 |
| Activity level: |
|
easy to moderate walks
|
Asia / India
Bird and wildlife safari in Assam -
with extension to Darjeeling and Lava
Northeast India - 14 to 20 birding days
Assam offers an unbelievable abundance of wildlife that is relatively easy to discover. The vast grasslands of Kaziranga National Park harbour the world’s largest population of Indian Rhinoceros, Eastern Swamp Deer, Asiatic Water Buffalo and a significant population of Asian Elephant as well. The park is also home to more than 450 species of birds and one of the best places in the world to observe such rare and endangered species as Swamp Francolin, Bengal Florican, Greater Adjutant, Spot-billed Pelican, Grey-headed Lapwing, Slender-billed Babbler, Black-breasted Parrotbill, and Finn’s Weaver. Kaziranga is also home to thousands of migrating wildfowl and waders, hornbills and a variety of forest birds in the nearby broadleaved evergreen forest of Panbari.
Relatively few people visit Nameri National Park, home of the secretive White-winged Duck. Taking a boat ride on the river Jia-Bhoroli is an easy way of seeing fabulous species such as the sought-after Ibisbill, River Lapwing, Small Pratincole, Great Thick-Knee, Crested Kingfisher, and Sand Lark while raptors soar in the sky and flocks of Great and Wreathed Hornbills fly above the broadleaved forest.
Manas National Park at the Bhutanese border, home of the rare Golden Langur, Pygmy Hog and Hispid Hare, reopened only 2 years ago. The variety of scenic landscapes and habitats offers fascinating birding with a nice array of grassland, forest and riverine species.
Darjeeling is a beautiful hill station in the Eastern Himalayas with tea plantations and unique views of the world’s highest peaks. It is also home to an array of fascinating Himalayan species that can be observed relatively easily in and around town. The mature evergreen forests of Lava and Neora Valley National Park harbour such rarities as Satyr Tragopan, Rusty-bellied Shortwing, Blue-fronted Robin, Rufous-throated Wren Babbler, Cutia and Fire-tailed Myzornis though luck is needed to spot any of them.
Fact File
- 14 days in Assam visiting 3 national parks famous for rare birds and mammals
- optional 6 days extension to North Bengal including Darjeeling and Lava
- start and finish in Delhi with half day birding around Delhi
- using 3 accommodations in Assam located at the parks with excellent birding on site
Highlights
- visiting world famous Tiger Reserves Kaziranga, Manas and Nameri
- wide variety of birds, mammals, butterflies and habitats
- plenty of resident and migrating bird species with many globally threatened species
- many interesting mammals including rhinoceros, elephant, buffalo, deer, gibbons, langurs and macaques
- elephant ride in Kaziranga, boat ride in Nameri and Manas
- unique scenery of the Himalayas and fantastic birds in North Bengal
Accommodation
2 nights in Delhi
4 nights at the Bansbari Lodge in Manas
2 nights at the Eco Camp at Nameri
5 nights in the famous Wild Grass Resort in Kaziranga
3 nights in Darjeeling
3 nights in Lava
Departure Dates
March-April
http://www.ecotours.hu/calendar
Price
Ask for the actual price.
Our price includes:
- all travel within the country as noted in the itinerary;
- all accommodation based on shared rooms (most rooms are twin bedded), at most locations there are single rooms as well for extra charge (Please ask for a single room at the time of booking!);
- 3 meals per day, generally breakfast at the accommodation, packed lunch, dinner (consists of at least two courses);
- services of the leader(s);
- trip materials.
Not included:
- flight to and from Delhi;
- optional programmes to places of interest and its entrance fees,
- passports and visas,
- airport and other departure taxes, tips,
- food beyond generally 3 meals/day mentioned in the itineraries,
- camera charges in national parks,
- immunizations,
- excess baggage charges,
- telephone calls,
- alcoholic beverages,
- compulsory personal insurance.
If you have questions about the inclusion of any cost item, please contact us.
Activity level
Birding is restricted to jeep rides inside Kaziranga and Manas
Generally easy walks in Panbari Forest, Tea Garden at Wild Grass and in Nameri
Leeches are sometimes present in Panbari, leech socks are provided
Boat ride in Nameri and Manas in rubber boats taking 2 persons with 2 boatsmen
During the day hot and sunny, cooler temperatures during the night
In the Himalayas jeep rides on gravel roads and easy walks downhill
Weather can be unpredictable in the Himalayas with rain, fog and dropping temperatures while nights can be cold
Optional programmes
Ferry across the river to Butan to observe Golden Langurs
Early morning elephant ride in Kaziranga for close views of wildlife
Trip to Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary to see seven primates at one place
Itinerary
|
Start to Delhi spending the night on the plane.
After arrival in the morning we spend a day in Delhi checking out birding locations in the surrounding area. |
|
|
We fly East to Guwahati, capital of Assam and reach Manas National Park by jeep. In the park we explore grassland and forest and also take a half-day boat ride on the river. Optionally we take a ferry across the river to Bhutan to look for Golden Langur.
|
|
|
We leave for Nameri stopping en route for birding. In Nameri we take a boat ride on the river with stops on the sand banks to look for wintering and resident bird species.
|
|
|
We take a ferry to the other side of the river to look for the rare White-winged Duck then we leave for Kaziranga. In Kaziranga we spend 4 days exploring the Central, Western and Eastern Ranges of the park by jeep, the nearby Tea Garden and Panbari Forest. As an option we visit Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, the only place in India where 7 species of primates can be seen.
|
|
|
After breakfast we travel to Guwahati Airport by jeep and we fly back to Delhi.
|
|
|
We depart for home in the morning to arrive in the evening.
|
Extension to Darjeeling and West Bengal
|
|
We fly from Guwahati to Bagdogra Airport and travel in jeeps to Darjeeling. In the city we visit the Zoo and the Botanical Garden to get familiar with the bird species of the Eastern Himalayas.
|
|
|
We watch the sun rise over Kanchenjunga, the second highest peak in the Himalayas. On Tiger Hill we look for rare bird species. Afterwards we leave for Lava by jeep stopping en route for enjoying scenic views and for birding. In Lava we visit several trails looking for bird specialties of the region. We also make a day trip to Neora Valley National Park, one of the last remaining pristine ecosystems in the Eastern Himalayas.
|
|
|
We explore one more trail in Lava and after lunch we head back to Darjeeling.
|
|
|
We board our jeeps for the last time to go to Bagdogra Airport from where we fly to Delhi.
|
|
|
We depart from Delhi in the morning to arrive home in the evening.
|
Please select a country from the
map 
