Guwahati, Nameri, Dirang, Mandala, Sela Pass, Lama Camp, Bompu, Nameri, Kaziranga
Northeast India Highlights: Eaglenest and Kaziranga Birds And Mammals
Overview
Northeast India is one of the most bird-rich regions in the world. The dense forests are not only home to various species of skulking babblers and similarly plumaged warblers, but also beautiful pheasants and other stunners such as Fire-tailed Myzornis, Himalayan Cutia, Beautiful Nuthatch, Ward’s Trogon and, of course, the recently discovered Bugun Liocichla.
We start this tour with a visit to the lowland Nameri National Park on the Jia Bhoreli river. Nameri hosts a large variety of animal species including the Bengal Tiger, Asiatic Elephant, Leopard, Sambar, Dhole, Muntjac, Gaur, and Sloth Bear. With over 300 species of birds, Nameri is a birder’s paradise. Here we can spot White-winged Duck, Great Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Black Stork, Ibisbill, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, many babbler species, plovers, and many other birds.
Our next stop is Dirang, the base for exploring the Sangti Valley, Mandala Road and, weather- permitting, the high-altitude Sela Pass. At 4,200m and accessible by road, there are birds here that are extremely difficult to find elsewhere in Arunachal and we will hope to connect with Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Solitary Snipe, Grandala, Rufous-breasted Bush Robin, Himalayan White-browed Rosefinch and Rosy Pipit.
Eaglenest wildlife sanctuary, in West Kameng, Western Arunachal Pradesh, is the highest wildlife sanctuary in elevation. The biggest advantage of Eaglenest (expected to provide the bulk of the star species) over other montane forests of Arunachal is a jeep track which cuts right through its heart from the pass at 2800m down to the flood plains of Assam at 100m. Its easy access, excellent forest, and wide altitudinal range is a unique combination for Arunachal. Eaglenest gained fame when Bugun Liocichla was described, new to science, in 2006. As well as that, we will hope to see many other excellent birds, including Blyth’s and Temminck’s Tragopans, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Ward’s Trogon, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Sikkim Wedge-billed Babbler, Bar-winged, Long-billed, and Eye-browed Wren-babblers, White-hooded Babbler, Red-tailed Minla, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Beautiful Sibia, White-breasted and Pale-billed Parrotbills, Slaty-bellied Tesia, Broad-billed Warbler, Beautiful Nuthatch, Red-headed Bullfinch and many more.
Leaving Eaglenest we head to Kaziranga National Park, stopping at Nameri for a night to break the journey. The elephant-grass meadows, swampy lagoons, and dense forests of Kaziranga are home to a large variety of birds and mammal species, the star being the One-horned Rhinoceros. The park also hosts large populations of Asiatic Elephant, Wild Water Buffalo, Swamp Deer, and of course, Bengal Tiger. Kaziranga is also home to many bird species, including the Swamp Francolin, Pinstriped Tit-Babbler, and many more.
Meals: on own
Accommodation: Hotel near the airport or similar
Arrive at Delhi airport in the evening. You will be met and transferred to the Hotel for an overnight stay. You have the evening free to rest or to explore the city.
Day at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast in Delhi and Dinner in Nameri
Accommodation: Eco-Camp - A Tented Resort
Transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Guwahati. Arrive at Guwahati airport, where you will be met and transferred to Nameri Tiger Reserve (5-hour drive).
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Eco-Camp - A Tented Resort
Take an early morning Inflatable raft across the Jia Bharali River. Use the morning for a birding session at Nameri.
Overnight stay.
Key Species: White-winged Duck, Great Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Crested Kingfisher, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, Greater Spotted Eagle, White-rumped Vulture, Indian Vulture, Black-bellied Tern
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: At the hotel
Take an early morning boat ride across the Jia Bhoreli river. Use the morning for a birding session at Nameri. Later, have breakfast at the resort and proceed towards Arunachal Pradesh. We will drive to Dirang today (6 to 7-hours drives), stopping en route for bird watching. This day will be spent taking long hill drives through the picturesque landscape of Arunachal, but that won't be all. Along our way to Dirangzong, we'll take a few pit stops to look for birds - a great travel experience.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Black Stork, Ibisbill, Fulvous Whistling Duck, Red-headed Vulture, Long-billed Plover, Kalij Pheasant, Common Hill Myna, Pin-tailed Green Pigeon
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: In the hotel
Today, we will witness the snow bound terrain at the alluring Sela Pass as we stop there looking for your favourite species - it can be cold today. Early morning birding session at Mandala and later return to Dirang.
Overnight stay.
Key Species: Himalayan Cuckoo, Asian Barred Owlet, Daurian Redstart, Long-tailed Minivet, Black-throated Prinia, Hodgson’s Redstart
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: In the hotel
Spend the full day birding in Mandala, a birding paradise. We will return to Dirang in the evening.
Overnight stay.
Key Species: Barred Cuckoo-Dove, Great Barbet, Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush, White-collared Blackbird, Eurasian Nutcracker, Ludlow’s Fulvetta
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Fully serviced camps
Today, we will travel to Lama Camp, along serpentine mountain roads with mountains on one side and verdant valleys on the other, making birding stops along the way. Spend the evening birding in and around Lama Camp
Overnight at fully serviced camps.
Key species: Bay Woodpecker, Crimson-breasted Woodpecker, Ward’s Trogon, Black-eared Shrike-babbler, Scaly-breasted Cupwing, Striated Bulbul
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Fully serviced camps
Full day birding at Lama Camp.
Key species: Darjeeling Woodpecker, Bugun Liocichla, Bhutan Laughingthrush, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Black-faced Laughingthrush
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Fully serviced camps
Spend the morning birding in the Lama area. After breakfast, take a birding drive to Bompu. The drive from Lama Camp to Bompu will be something you will remember for a lifetime. Spend the rest of the day birding in the Bompu area. Another two full days of birding with a visit to Bompu and Sessni
Overnight stay at fully serviced camps
Key species: Grey Peacock-Pheasant, Common Emerald Dove, Black Eagle, Black-winged Cuckooshrike, White-throated Bulbul, Mountain Bulbul, White-browed Scimitar Babbler
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Fully serviced camps
A full day of birding in Bompu
Key Species: Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Grey Treepie, Alpine Thrush, Spotted Forktail, Himalayan Bluetail, Streaked Spiderhunter
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Fully serviced camps
Another full day of birding in Bompu
Key Species: Grey Nightjar, Collared Owlet, Bronze Drongo, Golden Babbler, Blue-throated Barbet, Speckled Piculet
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Eco-Camp
After breakfast, drive to Nameri National Park. Spend the evening birding in Nameri.
Overnight stay
Key species: White-winged Duck, Common Merganser, Brown Hawk-Owl, Lesser Coucal, Eyebrowed Thrush, Pale-chinned Blue Flycatcher
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Jhupuri Ghar or similar
Morning birding in Nameri. From Nameri, we transfer to Kaziranga National Park (3 hours), the land of India's Big 5. We will spend the day marvelling at the incredible wildlife and try to learn from them how to live harmoniously.
Overnight stay.
Key Species: Indian Rhinoceros, Wild Water Buffalo, Indian Elephant, Tiger, Ferruginous Duck, Baer's Pochard, Blyth's Kingfisher, Dalmatian Pelican, Spot-billed Pelican, Lesser Adjutant, Greater Adjutant, Black-necked Stork
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Jhupuri Ghar
Full day birding in Kaziranga with morning and evening jeep safari
Overnight stay
Key Species: Capped Langur, Sloth Bear, Indian Porcupine, Fishing Cat, Jungle Cat, Swamp Francolin, Bengal Florican, Pale-capped Pigeon, Great Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Baya Weaver, Bristled Grassbird, Black-breasted Parrotbill
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: In the lodge
In the morning, drive with your packed breakfast to the Eastern range of the park for a safari. Come out for lunch and drive back to the park.
Overnight Lodge.
Key species: Indian Rhinoceros, Wild Water Buffalo, Indian Elephant, Tiger, Lesser Adjutant, Greater Adjutant, Grey-headed Lapwing, Northern Lapwing, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Grey-headed Fish Eagle
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: On Own
After breakfast, drive to Guwahati airport for a flight back to Delhi in the afternoon. Arrive in Delhi in the evening. Transfer to the hotel for overnight stay.
Highlights
- A large variety of endangered species
- Photo opportunities
- Guided Birding
- Unique landscape
- Pristine countryside
- Tiger Tracking and mammal watching
- Great food
- Interesting road journey
Included
- Accommodation on twin sharing basis Meals as per the itinerary
- Jungle Safaris in Kaziranga National Park Transport services
- Birding with Mike Prince Park entry fee of Kaziranga and Nameri National Parks
- Entry fee of Eagles Nest Sanctuary Restricted area permit
- Airport arrival and departure transfers All taxes
Video
Location
Stories
Ladakh
North India, the land of Ladakh, looks as though it was made for birdwatching and photography.
Gir National Park Gujarat
Sometimes it is not just the species spotted but also the amazing moments. Some of our guests had the unique opportunity to witness the mating of Asiatic Lions in the Gir Forest, truly a special moment.
Delhi
Surajpur is an amazing wetland close to the nation’s capital. Apart from being one of the monsoon homes for the Bristled Grassbird, it is also home to another sought-after species: the Bengal Bush Lark.
Rajasthan
One advantage of living near the birding hotspot of Bharatpur is that you can see some amazing birds, like the graceful Sarus Crane, in your backyard during this lockdown
