This itinerary takes you to the Birding Tours in India at eastern reaches of India, to spectacular forests and wetlands which remain relatively untouched, where biodiversity thrives, both in number and in variety. Explore tiger safari in India.
Maguri Beel is a large wetland formed by the meeting of two tributaries of the River Brahmaputra : The Lohit & Dibru Rivers. It is the gateway to the Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere and an IBA(Important Bird Area) of the World.
The Dihing-patkai Wildlife Sanctuary is part of a large tract of elephant corridor of Northern Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. These are the only rainforests of Assam and are rich in biodiversity and very productive for birdwatchers with beautiful and rare species alike.
Located in the Eastern Himalayas, the Mishmi Hills gently rise from 200m in the floodplains of the snow-fed Dibang River (one of the main tributaries of the Brahmaputra River), to the foothills of the Shivalik mountains at around 1200m all the way to the snowy reaches of 5000m above sea level.
Day 1 : Arrive New Delhi (by flight)
Our representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel. All travel documents will be handed over and any last-minute questions about the days ahead answered. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 2 : New Delhi – Dibrugarh – Tinsukia – Maguri Beel ( 2 hrs flight + 60 km / 2 hrs by road )
Next morning, depart early for your flight to Dibrugarh Airport at 0800hrs.
Arrive in Dibrugarh by 1130hrs. Meet our guide and travel 02 hrs by car to Maguri Beel. Time permitting, set off by boat to Maguri Beel, for some birding.
One drifts calmly on the paddle-boats here as you silently make your way across the marshy lake looking at grassland birds, raptors and waders galore. Winter sees the most activity of birds here. Overnight at Wathai Tea Bungalow in Tinsukia.
Day 3 : At Tinsukia with birding at Maguri Beel
Maguri Beel is a large wetland of great importance at Dibru Saikhowa Biosphere reserve.
A “Beel” is a local word for ‘lake’ & “Maguri” the word for ‘catfish’. It is an area steeped in fishing culture, sadly due to overfishing, the catfish do not survive here today. However, that does not deter the thousands of birds which gather here. It is an important winter migratory ground for several waders and home to various grassland species as well as resident waders.
Chances to see some special resident birds such as the Black-throated Parrotbill, Jerdon’s Babbler, Marsh Babbler, Swamp Francolin, Striated Grassbird, Yellow-bellied Prinia, Fulvous Whistling-Duck and some Jacanas too. Winter brings some special visitors to the lake and nearby areas: Baikal Teal, Falcated Duck, Baikal Bush Warbler, Bluethroat, Bar-headed Goose, Baer’s Pochard, Ferruginous Duck and Harriers.
Morning and afternoon birding in Maguri Beel. Overnight Stay at Wathai.
Day 4 : Tinsukia – Digboi ( 45 km / 1.5 hr )
After an early tea, set off for the rainforests of Assam. Carry some packed breakfast for the way.
Dihing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia Districts of Assam and covers an area of 111.19 km2 rainforest. It is part of the Assam valley tropical wet evergreen forest and consists of three parts: Jaypore, upper Dihing River and Dirok rainforest. It was declared a sanctuary on 13 June 2004. This sanctuary is also a part of Dihing-Patkai Elephant Reserve.
The Dihing Patkai forms the largest stretch of tropical lowland rainforests in India. The forest is often referred to as “The Amazon of the East” owing to its large area and thick forests. Spectacular for birding.
Opportunities to find the elusive White-wing Wood Duck within the quiet undisturbed pools of Dihing-Patkai, most often seen in pairs. Look out also for the rare Brown Hornbill/Austen’s Hornbill.
Beautiful birds such as the Sultan Tit, Ruddy Kingfisher, Grey Peacock-Pheasant, Red-headed Trogon, Wreathed Hornbill, Pale Capped Pigeon, Violet Cuckoo and the Pied Falconet amongst several others can be found here.
Morning and afternoon birding in Soraipong and Jaypore of Dihing Patkai WLS. Overnight stay at a lodge in Digboi.
Day 5 : Digboi – Mishmi Hills (Roing) ( 125 km / 3 hrs by road )
Early morning, set off for the mystical Mishmi Hills.
On the way birding stop in Jia grassland on Dibang river for the Black-throated Parrotbill, Greater Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Grey-headed Parrotbill, Pale-billed Parrotbill, Marsh Babbler, Jerdon’s Babbler, Chestnut-capped Babbler and with some luck, the Bengal Florican. Afternoon birding near the Jungle Camp. Overnight at DVJC(Dibang Valley Jungle Camp).
Dibang Valley, region, northeastern Arunachal Pradesh state, eastern India. It is located in the eastern Great Himalaya Range, with its northern and eastern reaches fronting the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. The Mishmi Hills, a southward extension of the Himalayas, constitute most of the northern part of the region. They have an average elevation of 15,000 feet (4,500 metres) and are dotted with passes such as Yonggyap at 13,000 feet (3,950 metres) and Kaya at 15,600 feet (4,750 metres). The region derives its name from the Dibang River. The Dibang, together with the Ahui, Emra, Adzon, and Dri streams, flows southward to join the Brahmaputra River. Subtropical evergreen forests of oak, maple, juniper, and pine cover the hilly parts of the region.
Day 6 : Mishmi Hills (Roing)
Early morning Birding along Chidu-Kibali lower elevation trails and also near the Deopani river. Overnight at Dibang Valley Jungle Camp[DVJC].
It is one of the last places on earth, or at least in India, that are still mysterious — in fact, the number of species of mammals, birds, flowers, insects and butterflies that inhabit the Mishmi Hills are still being counted. They are sparsely visited by tourists, these hills, that’s one of the reasons why this remote land belongs most to the clouds, fog, and snow and, sometimes, sunshine.
Species such as Rufous Necked Hornbill, the endemic Mishmi Wren Babbler along with its counterparts such as Chevron Breasted Wren Babbler, Long-billed Wren Babbler and Pygmy Wren Babbler are found here.
The evergreen forests also contain the gorgeous Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Purple Cochoa, Green Cochoa, Hill Blue Flycatcher, Beautiful Nuthatch, Golden-throated Barbet, Crimson-breasted Woodpecker, Lesser Shortwing and Rusty-bellied Shortwing.
The mixed hunting flocks are mesmerizing with Yuhinas, Fulvettas, Woodpeckers and Golden Babblers galore!
Day 7 : Mishmi Hills (Roing) ( 50 km / 2 hrs by road ) – Mishmi Hills (Mayodia Pass)
Proceed to Mayudia Pass at 2600m above mean sea level. Birding on the way near Tiwarigaon.
Afternoon birding near Mayudia Coffee House Homestay. Overnight at the Homestay.
Look out for an array of birds including Ward’s Trogon, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler, Crimson-browed Finch, Scarlet Finch, Black-headed Greenfinch, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Pale-billed Woodpecker, Green-tailed Sunbird, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Mountain Scops Owl, and Himalayan Wood Owl.
Day 8 : At Mayudia Pass
Full day birding in and around Mayudia Pass and also along the roadside trails of Mayudia-Hunli road.
High altitude beauties such as Sclater’s Monal, Blyth’s Tragopan, and Temminck’s Tragopan await.
Grey-headed Bullfinch, Alpine Accentor, Collared Grosbeak, Hill Partridge, Spotted Nutcracker and the cute Grey-bellied Tesia and Chestnut-headed Tesia can be found at each level of canopy.
Day 9 : Mayudia Pass – Roing
Morning to afternoon birding in and around Mayudia Pass/Hunli.
Along with birds, there are several wonderful mammals species which one might run into: Mishmi Hoolock Gibbon, Mishmi Hills Giant Flying Squirrel(endemic), Grey-headed Giant Flying Squirrel, Yellow-bellied Weasel, White-cheeked Macaque(recently discovered), Assamese Macaque, Red Goral, Himalayan Serow, Chinese Serow, Takin, Asiatic Black Bear and Pallas’ Squirrel.
Evening return to DVJC in Roing and overnight stay.
Day 10 : Roing – Dibrugarh airport – New Delhi ( 170 km / 4 hrs by road + 5 hrs flight )
After breakfast, duly satiated but with a heavy heart, transfer by car for your afternoon flight at Dibrugarh Airport back to New Delhi. Our representative will meet you at New Delhi to take you back to your hotel near the airport for the overnight stay.
Day 11 : New Delhi – onwards
Transfer by car to New Delhi Airport for your flight back home or onwards.
