Central Asian Flyway : Pakyong District
These are some of the most remarkable birding hotspots from east Sikkim. For a dedicated bird photography tour in east Sikkim, birders can choose this itinerary and bag in Himalayan Rubythroat, White-bellied Redstart, Spot-winged Grosbeak, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Scarlet Finch, Red-faced Liocichla, Spotted Elachura, Blue-fronted Robin, Purple Cochoa like never before. So if you are a bird photographer and want to photograph, some of the rare photographs of birds from Sikkim and in the eastern Himalayas; this tour is your take buddy! Some of these above-mentioned birds like the Blue-fronted Robin or Himalayan Rbuthroat are tougher to photograph elsewhere in the eastern Himalayas!
| Day-1 | We will receive you from the airport and would take you to Central Pendam via Rangpo. After checking in at homestay, birders would have lunch. Later from 2 PM, we would go for an afternoon birding session at Okhorbotey village. Puff-throated Babblers, Brown Wood Owls, and Silver-eared Mesias can be nicely seen and photographed here. At night we would conduct a nocturnal birdwatching session for Scops Owls. We would be staying at Karmithang or Budang. |
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| Day-2 | For the entire morning session, we would be spending a few hours on birding trails at Gari - Budang forest and the surrounding eco-tourism zone. Later in the afternoon, We would explore Dapheybhir, Ralong gompa area. Sisney and Sautaar villages are also nice for birding. Red-faced Liocichla, Gray-sided Laughingthrushes are some skulker birds but could be easily photographable from this area. Just like the previous evening; we would conduct another session of night birding at Budang. |
| Day-3 | The Eastern side of the Central Pendam village is Pachak. In the monastery areas, birds are easily sighted. So a morning birding session would be conducted here at the Pachak Monastery and after breakfast, we would drive toward Dikling Pacheykhani forest. Dikling Pacheykhani forest is adjacent to Pakyong and it requires nearly one hour of driving from Pendam. This new and famous birding hotspot of Sikkim always mesmerizes birders. Here we would target Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl in the day-roosting site in Sikkim. We would also try for the tough luck on sightings of Himalayan Rubythroat, White-bellied Redstart in Sikkim. Birds like Dark-sided Thrush, Long-billed Thrush, Slaty Blue Flycatcher, Gray-bellied Tesia, and Emerald Dove would be some nice birds to add to your checklist from Dikling Pacheykhani forest. |
| Day-4 | Today for the entire morning session and afternoon session, we would be exploring different birding trails on foot. Apart from the previously mentioned birds, we would also look for Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush, Red-faced Liocichla, Scarlet Finch, Silver-eared Mesia, White-browed Piculet, etc. In the summer-monsoon birding tour, birders experience juvenile and young fledgling birds with fully mature adults. Studying those bird behavior is a lot of learning. After spending two nights, tomorrow morning we would be heading to Naitam Pabyuk. |
| Day-5 | After a short birding session followed by a morning meal, we would wrap up birding here at Dikling Pacheykhani forest and drive to our last destination at Naitam village. It would be roughly 2 hours drive. After reaching Naitam, guests would be asked to freshen up and shortly luncheon would be served. After having the delicious Sikkimese lunch, our bird guides would take you to explore different birding trails of Pabyuk. Here you are booked for a two-night stay. |
| Day-6 | It would be a full-day exploration of Pabyuk Jhandi Naitam village. From the balcony of the homestay only, you can try Spot-winged Grosbeak. Crimson Sunbird is a frequent visitor here. As you start hiking up from the village and step inside the forest Himalayan Cutia, Asian Barred Owlet, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Tibetan Serin, etc show up nicely. And you as a bird photographer get ample opportunities from this bird photography tour in east Sikkim. At the top of the ridge, Yellow-rumped Honeyguides are seen in bigger flocks. Pabyuk Naitam is the only place where this endangered species can be experienced in such close proximity. These Yellow-rumped Honeyguides in Sikkim lark around bee hives. Their activities around those live bee hives are a sight to experience in life. Oriental Honey Buzzards also soar around these bee hives. After a whole day of bird walking for nearly 7 KMs, we would take you to the homestay. If you are too tired, maybe a glass of local brew - Chang would help to regain strength. This mildly alcoholic brew Chang is a must-try if you really appreciate and respect the tribal culture of Sikkim. |
| Day-7 | We would utilize the entire morning session for 3 to 4 hours, till the sun is high or the birds are inactive. After having some brunch by 9-10 AM, we would head toward Ranipool. From there via the national highway, we would drive down to Rangpo; where we would relish the Sikkimese cuisine for the last time. By afternoon, you would be taken to Siliguri or Darjeeling. |
Inclusions
- All Stay in village homestays in Pakyong district on either a single or double occupancy basis
- All Foods as mentioned in the travel plan of the final itinerary - AP, EP, CP, or MAP
- All surface transfer by Innova Crysta
- Bird tour guide for all days with all necessary types of equipment - Binoculars, Digiscope, Recording Device for Bird Calls, etc.
- All professional taxes
Exclusions
- Any Travel Insurance or VISA Charges
- Any food items not included in the final itinerary
- Any beverages, additionally purchased during the tour
- Tips and gratuities to the support staffs