Delhi, Bagdogra, Darjeeling, Lava, Ravangla, Yuksum, Pelling, Hilley
300 Himalayan Birds and Mammals of Sikkim and North Bengal in 2 Weeks
Overview
North Bengal and the Dooars, who share a history with Sikkim, are treasure troves of biodiversity, making them a paradise for birdwatchers and photographers.
Neora Valley National Park, in the state of West Bengal. Located in one of the richest biological zones in Eastern India, it is also home to the rare Himalayan Red Panda.
The park is also home to many other mammal species like Himalayan Tahr, Asiatic Black Bear, Sambar, Indian Muntjac (Barking Deer), Himalayan Goral, Tiger, Leopard, Pangolin, Malayan Giant Squirrel, Wild Boar, Wild Dog, Clouded Leopard, and more. Neora Valley is also a fantastic birding destination, with species like Rufous-throated Partridge, Satyr Tragopan, Crimson-breasted Woodpecker, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Bay Woodpecker, Golden-throated Barbet, Hodgson's Hawk-Cuckoo, Lesser Cuckoo, Brown Wood Owl, Ashy Wood Pigeon, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Jerdon's Baza, Black Eagle, Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Black-throated Thrush, and more.
Once a sovereign kingdom, Sikkim is the least populous state in India and the second-smallest state after Goa in total area, covering approximately 7,096 sq. km. Sikkim is nonetheless geographically diverse due to its location in the Himalayas. Over the years, this biodiversity has led Sikkim to become one of the most favored locations for birders all over the world.
Sikkim is like a small piece of land surrounded on all sides by mountain walls. Within an area of 80kms, the elevation rises from 225 meters in Tista river valley to 8600 meters at Kanchendzonga, India's highest & World's third highest mountain peak. Separated by Singhalila Range from Nepal in the west & Dongkya Range from Tibet to the east, Sikkim is like a "bird catchment area."
Adorned with several scenic valleys, mystical monasteries, and snow-fed lakes, Sikkim is an ideal destination for people looking for a break from their hectic schedules. It is one of the ultimate destinations for birdwatchers, those interested in adventurous activities, or even those interested in scenic beauty and heart-warming hospitality. Sikkim's tiny size geographically truly contradicts the profound diversity it offers, with over 550 species of birds including Satyr Tragopan, Tibetan Snowcock, Bearded Vulture, Fire-tailed Myzornis, and many more.
Meals: On Own
Accommodation: Hotel Shanti Palace
Arrive in Delhi in the evening. You will be met and transferred to the hotel for your overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast in Delhi and Dinner in Darjeeling
Accommodation: Cedar Inn
In the morning, transfer to Delhi airport for a flight to Bagdogra at 1115 hrs (check-in time for this flight will be 0915 hrs). Arrive in Bagdogra at 1330 hrs. You will be met and transferred to Darjeeling. Evening birding if time permits.
Overnight stay.
Key species: White-capped Redstart, Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush, Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush, Grey Bush Chat, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Speckled Piculet
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch in Darjeeling, and Dinner in Lava
Accommodation: Neora Valley Jungle Camp
Spend the morning birding in Tiger Hill. Tiger Hill is a famed sunrise point 11 km from Darjeeling. It reaches a height of 2485 m and, on a clear morning, one can get spectacular views of the Kanchenjunga range. The habitat here is mainly bamboo and oak forest. It is a good place to see Brown Parrotbill and Gould’s Shortwing. A site with great birding potential. After lunch, drive to Lava. Birding on the way and birding in Lava.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, White-collared Blackbird, Gould's Shortwing, Broad-billed Warbler, Spotted and Blue-winged Laughingthrushes, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Brown Parrotbill
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Neora Valley Jungle Camp
The Lava area is a very well-known birding site and forms part of most itineraries in this region. Birding on the Lava to Algarah Road and also trekking up the trail leading from behind the Forest Rest House to Tiffindara, where you can see several Maroon-backed Accentors.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Eurasian Woodcock, White-browed Bush Robin, Winter Wren, Goldcrest, Maroon-backed Accentor, Scaly-breasted Cupwing, Pygmy Cupwing, Rufous-fronted Babbler, Black-headed Shrike-babbler, Himalayan Shrike-babbler, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Rufous-winged Fulvetta.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: The Barfung Retreat
Drive to Ravangla. Spend the rest of the day birding in Ravangla. Overnight stay.
Key species: Satyr Tragopan, Blue-fronted Redstart, Verditer Flycatcher, Grey Bush Chat, Green-backed Tit
Meals: Breakfast in Ravangla and dinner in Yuksom
Accommodation: Hotel Red Palace (Phodrang Marpoo)
In the morning, drive to Yuksom, stopping on the way for birding. Spend the rest of the day birding in and around Yuksom.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Collared Owlet, Great Barbet, Scarlet Minivet, Black-headed Shrike-babbler, White-bellied Erpornis, Yellow-bellied Fantail, Black-throated Prinia
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Red Palace
Two full days of birding in and around Yuksom. Around Yuksom some of the birds recorded are Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Crimson-breasted Woodpecker, Maroon Oriole, Short-billed and Grey-chinned Minevets, Himalayan Bulbul, Red-tailed Minla, White-naped Yuhina, various thrushes, Grey-winged Blackbird, various tits, White-tailed Nuthatch, various sunbirds, and various bush chats. Forests hold Maroon-backed and Rufous-breasted Accentors, Green-tailed Sunbird, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Blue-fronted Redstart, Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler, Scarlet and Long-tailed Minivets, Coal and Green-backed Tits, Black-throated Bushtit, various yuhinas, fulvettas, shrike-babblers, scimitar babblers, laughing thrushes, and babblers.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Elgin Mounta Pandim
After breakfast, enjoy a morning birding session in Yuksom and drive to Pelling. Afternoon birding in around Pelling. Pelling is one of the favorite areas for birding, where a number of good species of birds like Scaly Laughingthrush, Red-faced Liocichla, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Scarlet Finch, Himalayan Cutia, Black-headed Shrike-babbler, Scaly-breasted Cupwing, Spotted Elachura, and many more can be seen.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Elgin Mounta Pandim
After breakfast, drive to Khecheopalri. Khecheopalri Lake is a sacred lake, 29 km from Pelling and at an altitude of 1800 m. Undisturbed forests and reeds surround the lake. The path leading to the lake is good for tesias and wren-babblers.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Black-tailed Crake, Mallard, Common Merganser, Bay Woodpecker, Golden-fronted Leafbird, Slaty-backed Flycatcher, Hodgson's Redstart, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Little Bunting
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Guras Camp
After breakfast drive to Hilley-Varsey Rhododendron Sanctuary. Morning birding on the way and afternoon birding in the sanctuary.
Overnight at Guras Camp into the Sanctuary.
Key species: Himalayan Red Panda, Spotted Laughingthrush, Tibetan Serin, Scaly Thrush, Scarlet Minivet, Mrs Gould’s Sunbird
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Guras Camp
Full day birding in Hilley. Morning and afternoon birding in the Hilley-Varsey Rhododendron Sanctuary. It is one of the best birding areas in Sikkim. Starting from the road ahead at the small village of Hilley at 2700m, it is an easy walk up to the ridge top.
Key species: Himalayan Red Panda, Leopard Cat, Yellow-throated Marten, Red-breasted Tragopan, Satyr Tragopan, Kalij Pheasant, Bay Woodpecker, Brown Wood Owl, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Fire-tailed Myzornis
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None
After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to Bagdogra Airport for your flight back home. Tour Ends.
Highlights
- Nature and Wildlife
- Birds and Mammals
- Bird Watching
- Nature Trek
- Photography
Included
- Accommodation for 01 Night in Delhi Accommodation for 01 Night in Darjeeling
- Accommodation for 03 Nights in Lava Accommodation for 01 Night in Ravangla
- Accommodation for 03 Nights in Yuksum Accommodation for 02 Nights in Pelling
- Accommodation for 03 Nights in Hilley Meals as per itinerary
- Dedicated transportation Asian Adventures guide
- Domestic flight tickets from Delhi to Darjeeling All applicable taxes
Video
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