India - Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary

Transcription

1 Naturetrek Tour Itinerary Outline itinerary Day 1 Depart London Day 2 Arrive Kolkata Day 3 Guwahati to Nameri Day 4/13 Eaglenest & Dirang Day 14 Dirang to Nameri Day 15 Kolkata Day 16 Return London Extension Day 15/17 Day 18 Day 19 Day 20 Kaziranga National Park Kolkata Depart Kolkata Arrive London Dates 2011 Sunday 27th February Monday 14th March 2011 Kaziranga extension till: Friday 18th March Sunday 26th February Monday 12th March 2012 Kaziranga extension till: Friday 16th March 2012 Cost 2,995 (London/London); 2,595 (Kolkata/Kolkata) 995 (Kaziranga extension) Single room supplement 495 (extension: 195) Grading B (moderate). This is a standard wildlife tour Focus Birds, mammals & local culture Naturetrek Cheriton Mill Cheriton Alresford Hampshire SO24 0NG England T: +44 (0) F: +44 (0) E: info@naturetrek.co.uk W:

2 Tour Itinerary NB. Please note that the itinerary below offers our planned programme of excursions. However, adverse weather & other local considerations can necessitate some re-ordering of the programme during the course of the tour, though this will always be done to maximise best use of the time and weather conditions available. Introduction Imagine stunning mountain scenery and birding along a drivable jeep track through magical, untouched oldgrowth montane forest, where waves of beautiful birds sweep by, and almost every turn brings another rarelyseen eastern Himalayan speciality. This dream can now become a reality with our new tour to the amazing Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, situated just a stone s throw to the east of the Bhutan border, in western Arunachal Pradesh in north-east India. This tour offers the unique birding experience of Eaglenest, as well as a chance to extend your trip by making a visit to, arguably, India s finest national park Kaziranga. Eaglenest, in western Arunachal Pradesh, is an extraordinary wilderness and one of the top birding areas in Asia. It has been called India s Manu Road referring to the world s richest birding area in Peru. In a compact area spanning less than 200 kilometres it is possible to go from the marshlands of Kaziranga (50 metres above sea level) and lowland evergreen forests of Nameri National Park (100 metres), through the tropical and temperate broad-leaved evergreen forests of Eaglenest and beyond to Dirang (300 to 4,200 metres). This amazing range of altitude is matched by a stunning diversity of flora and fauna, including 750 bird species. Eaglenest combines pristine and diverse montane forests and 4,200 metres of altitude with easy road access and spectacular birding a unique combination matched by few other places in the world. Even inveterate twitchers take time off from birds to drink in the vista of untouched forests rolling away into the distance! Astonishingly, fewer than five birders had visited the area prior to There has been a dramatic jump in visitor numbers during the last few years, but pioneering is very much in the air at Eaglenest and many groups continue to add new records to the area. The range of altitudes, extraordinary biodiversity and easy access make Eaglenest a superb birding destination. All in all, this wonderful new area offers disciples of Himalayan birding an extraordinary experience. It was at Eaglenest that the most sensational ornithological discovery in India for over half a century was recently made, in the form of a species new to science, the beautiful Bugun Liocichla. Add to this a visit to Nameri National Park to the south-east, and you will have the opportunity to taste the full range of north-east India s rich birdlife. Arunachal Pradesh is now recognised as one of the world s top bird biodiversity hotspots, the profusion of species being due to its unique location (at the junction of the Palearctic region with both the Indo- Malayan and Indian sub-regions of the Oriental region), topographical range (with 7,000-metre peaks on its northern border with Tibet, looking down on the Brahmaputra Valley in Assam which, just 150 kilometres away, has an elevation of only 100 metres or so), and high rainfall. We begin our birdwatching tour at Nameri National Park, on the edge of the Assam Plains. Based at a comfortable tented safari-style camp we will be searching, among a wide range of lower elevation species, for the rare White-winged Duck, as well as the restricted-range White-cheeked Partridge and Pied Falconet. From Nameri we move on to Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, which will be the main focus of the tour. We ll use three established camps for bases, have vehicles at our disposal throughout, and the walking effort will generally be Naturetrek June 11 1

3 Tour Itinerary India - Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary easy. Over the next seven days we will visit various locations at Eaglenest, from Sessni Camp which is situated at 1,250 metres, to Lama which is at an altitude of 2,350 metres. We are also offering an extension tour to one of India s most beautiful national parks and Tiger reserves Kaziranga. With an area of 430 square kilometres, Kaziranga lies on the south bank of the great Brahmaputra River and is one of the last haunts of the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros. The area was first given protection as a forest reserve in the early years of this century but was not opened to visitors until 1938, and it was not until 1954 that the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros was given complete statutory protection, allowing Kaziranga to become the most important refuge for this endangered mammal. The wildlife sanctuary was given national park status in Today there are over 1,100 rhinos in the park, a figure which represents over 70% of the world total. The park is also home to Asian Elephant, wild Water Buffalo, Swamp Deer, Tiger and the rare freshwater Ganges River Dolphin. Detailed Itinerary Day 1 Sunday In Flight We depart London Heathrow today at 1345 on a scheduled Emirates flight bound for Kolkata, via Dubai (dutyfree shopping at Dubai airport is among the best and cheapest in the world). We will be in flight overnight. Day 2 Monday Kolkata Arriving in Kolkata at 0740, we will transfer to a comfortable 3-star hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. Day 3 Tuesday Fly Guwahati & Transfer to Nameri National Park After an early morning breakfast we will transfer to Kolkata Airport for our flight to Guwahati in the state of Assam. From Guwahati we will make the 5-hour journey by road to Nameri National Park, which lies in the foothills of the eastern Himalaya. Nameri was given wildlife sanctuary status in 1985, before becoming a national park in It spans 212 square kilometres and its north-eastern boundary adjoins Pakke Tiger Reserve in the neighbouring state of Arunachal Pradesh. Together they protect over 1,000 square kilometres of tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests with bamboo, as well as narrow strips of grassland along the Jia Bhoreli River (which runs through the Park) and its many tributaries. This is excellent elephant country, and the Park may hold in excess of 200 Asian Elephants. However, it is Wild Boar, Sambar, Hog and Barking Deer, Rhesus and Assamese Macaques, Capped Langur and Malayan Giant Squirrel that are among the common mammals most likely to be seen. Spotting more elusive species such as Gaur, Sloth Bear, Himalayan Black Bear, Dhole, Leopard and Tiger requires exceptional luck! 2 Naturetrek June 11

4 Tour Itinerary Nameri National Park is a haven for birds and over 315 species have been recorded. A healthy population of the seriously endangered White-winged Duck is perhaps the highlight, along with a large population of three hornbill species Great, Oriental Pied, and Wreathed. Blue-bearded Bee-eaters and a wide range of babbler species may also be seen, and Long-billed Plover are found along the Bhoreli River. Birdwatching is done by means of a trail which passes through patches of dense woodland, elephant grass and shorter grass, plus areas of water which hold the White-winged Ducks. Birding can also be done from the river, where some of the target species are Ibisbill, fish eagles, water-redstarts and Jerdon s Babbler. We will spend the night at Eco-Camp, Nameri. This is a well-managed, comfortable tented lodge which has large, airy double tents with attached bathrooms (the camp has regular-style toilets and there is hot water in the taps) and an inviting dining room which serves outstanding food. Eco-Camp is a good location for finding Oriental Hobby, Amur Falcon (only on passage), Daurian Redstart and a symphony of night birds comprising Asian Barred Owlet, Oriental Scops Owl and Brown Hawk-Owl. There have also been sightings of Green Cochoa, Pied Falconet and Chestnut-winged Cuckoo round the camp site. Many of the forest bird species common to Kaziranga and Nameri are more easily seen in the mature evergreen forests of Nameri. Day 4 Wednesday Nameri to Lama, Eaglenest We will spend the morning birdwatching, rising early to cross the Jia Bhoreli River to bird the forest trails. In particular we will be looking for White-winged Ducks. Other species we will be hoping to see include Whitecheeked Partridge, Jerdon s Baza, Ruddy-breasted Crake, Wedge-tailed Pigeon, Thick-billed Green-Pigeon, Green Imperial-Pigeon, Great and Wreathed Hornbill, Silver-backed Needletail, Dollarbird, Rufous Woodpecker, Collared Broadbill, Large Wood-shrike, Thick-billed Warbler, Grey-bellied Tesia, and Velvetfronted Nuthatch. After an early lunch we will travel by road to Lama Camp (2,350 metres) in Eaglenest, birding as we go. Our eight nights in Eaglenest will be spent in campsites at Lama (2,350 metres), Sessni (1,250 metres) and Bompu (1,940 metres). A big advantage of birding in Eaglenest is that most species can be located around at least two of these camps. We will make excursions by jeep as this provides us with a great deal of flexibility in choosing the altitudinal range for our birding on any given day depending on the weather, the degree of success on previous days and the group s priorities. Birding trips will be mainly on foot, with jeeps following to carry bags, and in case a rest is required! Accommodation in Eaglenest is very much in keeping with responsible tourism ethics. Our camps will be organised to ensure that birders wake up every morning with the requisite energy and enthusiasm to face another full day with abundant and tasty food, hot water, plus spacious walk-in tents with cots bearing warm mattresses, blankets, sleeping bags and hot water bottles! The facilities are deliberately kept at a basic level to reduce our footprint in the wilderness, but without ignoring any of the essentials whose absence can detract from a full birding experience. Hearty vegetarian meals are on offer and these are plentiful, nutritious and tasty. Coffee, tea and biscuits are always available at 5am for those wishing to make early morning birding walks. We will aim to have breakfast between 6am and 6.30am; porridge, toast, butter and jam, eggs, fruit, tea and coffee are available. We will then Naturetrek June 11 3

5 Tour Itinerary India - Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary head off for our morning s birdwatching. Lunch will either be served back at the camp or transported to the field and might consist of a hot dish, plus roti (chapati), with juice and coffee. Morning and afternoon snacks will be provided and evening meals will include a welcome hot soup as well as two or three hot dishes plus a dessert. Our daily routine will take the form of a pre-breakfast stroll (people are free to wander by themselves or with the guide) followed by breakfast. Then we will begin our 3-hour morning birding excursions, pausing to enjoy some refreshing tea and snacks while in the field. After that we will continue, with another two hours of birding before stopping for our lunch this will either be taken in the field or back at camp. Then we ll spend the rest of the afternoon birding, all of which will be accompanied by our specialist bird guide. Bompu and Sessni lie within the Eaglenest wildlife sanctuary. The land around Lama Camp is owned by the local Bugun community. The land acts as something of a buffer zone between the town of Tenga below, the pristine forests higher up and along the ridge road that leads from Lama Camp towards the Eaglenest Sanctuary. There are many excellent species to be looked for in this area, not least the Bugun Liocichla (it was here that this new species was first seen by Ramana Athreya and the bird takes the name of the local Bugun tribe). Bugun Liocichla travels in both mixed-species flocks and in pairs and is not too difficult to find once its fluty calls have been recognised. A good spot for seeing it is about one kilometre below the camp in a disturbed ravine known to local guides. Other interesting species regularly found here include Red-headed and Grey-headed Bullfinches, Long-tailed Thrush, Bar-winged and Spotted Wren-babbler and Temminck s Tragopan. The latter is found in forest a little higher up on a side trail off the main road and is sometimes seen and more often heard. Green Shrike-Babbler and Fire-tailed Sunbird can be found in rhododendrons along the road back towards the ridge. Red Pandas have also been seen on several occasions around Lama Camp and towards the Eaglenest Pass. Mountain Hawk-Eagle is often seen perched on a prominent branch. Day 5 Thursday Lama Sessni, Eaglenest The first day will start with a leisurely early morning walk towards the locations where the Liocichlas are most often seen. While the Liocichla is the key target the morning will also provide a chance at some much sought after species including the Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Rufous-bellied Bush-robin, Rufous-throated Wrenbabbler, Black-naped Finch, Mountain hawk-eagle. Furthermore, this being the first walk, the trip list rapidly stocks up on the many common but spectacular species that the eastern Himalayas are famous for. After a successful morning's birding we will proceed to Sessni (1,250 metres) which lies way down the northern slope beyond the Eaglenest Pass (2,780 metres). However Lama is prime birding area and we'll be spending 2 more nights at that camp on the way out of Eaglenest. On the way, the group will spend an extended time at the Eaglenest Pass over an al fresco lunch and high elevation birding. The open forests of bamboo, oak and rhododendrons host gould's and Fire-tailed Sunbird, Fire-tailed Myzornis, brown and the rare fulvous Parrotbill, spotted Laughing thrush, Bar-winged Wren-babbler, Grey-headed and Red-headed Bullfinches, Green shrike-babbler, Yellow-billed blue-magpie, Spotted Nutcracker, 4 Naturetrek June 11

6 Tour Itinerary Brown-throated Fulvetta and Rufous-fronted tit. Occasionally, Temminck's Tragopans have been seen along the road near the Pass. After a couple of hours of birding we head down to Sessni, descending through enchanting, pristine temperate and upper-tropical forests. While the 2 hour drive does not allow for many stops beyond the Pass you might strike gold with a mixed flock of Cutias and beautiful nuthatches two of the many avian jewels that Eaglenest is famous for! With a bit more luck we may even surprise a Blyth's tragopan or a chestnut-breasted partridge on the road. Day 6 Friday Sessni, Eaglenest Sessni is a perfect campsite for enjoying relaxed birding visitors often see Scarlet Finch, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Beautiful Nuthatch and Long-tailed Sibias from their dining porch! Set in a vast natural amphitheatre at 1,250 metres, Sessni affords breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain and forest. Past human activities in this abandoned road construction labour camp have made for a mosaic of vegetation in various stages of regeneration. The campsite is also a good location to see species such as Coral-billed Scimitar-Babbler, bay woodpecker, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Greater Orange-headed Parrotbill and Sultan Tit. The more open shrubby vegetation affords views of the delicately pretty Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Silver-eared Mesia and Grey-sided Bush-warbler. There are well-researched stake-out areas here, which we will make use of, hoping to see treats such as the Wedge-billed Wren-babbler. This bizarre and imposing babbler was virtually unknown until a few years ago and, while it has now been seen with some regularity in Bhutan, the Eaglenest area is one of the best sites to find this coveted species. The main effort in the Sessni area will focus on the six species of elusive Wren-babblers, exploring several stakeouts for each species the Eye-browed along a trail off the road (also a good place for lesser shortwings), the Wedge-billed at one of several locations in stream-side vegetation, and the Indian Micro Kiwi, (a.k.a Long-billled Wren-babbler) with its long curved beak and long toes. Another species we hope to see this morning is the delightful White-gorgeted Flycatcher, a species which is quite commonly heard here. We may use recordings to encourage this species into view, since it can be extremely difficult to see well as it flits about in dense undergrowth and shrubbery. After lunch we will head to the lower elevation around 750m and search for lower altitude species such as Striated Yuhina, Maroon Oriole, Greater Yellownape, Blue-winged Laughingthrush, Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush, Long-tailed Broadbill, Nepal Fulvetta, Bay Woodpecker, Red-faced Liocichla, Blue-winged Laughingthrush, Rufous-backed Sibia and, with some luck, even the Rufous-throated Partridge. Day 7 Saturday Birding, Sessni then Drive to Bompu Camp, Eaglenest The morning schedule will be determined by the unfinished business of the previous day. After that we will slowly head up towards Bompu Camp (13 kilometres from Sessni) checking out more stake-outs for the wrenbabblers. We have had success with Chestnut-breasted Partridges and Temminck s Tragopans on this section of the road during afternoon birding sessions. The camp at Bompu is based round an old military outpost and Naturetrek June 11 5

7 Tour Itinerary India - Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary consists of several buildings. The main one contains rooms used as a kitchen and another as a dining room, the latter with a warm fire which is certainly welcome first thing in the morning. Day 8 9 Sunday Monday Bompu Camp, Eaglenest On waking this morning we should be able to appreciate the wonderful view back towards the plains of Assam, with forested hills disappearing below us and a bamboo-choked slope immediately above the camp. The plan for today will be to try and see as many of the more common species of this elevation as possible and, if the weather permits, to head a little further up in search of one or two specialities with more restricted altitudinal ranges. Bompu is centrally situated for accessing just about every species from the Eaglenest pass (20 kilometres) to Sessni (13 kilometres). The principal species in the immediate vicinity of Bompu itself are Ward s Trogon, Cutia, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Slender-billed Scimitar-Babbler, Black-header Shrike-Babbler, Broad-billed Warbler, Chestnut-breasted Partridge, Rufous-throated Wren-Babbler, and the Blyth's Tragopan, whose distinctive yowls are a regular feature of the early morning. We hope to surprise these wonderful pheasants in the roadside scrub within a radius of a few 100 metres of camp a great incentive to put in that extra half-hour birding before breakfast! Other species seen regularly at this location include Grey-cheeked and Black-faced Warblers, Yellow-bellied Fantail, Rufous-winged and Yellow-throated Fulvetta, Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrushes, waves of Blackthroated Parrotbill and Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Streak-throated Barwing, and the colourful Rufous-bellied Niltava. Day 10 Tuesday Bompu to Lama (30 kilometres), Eaglenest Depending on sightings so far, we will either head down towards Sessni (halfway down, about six kilometres), or visit the large clearings, shrubbery and bamboo, which are packed with birds, for a couple of kilometres along the road towards Lama Camp. We will aim to have found the last of our target species of this area by 10am and then move on to Lama, birding as we go. We will climb to the Eaglenest Pass at 2,780 metres, before descending to 2,350 metres at Lama. Day 11 Wednesday Lama, Eaglenest The schedule of the second innings at Lama will be determined by the generosity of the bugun liocichla an early sighting will allow our ambitions to soar in the direction of temminck's tragopan, seen every now and then along a side trail which climbs up from the road to the ridge. One can even patrol the stretch between Lama and the Pass hoping for the very occasional red panda. 6 Naturetrek June 11

8 Tour Itinerary Day 12 Thursday Lama to Dirang After a final round of mopping-up operations we will leave for the town of Dirang, for a two-night stay at the very comfortable Hotel Pemaling, with running hot water, electricity and television. Dirang is an excellent base for accessing 3 very different habitats the relatively dry Sangti Valley (1500 metres), the alpine scrub and meadows of Sela Pass (4200 metres) and the temperate broad-leaved and conifer forests of Mandala ridge. Soon after checking into the hotel we will head to the nearby Sangti valley for the Long-billed Plover and the Black-tailed Crake. The drive also usually provides Wallcreeper, Blue-headed Rock-thrush, Brown Dipper, and occasionally Ibisbill and Lesser Shortwing. The drive back to the hotel at dusk is the best time for nightjars. Day 13 Friday Sela Pass, Dirang The highway beyond Dirang climbs up to the Sela Pass at 4200m. Though only 70 km by road, the steep drive usually requires 3 hours, necessitating an early start. The Sela offers spectacular vistas of a high altitude lake, frozen in March, surrounded by alpine meadows amidst tall peaks on the Indo-Tibetan border. There is good roadside birding for about 10 km on either side of the Sela Pass. We spend the days here searching for some classic Himalayan species; Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Rufous-breasted Bush Robin, Himalayan White-browed Rosefinch and the stunning Grandala. Brandt's Mountain-Finch has been seen regularly during the last couple of years. Day 14 Saturday Mandala ridge; Dirang to Nameri We will spend the morning at the higher and mid elevations along the Mandala road, watching a variety of open forest species Chestnut Thrush, Spot-winged Grosbeak, Himalayan Greenfinch, Tibetan Siskin, Rufous- Chinned Laughingthrush, and a variety of flycatchers depending on the temperature. The group will start on the long drive back to Nameri at 10 AM along the spectacular forest-clad gorge of the Kameng River. There will only be a couple of birding stops here, for the Ibisbill on the Tenga shingle banks (it s not seen regularly here, only intermittently) and for Pale-headed Woodpecker and Yellow-bellied Warbler in a vast stand of bamboo. Day 15 Sunday Birding in Nameri; Transfer to Guwahati then Flight to Kolkata This morning we will have a pre-breakfast birdwatching walk in Nameri, hoping to add some last-minute specialities to already bulging lists, before transferring to Guwahati for our flight to Kolkata. Once there we will transfer to one of the comfortable hotel. Naturetrek June 11 7

9 Tour Itinerary India - Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary Day 16 Monday Arrive London We depart our hotel early in the morning to catch our return Emirates flight to London (scheduled to depart at 08.55), via Dubai. We are due to arrive in London at Kaziranga Extension This extension allows you to combine the unique birding experience of Eaglenest with an exceptional national park Kaziranga. As well as offering excellent birding opportunities, Kaziranga is well known for a host of other species, especially mammals, including the Great Indian One-horned Rhinoceros and Hoolock Gibbon. One of India s finest national parks, and rated by some as the best, Kaziranga offers a diverse range of habitats marshes, grassland, riverine forest and gallery woodland. It is home to some very rare mammals as well as over 500 species of birds and visitors can hope to build up a realistic bird list of over 200 species in just three to five days. Some of the local specialties include Greater Adjutant Stork, Black-breasted Parrotbill and Blue-naped Pitta. Excursions into Kaziranga National Park, together with a full day to explore Kolkata, the fascinating ex-capital of the British Raj, make this extension a superb choice for those reluctant to leave this relatively little-visited region of the subcontinent. And at Kaziranga, there s always a chance of encountering a Tiger, too! Day 15 Sunday Kaziranga National Park After a full morning s birdwatching in Nameri National Park we will transfer to Kaziranga after lunch. The 2½hour drive will allow us an afternoon s visit to the famed National Park. We will settle into the Wild Grass Lodge for three nights. This is a small, comfortable lodge which offers en suite rooms with showers and is set in a pleasant garden. It is surrounded by open grassland and some wooded areas, both of which are good for birding. Day Monday Tuesday Kaziranga National Park We will spend our two full days in Kaziranga exploring the Park by jeep and we may make up to two trips on elephant back. There will be ample time for birdwatching and photography as well as opportunities to learn about the work of the Park patrols. Kaziranga consists of a vast area of swamps interspersed with broad tracts of tall elephant grass, open forests, watercourses (known as jheels or bheels ) and reedbeds. To the south the ground rises to 1,200 metres to form the Mikir Hills, an important refuge for the Park s wildlife when the lowlands flood during the annual monsoon. 8 Naturetrek June 11

10 Tour Itinerary In addition to the highly endangered Greater One-horned Rhinoceros, we will also expect to see Kaziranga s important population of wild Water Buffalo (one of the last remaining wild populations), wild Asian Elephants, Wild Boar, Hog and Swamp Deer. We have a good chance of seeing a variety of other mammal species, such as Rhesus Macaque, otters, Sambar, and Barking Deer. We will also make every effort to locate the other more elusive inhabitants of the Park such as Gaur, Leopard, Leopard Cat, and Sloth Bears. Red Pandas and Yellowthroated Martens live here too, but we will need to be very lucky to see them. On one morning we will take a walk in the nearby Panbari Forest in search of two primate specialities of northeast India Hoolock Gibbon and Capped Langur, endeavouring to locate the former through their wonderful hooting calls. We will also try to reach the bank of the Brahmaputra River on the northern side of the park to look for the endangered Ganges River Dolphin. Birdlife is equally diverse and among the bird species found here is an exceptional range of waterbirds cormorants, herons, egrets, storks, geese, ducks, waders and terns, and birds of prey, and such regional specialities as Swamp Partridge, Bengal Florican, Abbott s Babbler, Sultan Tit, Black-breasted Thrush, Bristled Grass Warbler, Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker, and Little Spiderhunter. It really is a wonderful place to visit. Day 18 Wednesday Kaziranga to Kolkata, via Jorhat After a final excursion in Kaziranga National Park, we will drive to Jorhat and board our flight back to Kolkata. Once there we will transfer to one of the comfortable hotels. Day 19 Thursday Depart Kolkata Today, there will be a choice of spending the day at leisure relaxing in the hotel, or doing some sightseeing in this historical city. Our representative will help you arrange any sightseeing you may choose to do perhaps a visit to one of the famous sights of Kolkata such as the Victoria Memorial or the Eden Garden, or to one of the excellent museums. We will transfer to the airport in the late afternoon and depart Kolkata in the evening at 2030 on an Emirates scheduled flight to London, via Dubai. Day 20 Friday Arrive London We are scheduled to arrive back in just after Grading B (moderate). This is a birdwatching tour based around simple accommodation. Nameri does not have vehicular access and the standard circuits are about 5-6 kilometres long. Most of the bird and wildlife viewing in Eaglenest Naturetrek June 11 9

11 Tour Itinerary India - Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary will be done by walks and jeep drives, so this trip does not demand a high level of fitness. There is one footpath at Lama which climbs from 2,400 metres to 2,800 metres and one in Dirang till 4,200 metres. Other than that all birding is on a vehicle track, so gradients are easy to manage. However, visitors must be fit enough to walk 10 kilometres (along the road in Eaglenest) should the need arise. Weather Dry, sunny weather is expected throughout this tour, although it will be very chilly in the early mornings and evenings particularly during morning game drives in Kaziranga. This holiday takes place during the Indian winter and dry season (though as Assam has the highest rainfall on Earth there is perhaps no season that can genuinely be considered a dry season!). Although cloud and perhaps some rain is likely in the hills, we hope to have plenty of clear weather with warm days in the lowlands but chilly nights. At Lama Camp, night temperatures are in the range of 2-5 C and by day temperatures here tend to be about C. Clothing Please inspect the separate clothing list which will be sent to you on booking, thoroughly. Layered clothing is recommended to allow for the changes in temperature from warm weather in the lowlands to cold weather at Eaglenest Pass. Be prepared for wind and rain at all times, though early March is usually a dry time of the year. Food & Accommodation In Kolkata we will stay at the 3-star hotel and major meals are not included. At Nameri, visitors will be hosted in double tents with attached regular toilets (running hot water). However, the limited accommodation may require late registrants to stay in the dormitory. Accommodation in the three locations at Eaglenest is in basic, tented camps as described in the main tour itinerary above. On the Kaziranga extension we will stay at the Wild Grass Lodge, located just outside Kaziranga National Park. This is an attractive, rural-style hotel with wooded gardens and grounds which offer good birding opportunities. Rooms are en suite and air-conditioned. Extra Expenses Please note that we do not include the following in the cost of this holiday: main meals in Kolkata, all items of a more personal nature such as drinks, laundry, souvenirs and tips for guides and drivers (allow a minimum of 60 in total for tips. More detailed advice about tipping will be given on booking). Electricity Eaglenest does not have access to any power supply. Please bring a 12V adaptor which can fit into a standard 12V car battery outlet for charging your camera and laptop batteries. 10 Naturetrek June 11

12 Tour Itinerary Your Safety & Security You have chosen to travel to India. Risks to your safety and security are an unavoidable aspect of all travel and the best current advice on such risks is provided for you by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. In order to assess and protect against any risks in your chosen destination, it is essential that you refer to the Foreign Office website or telephone regularly prior to travel. Flights We use scheduled Emirates flights for this tour to India. This airline offers an excellent all-round service, including departures from Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow. Please note that departures from regional airports may be subject to an additional charge. If you would prefer to travel from one of these regional airports please let us know at the time of booking so that we can make the necessary arrangements and obtain a competitive fare. The sole disadvantage of Emirates flights to India is a 3½-hour transit time in Dubai on the outbound flight, and a 2-hour transit time on the return flight (these transit times are less if you are travelling from Heathrow). If you would prefer a direct flight you can opt to travel with Air India. We will gladly arrange a direct flight for you, but please give us plenty of warning. Expect to pay approximately an extra 200 and 250 for direct flights. If you decide to fly direct an extra night might need to be added at the beginning of the tour due to difference in timings. Expect to pay an extra 95 to 125 for a night s city accommodation. These prices are only approximate and may vary according to availability and season. We will be pleased to approach the respective airline for you and offer a quote on request. If you would prefer to travel Business Class or First Class, please call us for competitive quotes. Entry Requirements All UK passport holders and most other nationalities require a visa for India, which is obtainable in advance from your nearest embassy. No vaccinations are mandatory for entry, but as recommended in our brochure we think it is wise to also be protected against TB, polio, typhoid, tetanus and hepatitis A and to take malaria prophylactics. Above all, it is essential to consult your GP about your individual requirements as soon as possible before travelling. How to Book Your Place In order to book a place on this holiday, you will need to read our main Naturetrek brochure thoroughly and complete and return the enclosed booking form, together with a deposit of 20% of the holiday cost. If you do not have a copy of this brochure, please give us a call on , and we will gladly post one to you. Alternatively, you are welcome to book online at or by calling on If you would like us to call you, please send us an on info@naturetrek.co.uk or rajan@naturetrek.co.uk and we will call you right back. Naturetrek June 11 11

13 Tour Itinerary India - Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary Receive our e-newsletter Join the Naturetrek ing list and be the first to hear about new tours, additional departures, new dates, tour reports and special offers. Visit to sign up. 12 Naturetrek June 11