Date: 30th June,2024 morning 11.00 am to 4th July,2024 eve 03.00 pm (travel days excluded). The bookings for Mahananda WLS & Senchal WLS (Tiger Hills, Darjeeling) “Monsoon birding for Breeding visitors” are on…..book your seats now (see the details at the end)…..Explore the birds in the Pristine Forests of North west Bengal. Bird-watch in one of the highly recommended birding hot-spots in India with Nature India.
Rongtong (Mahananda WLS)
Situated in the district of Darjeeling in West Bengal, Rongtong, which loosely translates to ‘colours and beyond’, is a hamlet that truly lives up to its name. With tiny village homes on lush rolling hills, blanketed by clouds and shrouded in mist, Rongtong is something straight out of an English classic.
The road towards Rongtong goes through Mahanada Wildlife Sanctuary and Sukna Forest reserve making it an ideal place for birding. One of the best places to observe & photograph breeding visitors in the area like Black & Jerdon’s Baza, Violet & Asian Emerald Cuckoo, Chestnut-winged Cuckoo etc… also lower altitude eastern Himalayan resident birds like Sultan Tit, Great Hornbill, Common Green Magpie, Black-crested Bulbul, Greater & Lesser Necklace Laughingthrush, Barred Cuckoo Dove, Thick-billed Green Pigeon, Green-billed Malkoha, White-browed Scimitar Babbler etc…
Senchal Wildlife Sactuary, Tiger hills, Darjeeling
Set up in 1915, Senchal WLS in Darjeeling district of West Bengal is one of the oldest wildlife sancturies of India. Situated at mid altitude ranging from 1500 to 2600 mtrs. In monsoon some bird species come here to breed including; Great, Brown, Black-throated & Fulvous Parrotbill; Spotted, Grey-sided, Chestnut-crowned Laughingh-thrush; Common Hill Partridge; Hoary-throated Barwing; Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler; Yellow-billed Blue Magpie etc…
Note: Few images from the blog are taken from Internet.
Nature India has organized an exclusive Birdwatching trip to the birding hotspots of West Bengal from 30th June to 4th July 2024 (travel days included). We shall cover Mahananda WLS & Senchal WLS (Tiger Hills, Darjeeling) area.
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Tour Itinerary & Other Details:
Date: 30th June 24 morning 11.00 am to 4th July 24 eve 3.00 pm (travel days excluded)
Mode of Travel :
(Scorpio/Innova / Xylo)
By Air:
Mumbai to Bagdogra (Siliguri) on 30th June 2024
Indigo flight no. 6E-5305, starting from Mumbai at 08.05 hours, reaching Bagdogra at 10.50 hours (direct)… OR any other flight reaching Bagdogra by 11.00 hours
Bagdogra to Mumbai on 4th July 2024
Akasa Air flight no. QP-1386, starting from Bagdogra at 15.05 hours, reaching Mumbai at 18.10 hours (direct)… OR any other flight starting from Bagdogra after 15.00 hours
Overnight train travel can be booked from Kolkata….. however since it is a busy sector, the train bookings should be done as soon as the booking opens to get the desired train and class …. there are however, several trains from Kolkata to New-Jalpaiguri (please check the pick-up & drop time in itinerary)
We recommend following train option (In case you are coming by train from Kolkata) for Sealdah (Kolkata) to New Jalpaigudi (Siliguri)
Sealdah to New Jalpaigudi – 29th June 2024
Train no.12377 Padatik Express starting from Sealdah at 23.20 hrs reaching New Jalpaiguri at 09.10 hrs on 30th June 2024.
New Jalpaiguri to Sealdah – 4th July 2024
Train no. 12344 Darjeeling Mail starting from New Jalpaiguri at 20.00 hrs reaching Sealdah at 06.00 hrs on 5th July 2024
Rough Tour Itinerary: Ex. Bagdogra (Siliguri)
30th June 24 (Sunday): Arrive at Bagdogra (pick-up at 11:00 am) and travel to Rongtong… Check in… Lunch…. Afternoon birding around Rongtong in search of Black Baza, Jerdon’s Baza, Green Cochoa, Long-tailed Broadbill, Yellow-vented Flowerpecker, Gree-billed Malkoha, Great Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Thick-billed Green Pigeon, Asian Fairy Bluebird, Barred Cuckoo Dove etc…. Overnight stay at Humro Home Rongtong Homestay
1st July 24 (Monday): Full day birding around Rongtong & Sukna area for Asian Emerald Cuckoo, Violet Cuckoo, Chestnut-winged Cuckoo & other Cuckoos, Collared Falconet, White-browed Scimitar Babbler, Greater & Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush, Pale-headed Woodpecker, Common Green Magpie, Dollarbird, Pin-tailed & Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Rufescent Prinia, White-throated & Black-crested Bulbul etc… … Overnight stay at Humro Home Rongtong Homestay
2nd July 24 (Tuesday): Early morning start for Senchal WLS, Tiger hills, Darjeeling… full day around Senchel WLS for Great & Brown Parrotbill, Spotted & Grey-sided Laughingthrush, Hoary-throated Barwing, Fire-tailed & Green-tailed Sunbird, White-tailed Robin, Grey-sided & Aberrant Bush Warbler, Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Scaly-breasted & Pygmy Cupwing etc… overnight stay at homestay in Darjeeling
3rd July 24 (Wednesday):full day around Senchel WLS for Fulvous & Black-throated Parrotbill, Golden & White-browed Fulvetta, Slender-billed & Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Scaly Laughingthrush, Blue-winged & Chestnut-tailed Minla, Himalayan Shorwing, Red-billed Leothrix, Yellow-breasted Greenfinch, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Brownish-flanked & Hume’s Bush Warbler etc.. overnight stay at homestay in Darjeeling
4th July 24 (Thursday):Morning birding around Senchel WLS…. transfer to Bagdogra… reach Bagdogra by 13.00 hrs
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Trip charges: Rs. 29800/- Bagdogra to Bagdogra only
(Includes stay in Humro Homestay in Rongtong & Homestay in Darjeeling on twin sharing basis, Local travel by Scorpio/Xylo Vehicles, Park entry charges, veg / non-veg food, Guide charges, Information articles & on board snacks and mineral water)…….
This does not include travel charges from Mumbai to Bagdogra and Back, Photography fees or any charges other than the above.
Group Size: Max.7 participants only
Registration: You can register by sending a registration mail (with your request) to natureindiatours@gmail.com and by paying a non refundable Advance of Rs.16000/- only after our registration confirmation on e-mail…..The remaining amount will be collected on the day of travel.
Please note:The monsoon is a perfect time for amazing sightings of breeding birds….. however Nature India will not be responsible for any delays or alterations in programme due to weather or rains which can be expected during this time.
Kindly register soon as very few seats are available.
Stay Arrangement:
Non A/C stay in Humro Homestay, Rongtong & Homestay in Darjeeling on twin sharing basis
Resource Person: Local expert & Mandar Khadilkar or Adesh Shivkar
Mode of Payment: You can either
1) Transfer the advance money directly to our A/c (will be mentioned in registration mail).. please mention your name, date and other details….
2) Courier a cheque of Rs. 16000/- as advance amount to the following address
Address: will be mentioned in registration mail
Please Note:
1) Once registered, the amount of Rs. 16000/- is strictly non-refunadable
2) Alcohol & Smoking is strictly prohibited on Nature India Tours
3) Nest photography or any collection of specimens is prohibited
4) Kindly register on this trip only if you agree with Nature India‘s policies.
http://natureindiapolicies.blogspot.in/2012/08/nature-india-policies.html
Please revert on natureindiatours@gmail.com ID, in case you need any clarification …..
For any other queries we are available on 8369427283 / 9930318665 (Mandar) or 9820455713 (Adesh) or
Thanks for your patience.
Looking forward for a very rewarding trip with you all !!
Warm Regards,
Adesh Shivkar & Mandar Khadilkar
Nature India 