Birding in SIKKIM - A dream destination - 8th May to 14th May, 2017

The long wait is over... Get ready for a birding feast in one of the "Best & Beautiful birding hotspots in the World". With over 550 species of birds, this has to be a dream destination for any bird-watcher.

Nature India is immensely happy to announce, meticulously planned & carefully organised, Bird-watching trip to Sikkim (North-East India) from 8th May to 14th May 2017 (Travel Days excluded). Only few seats are available, so you know what to do!! Book fast...

Read an excellent report of our last year's trip to Sikkim
http://dattakiranjoshi.blogspot.in/2015/05/birding-on-dzongri-trail-trip-to-south.html

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Sikkim - A Dream Destination for Bird-watching

With around 650,000 inhabitants, Sikkim is the least populous state in India and the second-smallest state after Goa in total area, covering approximately 7,096 sq. km. Sikkim is nonetheless geographically diverse due to its location in the Himalayas.

Over the years Sikkim has become the most favored location for birders all over world. Sikkim is like a small piece of land surrounded on all sides by mountain walls. Within an area of 80kms, the elevation rises from 225 mtrs in Tista river valley to 8600 mtrs at Kanchendzonga, India's highest & World's third highest mountain peak. Separated by Singhalila Range from Nepal in the west & Dongkya Range from Tibet to the east, Sikkim, is like a "bird catchment area." Nowhere in the world in such a small area can one find flora and fauna of all varieties - Tropical to the Alpines.

Nature India announces, again this year, an exclusive bird-watching trip to this dream destination from 8th May to 14th May 2017…. The details are given at the end. Amongst the places that we intend to cover are Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary, Okhrey, Hilley, Yuksom, Pelling (Pemayangtse monastery) etc...in Short the West & South of Sikkim

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Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary, West Sikkim

The Varsey Rhododendron Sanctuary or Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary is Located at an altitude of 2900 mts and is renowned for the diversity of Rhododendron’s. It is situated in Western Sikkim in Singalila Range forming a natural border with Nepal in The West. The sanctuary also borders the State West Bengal from Sikkim in the south by Rambong Khola stream. The entire sanctuary is spread over 104 km2, across the Singalila Range. The Varsey Sanctuary can be reached from three points, Hilley, Dentam and Soreng. The most popular entry is Hilley since it is approachable by road and Varsey is only 4 km trek from this point through the beautiful undulated path shaded by different species of rhododendron. The Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary spans over the razor sharp Singalila Range. The diverse forest types found here shelter a wide range of high altitude bird species.




The Barsey Rhododendron sanctuary is famous for Satyr Tragopan (Tragopan Satyra) which is one of the rare species of Pheasants found in Eastern Himalayas, the other star bird species to look for is Fire-tailed Myzornis. Also Rufous vented Tit, Grey Crested Tit, Rufous- fronted Tit, Green Shrike Babbler, Tibetan Siskin, Dark breasted Rosefinch, White browed Rosefinch, Spotted Laughingthrush, White collared Blackbird, Darjeeling woodpecker, Crimson breasted Woodpecker, Fire-capped Tit, Himalayan Cutia, Several Species of Laughingthrushes, Fulvous & Great Parrotbills, White-browed Fulvetta  etc... can be seen. Barsey Rhododendron sanctuary is also home to the rare beautiful state animal of Sikkim the Red Panda or Firefox and Himalayan Yellow Throated Marten.

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Yuksom Area (Kanchendzonga National Park)

The term Kanchendzonga means 'the Abode of Gods consisting of Five Treasure Houses'. The Kanchendzonga National Park is situated in the North District of Sikkim (Yuksom), spreading over an area of 850 square kilometers. The elevation range from 1800 meters to 8600 meters approximately, one of the highest park in the country. The area of the park of spectacular wilderness with one of the highest mountain peaks towering above virtually undisturbed forest cover. The variation of altitude and vegetation has enriched the park area with rich variety of flora.

Yuksom is a historical town in the Geyzing district of Sikkim. It used to be an old capital of the kingdom of Sikkim and has a royal palace complex called the Tashi Tenka which belonged to the Chogyal Kings. The forests around Yuksom constitute a hotspot for birding. Being at the head of the Khangchendzonga National Park and as the base camp for trekking to Mt. Khangchendzonga, it has large influx of mountaineers from all parts of the world. The Tibetan Buddhist monastery, Dubdi Monastery, is located in the area and also the smaller Mallu Monastery. Established in 1701, Dubdi Monastery professes to be the oldest monastery in Sikkim

From Yuksom, one can descend altitude from about 1500 mts to about 500 mts along the rangit river, enabling vast diversity of birds….. some of the birds that can be encountered in this region include Mountain Hawk Eagle, Crimson breasted Woodpecker, Short-billed and Grey chinned Minivets, Himalayan Bulbul, Red -tailed Minla, various Thrushes, Grey winged Blackbird, various Tits, White tailed Nuthatch, Long-tailed Broadbill, Sultan Tit, Golden fronted and Great Barbet, Scarlet Finch, Silver-backed Needletail, Himalayan Swiftlets, White-browed Piculet, Mr.s Gould’s & Black-throated Sunbirds, Hill Prinia ,Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler, Slaty-backed & Spotted Forktails, Plumbeous & White-capped Water Redstart, Small Niltava and various Tits & Cuckoo species.

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Pelling and Pemayangtse Monastery

Pelling is on the state highway connecting Gangtok and Yoksum and rests at the foot of snow capped Mt. Kanchenjunga, from where one can have the best view of this highest mountain of India (if weather permits). The important Pemayangtse monastery is a few kilometers from Pelling and is situated on a hilltop (2133 mtrs) which is covered by moist temperate Oak forests decorated with moss and lichens.

Pelling and Pemayangtse are well wooded and the moist forests hold Maroon-backed and Rufous-breasted Accentors, Barred Cuckoo Dove, White-tailed Nuthatch, Green-tailed Sunbirds, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatchers, Blue-fronted Redstarts, Small & Large Niltava, Green Shrike Babbler, White-throated & Chestnut-headed Laughingthrush, Nepal Fulvetta, Brownish-flanked Bush Warblers, Scarlet and Long-tailed Minivets, White-tailed Robin, Coal, Green-backed and Black-throated Tits, Blue-winged & Chestnut-tailed Minla, various Yuhinas, Fulvettas, Shrike Babblers, Scimitar Babblers, Laughingthrushes and Babblers.

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Dates: 8th May 2017 (Sunday) to 14th May 2017 (Saturday)
Travel Details:

Contact Point: New-Jalpaiguri Station (coming by train helps us to maximise our days instead of coming to Bagdogra where flights reach or take off only in afternoons)

Note: You will need to arrange your own travel to & fro New-Jalpaiguri station ...... Nature India will pick up the participants from here on 8th May Morning @ 9:00 am and arrange a drop to New-Jalpaiguri station on 14th May evening @ 20:00 Hrs.

Mumbai - Kolkata- Mumbai (by Air/Rail on personal expenses)
Kolkata-New-Jalpaiguri-Kolkata (by Rail on personal expenses)

While there are several flight options to reach Kolkata by flight..... we suggest you book the flight tickets so that you keep enough buffer time for your train timings....also please book train tickets to & fro New-Jalpaiguri as follows

Train Travel Suggestions:

1) Sunday 7th May'17: Kolkata (Sealdah Station) to New-Jalpaiguri

12517 GHY Garib Rath Express from Sealdah Station to New-Jalpaiguri .....starting @ 21:40 and reaching at 07:45 Hrs   OR

12377 Padatik Exp from Sealdah to  to New-Jalpaiguri .....starting @ 23:15 and reaching at 9:15 Hrs 

2) Sunday 14th May'17: New-Jalpaiguri to Kolkata (Sealdah Station)

12378 Padatik Exp from New-Jalpaiguri to Sealdah Station ..... starting @ 21:00 and reaching at 6:45 Hrs  (NOTE:If you do not get tickets from New Jalpaiguri, then book tickets from New Alipurdaur (NOQ) Station as Boarding point and after some days change the boarding station online)

and then fly from Kolkata on 15th May'17......

Please note, Nature India would not be able to assist in travel bookings as we are on tours. 

Rough Tour Itinerary (Complete details of stay etc will be provided after registration)

Day 1: Monday, 8th May, 2017 - New Jalpaiguri- Pelling (500 mts to 2000mts)

South Sikkim

We will meet at New Jalpaiguri Station @ 8:30 am and drive towards Sikkim - 06 hours straight but we will drive birding all the way as we come across the Sevok RF, part of Mahananda WLS.

The possible species you may encounter in this forest are as follows.... Oriental & Great Pied Hornbills, Dollar Bird, Crimson Sunbird, Hill Myna, Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush, Jungle Myna, Pin-stripped Tit babbler, Blue-eared & Blue-throated Barbet, Lineated Barbet, Golden-fronted Leafbird, Fairy Blue Bird, White-rumped Shama, Scarlet Minivet, Maroon Oriole, Crested Serpent Eagle, Plain Flowerpecker, Black-crested & White-throated Bulbul.....and many more possibilities....Overnight Stay @ a Good resort in Pelling

Day 2: Tuesday, 9th May, 2017 - Pelling- Pemayangtse (2000 mts)

The entire day will be done around pelling, Rabadangtse Palace Ruins and pemayangtse monastery. This monastery is renowned for the abundance in birdlife. A very small area surrounding the monastery environs may produce gems like White-tailed Robin, Snowy-browed, Little Pied, Verditer, Ferruginous Flycatchers, Fire-breasted Flowerpeckers, Red-tailed Minla, Small & Large Niltava, Green Shrike Babbler, White-throated & Chestnut-headed Laughingthrush, Nepal Fulvetta, White-tailed Nuthatch, Wedge-tailed Green Pigeons, Barred Cuckoo Dove, Striated Bulbul, Green-tailed Sunbird, Rufous-fronted Babblers, Blue-fronted Redstart, Bay woodpecker, Brown-throated Tree-creeper and a variety of birds that will mesmerize you. ......overnight stay in Pelling.

Day 3: Wednesday, 10th May, 2017 - Pelling to Yuksom (1000 to 2000 mts) 

Early morning with packed breakfast Head towards Yuksam - Birding around Yuksam for the whole day, visiting the Rangit river (before lunch) and later the Dubdi monastery trail.... The birds that you might encounter are as following Streak breasted Scimitar Babbler, Striated Bulbul, Slaty-bellied Tesia, Black-eared Shrike Babbler, Rufous-capped Babbler,Hill Prinia ,Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler, Slaty-backed & Spotted Forktails, Gold-naped & Scarlet Finch, Black-throated & Mrs. Gould's Sunbird, Black-throated Prinia, Black-tailed Crake, Greater Yellownape Woodpecker, Plumbeous & White-capped Water Redstart, Small Niltava, Long-tailed Broadbill, Sultan Tit, Golden-fronted Barbet, White bellied Yuhina, Black-chinned Yuhina, White-browed Piculet and so on.....return to Pelling .....Birding on the way......Overnight stay @ a Good hotel in Pelling 

Day 4: Thursday, 11th May, 2017 - Pelling to Okhrey (1800 to 2500 mts)

West Sikkim

After Breakfast head via vehicle towards the higher altitude Okhrey and full Day birding to look out for high altitude species like Blue-winged, Scaly, Grey-sided, Black Faced & Striated Laughingthrush, Himalayan Cutia, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Little Forktail, Stripe-throated, Rufous-vented & White-naped Yuhina, Rufous-fronted Barwing, Greater Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Rufous-winged & Yellow-throated Fulvetta, Beautiful Sibia, Broad-billed Warbler, Black-throated Parrotbill, Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler, Rufous-gorgeted, Pygmy Blue and Little Pied Flycatcher, Ashy-throated & Buff-barred Warbler, Himalayan Blue-tail, White-collard Blackbird, Long-tailed Minivet, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Black-throated Tit and many more...... Overnight stay @ a Basic Homestay in Okhrey

Day 5: Friday, 12th May, 2017 - Okhrey- Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary (2500 to 3500 mts)

Early morning after breakfast birding trek for 04 km to the Forest Hut at Vershay Rhododendron Sanctuary at 3400m. Even though we will be climbing about 300m, the track is well laid with a gentle gradient. As you look for birds, enjoy the lovely walk through forests of Silver Fir, magnolia, and Rhododendrons. The high altitude birds that you might encounter are as following Satyr Tragopan, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Striated Bulbul, Spotted & Scaly Laughingthrush, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Fulvous, Brown & Great Parrotbill, Rufous-vented & Stripe-throated Yuhina, Grey-crested, Coal & Rufous-vented Tit, Black-faced & Grey-hooded Warbler, Grey-sided Bush Warbler, Golden-breasted, Brown-throated and White-browed Fulvetta, Red-tailed & Chestnut-tailed Minla, Black-eared & Black-headed Shrike Babbler and so on..... Overnight stay @ a Basic Homestay in Okhrey

Day 6: Saturday, 13th May, 2017 - Okhrey- Hilley (2500 to 3000 mts)

Early morning birding around Hilley to get another shot at the high altitude birding ...... the Other bird species that are possible here include, Dark-rumped, Spot-winged & Dark-breasted Rosefinch, Crimson-browed Finch, Spot-winged Grosbeak, Collard Owlet, Yellow & Red-billed Blue Magpie, Mountain Bulbul, Plain-backed & Dark-throated Thrush, White-browed Shrike Babbler, Maroon-backed & Rufous-breasted Accentors, Golden Babbler, White-browed Bush Robin, Rufous-fronted Tit, Yellowish-bellied Bush Warbler, Red-headed Bullfinch, Different types of Cuckoo species and a variety of birds. ......overnight stay at Biksthang.

Day 7 : Sunday, 14th May, 2017 - Biksthang to New-Jalpaiguri

Early morning with packed Breakfast proceed towards New Jalpaiguri - Birding on the way at different spots - Lunch & head towards New-Jalpaiguri Station to catch a train @ 20:00 Hrs (Dinner not included)

Conclusion and farewell of the tour.....

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Trip Charges: (New-Jalpaiguri to New-Jalpaiguri)...Rs.47600 /-only

Includes Stay on twin sharing basis at Pelling, Barsey (or Hilley) & in Biksthang resort, Local transport by Jeeps, Park entry charges, Local Expert charges, vegetarian food, Entry permits for Sikkim, Articles on Sikkim and bird checklist, on board mineral water and snacks, Camera Charges if any………

Please Note: That this is the most affordable, yet luxurious trip planned with very good resorts and arrangements.

PS: Unfortunately, if any flights / trains are cancelled due to bad weather or for any other reasons, Nature India will not to be responsible for making stay arrangements. Although, Nature India will assist for hotel bookings.

Stay Arrangements:

Golden Ice or similar (Pelling), Varsey Retreat Homestay or similar (Okhrey) & The Bliss Resort (Biksthang)

 The Bliss Resort, Biksthang

Registration: You can register by sending a confirmatory mail to natureindiatours@gmail.com and by paying a nonrefundable Advance of Rs.20000/- after getting a registration mail from us.......the remaining amount will be collected later as mentioned below.......Please Register at the earliest as only 10 seats are available.

Payment terms:

Phase 1 - Rs. 20000/- as non-refundable Advance to be paid immediately, to confirm the participation. We need to forward this as an advance for logistics & to block our seats.

Phase 2 - Balance amount (Rs.27600/-) to be paid before 20th Mar 2017.

Resource Persons:Mr.Adesh Shivkar, Mr.Mandar Khadilkar & a Local Expert

Mode of Payment: You can either

Transfer non-refundable advance amount of Rs.20000 /- directly to the HDFC A/c : (please call Mandar @ 9930318665 for A/c no.) .... please mention your name, date and other details….

Courier a cheque of Rs.20000/- to the following address and forward the details.
Name: Mr. Mandar Khadilkar
Address: B/702, Neha Apartments, Ashish Complex, Dahisar-East, Mumbai-400068.

Please Note:

1) Once registered, the advance amount of Rs. 20000/- (Phase 1) is strictly non-refundable

2) Alcohol & Smoking is strictly prohibited on Nature India Tours

3) Nesting photography is prohibited.

4) Kindly register on this trip only if you agree with  Nature India's rules and policies

http://natureindiapolicies.blogspot.in/2012/08/nature-india-policies.html

Please revert on natureindiatours@gmail.com ID, in case you need any clarification.

For any other queries we are available on 9930318665 / 9967518665 (Mandar) or 9869071091 / 9820455713(Adesh)

Hope to see you for this wonderful trip

Thanks for your patience.

Warm Regards,
Adesh Shivkar & Mandar Khadilkar


(Some images of past trip......@Photo credit: Dattakiran Joshi)

Batch-2-CORBETT National Park & SATTAL - Birder's Dream Destinations :28th April to 2nd May,2017

This is the 2nd batch as our popular Corbett Birding trip gets full within hours of announcing :-) ......so, those who missed the 1st batch or if those dates are not suitable, please go through these dates and details :- )

This is one of the most popular Nature India trips :-)

Dates: 28th April, 2017 to 2nd May, 2017 (Mumbai - Delhi - Ramnagar & Back travel days excluded)The bookings for Corbett National Park and Sattal / Pangot / Nainital Wildlife trip is on…..book your seats NOW before it gets HOUSEFULL (see the details at the end).... The Corbett National Park trip is defined as a complete Wildlife Package trip.

See Last few years trip reports here...
http://natureindia-tours.blogspot.com/2009/07/final-trip-reports.html#corbett

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CORBETT NATIONAL PARK

Imagine a Park with over 550 species of Birds (That’s an astounding 1/3^rd of the total species of birds found in India), more than 50 mammal species including Tiger, Leopard, Bears and Elephants and more than 40 species of reptiles including the rare Gharial …… Where the terai grasslands are surrounded by the tall Sal trees nestled in the foothills of the mighty Himalayas in the rugged “Shivalik hills’ …… It’s a sheer wild poetry in front of you. One of the finest Wildlife reserves in India, Corbett has a distinction of been the country's first National park. Formerly called as “Hailey national Park” it was established in 1936 in consultation with the legendary Hunter / Naturalist Jim Corbett…… it was aptly renamed “Jim Corbett National Park” in 1972.

In 1972, PROJECT TIGER the most prestigious and biggest total environmental conservation project ever was launched in India. The Jim Corbett National Park has another distinction of having been chosen the venue for the inauguration of this project.

With its impressive list of wildlife species and very well managed wildlife tourism, Corbett is renowned as one of the best National Parks in the world. It boosts of a very healthy populations of Tigers, Elephants, Gharials, Otters, Swamp Deers, King Cobras, Birds and variety of vegetation. Just Google the word CorbettNational Park and you will get a hint of its popularity :-)

The park spans across some 920.9 square kms with a core area of about 520 Sq.kms at an altitude of 600 to 1100 metres about the foothills of the western Himalayas in the districts of Nainital and Pauri Garhwal in the state of Uttaranchal (formerly part of Uttar Pradesh). In its eventful 64-year life, it has grown considerably in size and now includes the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary as a part of its 1,319 sq km of reserved forest area. The terrain includes picturesque hilly ridges covered by Sal trees. Lower down are the grasslands and bamboo growth.

Mammal Species to look for: Tiger, Elephants, Leopards, Hog Deer, Sambar, Barking deer, Wild Boar, Yellow throated Martin, Jungle Cat, Fishing Cat, Dhole, Spotted Deers,Otters etc.

Bird Species to look for : Green Magpie, Rosy & Long-tailed Minivets, Red Jungle-fowl, Khaleej Pheasant, Collared Falconet, Hodgson’s Bushchat, Wallcreeper, Great thick-knee, Brown Fish Owl, Tawny fish Owl, Brown Hawk Owl, Great slaty woodpecker, Green-tailed Sunbird, Himalayan Barbet, Woodpeckers (Great Slaty, Himalayan, Grey-headed, Lesser Yellownape, Greater Yellownape, Grey-capped Pigmy) , River Lapwing, Sand Martins, Russet Sparrows, Orange-breasted Green Pigeons, Eagles (Palla’s Fish, Lesser Fish, Rufous-bellied, Mountain Hawk) ,Vultures (Himalayan Griffon, Cinereous, Egyptian, Red-headed Vulture) , Himalayan Griffon Vultures, Bright-headed Cisticola, Siberian & White-tailed Rubythroat, Black francolin,Speckled Piculet, Mallard duck, Red-crested Pochard, Barbets (Himalayan, Lineated, Blue-throated), Oriental Pied & Great Hornbill, Dollar Bird, Crested or Himalayan Kingfisher,Blue-bearded bee-eater, Long-tailed Broadbill, Lesser Coucal, Red-breasted Parakeet,Himalayan Swiftlet, Small Pratincoles, Hen Harrier, Northern Goshawk, Besra, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Great Crested Grebe, Black Stork, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Eurasian Jay, Grey Tree pie, Maroon Oriole, Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Yellow-bellied Fantail, Drongos (Lesser Racket-tailed, Spangled), Brown Dipper, Thrush (Scaly, Dark-throated, Long-billed, Tickel’s, Blue Whistling), Grey-winged Blackbird, Flycatchers (Dark-sided, Rufous-gorgeted, Ultramarine), Small & Rufous-bellied Niltava, Whiskered Yuhina, White-capped Water Redstart, Plumbeous Water Redstart, Forktails, Tree Creepers, Himalayan Bulbuls,Various species of Tits, Nuthaches …….. and an Incredibly Looooonggggg List

Reptile Species: Gharial and Marsh Crocodile, Indian Monitor Lizard, Rock Agama, King Cobra etc….

Flora: Corbett National Park is rich in vegetation. The lower reaches of the Park, where the land is flat compared to the upper reaches, consists of tall and slender Sal (Shorea robusta) trees. Shisham (Dalbergia sissoo) and Khair (Acacia katechu) trees are found in the middle reaches, while the upper reaches of the mountains are full of bakli (Anogeissus latifolia), chir (Pinus roxburghii), gurail (Bauhinia racemosa) and bamboo trees. The Park is dotted with lantana shrubs, a species that is a great cause for concern. In Park also boosts of over 33 species of bamboo and grass that are mostly found in chours, or meadows.

You can also view Some of the wonderful trip reports by our participants.

http://www.math.iitb.ac.in/~krishnan/corbett-pics/

http://abhayastravelogue.blogspot.com/2011/04/trip-to-jim-corbett.html

http://birdingdiary.blogspot.com/2011/03/corbett-national-park-batch-1-07th-to.html

Some wonderful experiences by Nature India trip participants

http://natureindia-tours.blogspot.com/2009/07/trip-experiences-by-nature-india-tours.html

SATTAL & PANGOT

About 70 kms northeast of Ramnagar in the Kumaon Himalayas lies the Nainital Lake Valley (29° 22' 60N and 79° 27' 0E) and adjacent hill resorts. The Pangot area (1900m) lies 15 kilometers past Nainital and is on the road to Vinayak past Kilbury. While the Sattal area (800m) lies 20 kms to the south east of Nainital. This area and its surrounding hills has a record of 200+ Himalayan bird species, with a great altitudnal variation.

Mixed forests dominated by thick ban-oak, pine and rhododendron cover most of the area and surrounding hills. A large part of the landscape is characterized by dense vegetation. Numerous perennial creeks and streams crisscross the area along with various lakes (Sattal, Nainital, Bhimtal, Nakuchiatal) that dot this region.

District Nainital (Kumaon) covers the tropical, subtropical, temperate, sub alpine and alpine zones. The terai & bhabhar belt presents the climate of the plains while the deep valleys with elevation upto 1000 Mts. play host to flora and fauna typical of hills as well as plains. The middle Himalayan ranges to 2000 Mts and the sub alpine region upto 2500 Mts complete the eco-zones. (Source: www.kolkatabirds.com)

Pangot, a beautiful hamlet in the Kumaon hills, surrounded by thick forests. It offers bird watchers and nature lovers a truly rewarding experience. Pangot is just 15 km away from Nainital and population a mere hundred.

The peace and solitude one experiences in this clean and fresh place is unmatched. Birding in Sattal/Pangot is an amazing experience….this place is so rich in birds that once visited you will yearn to go there again and again. Most of the birding can be done one the way and you can expect loads of mixed hunting parties of Nuthatches, Flycatchers, Minla’s, Laughing Thrushes, Shrike-babblers, Yuhina’s, Sibia’s, green-tailed Sunbird, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker’s, a variety of woodpeckers or even a Lammergier soaring overhead. Some of the birds that are easily seen here are Eurasian & Black-headed Jay, Whiskered Yuhina, Hill Prinia, Slaty-headed Parakeets, Forktail’s, Crimson Sunbird, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Blue-winged Minla, White-tailed Nuthatch, Rufous Sibia, Verditer & Ultramarine flycatchers, Red-billed Blue Magpie and so many others….

Nature India has organized a meticulously planned and exciting wildlife trip to this paradise from 28th April - 2nd May 2017 (excluding travel from Mumbai - Delhi - Ramnagar & Back). We shall cover the prime spots in Corbett including 2 full Days in Bijrani Range & Jhirna Range and 3 days in Sattal & Pangot… That completes most of the prime locations here. 

Please note, that the places selected are the hot spots and there is a high rush to get permits to these places, but we have managed to get this for your maximum gains.

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Tour Itinerary & Other Details: (Ramnagar to Kathgodam ) participants need to make their own travel arrangements from Delhi to Ramnagar & Back.

Day 1 (27th Apr'17) : Board 15013 Ranikhet Exp from old Delhi station leaving 22.40 hrs.

Day 2 (28th Apr'17) : Reach Ramnagar railway station at 5.30 am, Check-in at hotel in Ramnagar – Breakfast and proceed for Safari in Bijarani zone in open gypsies– Lunch and Evening safari in Bijarani zone – Night stay @ Jungle Lore resort in Ramnagar.

Day 3 (29th Apr’17) : Early morning start for morning safari @ Jhirna zone with packed breakfast.... return for lunch .... evening safari in Bijarani zone - Night stay @ Jungle Lore resort in Ramnagar.

Day 4 (30th Apr’17) : Early morning checkout and proceed to Nainital (Breakfast on the way) while birding along the way- Night Stay at Hotel Green Glen, Sattal

Day 5 (1st May’17) : Full day birding in Nainital / Pangot / Bhimtal / Sattal - Night stay at Hotel Green Glen, Sattal.

Day 6 (2nd May’17) : Full day birding & Wildlifing in Nainital / Pangot / Bhimtal / Sat Tal & Proceed to Kathgodam station to board 15014 Ranikhet Exp. train for Delhi (at 20:40 H)

Day 7 (3rd May’17) : Arrive in Delhi at 4.00 am

Trip charges: Rs.27800/- (Includes Non- A/C room stay on twin Sharing Basis in resort in Ramnagar and comfortable hotel in Sattal, Local travel by 4x4 jeeps in Corbett and Tavera's in Sattal, Veg. meals, Breakfast, Fruits, Park Permits, Park entry charges, Photography charges, Guide charges, Information articles & on board snacks and mineral water)…….

This does not include Travel charges from Mumbai - Delhi - Ramnagar and Back or any charges other than the above. Participants will have to make their own travel arrangements till Ramnagar & Back.

Note:

Nature India can assist you for your train travel bookings from Delhi to Ramnagar if required (train travel charges extra).

Registration: You can register by sending a confirmatory mail to natureindiatours@gmail.com and by paying a non-refundable advance of Rs.14000/- after getting registration mail by us (The seats will only be confirmed after receiving the advance amount) …..the remaining amount will be collected during the trip....... Kindly register soon to avoid the rush for train bookings……….

Group Size: Max 10 Pax only

Stay Arrangement: Jungle Lore Camp, Near Aamdanda Gate, just outside the Corbett N.P. on Twin sharing basis and a comfortable Hotel Greenglen in Sattal on twin sharing basis. …….
(see below image)

Resource Persons: Mr.Adesh Shivkar, Mr. Mandar Khadilkar

Mode of Payment: You can either

1) Transfer the advance money directly to HDFC A/c (Please send a mail/call for details).. please mention your name, date and other details….OR
2) Courier a cheque of Rs.14000/- as advance amount to the address given in registration email.

Please Note:

1) Once registered, the advance amount of Rs. 14000/- is strictly non-refundable
2) Alcohol & Smoking is strictly prohibited on all Nature India Tours

3) Nest photography or any collection of specimens is prohibited
4) Kindly register on this trip only if you agree with Nature India rules and policies
http://natureindiapolicies.blogspot.in/2012/08/nature-india-policies.html

Please revert on natureindiatours@gmail.com ID, in case you need any clarification ….

For any other queries we are available on 9869071091 (Adesh) and 9930318665 or 9967518665 (Mandar)

Thanks for your patience.

Looking forward for a very rewarding trip with you all !!

Warm Regards,

Adesh Shivkar & Mandar Khadilkar
Nature India 
Appreciate, Respect and Conserve