Sikkim Birding Tour 8Nights/9Days
Sikkim Birding Tour 8Nights/9Days
No. of days
9
Trip Type
#
Activity Level
Moderate
Experiences
Best time
October to April
Region
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Overview
Sikkim is truly a special place for bird watchers. Though small in size, it is home to over 590 different bird species, more than many of its Himalayan neighbours with similar landscapes. What makes Sikkim unique is its incredible variety of habitats packed into a tiny area — from warm tropical forests to cold alpine mountains.
The state is surrounded by high mountains, including the famous Kanchenjunga, India’s tallest peak and the third-highest in the world. Because of these mountain ranges and valleys, Sikkim acts like a natural magnet for birds, attracting them from different regions.
This mix of altitude and environment creates perfect homes for many bird species, making it a top destination for birdwatching. In this itinerary, you will explore beautiful forests and sanctuaries in South and West Sikkim, as well as Latpancher and Senchal in the Darjeeling Hills. Along the way, you can spot rare and colourful birds like the Satyr Tragopan, Rufous-necked Hornbill, and a variety of laughingthrushes and parrotbills. Apart from birding, the stunning landscapes, fresh mountain air, and peaceful nature make the experience even more rewarding.
Trip Highlights
- Morning and afternoon birding in varied habitats ranging from subtropical forests to alpine zones.
- Spot rare and elusive Himalayan birds such as Satyr Tragopan, Hodgson’s Frogmouth, and Rufous-necked Hornbill.
- Birds in renowned sanctuaries, including Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary and Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary.
- Explore bamboo groves, oak forests, rhododendron shrubs, and mossy cloud forests.
- Opportunity to get a glimpse into Sikkim’s beautiful Buddhist culture.
- Experience a unique blend of traditional and modern architecture in local villages.
- Taste delicious and authentic Sikkimese cuisine as part of your cultural experience.
Image Galllery
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Bagdogra – Transfer to Kewzing (1700 meters)
On arrival at Bagdogra airport, we transfer to Kewzing, enjoying the scenic 4 to 6-hour drive. Take this day to relax and absorb the peaceful surroundings of Kewzing’s sub-temperate forests before birding begins tomorrow.
Day 2: Early morning birding around Kewzing (1700–2000 meters)
We will start with morning birding around our birding lodge, looking for Red-tailed Minla, Blue-winged Siva, Large Niltava, Tickell’s Thrush, Grey-winged Blackbird, Great Barbet, Golden-throated Barbet, Sikkim Treecreeper, Whiskered Yuhina, Green Magpie, Grey Treepie, Russet Sparrow, and Greater and Lesser Yellownape Woodpeckers. After breakfast, we continued birding in the higher forests searching for Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Rufous-capped Babbler, Himalayan Cutia, Nepal Fulvetta, and Himalayan Wood Owl.
Day 3: Morning birding at Kewzing, then head to Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary (1700–3500 meters)
We begin the day with birding near Kewzing before transferring to Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary. In Maenam’s mossy temperate forests, we look for Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Black-throated Parrotbill, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Golden Babbler, Yellow-throated Fulvetta, Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Rufous-throated Wren Babbler, Pygmy and Scaly-breasted Cupwings, Spotted Elachura, Scarlet Finch, Green-tailed Sunbird, Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird, and Fire-tailed Sunbird. An optional uphill trek might reveal the elusive Satyr Tragopan.
Day 4: Full day birding at Tendong Reserve Forest (750–2100 meters)
We start the morning birding along Tendong Reserve Forest road, an extension of Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary. The more open habitats here offer great views of similar species in higher density. In the afternoon, birding near the Rangeet River focuses on Sultan Tit, White-browed Piculet, Speckled Piculet, Black-chinned Yuhina, Black-throated Sunbird, Yellow-bellied and Yellow-vented Warblers, Rufous Woodpecker, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Red-tailed Minka, and Sikkim Treecreeper.
Day 5: Morning birding near Kewzing, transfer to Okhrey via Jorethang (1700–2500 meters)
After morning birding around Kewzing, we drove to Okhrey passing through Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary. Birding in bamboo and rhododendron shrubs targets Great Parrotbill, Black-throated Parrotbill, Brown Parrotbill, Spotted Laughingthrush, Black-faced Laughingthrush, and Fulvous Parrotbill.
Day 6: Full day birding at Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary (2000–3000 meters)
A full day exploring Barsey Sanctuary for species like Satyr Tragopan, Coal Tit, Rufous-vented Tit, Grey-crested Tit, Rufous-fronted Tit, Hodgson’s Treecreeper, and Himalayan Owl. There is also the chance to spot the elusive Red Panda.
Day 7: Morning birding at Okhrey, transfer to Latpancher Village (3900–1000 meters)
We begin with a morning birding session at Okhrey before traveling to Latpancher, near Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary. The foothill forests here provide sightings of Rufous-necked Hornbill, Hodgson’s Frogmouth, Red-headed Trogon, and other unique foothill species.
Day 8: Birding around Latpancher and Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary (Darjeeling Hills)
Morning birding around Latpancher followed by an afternoon session in Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary or Tiger Hill. Look out for Hill Partridge, Grey-sided Laughingthrush, Spotted Laughingthrush, Brown Parrotbill, Fulvous Parrotbill, Black-throated Parrotbill, and Great Parrotbill.
Day 9: Final birding en route from Latpancher to Bagdogra Airport via Rongtong
On your last day, bird as you travel from Latpancher to Rongtong, with chances to see Black Baza, Jorden’s Baza, Great Hornbill, and other raptors before your airport transfer.
No. of days
9
Trip Type
#
Activity Level
Moderate
Experiences
Best time
October to April
Region
Overview
Sikkim is truly a special place for bird watchers. Though small in size, it is home to over 590 different bird species, more than many of its Himalayan neighbours with similar landscapes. What makes Sikkim unique is its incredible variety of habitats packed into a tiny area — from warm tropical forests to cold alpine mountains.
The state is surrounded by high mountains, including the famous Kanchenjunga, India’s tallest peak and the third-highest in the world. Because of these mountain ranges and valleys, Sikkim acts like a natural magnet for birds, attracting them from different regions.
This mix of altitude and environment creates perfect homes for many bird species, making it a top destination for birdwatching. In this itinerary, you will explore beautiful forests and sanctuaries in South and West Sikkim, as well as Latpancher and Senchal in the Darjeeling Hills. Along the way, you can spot rare and colourful birds like the Satyr Tragopan, Rufous-necked Hornbill, and a variety of laughingthrushes and parrotbills. Apart from birding, the stunning landscapes, fresh mountain air, and peaceful nature make the experience even more rewarding.
Trip Highlights
- Morning and afternoon birding in varied habitats ranging from subtropical forests to alpine zones.
- Spot rare and elusive Himalayan birds such as Satyr Tragopan, Hodgson’s Frogmouth, and Rufous-necked Hornbill.
- Birds in renowned sanctuaries, including Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary and Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary.
- Explore bamboo groves, oak forests, rhododendron shrubs, and mossy cloud forests.
- Opportunity to get a glimpse into Sikkim’s beautiful Buddhist culture.
- Experience a unique blend of traditional and modern architecture in local villages.
- Taste delicious and authentic Sikkimese cuisine as part of your cultural experience.
Image Galllery
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Bagdogra – Transfer to Kewzing (1700 meters)
On arrival at Bagdogra airport, we transfer to Kewzing, enjoying the scenic 4 to 6-hour drive. Take this day to relax and absorb the peaceful surroundings of Kewzing’s sub-temperate forests before birding begins tomorrow.
Day 2: Early morning birding around Kewzing (1700–2000 meters)
We will start with morning birding around our birding lodge, looking for Red-tailed Minla, Blue-winged Siva, Large Niltava, Tickell’s Thrush, Grey-winged Blackbird, Great Barbet, Golden-throated Barbet, Sikkim Treecreeper, Whiskered Yuhina, Green Magpie, Grey Treepie, Russet Sparrow, and Greater and Lesser Yellownape Woodpeckers. After breakfast, we continued birding in the higher forests searching for Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Rufous-capped Babbler, Himalayan Cutia, Nepal Fulvetta, and Himalayan Wood Owl.
Day 3: Morning birding at Kewzing, then head to Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary (1700–3500 meters)
We begin the day with birding near Kewzing before transferring to Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary. In Maenam’s mossy temperate forests, we look for Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Black-throated Parrotbill, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Golden Babbler, Yellow-throated Fulvetta, Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Rufous-throated Wren Babbler, Pygmy and Scaly-breasted Cupwings, Spotted Elachura, Scarlet Finch, Green-tailed Sunbird, Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird, and Fire-tailed Sunbird. An optional uphill trek might reveal the elusive Satyr Tragopan.
Day 4: Full day birding at Tendong Reserve Forest (750–2100 meters)
We start the morning birding along Tendong Reserve Forest road, an extension of Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary. The more open habitats here offer great views of similar species in higher density. In the afternoon, birding near the Rangeet River focuses on Sultan Tit, White-browed Piculet, Speckled Piculet, Black-chinned Yuhina, Black-throated Sunbird, Yellow-bellied and Yellow-vented Warblers, Rufous Woodpecker, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Red-tailed Minka, and Sikkim Treecreeper.
Day 5: Morning birding near Kewzing, transfer to Okhrey via Jorethang (1700–2500 meters)
After morning birding around Kewzing, we drove to Okhrey passing through Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary. Birding in bamboo and rhododendron shrubs targets Great Parrotbill, Black-throated Parrotbill, Brown Parrotbill, Spotted Laughingthrush, Black-faced Laughingthrush, and Fulvous Parrotbill.
Day 6: Full day birding at Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary (2000–3000 meters)
A full day exploring Barsey Sanctuary for species like Satyr Tragopan, Coal Tit, Rufous-vented Tit, Grey-crested Tit, Rufous-fronted Tit, Hodgson’s Treecreeper, and Himalayan Owl. There is also the chance to spot the elusive Red Panda.
Day 7: Morning birding at Okhrey, transfer to Latpancher Village (3900–1000 meters)
We begin with a morning birding session at Okhrey before traveling to Latpancher, near Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary. The foothill forests here provide sightings of Rufous-necked Hornbill, Hodgson’s Frogmouth, Red-headed Trogon, and other unique foothill species.
Day 8: Birding around Latpancher and Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary (Darjeeling Hills)
Morning birding around Latpancher followed by an afternoon session in Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary or Tiger Hill. Look out for Hill Partridge, Grey-sided Laughingthrush, Spotted Laughingthrush, Brown Parrotbill, Fulvous Parrotbill, Black-throated Parrotbill, and Great Parrotbill.
Day 9: Final birding en route from Latpancher to Bagdogra Airport via Rongtong
On your last day, bird as you travel from Latpancher to Rongtong, with chances to see Black Baza, Jorden’s Baza, Great Hornbill, and other raptors before your airport transfer.
