CORBETT / SATTAL / PANGOT - Birder's Dream Destinations :09th April to 13th April,2013

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

Dates: 09th April, 2013 to 13th April, 2013 (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/NAINITAL/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 09th April - 13th April 2013 (excluding travel from Mumbai - Delhi - Ramnagar & Back). We shall cover the prime spots in Corbett including 2 full Days in Dhikala (the place of action), Sarpduli, Gairal, Garjia, Sambar Road, Champion Road, Sattal, Pangot, Nainital… That completes most of the prime locations here. What more, the renowned birder of the region Mr.Manoj Sharma will be guiding us throughout our trip.

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 Ramnagar) participants need to make their own travel arrangements from Delhi to Ramnagar & Back.

Day 1 (08th Apr'13) : Board 15013 Jim Corbett Park Link Exp from old Delhi station leaving 22.40 hrs.

Day 2 (09th Apr'13) : Reach Ramnagar railway station at 5.30 am, freshnup on the way – Breakfast and proceed to Dhikala camp via Gairal & Crocodile pool in open gypsies– Lunch and Evening safari through the chaurs (Terai grasslands)– Night stay in Dhikala forest camp.

Day 3 (10th Apr’13) : Full day game drive in open gypsies & birding in Dhikala region covering Sarpdauli, Champion Road, Thandi Sadak & High Bank, full day game-drive at Dhikala-Night stay in Dhikala forest camp

Day 4 (11th Apr’13) : Morning Game drive / Birding in Dhikala and inside Corbett N.P in open gypsies - Lunch - proceed to Nainital while birding along the way- Night Stay at Sattal

Day 5 (12nd Apr’13) : Full day birding in Nainital / Pangot / Bhimtal / Sattal - Night stay at Sattal.

Day 6 (13th Apr’13) : Full day birding & Wildlifing in Nainital / Pangot / Bhimtal / Sat Tal & Proceed to Kathgodam station to board train for Delhi (at 10.00 pm)

Day 7 (14th Apr’13) : Arrive in Delhi at 5.00 am

Trip charges : Rs.19800/- (Includes Non- A/C room stay on Triple Sharing Basis in Dhikala FRH and on Twin Sharing basis in 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.9000/- 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 13 Pax only

Stay Arrangement: Dhikala Forest Camp (It is actually a resort) inside Corbett N.P. on Triple sharing basis and a comfortable Hotel in Sattal on twin sharing basis. …….
(see below image)

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

Mode of Payment: You can either

1) Transfer the advance money directly to my 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.9000/- as advance amount to the following address

Name: Mr.Adesh Shivkar

Address: D/8, The Adi Janata Society, Behind HP Petrolpump, Opp. Hotel Shangrila, Sion(East), Mumbai-400022

Please Note:
1) Once registered, the advance amount of Rs. 9000/- 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'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 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

Birding in Assam (Kaziranga National Park & Gibbon WLS, Assam - 17th March to 21st March 2013

In Sanskrit, "Asom" means unparellel or eneven. Both meaning suits the land of Assam perfectly. It is believed that the name Assam is derived from "Asom". Assam, a gateway to North-East India, is one of the hottest bio-diversity spots in India.

Nature India has meticulously planned and organized bird watching & wildlife trip to Kaziranga National Park and Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary in Assam from 17th March to 21st March 2013. Only few seats are available, hence please register very fast. (See details at the end).....

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Kaziranga National Park

A girl named Ranga, from a nearby village, and a youth named Kazi, from Karbi Community, fell in love. This match was not acceptable to their families and the couple disappeared into the forest, never to be seen again, and the forest was named after them as Kaziranga.

A world heritage site, Kaziranga NP, covers an area of 378 sq. km. Northern & Eastern boundaries of park are covered by Bramhaputra river. The park hosts two-third of the world’sGreat One-horned Rhinoceros. You can see a vast expanse of tall elephant grass (ideal for Rhinos), marshland and dense tropical moist forest. Kaziranga has one of the highest densities of Tigers among protected areas of the world, though sighting one is difficult in the tall grass. The park is also known for large breeding population of Indian Elephants, Wild Buffalo and Swamp Deer.

Declared as Important Bird Area (IBA) by Birdlife International, Kaziranga has about 478 bird species including resident and migratory birds. Some important birds seen in Kaziranga NP are Bengal Florican, Spot-winged Starling, Swamp Francolin, Green-billed Malkoha, Jerdon’s Babbler, Marsh Babbler, Bristled Grassbird, Black-breasted Parrotbill, Rufous-vented Prinia, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Grey-headed Lapwing, Hill Myna, Rufous-capped Babbler to name a few.

The park has three routes open for visitors, namely, Central, Eastern and Western. Central route is most visited one, as it covers high population of mammal species found in Kaziranga NP. Central route is also good for birds like Spot-winged Starling, Swamp Francolin etc. Eastern route, part of which goes along side huge Brahmaputra river is well known for waterfowls like Lesser-white Fronted Goose, Ferruginous and Bear’s Pochard and forest birds like Blue-naped Pitta, Green-billed Malkoha, Black-breasted Parrotbill etc.

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Birding in Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary, Eastern Assam

Perhaps the best known site to see India’s only Ape, the Hoolock Gibbon is situated in Jorhat district of Assam – The Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary, formerly known as the Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary. "An oasis in the desert" is the metaphor that well suits the Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary. It is an island of dense evergreen rain forest patch in the midst of sprawling tea gardens all around. The sanctuary was officially constituted and renamed in 1997 and is approx.22 sq.kms. Set aside initially in 1881, its forests used to extend to the foothills of the Patkai mountain range. Since then, the forest has been fragmented and surrounded by tea gardens and small villages. In the early 1900s, artificial regeneration was used to develop well-stocked forest, resulting in the site's rich biodiversity.

The sanctuary has a rich biodiversity and is home to the only apes in India, the Western Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock), and Northeastern India's only nocturnal primate – the Bengal Slow Loris. The upper canopy of the forest is dominated by the Hollong tree (Dipterocarpus macrocarpus), while the Nahar (Mesua ferrea) dominates the middle canopy. The lower canopy consists of evergreen shrubs and herbs. The Forest had been named after the species of trees - Hollong and Agar. The habitat is however, threatened by illegal logging, encroachment of human settlements, and habitat fragmentation.


Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary is popularly known for its staggering primate community and it is one of the highest primate density areas in the world. Other primates include the Stump-tailed Macaque (Macaca arctoides), Northern Pig-tailed Macaque (Macaca leonina), Eastern Assamese Macaque (Macaca assamensis assamensis), Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta), and Capped Langur (Trachypithecus pileatus). Also found at the sanctuary are Indian elephants, tigers (Panthera tigris), leopards (Panthera pardus), jungle cats (Felis chaus), wild boar (Sus scrofa), three types of civet, four types of squirrel, and several other types of mammal.

At least 230 species of birds are recorded from this small sanctuary making it a must visit for any birder visiting the nearby Kaziranga National Park. The varied birdlife here includes some North-east exotic species like Collard Treepie, Green-tailed & Ruby-cheeked Sunbird, Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker, Sultan Tit, Rufous-bellied & Large Niltava’s, Beautiful & Long-tailed Sibia, Mountain Tailorbird, Abbot’s & Marsh Babblers, Great & Oriental Pied Hornbills, Speckled & White-browed Piculet, Ashy & Purple Wood Pigeons, Red-headed Trogon, Several species of Minivets, Woodpeckers, Owls, Parakeets, Barbets, Bulbuls, Bee-eaters, Laughing Thrushes, Yuhina’s & Flycatchers……an amazing density and diversity of birds !!

Click here to see the impressive list of Birdlife in Gibbon Sanctuary….
http://nebio.in/neceer/NeBIO_1_3_2010_Sunanda.pdf

Click on below links to see trip images by Nature India Participants...

https://plus.google.com/photos/117614774981231765207/albums/5590849179402182433?banner=pwa 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58304719@N04/sets/72157629773181324/

https://picasaweb.google.com/113088695439409059889/AssamMarch2010

Come, explore the amazing wildlife in Assam...

"Bogakoi Bogoli Boholai Bohise Bolukat Biyoli Bela"
.... a famous tongue twister in Assamese meaning,
"The white cranes are spreading their wings wide, sitting on the sand in the evening."

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TRIP DETAILS:

Date: 17th March 2013 (Sunday) 11.30 am to 21st March 2013 (Thrusday) aft. 4.00 pm (travel days included)

Mode of Travel :
Mumbai - Guwahati - Mumbai (by Air/Rail on personal expenses)
Local travel in jeep from Guwahati – Kaziranga – Jorhat - Guwahati (By Nature India)

From Mumbai to Guwahati & Back (To be taken care by participants themselves)

By Air:
By Air: We suggest you to book tickets for following flight;

Mumbai - Guwahati:
Jet Airways Flight No. 9W-619, on 17/03/2013 at 06.50 Hours reaching Guwahati at 11.20Hours.
 
Air India Flight No. AI-675, on 17/03/2013 from Mumbai at 06.10 Hours reaching Kolkata at 08.50 Hours & Air India flight No. AI-729, on 09/03/2013 from Kolkata at 09.55 hours reaching Guwahati at 11.05 hours.

Guwahati to Mumbai:

Spicejet Flight No. SG-894, on 21/03/2013 at 18.15 Hours reaching Mumbai at 23.25Hours.

Jet Airways Flight No. 9W-628, on 21/03/2013 at 18.45 Hours reaching Mumbai at 23.15Hours.
 
There are other flights also available.... Please check the arrival & departure timing at Guwahati for to & fro flights.

By Rail:
One can reach Guwahati by 5647 Guwahati express, but it runs only on Fridays and takes about 53 hours :-(

*Nature India will not assist in booking for air/train tickets*

1. Sunday, 17th March, 2013: Pick-up at Guwahati Airport at 11.30am…..Departure in jeep for Kaziranga NP. On the way stop over to see first lifer of the trip..... Stay overnight at Jupuri Ghar Resort, Kaziranga. 

2. Monday, 18th March, 2013: Kaziranga NP, morning safari in Eastern range...return to resort for lunch... evening safari in Central range - Return to Jupuri Ghar Resort, Kaziranga for night stay. 

3. Tuesday, 19th March 2013: Early morning Safari in Central range ... Lunch...proceed to Gibbon Sanctuary --- Evening bird-watching in Gibbon Sanctuary - Stay in Jorhat 

4. Wednesday, 20th March, 2013: Full Day  bird & butterfly watching at Hoollangapar Gibbon Sanctuary... Overnight Stay in Jorhat 

5. Thursday, 21st March, 2013: Early morning bird watching at Hoolangapar Gibbon Sanctuary - breakfast - Proceed to Guwahati and reach by 04.30pm.

More details on the iterinary will be given to those who register....

Trip charges : Rs.19800/- (Guwahati to Guwahati)….

Includes Stay in Twin sharing basis in Jupuri Ghar resort in Kaziranga and hotel in Jorhat, Pick-up & Drop from Guwahati Airport to Kaziranga / Jorhat, Local transport by Jeeps, Park entry charges, Safari by 4x4 open gypsies, local guide charges, All meals (Veg. / Non-Veg food), Articles on Gibbon WLS & Kaziranga NP and bird checklist, on board mineral water and snacks………

This does not include any other charges and also any individual camera charges ....Individuals will have to pay additional charges if any to the forest dept. as per the rules.

Stay Arrangement

Jupuri Ghar Resort, Kaziranga (Twin Sharing stay)

 PS: Unfortunately, if the flight from Guwahati to Mumbai is 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.

Registration: You can register by sending a confirmatory mail to natureindiatours@gmail.com and by paying a non refundable Advance of Rs.9000/- after getting a registration mail from us. (The seats will only be confirmed after receiving the advance amount) …..the remaining amount can be sent by 5th Jan'2013.......Please Register at the earliest as only 12 seats are available. 

Payment terms:
Phase 1 - Rs. 9000/- as non-refundable Advance to be paid immediately. We need to forward this as an advance for logistics & to block our seats.
Phase 2 - Remaining amount by 5th Jan'2013.

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 call Adesh @ 9869071091 for HDFC A/c no.) .... please mention your name, date and other details….
2. Courier a cheque of Rs.9000/- to the following address

Name: Mr. Adesh Shivkar
Address: D/8, The Adi Janata Society, Behind HP Petrolpump, Opp. Hotel Shangrila, Sion(East), Mumbai-400022

Please Note:

1. Once registered, the advance amount of Rs. 9000/- is strictly non-refundable
2. Alcohol & Smoking is strictly prohibited on
   Nature India
   Tours
3. This is primarily a Bird-watching trip
4. Nature India will not be responsible for any days lost due to bad weather. 
5. 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 naturindiatours@gmail.com ID, in case you need any clarification.

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

Hope to see you for this wonderful trip

Thanks for your patience.

Warm Regards,

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