EXPEDITION DOSSIER

Bharatpur Bird Expedition

A Different Side of the Wild · Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan

DESTINATION Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan
DURATION 4 Days / 3 Nights
BEST SEASON November – March
GROUP SIZE Small Groups (Max 4-6 Guests)
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✦ EXPEDITION OVERVIEW

A Different Side of the Wild

Wildlife is not always about big cats. Sometimes it is about wings. Bharatpur’s wetlands bring together an extraordinary diversity of resident and migratory birds, seasonal movement and delicate ecological relationships. Pushpendra guides guests to slow down and notice the stories happening above the water.

Keoladeo National Park (formerly Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary) is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the finest bird habitats in the world. Over 370 bird species congregate across its engineered shallow wetlands, from thousands of painted storks nesting in babool canopies to wintering raptors, sarus crane courtship dances, and dazzling kingfishers. Traveling quietly on customized cycle-rickshaws driven by trained naturalists, this expedition is the ultimate field workshop for bird behaviour and flight photography.

Expedition Highlights

  • Dedicated trained local birding rickshaws permitting quiet, slow-speed approach to nesting trees
  • Mastering high-speed flight photography, action autofocus tracking, and rim-light framing
  • Witnessing Sarus Crane pair bonding displays, Painted Stork heronries, and fishing raptors
  • Intimate walking sessions along woodland trails for owls, nightjars, and winter warblers
  • Stay in a charming heritage jungle lodge close to the park sanctuary gates
  • Personal species identification and telephoto composition tutoring by Pushpendra
Bird species in the wetlands of Bharatpur, Rajasthan
WETLAND & AVIAN EXPEDITION

Field Specifications

Lead Naturalist Pushpendra Singh Ranawat
Habitat Freshwater Marshes, Sawa Swamps & Acacia Woodlands
Altitude / Region 175m Above Sea Level
Core Focus Avian Behaviour, Flight Dynamics & Wetland Ecology
Expedition Batches
November 2026 – March 2027 (Flexible Dates & Bespoke Small Batches)
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DAY-BY-DAY FIELD ROUTE

Expedition Itinerary

Crafted for patient natural history tracking, optimal photographic lighting, and ethical wildlife encounters.

Day 1

Arrival in Bharatpur & Sunset Wetland Orientation

Arrive in Bharatpur by midday (convenient rail connection from Delhi, Jaipur or Agra). Check in at our heritage hotel. Afternoon cycle-rickshaw safari exploring the main barrier and heronries. Capture Painted Storks and Spoonbills against sunset water reflections. Evening workshop on bird flight autofocus settings.

Day 2

Dawn Wetland Mist & Deep Marshes Exploration

Enter the sanctuary at gate opening when morning mist still clings to the lagoons. Photograph Sarus Cranes calling in the dawn glow and Spot-billed Pelicans preening. Midday break for lunch and portfolio feedback. Return for afternoon light targeting migratory ducks, Greater Spotted Eagles and Kingfishers.

Day 3

Woodland Trails, Raptors & Fledgling Activity

Morning exploration of acacia scrub forests seeking roosting Dusky Eagle Owls, Collared Scops Owls, and elusive pythons sunbathing on canal banks. Afternoon marsh safari focusing on water birds diving for fish and mid-air territorial spats.

Day 4

Final Dawn Flight Session & Departure

A final dawn session to capture any remaining target species and master slow-shutter panning of birds in flight. Return for late breakfast, debrief and departure assistance.

TRANSPARENT EXPEDITION STANDARDS

Inclusions & Exclusions

Comprehensive field logistics designed so you can focus entirely on photography and natural history.

What is Included

  • 3 nights accommodation at a heritage wilderness resort near the park gate
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch, evening dinner) with field tea/coffee
  • Park entry permits and guide fees for all morning and afternoon sessions
  • Dedicated trained cycle-rickshaw pullers on a 1-guest-per-rickshaw or couple basis
  • Personal avian photography instruction and fieldcraft mentoring by Pushpendra
  • Assistance with local logistics and railway station transfers in Bharatpur

What is Not Included

  • Transit / train / airfare to and from Bharatpur
  • Professional commercial camera video permits if mandated by park authorities
  • Personal expenses, laundry and alcoholic beverages
  • Personal travel and equipment insurance
  • Gratuities for rickshaw pullers and lodge staff
WORDS FROM OUR GUESTS

Traveller Reviews

Reflections from naturalists, wildlife photographers and private guests who have travelled into the wild with Pushpendra.

★★★★★

“Spending four days in Keoladeo with Pushpendra opened my eyes to the nuances of wetland behaviour. He understood lighting angles from early dawn mist to sunset silhouettes, helping me capture portfolio-grade flight frames of Sarus cranes and wintering raptors.”

Ananya Sen Kolkata, India
PERSONAL EXPEDITION INQUIRY

Plan Your Bharatpur Bird Expedition

Every expedition is hosted in small groups with personal attention to detail. Let Pushpendra know your preferred dates, group size, and specific wildlife or photographic goals.

Direct Phone: +91 89054 33581
Email Desk: pushpendra@wildlifewithpushpendra.com
Field Base: Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan

Your details are kept completely private and answered directly by Pushpendra within 24 hours.

✦ COME INTO THE FIELD

Tell me where you want to go, when you want to travel and what you hope to experience.

Whether it is your first wildlife journey, a dedicated photography expedition or a return to a landscape you already know, I personally plan the experience around the wildlife, the season and the people travelling with me.

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