BIRDING TOUR TO EAST SIKKIM & LATPANCHAR (NORTH BENGAL)
Tour Dates: 2nd May, 2020 (Saturday) – 8th May, 2020 (Friday)
East Sikkim
Sikkim is a state in North East India. East Sikkim is one of the four administrative districts of Sikkim. It’s a home to Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary.
Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary
Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife reserve in the East Sikkim district of Sikkim. The total area of the sanctuary is around 124 square kilometres while inside the wildlife sanctuary there are a few hamlets: Lingtam, Phadamchen, Zuluk, Nathang valley. The altitudinal range of Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary lies between 5775 feet (1760 m) to 14,400 feet (4390 m). This wildlife sanctuary is linked to the forests of Bhutan and Neora Valley National Park of West Bengal. Some of the exotic species from North-East India are present in Pangolakha WLS. Red Panda, one of the most elusive creatures and the state mammal of Sikkim lives here. Musk Deer, Brown Goral, Himalayan Black Bear, Yellow-throated Marten, Red Fox are also present in this wildlife sanctuary.
Zuluk
Zuluk is a small hamlet located inside the Pangolakha WLS at a height of around 10,000 feet (3,000 m) on the rugged terrain of the lower Himalayas in East Sikkim. This place is relatively an emerging and offbeat destination in East Sikkim. It derives its tourism importance due to the excellent view of the eastern Himalayan mountain range including the Kanchenjunga.
Zuluk was once a transit point to the historic Silk Route from Tibet to India. The old Silk route is the rare confluence of natural beauty and history of human civilization. There is an Indian Army base at Zuluk, which has been used as a transit camp for the army movement to the Indo-Chinese border nearby.
At 11200 feet, Thambi View Point offers a panoramic view of Mt. Kanchenjungha. Located at a distance of 14 kms from Zuluk on the famous zig-zag road (locally called Bhulbhulaiya for its 30 hairpin turns)
Zuluk is surrounded by forest. Some of the forests situated around Zuluk are completely unexplored and offer a variety of flora and fauna. A variety of birds can be seen here. During the Summer months, the area and its surrounding hills are covered with thousands of blooming rhododendron. And that’s when Zuluk becomes the riot of colors!
Phadamchen
Phadamchen is surrounded by thick virgin temperate forest; the village is an ideal place for birders as it shelters wide range of birds like Fulvettas, Laughingthrushes, Sivas, Wren Babblers, etc.
North Bengal
Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary & Latpanchar
Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas, between Teesta and Mahananda rivers. Situated in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India; it comes under Darjeeling Wildlife division and can be reached from Bagdogra airport in an hour and half by car. The sanctuary sprawls over 159 sq km of reserve forest and was started as a game sanctuary in 1955.
The forest type in Mahananda WLS varies from riverine forests to dense mixed-wet forest in the higher elevation in a beautiful little village called ‘Latpanchar’, an area of Kurseong hills. The variation in altitude and forest type helps the existence of a large number of species of mammals, birds and reptiles. Varying altitude from 500 ft at the southern range of Sukna forest to the elevation up to 4,200 ft at Latpanchar covers varied vegetation and is home to superb biome restricted species.
Latpanchar forms the highest part of Mahananda WLS with an average altitude of 4200 ft. This place came into prominence quite recently due to the frequent sightings of the elegant, colourful and a globally threatened species Rufous-necked Hornbill.
Being situated in the Mahananada Wild Life Sanctuary, Latpanchar is home to an amazing diversity of birds and animals. It is also one of the few places in the region where you can see the Himalayan Salamander in the wild.
Latpanchar is famous for Cinchona plantation which is used for manufacturing medicines for malaria. The narrow hilly route passing through Latpanchar is covered by sal, teak, pine and cinchona trees.
Shivakhola
Shivakhola is a beautiful village surrounded by Tea Gardens in Darjeeling district in West Bengal. There is a small stream adding more beauty to this hilly village. An ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is located on the bank of the river. The name “Shivakhola” has come from Lord Shiva and the small stream which flows through the valley. The wide range of birds attracts the birders and wildlife photographers to Shivakhola, making it a very productive place for photography of certain target bird species.
Rongtong
Rongtong is a small hamlet located a few miles away from Sukna, in Siliguri. The road towards Rongtong goes through Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary and Sukna Forest reserve along a wonderful low altitude tropical forest dominated with broadleaved trees making it an ideal place for birding.
Birds:
Latpanchar, Rongli & Pangolakha :
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1 (2nd May 2020, Saturday): Pick up by car from New Jalpaiguri railway station or Bagdogra airport and 6 hours drive to reach Zuluk. Night at Zuluk. (Lunch & Dinner)
Day 2 (3rd May 2020, Sunday): Early morning wake up. Full day birding at Zuluk. Night at Zuluk. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 3 (4th May 2020, Monday): Early morning wake up. Full day birding at Dhupi Dara, Nathang valley. Night at Zuluk. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 4 (5th May 2020, Tuesday): Early morning wake up. Full day birding at Lower Zuluk i.e. Phadamchen, Nimachen, Que Khola. Night at Zuluk. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 5 (6th May 2020, Wednesday): Early morning wake up. Morning birding session. Post breakfast check out from Zuluk and transfer to Latpanchar. Night at Latpanchar. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 6 (7th May 2020, Thursday): Early morning wake up. Full day birding at Latpanchar (Mahananda WLS). Night at Latpanchar. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 7 (8th May 2020, Friday): Early morning checkout from the Homestay. Morning birding session at Shivakhola & Rongtong. Drop to Bagdogra airport/ New Jalpaiguri railway station by 1 pm. (Breakfast)
Leader: Prateik Kulkarni
Max group Size: 8
Travel mode – Tata Sumo/ Mahindra Bolero (3 + 1 Sharing)
Cost: Rs. 39,000/- only per person *Bagdogra Airport to Bagdogra Airport*
Cost Inclusions:
- Transportation from Bagdogra airport to Bagdogra airport in NON AC car.
2. Accommodation in Non AC home stays on twin/triple sharing basis
3. All meals – Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Non Veg as per availability)
4. All surface transfer in Tata Sumos/ Mahindra Bolero as per the itinerary
5. All forest entry fees, restricted area permit fees, guide charges etc.
6. Service of a dedicated wildlife photographer and naturalist for the entire tour
7. All applicable taxes
Cost Exclusions:
- Camera Charges
- Tips
- Any extra food item not included in the meal as per the itinerary
- Soft Drinks
- Laundry, phone call, porter etc. personal charges
- Any kind of personal and medical expenditure
- Anything which is not mentioned in “Cost Inclusions”
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. 20,000/-
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 Bagdogra (IXB) – 2nd May 2020 (Saturday): 07:50 – 10:30 (SpiceJet flight)
Bagdogra (IXB) to Mumbai (BOM) – 8th May 2020 (Friday): 15:30 – 20:45 (Indigo flights)
Things to Carry:
- Id proof – Driving License/ Voters ID/ Aadhar Card/ Passport (Original)
Important: PAN card is not valid for permits
- Wool Jacket
- Thermal Full Sleeves T Shirt & Leggings (Pant)
- Woolen Beanie/ Monkey Cap
- Fleece Gloves
- 5-7 pairs of socks
- Sports/ Trekking Shoes
- Binoculars & Cameras
- Toothbrush, Toothpaste
- Towel, soap
- All Dull coloured clothes – Brown, Green, Grey
- Trousers & Track Pants
- Other necessary clothes
- Shaving Kit, Goggle (optional)
- Moisturiser & Lip Balm
- Odomos, Volini Spray
- Tang, Glucon-D, Lemons
- Dry snacks
- Torch
- Personal medicines as per individual requirement especially BP medicines
- Spike Guard for charging camera batteries and cellphones
We look forward to having you on this highly rewarding birding tour 🙂
Warm Regards,
Prateik Kulkarni
(Founder – White Feather Eco Tours: +91- 9773689564)
For bookings and any queries, email us at whitefeatherecotours@gmail.com
White Feather Eco Tours 