Wild Walk Tours
Eastern Himalayas Tour
This tour covers two very special locations, Latpanchar in Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary and Singalila.
Eastern Himalayas, are a habitat that is exclusive and unique. The high altitude, high rain, and amazing variety of vegetation altogether made it a place that is a paradise for a wide variety of wildlife. Many of the wildlife found in this part of the world is endemic to this region.
During the birding tour, 5-6 different areas of different altitudes and habitats will be covered to get the maximum number of species possible, as bird species vary with altitude & habitat.
Latpanchar is a beautiful mountain hamlet offering stunning views, including that of the Kanchenjunga, having a wide range of bird & animal life as well as amazing tea plantations, the famous Darjeeling Tea grows in this region.
This is a paradise for bird watchers with several species of birds chirping and the melody echoing all over the mountains. Approximately 240 species of birds have been recorded here. The highlight species is the elegant, colorful, endangered species - Rufous Necked Hornbill which migrates to Latpanchar from the hills of Nepal during the breeding season.
This is an ideal place for those who love peace and tranquility. Its lush green forests with varied species of flora & fauna make Latpanchar a peaceful abode and the perfect destination for bird watchers & nature lovers. During clear weather, the Siliguri plains can be viewed from the Latpanchar. Snow-clad Mount Kanchenjunga can be viewed from Latpanchar on a clear day.
Singalila National Park is one of the most exotic Himalayan forests in India, located on the Singalila Ridge at an altitude of 7000 feet to 12000 feet above sea level, in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. It is well known for the trekking route to Sandakphu that runs through it.
Singalila is a Birding Paradise. More than 300 species of birds are found here. It has a huge list of exotic birds like- Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Kalij Pheasant, Brown and Fulvous Parrotbills, Rufous-vented Tit, and Old World babblers like the Fire-tailed Myzornis and the Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Rosefinchs, bullfinches, Wran Babblers, Laughingthrushes, Nuthatches, Treecreepers, Yahunas, Minivets, Partridges and many more.
Singalila is also one of the best places for the Exotic Red Panda, Apart from this other mammals found here are- the Himalayan Black bear, Clouded Leopard, Black Panther, Leopard, Leopard Cat, Serow, Barking Deer, Yellow-throated Marten, Wild Boar, Pangolin, Pika, etc.
Singalila is an experience of a lifetime, 4 of the highest peaks of the world can be seen from Sandakhphu- Mt.Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu. Trekking is the best way to explore the park. The guest would be accompanied by a Safari vehicle and porters to carry heavy equipment. At any point of time when it gets a little too tiring to trek one can hop on to the vehicle. The vehicles are heritage Land Rovers, with an old-world charm.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Day 1: Bagdogra to Latpuncture
Pick up from Bagdogra Airport at 1 pm & Transfer to Latpanchar by 4 pm. Check in to the Lodge & evening Birding session. Night stay at the Lodge.
Day 2: Latpanchar Full Day
Full-day Birding at Latpanchar. Night stay at the Lodge.
Day 3: Latpanchar to Manebhanjan
After the morning Birding session, depart for Manebhanjan. Check in to the Lodge & evening Birding session. Night stay at the Lodge.
Day 4: Manebhanjan Full Day
Full-day Birding at Manebhanjan. Night stay at the Lodge.
Day 5: Manebhanjan to Tumling
After the morning Birding session, depart for Tumling. Check in to the Lodge & evening Birding session. Night stay at the Lodge.
Day 6: Tumling to Kaiakata (Habre's Nest Homestay)
After the morning Birding session, depart for Kaiakata. Check in to the Lodge & evening Birding session. Night stay at the Lodge.
Day 7 & 8: Birding around Gairibus & Kalapokhri
Full day birding around Gairibus & Kalapokhri Night stay at the Habre's Nest
Day 9: Sandakhphu
After the morning Birding session, depart for Sandakhphu. Check in to the Lodge & evening Birding session. Night stay at the Lodge.
Day 10: Sandakhphu to Bagdogra Airport
After the morning Birding session, depart for Bagdogra Airport. Reach Bagdogra by 2pm.
Service Ends.
** This itinerary is indicative and the number of days can be modified.
Latpanchar forms the highest part of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary Since it's part of the sanctuary, there is a good chance that you will come across some wildlife here like deer, barking deer, wild boars, and sometimes even leopards and elephants.
Himalayan and Indo-Burma species. The highlight being Rufous Necked Hornbill
Other species include Crested Serpent Eagle, Collared Falconent, Scarlet Minivet, Long Tailed Minivet, Bronze Drongo, Sultan Tit, Black Lored Tit, Brown Capped Pygmy woodpecker, Fulvous Breasted Woodpecker, Lesser Yellonape, Scaly Thrush, Himalayan Griffon, Himalayan Bulbul, Chestnut Bellied Nuthatch, White Tailed Nuthatch, Ashy Drongo, Rufous Necked Hornbill, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Blue Whistling Thrush, Rufous Treepie, Common Myna, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Black Crested Bulbul, White Capped Water Redstart, Rufous Gorgeted Flycatcher, Rufous Sibia, Long Tailed Shrike, Blue Throated Barbet, Great Barbet, Streaked Spiderhunter , Jungle Owlet, Grey Treepie, Chestnut Bellied Rock Thrush, Grey Headed Canary Flycatcher, Little Pied Flycatcher, Asian Barred Owlet, Common Kestrel to name a few.
Singalila:
Biodiversity: Singalila National Park has some of the rarest and most exotic animal life. Many of them are high-altitude animals that are found mostly in the Himalayas.
Mammals: There are also larger animals in the park like the Himalayan black bear, clouded leopards, and occasionally even tigers can be seen in the park. Other fascinating animals within the small species include the barking deer that look like small deer with short horns but bark like dogs, the fearless yellow-throated martens that look like large cats, the long-tailed Pangolins that roll up the trees, wild boars, and so on. You can also see the rare Salamanders here like the amphibians Himalayan Newt. They reproduce in the nearby lake areas of Jorpokhri and Sukhiapokhri.
Birds: Singalila is the place for difficult and hard-to-find birds. The checklist for the area contains 300+ records.
Himalayan and Indo-Burma species. Some highlight ones are Blood Pheasants and Satyr Tragopans, Brown and Fulvous Parrotbills, Rufous-fronted Tits Fire-tailed Myzornis, and Golden-breasted Fulvettas - Singalila is ultimate in exotics and must be on every birder's trip list.
The Habitats to be covered are as follows,
Latpuncture: 4000 ft : comes under Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary
Manebhanjan: 6500 ft : comes under Singalila National Park
Tumling: 9000 ft : comes under Singalila National Park
Gairibus: 8500 ft : comes under Singalila National Park
Kaiakata: 10000 ft : comes under Forest of Nepal, ILLAM
Kalapokhri: 10500 ft : comes under Singalila National Park
Sandakhphu: 12000 ft : comes under Singalila National Park & Forest of Nepal, ILLAM
Travel :
By air: Singalila National Park is located 130 km from Bagdogra Airport which is connected to major Airports like Delhi and Kolkata.
Accommodation
There are no luxury properties in the area, the accommodations are Guest houses and homestays, with basic amenities, clean rooms, and home-cooked food.
THINGS TO CARRY:
Heavy woolens in winter, Shoes comfortable for walking
Raincoat
Wind‐guard
Field guide
Binocular, torch
Photography equipment
Hat/cap
Camera rain Cover
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
Bird watching and photography.
Macro photography.
Landscape photography.
Photographing people & life.
Sunrise on Mt. Khangchendzonga.
Astro Photography –on request