Northeast India Birding Tour of Nameri, Eaglenest and Sela Pass
Discover a 13-day birding tour through Nameri, Eaglenest, and Sela Pass where rare Himalayan birds await across Assam and Arunachal with expert guides.
Northeast India Birding Tour of Nameri, Eaglenest and Sela Pass
Duration: 12 Nights / 13 Days
Destinations Covered: Delhi – Guwahati – Nameri National Park – Sessa Orchid Sanctuary – Lama Camp – Bompu Camp – Sessni Camp – Khellong – Eaglenest Pass – Dirang – Sangti Valley – Bomdila Pass – Sela Pass – Mandala Top – Phudung – Shergaon.
Embark on a spectacular 12-night / 13-day birding adventure through the pristine wilderness of Northeast India and the Eastern Himalayas. This expertly guided tour takes you from the lowland forests of Assam to the high-altitude alpine habitats of Arunachal Pradesh, covering some of the most biodiverse and ecologically significant regions in India.
Begin your journey in Delhi and fly into Guwahati, the gateway to Northeast India, before heading to the lush and bird-rich Nameri National Park. From there, ascend into the Eastern Himalayan foothills, exploring the orchid-laden trails of Sessa, the endemic-rich slopes of Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, and the serene camps at Lama, Bompu, and Sessni. You’ll traverse diverse habitats from riverine forests and bamboo thickets to cloud forests and alpine meadows, encountering an extraordinary variety of birdlife including the rare Bugun Liocichla, Blyth’s and Temminck’s Tragopan, Himalayan Monal, Ibisbill, and many more.
The tour also includes breathtaking scenic drives through Bomdila and over the dramatic Sela Pass at 4,160 meters, with sunrise birding among snow-capped Himalayan peaks. Conclude with high-altitude birding at Mandala Top and final sightings in the rich forests of Phudung and Shergaon before returning to Guwahati.
Perfect for serious birders and nature enthusiasts, this tour promises unforgettable encounters with some of Asia’s most elusive and beautiful avian species amidst stunning landscapes and remote, off-the-beaten-path locations.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01. Delhi – Guwahati – Namer National Park.
Arrive Guwahati by flight and transfer to Nameri National Park (05 hrs.). Enroute stopping for small birding session. O/n resort.Day 02: Nameri – Lamba
Nameri is Semi evergreen deciduous forest with Bamboos dominating and grassland areas with 375 different birds.Early morning we cross the river Jai Bhoroli by boat and enter the Hotspot of Biodiversity of Nameri National Park.
Focus for White-winged Duck (state bird of Assam), Blyth's Kingfisher, Great Thick-knee, Wreathed Hornbill, Red-breasted Parakeet, White-capped River-chat, Long-billed Plover, Blue-naped Pitta, Wreathed hornbill, White-cheeked Partridge, Lineated and Blue-throated Barbets, Pin-tailed, Ashy-headed Green and Green Imperial Pigeons, Pied Flycatcher-Shrike, Yellow-browed, Greenish and Grey-hooded Warblers, Oriental Hobby, Pied Falconet, Pallas’s Fish-Eagle, Black Baza, Peregrine Falcon and Ibisbill.
Return back to hotel. have breakfast and drive to Lamba camp (04 hrs) enroute visiting Sessa Orchid Sanctuary. O/n Lamba Camp.
Day 03: Lamba Camp – Bompu camp.
Lamba Camp is entrance of Eagle nest Sanctuary (218 sq kms).Target: A rare little babbler, Bugun Liocichla, was discovered in 1995. It was again sighted in 2006 made Eagle nest Wildlife Sanctuary high in demand.
Early morning we start for Bugun Liocihla and other birds like Himalayan Cutia, Brown Parrotbill, Red-billed Scimitar Babbler, Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler, Blue-winged Laughingthrush, Rufous-throated Wren Babbler, Maroon-backed Accentor, Hill Partridge, Rufous-throated Partridge, Chestnut-breasted Partridge, Blyth's Tragopan, Temminck's Tragopan, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Rufous Woodpecker, Pale-headed Woodpecker, Bay Woodpecker, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Crimson-breasted Woodpecker, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Golden-throated Barbet, Blue-throated Barbet, Blue-eared Barbet, Coppersmith Barbet, Great Hornbill, Ward's Trogon, Hodgson's Frogmouth, Barred Cuckoo Dove, Thick-billed Green Pigeon, and Mountain Imperial Pigeon.
After morning birding session and breakfast we drive to Bompu camp ( 32 kms). During this drive we explore Eaglenest pass area and several birding trails.
We can see Himalayan Cutia, Brown Parrotbill, Red-billed Scimitar Babbler, Coral-billed Scimitar
Babbler, Blue-winged Laughingthrush, Rufous-throated Wren Babbler, Maroon-backed Accentor, Hill Partridge, Rufous-throated Partridge, Chestnut-breasted Partridge, Blyth's Tragopan, Temminck's Tragopan, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Rufous Woodpecker, Pale-headed Woodpecker, Bay Woodpecker, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Crimson-breasted Woodpecker, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Golden-throated Barbet, Blue-throated Barbet, Blue-eared Barbet, Coppersmith Barbet, Great Hornbill, Ward's Trogon, Hodgson's Frogmouth, Barred Cuckoo Dove, Thick-billed Green Pigeon, and Mountain Imperial Pigeon. O/n Bompu Camp.
Day 04: Bompu Camp – Sessni Camp area Birding.
Bompu camp is at 1950 meters height makes it unique place for birding with one side vast fields and thick forest on the other side.Today we focus on middle forest range of Eaglenest Wildlife Sancturay . We drive down side till
Sessni camp . On the we try to search for Sikkim Wedge-billed Babbler, Rufous-throated Hornbill,
Grey Peacock Pheasant, Chestnut-breasted Partridge, Beautiful Nuthatch, Blue-naped Pitta, Long-
tailed Broadbill, Golden-fronted Leafbird, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Lesser Shortwing, White-browed Shortwing, Dark-sided Flycatcher, Ferruginous Flycatcher, Purple Cochoa, Green Cochoa, Fire-capped Tit, Rufous-vented Tit, Coal Tit, Yellow-cheeked Tit, Striated Bulbul, Mountain Bulbul, Hill Prinia, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Slaty-bellied Tesia, Grey-bellied Tesia and several others.
In the evening return back to Bompu camp. O/n Bompu camp.
Day 05: Bompu Camp – Khellong area birding.
Eaglenest wildlife sanctuary has different levels of altitudes raning from 500 m to 3200 m.Today after breakfast we go further downside to explore low range forest Of Eaglenest Sancturay in Khellong area. This very small community has made this place good birding place. We try to focus on Silver-bellied Broadbill, Blyth's Kingfisher, Eyebrowed Wren Babbler, White-hooded Babbler, several species of Shortwings, Rufous-vented Laughingthrush, Red-faced Liocichla, Abbott's Babbler, Buff-breasted Babbler, Spot-throated Babbler, Large and Hill Blue Flycatcher, Pale-headed Woodpecker, Slender-billed Scimitar, Red-headed Trogon, Rufous-backed Sibia, Long-tailed Sibia and a lot more.
While returning back to Bompu Camp in the evening, we search for Hodgson'ss Frogmouth. O/n Bompu Camp.
Day 06: Bompu Camp – Both Sessni and Khellong area.
This day is dedicated to the missing birds of both Sessniand Khllong area even after giving separate days. But today we go to further lower region of Low -range forest to try luck for Speckled Piculet, Red-faced Liocichla, and Red-headed Trogon are more here. Drive back to hotel. O/n Bompu Camp.Day 07: Bompu Camp – Higher Altitude Birding.
After completing middle range and Lower ranges to we go to upward side of Bompu camp for more species. Perhaps we could find birds like Blyth’s Tragopan, Temminck's Tragopan, Ward's Trogon, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Slaty-bellied Tesia, Grey-bellied Tesia, Eurasian Woodcock, Wood Snipe, Orange-flanked Bush Robin, Golden Bush Robin, White-browed Bush Robin, Rufous-breasted Bush Robin, Grey-sided Laughingthrush, Bhutan Laughingthrush, Blue-winged Laughingthrush, Scaly Laughingthrush, White-browed Scimitar Babbler, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Rufous-fronted Babbler, Rufous-capped Babbler, Golden Babbler, Grey-throated Babbler, Striped Tit Babbler, Silver-eared Mesia, Red-billed Leiothrix, Cutia, Black-headed Shrike Babbler, White-browed Shrike Babbler, Green Shrike Babbler, and Black-eared Shrike Babbler.Day 08: Bompu Camp – Lamba camp.
Today after breakfast we drive back to Lamba camp with again Eaglenest pass ( 2800 m height).Our tareget birds for Eaglenest Pass are Brown Parrotbill, Grey-headed Parrotbill, Fulvous Parrotbill, Mrs Gould's Sunbird, Green-tailed Sunbird, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Tibetan Siskin, Dark-breasted Rosefinch, Dark-rumped Rosefinch, Crimson-browed Finch, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Streak-throated Barwing, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Yellow-throated Fulvetta, Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Brown- throated Fulvetta, Nepal Fulvetta, Chestnut-tailed Minla, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Scarlet Finch, Brown Bullfinch, Red-headed Bullfinch, Grey-headed Bullfinch and many more .
If time permits try to cover Tragopanda Trail for Temminck's Tragopan and Red Panda near Lamba Camp. o/n Lamba Camp.
Day 09: Lamba Camp – Bomdilla Pass – Dirang
As this is our day in Lamba camp we recheck our missing list and take short birding trip in Lamba camp area.After breakfast we drive to Dirang (04 to 05 hrs). Bomdilla is new tourist destination now a days due to Bomdilla Pass where once enjoy spectular view of Gorichen and Kangto peaks. Our lunch shall be here. After quick check in the hotel we take short birding session in Sangti valley for very beautiful birds like Ibisbill, Long-billed Plover, wintering Wallcreepers, Black-necked Cranes, and Black-tailed Crakes. O/n in Dirang .
Day 10: Dirang – Sela Pass – Mandala.
This we start quite early around 03: 00 am from our hotel with pack breakfast so that we can reach Sela pass (4160 meters height) at sunrise time to enjoy high altitude birding of Arunachal Pradesh. 09 kms prior to Sela pass our expedition starts for species like such as Snow Partridge, Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Grandala, Rare Gould's Shortwing, Solitary Snipe, Upland Buzzard, White- browed Rosefinch, Plain Mountain Finches, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Red-billed Chough, Snow Pigeon, Alpine Accentors, Little Owl, Red-fronted Rosefinch, White-browed Tit-warbler, Himalayan Buzzard, Yellow-breasted Greenfinch, Dark-breasted Rosefinch, Himalayan Beautiful, Dark-rumped Rosefinch and several others.Sela Pass also offers great views of Eastern Himalayan peaks.
After completing Sela pass birding, we drive to Mandala which is 30 kms from Dirang towards south. O/n Mandla.
Day 11: Mandla Top (3000 metres)
Mandla Top is also famous for 108 Buddhist’s temples built together. Beside this Himalayna ranges are best visible from here.We go for high altitudes birds here like Blanford's Rose Finch, Brown bush Warbler, Temminck's Tragopan, Gould's Shortwing, Naumann's Thrush, Golden-breasted Fulvettas, Bar-tailed Treecreeper, Rufous-chinned and Grey-sided Laughingthrushes, Scaly-breasted Cupwing, Grey-sided Bush- warbler, Fulvous and Black-throated Parrotbills, Black-throated, White-collared and Grey-winged Blackbirds, Himalayan Bluetails, Eurasian Nutcracker, Speckled Wood-pigeon, Wood Snipe, Red Crossbill, Gould’s Shortwing, Scarlet Finch, Brown Bullfinch, Red-throated Thrush, Black- throated/Plain-backed Thrush. O/n Hotel.
Day 12: Mandla Top.
We further try to see White-bellied Redstart, Beautiful Sibias, Fire-capped Tit, Blue-fronted Robin, Spotted Nutcracker, Blue-capped Rock Thrush, Ward's Trogon, Slender-billed Scimitar-Babbler, Spotted Laughingthrush, Crimson-browed Finch, Large-billed Leaf-Warbler, Ludlow's Fulvetta, Rusty- flanked Treecreeper, Fire-tailed Myzornis, White-throated and Grey-sided Laughingthrushes, Red- tailed Minla, Yellow-browed, Black-browed and Rufous-vented Tits, Green-tailed Sunbird, Chestnut- tailed Minla, Black-faced Warbler, Stripe-throated Yuhina, Red-headed Bullfinch, Grey-headed Bullfinch, Collared Grosbeak, Spot-winged Grosbeak, Gold-naped Finch, and Little Bunting.Other wildlife in Mandla Top can be Red Panda, Himalayan Serow, Arunachal Macaque and Flying Squirrels. o/n Mandala hotel.
