Kaladhungi to Munsiyari Birding Tour – Satyr Tragopan, Cheer Pheasant & More (April 2025)
Overview of the Kaladhungi to Munsiyari Birding Tour Welcome to the Kaladhungi to Munsiyari Birding Tour report by World of Wild (WOW), April 2025 edition. This was an exploratory birding and photography journey covering some of the best avian habitats of Uttarakhand — from the dense foothill forests of Kaladhungi to the breathtaking high-altitude slopes of Khaliya Top in Munsiyari. The primary purpose of this 6-day trip was to evaluate Khaliya Top as a potential WOW destination for birders and photographers. Having visited Munsiyari multiple times before, we knew the region held promise — but this tour exceeded expectations. From elusive pheasants to rare vultures, the diversity and beauty we experienced confirmed that this Himalayan route deserves a permanent place in our birding portfolio.
Trip Route & Duration
- Duration: April 2025 (6 Days / 5 Nights)
- Route: Kaladhungi → Munsiyari → Khaliya Top (trek)
- Tour Type: Exploratory Birding & Photography Tour
📍 Kaladhungi Birding Highlights
Nestled at the base of the Himalayas, Kaladhungi was our first stop. This small forested region near Ramnagar offers incredible lowland bird diversity, especially in spring when the forests come alive with song and activity. During our two-night stay, we explored mixed sal and broadleaf habitats that proved rich in sightings. Our key focus here was the Great Slaty Woodpecker, which we not only found but photographed beautifully. This large, charismatic woodpecker is a prized find in North Indian forests.
- Common Green Magpie
- Jungle Owlet & Brown Boobook
- Himalayan Prinia & Common Rosefinch
- Gray-capped Pygmy Woodpecker
- Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike
- Shikra, on the lookout from canopy perches
Munsiyari & Khaliya Top – High-Altitude Highlights
After Kaladhungi, we made the long scenic journey to Munsiyari, followed by a trek up to Khaliya Top, which sits at around 10,500 ft. This zone combines rhododendron forest, alpine meadows, and steep cliffs — a mix that supports several high-altitude Himalayan endemics. This Kaladhungi to Munsiyari Birding Tour brought us rare sightings, especially for the pheasant and vulture species we encountered.
- Satyr Tragopan – male and female pair seen in dense rhodo cover
- Cheer Pheasant – calling males along open ridges
- Himalayan Monal – glowing in the morning light on grassy slopes
- Bearded Vulture (Lammergeier) – soaring over the meadows
- Mountain Hawk-Eagle – surprise raptor overhead
- Spotted Laughingthrush, Hill Partridge, and White-throated Fulvetta
- Black-throated Tit, Little Forktail, Scaly-bellied, Himalayan, and Brown-fronted Woodpeckers
In the Field: Real Moments
The mornings at Khaliya were spectacular. With clouds rolling below us and the first rays of sun lighting the ridges, the call of a Cheer Pheasant broke the silence. Moments later, we spotted the striking red of a Satyr Tragopan moving through the undergrowth. It was the kind of moment that defines Himalayan birding — wild, rare, and absolutely unforgettable. Our journey wasn’t just about ticklists — it was about immersion. Trekking through high forests, scanning cliff edges, and waiting in silence were all part of the thrill.
Kaladhungi to Munsiyari Birding Tour – eBird Checklist For a complete species list from this tour, view our official checklist: 🔗 WOW Trip Report on eBird