Bird Watching Tour Sikkim

Day 01: Flight to India (New Delhi)

Around Midnight arrive in Delhi. The cosmopolitan city and capital New Delhi is the main gateway for travellers. Upon arrival, you will be met by an Indo Vacations representative and transferred to the hotel.

Day 02: New Delhi - Bagdogra - Pemayangtse

Today we will drive to the airport for the flight from New Delhi to Bagdogra. Sikkim is the second smallest state in India. Sikkim, in the East Himalayas is sandwiched between Nepal to its West and Bhutan to its East. In the North is Tibet/China. Sikkim has so rich of flora, fauna and a diverse ethnic and cultural population as no other state in India. After we arrive in Bagdogra we will drive through the forests and tea gardens and proceed to our today's destination Pemayangtse (The perfect Sublime Lotus). We visit the headquarters of the Nyingama sect in Pemayangtse.

Day 03: Pemayangtse

In the morning after viewing the sunrise on Mount Kanchenjunga, we will visit Pemayangtse and Sanga Choling Monasteries - which are prime birding sites. The birds we will see are Mountain Hawk Eagle, Black Eagle, Himalayan Griffon, Common, Oriental and Indian Cuckoo, White-throated Needletail, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Lesser Yellow Nape, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Hoary-throated and Rusty-fronted Barwing, Striated, Grey-sided and Greater Necklaced Laughing Thrush, Rufous-winged and White-browed Fulvetta, Whiskered Yuhina, Cutia, White-browed Shrike-Babbler, Rufous Sibia, Blyth's, Ashy-throated, Lemon-rumped and Yellow-browed Warbler, Dark-breasted Rosefinch and Red-headed Bullfinch etc.

Day 04: Pemayangtse - Kalimpong

Today we will drive from Pemayangtse to Kalimpong. Kalimpong, a remote hill station has been a meeting point of the once "three closed lands" on the trade route to Tibet. The beautiful mountain scenery and the abundance of flowers have made Kalimpong an attractive resort. The lifestyles of the local people reflect the social and religious influences of its neighbouring nations, Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan. We visit the monastery Tharpa Choeling at Tripai which houses a library of tibetan manuscripts and Tankhas. It belongs to the yellow Hat sect. We drive up to Darpin Dara, the highest point in Kalimpong with superb views over the plains.

Day 05: Kalimpong

Today we will drive to Lava Forests, Rushet Forests, and Neora Forests. Lava is the prime birding destination in this region. It is situated at the altitude of 2100 m. This area is surrounded by the large tract of forests. One can see Crested Goshawk, Eurasian Sparrow hawk, Eurasian Buzzard, Black Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Kalij Pheasant, Barred Cuckoo Dove, Large Hawk Cuckoo, Greenbilled Malkoha, Brown Wood Owl, Golden throated Barbet, Striated Bulbul, etc. After visiting this area we drive back to Kalimpong.

Day 06: Kalimpong - Rangeet Valley - Damthang Forests - Rabangla

Today we will drive through the Teesta and Rangit Valley towards Damthang Forests. Enroute we will stop and look for Red Junglefowl, Dollarbird, Great Barbet, Greater Yellownape, Orange bellied Leafbird, Common Lora, Blue Rock Thrush, Chestnut bellied Rock Thrush, Oriental White eye etc. At the Damthang Forest we will view some birds. Some of the birds we will see are Eurasian Buzzard, Eurasian Kestrel, Grey winged Blackbird, Buff barred Warbler, Blyth Leaf Warbler, Grey hooded Warbler, Black faced Warbler, Rufous gorgeted Flycatcher, Red flanked Bluetail, Blue fronted Redstart, Grey Bushchat, White throated Fantail, Chestnut tailed Minla, Red tailed Minla and more. Then we will drive to Rabangla.

Day 07: Rabangla - Pemayangtse

In the morning we will drive to Menam forests of Oak, Chestnuts, Magnolia and Rhododendrons, likely to spot some of the species of birds as seen at Damthang. In the afternoon drive to Pemayangtse. Arrive Pemayangtse in the evening.

Day 08: Pemayangtse - Gangtok (about 120 km)

The capital of Sikkim "Gangtok" lies on a ridge overlooking the Ranipool River. Gangtok ("High Hill") lies at an altitude of 1760 m. Gangtok is surrounded by Kanchenjunga range. We visit Tsuk-la-Khang, the royal chapel standing on a high bridge. This is the major place of worship and has large and impressive collection of scriptures. We also visit the institute of cottage industries as here wide range of local handicrafts in Lepcha style is produced.

Day 09: Gangtok

Today we drive to the monastery of Enchey. This monastery is believed to be 200 years old. The monks of this monastery belong to the Mahayana Buddhism. After the visit of Enchey monastery we drive to Martham Village-Resort, here we have afternoon at leisure. Here one can have nice walk or have a ride on the local horses of this area.

Day 10: Gangtok

Today we visit the unique Research Institute of Tibetology on a hilltop. It was established in 1958 to promote research on Tibet and Mahayana Buddhism. Here we will see the biggest collection of Tibetan scripts and an excellent collection of rare Tankhas, bronze and cult objects. We also visit orchid Sanctuary which is lying south of the institute. This Sanctuary contains over 450 indigenous species. Sikkim is considered paradise for orchid lovers. After the visit of sanctuary we walk through the bazaars of Gangtok through the area of old palace and visit the monastery Gylwa. The main attraction of our excursion remains today the monastery of Rumtek. Rumtek monastery was built as a true copy of the Tibetan monastery in recent years. Rumtek is the headquarters of Red hat sect of Tibetan lamaistic Buddhism.

Day 11: Gangtok - Darjeeling (about 100 km)

After the breakfast we proceed north of the state through the coniferous forests and terraced tea gardens and arrive in Darjeeling (Darjeeling). Darjeeling (place of the thunderbolt) has spectacular scenery. Due to its altitude of 2134m and soothing temperature in Summer Darjeeling has become a famous hill resort in India. By clear weather we can enjoy the impressive/ unforgettable views of Himalayas.

Day 12: Darjeeling

Very early in the morning we drive to Tiger Hill (around 11 km) to enjoy the sunrise at the Tiger hill. Tiger hill (2590 m.) is the highest point in this area. There is a breathtaking view of the sunrise on Kanchenjunga. Mount Everest (8842) is also visible on a clear day. The moments of sunrise from Tiger Hill are described by most of the visitors as unforgettable. In the afternoon we explore Darjeeling and its surroundings. We visit the village Lablong and the institute of mountaineering where we get the detailed information about the natural surrounding and its habitants of this area.

Day 13: Darjeeling - Yoksom

Today we will drive to Yoksom and spend the whole day birding around Yoksom. Some of the birds you are likely to see are: Mountain Hawk Eagle, Crimson breasted Woodpecker, Maroon Oriole, Short-billed and Grey chinned Minevets, Himalayan Bulbul, Red -tailed Minla, White-naped Yuhina, various Thrushes, Grey winged Blackbird, various Tits, White tailed Nuthatch, and various sunbirds, and various bushcats.

Day 14: Yoksom - Darjeeling - Bagdogra

Today we drive back to Darjeeling via Jorthang and Naya Bazaar. Through the wild Tista valley we will drive back to Bagdogra.

Day 15: Bagdogra - New Delhi (by air)

In the afternoon we drive to the airport for the flight from Bagdogra to New Delhi. The rest of the day at leisure (opportunity for the last shopping or enjoy a massage in the Hotel) After dinner we leave the hotel for the Airport.

Day 16: New Delhi

Around midnight flight to home destination.