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Dzongu Hills Expedition

Dzongu is the Lepcha tribal reserve in North Sikkim. Lepcha people have been deeply related to nature worshiping and here on our website, we have kept a section on how birds influence these tribal people and their life stories and folktales, festivities, etc. Please check this section on the ethno-ornithology of Lepchas. This would be a fantastic birding exploration tour following JD Hooker’s trail in Lepcha land. The routine goes as follows:

Day-1 As an ecotourism promoter and birding tour operator in Sikkim, our birding guide will receive you from Bagdogra or Darjeeling. After a morning meal, we would drive through Rangpo-Gangtok and reach our destination at Mangan. After some afternoon birding sessions at Mangan, we would rest for the night at the Mangan homestay.
Day-2 Today we would enter the protected tribal community reserve. In the lower and middle elevations, Collared Treepie and Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler would be our target. Coral-billed Scimitar Babblers and Collared Treepies in Sikkim have their easternmost distribution range. For the entire morning and later in the afternoon, we would explore different birding trails in Lingthem, Namprik, and Tingbong areas. Greater and Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrushes, along with Red-faced Liocichlas are common in these areas. After a wholesome birding experience in the Lepcha villages of Sikkim; we would spend our night at Upper Dzongu. Later in the evening, we would try for Mountain Scops Owl, Collared Scops Owl, and Spot-bellied Eagle Owl.
Day-3 Today for the entire day, we drive to Sakyong Pentong village, which is at the base of Mount Pandim. These extreme birding destinations in Sikkim, are not explored by many. We have conducted a few birding tours in this part as birding tour operators of Sikkim. Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Wallcreeper, Yellow-throated Fulvetta, and Golden-breasted Fulvettas are expected here. We would search for night bowling also today. Mostly, Brown Wood Owl and a little higher elevation, Himalayan Wood Owl would be our target.
Day-4 We would move out today and camp in the jungle beside Tholung Monastery. The bird walks through Lingzah, Shabrung is fascinating. After a whole morning hike, we would reach Bay Tholung, which is halfway between Dzongu and Tholung Monastery. In the afternoon, we would explore the riverine habitat for birds. Overnight we would camp at Bay Tholung hamlet.
Day-5 & 6 For these two days, we would go to Tholung Monastery and walk beyond Lhamo Angdang. For those two nights, we would stay at campsites at Tholung Monastery.
Day-7 Our rendezvous birding excursion comes toward the last part today. After finishing a little birding around creeks and gorges around Tholung, we would explore birds down to Bey village. From, here again, we would walk through fantastic bamboo thickets and walk toward Tingvong. Here in Tingvong, we would spend our nights. If time permits, later during the dusk of the afternoon, a search for Spot-bellied Eagle Owl might be productive.
Day-8 A morning birding session in Dzongu hills and upper ridges might be productive. With some species of Rosefinches and Laughingthrushes from Sikkim. Later in the day, a visit to Hee Gyathang for a session of the afternoon birding in North Sikkim might sound perfect. Overnight we stay at Mangan.
Day-9 In the early morning, we explore different trails for birding in Mangan monastery and later another morning session for bird watching in Gangtok outskirts at Fambong Lho or Pangthang reserve. We have some flavourful Sikkimese cuisine from Nampong - Lingdok village and drive down to Siliguri or Darjeeling by afternoon.

Inclusions

  • Dzongu Lepcha Reserve offers stay options in resorts and homestays, which are run by locals.
  • We can offer stays on a double or single-occupancy basis
  • Food plans can be CP or MAP basis; EP or room-only options are also available
  • All surface transfer by Innova Crysta, Xylo, or Bolero (car of your choice)
  • Bird tour guide for all days with all necessary types of equipment - Binoculars, Digiscope, etc.
  • All professional taxes

Exclusions

  • Any extra food item not included in the meal as per the itinerary, as well finalize the itinerary
  • Any alcoholic beverage, while staying at the resorts or during the travel
  • Any Travel Insurance charges
  • Anything not mentioned in the itinerary as mailed in the final itinerary