India is one of the richest birding nations in the world, home to more than 1,300 bird species, including migratory visitors that travel thousands of kilometers to winter here. For photographers, the country’s wetlands, forests, and mountains offer endless opportunities, from vibrant kingfishers and hornbills to elegant cranes and raptors in flight.
If you are planning bird photography tours in India for 2025–26, here are some of the top destinations to explore with DCP Expeditions, along with the species and experiences that make each place unique.
Bharatpur – Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan)
Bharatpur is India’s most iconic bird sanctuary and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its wetlands host thousands of migratory waterfowl in winter, including bar-headed geese, painted storks, pelicans, spoonbills, and darters. Raptors like marsh harriers add drama to the skies.
For photographers, the compact geography makes it easy to cover on foot, experiment with low angles, and capture both portraits and flight shots in golden light.
The Bharatpur Bird Photography Tour is ideal for mastering bird-in-flight techniques and close-up portraits.
Gajoldoba and Latpanchar (North Bengal)
This unique circuit combines the wetlands at Gajoldoba with the Himalayan foothill forests of Latpanchar. Gajoldoba attracts large flocks of migratory ducks and waders, while Latpanchar is famous for rufous-necked hornbills, Himalayan cutias, minivets, and thrushes.
The contrast between wetlands and montane habitats gives photographers an extraordinary range of species in a single expedition.
Join our Gajoldoba and Latpanchar Birding Expedition for a perfect mix of waterbirds and Himalayan endemics.
Kashmir Valley (J&K)
In winter, the lakes and wetlands of Kashmir become a refuge for migratory ducks and geese arriving from Central Asia. Pochards, mallards, teals, and rare cranes gather in snowy landscapes, creating spectacular frames.
The combination of winter light, reflections on frozen waters, and snow-clad backdrops makes Kashmir one of the most atmospheric birding destinations in India.
The Kashmir Bird Photography Expedition is designed to help you capture both species and landscapes in harmony.
Sattal and Surroundings (Uttarakhand)
Sattal, Shyamkhet, and Ramgarh are a Himalayan paradise for small and colorful birds. Oak and pine forests echo with thrushes, barbets, laughingthrushes, kingfishers, and parakeets.
Photography here is rewarding because of the diversity of perches, natural light through dense canopies, and high activity levels.
Our Sattal Bird Photography Tour offers immersive sessions with mentors to perfect your forest bird photography skills.
Coorg (Karnataka)
Coorg in the Western Ghats is famous for its coffee estates and evergreen forests. It is home to Malabar Trogons, Great Hornbills, flycatchers, and parakeets. Misty mornings, diffused light, and lush green backdrops create painterly frames.
On the Coorg Bird Photography Tour, you will practice both natural history and creative bird compositions in rich habitats.
Ganeshgudi (Karnataka)
Ganeshgudi is legendary for hide-based bird photography. Natural perches at local forest lodges attract species like Malabar Pied Hornbill, barbets, sunbirds, and jungle mynas, allowing photographers to capture clean, close frames.
For those who want to learn how to use hides effectively and work with composition in controlled settings, this is a must-visit.
Join our Ganeshgudi Bird Photography Tour for hide-based bird photography at its finest.
Goa (Coastal Wetlands and Mangroves)
Beyond its beaches, Goa is a hidden birding gem. Its estuaries, mangroves, and paddy fields host multiple kingfisher species, waders, raptors, and migratory ducks.
Boat rides through the backwaters give unique low-angle perspectives, while early morning light adds magic to the frames.
The Goa Bird Photography Tour is a chance to combine coastal landscapes with rich birdlife.
Why Bird Photography in India is Special
Incredible diversity: From Himalayan endemics to coastal migrants, every region has its specialties.
Accessibility: Many sites are close to towns and cities, making logistics easier.
Seasonal variety: Winter migration brings thousands of birds, while monsoon forests awaken with breeding activity.
Mentorship: With DCP Expeditions, each trip combines sightings with structured photography learning in the field.
From the wetlands of Bharatpur to the Himalayan forests of Sattal, from Western Ghats estates in Coorg to mangrove channels in Goa, India offers endless opportunities for bird photographers. Each destination brings new species, new light, and new creative challenges.
Ready to capture the avian wonders of India? Book your spot on upcoming bird photography tours with DCP Expeditions.
