hours (176 kilometers/109 miles). We drive along the Trishuli river valley. A species that can be expected along the river sides are common kingfishers, white-capped restarts, black and ashy drongos and kennels of black kites. Our stop for lunch at one of the restaurants alongside the rivers will give us a chance to explore the birds along the riverside. If time permits, we will have a short birding trip in Besi-Sahar at the end of the day.
Species to expect: Black kite, Great Cormorant, Red-headed vulture, Eurasian kestrel, Ashy/Black drongo, Large billed crow, Red-vented bulbul,
Siberian stonechat
Day 2- Besi-Sahar (760 meters) to Ghermu (1170 meters)
Far away from the snow-capped mountains of the north lies a small temperate village of Ghermu. The 2nd day of the walk starts out with a beautiful walk along the river Marsyangdi. We pass small villages in between with beautiful landscapes and paddy fields. Along the way we get to experience a proper Nepali trekking adventure with suspension bridges, waterfalls and a very high diversity of birds.
Species to expect: Little egret, Black kite, Plumbeous redstart, Blue rock-thrush, Pied bushchat, Eurasian Tree sparrow, Wallcreeper
Day 3- Ghermu (1170 meters) to Chyamje ( 1410 meters)
We will start our morning with a quick birding around Ghermu in the morning and warm Nepali breakfast. The trail is a combination of ups and downs through the day at times crossing over the Marsyangdi river via a suspension bridge. These suspension bridges are symbols of Nepali trek. White-capped redstart, Plumbeous redstart and Blue whistling thrushes can be seen foraging around the huge boulders along the sides of the river. Two beautiful waterfalls of the Annapurna region welcome us to the villages of Jagat and Chyamje.
Species to expect: Himalayan buzzardd, Crested kingfishers, Eurasian kestrels, Blue-rock thrush, Plumbeous redstart, White-capped redstart, Large-billed crows
Day 4- Chyamje (1410 meters) to Timang (2624 meters)
The birding for day 4 starts on the trail. We leave the hotel early in the morning bridging along the way. As we leave Chamjye we descend down on the river Marsyangdi, cross a suspension bridge and start climbing up a rather steep hill. Few stops along the trails will definitely give us some good birds. Bulbuls,warblers, Yuhinas, Thrushes are common along the trails. On the way to Timang we pass through beautiful small villages including Dharapani and Danakyu. Danakyu is famous for its apples.
Species to expect: Yellow-bellied fairy fantail, Gray headed canary-flycatcher, himalayan black-lored tit, Whiskered yuhina, Olive-backed pipit, Black redstart
Day 5- Timang (2624 meters) to Chame ( 2670 meters)
Timang is a beautiful village in the foothills of the himalayas. As we enter Timang, we are in the range of the inner himalayas and it will start feeling like being in the actual mountains. The altitude of Timang itself makes it the highest point of the trek so far. The alpine forest in the village of Timang holds a huge number of birds. One of the common species in Timang is the Rufous-sibia, a beautiful orange bird with blue wing-tips. Minivets can be seen on tops of trees singing their beautiful songs in the morning. The trail from Timang to Chame takes us through Thanchok. The fields of Thankchok are good for birding as well and hold varieties of passerines. Our day ends in the headquarters of Manang district. We will spend the evening exploring and birding in the Chame area.
Species to expect: Himalayan griffon, Coat tit, Rufous-vented tit, White-throated redstart, Golden eagle, Stripe-throated yuhina, Spotted forktail
Day 6- Chame ( 2670 meters) to Upper Pisang ( 3200 meters)
We will start the trek early in the morning. As we leave Chame, we will cross the river Marsyangdi and walk along the trails to finally enter the himalayan range. This is where we start to see rose-finches, accentors, choughs and buntings. On the way to Pisang we pass through the village of Dhikur-pokhari. A small pond near the village attracts a lot of wagtails. The conifers surrounding the pond usually have shrikes on top of them. One of the most striking birds that can be seen around the pond area is the Eurasian nutcracker. At times, a pair or two Ruddy-shelducks can be seen swimming on the pond.
Species to expect: Himalayan griffon, Plain mountain finch, Himalayan beautiful rosefinch, White-winged grosbeak, Mountain bulbul, Streaked laughing thrushes
Day 7- Upper Pisang ( 32oo meters) – Acclimatization day
Day 7 of our trek will be a rest day! Which means more birding!! We will explore the Upper Pisang area and bird along the river banks in lower pisang. After 11 o’clock we will explore the Pisang village and visit a monastery in upper pisang and hike up a certain distance towards Ghyaru ( an easy birding + acclimatization walk) during late afternoon and evening.
Species to expect: Himalayan griffon, Eurasian nut-cracker, Chukar, White-winged grosbeak, Himalayan rosefinch, Snow pigeon, European goldfinch.
Day 8- Upper Pisang (3200 meters) to Manang (3519 meters)
There are two ways this trek can be done. A better version for trekking goes through the village of Ghyaru. This trail has one of the best views of the Annapurna himalayas throughout the whole trail as we walk along the trails with Annapurna massif on the left side. A quick turn to the back and we will see the beautiful Pisang peak and a massive rock of the ‘Swargadwari’ – the door to heavens.
Species to expect: Rock pigeon, Yellow-billed choughs, Red-billed choughs, Beautiful rosefinch, himalayan rosefinch, Griffon, Himalayan vultures, chukar
Day 9 – Manang (3519 meters) to Yak Kharka (4050 meters) (Click here for a extended version from this point)
Manang is the last biggest village/human settlement before we head out to the himalayas. Starting out with an early morning birding in and around the village of Manang, we will start ascending up the mountains towards Yak Kharka. Flocks of snow pigeons and eurasian tree sparrows are going to be common sights around the village with griffon vultures and golden eagles soaring the sky above the himalayas. Occasionally flocks of choughs remind you that they share their sky along with the other birds. The trail heading up to Yak Kharkha is really good to get Chukars and rosefinches.
Species to expect: Griffon vultures, Chukars, White-throated redstart, White-winged grosbeak, Rock pigeon
Day 10- Yak Kharka (4050 meters) to Thorang Phedi ( 4525 meters)
We will start out with a birding breakfast at Yak Kharka. From Yak Kharka onwards, we will start leaving the Annapurna massif behind and enter higher himalayas. Rugged landscape with very less vegetation, confined to small bushes, we will be above tree line from here onwards. Accentors, Rosefinches will start to come in numbers. This part of the trek, though not super steep, will be a little challenging because of the sheer elevation we will be walking at. That’s why we take it slow- birding slow! Our day will end at Thorang Phedi (4525 meters) probably with some chougs and chukars around our tea houses.
Species to expect: Yellow-billed choughs, Bearded vulture, Alpine accentors, Altai accentors, Plain-mountain finch
Day 11- Thorang Phedi (4050 meters) to Muktinath Temple (3760 meters) via Thorang La Pass ( 5416 meters)
Day 11 of our trek is going to be the most challenging and probably the day with the least number of birds. But, the low number of birds will be compensated with an amazing view and a beautiful trek up to the highest point of our trekking route- Thorang La Pass. As we start ascending up from the Thorang Phedi before the break of dawn, we will have herds of Blue sheep and Tibetan snowcock to welcome us. Ravens will be vocal enough to let us know that they’re around as well. Beautiful accentors will be foraging around the rocks. The day will end in the beautiful town of Muktinath (Ranipauwa).
Species to expect: Rock bunting, Robin accentor, Variegated laughingthrush, Large-billed crow, Great rosefinch, Black-throated thrush, White-browed tit-warbler, Wallcreeper, Eurasian sparrowhawk, Brown dipper, Rusty, flanked treecreper.
Day 12- Muktinath Temple (3760 meters) to Jomsom (2700 meters)
Muktinath to Jomsom will be an easy walk, mostly downhill and a lot of birding. We will pass through the famous village of Kagbeni. This is the entry point to the famous Upper Mustang trek (Click here to check Upper Mustang trek and birding). In no time we will end up in Jomsom and after a brief rest we will work on birding the Jomsom area in the evening.
Species to expect: Rock pigeon, Eurasian treesparrow, White winged redstart, Eurasian wren, Green-backed tit, Golden eagle, Eurasian goshawk, Gray-backed shrike, Twite, Pine bunting
Day 13- Jomsom (2700 meters) to Pokhara (827 meters)
Click here for a longer Annapurna Circuit + Annapurna Sanctuary trek).
We will start our morning early with birding around the Jomsom area. A short walk will lead us closer to the famous Kali Gandaki river, a good spot to look for redstarts and if we are lucky- the brown dipper! After the birding we will drive to Pokhara from Jomsom. This should take almost all day, and we are expected to be in Pokhara by the end of the day.
Day 14- Pokhara resting/birding (Click here for Packages on Pokhara birding)
We will rest in the morning and do a short sight seeing around the lake side. In the evening we will take a boat to the base of a small hill and hike up to the Peace Stupa. The peace stupa area is really good for birds. The hike up to the Stupa has a huge diversity of birds. For more information on this check Pokhara birding.