Birds & Mammals of Cold Desert Of North & East Sikkim
10 Nights / 11 Days
Day 1
Bagdogra Airport to Mangan – 06 hours
Arrival at the airport, transfer to Mangan (06hours). Overnight stay in Mangan, Homestay
Day 2
Mangan – Lachung
After morning Birding around Mangan and restricted area permits are ready head to Lachung (Lachung is a town and hill station in northeast Sikkim, India. It is located in the North Sikkim district near the border with Tibet. Lachung is at an elevation of about 9,600 feet (2,900 m) and at the confluence of the Lachen and Lachung Rivers, both tributaries of the River Teesta. The word Lachung means “small pass”. The town is approximately 125 kilometers from the capital Gangtok) Travel time – 06 hours. We will be birding all the way to Lachung, Overnight stay in Lachung.
Day 3
Lachung – Yumgthang – Zero point – Lachung
A day excursion to Yumgthang Valley, Singhba Rhododendron Sanctuary, and beyond for birding in the beautiful Yumgthang Valley, The Yumthang Valley is a grazing pasture surrounded by the Himalayan mountains. It is at an elevation of 3,564 meters (11,693 ft), it is popularly known as ‘The Valley of Flowers, which has over twenty-four species of rhododendron. Yumthang is closed between December and March due to heavy snowfall.
Species for the day include Snow Pigeon Columba, Blood Pheasants, White-throated Dipper, Spot-winged Grosbeak; White-winged Grosbeak, Grandala, Goldcrest, Gould’s Shortwing(May), and many more. For anyone interested in high-altitude species of the Himalayas then this is one of the favourite sites for birding. Overnight stay in Lachung.
Day 4
Lachung – Kalep
Early morning after birding head to Kalep (3500 meters) time travel to Kalep is 03 hours but we will ascend slowly birding enroute and acclimatizing to the altitude. Kalep is the base to the Chopta Valley and Gurudongmar Lake. Overnight stay in Kalep.
Day 5 & 6
Kalep – Gurudongmar – Kalep
The Trans Himalayas beyond Kalep / Thangu is home to Grandala, Hume’s Groundpecker, Robin Accentor, Great Rosefinch, Streak Rosefinch, Rufous-necked Snowfinch, Tibetan Snowfinch, and White-rumped Snowfinch. The plateau is also home to many mammals like Tibetan Sandfox, Tibetan Argali, Tibetan Gazelle, Wolly Hare, Black-lipped Pika, Himalayan Marmot, Blue Sheep, and Southern Tibetan Kiang.(Foreign Nationality is permitted only till Thangu) and Indians are allowed only till 12 PM noon in the Gurudongmar area due to extreme weather, Overnight stay in Kalep.
Day 7
Kalep – Gangtok
After the morning session of birding around Thangu and Kalep head to Gangtok at 08 hours.
Day 8
Gangtok – Changu – Zuluk – Pademchen
Early morning birding around Gangtok and after the permits are done head towards Changu lake at an altitude of 3500 meters birding enroute we will be birding all the way to Zuluk and overnight stay in Pademchen. The bird species for the area are as following Himalayan Monal, Blood pheasant, Himalayan White-browed Rosefinch, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Fulvous Parrotbill, Great Parrotbill, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler and many more.
Day 9
Zuluk – Pakyoung
Whole day birding in Zuluk and afternoon headed to Pakyoung.
Day 10
Paykyoung
Birding in surround forest of Pakyoung for Spot-bellied Eagle Owl, Sultan Tit, Green Magpie and low elevation bird species. Overnight Stay in Pakyoung.
Day 11
Pakyoung – Airport Drop
Farewell and Conclusion of the tour
Tips for the Tour
Warm Cloths, Jackets & Gloves as temperature can go to minus, Sunglasses
Medicine for headache, bodyache, high-altitude sickness etc
Good trekking shoes and pants
Water bottle
Binoculars and Camera