Little Rann of Kutch - Birding in both the worlds (13th to 15th Dec, 2012)

Date: 13th Dec 2012 morning 05.00 am to 15th Dec,2012 eve 7.00 pm (travel days excluded). The bookings for Little Rann of Kutch (LRK) - Wild Ass Sanctuary bird-watching trip are on…..book your seats now (see the details at the end).....Get the birds from both worlds... Desert as well as Wetland. Bird-watch in one of the highly recommended birding hot-spots in India with Nature India.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

LRK - Birding Unlimited in the Little Rann of Kutch

Ask someone who has been here......and you wont have to think twice to decide where you want to head next. This Wild Ass Sanctuary is located in the Little Rann of Kutch of the Gujarat State in India. It covers an area of 4954 km². The Sanctuary is named after a sub species of wild ass (Equus hemionus khur), the last population of which it harbours. The Rann is one of the most remarkable and unique landscape of its kind in the entire world. It is a vast expanse of desiccated, unbroken bare surface of dark silt, encrusted with salts which transforms into a spectacular coastal wetland after the rains. And in these wetlands occur one of the most breathtaking variety of avi-fauna that is rivalled by few other spots in India.

A geographically unique landform, the Little Rann of Kutch is a saline desert wilderness offering exciting cross-desert safaris, superb wildlife viewing opportunities and colourful villages along the edge of the desert. The Little Rann of Kutch or LRK, as it is often called, is a charismatic birding paradise and has been declared a Ramsar Site. The marshes in the Rann, and nearby lakes like Nawa Talao and Vanod Saran, attract huge flocks of water birds. Flamingos, pelicans, cranes, storks, ducks etc can be seen in large numbers. LRK is home to some very rare species like Macqueen's Bustard, Sociable Lapwing, Pallied Scops Owl, Merlin, Short-eared Owl etc...

The Little Rann of Kutch is also a Wild-life photographers paradise as it offers innumerable opportunities to capture birds and wildlife at close quarters. Last year the photographers literally had a feast photographing the falcons, buzzards, eagles, bustards, wolfs, desert foxes, Wild Ass etc. (Most of the images in this blog are courtesy: Mr.Nirav Bhatt, Gujarat)

Kachchh (also spelled as Kutch) is a district of Gujarat state in western India. Covering an area of 45,612 km², it is the largest district in the state of Gujarat and the second largest district of India after Leh. Kachchh literally means something which intermittently becomes wet and dry; large part of this district known as Rann of Kachchh is shallow wet-land which submerges in water during the rainy season and becomes dry during other seasons. The same word "Kuchchh" is also used in Sanskrit for a tortoise and garments to be worn while having a bath.

Kachchh District is surrounded by the Gulf of Kachchh and the Arabian Sea in south and west, while northern and eastern parts are surrounded by the Great and Little Rann (seasonal wetlands) of Kachchh. When there were not many dams built on its rivers, the Rann of Kachchh remained wetlands for a large part of the year. Even today, the region remains wet for a significant part of year.

Nature India has organized an exclusive Birdwatching trip to this paradise from 6th January to 8th January 2011 (travel days excluded). We shall cover The Little Rann of Kutch including the Indian wild Ass sanctuary, Savada wetland, Bajana wetland, Nava talav, Handiwala wetland ....virtually almost all the hotspots.

Some of the places that we will cover during our trip are as follows:

Wild Ass Sanctuary, Little Rann of Kutch

Little Rann of Kutch of which most of the part constitutes Asiatic Wild Ass Sanctuary. It is theonly place in the world, to see Asiatic Wild Ass in wild. Other mammals to look out for areWolf, Blue Bull, Desert Fox, Desert Cat, Hedge Hog, Chinkara etc.

The sanctuary known for not only Wild Ass but also for numerous wetlands it has around and no. of Waterfowls. ALso the dry unending desert is known for species like Macqueen's Bustard, Short-eared Owl, Sociable Lapwing, Greater Short-toed Larks, Desert Wheatear, Red-tailed Wheatear, Variable Wheatear, Aquilla Eagles, Pallid Harrier, Montagu's Harrier, Merlin, Bimaculated Lark, Laggar Falcon, Imeprial Eagle etc...

Have a look at some of the Trip reports & photoblogs on LRK

http://natureindia-tours.blogspot.com/2009/07/final-trip-reports.html#lrk

http://picasaweb.google.com/shaileshkar/TholeSanctuaryAndLittleRannOfKutch#
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lraleigh/youarehere./1173972660/tpod.html

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Tour Itinerary & Other Details:

Date: 13th Dec'12 morning 6.00 am to 15th dec'12 eve 7.00 pm (travel days excluded)

Mode of Travel : Safari Jeeps (LRK)

Overnight train travel can be booked from Mumbai..... however since it is a busy sector, the train bookings should be done soon to get the desired train and class .... there are several trains available for Ahmedabad from Mumbai....Nature India can ASSIST in bookings if required.

Rough Tour Itinerary:( Ex.Mumbai)

12th Dec'12 (Wednesday): Departure from Mumbai to Viramgam 9017 Saurashtra Janata Express. at 18:20 Hrs (from Bandra) or any other train according to your convenience.

13th Dec'12 (Thursday): Arrival in Viramgam (4.30am) - Proceed to Royal Safari Resorts - Rest - Breakfast - Birdwatching safari in Rann - Return for Lunch - Rest - Birdwatching at Bajana Wetland - Return for dinner and night stay at Royal Safari Resorts

14th Dec'12 (Friday): Early morning bird watching @ Savada Wetland and the Wild-Ass Sanctuary Safari - return to hotel for lunch - Rest - Birdwatching at Handiwala Wetlands - Return - Presentation on "Birds of LRK" - Dinner and night stay at Royal Safari Resorts

15th Dec'12 (Saturday): Early morning Birding at "Nava Talav" and Safari in Rann - Return for Lunch - Rest - Birding in Bajana Wetlands - Eve. Tea - Proceed to Viramgam Station to Board 9018 Saurashtra Janata Exp. at 18:45

16th Dec'12 (Sunday): Arrive in Mumbai on 12th early morning by 05:40 Hrs.

Trip charges : Viramgam to Viramgam only

Charges: Rs.9200/- only (Includes A/C stay in Royal Safari Camp on twin sharing basis with attached toilet, Local travel by Safari Jeeps, Viramgam to Viramgam travel, Park entry charges, vegetarian food , Guide charges, Information articles & on board snacks and mineral water)…….

This does not include travel charges from Mumbai to Viramgam and Back, Photography fees or any charges other than the above.

Group Size: Max.14 persons only

Registration: You can register by sending a confirmation mail to natureindiatours@gmail.com and by paying a non refundable Advance of Rs.4000/- after our registration confirmation on e-mail…..The remaining amount will be collected on the day of travel.

Kindly register soon as the train bookings are not easily available in Gujarat.

Stay Arrangement:

At Royal Safari Camp, Near Bajana wetlands, Surendranagar District in AC rooms on a twin sharing basis. Beautifully constructed by the skilful local artisans, with local red stone, each cottage at the thoughtfully landscaped camp exhibits the magnificent craftsmanship, while offering you all the amenitie, including air-conditioners and luxury bathrooms to make your stay comfortable. A specially created lake along the camp simply adds to the serenity of the whole area.

Have a look at their website http://www.theroyalsafaricamp.com/facilities.html

Resource Person: Mr.Adesh Shivkar, Mr.Mandar Khadilkar & a local expert

Mode of Payment: You can either

1) Transfer the advance money directly to the HDFC A/c (Please send a mail for details).. please mention your name, date and other details….
2) Courier a cheque of Rs.4000/- as advance amount to the following address

Name: Mr. Mandar Khadilkar

Address: Flat No.2, Blossom Apts, LM Road, Below Shantighan Hospital, Kandarpada, Dahisar (West), Mumbai-400068

Please Note:  
1) Once registered, the amount of Rs. 4000/- is strictly non-refunadable  

2) Alcohol & Smoking is strictly prohibited on Nature India Tours 

3) Nest photography or any collection of specimens is prohibited 

4) Kindly register on this trip only if you agree with  Nature India's rules and policies

http://natureindiapolicies.blogspot.in/2012/08/nature-india-policies.html 

Please revert on natureindiatours@gmail.com ID, in case you need any clarification …..

For any other queries we are available on 9869071091 or 9820455713 (Adesh) or 9930318665 or 967518665 (Mandar).

Thanks for your patience.

Looking forward for a very rewarding trip with you all !!


Warm Regards,
Adesh Shivkar & Mandar Khadilkar
Nature India
Appreciate, Respect and Conserve