INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW

Kaziranga is renowned as one of the great national parks in Asia to view wildlife, and birds are an important component. When combined with the complementary and contrasting habitat types of the lesser known Nameri National Park an even greater and more exciting range of birds is accessible to the birder. Kaziranga's importance for biodiversity conservation can scarcely be overstated. It helps protect some 25 globally threatened birds and 24 that are near threatened, not to mention being home to the world’s largest remaining populations of Indian Rhinoceros, eastern Barasingha (Swamp Deer) and wild Water Buffalo, plus holding very important populations of Indian elephant and tiger.

The World Heritage Kaziranga National Park is a highly reputed wild life protected area, located in Assam. A fabulous mosaic of grasslands, forests, and pools backed by misty hills. The Park has more than 70% of the world's one-horned rhino population, 70% of the world population of the Eastern Swamp Deer and 75% of the world's wild Asiatic water buffalo. It has a significant population of the Asian Elephant. Close encounters with the Great Indian one horned Rhino, and wild Indian Elephants Swamp Deer, Asiatic Water buffalo, and a host of animals are assured. There are plenty of Tigers around - but there is only a 25 percent chance of spotting one.

The Park also has more than 450 species of birds, 18 of them are globally threatened species. Because of the varied habitat types that the Park comprises of, as also of the strict protection accorded to them, birding in Kaziranga is very special. The varied terrain provides habitat for wetland, grassland, and woodland species The Bengal Florican is the main attraction. You should also be able to see a good variety of raptors. You are not allowed to walk inside the reserve. Birding is by jeep and Elephant. The

Eastern Range of the park is good for water birds such as Falcated Teal, White-eyed Pochard and spot-billed pelican (a colony of 200 pairs is located in this range). For grassland birds the Western Range is ideal. The Bengal Florican can be seen during the elephant ride in the Central Range. The nearby Panbari Reserved Forest is good for woodland birds such as yellow-vented Warbler, great Hornbill, and redheaded Trogon. Other interesting birds include Green-backed Heron, White bellied Heron (rare), Lesser and greater Adjutants, Black-necked Storks, Spoonbill, Grey-headed and Pallas's Fish-eagle (common), Swamp Francolin (common), Grey-headed Lapwing, Black-bellied tern, Marsh Babbler, Jordan's Bushchat (rare) White-throated Bushchat and many more Other birds recorded by us: Lineated Barbet, Blue-eared Barbet, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Spotted Redshank, River Lapwing, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Pied Harrier, Spot-billed Pelican, Black-necked Stork, Rosy Minivet, Spot-winged Starling, Dark-necked Tailorbird, Ruby-cheeked Sunbird, Streaked Spider - hunter, Forest Wagtail, Blyth's Pipit, and Yellow-breasted Bunting.

Eagle's nest wildlife sanctuary, West Kameng, is located in Western Arunachal Pradesh and are 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 Eaglenest (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, excellentforest and wide altitudinal range is a unique combination for Arunachal.

The contiguous forests, Eagle’s nest 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 d Eagle’s nest 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 forkail, golden bush-robin, rufous-breasted bush-robin, puple cochoa, grey-sided laughing-thrush, scaly laughing-thrush, black-faced laughing-thrush,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), gold-headed babbler, cutia, rufous-bellied shrike-babbler, green shrike-babbler, white-hooded babbler, red-tailed minla, Various tit-babblers/fulvettas (golden-breasted, brown-throated, and yellow-throated), Three sibias ( beautiful, and rufous-backed), Various yuhinas (black-chinned, rufous-vented and white-naped), fire-tailed myzornis, Six parrotbills (greater and lesser rufous-headed, brown, grey-headed and fulvous-fronted), mountain tailorbird, three tesias (chestnut-headed, grey-bellied and slaty-bellied), Various flycatcher-warblers (broad-billed, white-spectacled, chestnut-crowned and black-faced), four niltavas (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, beavan's bullfinch, brown bullfinch

ITINERARY

DAY 01: Calcutta/Delhi to Guwahati
Arrival on BA 143 at 0125 hours. Fly from Calcutta/Delhi to Guwahati airport and transfer to Kaziranga in 04.30 hours overnight at Bon Habi resort.

DAY 02, 03, 04: Kaziranga
We will spend our three full days in Kaziranga exploring the park as best we can by jeep and on elephant back. There are several watch points scattered throughout Kaziranga, and we are allowed out on foot at these. We will make daily forays, twice a day into various ranges of the park and the nearby Panbari Reserve Forest by jeep. One morning we will take an elephant safari. -Bon Habi Resort

DAY 04: Kaziranga to Nameri:
After morning birding at the tea gardens we will drive to Nameri National Park Eco Camp for overnight stay.

DAY 05: Nameri
Full days birding at Nameri National Park specially for the White winged wood duck, Ibisbill,Broadbills,Collared Falconet, Pin-tailed Green and Pompadour Pigeon, Wreathed and Great Hornbill, Dollarbird, Chestnut-headed and Blue-bearded Bee-eater and Daurian Redstart,Prantincoles, and various barbets.

DAY 06: Nameri to Balukpong (Arunachal Pradesh)
Morning birding around Nameri and afternoon drive to Balukpong for overnight stay at Elephant Retreat.

DAY 07: Balukpong to Sessa and back
Birding at Bhalukpong and Tippi, 160 meters Tipi (46 Kms from Bhalupong offers birding along the road and on the banks of the Bhareli River.) This highway which is the entry route to the sanctuary passes along the eastern borders of the Eagles Nest and provides an interesting birding transect from 300-1600m altitude.Elephant Retreat.

DAY 08: Balukpong to Dirangzong
Birding drive to Dirangdzong, 1500 meters (164 kms) in 05 hrs.Overnight at Hotel Pemaling

DAY 09: Dirangzong to Sangti Valley and back
Early morning full day birding in Sangti Valley and overnight at Hotel Pemaling

DAY 10: Dirangzong to Sela pass 4500 Mtrs and back

DAY 11: Dirangzong to Lama Camp Eagle’s Nest 2350m
Birding drive to Lama camp,Eaglesnest for overnight at Fully serviced camps.

DAY 12: Lama Camp to Sunderview 2500 mtrs. Birding drive to Sunderview.

DAY 13: Sunder view to Bompu 1940m
Full day birding trek to Bompu, overnight at fully serviced camps.

DAY 14: Bompu to Sessni 1250m
Full day birding trek to Sessni, overnight at fully serviced camps.

DAY 15: Sessni
Full day birding around Sessni, overnight at fully serviced camps.

DAY 16: Sessni
Full day birding around Sessni, overnight at fully serviced camps.

DAY 17: Sessni to Guwahati
Drive to Guwahati and overnight at Hotel in Guwahati.

DAY 18: Guwahati airport to Delhi/Calcutta. Tour Ends

Extension to Sunderbans is possible

Tour Cost: on request wildindiatours@vsnl.com

What is included in your price?
Reception at airports on arrival
Accommodation on twin share with all meals, as given in the itinerary.
On birding treks, 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 guide. Please bring your sleeping bags (we can provide on request)
Exclusive transport for all transfers and birding trips as per itinerary: - Hard top jeep plus guide.
Park Entry fees
Birding guide

Price does not include:
Air fare
Personal expenses, bar, Mineral water, laundry, telephone, and medical expenses
Insurance
Restricted Area Permit for Arunachal Pradesh USD 100 per person. One time payment. (Two permits have to be made as it exceeds 10 days limit in Arunachal Pradesh)
Camera fees at National Parks - where applicable
Single room supplement if required.

Tour Logistics
Suggested List of clothing and equipment
Footwear
Trekking or running shoes (trainers)
Camp shoes or throngs (flip-flops)
Socks - Cotton, woolen or polypropylene

Clothing
Sweater and Heavy jacket
Hiking shorts or skirts - 02 pairs
Waterproof jacket, poncho or umbrella
Hiking pants: 02 pairs
T-shirts - 02
Sunhat (wide brim preferable)
Swimwear (optional)

Equipment
1. Rucksack
Sleeping bag (light)
air pillow (if desired)
Waterbottle (hard cover with unbreakable mug-cap)
Flashlight with spare batteries and bulb (head light preferred)

Other items
Toilet articles
Lighter
Swiss knife
Sunblock (SPF-15 plus)
Towel
Laundry soap
Personal medical kit
Pre-moistened towels
Sewing kit
Sweatband
Sun glasses
Duffel bag with padlock.

How to pack?
Daypack: is a small backpack carried personally through out. We suggest you pack in it - 1. Spare pair of socks, hankie and hand towel 2. Camera & film 3. Binoculars, and bird book 4. Scarf, and sun hat 5. Flash light / head light with spare cells 6. Sun block lotion 7. Chocolates, candy, dry fruit as per choice 8. Personal medication 9. Sweater or light jacket 10.Personal documents

Pack items into smaller plastic bags, sealed with Velcro. Separate. Wet-proof bag for money & passport.

Rucksack / Duffel bag: is carried by porters. What you need for overnight and subsequent days goes into it.
Items you are likely to need:
Set of spare clothing,
Trainers and camp slippers
Spare underwear and hankies
Personal toilet bag
Wet-bag for carrying wet clothing
Sleeping bag
Air-pillow if considered necessary
Pack items in smaller plastic bags as per need, and seal with Velcro
Water Bottle: Must carry on person either in day pack or on belt.

Tripods/ telescopes & allied equipment
If you need to carry additional heavy equipment like tripod, telescope etc, we will arrange a personal porter at extra cost @ USD 12 per day

Walking
Walking is easy along the river valley. Altitude 350 m to 850 m.

Vehicle
Travel will be in a jeep. Your baggage will be carried in the rear compartment and on the roof rack.

At Kaziranga, open jeeps will be provided within the park.

Accommodation
On the treks, we will provide two tents for the four of you. Each tent will be provided with camp cots and sleeping mats. Bring your own sleeping bags.

We will provide 01 Field toilet tent (bore hole) and 01 wash tent. Bathing will be by bucket and mug. Toilet paper, soap and towels will be provided

Dbl bedded hotel rooms with attached toilet and bath, are catered for at Tinsukhia,and Kaziranga, Nameri.

Meals, Drinking water and Beverages
Meals
We will provide all meals. There will be a separate dining tent for dining and multipurpose use. If you have any diet restrictions or are a vegetarian, do inform us.

Early morning in camp:
Bed Tea on waking.
Coffee is available as a substitute if demanded.

Hot water for a wash

Drinking water
Drinking water provided, will be from local springs, after boiling. If you are particular about using only bottled water, we will carry bottled mineral water if requested at extra cost. Inform us in advance and budget for USD 35 for the entire trek

Health concerns

General
India is located in south-central Asia. Its climate is mostly tropical or sub-tropical and subject to seasonal monsoon winds, especially the southwest rain during summer. India is an economically developing democratic republic and has worked very hard to control diseases. Adequate medical care is available in the major population centers, but is usually limited in the rural areas of the country. Many developed countries like Britain are utilizing the state-of-the-art medical services available in India. The cost of treatment is much cheaper here in comparison to the same facilities available in advanced countries.

The most important cause of illness of travelers in India is food and waterborne diseases. Viruses, bacteria, or parasites can cause diarrhea. Infections may cause simple diarrhea and vomiting, fever, or, in extreme cases, liver damage (hepatitis). Malaria is a preventable infection that can create trouble if left untreated. One can prevent infection by taking prescribed anti-malarial drugs and protecting against mosquito bites. Malaria risk in this region exists in some urban and rural areas, depending on the elevation.

Make sure that your insurance company covers illnesses and accidents abroad.

During this birding trip you need not worry about your fitness if you take simple precautions.

You need to exercise due precautions to look after your health, particularly whilst passing through Delhi and Assam Valley. These are:

Carry all the important prescriptions and OTC medicines. Do not forget to have the brand names as well as the generic names of the medicines one needs to have.
Wear a sun hat when exposed.
Drink plenty of fluids. Do not drink tap water. Use only canned water, or boiled water.
During the month of Jan, there is no risk of malaria but do consult your doctor to start malaria prophylactic, if advised. Carry your personal medical kit and insect repellent.
To prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot.
Do not eat food purchased from street vendors.
Do not drink beverages with ice.
Do not eat dairy products unless it is known that they have been pasteurized.
Avoid handling animals (especially monkeys, dogs, and cats) to avoid bites and serious diseases.

Vaccination formalities
Yellow fever
Although yellow fever does not occur in India, proof of appropriate vaccination may be required depending on countries visited before coming to India. Any person (except infants up to the age of six months) arriving by air or sea without a certificate is detained in isolation for a period up to six days if the person:-
Arrives within six days of departure from an infected area, or has been in such an area in transit.
Has come on a ship which has started from or touched at any port in a yellow fever infected area within 30 days of its arrival in India provided such ship has not been disinfected in accordance with the procedure laid down by WHO, or has come by an aircraft that has been in an infected area and has not been disinfected in accordance with Indian or WHO regulations

The following countries and areas are regarded by India as infected: Angola, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Surinam, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, Zaire, Zambia.

No other vaccination certificate is mandatory, though one may like to consult his doctor for inoculation against typhoid, hepatitis A, and meningitis.

See the doctor at least 4-6 weeks before the trip to allow time for shots to take effect.

The following vaccinations can be thought about depending upon your doctor's advice:-
Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG)
Japanese encephalitis, only if planning to visit rural areas for four weeks or more;
Rabies, if someone is exposed to wild or domestic animals during recreation.

Medical Information Update
Information given above is liable to change from time to time and one should contact the Indian missions of the respective country or the government tourist offices for more information. For inoculation against communicable diseases, one can contact the Vaccinations and Inoculation Center for Yellow Fever, Domestic Arrivals, Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi (Ph. 011-5665348) or International Inoculation Center, Mandir Marg (behind St. Thomas School), New Delhi (Ph. 011-3361675).

Camera fees Extra to be paid at Dibru Saikhowa National Park.

Still camera USD 5
Tele lens camera: USD 10
Video: USD 20