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North-East India Birding Tour
North-East India Birding
Tour Duration: 17 Nights - 18 Days
Places Covered:
New Delhi - Kolkata - Sunderban - Dumdum - Bagdogra - Gozoldoba - Gorumara - Lava
- Darjeeling - Manebhanjan - Sandakhphu - Gairibans - Tonglu - Megma - Darjeeling
- Bagdogra - New Delhi/Kolkata
Day 01: New Delhi - Kolkata - Sunderban
Transfer to Delhi airport (at your own) to catch flight for Kolkata
Begin your tour
Arrive into Kolkata
Welcome to Vardhman's "North-East
India Birding Tour"!
On arrival at Dum Dum airport, you will be received
and transferred to Sunakhali by our representative. Check into your hotel/Camp
from an overnight stay. After a short rest, depart by boat to the Sajnekhali Tiger
Project Area for viewing wild life, Sajnekhali Museum & Watch Tower. Evening
is free for individual leisure activities.
Overnight : Hotel/Camp
Day 02: Sunderban
Spend the day cruising through the creeks looking
for the seven species of kingfishers, including the Brown-winged, Collared and
Ruddy Kingfisher.
SUNDERBANS, UNESCO World Heritage Site: Formerly SUNDERBUNDS,
the dense forest of the Sunderbans is one of the largest mangroves in the world
and the only kind with tiger habitat. The forest covers an area of about 10,000
sq.km. of mangrove forest and water (40% of which lies in West Bengal, India and
the rest in Bangladesh). The Sunderbans are a part of the world's largest delta
formed by the rivers Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna. Sunderban got its name from
the predominance of the tree species, locally known as Sundari, because of its
elegant look.
The World Heritage Committee of UNESCO inscribed the Sundarbans
in the world Heritage list by a decision taken in its 21st session in December
6, 1997. Tigers reign in the land and Crocodile over the waters along with Sharks.
The Tiger Reserve holding more tigers than any other tiger reserve and as per
latest census the tiger population is 287.
Overnight : Hotel/Camp Day
03: Sunderban
The day is spend cruising through the creeks of the Reserve
and in the villages looking for Loten's, Purple and Purple-rumped Sunbirds etc.
Overnight : Hotel/Camp Day 04: Sunderban - Dumdum - Bagdogra - Gozoldoba
Early morning transfer to Dumdum airport to catch flight for Bagdora. Arrive
at Bagdogra airport and you will be transferred directly to Gorumara. Check into
your hotel/Lodge for an overnight stay.
Overnight : Hotel/Lodge Day
05: Gorumara
Full day free to visit the small 80 km Gorumara National
Park and Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary.
Gorumara National Park: Located
on the bank of rivers Murti and Raidak has vegetation of riverine grasslands interspersed
with savannah woodlands. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1949 and a National
Park in 1992. The area where Gorumara National Park is located in is known as
the Dooars. It lies in the Himalayan foothills and has great natural beauty. The
park is located on the bank of rivers Murti and Raidak and has vegetation of riverine
grasslands interspersed with savannah woodlands. Much of the forest is moist deciduous
and sal (shorea robusta) is the most common and valuable tree. Teak, simul, siris,
khair are also found here.
Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary: A heaven for
bird watchers. This wildlife sanctuary has a huge variety of flora and fauna which
covers the forests. This sanctuary can rightly said as a feast for the eyes of
the tourists as it has a blend of best of the wildlife. Chapramari is famous for
its elephant population. Gaur (commonly known as Bison) is also quite frequent
around this region. Albeit few in number, the forests are also home of the famous
Royal Bengal Tiger. Different other varieties of deer, reptiles and other animals
can be easily seen around here. An ideal place to visit for the true lovers of
nature.
Overnight : Hotel/Lodge Day 06: Gorumara - Lava
We
bird on the other Birding Trailand look for the Lesser Rachet-tailed, Greater
Rachet-tailed and Spangled Drongo. We will also look for the Long-tailed Broadbills,
Fairy Bluebird and Large Wood Shrike. Then we drive to Lava. The late afternoon
will be spend birding at Lava.
Overnight : Hotel/Lodge Day 07- 09:
Lava
We will spend birding at various birding trails around Lava and Neora
Valley National Park. Here we will look for the Mountain Hawk and Black Eagle,
Khaleej Pheasants, Black-throated Parrotbills, Barwings, Shrike-babblers, Yuhinas,
Shortwings, Redstarts, etc.
At an altitude of 2,350 m., the small village
of Lava remains hidden in mists and clouds. It is situated on the old trade route
to Bhutan, at a distance of 34 km. from Kalimpong.
There is a monastery
of Bhutanese origin and a Nature Interpretation Centre in Lava. There is also
a quaint little bazaar. Surrounded by virgin pine forests, Lava is popular for
nature explorations and bird watching. It is also the starting point for treks
to the Neora Valley National Park, a storehouse of flora and fauna, leading to
the 3,152-m. high Rachela trijunction. Here the borders of Bhutan, Sikkim and
West Bengal converge. One also gets a panoramic view of the Chola Range.
How To Get There
By road, Lava is a two-hour journey from Kalimpong.
Buses ply regularly, and jeeps are also available, though somewhat infrequently.
Overnight : Hotel/Lodge Day 10: Lava - Darjeeling
Viisit
Lava in the monring and then drive to Darjeeling. Nestled among the rolling mountains
with the glistening Mt Kanchenjunga towering over the azure sky, Darjeeling fondly
called "Queen of the Hills", provides a perfect gateway for those seeking
to be in harmony with nature.
Upon arrival, check into your hotel for an overnight
stay.
Overnight : Hotel Day 11: Darjeeling
Full Day sight
seeing of Darjeeling.
Visit Tiger Hills,Batasia Loop,Lloyds Botanical Garden,Dhirdham
Temple,The Shrubbery etc.
Tiger Hill
Situated at an altitude of
2590 metres (8482 ft.) and 13 kms from the town, this spot has earned international
fame for the magnificent view of the sunrise over "Kanchenjunga" and
the great Eastern Himalayan Mountains. Even Mount Everest, the world's highest
peak, is visible from here.
Batasia Loop
About 5 kms from Darjeeling,
this Railway Loop is a marvellous feat of engineering. It is fascinating to watch
the toy train wind its way round the loop. The War Memorial constructed in the
memory of brave sons of Darjeeling who died in different action since 1947, is
worth a visit. A glorious view of snowy peak and town can be seen from this place.
Lloyds Botanical Garden
A colourful garden situated just below the
Market Motor Stand. It contains a representative collection of Himalayan plants,
flowers, orchids etc. The green houses are well worth a visit.
Dhirdham
Temple
Built in the style of Katmandu's Pashupatinath temple adds to the varied
religious architectural styles of Darjeeling. It is near the railway station.
The Shrubbery
This beautiful garden is situated on the Jawahar
Parbat behind Raj Bhawan. A magnificent view of Kanchenjunga Range and Singla
Valley can be enjoyed from here.
Later in the evening return to the hotel
for breakfast.
Overnight: Hotel Day 12 : Darjeeling - Manebhanjang
or Manebhanjan - Sandakhphu
On the day 12 of your tour trek to Manebhanjan.
It is the start of the trailhead for the trek to Sandakphu on the Singalila Ridge,the
highest point in West Bengal. It is located at the gateway of the SIngalila National
Park, and the income of the residents is geared towards tourism, specially foreign
trekkers. Then drive all the way to Sandakhphu. Stay overnight in fully serviced
tents.
Overnight: Tent Day 13: Sandakhphu
The whole day
is spend birding at and around Sandakhphu. Look for Spotted Nutcracker, Dark-breasted,
Beautiful, Pink-browed and Dark-rumped Rosefinch.
Overnight: Tent Day
14: Sandakhphu
Singalila National Park or The Sandakhphu Trek as popularly
know, ranges from 200mts to 3600mts. The habitat varies from bamboos, oaks, to
rhododendron. We trek down to spend the day birding on the route. Stay overnight
in fully serviced tents.
Overnight: Tent Day 15: Sandakhphu- Gairibans
Gairibans (2621 m) is a small settlement inside the Singalila National
Park in the Darjeeling Sadar subdivision, near the India - Nepal border. It is
a roadside halt along the trekking route from Manebhanjan to Sandakphu. Spend
the day birding at Gairibans looking for Fire-tailed Myzornis, Red-headed Bullfinch
or the Yellow-browed Tit. Stay overnight in fully serviced tents.
Overnight:
Tent Day 16: Gairibans - Tonglu
We spend the day at Tonglu-situated
at an altitude of 10,074 feet above sea level Tonglu lies on the eminence of the
Singalila Range and is a preferred destination for trekkers on the way to Sandakhpu.
It is a 11km trek from Maneybhanhjan, the last police station in Darjeeling.
Overnight: Hotel Day 17: Tonglu- Darjeeling
This morning after
breakfast drive back to Darjeeling. Upon arrival, check into your hotel for an
overnight stay.
Overnight: Hotel Day 18: Darjeeling - Bagdogra -
New Delhi or Kolkata
Morning spend birding in Darjeeling town and then
transfer to Bagdogra Airport to catch flight for New Delhi or Kolkata. On arrival,
transfer to DElhi International airport to catch your International flight for
you onward destination with sweet and unforgettable memories of your "North-East
India Birding Tour" escorted by Vardhman Vacations.
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