Tour Overview
Eaglesnest wildlife sanctuary, West Kameng, is located in Western Arunachal Pradesh and is the highest in elevation. Named after the Kameng river which drains the basin of Gori Chen and Kangto peaks, this region is spread below the Himalayan watershed on the borders with Tibet in the North and Bhutan in the West. The topography is truly amazing rising from the Brahmaputra Valley in Assam through tangled ridges at elevations of around 1500 meters to 7080 meters on the watershed of the Himalayas.
The biggest advantage of Eaglesnest (expected to provide the bulk of the star species) over other montane forests of Arunachal is a jeep track which cuts right through its heart from the pass at 2800m down to the flood plains of Assam at 100m – its easy access, excellent forest and wide altitudinal range is a unique combination for Arunachal.
The contiguous forests,Eaglenest wildlife sanctuary, Nameri National Park (in Assam) and the surrounding blocks of reserve forests, encompassing over 2500 sq.km and 3400m in altitude, form one of the largest protected regions of Arunachal. This east Himalayan area is located close to the Bhutan border in western Arunachal. We will be visiting the Eaglesnest wildlife sanctuary (mid altitude: 800-2800m) and some higher altitude (3000-4000m) localities further north below the Tsela pass. This visit to a really high altitude area and we look forward to augmenting the species list with birds of fir, rhododendron scrub and alpine meadows.
Some of the specialty birds which can be seen are: Rufous-bellied hawk-eagle, northern goshawk, pied falconet, common hill-partridge, temminck’s Tragopan, ashy wood-pigeon, tawny wood-owl, Rufous-necked hornbill, ward’s trogon, golden-throated barbet, crimson-breasted pied-woodpecker, bay woodpecker, pale-headed woodpecker, grey-chinned Minivet, Rufous-bellied bulbul, maroon-backed accentor, eye-browed thrush, fea’s thrush, Gould’s Shortwing, white-browed Shortwing, blue-fronted robin, little Forktail, golden bush-robin, Rufous-breasted bush-robin, purple Cochoa, grey-sided laughing-thrush, scaly laughing-thrush, black-faced laughing-thrush, Bugun and red-faced Liocichla, coral-billed scimitar-babbler, slender-billed scimitar-babbler, Various wren-babblers (wedge-billed, bar-winged, pygmy, spotted, Rufous-throated and scaly-breasted), cutia, Rufous-bellied shrike-babbler, green shrike-babbler, white-hooded babbler, red-tailed minla, Various tit-babblers/Fulvetta (golden-breasted, brown-throated, and yellow-throated), Three sibias ( beautiful, and Rufous-backed), Various Yuhina (black-chinned, Rufous-vented and white-naped), fire-tailed Myzornis, Six Parrotbill (greater and lesser Rufous-headed, brown, grey-headed and fulvous-fronted), mountain tailorbird, three Tesia (chestnut-headed, grey-bellied and salty-bellied), Various flycatcher-warblers (broad-billed, white-spectacled, chestnut-crowned and black-faced), four Niltava (including vivid and large), Thirteen flycatchers (including. white-gorgeted), Rufous-bellied and grey-crested tits, sultan tit, beautiful nuthatch, Wallcreeper, brown-throated Treecreeper, yellow-bellied Flowerpecker, mrs Gould’s and fire-tailed sunbird, gold-naped black-finch, Bevan’s bullfinch, brown bullfinch.
Eagle's Nest Birding Tour
- Day 1: Guwahati- Nameri
- Arrive Guwahati by air. You will be met at the airport by your birding guide and driven to Nameri Eco Camp for dinner and overnight at Nameri Eco Camp.
- Day 2: Nameri - Lama Camp - Eagles Nest WLS
- Early morning birding at Tippi- Balukpong. After breakfast depart at 0600 hrs and drive to Tenga, The route follows the main highway to Tawang along the Bhareli River. Enroute, you will go birding around Sessa, 1200m. From here the road climbs over the Nichiphu pass to descend to the Tenga Valley, 1200m. From the military township of Tenga we take a branch road climbing rapidly to Lama camp, 2350m on the edge of the Eagles Nest Sanctuary. We expect to arrive around 1600 hrs Overnight at Lama camp, located amidst Temperate broad-leaved primary and degraded forest at an altitude of 2350m.
- Day 3: Birding Lama Camp
- Morning birding around Lama Camp. Thereafter birding drive to Eagles Nest Pass, 2800m and back. Birding will be along a jeep track in temperate bamboo, conifer and broad-leaved forest and scrub. Overnight at Lama camp.
- Day 4: Birding Lama Camp to Chaku - Bompu camp
- Birding drive cum trek from along the jeep track over the pass and down to Chaku and Bompu at 1940m. The habitat is Temperate broad-leaved forest, meadows, road side scrub and ancient clear-felled patches. Overnight at Bompu camp.
- Day 5-6: Birding Bompu Camp
- Full day birding around Bompu camp. Overnight at Bompu Camp.
- Day 7: Birding drive cum trek Bompu to Sessni
- Birding drive cum trek down to 1250 m. The habitat is Subtropical broad-leaved forest and bamboo, large patches of open scrub. Overnight at Bompu camp.
- Day 8: Birding around Sessni
- Birding trek around Sessni down to 1000 m. Lunch at Bonpu and Overnight at Lama camp.
- Day 9: Lama Camp to Guwahati
- After morning birding, transfer to Guwahatti and overnight in hotel.
- Day 10: Depart
- Transfer to Guwahati airport and fly out. TOUR ENDS
Inclusions
- Reception at the airport on arrival and send off
- Accommodation on twin share with most meals
- All camping arrangements to include all meals
- 3-4 man tent shared by 02 persons, sleeping mats, dining tent, toilet tents
- Camp staff, porters and local guides
- Exclusive transport for all transfers and birding trips (Hard top jeep 08 seater to be shared by 04 plus guide)
- Park Entry fees
- Birding guide
- Restricted Area Permit
Recommend that you bring your own sleeping bags (we can provide one on request)
Cost exclusions:
- Air fare
- Personal expenses, beverages, liquor, laundry, telephone
- Bottled water
- Medical expenses & Insurance,
- Restricted Area Permit for Arunachal Pradesh
- Camera fees at National Parks – where applicable
- Single room supplement if required
- Travel insurance of any sort.
Route Maps
FAQs
Q: Do I need a Visa to enter India?
Yes. https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html
Q: Do I need a Restricted Area Permit?
Yes
Q: What kind of climate should I expect?
North Eastern Himalayas has extreme weather. We will be providing special instructions on Dos and Don'ts, alongwith medical precautions to be taken prior to travel and during the tour.
Q: Are tour dates flexible?
Yes.
Q: What are the accommodations like?
Accommodations we use are all birder friendly accommodations near the birding areas, clean and with great service.
Q: Can you provide me with a list of the hotels we will be staying at?
It would be sent along with the detailed itinerary we send to you.
Q: Can I book extra nights of hotel accommodation before or after my tour ?
Yes, we can arrange pre and post night extensions.
Q: Do you cater to dietary requirements?
Yes we do but we would require adequate advance notice.
Q: What is the Indian currency?
Indian Rupee. The higher denomination notes are 100, 500 and 2000 rupees.
Q: Are foreign currencies accepted locally?
The USD, GBP and EURO are easily accepted at all places.
Q: Are there ATMs available?
Yes but in the areas of this tour, it is increasingly difficult.
Q: Are credit and charge cards widely accepted ?
Not in locations mentioned in this itinerary
Q: Should I purchase travel insurance before travelling ?
Yes, it is highly recommended that you take out travel insurance before travelling to India, covering any medical situation, hospitalisation, cancellation and loss of your baggage. We cover your causality evacuation to the nearest hospital which is included in the cost. However, this does not cover the cost of medical treatment at the hospital.
Q: What vaccinations will I require?
Please check with your doctor. The areas which fall within this tour are not malaria-free.
Q: Air airport transfers included?
Yes. Pick up from the airport and drop to the airport are included as mentioned in the itinerary.
Q: What kind of electrical travel adaptor will I need?
India uses 230 Volts, 50 Hz alternating current as the power source. Plugs and sockets have either grounded / earthed 3 Pin connections (Type D) or ungrounded 2 pin connections (Type C). The two pin plug is also called the Europlug. It has two round 4 mm (0.157 in) pins. It can be inserted in either way into the socket. Hence there is no fixed live (hot) and neutral (cold) terminals. The three pin plug is rated at 6A / 250V. It has three round pins in a triangular pattern. The earth terminal is slightly larger than the live and neutral terminals. For Higher current, there is a 15 Amp version of the same 3 Pin plug, usually called the Power Plug or the M Plug. Live and neutral are 1 inch (25.4 mm) apart. Earth terminal is 1+1⁄8 in (28.58 mm) away from live and neutral terminals. Typically, refrigerators, heaters and other high power devices are connected to this 15 Amp socket.
Q: Will a standard European electric plug (2 round pins) fit into a power point in India?
Yes. To insert the 2 pin plug into a Type D 3 Pin socket which in some cases may be closed by default, push a pen into the Ground/Earth terminal. This opens up the protected 2 Pin terminals and you can insert the 2 Pin plug.
Q: Will a standard American electric plug fit into a power point in India?
No. But any electrical store will sell you an adapter for around 50 cents or less.
Q: What is included in my tour?
Accommodation with most meals, all transfers, all birding walks, birding guide.
Q: What is not included in the tour?
Tips, some meals, personal expenses, beverages and liquor.
Q: How much should I tip?
Tipping is the customary way of saying thank you for a good trip. Any amount is welcome and is certain to augment the income of the bird guide and driver. Please remember that this is their only means of livelihood.
Q: Tell me more about the birding guides?
Our birding guides are knowledgeable. For single or two guests we sometimes provide a car with a driver who is also an accomplished birding guide.
Q: Is there any restrictions on drinking liquor or smoking?
There are no restrictions on drinking liquor but consumption of liquor in public is not permitted. Please check with your guide or driver if the hotel has a liquor license. You can pick up liquor from liquor vends all over South India. Smoking in public is also not permitted.
Q: What will the meals be like on my tour?
Meals are usually ethnic Indian fare, both vegetarian and non vegetarian.
Q: Is there a 24 hours hotline for me to call during an emergency?
Yes. The number will be provided to you before you start the tour and we will get the message across.
Q: What is the Internet access like?
Not available on this tour
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