Ourindiantours

North-East: Assam-Arunachal Pradesh, Birding Tour in India

Best time: Nov. till April end


Day 01: Kolkata/Fly/Guwahati/Nameri National Park (Assam): Welcome on arrival at Kolkata international airport, we receive our welcome pack and transfer to another terminal to board flight and reach Guwahati after one hour. Driver receives us and we drive (240 km, about 6 hrs) and reach Nameri National Park, the haven for Himalayan birds, stay in modest cottages set in wilderness. A familiarisation tour to observe birds. Overnight at Nameri.


Day 02: Nameri/Eagle’s Nest (Arunachal Pradesh): At Nameri, early morning we go for rafting on the Jia Bhoreli river for water birds. After breakfast drive (125 km., about 5 hrs) to Lama Camp in the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh. It extends across a sprawling plot that measure approximately 217 square kilometers. It is the place to watch birds as it is bestowed with luscious green grassland. We observe birds all around. Overnight at Lama Camp (tented accommodation).


Day 03: Lama Camp (Arunachal Pradesh): Full day birding at Lama Camp (walking and using the vehicle meant for us). Key Species: Kaleej Pheasants, Hill Partridges, Crimson Woodpecker, Bhutan Laughing-Thrush, Rusty-fronted Barwings, Bugan Liocichla, Gould’s Shortwing, Rusty-throated Wren Babbler, Spotted Wren Babbler, Yellow-rumped Honey Guide, Slender-billed Scimitar-Babbler, Lesser and Greater Rufous-headed Parrotbills among others. Overnight at Lama Camp.


Day 04: Lama Camp/Sunderview/Bompu/Lama Camp (Arunachal Pradesh): After an early breakfast we go (with packed lunch) for a long birding trek to Top Ridge, drive to Bompu and return Lama Camp. Key Species: Temminck’s Tragopan, Kaleej Pheasant, Rufous-throated Partridge, Hill Partridge, Red-faced Liocichla, Spotted Laughing Thrush, Black-headed Shrike Babbler, Ward’s Trogon, Bar-winged Wren Babbler, Brown and Fulvous Parrotbill, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird among others.

Day 05: Lama Camp/Nameri National Park (Assam): It is our last bird watching encounter in Eaglenest Sanctuary and we try to register more new species, walking and using the same vehicle. After lunch we drive (125 km, about 5 hrs) to Nameri National Park. Overnight at Nameri.

Day 06: Nameri National Park (Assam): We will have day long birding in Nameri National Park (walking) to log in more Himalayan birds which will be easier. Overnight at Nameri.

Day 07: Nameri/Kaziranga National Park (Assam): After breakfast at Nameri, drive to (110 km., about 03 hrs) Kaziranga National Park where we will have lunch at the lodge. We will spend afternoon in a jeep safari in the Central Range of the Park to explore birds and mammals in the well wooded habitat. Overnight at lodge.

Day 08: Kaziranga National Park (Assam): After an early wake up, we will drive to the elephant platform in the Central Range for our elephant ride to be face to face with the One- horned Rhinoceros, Swamp Deer and other mammals with an impressive diversity of birds emerging through mist. After this great fun (2-seater or 4-seater elephants) we will get down at another platform and drive back to lodge for breakfast. Soon after we drive in the same
jeep to the Central Range and observe a stunning number of birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, etc, some rare Himalayan species will be face to face here. Return to Lodge for lunch. We will spend the afternoon for another jeep safari, this time in the Western Range of the park to witness amazing birds and mammals. Overnight at lodge.

Day 09: Kaziranga National Park (Assam): After an early breakfast we will have jeep safari in the Eastern Range of the park, which is an excellent area for birding. Various woodland birds can be seen around the scenic Dillenia Swamp Forest. Elephants, Water Buffalo, Swamp Deer will be common sites. Return to lodge for lunch. We will like to visit the Central Range during afternoon, our last jeep safari to fill in maximum in Kaziranga. Tigers are often sighted here these days. Overnight at lodge.

Day 10: Kaziranga/Dibrugarh (Assam): We will like to walk around the loge to explore birds, visit tea plantation, which are all around, and inspect a handicrafts unit. After early lunch we drive (235 km., about 5 hrs), to Dibrugarh. Overnight in a modest lodge.

Day 11: Dibrugarh/Namdapha National Park (Arunachal Pradesh): After an early morning breakfast we will drive (130 km, about 4 hrs), with check-in at Namchik check post (Arunachal-Assam border) and reach Miao in Changlang district which is the home of the Singphos and the Tangsa tribes. Miao is located on the bank of Noa-Dihing River. Miao is the last town as we enter in to Namdapha’s wilderness. Namdapha is the largest National Park in India in terms of area and is recognized as one of the richest areas in biodiversity in India. It is home to the four big cat species: tigers, snow leopards, clouded leopards, and common leopard. Check-in at the Deban Forest Camp, the lone place to stay here. We will walk around in the densest of all forests in India, with caution, to explore Himalayan birds which are all around. Overnight at Camp.

Day 12: Namdapha National Park (Arunachal Pradesh): After an early morning breakfast, we go on a day long excursion in the Park (with packed lunch), walking. We will cross the Noa-Dihing River and walk towards Haldibari site. There are five species of Hornbills recorded here. Several species of rare Wren-babblers have also been recorded here. Other bird groups to be found here are: Laughing Thrushes, Parrotbills, Fulvettas, Shrike babblers and Scimitar babblers. The Snowy-throated Babbler is a rare species of Babblers found only in The Patkai and Mishmi hills and nearby areas in Northern Myanmar, close by Namdapha. Trek back to Deban in afternoon. Overnight at Camp.

Day 13: Namdapha National Park (Arunachal Pradesh): After early morning breakfast, we drive and walk towards Vijaynagar road. The Namdapha Flying Squirrel which is critically endangered is to be found only here. The Red Giant Flying Squirrel can also be observed at night with flash lights. Return Deban for overnight.

Day 14: Namdapha/Dibrugarh (Assam): After breakfast, we will spend morning around the camp for our last excursion for birds. We will drive and reach Dibrugarh in evening for our overnight stay in a hotel.

Day 15: Dibrugarh/Fly/Kolkata. After breakfast transfer to Dibrugarh airport in time to board flight leaving at 1430 hrs. Reach Kolkata at 1605 hrs in evening, and transfer to hotel. Transfer to Kolkata international airport in time to board the flight. Farewell.

 

Note: It is a model itinerary. It will be worked out through discussions with guests about destinations, target-species, hotels, night-stay, departure-schedule etc., so that the detailed agreed final itinerary is developed for implementation. Extension to Corbett-Bharatpur, Kaziranga-Nameri, Eaglenest, both the Ranns of Kutch, Thar Desert, Western Ghats in South India, other Tiger Parks, Cultural sites, etc., will be offered on receiving a word. The ‘advance-deposit’ with VIGT is not ‘forfeited’ if the tour is cancelled by guests. Lot of flexibility favours VIGT guests: all departures to suit guests’ dates-duration, and even changes in the itinerary are effected while guests are actually touring.
Accommodation: 
[1] Nameri: Eco Camp.
[2] Eaglenest: Lama Camp/Bomphu Camp (Tented accommodation).
[3] Kaziranga: IORA, The Retreat.
[4] Dibrugarh: Hotel Natraj.
[5] Namdapha: Deban Guest House/Tented accommodation