This exotic birding adventure takes us to many seldom-visited and remote destinations in northeast India. We will have the rare opportunity to search for a host of Asia’s most tantalizing and desirable species including the recently discovered Temminck’s Tragopan, Ward’s Trogon, exquisite Beautiful and Velvet-fronted Nuthatches, rare and little-known Bugun Liocichla, incredible Grandala, rare and endangered White-winged Duck, incomparable Great, Rufous-necked, and Wreathed Hornbills, and dazzling Fire-tailed Myzornis – to name just some of the many exciting possibilities! We will explore a wealth of varied habitats and altitudes during this tour, from the high mountains of Sela Pass - home of the barely-believable Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant and others, to beautiful swathes of montane and hill forest and bolder-strewn Himalayan rivers in Nameri National Park and the Eagle’s Nest area, home to an astounding array of scimitar-babblers (no less than six species!), and laughingthrushes, the remarkable Sikkim Wedge-billed Babbler, Sultan Tit, Fire-tailed Sunbird, the rare and amazing Blue-fronted Robin, all amongst an almost endless list of highlights! This is a very exciting tour that takes us to some of Asia’s best birding sites where few birders have ever ventured; and, consequently, we will no doubt encounter many rarely-seen species!
Temminck’s Tragopan; Himalayan Monal; Snow Partridge; Blood Pheasant; Ward’s Trogon; Beautiful, White-tailed & Velvet-fronted Nuthatches; Bugun Liocichla; Purple & Green Cochoas; Black-headed Shrike-Babbler; Himalayan Cutia; Fire-tailed Myzornis; Collared Treepie; Blue-naped Pitta; Long-billed & Bar-winged Wren-Babbler; Sikkim Wedge-billed Babbler; Long-billed Plover; Black-tailed Crake; Grandala; Rufous-necked Hornbill; Pale-headed Woodpecker; Slender-billed & Coral-billed Scimitar Babblers; White-winged Duck; Pied Falconet; Golden-breasted Fulvetta; Broad-billed Warbler; Stripe-throated & Rufous-vented Yuhinas; Mountain & Rufous-bellied Hawk-Eagles; Wallcreeper; Yellow-billed Blue Magpie; Spotted Nutcracker; Red-billed Chough; Brandt’s & Plain Mountain Finches; Collared Grosbeak; Hodgson’s Treecreeper; Dark-rumped, Dark-breasted and Himalayan White-browed Rosefinches; Blyth’s Kingfisher; Mrs Gould’s, Fire-tailed, Green-tailed & Black-throated Sunbirds; Green Shrike-Babbler; Black-winged Cuckooshrike; Slaty-backed & Sapphire Flycatchers; Sultan & Fire-capped Tits, Blue-fronted Robin.
Top Mammals Gaur; Indian Elephant; Himalayan Serow; Assamese Macaque; Capped Langur; Yellow-throated Marten; Large-eared Pika; Black Giant, Orange-bellied Himalayan, Hoary-bellied & Himalayan Striped Squirrels; small chance for Red Panda; Asiatic Black Bear; Leopard Cat.
Habitats Covered montane & lowland forest, bamboo, rivers, woodland, rocky, alpine/heathland habitat
Expected Climate warm to hot in the lowlands and cool to cold in the mountainous. Sela Pass (day trip) at 4200m (13,800ft) will be cold with a chance of snow
Max Group Size 8 with 1 Rockjumper leader & 1 local leader
Tour Pace & Walking our Mega tours are very fast-paced birding adventures designed for the dedicated lister and serious birder. The focus of the tour is to see as many of the endemics and area specials as possible in our given time. In order to cover the necessary route to maximise the species list we tend to spend a single night at most sites and travel large distances. There is very little down time aside from that spent driving from one site to the next. These tours are not suitable for dedicated or avid photographers; inexperienced or new birders; as well as anyone with serious mobility or health challenges.
Accommodation basic to comfortable
Ease of Birding moderate
Number of Species Expected 300 - 350
Other Attractions amazing scenery and wildlife sanctuaries, incredible forest
Photographic Opportunities average to good
David Hoddinott was at his best even on new grounds full of lifers.
David Erterius has an amazing memory for birds and bird calls. Our group had a variety of skills and interests, and he did a good job of balancing photographer's and birder's needs. As a birder with limited spotting skills, I especially appreciated his ability to get many of the birds in the scope and to give me special help when I was having trouble seeing the bird.
Dear Erik, Thanks for the trip report of a fantastic tour. Wow, what an experience and I am so glad we did it – most importantly with Rockjumper. Everything was taken care of and we moved smoothly from one place to the next with no problems (well none that we knew of!) All the best!
I just have to write and tell you how much I enjoyed the N. India trip and how superb the leaders are... You know that, you only have world class guides. The last two days made the trip 'beyond expectations' with the birds we saw in Saital… Erik and Rich worked so well together and both are so funny, such a great combination. I especially have to thank Rich for taking pictures for me: I can immediately tell which ones he took: they make clear memories that are memorable…. With much gratitude to RBT for bringing birds and mammals into my life.
I thought David was an excellent guide. He certainly knows his birds and was very passionate and I also found him to be very keen to discuss birds and pass on knowledge; I enjoyed being able to share his passion. I also found him to be friendly and I had the impression that he was always trying to make sure that the group was generally satisfied. He was certainly very thorough at making sure that everybody had seen all the birds.