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West Sikkim Birding Tours

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

West Sikkim shares its border with Nepal to the east and the Darjeeling district of West Bengal to the south. Along the Singalila ridge and greater Khangchendzonga landscape falls under this district. Rangit river divides this district from the south Sikkim district. 

Around 430 bird species can be found in this district. Like the east and north Sikkim district, some of the major birding destinations of Sikkim or birding hotspots are situated here. Below mentioned are some of the major birding destinations in West Sikkim. All of these places have very interesting avian fauna as the altitude range is very high, as well as the forest type and landscape. 

If you want to do a birdwatching tour in West Sikkim, majorly four birding circuits you can. The first option is Yuksom - Dubdi - Kathok Lake - Labdang Gangyep Forest - Phamrong Falls - Geyzing - Tashiding - Legship - Rangeet Dam - Soreng Forest Block; the second option is Pelling City - Pemayangtse Monastery - Rabdentse Bird Park - Sangachoeling Monastery - Khecheopalri Lake - Darap - Rinchenpong - Dentam; the third option could be Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary - Okhrey, Uttray, Hee Burmiok, Daramdin and Hilley villages; the last fourth option and the best birding experience could be birdwatching in Khangchendzonga NP along the following circuit. Khangchendzonga NP--Sachen Camp, Khangchendzonga NP--Bakhim Camp, Khangchendzonga NP--Tsoka Camp, Khangchendzonga NP--Bikbari, Khangchendzonga NP--Phedang Camp, Khangchendzonga NP--Dzongri Camp, Khangchendzonga NP--Dzongri La (Black Kabru Pass), Khangchendzonga NP--HMI Base Camp, Khangchendzonga NP--Rathong Glacier Lake, Samiti Lake

All these four birding itineraries in West Sikkim cover all the major birding hotspots of the district. In a single year, it might not be possible for you to cover all the places, take your time and book these birding tours at some later time with us!

This would be a birding tour based out of Yuksom. Yuksom is the first capital of Sikkim and one of the most pristine and promising birding destinations in Sikkim. In the lap of cloud-covered eastern Himalayas, these birdwatchers' heaven promises the sightings of Himalayan Cutia, Tibetan Serin, Black-tailed Crake, Red-headed Trogon, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Yellow-throated Fulvetta, Blue-fronted Robin, Purple Cochoa to name a few. For a very long time, we have assisted multiple birding groups for birdwatching in this destination. The best-fit travel itinerary covering all these places would require at least 6 days. The travel plan goes as follows. Details for [Bird Photography Tour in Yuksom Dubdi Kathok Lake Geyzing Tsong Labdang] are here.

 

This tour can be combined when one is looking for a combined family outing as well as birding. The tour would be conducted by making the stay arrangements in star-rated hotels in Pelling. The tour would be done either through an expert bird guide of Sikkim Birds or a local trailblazer. Majorly, Black-tailed Crake, Spot-winged Grosbeak, Chestnut Thrush, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Lesser Shortwing, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Blue-winged Laughingthrush would be targeted. If you have some more birds in mind, we can patch you with our bird guide. After discussion, you can make some additional-alteration to this existing birding itinerary. The detailed itinerary for this short-duration birding tour is here - [Birdwatching Tour in Pelling Rabdantse Pemayangtse Sangachoeling Khecheopalri Rinchenpong for 5 days]

This part of west Sikkim is famous for birding because of the magnificent Rhododendrons that bloom in the spring and summer months. All the miscellaneous babblers and warblers along with hundreds of passerines come to devour the contrasting rhododendron. Rhododendron attracts insects as well, some arrive to feed on those insects as well. The months of April, May, and June are very busy months for the birds as well as for the birdwatchers. Some birds which are dependent on bamboo species are also found here. Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Fulvous Parrotbill, Black-breasted parrotbill, Brown Parrotbill, Spotted Laughingthrush, Black-faced Laughingthrush, Scaly Laughingthrush are seen in bigger flocks. Bird Photographers get a nice opportunity to photograph birds on single bamboo strands, without any obstruction. It is heaven for bird photographers as well. Birds from the Singalila range, i.e. Red Crossbill, and Collared Grosbeak are easy to get here. Our expert birding guides and tour leader would assist you to show you all the birds on your asked list. Click here for the detailed [Birdwatching Tour in Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary Okhrey Uttaray Hilley Hee Barmiok Daramdin for 6 Days].

Before enrolling for this tour, one must understand that he or she is capable of hiking. We would take assistance from the porter team and book expert mountaineers to assist us during the tour apart from keeping our expert birding guide. So it would be a mix of both hiking and birdwatching together. You would cover varied landscapes and would come across some of the most remarkable bird sightings of your life. This birdwatching tour along Rathong Glacier and Goecha La would be mesmerizing; check out the detailed itinerary here [Birding Tour in Khangchendzonga National Park Sachen Tsoka Dzongri Rathong Goecha La for 11 Days]