Langtang
Red pandas, rhododendron forest and high alpine lakes
Langtang National Park lies north of Kathmandu along the Tibetan border, and its trails climb from warm river valleys to alpine lakes above 4,000 metres, with more than 320 bird species along the way. The lower forests of oak, rhododendron and fir hold red pandas, Himalayan monal, blood pheasants and laughingthrushes, and Gosaikunda, a sacred lake at about 4,380 metres, sits in open alpine country where snow pigeons, lammergeiers and Himalayan snowcocks live.
Rhododendrons flower on the hillsides from March to May, which makes spring the best season for both birds and walking. Autumn, from October to November, is the other reliable window. Winter snow closes the higher passes, and the monsoon from June to September brings leeches and landslides to the lower trails.
Trips in Langtang
2 trips here, 10 days, with 86 birds recorded on their routes. Best months: March to May and October to November.
Langtang Birdwatching Trek
From a deep forest gorge to the yak pastures below Langtang Lirung, a short drive from Kathmandu.
10 days · 4,773 m · 70 birds
Gosaikunda Birdwatching Trek
Through pheasant forest to the sacred lakes at 4,380 m, and down a quiet trail back to Kathmandu.
10 days · 4,610 m · 75 birds