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South Sikkim Birding Tours

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

South is bordered by all three sides through other districts of Sikkim and by south through the Greater Rangit river, which cuts the district off from Darjeeling hills. Mount Maenam and Mount Tendong are the two major hilltops that form the geography of the district. Both of these mountains are worshiped by tribal Lepcha people and these places have immense ethno-ornithological values in Lepcha folklore. Here on this website, check out the ethno-ornithology section for Lepcha tribes. Maenam forest has very good vegetation of bamboo thickets and rhododendron shrub thickets. The lower elevation has a mixed montane forest character. On the other hand, Tendong mountain goes to the monastery top at 8,500 ft. Since both of these mountains are separated from Khangchendzonga and Singalila ridge in the west and Pangolakha Neora ridge in the east; thus the birdlife differs little in this part of Sikkim. Visit this birding heaven in south Sikkim with us and explore the spellbound bird fauna of south Sikkim.

If you want to do a birdwatching tour in West Sikkim, majorly four birding circuits you can. The first option is Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary - Ravangla - Kewzing; the second option is Kitam - Namchi - Tendong - Temi

These two birding itineraries in South Sikkim cover all the major birding hotspots of the district. In a single tour, you can do it. Please note that South Sikkim can be covered throughout the year. In different seasons, you get to see different bird activities. However, try not to miss summer or post-monsoon. This is when the birds are most active and you enjoy the most vivid bird sightings of your life.

This birding tour would conduct for the first two days out of Kewzing and later three days by staying overnight at Ravangla. The lower elevation birds like Rusty-bellied Shortwing is the most sought-after bird from Kewzing village. However, for mid and high-elevation birds we prefer to stay at Ravangla and cover Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary for birding. Birding in Maenam hills would be done entirely by foot hiking. Birds like Black-throated Parrotbill, Rufous-throated Wren Babbler, and Yellow-throated Fulvetta are some of the magnificent sought-after birds from this part of birding in Sikkim. White-naped Yuhina, Scaly Laughingthrush, and Blue-winged Laughingthrush all harbor in this magnificent forest of South Sikkim. It is important to note that birdwatching in Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary would be done only by foot through the trekking trails. There are no options for entering the park by vehicle. This six-day of a birding travel plan for south Sikkim goes as here in the Tour link : [Birdwatching Tour in Ravangla Kewzing Maenam WLS Bhaleydgunga for 6 Days]

Tendong hills are chiseled out to the north by Temi-Tinkitam ridge and in the west by lesser Rangit River, in the south by greater Rangit River, and to the east by Teesta. This hilltop is full of tribal folk tales of the Lepcha people. Mostly the mixed-montane and lower elevation birds like - varieties of Cuckoo species, riverine, and terai foothills birds are found in this part. The highest elevation is roughly 8,500 ft; it is home to most of the Laughingthrush species, Yuhinas, and allies. A short tour for five days covering Kitam, Namchi, and Tendong could be as described below

Kitam Bird Sanctuary is the lowest elevation sanctuary amongst all the protected areas of Sikkim. Mostly teak and Sal trees cover the campus of the sanctuary. There had been promotions by the Eco-tourism Department of Sikkim for this village in 2017. The best season to visit Kitam Bird Sanctuary, Tendong Hills is winter. In summer or in spring, you might expect some cuckoo species, but nothing much. Click here for detailed [Birding Tour Itinerary for Namchi Kitam Namthang Tendong Hills]