Birding in the Land of Dawn-lit Mountains (Mishmi hills & Maguri Bill)
Tour Dates: 17th March to 23rd March 2020
The Mishmi Hills are located at the northeastern tip of India, in Arunachal Pradesh. Arunachal Pradesh which translates to “The Land of the Dawn-lit Mountains” is known as the Paradise for Birding Enthusiasts. These hills occur at the junction of Northeastern Himalaya and Indo-Burma ranges. The Himalayan arc takes a sharp turn and meets Indo-Burma ranges.
Much of the Mishmi Hills falls under the Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh. The Dibang Valley district is named after the Dibang River – a tributary of the Brahmaputra River that originated and flows through the Mishmi hills. The Dibang Valley district is divided into Lower and Upper Dibang Valley. The headquarters of the two districts are Roing and Anini respectively. Mishmi hills are a part of Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve, which is one of the world’s “Bio-Diversity Hot spots”.
The type of vegetation here can be grouped as Sub-tropical broadleaved forests, Sub-tropical pine forest, Temperate broad leaved forests, Temperate conifer, Sub-alpine woody shrub, Alpine Meadows, Bamboos, Grasslands. It is one of the last strongholds for many species dependent on this forest type. Mishmi Hills area is perhaps the only location which harbors four major cats i.e. Tiger, Leopard, Clouded Leopard and Snow Leopard. Some of the small & rare cats also occur here. The entire north boundary of this biosphere reserve is the home of elusive and shy Red Panda. One of the most unusual ungulates found here is Mishmi Takin in the area from 2500 to 4000 mtrs. The Mishmi hills endemic Rusty-throated Wren-Babbler which is now known as Mishmi Wren-Babbler was rediscovered here in 2004. Some of the other interesting birds are Sclater’s Monal and Blyth’s Tragopan.
With such diverse biological potential, spread over different bio-zones, Mishmi hills is truly a wildlife enthusiast’s dreamland!
We will be exploring Mishmi Hills starting from Roing, 12 KM (12 Kilo), Tiwarigaon, Mayodia Pass (2700 mts) & Hunli. Each of this altitude is promising and ensures different species.
Maguri Bill – Maguri Bill in Tinsukia district of Assam has grown importance because it is home to some of the rarest of the bird species and attracts varied species of birds from around the globe. Bill is the Local name for a Lake. The boat ride in the Maguri lake gives one an opportunity to see lots of migratory birds. The nearby areas of the bill displays grassland environment, creating a safe haven for grassland birds. Maguri Bill is home to a whole host of threatened and range-restricted species including Marsh Babbler, Jerdon’s Babbler, etc.
Birds: Blyth’s Tragopan, Mishmi Wren Babbler, Bar-winged Wren Babbler, Long-billed Wren Babbler, Spotted Elachura, Chevron-breasted Babbler, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Red-billed Scimitar Babbler, Golden Babbler, Grey-cheeked Warbler, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Rufous-capped Babbler, Ward’s Trogon, Red-headed Trogon, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Beautiful Nuthatch, Beautiful Sibia, Long-tailed Sibia, Himalayan Cutia, Black-headed Shrike-babbler, Manipur Fulvetta, Ludlow’s Fulvetta, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Yellow-throated Fulvetta, Rufous-breasted Bush Robin, Bay Woodpecker, Crimson-breasted Woodpecker, White-browed Piculet, Striated Bulbul, Winter Wren, Greater Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Black-throated Parrotbill, Grey-headed Parrotbill, Red-throated Thrush, Hill Blue Flycatcher, Gould’s Shortwing, Himalayan Wood Owl, Hodgson’s Frogmouth, Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush, Black-faced Laughingthrush, Blue-winged Laughingthrush, Black-breasted Parrotbill, Spot-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Marsh Babbler, Jerdon’s Babbler, Chestnut-capped Babbler, Swamp Prinia, White-tailed Stonechat, White-tailed Rubythroat, Yellow-bellied Prinia, Striated Grassbird, etc.
Itinerary: (Dibrugarh to Dibrugarh)
Day 1 – 17th March, 2020 (Tuesday): Pick-up from Dibrugarh Airport at 13.50 pm and transfer to Roing (4 hours away). Allotment of rooms, freshen up, relax until dinner. Night at Roing. (Dinner)
Day 2 – 18th March, 2020 (Wednesday): Early morning wake up. Full day birding around Roing & Jia grasslands at Mishmi hills base for Bamboo forest & grassland species such as globally threatened Black-breasted Parrotbill and others. Night at Roing. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 3 – 19th March, 2020 (Thursday): Early morning check-out from Roing. Full day birding from 12 Kilo to Tiwarigaon till Mayodia Pass in Mishmi hills. After lunch continue birding around Mayodia Pass. Night in basic guesthouse at Mishmi Hills. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 4 – 20th March, 2020 (Friday): Early morning wake up. Full day birding in and around Mayodiya Pass to Hunli in Mishmi hills. Night in basic guesthouse at Mishmi Hills. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 5 – 21st March, 2020 (Saturday): Early morning wake up. Early morning birding around Mayodia Pass and after breakfast, birding till Tiwarigaon for the rest of the day – up & down. Night in basic guesthouse at Mishmi hills. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 6 – 22nd March, 2020 (Sunday): Early morning wake up. Checkout from Mayodiya Pass in the Mishmi hills and transfer to Maguri Bill in Tinsukia by lunch time. After lunch, we will go for the boat ride in Maguri waterbody for ducks and other waterbirds. Night at Eco Cottage in Maguri Bill. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 7 – 23rd March, 2020 (Monday): Early morning session in Maguri grasslands. Firstly, we will search the swamp and grasslands for two threatened species – Marsh Babbler, Jerdon’s Babbler, Swamp Prinia, White-tailed Stonechat and then others too. Checkout from Maguri Bill by 10 am. Reach Dibrugarh airport by 12 pm. Tour concludes with happy memories. (Breakfast)
Leader: Prateik Kulkarni
Max group Size: 7
Cost: Rs. 49,500/- only per person *Dibrugarh Airport to Dibrugarh Airport*
Cost Inclusions:
1. Transportation from Dibrugarh Airport to Dibrugarh Airport in non AC cars.
2. Transportation & fuel charges throughout the tour to birding areas through non AC cars.
3. 6 nights stay in basic Guesthouse and Eco Resorts on Twin/ Triple sharing basis in non AC rooms.
4. All meals – Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Veg/ Non Veg as per availability)
5. Forest entry fees, Guide charges, 1 Boat Safari charges, all govt. Service Taxes and Fees
6. Generator for camera battery charging at the Guesthouse in Mayodia Pass.
7. Service a Wildlife Photographer and Naturalist for the entire tour.
Cost Exclusions:
1. Camera Charges if any
2. Tips
3. Any extra food item which is not included in the meal as per the itinerary
4. Soft Drinks
5. Any kind of personal and medical expenditure
6. Anything that is not mentioned in “Cost Inclusions”
Please note: Since this is a remote location, the facilities are basic at Mishmi Hills. However, the stay is clean and food is good.
PS: Unfortunately, if the flight from Mumbai to Dibrugarh & back is cancelled due to bad weather or for any other reasons, White Feather Eco Tours will not to be responsible for making stay arrangements.
Please Note:
1) Once registered, the advance amount of Rs. 25,000/- is strictly non-refundable
2) Alcohol & Smoking is strictly prohibited on all tours.
3) This is primarily a Bird Photography & Birdwatching trip.
4) Weather conditions: Weather in North-East is unpredictable and White Feather Eco Tours will not be responsible for any days/ any session lost due to bad weather.
5) Kindly register on this trip only if you agree with White Feather Eco Tours’ Terms & Conditions https://whitefeatherecotours.wordpress.com/tcs/
Please revert on whitefeatherecotours@gmail.com, in case you need any clarification.
Mode of Travel:
Mumbai – Dibrugarh – Mumbai (by Air/Rail on personal expenses)
Local travel in jeep (Non AC Sumo, Bolero or Qualis) from Dibrugarh – Tinsukia – Roing – Mayodia – Hunli – Dibrugarh (By White Feather Eco Tours)
Registration & Mode of Payment:
Limited seats are available for this tour, hence please confirm your seat as early as possible. Your seat will be booked only after receiving the non-refundable advance amount of Rs. 25,000/- . For booking your seat & paying the advance amount of the tour, please message us on 9773689564.
Please send us an email on whitefeatherecotours@gmail.com or send us a text message/ WhatsApp message on 9773689564 once you transfer the above mentioned advance amount for the tour. We will give you payment confirmation after we receive it. Also, please include your full name, age and contact details in the same email/ message.
The remaining amount will be collected in CASH on the day of travel.
Flight Recommendation:
Mumbai (BOM) to Dibrugarh (DIB) – 17th March 2020 (Tuesday): 07:45 – 13:50 (Indigo flights)
Dibrugarh (DIB) to Mumbai (BOM) – 23rd March 2020 (Monday): 14:30 – 22:25 (Indigo flights)
Warm Regards,
Prateik Kulkarni
(+91- 9773689564)
For bookings and any queries, email us at whitefeatherecotours@gmail.com
White Feather Eco Tours 