Red Panda Expedition in Singalila National Park

[Amitabh Sarma]

Singalila National Park

Along the India – Nepal border, west of Darjeeling, Singalila National Park covers the Indian side of the Singalila ridge. The park is home to extensive rhododendron forests, especially in April and May; it provides a gorgeous view of the eastern Himalayas. At an altitude of 7000 to 12000 feet above sea level, the well known Sandakpau trekking route runs through it.

Red Panda, an arboreal mammal, is an endangered animal, endemic to the cold forests of the Himalayas, surviving mostly on bamboo, eggs, flowers and berries. It has Reddish brown fur a long shaggy tail and a wadding gait due to its shorter length of front legs. It is slightly larger than a big domestic cat. It is a solitary animal mainly active from dusk to dawn and is largely sedentary during the day. The Red Panda has been classified as Endangered by the IUCN because its wild population is estimated at less than 10,000 mature individuals and continuous to decline due to habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching and inbreeding depression, although red Pandas are protected by National laws in their range countries. Singallia is the best place in India to see this elusive and rare mammal.

Singalila is a birding paradise, More than 300 species of birds found here. It has a huge list of exotic birds like: Blood pheasant ,Satyr Tragopan ,Kalij Pheasant, Brown & Fulvous Parrotbills, Rufous-vented Tit and old world babbiers like the fire tailed Myzornis and the golden breasted fulvetta, Rosefinchs, Bullfinchs,Wren babblers, Laughing thrushes, Nuthatches, Treecreepers,Yuhinas,Minivets,Patridges and many more.

 

DAY 1 ARRIVE BAGHDOGRA AIRPORT – MANE BHANJEN

You can take a domestic flight from any major cities in India like Mumbai, Delhi , Bangalore , Kolkata or Chennai to arrive at Baghdogra Airport where you will be received and taken to your hotel in Siliguri. You have the option for an optional nature walk in the afternoon along with an orientation session with your tour leader. We will have an early dinner and retire to our hotel rooms.

Day 2: SILIGURI to MANE BHANJEN – The Descent

We head for Manebhanjen, the entry point to Singalila National Park early in the morning. We will be served with packed breakfast on our three hours drive. On arrival at Manebhanjan , we will shift to Vintage Land Rovers, for our uphill drive to Chawang Lodge, which is going to be our home for the next six nights.

The rugged east Himalayan landscapes, makes the slightly bumpy drive to Chawang Lodge an event in itself. Lunch will be served at Chawang Lodge. Our search for the elusive Red Panda starts from this afternoon.

 

 Day 3 – 7 ACTIVITIES AT KALAPOKHRI

Our exclusive Red Panda Expedition begins in earnest today as we explore Chawang Lodge. After breakfast, we will go on different trails everyday to track wildlife activity. We will have guides and trackers, who start ahead of us to update on Red Panda movements in the region. We will be accompanied by guides and porters.

Your breakfast, lunch and dinner is included in these days.

 

Day 8   DEPARTURE FROM CHAWANG LODGE

After an early morning breakfast we depart Chawang Lodge on our Land Rovers ,as we drive down to Manebhanjen and then to Baghdogra Airport for our onward flight.

 

Cost Inclusions

All meals during trip 
* 6N & 7 days stay in Chawang Lodge, Kalapokhri ( Twin sharing )
* Bagdogra-Manebhanjan-Bagdogra shared road transfers in AC Innova 
   (4 Pax per vehicle)
* Naturalist services
 * 6N /7D Red Panda Expedition with tracker support
* Shared Porters & Safari Landrover for entire duration of stay
* Wildlife Permit cost for both Indian and Nepal
 *Still camera permits, 1 per person
* Visit to Sandhakphu top
* Visit to Tumling and for other sightseeing

 

Cost Excludes

• 
  Cost for supplementary services.
  Cost for Airfare, Train fare, Insurance Premiums.
  Cost for service provided on a personal request.
  Cost for personal expenses such as laundry, bottled water, soft drinks, incidentals, porter charges, tips etc.
  Cost for any other service not mentioned under the “Cost Includes” head.
  Difference in cost arising due to change in Taxes by the Government which will have to be collected directly on arrival.
  Difference in cost arising due to mishaps, political unrest, natural calamities. In such case extra will have to be paid on the spot by the guest directly.

 

For Details on costs and departure dates kindly contact Eventours Travels at [e-mail]