Explore Alike Bhutan Forest : Pangolakha Neora Ridge
This region falls in between Pangolakha WLS and Neora Valley NP. Many birdwatchers or bird photographers visit Sikkim, but this part is still not well covered by many. We as a birding tour operator in Sikkim, offer this unique birding destination. Come explore, for a bird photography tour in east Sikkim with us in this region! The bird habitat here mostly consists of bamboo thickets of a different kind, mixed montane forests in mid-elevation, and alpine-conifer forests in the upper ridges.
| Day-1 | The bird guides of Sikkim Birds would pick up the guests from the Bagdogra Airport or Pakyong airport; depending upon their arrival plan. On the way, we would arrange for breakfast, if it is not too late. Later by noon, guests would check in to homestays or resorts. In the afternoon, we would have a birding session in Regu Talkharka villages. If the weather permits, we would definitely make a session for nocturnal birdwatching in Pangolakha. Actually, all these regions fall under Pangolakha WLS and this forest patch is contiguous with Neora Valley National Park to the south. Overnight we would stay at Talkharka village. |
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| Day-2 | The people of Talkharka are the Rai community, so it is expected that the hospitality you receive goes through Rai-Limbu cultural norms. For the entire day, we would make a walk along different birding trails of Talkharka and would go up to Phusray. It is expected that the bird walk in this part of the east Sikkim tour would be productive. In 2019, the finding of Ward’s Trogon from Talkharda in Sikkim was a major birding highlight. We will also search for Ward’s Trogon in the area. Otherwise, Purple Cochoas in Sikkim was also recorded multiple times on Sikkim Birds Tour. Our expert guide would try his best for these rare bird findings. In the evening, we would return back to homestay at Talkharka. |
| Day-3 | We will continue a morning birding session till we find the activity of birds in the forest; post breakfast we would move to Aritar. In the afternoon a bird walk along Mankhim forest would be done. Later we might go after a night birding in the adjacent forest for Brown Boobok, Collared Scops Owl, and Mountain Scops Owl. The forest of Mankhim has a distribution of Brown Wood Owl as well. Tonight we would stay at Mankhim. |
| Day-4 & 5 | For the next two days, we would explore Neora Valley National Park and its adjacent Pangolakha WLS. Mulkharka, Gaikhurey, and Phusrey Lake areas along Rachela ridge, would be surveyed for birds. Rufous-throated Partridge, Red-faced Liocichla, and Ward's Trogon would be targetted. Ward's Trogon is the major highlight bird of this region. We might have a good chance of sighting of Wards Trogon in Sikkim from this part of east Sikkim. For two more consecutive nights, we would stay at Mankhim. |
| Day-6 | For those who have done birding in Pangolakha Wildlife sanctuary and done birding in Neora Valley, this part of birding would help in bridging the gap. Like Talkharka, here also our stay arrangements would be in Rai tribal village. In the morning, we will make an early morning check out from the homestay with a packed breakfast and would cover Reshi-Pedong forests for the morning session. By noon, we would get our luncheon at Kalimpong and later drive down to Siliguri by late afternoon or evening. |
Inclusions
- Pangolakha & Neora Ridge offers to stay at tribal hamlets and Forest Rest Houses
- Stay plan can be on a double-occupancy or single-occupancy basis
- Meals can be both vegetarian or non-vegetarian as suggested by the participants
- Food plans - AP, EP, CP & MAP can be chosen by the guests
- Surface transfer is offered by luxury cars like Innova Crysta to semi-luxury Xylo or 4-wheeled drive Bolero
- Bird tour guide for all days with all necessary types of equipment - Binoculars, Digiscope, Sound Recorders, etc.
- Park entry fees and camera charges at Pangolakha WLS and Neora Valley National Park
- All professional taxes
Exclusions
- VISA & Travel Insurance Charges
- Arrival from and Departure to home towns of the participants
- All food & beverage items, which are not mentioned in the final itinerary
- All gratuities or tips