Birding Expedition in the Eastern Himalayas & Assam

After landing in Kolkata, you will find your driver waiting at the exit gate with a placard bearing your name. From there, you’ll be chauffeured to the hotel for a night.

Kolkata, often referred to as the “City of Dreams,” is a place where history, culture, and modernity converge in a vibrant blend of life. As the cultural capital of India, Kolkata is known for its literary heritage, artistic pursuits, and intellectual spirit. The city is home to grand colonial architecture, bustling markets, and a thriving arts scene, offering a mix of tradition and innovation that inspires countless dreams and aspirations. Whether it’s the poetic charm of the Hooghly River, the lively streets filled with the aroma of street food, or the enduring legacy of icons like Rabindranath Tagore and Satyajit Ray, Kolkata captivates the hearts of those who seek inspiration and creativity.

You can choose to spend a day or two extra in Kolkata and explore the city.

Today, you’ll head to the airport for your flight to Dibrugarh in Assam state in eastern India. Upon arrival at Dibrugarh airport, you will go on a four-hour drive to Roing. Located in the Lower Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh, Roing is a picturesque town that offers a gateway to Mishmi Hills. Nestled in the Eastern Himalayas, Roing is surrounded by stunning landscapes, including rivers, valleys, and snow-capped mountains.

You will arrive Roing in the evening, where you’ll be staying at a birding camp,

a rustic camp nestled in the wilderness of Mishmi Hills. This camp will serve as your base for the next four nights.

For the next three days, your routine will begin with an early wake-up for breakfast, followed by a journey into the Mishmi Hills with your guide and driver in search of birds. Lunch can either be packed or arranged at local restaurants, depending on the day’s plan. Typically, you’ll return to camp in the evening, where you can gather around the dining area to share the day’s stories with fellow birders, enjoying refreshments to unwind. You’ll then retire early to rest for the next day’s early start.

While exploring, you’ll frequently leave the vehicle to walk around with your birding guide, who is well-acquainted with the area and knows the best spots for sightings.

The Mishmi Hills, located in central Arunachal Pradesh, extend southward from the Great Himalayan ranges and are bordered to the north and east by China. This pristine region features a stunning blend of tropical forests, alpine meadows, shrubby woods, bamboo groves, and sloping grasslands adorned in shades of blue, yellow, and emerald. Often shrouded in dense fog, the Mishmi Hills exude a magical allure.

As you ascend in altitude, you’ll notice changes in birdlife at different elevations. Some of the target species include the red-headed trogon, white-browed piculet, long-tailed broadbill, Blyth’s shrike-babbler, sultan tit, mountain tailorbird, grey-bellied tesia, chestnut-crowned warbler, coral-billed scimitar babbler, cachar wedge-billed babbler, long-billed wren-babbler, spot-throated babbler, rusty-fronted barwing, silver-eared mesia, red-faced liocichla, beautiful and long-tailed sibias, beautiful nuthatch, purple and green cochoas, white-gorgeted flycatcher, hill blue flycatcher, large niltava, white-tailed robin, and slaty-backed forktail.

During your visit to the Mishmi Hills, you will also explore Mayodia Pass, located at 2,666 meters above sea level. Mayodia Pass is the highest point on the road in this part of eastern Arunachal Pradesh. Sclater’s monal, a very rare species in India, is often sighted near Mayodia Pass. Other notable species here include Blyth’s tragopan (more often heard than seen), Himalayan owl, slender-billed scimitar babbler, Ward’s trogon, grey-sided and spotted laughingthrushes, Gould’s and rusty-bellied shortwing, fire-tailed myzornis, and the main target, the rusty-throated or Mishmi wren-babbler. This species was known from a single specimen collected in the 1940s until its rediscovery in 2004. It appears to be locally common, though, like all wren-babblers, spotting it clearly may require some luck.

The serene forests of the Mishmi Hills are considered one of the finest biogeographical zones in the Himalayas, attracting nature lovers, ornithologists, and researchers alike. The landscape is dotted with the dwellings of the Idu-Mishmi tribespeople, indigenous to the Tibeto-Burmese region. Clad in vibrant attire, they can be seen tending to their Mithun or Gayal, a large domestic cattle breed. Giant creepers and orchids drape the trees, decorative ferns carpet the forest floor, and gurgling streams echo through the chirping of birds, offering a picturesque welcome to visitors exploring the Mishmi Hills.

Following your morning activities, you will start on a journey to Digboi Oil Fields, transitioning from the hills of Arunachal Pradesh to the plains of Assam over a delightful three-hour drive. The Digboi Oil Fields, located in the Tinsukia district of Assam, India, hold a special place in the history of the global oil industry. Known as the birthplace of the Indian oil industry, Digboi is home to the oldest operational oil refinery in the world. Despite being an industrial area, the Digboi oilfields and surrounding forests are surprisingly rich in birdlife. The mix of dense forest and open areas provides a good chance to spot birds.

The area around Digboi is particularly notable for two rarely seen bird species: the collared treepie and the highly sought-after chestnut-backed laughingthrush. The rufous-necked laughingthrush is also commonly spotted here. While the white-cheeked partridge is present, it’s often more easily heard than seen. Other notable species that can be found include the thick-billed green pigeon, square-tailed drongo cuckoo, black-winged cuckooshrike, as well as blue-throated and pale-chinned blue flycatchers.

Located not far from Digboi, the Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary is a prime spot for birdwatching. This sanctuary, often referred to as the “Amazon of the East,” is a part of the Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve and is known for its dense rainforest. Nestled at the foothills of the Patkai Hill Ranges, along the banks of the Dehing River, and adjacent to the Namdapha Wildlife Sanctuary, this forest is celebrated as one of the last remaining lowland tropical rainforests on the Indian mainland.

The forest teems with wildlife diversity, with over 40 mammal species and nearly 38 family groups of western hoolock gibbon documented. It serves as a sanctuary for various wildcat species, including tiger, leopard, clouded leopard, leopard cat, golden cat, jungle cat, and marbled cat, making it the only forest worldwide to host seven different wildcat species. However, seeing one is purely accidental as they are extremely rare and shy in nature.

Dehing Patkai is also a safe sanctuary for primates, with seven out of fifteen primate species found in India inhabiting its lush terrain. These include the rhesus macaque, Assamese macaque, slow loris, capped langur, pigtailed macaque, stump-tailed macaque, and hoolock gibbon. Additionally, the forest shelters a myriad of other mammals, from the Chinese pangolin to the Malayan giant squirrel.

It is an area with incredible diversity of  bird species, with key targets including the highly endangered White-winged Duck, (Austen’s) Brown Hornbill, Pale-capped Pigeon and the beautiful peacock pheasant. Commoner birds that we have a good chance of seeing are Sultan Tit, Pin-striped Tit Babbler, several drongos including Lesser Racket-tailed, Blue-winged Leafbird, Maroon Oriole, Common Green Magpie, Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush, Red-headed Trogon, and the tiny White-browed Piculet, whilst the many babbler species could gift us sights of White-hooded Babbler, Abbott’s Babbler, Grey-throated Babbler, and the scarce Large Scimitar Babbler. You may also see other winged beauties including velvet-fronted nuthatch, silver-breasted broadbill and dollar bird.

For avid birdwatchers, Dehing Patkai Sanctuary offers a paradise of avian species, including the Lesser Adjutant Stork, White Winged Wood Duck, Rufous-necked Hornbill, and Purple Wood or Pale-capped Pigeon. Its diverse flora and the longest monsoon season in the region make it home to 50% of India’s butterfly species, alongside reptiles like the Rock python and King cobra.

The forest’s enchanting landscape is also adorned with exotic orchids, ferns, wild bananas, climbers, and lianas, while towering tree species such as hollang, mekai, and elephant apple contribute to its rich biodiversity.

This morning, you will go on an early drive to Tinsukia, a journey of approximately three hour. Here you will stay at a tea bungalow. Passed down through generations of managers, the bungalow remains a cherished heritage, withstanding over a century of weathering amidst the sprawling tea bushes. Its simple yet historic charm provides a luxurious and welcoming accommodation option for those wishing to explore the tea estate and its surroundings.

Situated along the banks of the Dibru River, the tea garden is conveniently located near the Dibru Saikhowa National Park, a haven for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts, notably housing the endangered Parrot Bill. For travellers seeking an immersive experience in Assam’s natural beauty and tea culture, the Wathai bungalow offers a perfect retreat.

Spend two days exploring Tinsukia and the mesmerizing Dibru-Saikhowa National Park. Glide through the tranquil waters of the Dibru River aboard a country boat, marvelling at the diverse bird species and elusive Gangetic Dolphins that inhabit the area. Take leisurely jungle walks amidst the park’s natural splendour, spotting a variety of birds along the way.

During your stay, venture into an Assamese village neighbouring the Dibru Saikhowa National Park, known for its conservation efforts towards the endangered hollock gibbon. You will walk around the villages with a guide looking for the gibbons while witnessing the harmonious coexistence between villagers and wildlife, guided by age-old religious beliefs.

Dibru-Saikhowa National Park boasts a vibrant wilderness that includes semi-evergreen forests, swampy marshes, and extensive grasslands. This diverse habitat is home to over 350 bird species, including rare finds like Jerdon’s bushchat, swamp grass-babbler, Baikal and spotted bush warbler, marsh and Jerdon’s babbler  and the black-breasted parrotbill. The park’s wetlands and riverine forests are also habitats for species like Baer’s Pochard and Bengal Florican. Nearby, Maguri-Motapung Beel offers a rich aquatic ecosystem that attracts a variety of waterfowl and grassland birds, showcasing the region’s diverse landscapes. Exploring Maguri Bheel by boat, powered by skilled local guides and boatmen, provides an immersive experience into this unique habitat.

After an early breakfast, start your journey to Kaziranga, a scenic drive lasting approximately seven hours. The goal is to arrive in Kaziranga in time for lunch. Your accommodation for the duration of your stay will be at jungle resort, conveniently located near the reserve.

After a day of travel, the evening will be free for relaxation and unwinding.

Over the course of three days, you’ll have the opportunity to explore Kaziranga through morning and evening jeep safaris. These guided excursions offer excellent chances to observe migratory birds and, if fortunate, catch glimpses of tigers along the Brahmaputra’s banks. Keep an eye out for river dolphins, wild ducks, and turtles in the riverside habitat. Additionally, you’ll encounter a diverse array of wildlife, including wild water buffalo, elephant, swamp deer, tiger, hollock gibbon, otter and various bird species.

Kaziranga is most famous for the endangered Indian rhinoceros. It is home to more than 2,400 of these rhinos, which constitutes about two-thirds of the world’s population. Kaziranga’s success story in rhino conservation has made it a global example of how dedicated efforts can help bring endangered species back from the brink of extinction.

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site and biosphere reserve, Kaziranga’s unique landscape features flat expanses of fertile, alluvial soil formed by Brahmaputra erosion and silt deposition. It comprises exposed sandbars, riverine flood-formed lakes known as beels (making up 5% of the area), and elevated regions called chapories, which serve as retreats and shelter for animals during floods. The Indian Army has aided in constructing artificial chapories to ensure the animals’ safety. As one of the largest protected areas in the sub-Himalayan belt, Kaziranga is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot due to its highly diverse and visible species.

Kaziranga is also an Important Bird Area, recognized by BirdLife International for its conservation efforts towards avifaunal species, including lesser white-fronted geese, ferruginous ducks, Baer’s pochards, lesser adjutants, greater adjutants, black-necked storks, and Asian openbill storks. You can also hope to see Pallas’s and grey-headed fish eagles and spot-billed pelican. Overall an impressive list of species could also include falcated duck, ferruginous duck, swamp francolin, Bengal florican, lesser coucal, plaintive cuckoo, great and oriental pied hornbills, blue-bearded bee-eater, blossom-headed parakeet, blue-naped pitta, chestnut-capped babbler, great myna, pale-chinned blue flycatcher, crimson sunbird and Finn’s weaver.

After breakfast, you will be driven to Guwahati airport, a journey lasting approximately five hours. From Guwahati, you’ll catch flight for Kolkata for your onward journey.