Who would make a special effort to visit a country during the height of the monsoon. We were the first to offer such a tour, optimising the visit to coincide with the display of the Critically Endangered Lesser Florican and the western Himalayan specialities.

We begin from Delhi, in search of Endangered Finn's Weaver, Bristled and Indian Grassbirds. The on to Himachal Pradesh to watch singing West Himalayan Grasshopper (Bush) Warbler way above the treeline as they sing in scenic alpine meadows. Moving across to Jammu & Kashmir, we target Kashmir and White-cheeked Nuthatches, Kashmir Nutcracker, Spectacled Finch, Black-and-yellow Grosbeak and Tytler's Leaf Warbler, while we even have a chance of Orange Bullfinch.
As the India heat meets the monsoon season, one of the subcontinents most iconic, but seldom-observed endemics starts it's spectacular aerial display - Lesser Florican. On top of this, we can also hope to encounter Rain Quail, Rock Bush Quail, Painted Francolin, Singing Bushlark and displaying Bristled and Broad-tailed Grassbirds.

Day 1:
‍International arrivals into Delhi International Airport (DEL). Night near Delhi Airport.

‍Day 2:
‍Pre-dawn departure for Haiderpur Wetlands (3 hours / 150km), arriving shortly after dawn. Early morning in search of both Indian and Bristled Grassbirds. In addition, in the lush, green grassland and riverside habitat we should see a whole host of species, including Black-breasted, Streaked and Baya Weaver, Red Avadavat, Tricoloured Munia, and possibly White-tailed Stonechat. On the Ganges, River Tern and Small Pratincole are possible. We plan to spend much of the morning here before returning to Delhi in the afternoon. However, further afield (3 hours / 160km), in recent years a colony of Endangered Finn’s Weaver have been found along the shores of a reservoir. If the colony is currently nesting then we depart Haiderpur mid-morning, spending a short time with the weavers before returning to Delhi (5 hours / 260km). Night near Delhi Airport.

‍Day 3:
‍Morning flight from Delhi International Airport (DEL) to Dharamshala (Kangra) Airport (DHM), in Himachal Pradesh.We then wind our up through the Himalayan foothills through the day, driving to the small town of Garh over the course of the day (210km) – it’s a slow, winding road. On the way we’ll make a couple of stops, including for lunch, in suitable looking habitat. On the way a few classic Himalayan foothill species are possible, including Blue-capped Rock-thrush, Himalayan Prinia, Upland Pipit, Black-chinned Babbler and Crested and Chestnut-eared Buntings.  

‍Day 4:
Drive to Saach Pass for West Himalayan Grasshopper (Bush) Warbler in the early morning. Following much of the morning here, with a whole array of alpine west Himalayan species possible, including Pink-browed Rosefinch, Koklass Pheasant, and Variegated and Streaked Laughingthrushes, while White-throated Bushtit is an outside possibility. After spending first half of the morning here, we continue on towards Jammu & Kashmir – which road we take depends on the current conditions.  

‍Day 5:
Full day drive / birding. Through the course of the day (or just afternoon), we’ll be making various stops on the way where even Orange Bullfinch is very possible, along with Spectacled Finch, Pink-browed Rosefinch, Rusty-tailed and Dark-sided Flycatchers, Black-and-yellow Grosbeak, White-cheeked and Kashmir Nuthatches, Western Crowned Warbler, Rufous-naped Tit, Scaly-bellied, Brown-fronted and Himalayan Woodpeckers, and Rock Bunting. Night in Jammu & Kashmir.
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‍Days 6-7:
‍We have two days in the Vale of Kashmir. A long list of potential birds include Kashmir Nutcracker, Kashmir and White-cheeked Nuthatch, Tytler’s Leaf Warbler, Rusty-tailed, Dark-sided and Kashmir Flycatchers, Himalayan Parakeet, Scaly-bellied, Brown-fronted and Himalayan Woodpeckers, Black-and-yellow Grosbeak, Pink-browed Rosefinch, Rock Bunting and Rufous-naped Tit. Additional highly localised and difficult species include White-throated Bushtit and another chance of Orange Bullfinch. Where we bird exactly depends on our success over the previous days. Night at Srinagar.

‍Day 8:
After breakfast (and a couple hours optional birding) we fly to Jaipur International Airport (JAI). From Jaipur we drive south to our accommodation (160km / 2.5-3 hours). Night at Ajmer.  

‍Day 9:
‍Today we spend all day around the Songhaliya area, close to Ajmer. A very early start will be required to early at sunrise. The mix of cultivated fields and grassland are home to the monsoon-breeding Lesser Florican. Handsome males will be present and we will hope to see their spectacular display, but this is always dependent on the timing of the monsoon. The supporting cast is varied, in the lush green vegetation which is such a contrast to the dry winter landscape most of us are used to in India. Even the weavers are in breeding dress! The cast is likely to include Rock Bush Quail, Rain Quail, Indian Eagle Owl and Singing Bushlark, with slimmer chances of Painted Francolin, Rufous-necked Falcon and Painted Sandgrouse. Night at Ajmer.

‍Day 10:
‍Today will depend on how we did the previous day, and also what new birds are possible for those on the tour. Options include drive further afield, in search of Indian Spotted-creeper or additional possibilities including White-bellied Minivet, Marshall’s Iora and White-naped Tit before driving to Jaipur Airport (JAI) and flying down to Pune (PNQ) in the evening. Night near Pune Airport.
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‍Day 11:
‍Pre-dawn drive through Pune to Sinhaghad Fort (90 minutes / 45km) in search of Broad-tailed Grassbird, hopefully performing their parachuting display flight. This is a difficult bird on the traditional winter tour of the Western Ghats, but in the monsoon season when the birds prefer to sit up and sing from open perches. In addition, Jungle Bush Quail, Malabar Whistling-thrush and Crested Bunting are possible. We also have another chance with Painted Francolin nearby. Depending on the latest news with the best location for Painted Francolin, we will either search for it around Pune, or head off in the late morning to Mumbai (3 hours / 185km) and search for it on the outskirts of Mumbai, along with Vigors’s Sunbird. Night near Mumbai Airport.

Day 12:
Departures from Mumbai International Airport (BOM).