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East Sikkim Birding Expedition – Himalayan Rarities & High-Altitude Specials

The East Sikkim Birding Expedition is one of India’s most exclusive and rewarding high-altitude bird photography tours 🏔️🐦. Designed for serious birders and international photographers, this 8-day Himalayan expedition covers pristine temperate forests, alpine slopes, and the legendary Silk Route region of Zuluk.

East Sikkim is a biodiversity hotspot where Eastern Himalayan endemics, rare pheasants, laughingthrushes, and high-altitude specialists thrive in dramatic mountain landscapes. From dense forests in Pacheykhani and Khimseeka to the snow-lined passes of Zuluk, the habitat diversity ensures exceptional species variety.

This expedition is especially famous for:

  • 🐦 Himalayan Monal

  • 🐦 Satyr Tragopan

  • 🐦 Blood Pheasant

  • 🐦 Fire-tailed Myzornis

  • 🐦 Red-faced Liocichla

  • 🐦 Blue-winged Laughingthrush

  • 🦉 Spot-bellied Eagle Owl

  • 🐦 Sultan Tit

The combination of hide photography, forest birding, and alpine pheasant tracking makes this one of the most comprehensive Himalayan birding programs in India.

With carefully selected stays in bird-rich villages and flexible schedules based on light and movement, this tour is structured for maximum photographic success 📸.


⭐ Why Visit East Sikkim?

  • One of India’s best Himalayan pheasant circuits 🐦

  • Rare laughingthrush hide photography 📸

  • Access to the historic Silk Route (Zuluk) 🏔️

  • High-altitude specialties in scenic landscapes 🌄

  • Limited tourist pressure compared to West Sikkim


📦 What’s Included

  • Airport pickup & drop (Bagdogra/NJP) 🚙

  • 7 nights birding accommodation 🏨

  • All meals during the expedition 🍲

  • Hide photography sessions 📸

  • Experienced Himalayan bird guide 🧭

  • Inner Line & protected area permits 📄


👨‍👩‍👧 Ideal For

  • International bird photographers 📸

  • Pheasant specialists

  • High-altitude bird listers

  • Small private birding groups


🌱 Eco Practices

  • Ethical hide photography 🐦

  • Small group departures

  • Support for local village eco-lodges 🤝

  • Zero-plastic field policy ♻️

This expedition is especially famous for:

  • 🐦 Himalayan Monal

  • 🐦 Satyr Tragopan

  • 🐦 Blood Pheasant

  • 🐦 Fire-tailed Myzornis

  • 🐦 Red-faced Liocichla

  • 🐦 Blue-winged Laughingthrush

  • 🦉 Spot-bellied Eagle Owl

  • 🐦 Sultan Tit

The combination of hide photography, forest birding, and alpine pheasant tracking makes this one of the most comprehensive Himalayan birding programs in India.

With carefully selected stays in bird-rich villages and flexible schedules based on light and movement, this tour is structured for maximum photographic success 📸.


⭐ Why Visit East Sikkim?

  • One of India’s best Himalayan pheasant circuits 🐦

  • Rare laughingthrush hide photography 📸

  • Access to the historic Silk Route (Zuluk) 🏔️

  • High-altitude specialties in scenic landscapes 🌄

  • Limited tourist pressure compared to West Sikkim

Itineraries

Day 1

Arrival & Transfer to Pacheykhani

  • Pickup from Bagdogra Airport / NJP Railway Station

  • Scenic drive to Pacheykhani (mid-altitude forest zone)

  • Evening orientation bird walk

  • Overnight stay at Pacheykhani

Day 2

Birding at Pacheykhani

Target species:

  • 🦉 Spot-bellied Eagle Owl

  • 🐦 Sultan Tit

  • 🐦 Rufous Sibia

  • 🐦 Black-throated Parrotbill

Morning & afternoon forest sessions
Overnight at Pacheykhani

Day 3

Khimseeka Transfer & Hide Photography

  • Early birding session

  • Transfer to Khimseeka Village

  • Afternoon hide session targeting:

    • 🐦 Red-faced Liocichla

    • 🐦 Blue-winged Laughingthrush

    • 🐦 Other laughingthrush species

Overnight at Khimseeka

Day 4

Khimseeka Birding & Water Hide

  • Morning water hide photography session

  • Forest birding trails around village
    Target: Fulvettas, Yuhinas, Sibias, Flycatchers

Overnight at Khimseeka

Day 5

Transfer to Zuluk (Silk Route)

  • Scenic mountain drive to Zuluk

  • Gradual altitude gain for acclimatization

  • Evening light birding near Padamchen

Overnight at Padamchen

Day 6

Zuluk High-Altitude Birding

Target species:

  • 🐦 Himalayan Monal

  • 🐦 Blood Pheasant

  • 🐦 Fire-tailed Myzornis

  • 🐦 Snow Partridge (seasonal)

Full-day alpine birding

Day 7

Zuluk & High Pass Exploration

Early departure for high ridges
Targets:

  • 🐦 Satyr Tragopan

  • 🐦 Grandala

  • 🐦 Himalayan Griffon

  • 🐦 Rosefinches

Return to Padamchen

Day 8

Return to Bagdogra / NJP

  • Early breakfast

  • Scenic drive back

  • Tour concludes

  • Accommodation on twin sharing basis in homestay
  • Return ground transfers by AC Innova (3-4 in one)
  • Meals as per mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Birding walks and trails
  • Guide Charges.
  • Leader Charges
  • Mineral Water (2 liters a day)
  • Bird Watching walk under expert guidance
  • Professional Wildlife naturalist host for the experience
  • Field Guide cum checklist
  • Souvenir 
  • Inner Line Permit
  • GST 5%
  • Airfare / Rail fare
  • Additional / personal use of vehicle.
  • Extended stay due to weather conditions or any situation not in human control.
  • Any personal expenses, room service and special orders, mineral waters, non-alcoholic beverages, tips, phone
    calls, laundry etc.
  • Any extra excursions or sightseeing apart from the above specified itinerary.
  • Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary due to bad weather, ill health, roadblocks and/or any factors beyond control.
  • Camera fees.
  • Anything Specifically NOT mentioned in includes
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