Explore Lashar Valley : Thangu Birding Trek
Lashar Valley is one of the untouched and unexplored areas in North Sikkim for birdwatching and nature exploration. Like the regular birdwatching tour in North Sikkim along Lachen and Lachung axis; on the first day and last day, we can stay at East Sikkim or make a direct long drive here in Lachen. ang, we will stay. We will cover bird photography in north Sikkim for the rest of the six nights.
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.
| Day-1 | We would ask the birders to arrive one day prior to Darjeeling or Siliguri. And here on this day, we would pick you up from your city hotel and would bring you all the way to Lachen. Though a direct drive would be just 7 hours, with multiple intermittent stops for morning meals, Lunch, and on-the-way birding in Sikkim; would conservatively add 5 more hours. A start at 6 AM from Siliguri, would take 12 hours to Lachen. Lachen, here we come! In the next 6 days, we would do birding in Lachen Valley and Lashar Valley and explore all possible corners of this beautiful birding destination in Sikkim. |
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| Day-2 | Today we will drive out from Lachen and set out for the next five days of birding in Lashar Valley. From Thangtu onward we would start walking in this hilly terrain. It would roughly take 4 hours of walking to the east to reach our destination. Once we are at Lashar Valley, we can cherish its beauty. For the next four nights, these yak herders’ goths are going to be our addresses. |
| Day-3 to 5 | In the three full days on our hands, we would explore different birding hotspots of Sikkim or this part of Lachen. Morning wakes up and Tibetan Snowcocks foraging around the grassy meadows, you bet! Black-necked Cranes around the swamps of high-altitude oxbow lake below. White-throated Redstarts in the juniper thickets and Grandalas in flocks and a solo Lammergeier soaring would be some beautiful bird sightings in north Sikkim. |
| Day-6 | In the morning, for the last time, we will do birding in Lashar Valley. Post breakfast our porters and guides will take you to Thangu. In this stretch also, between Thangu - Kalep - Zema, and Lachen, you will have an afternoon birding session. After continuing five days of birding on foot, a warm bath and cozy sleep are much required, while we are at Lachen. |
| Day-7 | A leisure day, post breakfast by 8 AM we would move out from Lachen and drive directly to our destination Siliguri, it would be a long drive and we may require to nap all the way. By 4 PM, you will be dropped off at Siliguri. |
Inclusions
- Lashar Valley would be partly trekking and hiking and partly driving by vehicles
- The stay options will be a combination of resorts at Lachen and tented accommodations while visiting the valley
- The stay plans can be on single occupancy or double occupancy as the participants opt for
- The foods can be both vegetarian or non-vegetarian option
- All Foods for the entire duration of the tour
- All surface transfer by Innova Crysta or Xylo; but not while we have to trek at Lashar Valley
- Porters for Lashar Valley trekking part
- Bird tour guide for all days with all necessary types of equipment - Binoculars, Digiscope, Torches, etc.
- All professional taxes
Exclusions
- Any extra food item not included in the meal as per the itinerary
- Any alcoholic beverage
- Anything not mentioned in the itinerary
- Loads more than 15 kilos have to be left at the base at Lachen (Porter will not carry more than 15 kilos, per participant)