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North Sikkim Birding Tours

Birding Tour in North Sikkim / Bird Photography Tour in North Sikkim / Bird Watching Tour in North Sikkim

The largest district in Sikkim is the North district. The district councils or Dzumsa orders administer this district. The self-government system has not only protected their tribal rights, but also the nature and wildlife around it. The riverine ecosystem of lowlands of Dikchu, montane forests of Chungthang, Alpine and sub-alpine regions of Lachen and Lachung, rocky outcrops of Thangu, Kalapatthar, and Muguthang, Tibetan plateau of Gaigong, Gurudingmar and Tso Lhamo area - makes it a multivarious landscape that one bird watcher can experience in a single visit. The avian fauna also differs from spring-summer to monsoon-autumn to winter. This place has heavy zoological importance also; since it falls under two flyways; the east Asian-Australian flyway and the central Asian flyway. The migratory birds from both the northern and southern hemispheres use these paths. Though it has the most varied landscape among all the districts in Sikkim; however, the travel embargo keeps most of the places inaccessible. That keeps the forest pristine!

Bird photography tours or bird watching tours in North Sikkim can be done by following the below-mentioned itineraries or combining them in multiple other ways. Lachen and Gurudongmar are the most famous birding destinations in North Sikkim. However, there are more untouched and less birded areas also, which one must explore with us.

The first birding option could be Pangthang - Mangan - Manul - Naga - Chungthang - Lachen - Thangu - Gaigaong - Gurudongmar Lachung - Yumthang - Shivmandir - Yumesamdong - Zero Point complex; this is the most visited birding destination in North Sikkim. The second option which we suggest is Mangan - Dzongu - Bey Village - Tholung - Tingvong. Very few lucky birders have explored this part of North Sikkim and did birding in Dzongu hills. The third birding itinerary could be birding in Lachen - Thangu - Lashar Valley - Zachu. This is the best place to experience Tibetan Snowcock and Snow Partridges. Green Lake visit for birdwatching could be a different level of experience for you.

During the entire duration of this bird tour, the first day and last day, we must hop at East Sikkim. If someone comes from Bagdogra, a direct drive to North Sikkim would be very hectic. He would get some leisure birdwatching time as well in Fambong Lho. Thus a halt at Pangthang, adjacent to Fambong Lho WLS would be helpful. Similarly, on the way back as well at Pangthang, we will stay. We will cover bird photography in north Sikkim for the rest of the six nights. [Detailed Itinerary of Pangthang Lachen Thangu Gurudongmar Lachung Yumthang Yumesamdong Birding Tour for 9 Days]

Dzongu is the Lepcha tribal reserve in North Sikkim. Lepcha people have been deeply related to nature worshiping and here on our website, we have kept a section on how birds influence these tribal people and their life stories and folktales, festivities, etc. Please check this section on the ethno-ornithology of Lepchas. 

This would be a fantastic birding exploration tour following JD Hooker’s trail in Lepcha land. The routine goes as follows here in this itinerary link [Mangan Dzongu Bey Village Tholung Tingvong Birding Tour for 9 Days]

Tour in Lashar Valley has recently started. And it is one of the best birding destinations in north Sikkim; after the famous spots of birding in Gurudongmar and birding in Lachen and Lachung. For a bird photography tour in Sikkim also, this place is strongly suggested. For nearly half of the year, this place is merged under thick blankets of snow; after the snow melts in Mid-April or May, Dokpas arrive here with their herd of Yaks. The movement of Yaks brings animal-borne organisms like beetles, insects, etc, which invites birds. Lots of birds appear in the meadows - White-rumped Snowfinch, Rufous-necked Snowfinch, Tibetan Snowcock, Hume’s Ground Tit, Horned Lark, Streaked Rosefinch, etc. Once you are there you would be mesmerized to see the birds in brilliant breeding plumage. Between the Lachen and Lachung axis along the ridge of Mt Simvo is Lashar Valley. [Hiking and Bird Watching Tour Itinerary in Lashar Valley, North Sikkim for 7 Days]