Overview
Assam and Darjeeling often act as a gateway to the wildlife-rich region of Northeast India, and are wildlife-rich zones in their own right. From the rolling hill forests and tea estates of North Bengal to the lush forests of Manas National Park, this region is teeming with animals and birds just waiting to be seen and photographed.
Key species
One-horned Rhinoceros, Pygmy Hog, Bengal Florican, Wild Asian Buffalo, Slow Loris, Capped Langur, Wild Pig, Sambar, Great Hornbill, Malayan Giant Squirrel, Chinese Pangolin, Greater Adjutant, Asian Golden Cat, Swamp Francolin, Pin-striped Tit-Babbler, Kalij Pheasant, Common Merganser, Ashy Wood Pigeon, Lesser Cuckoo, Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Brown Parrotbill, Maroon-backed Accentor
Meals: On Own
Accommodation: Hotel near the airport
Your adventure begins as you touch down in New Delhi, a center of civilization for millennia, and now the capital of India! You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. If time permits, perhaps a little birding in Sultanpur National Park can be done to prepare you for the journey ahead. Or maybe take in some of the historical sights like Humayun’s Tomb, India Gate, or Lodhi Gardens.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: In the hotel
Venture into Northeast India with a flight to Guwahati, where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. If time permits, perhaps a little sightseeing in Guwahati can be done.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: In the hotel
Start off on the first proper leg of your quest with a drive to Manas National Park. Named after the Manas River, this tiger reserve lies on the Bhutan border, forming an important elephant corridor as well. In addition, Manas is also home to many other endangered animals, and a superb place to get your birdwatching fix, something you will find out on your afternoon safari here.
Key species: Tiger, Leopard, Asiatic Elephant, Water Buffalo, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Scarlet Minivet, Great Hornbill.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: In the hotel
Explore this amazing forest with the help of morning and afternoon safaris. Once a hunting forest for the royals of the region, Manas was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1928. 55 species of mammals and 450 species of birds have been recorded in Manas, all waiting to be seen by you.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Tiger, Asiatic Elephant, One-horned Rhinoceros, Bengal Florican, Black-tailed Crake, Common Merganser, Kalij Pheasant, White-bellied Heron
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: In the hotel
It’s time to say farewell to Manas and move to Gorumara National Park after breakfast. Located in the Dooars region of the Himalayan foothills, Gorumara is a medium-sized park with grasslands and forests.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Asiatic Elephant, One-horned Rhinoceros, Hair-crested Drongo, Indian Paradise Flycatcher, Great Hornbill, Scarlet Minivet
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: In the hotel
After breakfast, check out and take a short drive to Neora Valley National Park. Situated in the Kalimpong district of West Bengal, it is one of the richest biological zones in Eastern India, and home to the Red Panda. You have the day at leisure to relax or do a little birdwatching around your resort.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Crimson-breasted Woodpecker, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Golden-throated Barbet, Hodgson’s Hawk-Cuckoo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: In the hotel
Explore this rich wildlife haven with morning and afternoon safaris. The forest in Neora Valley has such luxurious growth that even sunlight finds it difficult to touch the ground. Virgin natural forests, dense bamboo groves, the colorful canopy of Rhododendron trees, lush green valley, meandering rivers, and streams with snow-capped mountains in the backdrop form a picturesque landscape and make for some amazing birding.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Leopard, Himalayan Red Panda, Brown Wood Owl, Ashy Wood Pigeon, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Jerdon's Baza, Black Eagle, lack-faced Laughingthrush, Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: In the hotel
Another round of morning and afternoon safaris today to help you explore this dense forest even better. Much of Neora Valley is still unexplored, making it an interesting place for adventurers, trekkers, and wildlife enthusiasts.
Overnight stay.
Key species: Leopard, Himalayan Red Panda, Serow, Goral, White-browed Shrike-Babbler, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Brown Parrotbill, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Fire-tailed Sunbird.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: In the hotel
After breakfast, bid adieu to Neora Valley and head to Darjeeling. Darjeeling has a rich history, from once being part of the Kingdom of Sikkim to its Gorkha history, to its importance during colonial and modern times. This rich history also means it is an amazing place for some sightseeing, which you can do once you have checked into your hotel.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: In the hotel
Enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Darjeeling. Known as the “Queen of the Hills”, Darjeeling is famous due to its tea estates, the main source of income for the region. The vast tea estates and picturesque mountain view make it one of the most popular holiday destinations in India.
Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: In the hotel
It’s now time to start winding up your Northeast Indian adventure. A short drive to Bagdogra and a flight will get you back to New Delhi, where you can get a bit of a well-earned rest.
Overnight stay
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None
Sadly, all journeys have an end, and this is the conclusion of your magnificent odyssey exploring Northeast India’s amazing wildlife. After breakfast, transfer to Delhi airport to connect to your flight back home.
Highlights
- Once in a lifetime experience
- 60+ species of mammals
- 500+ species of birds.
- Tried & tested for 25+ years
- Varied experiences and landscapes
- Open to customization
- Ideal for solo travellers wanting to join a group, families, small groups.
- Great for mammal watchers, birders & photographers
Included
- Accommodation for 02 Nights in Delhi Accommodation for 01 Nights in Guwahati
- Accommodation for 05 Nights in Manas Tiger Reserve Accommodation for 03 Nights in Neora Valley
- Accommodation for 02 Nights in Darjeeling All meals as per the itinerary
- Dedicated transportation for the entire trip Asian Adventures guide
- Wildlife safaris All applicable taxes
Video
Location
Stories
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Rajasthan
One advantage of living near the birding hotspot of Bharatpur is that you can see some amazing birds, like the graceful Sarus Crane, in your backyard during this lockdown