Birding and Wildlife Photography in Uttarakhand: Nagtibba Trek & Rajaji National Park Safaris

Exploring Uttarakhand Through Trekking and Wildlife Photography

My wildlife and birding experience in Uttarakhand has mainly been shaped by two very different journeys. One was a high-altitude trekking experience at Nagtibba with my wife, and the other was a leopard safari expedition in Rajaji National Park with my friend Ramgeet.

Both experiences were completely different in nature — one being physically demanding mountain trekking, and the other being a structured wildlife safari — but both taught me a lot about patience, endurance, and photography in challenging environments.

Trekking and Birding at Nagtibba

The Nagtibba trek was something I had planned mainly to introduce my wife to trekking in the Himalayas. I wanted it to be her first proper trekking experience in the mountains.

However, the reality on the ground was quite different.

She found the trek extremely tiring and eventually had to stop at the base camp itself. From there, she could not continue further to the summit. Even for me, the trek turned out to be more physically demanding than expected. Although I have done trekking in the past, the long break in between had an impact, and I started experiencing serious knee pain while returning.

Despite the physical strain, reaching the summit of Nagtibba was worth it. The panoramic views of the Himalayan ranges from the top were breathtaking, with multiple peaks visible in the distance. That moment of standing at the summit and looking at the vast mountain landscape was personally very satisfying for me.

Birding Experience During the Trek

From a birding perspective, the trek did offer some interesting sightings. We did spot a few rare Himalayan species, but unfortunately, I was not able to capture them properly due to rushed shooting conditions. Most of my images turned out either underexposed or overexposed because I was constantly moving and adjusting quickly.

One of the most memorable wildlife sightings during this trek was a Himalayan Langur. It is known for being extremely shy and elusive. I managed to spot it briefly, but it disappeared almost immediately before I could get a proper shot.

Even though the photography output was not ideal, the experience of trekking through Himalayan terrain and encountering wildlife in such raw conditions was still very rewarding.

Leopard Safari at Rajaji National Park

My second major experience in Uttarakhand was at Rajaji National Park, where I went on a wildlife safari with Ramgeet — a fellow photographer whom I had originally met during a rainy season birding camp at Thattekad.

Unlike trekking, this trip was more structured, with proper safari arrangements. I traveled entirely using public transport, and the bus actually dropped me very close to the park entrance. From there, we coordinated with local guides and proceeded for the safaris.

We went on two safaris in total.

Leopard Sightings

We did manage to spot leopards, but unfortunately, they were quite far away. The sightings were brief and did not offer ideal photographic opportunities. While it was exciting to see them in the wild, the distance limited the quality of images we could capture.

Great Hornbill Nesting Observation

One of the most interesting sightings during this trip was the Great Hornbill.

We observed a female hornbill inside a nesting cavity. She occasionally extended her beak out, but remained mostly inside the nest. Unfortunately, we did not get to see the male hornbill during the entire observation period.

Even so, witnessing hornbill nesting behavior in the wild was a rare and valuable experience for me.

Overall Experience in Uttarakhand

My wildlife photography journey in Uttarakhand was a mix of physical challenge and rewarding sightings.

• The Nagtibba trek tested my endurance and gave me Himalayan landscapes along with rare glimpses of mountain wildlife.

• Rajaji National Park offered structured safaris with leopard sightings and hornbill nesting behavior.

Both experiences reinforced an important lesson for me: wildlife photography is not just about perfect shots, but also about the effort, journey, and unpredictable nature of field conditions.

Even when photography results are not ideal, the experience itself often becomes the most valuable part of the trip.