Sikkim Bird watching Tour
Delhi - Pemayangtse - Kalimpong - Lava - Rabangla - Gangtok - Darjeeling - Yuksom - Delhi
Day 01: Arrival - Delhi
On arrival at the Delhi Airport, meet our representative "Welcome" than transfer to the hotel. Check in at the hotel overnight stay.
Day 02: Delhi - Bagdogra - Pemayangtse
Morning after breakfast, transfer to the domestic airport time to catch the flight for Bagdogra. On arrival at Bagdogra airport meet our representative, then transfer to Pemayangtse, Sikkim is rich in flora, fauna and has a diverse ethnic and cultural population as no other state in India has. On arrival check in at the hotel, evening visit the headquarters of the Nyingama sect in Pemayangtse, overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 03: Pemayangtse
Morning viewing sunrise on Mount Kanchenjunga, after breakfast visit Pemayangtse and Sanga Choling Monasteries which are prime bird watching sites. The birds that can be spotted here are Mountain Hawk Eagle, Black Eagle, Himalayan Griffon, Common, Oriental and Indian Cuckoo, White-throated Needletail, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Lesser Yellow Nape, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Hoary-throated and Rusty-fronted Barwing. Other species of birds that are found here are Striated, Grey-sided and Greater Necklaced Laughing Thrush, Rufous-winged and White-browed Fulvetta, Whiskered Yuhina, Cutia, White-browed Shrike-Babbler, Rufous Sibia, Blyth's, Ashy-throated, Lemon-rumped and Yellow-browed Warbler, Dark-breasted Rosefinch and Red-headed Bullfinch, overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 04: Pemayangtse - Kalimpong
Morning after breakfast, drive to Kalimpong. On arrival check in at the hotel, than visit Monastery Tharpa Choeling at Tripai which houses a library of Tibetan manuscripts and Tankhas, which belongs to the yellow Hat sect. We drive up to Darpin Dara, the highest point in Kalimpong with superb views over the plains, overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 05: Kalimpong - Lava - Kalimpong
Morning after breakfast, drive to Lava Forests, Rushet Forests, and Neora Forests. Lava is the prime birding destination in this region and is situated at the altitude of 2100 mt. This area is circled by the large tract of forests. One can spot Crested Goshawk, Eurasian Sparrow hawk, Eurasian Buzzard, Black Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Kalij Pheasant, Barred Cuckoo Dove, Large Hawk Cuckoo, Greenbilled Malkoha, Brown Wood Owl, Golden throated Barbet, Striated Bulbul, After visiting this area we drive back to Kalimpong, check in at the hotel overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 06: Kalimpong - Rangeet Valley - Damthang Forests - Rabangla
Morning after breakfast, drive through the Teesta and Rangit Valley towards Damthang Forests. While on the route we will stop to look for Red Junglefowl, Dollarbird, Great Barbet, Greater Yellownape, Orange bellied Leafbird, Common Lora, Blue Rock Thrush, Chestnut bellied Rock Thrush, Oriental White eye etc. At the Damthang Forest we will view some birds, like Eurasian Buzzard, Eurasian Kestrel, Grey winged Blackbird, Buff barred Warbler, Blyth Leaf Warbler, Grey hooded Warbler, Black faced Warbler, Rufous gorgeted Flycatcher, Red flanked Bluetail, Blue fronted Redstart, Grey Bushchat, White throated Fantail, Chestnut tailed Minla, Red tailed Minla and more. Then drive to Rabangla, check in at the hotel, evening dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 07: Rabangla - Pemayangtse
Morning after breakfast, drive to Menam forests of Oak, Chestnuts, Magnolia and Rhododendrons. One may also come across some of the species of birds as seen at Damthang. In the afternoon drive to Pemayangtse, in evening check in at the hotel overnight stay.
Day 08: Pemayangtse - Gangtok (about 120 km)
Morning after breakfast, drive to Gangtok, on arrival check in at the hotel, than visit the institute of cottage industries which produces a wide range of local handicrafts in Lepcha style. Evening free overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 09: GangtokNorth East India Wildlife Tour
Morning after breakfast, drive to the monastery of Enchey. This monastery is said to be 200 years old. The monks of this monastery belong to the Mahayana Buddhism. After visiting Enchey monastery we drive to Martham Village-Resort, where we can spend the afternoon at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 10: Gangtok - Darjeeling (about 100 km)
Morning after breakfast, proceed north of the state through the coniferous forests and terraced tea gardens, on arrival in Darjeeling check in at the hotel, see the memorable views of Himalayas by clear weather. Evening fee for leisure, overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 11: Darjeeling
Early in the morning drive to Tiger Hill (around 11 km) to enjoy the sunrise at the Tiger hill 2590 m.). This is the highest point in this area and gives a breathtaking view of the sunrise on Kanchenjunga. Mount Everest (8842 m) is also visible on a clear day. Many visitors describe the sunrise from Tiger Hill as unforgettable. In the afternoon explore Darjeeling and its surrounding. Then we visit the village Lablong and the institute of mountaineering, overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 12: Darjeeling - Yuksom
Morning after breakfast, drive to Yuksom and discover birds around Yuksom. Some of the birds one can find here see 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, and various sunbirds, and various bushcats Overnight stay.
Day 13: Yuksom - Darjeeling - Bagdogra
Morning after breakfast, drive back to Darjeeling via Jorthang and Naya Bazaar. Than transfer to Bagdogra, overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 14: Bagdogra - New Delhi (by air)
Morning after breakfast birding, in the afternoon transfer to the airport to catch the flight for Delhi, on arrival Delhi meet our representative, than transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 15: Departure
Morning after breakfast, transfer to International Airport time to catch the flight for onward destination.Tour and Services End
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| Sikkim Bird Watching Tour (Tour Highlight)
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| City |
Tour Highlight |
| Pemayangtse |
Birding in Pemayangtse, we can see Mountain Hawk Eagle, Black Eagle, Himalayan Griffon, Common, Oriental and Indian Cuckoo, White-throated Needletail, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Lesser Yellow Nape, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Hoary-throated and Rusty-fronted Barwing. Other species of birds that are found here are Striated, Grey-sided and Greater Necklaced Laughing Thrush, Rufous-winged and White-browed Fulvetta, Whiskered Yuhina, Cutia, White-browed Shrike-Babbler, Rufous Sibia. |
| Kalimpong |
Birding in Kalimpong, Monastery Tharpa, Tibetan manuscripts and Tankhas, yellow Hat sect, Birding in Lava see Eurasian Sparrow hawk, Eurasian Buzzard, Black Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Kalij Pheasant, Barred Cuckoo Dove, Large Hawk Cuckoo, Greenbilled Malkoha, Brown Wood Owl, Golden throated Barbet, Striated Bulbul. |
| Rabangla |
Birding in Rangeet Valley, Damthang Forest, we can see Orange bellied Leafbird, Common Lora, Blue Rock Thrush, Chestnut bellied Rock Thrush, Oriental White eye. |
| Gangtok |
Birding around Gangtok. |
| Yuksom |
Birding at Yuksom, we can see Mountain Hawk Eagle, Crimson breasted Woodpecker, Maroon Oriole, Short-billed and Grey chinned Minevets, Himalayan Bulbul, Red -tailed Minla, White-naped Yuhina |
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Bird Watching Tips
1. Choice of Location
It is very important in bird watching to choose the location, many birders spend the majority of their bird watching time and energy on poor locations.
2. Knowledge of Species
There are approximately 1250 species of birds in India and recognizing each of them is nearly impossible. So when you visit any area for bird watching, do a little research first. You may find that perhaps only a few species actually inhabit that particular area. With a little preparation, you will be able to more readily identify bird species from each other.
3. Practice before you go for bird watching
It is always better to learn to put your binocular on target, it is key to viewing wildlife, and especially birds, after only a few attempts, you'll get good at quickly acquiring your target. Quite often, birds are visible for only a few seconds, practice to become proficient.
4. Listing to Call and songs :
Listening helps you hear rustling leaves, wings flapping, and the birds calling.
It is pretty amazing what you can hear once you really start listening. Besides, if you spend the whole day just using your eyes to look for birds, you probably won't see very many. So instead of just looking, relax your eyes, don't look so hard; let the birds find you. You will start to notice movement in your periferal vision, and then you will have an area to look in.
5. Get a pair of Binocular :
Spending time and money to get to the right place can be totally wasted when your binoculars are inadequate. If you have an inexpensive pair of binoculars you are not getting the most out of your viewing. Today's technologies come at a price and they provide Crucial benefits in wildlife viewing. For instance, image stabilization will keep your view from shaking-very important when watching from a long Distance. Other cool features include anti-fogging, low-light viewing and wide-view characteristics. Additionally, binoculars with built-in digital cameras enable you to identify birds once you get home. These benefits will definitely enhance your bird watching. A great pair of binoculars will turn a mediocre experience into a great one. You can count on it!
6. Take someone with you :
It is always better if you take someone with you, who knows the area well and have experience of bird watching, it will help you to remember the sightings |
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