NEPAL & INDIA: HIMALAYAN PARADISE SATYR TRAGOPAN TO RED PANDA & MORE! APRIL 13-26, 2022
INDIA’S CORBETT NATIONAL PARK EXTENSION TO NEPAL & INDIA: HIMALAYAN PARADISE April 24-May 2, 2022 © 2021
This new tour offers an enthralling opportunity to experience the heavenly beauty of the majestic Himalayas of Nepal, home to one of the world’s cutest animals—the endangered Red Panda—plus a wondrous array of stunning Eastern Himalayan birds. Our remote and delightful base at Habre’s Nest is located in a global biological hotspot at 9,000 feet in lush Himalayan forests on the scenically stunning Singalila Ridge bordering two national parks on the Nepalese-Indian border. Hills and mountain slopes are blanketed in rich temperate montane rain forests as far as the eye can see, with a delightful spring climate and medicinal fresh air. Here we will focus on observing the iconic Red Panda plus a multitude of sought-after Eastern Himalayan birds. Our base for eight nights is a delightfully comfortable Nepali style homestay nestled in forested foothills, offering excellent facilities and exceptional services. Better still, we will be smack dab within the stronghold of both Red Pandas
Surely one of the world's cutest animals is the endangered Red Panda. Hopefully we will enjoy multiple encounters with this iconic beauty. © Shantanu Prasad
Nepal & India: Himalayan Paradise, Page 2 and the incomparable Satyr Tragopan, plus a plethora of exciting and colorful Himalayan birds, with over 300 species already recorded from the lodge. We certainly have lots to enjoy! Furthermore, a superb on-site bird blind and feeding station affords close-up viewing and offers wonderful photographic opportunities.
Our Himalayan base for eight nights at Habre’s Nest is a rustic but comfortable, delightful and intimate Nepali style homestay nestled into a true Himalayan paradise at 9,000 feet, bordering Singalila National Park in the rich foothill forest of Tinchule. The lodge offers maximum comfort and flexibility for a spectacular Himalayan birding and mammal experience, including awe- The exquisite male Satyr Tragopan © David Wolf inspiring sunsets or amazingly clear, starry nights. There is simply no better place for encountering and observing one of the cutest and rarest mammals on our planet—the charismatic Red Panda—as they are literally on our doorstep with an estimated 34 known by researchers from within the park! Panda researchers and biologists have been working on this endearing species for over a decade and are incredibly knowledgeable. No one knows these endangered, once mythical, creatures as well as they do!
A magnificent spring view of Habre’s Nest perched on the forested Singalila Ridge © Shantanu Prasad The mighty Himalayan Range—with its giant spurs, Singalila and Chola—virtually encloses this region in a titanic horseshoe offering a magnificent setting. Starting from the plains of North Bengal, tangled interlacing ridges rise range after range to the foot of the great wall of high Himalayan peaks
Nepal & India: Himalayan Paradise, Page 3 and passes opening into Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan. Balcony views from our lodge are truly breath- taking, and we can enjoy them sipping a nice afternoon cuppa tea!
Our base offers easy access through these awe-inspiring forests, dripping with hundreds of orchid species, mosses, lichens, and thick bamboo. It is simply perfect for birding, especially for exciting mixed-species flocks. Mouth-watering Himalayan specialties simply abound.
The well-constructed bird blind and feeding station further add to our joy, offering great photographic opportunities at close range of several delightful forest species such as Yellow-billed Blue-Magpie; an incredible line-up of laughingthrushes— Spotted, Scaly, Striated and Chestnut- Stunning Himalayan views of our private verandas with a nice hot cuppa tea! crowned; Golden © Shantanu Prasad Bush-Robin; Great Barbet; Blue Whistling-Thrush; Chestnut-headed Tesia; dazzling Golden-breasted Fulvetta; Hoary- throated Barbwing; Purple Cochoa; odd-looking Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler; and several species of attractive rosefinch, ground dwelling accentors and more.
Our trip is ideally scheduled to visit the Himalayas at the best time of the year—early spring—when we will enjoy a delightful climate, with freshly arriving summer and altitudinal migrants joining the hardier resident species, and all found in vibrant breeding plumage! The dawn chorus will fill the forested hillsides and valleys with mystical calls and exotic beautiful songs. A few of the outstanding species we hope to see include Blood Pheasant; Hill Partridge; Spot-bellied Eagle Owl; several colorful minivets; barbets; a myriad of marvelous songsters with “Old World Warblers” and thrushes; stupendously colorful chats, redstarts, rock thrush and even the flycatchers; interesting babblers (including colorful siva, minla and leiothrix); bulbuls; shrike-babbler; yuhina; forktails; delightfully pinkish rosefinch; accentors and bamboo loving parrotbills. Highlights will be many, and several outstanding stunners we hope for are Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Gould’s Shortwing, and Golden Bush-Robin. The exquisite Fiery-tailed Myzornis is certainly most sought after, plus an unprecedented number of up to nine wonderful laughingthrush (always a group favorite) including the fabulous Spotted and Black-faced laughingthrush.
A further enchantment is that the montane forests will be ablaze with magnificent blooming Rhododendron and Magnolia groves. Roadsides and clearings carpeted in flowering primulas and geranium offer a kaleidoscope of color—a botanist’s delight! In addition, mossy banks will be dripping with a multitude of exotic blooming orchids, adding an even more emphatic splash of color plus exotic fragrances!
These eastern Himalayan forests are twice as rich in their flora and fauna than the western Himalayas, thus rewarding us with a greater density of exciting bird and animals to seek, making for
Nepal & India: Himalayan Paradise, Page 4 a truly memorable and stupendous trip. Birding will mostly be on foot along secluded jeep trails through enchanting montane forests of the Singalila Ridge; however, this will not be a really strenuous tour, so anyone in good health will be able to cope with this trip of a lifetime to the delightful Himalayan Cordillera of Nepal.
In addition to our wondrous birding in enchanting Nepal, we will also relish a day and a half birding in India at two different sites. The forested lowlands of West Bengal are home to the world-famous Darjeeling tea but also its renowned Latpanchar reserve, which hosts a superb lineup of over 250 bird species. These include a completely different and exciting set of birds for us. At the top of the list is a true mega, the localized and endangered Rufous-necked Hornbill. Other species of interest should include the odd crepuscular Black Baza raptor, tiny Collared Falconet, outrageous green pigeons, Asian Emerald Cuckoo, multicolored Long-tailed Broadbill, stupendous Red-headed Trogon, Sultan and Black-lored tit, Maroon Oriole and a colorful assortment of sunbirds, flowerpeckers, leafbirds, minivets and much more.
While in New Delhi, our first afternoon will be an action-packed birding trip to the Okhla Bird Sanctuary, which offers a wonderful introduction to India’s rich avifauna. Despite being within the bustling city, it is one of India’s Important Bird Areas (IBA), situated at a point where the Yamuna River enters the state of Uttar Pradesh. Here we will enjoy a wonderful mix of water birds, migrants and an interesting set of resident species. A few delightful species are possible: Indian Peafowl (Peacock); Alexandrine Parakeet; Rufous Treepie; Indian Gray Hornbill; Gray Francolin; Spotted Owlet; Asian Koel; Great Coucal; Coppersmith, Lineated or Brown-headed barbet; (Asian) Green or Blue-tailed bee-eater and our first sunbirds, drongos, wagtails, bulbuls, babblers, chats and “Old World Warblers.”
April 13, Day 1: International Flight to New Delhi. Most flights from the United States connect with flights bound for New Delhi that typically arrive late in the evening. If time permits, we suggest arriving a day early to allow for potential flight delays and to be well rested. VENT will be happy to assist with additional lodging arrangements and transfers should you choose to arrive prior to April 14.
NIGHT: Aboard aircraft in transit to New Delhi
Nepal & India: Himalayan Paradise, Page 5 April 14, Day 2: Arrive in New Delhi. Upon arriving at New Delhi’s Indira Ghandi International Airport (airport code DEL), you will be met by a representative of our ground agent and transferred to our comfortable hotel where a room will be reserved in your name.
NIGHT: Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi Airport, New Delhi
April 15, Day 3: Afternoon Birding Okhla Bird Sanctuary. Few large cities can equal New Delhi in the number, variety and tameness of its birds. During the Palearctic spring, many wintering species further south are now migrating north through the Indian subcontinent, thus supplementing New Delhi’s resident bird fauna. New Delhi’s numerous parks, ruins, and gardens function as a huge man-made oasis for birds and other wildlife in an otherwise dry, semi-arid region. Hindu reverence for life also contributes to the approachability of so many birds. Okhla Bird Sanctuary abounds with wildfowl like this lovely Indian Spot-billed Duck. © Machiel Valkenburg This afternoon we will visit Okhla Bird Sanctuary, which offers a wonderful introduction to India’s avifauna. Even though within the bustling city, it is one of India’s Important Bird Areas (IBA), situated at a point where the Yamuna River enters the state of Uttar Pradesh. Despite its small size (1.5 square miles), the sanctuary contains an array of habitats including thorny scrub, grasslands, reed beds, and marshy banks—all of which contribute to a sizeable bird list. The large number of water birds present should include Ruddy Shelduck, the lovely Indian Spot-billed Duck, Gray- headed Swamphen, White-breasted Waterhen and Bronze-winged Jacana. We may even be lucky and find Purple Heron, Oriental Darter, Red-naped or Black- headed ibis, and Painted or Black-necked storks. A diversity of migrant shorebirds may include Red-wattled Lapwing and Pied Avocet, while hunting Western Marsh- Harrier quarter the area. Scrub and forested areas may hold Indian Gray Hornbill, Indian Peafowl (Peacock), Gray Francolin, Spotted Owlet, Asian Koel, Great Coucal, Coppersmith or Lineated barbet, or lovely (Asian) Green or Blue-tailed bee-eater.
Also possible are White-throated Kingfisher, Yellow- footed Green-Pigeon, Rufous Treepie, Alexandrine Parakeet, Indian Golden Oriole, localized Striated A pair of cute (Asian) Green Bee-eaters Babbler, Purple Sunbird, Pied Bushchat, Oriental © Machiel Valkenburg Magpie-Robin, Indian Roller, Black Drongo, Citrine and Western Yellow wagtail plus a nice selection of warblers, weavers, and much more! In the grassy area, we may even be lucky and spot a group of wild Nilgai or Blue Bull, the largest Asian antelope and a near endemic.
NIGHT: Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi Airport, New Delhi
Nepal & India: Himalayan Paradise, Page 6 April 16, Day 4: Morning Flight from New Delhi to Bagdogra; Drive to the Himalayan Foothills Through Singalila National Park; Entering into Nepal and Our Home for the Next Week at Habre’s Nest. Following breakfast, we will transfer a short distance to the airport to catch our morning flight to the gateway of northeastern India and the mighty Himalayas, the city of Bagdogra in West Bengal state, famous for its Darjeeling tea and abundance of greenery. On arrival we will be picked up by our local ground agents and begin our transfer to Habre’s Nest, our Himalayan paradise home for the next eight nights. We’ll traverse rich lowlands with abundant tea estates, producing what’s often known as the world’s best aromatic tea, crossing several river bridges before arriving in Manebhanjan, where we meet our land rovers and enter Singalila National Park. We will drive up along the dirt road through these enchanting foothill forests for about two to two-and-a-half hours, keeping our eyes open on the way for the likes of two Himalayan Pheasants, the crippling Satyr Tragopan or Khalij A striking male Kalij Pheasant in Singalila National Park © Shantanu Prasad Pheasant, or maybe even our first Red Panda, finally arriving at the Singalila Ridge that separates Sikkim state from Nepal and northern West Bengal state.
Some lucky groups in the past have even seen Leopard Cat, Clouded Leopard or Golden Cat! We will deal with the simple formalities at this remote border crossing as we enter into delightful Nepal. Just across the road is the gate of our magical Himalayan paradise, Habre’s Nest homestay. The marvelous local Nepalese staff will give us a warm welcome and show us to our rooms. The scenic splendor of the Singalila Ridge and verdant foothill forests are truly breath-taking! The mountain ridge runs north-south for about 50 km, connecting the grand Himalaya of Nepal to India and running along the India-Nepal border from Mane Bhanjang to Phalut (and continuing into Sikkim). Clear days offer mouth-watering views of the mighty Himalayan chain stretching from Nepal to Sikkim and Bhutan.
The wonderful facilities at the homestay, which is constructed in a charming Nepali style (typical of the region), include four rooms, each with private bathroom with hot and cold running water, comfortable bedding, and eco-friendly fireplace. Balconies offer exceptional views over forested valleys to distant mountains, affording a stunning sunset view. Common areas include a heated lounge and bar, dining area, library, souvenir shop and power back-up. We will also enjoy the cuisine, a perfect blend of local food Habre’s Nest Nepali style lodgings are as delightful as the lounge and bar. with a western touch. It is © Shantanu Prasad truly a heavenly place!
Nepal & India: Himalayan Paradise, Page 7 NIGHT: Habre’s Nest, Kaiakata
April 17-23, Days 5-11: Exploring the Rich Himalayan Forests in Singalila-Tinchule Reserves. Our trip is perfectly scheduled for a visit during the best time of the year—early spring. We can sit back and enjoy a delightful climate while freshly arriving summer and altitudinal migrants join the hardy resident birds. Better still, they are dressed up in their very best vibrant breeding colors! The dawn chorus will be tremendous, filling the forested hillsides and valleys with mystical calls and beautiful songs. One of the first species to join these magical daily dawn symphonies is the melodic voice of the gorgeous Blue Whistling Thrush.
We will enjoy a superb week of fantastic birding while exploring outstanding species in rich Himalayan forests right at our doorstep. Concentrating our time between Singalila National Park and Tinchuley Forest on both sides of the border, we’ll focus on observing the iconic Red Panda (with professional Panda researchers and Panda trackers) and enjoy terrific birding throughout, with multitudes of sought-after Himalayan targets to keep us all very happy.
This area is a Himalayan birding mecca, with a seemingly endless list of potential magical gems. Simply abounding with exciting Himalayan birds, the lodge list already stands at over 300 species and is still growing! We are wonderfully situated smack-dab in the avian epicenter of the Eastern Himalayas, which are amazingly twice as rich in bird and animal species as sites in the Western Himalayas. Of the songbirds, the stunning Fire- tailed Myzornis is perhaps the most exciting and range restricted. However, we can look forward to many other gems from the skulking Gould’s Shortwing to the retiring and shy, poorly-known Purple Cochoa with its odd melancholy voice, to the mind-blowingly colorful Golden-breasted Fulvetta we hope to encounter while sorting through many exciting mixed-species flocks. Typical of these extremely rich Eastern Himalayan forests is an outrageous diversity of laughingthrushes, with an exceptional nine species occurring here! Laughingthrushes are always a trip favorite—large and colorful—occurring in small, often very vocal parties with beautiful loud songs that the flock leader initiates and the group answers in a noisy chorus. We will have great opportunities to find them all, including the knockout Spotted, Blue-winged, Gray-sided, Striated, Scaly, Black-faced and gorgeous Chestnut-crowned laughingthrush.
Stunning delicate markings of the Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush © Shantanu Prasad
Our daily routine on most days will be to slowly bird along the secluded jeep tracks through the extensive, charming montane forests of the area after a fine early breakfast. Accompanied daily by our local expert bird guide and Red Panda researcher and expert panda trackers (armed with up-to-date information), we will set out to locate and enjoy hopefully multiple panda encounters with what surely has to be one of the world’s cutest and most distinctive animals. After each morning’s excursion, we will return to the lodge for a delightful home
Nepal & India: Himalayan Paradise, Page 8 cooked meal, followed by a relaxed mid-day break before heading out again in the mid-afternoon to bird. We’ll return at dusk for dinner and enjoy going through the exciting day’s bird list.
Exploration will be mostly on foot along a dirt jeep trail through largely untouched, old-growth montane broadleaved evergreen forest, with significant areas of bamboo, secondary growth, and scrub. Waves of beautiful birds sweep by in mixed-species flocks while almost every turn in the road brings another surprise, including multiple rarely-seen and poorly-known Himalayan specialities. We certainly will be able to enjoy many exciting project birds too, in other words, skulkers living within the dense understory. With time on our hands, we will carefully entice many such wonderful surprises out for good views. Examples include incredibly snazzy sought- after chats such as White-tailed Rubythroat, Himalayan Bluetail and Indian Blue Robin; tiny cupwings or wren babblers; and noisy bush-warbler to the wonderfully endearing Chestnut-headed Tesia—a true treasure!
Scenically delightful crystal-clear bubbling mountain streams dissect the dirt roads. This area is home to charming Brown Dippers and pairs of most-cherished forktails, with three of these wonderfully distinct species to delight over: Little, Spotted and at lower elevations Slaty-backed forktail. We also will never get bored with the ever- present Plumbeous Water Redstart or its close cousin the gorgeous White-capped Redstart, while various handsome flycatchers chase insects in sunlit glades at the forest edge.
On some days we will have an earlier pre-dawn breakfast followed by a drive to reach more distant higher altitude sites to enjoy the dawn among a different vegetation and habitat that holds a delightful set of higher elevation species. Open rocky slopes hold mouth-watering Blue-fronted and White-throated redstarts or Blue- capped and Chestnut-bellied rock-thrush. The maximum elevation we will reach within the park to bird will be around 11,000 feet or 3,600 meters.
We will begin our first morning’s birding, concentrating our search for the endearing Red Panda, of course, while enjoying a plethora of magical new birds along the way. These super cute and highly colorful animals are a true delight. Spending most of their lives up in trees, they are very agile and even have a furry foot pad to help walk effortlessly, even on icy branches, and they sleep aloft as well. Red Pandas are the size of a house cat, though their big, bushy tails add an additional 18 inches. The tail is used as a wraparound blanket, which helps in the chilly Himalayan weather, along with their double-layered fur, which also makes them waterproof and therefore incredibly well adapted to deal with harsh winter weather. When foraging, they are mostly a bamboo specialist and an A cute family group of Red Panda by the lodge with mum and her big cubs individual can eat a staggering 20,000 © Shantanu Prasad leaves a day! To help with this task, they possess a unique extended wrist bone that functions almost like a thumb and greatly aids their grip to eat. They are normally solitary except when mating; however, oddly they use a common latrine, which (like a visitor’s log book) contains all the information about other users. Females give birth in the spring and summer, typically to one to four young. Young pandas remain in their nests for about 90 days, during which time their mother cares for them and they remain with her for 18-20 months. Males take little or no interest in their offspring.
Despite their name, Red Pandas aren’t actually closely related to giant pandas, having given taxonomists fits. Currently, research published in 2000 in the journal Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution determined that Red
Nepal & India: Himalayan Paradise, Page 9 Pandas are considered members of their own unique phylogenetic family—the Ailuridae. Taxonomic “infraorder” places them in a group with bears, pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, and walrus), raccoons, and mustelids (weasels, skunks, otters, and badgers). When located, we will be able to enjoy some precious time observing this magnificent creature and their endearing behavior.
Spring in these forests means the slopes are often echoing with the loud, far sounding songs of freshly arrived cuckoos, as males set up to proclaim their territories. The eastern Himalayas are the cuckoo’s epicenter and what an amazing selection awaits us here. We will adore hearing their distinctive, far carrying calls and hopefully locate several species, from Large Hawk-Cuckoo to Indian, Lesser and Common cuckoos to the distinctive Chestnut-winged Cuckoo.
The Himalayan broadleaf forests here are botanically Distinctive male Chestnut-winged Cuckoos often perch on diverse and exciting to explore with a great diversity exposed branches and sing. © Shantanu Prasad of oaks, rhododendrons and particularly magnolia, and include many endemic species including plants of Indomalayan, Indochinese, Himalayan, Eastern Asiatic and even Gondwanan origin. The trees are delightfully decorated by intriguing mosses, delicate lichens and orchids. In fact, there are incredibly over 600 varieties of orchid species in Singalila, the largest concentration in any single geographical area in the world! The forest understory is dominated by lush moss and large areas of bamboo thickets harboring some super cool bamboo specialists. These include much sought-after Slender-billed and White-browed scimitar-babblers (the former with its amazing sickle-shaped bill), the mind blowing Golden-breasted Fulvetta, two piculets (tiny woodpeckers) and of course groups of highly desired parrotbills, which are very well represented here with Great, Brown, Fulvous, commoner Gray-headed and Black-throated parrotbill.
Without doubt our prime avian target is an inconceivably beautiful pheasant, often considered to be one of the most beautiful birds in the world, the incomparable Satyr Tragopan! We stand an exceptionally high chance in these forests of seeing this mind- blowing dream bird for many! Being here during their breeding season is perfect timing. Male Tragopan are vocal at dawn, emitting their deep, far carrying, drawn-out call relentlessly An endearing pair of bamboo specialists – the Black-throated Parrotbill within rhododendron thickets in an attempt © Shantanu Prasad to attract as many females as possible to their lek. Here the male conceals himself behind a rock or fallen log, waiting patiently for a passing female. When a potential mate wanders into view, he ambushes her. Twitching his head, he gradually exposes and inflates his retractable, fleshy, electric blue lappet, and erects and
Nepal & India: Himalayan Paradise, Page 10 waggles his matching blue horns while beating his wings rhythmically, in synchrony with a series of vocal clicks, before rising to his full height, fanning his tail, stretching his wings downwards, and fluffing his crimson-colored feathers to their fullest. The male brandishes this wacky trio of now-you-see-them-now-you-don’t ornaments during his spectacular courtship display that is rooted heavily in the principle of ‘shock and awe.’ If the stunned female sticks around until the end of the show, the male will vault the obstacle and attempt to copulate.
You can be assured we will be paying special attention to try and find this spectacular show, as there has been a known lek near the lodge some years. However, to observe such an incredible display, we will need a lot of great luck. To see this mind-blowing bird, early mornings are our best chance for fabulous encounters with Tragopans, as they often come out to forage on the quiet roads, and occasionally again in the late afternoons. Dawn and dusk are also wonderful times to be birding in the field and often are the best times for exciting mammal encounters. Species most frequently encountered during exploration of these heavenly forests are the delightful Yellow-throated Martin, small Barking Deer, Himalayan Orange-bellied Squirrel, and smaller Siberian Weasel.
Dense vegetation bordering the jeep-tracks harbors such gripping birds as Golden Bush-Robin, Rufous-throated Wren- Babblers, Broad-billed Warbler and several interesting skulky bush warblers too. We will always be on the lookout for the colorful eye-catching Fire-tailed Myzornis (in its own The much sought-after, odd Fire-tailed Myzornis is monotypic genus and tentatively placed in the Old World a very unusual babbler. © Shantanu Prasad babbler), which often converge on flowering rhododendrons or tree-sap, sometimes in the company with the Fire-breasted Sunbird or flocks of blazingly colorful Mrs. Gould’s, Green-tailed or mega Fiery-tailed sunbird.
Our dawn excursions to higher altitudes will be exhilarating as our land rovers exit broadleaf forests, which give way to distinct sub-alpine conifer habitat near the peak of Sandakphu. Here we will begin our search for several super cool higher elevation specialists, such as range-restricted Hoary-throated Barwings. Tree tops are home to Spotted Nutcrakers while the massive Himalayan Vulture glides by and vocal chough flocks overhead may be mobbing a Black or Mountain hawk-eagle. However, by far the most alluring inhabitant here is found within the forest understory, coming out to the edges to feed—the exquisite Blood Pheasant—often found in coveys where males outnumber the The alluring and exquisite Blood Pheasant © Shantanu Prasad drabber females.
Nepal & India: Himalayan Paradise, Page 11 These forests also are home to Red Crossbills (a good split), delightful Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Hodgson’s Treecreeper and cool looking Gray-crested Tit. A fine array of thrushes forage on the forest floor and visit fruiting trees including the distinctive White-collared and Gray-winged blackbirds plus some smaller truly stunning skulky Zoothera species as rare and beautiful Orange-headed or odd Long-billed thrush. Though irregular in their occurrence, some other spectacular finches may also be found here, including sought-after Red-headed Bullfinch; colorful White-winged or Collared grosbeaks; rosefinches like Blanford’s, Dark-breasted and Dark-rumped; splendid Yellow-breasted Greenfinch; and incredible Scarlet, Crimson-browed and beautiful Gold-naped finch. The more open areas can reveal several accentors, including Altai, Robin, Maroon-backed and Rufous-breasted accentor.
The sheer beauty of this dramatic landscape coupled with the vibrant colors of the surrounding forests is truly quite enchanting. Meanwhile, flocks of one of our fastest birds speed by the ridge—the huge White-throated Needletail. Another bonus on clear days is an outstanding Himalayan vista of four of the five highest peaks in the world, including the mightiest of them all—Everest! These mountains, including Kanchenjunga or the Sleeping Buddha, Lhotse and Makalu, form the mighty backbone of the Himalayas, snow-capped year-round.
At this time of the year around here, many species are only found in the large mixed-species flocks, where small birds can be surprisingly numerous and dominated by a variety of tits. Accompanying the various tits are likely to be a variety of noisy laughingthrushes, cuckoo-shrikes, minivets, shrike-babblers, sunbirds, nuthatches, yuhinas or fulvettas. However, with them we may also find Yellow-bellied Fairy-Fantail; various Phylloscopus warblers like Buff-barred, Ashy-throated plus striking Lemon-rumped warbler and Blyth’s Leaf-Warbler; colorful Himalayan Bluetail; and Red-tailed Minlas and Rufous-winged Fulvetta. Hopefully we can chase down the persistently calling diurnal owl—the cute looking Collared Owlet. Woodpeckers including Rufous- bellied and commoner Darjeeling hunt for beetle larva in tree trunks. Himalayan flycatchers abound; interestingly, they are quite unlike the rather drab North American species. Here males are mostly a breathtakingly beautiful mix of two contrasting bold, bright colors and simply a joy to see. We can therefore look forward to enjoying various hues of blues, oranges, whites and turquoises with the likes of several stunners, namely Ultramarine, Sapphire, Verditer, and Blue-throated flycatcher, as well the stunning Large and Rufous-bellied niltavas (flycatchers too). We will fall in love with the colorful and perky chats as their diversity is also outstanding, and cripplers such as White-browed This outstanding two-toned blue/orange combination is commonly and Rufous-breasted bush-robins. found in many Himalayan birds like this magnificent male Rufous- breasted Bush-Robin © Shantanu Prasad We will certainly include a few exciting night excursions during our stay. Incredible starry nights along Singalila Ridge can be mind-blowing and hard not to enjoy! Hopefully we can encounter some cool owls, which could include the impressive and scarce Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl, Tawny Fish-Owl, Brown Wood-Owl, or a Gray Nightjar or two. We’ll always be watching to encounter the eye-shine of a nocturnal mammal! We stand a fair chance of finding the smartly marked Bhutan Giant Flying Squirrel, the largest of all flying squirrels. However, we will require much more luck to find the likes of a Leopard Cat, Himalayan Black Bear, Indochinese Clouded Leopard, Marbled Cat or Asian Golden Cat. All do occur here in small numbers and are seen infrequently by only a lucky few.
During our explorations we should enjoy encounters with some neat reptiles and maybe some amphibians too. Guaranteed will be many intriguing insects and colorful butterflies. Hopefully too, we will locate an active Giant Honey Bee nest which would give us a much better chance at the scare and poorly-known Yellow-rumped
Nepal & India: Himalayan Paradise, Page 12 Honeyguide (famous in Africa for leading people or other mammals to bee hives), as it loves beeswax. It is most closely related to woodpeckers and oddly is a brood parasite here using barbets.
Constantly surrounded by such pristine habitat ensures many exotic and fascinating Himalayan plants and flowers for us to enjoy. This area boasts the greatest diversity of orchids on our planet (over 600 species) and spring is a prime blooming month for them. We will definitely encounter many spectacular orchid species in flower! Commonly found here are Dendrobium, Pleione, and Coelogyne, to name a few genera. Many of these Himalayan orchids have long been cultivated and improved for showiness and therefore are grown with many orchid specialists worldwide like this stunning Rhynchostylis photographed here in its natural habitat. It is related to the popular and fancy Vanda alliance, and its sweet lemony scent is also truly exceptional!
In addition, there is a super photographic blind on-site, affording a special chance of getting both amazing close views and unique images of some of the shier forest birds at close range. Interesting species recorded visiting the feeder and setup include Kalij Pheasant, Oriental Turtle-Dove, Great Barbet, boisterous Yellow- Orchids abound, such as this spectacular show billed Blue Magpie, Yellow-bellied Fairy Fantail, Blue from Rhynchostylis retusa © Shantanu Prasad Whistling-Thrush, White-collared Blackbird, White-browed Shortwing, Black Bulbul, Spotted and Scaly laughingthrushes, Rusty-cheeked and Slender-billed scimitar- babblers, White-browed and Golden-breasted fulvettas, and Common Rosefinch, amongst others. It is also a good spot to observe raptors such as Shikra, Besra or Crested Goshawk. Incredibly, sometimes even Red Panda or Tragopan have been observed here or in the lodge garden!
A stunning male White-browed Shortwing Hillsides are ablaze with blooming Rhododendron flowers offering nectar © Shantanu Prasad for sunbirds and others like this White-browed Fulvetta. © Shantanu Prasad
NIGHTS: Habre’s Nest, Kaiakata
Nepal & India: Himalayan Paradise, Page 13 April 24, Day 12: Leaving Habre’s Nest and Birding the Darjeeling Lowlands at Latpanchar Reserve. We’ll have an early start this morning for an exciting, action-packed day of birding. Reluctantly, we must leave our Himalayan paradise and say goodbye to our wonderful Nepalese hosts who have taken such exceptional care of us. Armed with picnic lunch, we’ll begin retracing our route, descending through the impressive forests, always keeping an eye open for any special mammals. One exciting birding stop is planned en route to try and find the extremely unique wren-size Spotted Elachura. This species hit the news when genetic studies in 2014 published evidence confirming it was in fact very distinct from any babblers (used to be called Spotted Wren-Babbler). Apparently, it diverged early with no other close living relatives, leading to the creation of a new family, Elachuridae! So, for any of you collecting world bird families this is HOT! In this same area we should also look out for Himalayan Salamander.
On arrival in Mane Bhanjang, we will drive another two hours or so, keeping a look out along the way for wild Indian Elephant, which can still be encountered in this region. Also, amazingly, even Leopard still roams! The Latpanchar area is within the more extensive Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary (covers 160 km²). It contains delightful, mature foothill forest and is a birders’ paradise, offering us an exciting new set of birds.
Birding will again be along another winding jeep track with minimal traffic through thick lush forests. Our main target here is the exceptional Rufous-necked Hornbill, endangered and extremely localized with a few pairs nesting here.
The park is considered the most important bird watching sanctuary in Bengal, and the bird list is around 250 species, so we have many more delightful new species to look forward to. The bizarre sound (reminiscent of a chuffing A majestic pair of Rufous-necked Hornbills at Latpanchar © Shantanu Prasad steam train) will alert us to our close proximity to our target hornbills in flight, including the Great Hornbill. These forests are also home to another huge monster, this time in the form of a squirrel, the largest in the world at up to almost 2 feet—the lovely Malayan Giant Squirrel—mostly found in the canopy, and we really do hope to find it. Several interesting raptors here include the odd lethargic Black Baza and tiny Collared Falconet, both often perched around forest clearings, while Crested Serpent or Rufous- bellied Eagle are mostly encountered soaring over the forested valleys. Many special and dazzling sought-after birds await us here. Colorful barbets are often well camouflaged in the greenery of the mid- story, like the Blue-throated and Blue-eared barbet, most often heard long before seen. We will hope to encounter a group or pair of the odd looking Himalayan Cutia moving through the dead, moss covered branches above us or a boldly patterned Silver-eared Mesia. A few species that jump out of the pages at you are the bi-colored Blue- bearded Bee-eater, multi-colored Long-tailed Broadbill (which may still be in loose flocks) and the striking black-and-yellow Sultan Tit.
Flocks may also produce Gray Treepie, cuckoo-shrikes, Blue-capped Rock-Thrush, awesome Maroon Oriole, Rufous Sibia, White-bellied Erpornis or Gray-cheeked Warblers. Of course, another of the other highly sought-after species here is the impressive looking Red-headed The impressive Red-headed Trogon is another treasure here. © Shantanu Prasad
Nepal & India: Himalayan Paradise, Page 14 Trogon. Due to its behavior, often silently perching motionless, hunting in the mid-story, means we will have to keep our eyes peeled for this true gem.
We’ll aim to arrive at our delightful hotel on a hill overlooking Siliguri in the early evening. The bustling town of Siliguri is located on the banks of the Mahananda River at the foothills of the Himalayas. We’ll enjoy a wonderful dinner and rest after a long exciting day of birding.
NIGHT: Sinclairs Hotel, Siliguri
April 25, Day 13: Morning Birding at Latpanchar with Afternoon Flight to New Delhi and Connections Homeward. Today we plan to arrive as early as possible back at Latpanchar for another excellent morning birding these fabulous forests, paying particular attention to any of the most-wanted species not encountered yesterday as well as new species such as the phenomenal-looking Common Green Magpie, Crested Kingfisher, and Asian Emerald Cuckoo. Green pigeons are the rock stars of the mid and upper reaches of the forest, including Pin-tailed, Thick-billed or Wedge-tailed green pigeon, while Emerald Dove are mostly terrestrial. These deep woods are home to skulkers like both Slaty-bellied and Gray-bellied tesias; even Indian or Blue-naped pitta is rarely found here, while in the mid-story Orange-bellied Leafbird, Hairy-crested Drongo, Striated Spiderhunter, several dazzling minivets, Crimson or Purple sunbirds and spiffing woodpeckers such as both Greater and Lesser Yellownape, Lesser and Greater Goldenbacks to the magical Velvet-fronted Nuthatch are often in mixed- species flocks. Exotic colored Common Green Magpie © Shantanu Prasad
We’ll arrive back at our hotel by late morning with time to shower before lunch. Midafternoon we will transfer the short distance to Bagdogra airport to catch our afternoon flight returning to New Delhi. On arrival we will be met by a representative of our ground agent and transferred to the Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi Airport. Transfers for participants not continuing to our India’s Corbett National Park extension will be provided for flights late tonight or on April 26.
NIGHT: Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi Airport, New Delhi
April 26, Day 14:Arrival Home. For participants not continuing on the extension, international flights that departed New Delhi the previous evening or this morning will arrive in the USA today.
Nepal & India: Himalayan Paradise, Page 15
INDIA’S CORBETT NATIONAL PARK EXTENSION TO NEPAL & INDIA: HIMALAYAN PARADISE APRIL 24-MAY 2, 2022
Our northern India extension offers some of the finest birding and thrilling mammal-watching in the world, set amidst superb scenery. Cradled in the foothills of the Himalayas, Jim Corbett National Park was established in 1936 and is widely considered one of the finest reserves in the Indian subcontinent. The park is home to the iconic Bengal Tiger (which we have an excellent chance to see during our jeep safaris) along with countless avian delights. Boasting close to 600 species on the park’s bird list—it’s truly a birders’ paradise, with an incredible woodpecker diversity and unsurpassed for raptors, with 50 species recorded! The delightful Kosi River and its rich foothill forests combined results in a mega avian diversity and outstanding birding. For many, this will be the India you have always dreamed of— gentle, sunlit days in true wilderness made extra magical by some of earth's most charismatic creatures. There are just some places one has to visit in a lifetime, and India is certainly one of them. This classic tract of wild northern India has a special beauty that is vividly described in ‘The Man- Eaters of Kumaon’ and other books by Jim Corbett. Our exciting tour begins with two nights in an idyllic setting overlooking the pristine Khosi River Valley bordering the park in the delightful Den Corbett Resort, followed by four nights deep within the heart of the magnificent Corbett National Park at Dikhala Forest Rest House. This is Tiger-country personified, and although finding this most magnificent of all cats is never easy, our chances here are extremely high, especially as we planned for the best time of year for Tigers. (As their water sources have diminished, they will be concentrated close to any remaining water.)
The magnificent Bengal Tiger © Nachiketa Bajaj/Shutterstock
Our introduction to the mega bird diversity of this delightful foothill region will be along the picturesque Kosi River (bordering the national park), which drains the northern slopes of the
Nepal & India: Himalayan Paradise, Page 16 Himalayas of Tibet and the southern slopes in Nepal. From our idyllic base with magnificent views overlooking the river, we will enjoy the birdy forested grounds and flower gardens. Exploring the scenic river with its vibrant forests and strolling through its dry forest along trails will reward us with a completely different mix of avian delights than in Corbett. Birds abound and we can enjoy the likes of localized Tawny Fish-Owl; Rufous-bellied Eagle and River Lapwing to the mighty Great Slaty Woodpecker; colorful barbets, Crested Kingfisher, enigmatic Brown Dipper, odd Rufous Treepie, delightful Chestnut-headed Tesia and skulky Nepal Cupwing; Spotted and Little forktail, stunning redstarts, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch and Orange-bellied Leafbird; noisy White-crested Laughingthrush to the unusual Yellow-bellied Fairy-fantail to scintillating Little Niltava or spectacular Crimson Sunbird, to name just a few.
Corbett National Park occupies a vast 520 square km and is so much more than just birds, with over 50 species of mammals and 25 reptiles recorded within the reserve. Without doubt a tour highlight will be our magical days based in the heart of Corbett's wilderness at Dhikala Forest Lodge, surrounded by abundant wildlife and splendid views over the picturesque, seasonal Ramganga Lake. The Ramganga River (which drains into the might Ganges) dissects the park, which offers an incredible array of rich and exciting habitats for us to explore—from vast tracts of open grasslands & The endangered Gharial © Machiel Valkenburg deciduous forests to dense jungle. Our visit is perfectly timed (towards the end of the dry season), meaning water birds should abound with large congregations along lakes and rivers, which are home to the most peculiar and endangered Gharial (a long thin-snouted croc).
Mammals abound in the park, which shelters a healthy population of magnificent Bengal Tigers, herds of wild Asian Elephants and many deer species, even the odd-looking Sloth Bear, Dhole (wild dogs), strikingly marked Yellow-throated Marten, Jungle Cat and Indian Leopard. Safari game excursions from the comfort of our open-topped jeeps will offer us a tremendous plethora of iconic colorful birds & mammals to enjoy. It’s often said that any wildlife trip to India is incomplete if you have not visited Dhikala Forest Lodge. Birding here is truly unsurpassed, from the sheer number of rather tame and approachable birds, to the wealth and variety of species which seems almost inexhaustible: astounding and gigantic Great Hornbills, Black Francolin, Kalij Pheasant, Pallas’s and Lesser fish- eagles, Collared Falconet, Black-necked Stork, exotic Plum-headed Parakeet, Spot-bellied Fish-Owl, Himalayan Flameback, Greater Yellownape, Crested Treeswift, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Indian Pitta, Asian Emerald Dove, Little Pratincole, colorful minivets, Maroon Oriole, Common Green Magpie, fabulous Himalayan Rubythroat, Golden-fronted Leafbird, distinct Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-Babbler, the exquisite Red-billed Blue Magpie, and many more.
India is certainly filled with contrasts and color; it is a visual feast with something indefinable which makes westerners who have been lucky enough to experience its magic yearn to return.
April 24-25, Day 1-2: Fly USA to India and New Delhi. Participants continuing from Nepal: Himalayan Paradise will arrive in New Delhi on the afternoon of April 25th after flying in from Bagdogra. For participants joining us just for India’s Corbett National Park extension, most flights from the United States connect with flights bound
Nepal & India: Himalayan Paradise, Page 17 for New Delhi and typically arrive late in the evening. If time permits, we suggest arriving a day early to allow for potential flight delays and to be well rested. VENT will be happy to assist with additional lodging arrangements and transfers should you choose to arrive prior to April 25. Upon arriving at New Delhi’s Indira Ghandi International Airport (airport code DEL), you will be met by a representative of our ground agent and transferred to our comfortable hotel where a room will be reserved in your name.
We will all meet at 7:00 p.m. on April 25, in the hotel restaurant for our introduction and tour briefing, followed by dinner. NIGHT (April 24): Overnight flight in transit NIGHT (April 25): Radisson Blu Plaza, New Delhi
April 26, Day 3: Drive New Delhi to Jim Corbett National Park Border and Kosi River. After an early breakfast before departing New Delhi, our exciting journey begins as we head to our destination, the scenically stunning Kosi River bordering Corbett National Park. Corbett was India’s first and is known as its finest national park, cradled in the lush foothills of the Himalayas, approximately 300 km northeast of New Delhi. The delightful Kosi River drains the northern slopes of the Himalayas in Tibet and the southern slopes in Nepal. We travel today across the vast Gangetic Plain, the very core of Hindu India and the most populous part of this nation’s over one billion people. In addition to providing plenty of opportunity for seeing a good cross section of open country birds, the journey provides a fascinating window on the life of everyday India. The sheer mass of humanity and the ensuing congestion has to be seen to be believed. Every imaginable form of transport including buses, trucks, motorized and cycle rickshaws, bullock carts, camels, even the occasional elephant, together with teeming numbers of pedestrians, cram on to roads designed for traffic of one hundred years ago. Mud-walled villages and reservoirs simply teem with birds, while women gracefully adorned in brightly colored silk saris collect buffalo dung to be dried and used as cooking fuel. This is another world that never fails to totally overwhelm the first- time visitor. Perhaps one of the most salutary impressions is that birds are everywhere; truly a tribute to the Hindu reverence for animal life!
We will make a stop on the banks of the famous Ganges River where funeral pyres may be seen in the distance while Ruddy Shelduck and gulls and terns inhabit the river itself. Eventually we will reach the magnificent Kosi River and our delightful resort, nestled within thirteen acres of verdant forest with magnificent views overlooking the river. The hotel grounds and lovely flower gardens offer an ideal late afternoon birding introduction to the region’s rich and exciting avifauna. Some of the more widespread species should include Long-tailed Minivet, Black-hooded Oriole, White-throated Fantail, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Common Green Magpie, and Coppersmith Barbet. Mixed species insectivorous flocks can hold Gray-headed Canary-Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Fairy- Fantail, Oriental White-eye, Bar-tailed Treecreeper, Velvet-fronted and Indian nuthatch, flocks of noisy White- crested Laughingthrush, flashes of color from an Indian Golden Oriole, and exquisite Orange-bellied Leafbird. We will spend our first two nights in this delightful idyllic setting.
NIGHT: The Den Corbett Resort, Uttarakhand
April 27, Day 4: Birding the Rich Kosi River Outside Corbett National Park. Our accommodations make for a perfect base, allowing us to fully explore the delightful Kosi River and its woodland habitats. High on our list will be the range-restricted River Lapwing while hopefully we will get lucky as on previous tours and locate a roosting Tawny or Brown fish-owl.
Raptors may include Mountain Hawk-Eagle, White-eyed Buzzard or the cool looking Rufous-bellied Eagle. The gushing waters of the Kosi are home to the wonderful Crested and Pied kingfishers while also offering us some cool song birds too, such as the delightful Little and Slaty-backed forktails, striking White-browed Wagtail and the charismatic Brown Dipper. A stunning line up of colorful insectivores awaits as they adore the rich food these riverine habitats provide, with such greats as the scintillating Little and Rufous-bellied niltava. We will also target some forest gems too, which could include the wondrous Himalayan Rubythroat, cute Chestnut-headed Tesia and range restricted Nepal Cupwing (or Wren-babbler).
Nepal & India: Himalayan Paradise, Page 18 Other species today might include Asian Barred Owlet, Greater Flameback, Greater Yellownape, Red-rumped Swallow, lovely Blue-whistling Thrush, Blue Rock Thrush, Black-chinned Babbler, the delicate Little Pied Flycatcher, and Himalayan or Black bulbuls. Mixed flocks could hold Hairy-crested Drongos, Black-crested Bulbul, Black-throated Bushtits, cool looking Blue-winged Minlas, Whiskered Yuhina or Bar-winged Flycatcher- shrike.
NIGHT: The Den Corbett Resort, Uttarakhand
April 28, Day 5: Birding Our Way into the Famous Corbett National Park. The stillness of dawn is broken by the raucous bugle of an advertising peacock as the mists part to reveal another fantastic day in paradise. Eerie skeleton- like drowned trees host Lesser Fishing-Eagles and snake-birds more commonly known as Asian Darters, while nearby rivers are home to impressive Crested Kingfishers, Plumbeous and White-capped redstarts, and the quintessential Himalayan inhabitant, Brown Dipper.
Corbett and its scenically spectacular Himalayan foothills encompass an area more than 200 square miles with majestic mature Sal forest covering rolling hills (ranging in elevation from 1,300 to 3,970 feet), and with expansive native grasslands occupying a series of ridges centered around the Ramganga River. The dam, which now forms Ramganga Lake at the park’s western boundary, is a wildlife haven attracting good numbers of large mammals including Asian Elephant, Spotted Deer, Sambar and Wild Boar, in addition to their attendant predators Dhole (Wild Dogs), Leopard and the magnificent Tiger. This classic tract of wild India has a special beauty that is vividly described in ‘The Maneaters of Kumaon’ and other books by Jim Corbett.
After an early breakfast we will board our open-topped jeeps and bird our way into our accommodation deep within Corbett National Park, arriving there in time for lunch after initially following the Khosi River downstream to the town of Ramnagar. We may enjoy a group of noisy and enigmatic White-throated Laughingthrush. Certainly as the morning warms, we will be alert for birds of prey as this river valley can turn up almost anything! From the Khosi River we will head into the national park proper and commence our exploration of this magnificent area. Without doubt birds will proliferate and we should encounter several striking game birds such as amazing Indian Peafowl (the country’s national bird), wild Red Junglefowl and the delightful Kalij Pheasant, which often allow close approach and excellent photographic opportunities from the comfort of our jeeps.
Spotted and colorful Common Emerald doves flush off the roadside as we enjoy several of the commoner park species as well as expect a few surprises too. Raptors could include Crested Serpent Eagle or Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Shikra, Black-winged Kite, Collared Falconet, Oriental Honey Buzzard or the massive Cinereous Vulture. Widespread are Red-wattled Lapwing, Oriental Pied or Indian Gray hornbill, Spotted Owlet, Gray-headed or Streak-throated woodpeckers, Himalayan and Greater flamebacks, flocks of noisy Plum-headed and Red-breasted parakeet, Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Asian Koel, and Lineated Barbet. Several striking and enigmatic species could include Chestnut-headed or (Asian) Green bee-eaters, popular Eurasian Hoopoe, Black-hooded Oriole, the bizarre Rufous Treepie, Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, Great Coucal, or with luck, the gorgeous Indian Roller.
Our well positioned Dhikala Lodge overlooks the attractive, seasonal Ramganga Lake, where at dawn or dusk, ripples in a secluded bay may reveal a group of Smooth Otter fishing. Sleeping here gives us the Raptors abound like Crested Serpent Eagle freedom to be close to the wildlife every morning from the break of © Machiel Valkenburg dawn and we will take great advantage of this. A strict control on the numbers of people allowed to enter into the park, especially here, means we may often find ourselves alone in
Nepal & India: Himalayan Paradise, Page 19 safari jeeps enjoying some incredible observations. A protected compound allows us to safely bird around the lodge (if one can just not get enough), or one can enjoy a relaxing siesta in your room during the hottest time of the day.
As temperatures begin to ease, we will take our first official game drive in our own safari jeeps in search of the king of the forest, the Bengal Tiger, while enjoying abundant and exciting birds and other fauna. Within the park we are forbidden to get out of the jeeps except in designated areas. Large footprints of a passing Tiger are often encountered in the sandy roads, offering a quick lesson why this rule is enforced! After a wonderful variety of different birds and wildlife this afternoon, we will return to our lodge. Certainly the number of new bird species today will have been almost overwhelming, confirming just why Corbett is often described as a birder’s paradise.
NIGHT: Dhikala Forest Rest House, Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand
April 29-30, Days 6-7: Birding Corbett National Park.
During our exciting days of exploration in the park, we will be flexible on timings of our morning and afternoon jeep safaris, which will be a true highlight. Photographic opportunities will be plenty. Due to the Hindu respect for all nature and no hunting, the wildlife here is often extremely approachable like the incredible Asian Elephants. Some mornings we will certainly be offering an optional pre-dawn trip before returning for breakfast. Our three full days exploring this extraordinary rich park will give us excellent opportunities to observe and enjoy all that is offered. Past tours have had excellent luck with daytime studies of the sought after and impressive Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl.
“I do not know how the close proximity of a tiger reacts on others, but for me it is always with a breathless feeling” Jim Corbett in “The Maneaters of Kumaon”
The incomparable Bengal Tiger is of course one of our main safari targets. These truly giant cats are renowned for their sheer power, incredible strength and, of course, their striking, charismatic, striped coloration pattern. Bengal tigers, especially males, can grow to great sizes – nearly 11 feet long – and can weigh as much as 660 pounds. Tigers use their distinctive coats as camouflage (no two have exactly the same stripes). They lie in wait and creep close enough to attack their victims with a quick spring and a fatal pounce. A Bengal Tiger is able to
Bengal Tiger © Machiel Valkenburg take down prey that is twice its size such as the Gaur (also known as Indian bison) but it usually chooses prey that is about its own size or smaller, including deer such as Spotted or Wild Boar. At approximately 4 inches long, the
Nepal & India: Himalayan Paradise, Page 20 Bengal Tiger has the largest canine teeth of any living cat, and their retractable claws are perfect for climbing trees. They are great swimmers too. Females give birth to litters of two to six cubs, which they raise with little or no help from the male. Cubs cannot hunt until they are 18 months old and remain with their mothers for two to three years, when they disperse to find their own territory.
The Park hosts an impressive bird list of close to 600 species including many northern Indian and western Himalayan species, enough options for even the most hardened lister. Our days here will be filled with many new and exciting sights and sounds. Some of the raptors we hope to encounter here include the magnificent but increasingly rare Pallas’s Fish-Eagle, noisy Lesser Fish-Eagle, smart Rufous-bellied or Bonelli’s eagles, and Red-headed or gigantic Himalayan vulture. Black Francolin, a real snappy looking game bird that is best seen at dawn when the male calls, can be heard from a great distance from exposed perches or higher ground at the edge of the grassland.
Dominant and impressive Sal woodlands are home to Rusty-cheeked Scimitar- Babbler, Red Turtle-Dove, Lesser Coucal, Slaty-headed and possibly Blue-bearded Bee-eater © Machiel Valkenburg Alexandrine parakeets, Crested Treeswift, Brown Fish-Owl, Jungle Owlet, and with a bit of luck, we may find the rather sparsely distributed skulky Long-billed Thrush, or Blue-bearded Bee-eater – quite unlike any bee-eater you have ever encountered!
We hopefully can marvel over the song of White- rumped Shama or be astonished by a flock of gigantic Great Hornbill! An exotic palate of colors are guaranteed with Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, Blue- throated and Coppersmith barbets, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Purple Sunbird, dazzling flocks of Scarlet or Long-tailed minivets, and glorious Indian Pitta.
Water courses, lakes and idyllic rocky streams in the park could hold handsome Painted, Black-necked or Woolly-necked storks; Asian Openbill; Black- headed Ibis; Eurasian Spoonbill; Indian Pond Heron; Eurasian Thick-knee; perhaps even the elusive Great Thick-knee; delicate Small Pratincole; and River Terns. In addition to mammals already mentioned, our game safaris may include Jungle or The astounding Great Hornbill © Teekayu/Shutterstock Fishing cats, Sloth and Himalayan Black Bears, Golden Jackal, strikingly marked Yellow-throated Marten, Indian Gray Mongoose, Common Porcupine, Ghoral—a strange goat-antelope, endangered Hog Deer, Northern Red Muntjac, playful Rhesus Macaque, or a group of the elegant Tarai Gray Langur.
Mixed species flocks can also be a delight, containing as many as 30 Himalayan species, including the likes of Common Iora, Black-crested and Ashy bulbuls, Himalayan Black-lored Tits, Chestnut-bellied and Velvet-fronted nuthatches, Oriental White-eye, Large Wood-Shrike, Large Cuckoo-shrike, mouth-watering Maroon Oriole, and Hair- crested Drongo as well as less common species such as magnificent Red-billed Leiothrix or Blue-winged Minla. With luck, we may be treated to the cosmic kaleidoscope of colors of a Long-tailed Broadbill or the unique colors of a delightful Rufous Treepie.
Nepal & India: Himalayan Paradise, Page 21 Woodpeckers could include Gray-headed, Fulvous-breasted and Gray-capped as well as another chance for highly sought after Great Slaty. Although impossible to cover all the neat species we could encounter, some will include Green-billed Malkoha, Chestnut-capped Babbler, amazing Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher, Rufous-gorgeted and Slaty-blue flycatchers, Gray-breasted Prinia, Whistler’s Warbler, Indian Robin, Gray-winged Blackbird, Little and Black-backed forktails, Long-tailed shrikes, Chestnut-tailed and Spot-winged starlings, Jungle and Bank myna, Gray Treepies, or Crested Buntings.
One night we will offer a pre-dawn or after dinner owling session at our lodge enclosure for Brown Hawk-Owls, Jungle Owlet or with luck, even a Large-tailed or Savanna nightjar.
The immense grasslands are favored for grazing by herds of Asian Elephant and many other ungulates but we will also be looking for stunning Red Avadvat, Yellow- Rufous Treepie © Machiel Valkenburg breasted Greenfinch, Yellow-eyed Babblers, munias, weavers, Indian Silverbill, attractive Common Rosefinch, Russet Sparrow and Indian Bush-lark. Let’s not forget the odd, sometimes skulky, old world warblers, both Zitting and Golden-headed cisticolas, and with luck, we could even pin down a rare Aberrant Bush-Warbler. Blue skies overhead will be graced by Streak-throated or Red- rumped swallows, White-rumped Spinetail or Himalayan Swifts. We could even enjoy the antics of a charming White-throated Kingfisher to the backdrop of a breath-taking sunset! For many, this will be the India you have always dreamed of—gentle, sunlit days in true wilderness made magical by some of earth's most charismatic creatures.
The White-throated Kingfisher © Andrew Whittaker NIGHTS: Dhikala Forest Rest House, Corbett National Park
May 1-2, Days 8-9: Birding Corbett Early AM; Returning To New Delhi and Connections Homebound. After a final early morning birding in the park, we reluctantly must leave Corbett’s paradise and say goodbye to our wonderful hosts and jeep drivers who have taken such exceptional care of us. Armed with picnic lunch, we’ll begin retracing the route back to the bustling capital New Delhi, planning to arrive in our comfortable hotel in the late afternoon, with time to shower up and refresh ourselves and do any repacking for our homebound flights. Transfers will be provided for international flights either later tonight or on May 2.
NIGHT (May 1): Radisson Blu Plaza, New Delhi
TOUR SIZE: Each tour segment will be limited to 8 participants.
TOUR LEADER: Andrew Whittaker with the assistance of local guides
Nepal & India: Himalayan Paradise, Page 22 Andrew Whittaker, a senior member of the VENT staff, has led VENT tours since 1993 throughout South and Central America, Antarctica, Europe, Israel, and, more recently, Africa and Asia. His birding passion began at the early age of seven (thanks to his parents). Andy is also a true all-around naturalist and loves sharing his intimate bird knowledge and fascination for all aspects of the natural world in a fun and enthusiastic way. Andy was born in England; however, he considers himself Brazilian, having lived more than 30 years in this mega biodiverse country, first working for the Smithsonian Institution, studying Amazonian rainforest birds in Manaus. Andy is a qualified ringer/bander trained by the late Dr. Clive Minton (fondly known as the father of shorebird/wader studies). A lifelong fascination with bird migration has seen Andy working around the globe at several top bird observatories: Eilat, Israel; Long Point, Canada; and in the UK at Sandwich Bay and on Fair Isle, Scotland, as well as researching shorebirds in Borneo in Sabah. Andy is well recognized for his passionate and intimate knowledge of bird vocalizations and taxonomy, which has enabled him to discover several new species (such as the Cryptic Forest- Falcon in 2002) and rediscover others thought to be extinct. He is an excellent communicator and tour organizer and loves nothing better than finding and sharing a rare skulker, or telling one of his many fascinating and fun bird and travel stories. Andy had the honor of working with Sir David Attenborough in Brazil as a consultant for the prestigious BBC Life of Birds series. He is widely considered an authority on Amazonian birds, having authored numerous technical publications on the region’s avifauna. At present, Andy is working with Kevin Zimmer on a comprehensive field guide to the birds of Brazil to be published by Princeton University Press. Andy is an associate researcher at the Museum Goeldi, Belem and an active conservationist. He loves photography (with many of his images being used in books) and is an avid football fan of Birmingham City FC and an orchid lover. Andy lives with his partner in life, Jaqueline, and their dog, Mozart, in Porto Alegre, southern Brazil.
FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS: The fee for the main tour is $5,895 per person in double occupancy from New Delhi. This includes all meals from lunch on Day 3 to dinner on Day 13. The fee for the extension is $2,995 per person in double occupancy. Both sections include accommodations as stated in the itinerary, ground transportation during the tour, internal airfare, gratuities, and guide services provided by the tour leaders. It does not include airfare from your home to New Delhi and return, airport departure taxes, alcoholic beverages, special gratuities, phone calls, laundry, or items of a personal nature. Rates are based upon group tariffs; if the tour does not have sufficient registration, a small-party supplement may have to be charged.
The single supplement for the main tour is $2,100 The single supplement for the extension is $525. NOTE: Single rooms cannot be guaranteed at Habre’s Nest (main tour Days 4-11). If a single room is not available, this portion of the single supplement will be refunded to you following the tour.
REGISTRATION & DEPOSIT: To register for these tours, please contact the VENT office. The deposit for each section is $1,000 per person. If you prefer to pay your deposit using a credit card, the deposit must be made with MasterCard or Visa at the time of registration. If you would like to pay your deposit by check, money order, or bank transfer, your tour space will be held for 10 days to allow time for the VENT office to receive your deposit and completed registration form. The VENT registration form (available from the VENT office or by download at https://ventbird.com) should be completed, signed, and returned to the VENT office.
PAYMENTS: All tour payments may be made by credit card (MasterCard or Visa), check, money order, or bank transfer (contact the VENT office for bank transfer information). These include initial deposits, second deposits, interim payments, final balances, special arrangements, etc. Full payment of the tour fee is due 150 days prior to the tour departure date (November 14, 2021 for the main tour; November 25, 2021 for the extension).
MEDICAL EVACUATION INSURANCE REQUIREMENT: This tour visits remote locations where immediate access to primary medical care may NOT be available. For this reason, travel insurance which covers you for emergency evacuation is required for participation on this tour. This coverage is included in the Ripcord Rescue Travel InsuranceTM program. Through Ripcord, “emergency evacuation” can be purchased
Nepal & India: Himalayan Paradise, Page 23 as a stand-alone benefit or as part of a comprehensive travel insurance policy. If you choose not to purchase insurance through Ripcord, you are required to obtain it through another provider.
CANCELLATION & REFUNDS:
Cancellation by Participant: Refunds, if any, for any cancellation by a participant are made according to the following schedule: If participant cancels 180 days or more before the tour departure date, a cancellation fee of $500 per person will be charged unless the deposit is transferred to a new registration for another VENT tour that will operate within the next 12 months, in which case the cancellation fee will be $100 per person. If cancellation is made between 179 and 151 days before departure date, the deposit is not refundable, but any payments covering the balance of the tour fee will be refunded. If cancellation is made fewer than 150 days before departure date, no refund is available. This policy and fee schedule also applies to pre- and post-tour extensions. For participants’ protection, we strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance that covers trip cancellation/interruption.
If participant cancels: Participant’s refund will be: 180 days or more before departure date Participant’s deposit minus $500* 179 to 151 days before departure date No refund of the deposit, but any payments on the balance of the tour fee will be refunded 150 days or less before departure date No refund available
*Unless the deposit is transferred to a new registration for another VENT tour that will operate within the next 12 months, in which case the cancellation fee will be $100 per person. To qualify, cancellation must occur 180 days or more before departure date; deposit transfers must be made at the time of cancellation; and one transfer per deposit.
Cancellation by VENT: If VENT cancels a tour prior to departure without cause or good reason, VENT will provide the participant a full refund, which will constitute full settlement to the participant.
If VENT cancels or delays a tour or any portion of a tour as a result of any Force Majeure event, VENT will use its reasonable best efforts to refund any payments on the balance of the tour fee to participant; provided that, VENT will have no obligation to provide a participant with a refund and will not be liable or responsible to a participant, nor be deemed to have defaulted under or breached any applicable agreement, for any failure or delay in fulfilling or performing any term of such agreement. A “Force Majeure” event means any act beyond VENT’s control, including, without limitation, the following: (a) acts of God; (b) flood, fire, earthquake, hurricane, epidemic, pandemic or explosion; (c) war, invasion, hostilities (whether war is declared or not), terrorist threats or acts, riot or other civil unrest; (d) government order, law or actions; (e) embargoes or blockades; (f) national or regional emergency; (g) strikes, labor stoppages, labor slowdowns or other industrial disturbances; (h) shortage of adequate power or transportation facilities; and (i) any other similar events or circumstances beyond the control of VENT.
This VENT Cancellation & Refunds policy does not apply to air tickets purchased through VENT or to any special arrangements, such as additional hotel nights, that fall outside of the services described in the tour itinerary.
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours is not a participant in the California Travel Consumer Restitution Fund. California law requires certain sellers of travel to have a trust account or bond. This business has a bond issued by Travelers in the amount of $50,000. CST #2014998-50.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: To safeguard against losses due to illness, accident, or other unforeseen circumstances, we strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance as soon as possible after making a deposit. VENT has partnered with Redpoint Travel Protection as our preferred travel insurance provider. Through Redpoint, we recommend their Ripcord plan. Designed for all types of travelers, Ripcord is among the most comprehensive travel protection programs available.
Nepal & India: Himalayan Paradise, Page 24 Critical benefits of Ripcord include a completely integrated program with a single contact for emergency services, travel assistance, and insurance claims; medical evacuation and rescue services from your point of injury or illness to your hospital of choice; comprehensive travel insurance for trip cancellation/interruption, primary medical expense coverage, and much more. Optional expanded insurance coverage is available and includes items such as security evacuation coverage in case of a natural disaster or other security events, waiver for pre-existing medical conditions exclusion, and a “Cancel for Any Reason” benefit. Ripcord is available to U.S. and non- U.S. residents.*
For a price quote, or to purchase travel insurance, please visit: ripcordtravelprotection.com/ventbird; or click the Ripcord logo on our website (click Help and Trip Insurance); or call +1-415-481-0600. Pricing is based on age, trip cost, trip length, and level of coverage.
*To be eligible for the pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver and the optional Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) upgrade, you must purchase your policy within 14 days of making your tour deposit. The CFAR benefit provides reimbursement for 75% of covered costs, and increases the policy premium by approximately 50%. Policies may be purchased either for the full value of the tour fee at the time of deposit or in segments as individual tour payments are made (deposit, mid-payment, final balance, additional arrangements, etc.). The “pay as you go” approach reduces up-front expense and ensures that the amount paid toward your full policy premium is in proportion to the amount paid toward the full tour fee. If you choose to “pay as you go,” you must cover each deposit or payment within 14 days in order to maintain the CFAR benefit. Please refer to the policy for a full description of coverage.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): The coronavirus pandemic has brought uncertainty for many people currently holding travel insurance policies or who are considering future travel and purchasing such insurance. Redpoint has added a Coronavirus FAQ page to its website that addresses questions and concerns regarding its travel insurance and the impact of COVID-19. We strongly recommend that you visit the page for an overview of topics such as policy coverage and limitations, policy modifications, cancellation, refunds, and more. Among the most important points: 1) Trip cancellation solely for concern or fear of travel associated with COVID-19 is not covered; 2) Should you request cancellation of your policy, a full refund of your premium is available only under a limited set of conditions; and 3) Should you request cancellation, you may be eligible to receive a pro-rated refund of the unused portion of your premium or a travel insurance credit. Travel insurance credit (“Premium Credit”) is for the value of the policy purchased and may be applied to future policies. Premium Credits have no expiration dates. Rules and regulations apply.
Please visit the Coronavirus FAQ page at the following link: https://redpointtravelprotection.com/covid_19_faq/
Additionally, as countries begin opening up for travel, many are instituting an array of COVID-19 entry requirements, including mandates to purchase travel insurance covering medical expenses due to COVID-19 Illness and accommodation in case of quarantine. Ripcord’s comprehensive travel insurance plans are designed to satisfy the various country-specific travel insurance entry requirements. Those who purchase a Ripcord policy will receive a “letter of confirmation” that affirms that the policy satisfies such requirements.
EXCHANGE RATE SURCHARGES: In the erratic global financial markets of today, it is difficult to predict foreign currency exchange rates over the long term or at the time of operation of a tour or cruise departure. Tour prices are based upon the rate of exchange at the time of itinerary publication. If exchange rates change drastically, it may be necessary to implement a surcharge. If a surcharge is necessary, every effort will be made to minimize the amount. In many cases, these additional foreign exchange rate surcharges are passed to VENT by its vendors and suppliers.
FUEL AND FUEL SURCHARGES: In the uncertain, often volatile oil market of late, it is difficult – if not impossible – to predict fuel costs over the long term, and more specifically, at the time of operation of this departure. Our prices are based upon the prevailing fuel rates at the time of itinerary publication. While we will
Nepal & India: Himalayan Paradise, Page 25 do everything possible to maintain our prices, if the fuel rates increase significantly, it may be necessary to institute a fuel surcharge.
AIR INFORMATION: Victor Emanuel Travel is a full-service travel agency and wholly owned subsidiary of Victor Emanuel Nature Tours (VENT). Victor Emanuel Travel will be happy to make any domestic or international air travel arrangements from your home and return. Please feel free to call the VENT office to confirm your air arrangements. Please be sure to check with the VENT office prior to purchasing your air ticket to confirm that the tour is sufficiently subscribed to operate. VENT cannot be responsible for any air ticket penalties.
BAGGAGE: The airlines now strictly enforce baggage regulations. Excess baggage charges, which can be substantial, are the personal responsibility of each participant. Please consult your airline to find out specific weight restrictions. Due to ever-changing circumstances in the government’s attempts to improve airport security we recommend that you check the website of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for the most updated information: http://www.tsa.gov/.
CLOTHING: Casual is the order of the day. Hard wearing, easy to wash-and-dry field clothes are ideal. Participants are advised to bring as many clothes with them as they need to stay warm in cold early morning and night temperatures. Participants should bring layers rather than one or two large items. Sturdy, rainproof jackets and pants are strongly recommended, in addition to a warm sweater and warm jacket or vest (down or synthetic).
Other items that are recommended include a warm head-covering such as a fleece or knit hat, or balaclava, in addition to a regular birding hat, gloves and scarf or neck gaiter. Many of our participants have found silk, wool or synthetic thermal long underwear very handy for the cool nights and early mornings. You may not need all of this cold-weather gear, but it is far better to be prepared in case you should.
Sunglasses are very useful (occasionally essential) at higher elevations. Thick socks that absorb perspiration and cushion one’s feet from hard surfaces are important. It is also useful if the socks are long enough so that the bottom of your pants can be tucked inside your socks.
Special Note: Please, absolutely no bright colors for your field gear. Although the birds and other wildlife are relatively approachable, we will be trying to see a number of very elusive species. Muted colors are essential to enhance our chances. Please do not wear brightly colored clothes, hats, gloves, bags, or other paraphernalia. Furthermore, if you can avoid crackling nylon/plastic jackets and pants, this will greatly enhance everyone’s enjoyment of the trip and enable the leader to hear those critical, but so easily overlooked, subtle call notes of the birds you want to see.
CONDITIONS FOR THE EXTENSION: Within the national parks of India, all visitors must ride in park service jeeps. Since only three passengers are allowed in the jeep, on some outings you will not be with the VENT leader. The VENT leader will rotate to the extent possible, allowing him to spend an equal amount of time with each participant. The park service guide will know the mammals and a great majority of the birds, but may not be as knowledgeable as your VENT guide on some birding aspects. The VENT leader will let the park guides know what birds we may be searching for in particular so they can focus on certain desirable sightings. The birds you will see in the parks are widespread species that you should see during your time in the parks as well as elsewhere during the trip. Therefore, you will almost surely not miss any birds by virtue of being with local park staff during part of the time.
Accommodations at Dhikala Forest Rest House are spartan, but everyone has their own private basic bathroom facilities. Dhikala is located in the heart of the Corbett reserve and the opportunity to be serenaded by jackals or trumpeting elephants is surely well worth any slight inconvenience.
Much to the surprise of many, the food in India is outstanding and not just a plate of hot spices. In fact, on many of our tours, participants have felt that India’s cuisine was one of the highlights of the tour. Excellent breads, tandoor
Nepal & India: Himalayan Paradise, Page 26 cooked chicken, and a dazzling variety of vegetarian dishes can cater for any palate. Beef is generally not available at all due to religious reasons.
Providing one takes common sense measures such as not eating uncooked vegetables or unpeeled fruit or drinking unbottled water, participants on VENT trips rarely encounter any serious stomach disorders. Good bottled water is always available.
FOOTWEAR: Sturdy hiking boots are essential for the main tour; sneakers or sports type shoes are not appropriate, as the ground will be wet at times. Wellington (rubber) boots are not really necessary if your hiking boots are rated “water-resistant,” and add a lot of extra weight to your baggage, but you may choose to bring them. A good walking shoe (such as an athletic shoe), may be preferred when not in the field and for our afternoon birding the park in New Delhi. For the Corbett National Park extension, sneakers or sports-type shoes are appropriate as most of the time we will be birding from jeeps.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: This very special Himalayan tour will provide the best foothill forest birding from an extremely comfortable onsite lodge. However, it will be undoubtedly intensive in the sense that every day we will be in the field, often walking at a leisurely pace or driving. Daybreak is around 5:00 a.m. at this time of year, and we will therefore have very early starts (often at 5:00 or 5:30) in order to catch the best of the early morning birding. This is often THE time to see such spectacular pheasants as Satyr Tragopan and Blood Pheasants showing well. Lunch will be a leisurely time, mostly at the lodge; however, on a few days we may have a picnic lunch in the field. These are very enjoyable affairs with often a view to die for and always birds to see. We will of course certainly concentrate on the specialties, but so few are the opportunities to see many Himalayan birds elsewhere that most species will be “specialties” for most participants, and we will enjoy them all. At some moments we will hear many species but it will take quite some patience and time to finally get an open view of those difficult to see species. On the other hand, the birding can be overwhelming as well with flocks containing up to 30 species of birds in one singular flock! Our birding in New Delhi is very relaxed and easy along flat trails in the park.
The Corbett extension will provide excellent and easy birding from two comfortable onsite lodges. The tour therefore will not be intensive in the sense that every day we will be in the field at a leisurely pace driving short distances from one spot to the other birding with three full days of game safari trips in Corbett. Daybreak is around 5:00 a.m. at this time of year, and we will therefore have very early breakfasts throughout (starts often at 5:00 or 5:30 a.m.) in order to catch the best of the early morning birding. This is often THE best time to see the iconic Bengal Tiger or other spectacular mammals and exciting birds showing well. Lunch will be a leisurely time mostly at the lodge; however, on our two travel days we may decide on a picnic lunch in the field. We will of course certainly concentrate on the specialties, but so few are the opportunities to see many Himalayan foothill birds elsewhere that most species will be “specialties” for most participants, and we will enjoy them all. At some moments we will hear many species but it will take quite some patience and time to finally get an open view of those difficult to see species. On the other hand, the birding can be overwhelming as well with flocks containing up to 30 species of birds in one singular flock!
ALTITUDE: For the main tour, we will be birding most days ascending gradually from our lodge at 9,000 feet. However, we will drive up to a couple of the higher passes and enjoy exciting higher altitudinal species at a maximum of 11,000 feet, and we will plan our activities with the thin air in mind (e.g., mostly birding gentle slopes or down the road). There may be a few optional, short, energetic activities, but those who don’t undertake these will still be in the midst of birds. Most ascents will be by vehicle, and we will then work a given area by walking downhill; however, there will be rare times when we may opt to walk uphill in search of something that is calling. We will almost always be along a road on easy grades.
For the extension, we will be birding in the foothills at a maximum of 1,400-4,000 feet high altitude will not be a problem. We will almost always be birding along dirt roads on easy grades.
Nepal & India: Himalayan Paradise, Page 27 HEALTH: VENT follows Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for standard travel precautions, which includes vaccination against a variety of preventable diseases. Among these so-called Routine Vaccinations are measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) vaccine, poliovirus vaccine (boosters for adult travelers), and Varicella (Chickenpox). You should also be up-to-date with Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccinations.
If you are taking personal medication, prescription or over-the-counter, be sure to bring an ample supply that will allow you to get through the tour safely. Please consult your physician as necessary. Remember to pack all medication in your carry-on baggage, preferably in original containers or packaging. As airline baggage restrictions can change without warning, please check with your airline for procedures for packing medication.
COVID-19: The world has been in the grip of a pandemic since early 2020, a result of the uncontrolled spread of SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes the illness COVID-19. COVID-19 is transmitted through person- to-person contact, almost always through inhaling respiratory aerosols or droplets exuded from an infected person. Common signs of COVID-19 illness include fever or chills, fatigue, shortness of breath, cough, loss of taste or smell, and more. Based on what is known about the disease, COVID-19 is far more serious than seasonal flu. Few places in the world have been unaffected. The impact on travel has been substantial, as demonstrated by the fact that VENT did not operate a tour between late March 2020 and late April 2021. The development and deployment of COVID-19 vaccines, particularly in the United States, has allowed VENT to return to tour operations. We emphasize that our number one priority is the health and safety of our customers and employees. With this in mind, VENT instituted a COVID-19 vaccination requirement. All tour participants and tour leaders must be fully vaccinated in order to travel with us while we are still in a declared public health emergency. In accordance with the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), full vaccination is defined as an individual being 14 days beyond having received the required amount of vaccine for reaching full immunity to the degree specific vaccines confer. In the United States, so far, this means either the two-shot sequence for the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines or the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Proof of vaccination must be provided to our office at least one week before the start of the tour and kept with you while on the tour. Because the world is a very different place than it was before the pandemic, we’ve made a number of important adjustments to our processes to ensure that our tours can operate as safely as possible. Please visit the Coronavirus Travel Update page of our website https:// https://ventbird.com/covid-19, where you may view our COVID-19 Protocols for VENT Tours document, which details the guidance VENT will follow in the operation of its tours in the time of pandemic. Our decision and policy are firmly rooted in the latest CDC guidance regarding recommendations for avoiding COVID-19. As we move forward, VENT will continue to follow the latest information from the CDC and will update our policy accordingly. Please visit the CDC website for the most up to date information about COVID-19 and associated guidance for proper health and hygiene: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019- nCoV/index.html.
In addition to your physician, a good source of general health information for travelers is the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, which operates a 24-hour recorded Travelers’ Information Line (800) CDC-INFO (800-232-4636). You can check the CDC website at https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel. Canadian citizens should check the website of the Public Health Agency of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public- health.html (click on Travel Health).
LAUNDRY SERVICE: There is no laundry service at Habre’s Nest (and ecologically it is not at all good to use detergents at this remote site). In India however, it will be available for an extra charge. For the extension, laundry service is possible except within Corbett at Dikhala Lodge. Please be aware that while laundry service is good, it can be expensive if required for same day return.
EQUIPMENT: One of the most important aspects of having an enjoyable travel experience is being prepared with proper equipment. The following items will come in handy during your trip: • A small backpack/daypack – good for carrying extra clothing, field guides, supplies, and optical equipment during all excursions. • Flashlight or head lamp
Nepal & India: Himalayan Paradise, Page 28
• Notebooks and pens • Travel alarm clock • Polarized sunglasses with good UV protection • Sunscreen, lip balm, skin lotions • Personal toiletries • Cameras, lenses, memory cards, and extra batteries • Umbrella: The collapsible type is easy to carry and useful both against any rain and sun • Collapsible walking stick – a highly recommended item for those who have trouble walking • Folding stool – a recommended item for those who have trouble standing for more than 10 or 15 minutes at a time. The typical folding stool is small, lightweight and portable, consisting of three aluminum legs connected by a central bolt, with a sturdy but pliable material seat. • Tissue packs • Extra pairs of glasses or contact lenses
BINOCULARS & SPOTTING SCOPES:
Binoculars – We strongly recommend good binoculars of at least 7x35, 8x42, 10x40, or 10x42 magnification. We recommend that you do NOT bring mini-binoculars of any kind. Some people like “minis” because they are small and lightweight, but they have an extremely small field of view and very poor light-gathering power. Trying to find a bird in your binoculars using minis is like trying to read a book through a keyhole. You will be very frustrated, and even if you do manage to get the bird in your binoculars before it flies, you will have a poor view. You will find that 7x35 or 8x42 binoculars are compact and light enough.
Spotting Scopes – Your tour leaders will have scopes available for group use throughout the trip, but if you have one and wish to bring it, please feel free to do so.
Camera: You should bring all of the camera equipment, batteries, and digital storage media that you will need, as these would be almost impossible to obtain once we depart New Delhi. Nearly everyone brings too few batteries and too little digital storage media, and this causes some distress. Note batteries can be recharged at Habre’s Nest at night when the generator is on. PLEASE bring loads (we cannot emphasize this enough). UV and polarizing filters are recommended, especially at higher elevations where glare can be a problem. Plastic bags are very useful to protect equipment from rain and dust. A really good flashlight or headlamp is essential, so please ensure that yours is in good working order and that you have spare bulbs and batteries. A spare flashlight or headlamp may come in handy. Couples should bring one flashlight or headlamp each.
CLIMATE & WEATHER: This trip will take place during the early spring, when the weather should be delightful; however, weather conditions will vary markedly from Nepal and our few days in India. Therefore, you should be prepared to encounter a marked diversity of weather. Around New Delhi, early April is considered to be the most pleasant time to visit as the temperatures are not too hot yet and rarely rains. However, we may likely experience warm to hot afternoon birding with sunny conditions around the mid-80s, dropping to a pleasant to low 70s at night, while our last days birding around Siliguri should be cool and pleasant early, warming up to the low 70s and dropping at night to the low 60s. We do not expect rain here with mostly sunny days.
In Nepal at our lovely Himalayan foothills base of Habre’s Nest at the time of our visit in April, spring in general should be delightful climate. However, we will encounter a wide range of temperatures from day to night! Also— in these foothills—weather can change quickly. Temperatures range from daytime highs in the mid-60’s, falling down to the low 40’s at night. Our rooms have good insulation and individual heating, and hot water bottles are provided for nighttime comfort as well. So, for weather, be prepared for sunny days but cold and damp early morning (maybe with some mist) and evening. There is a slight possibility of even some late snow falls, and almost certainly some rain. There may also be occasional hot conditions with very bright sunshine, which typically in the mountains (because of the increased radiation) causes sunburn more readily than one often realizes.
Nepal & India: Himalayan Paradise, Page 29 EXTRAS AT HABRE’S NEST: Credit cards are not accepted, so please bring cash for any alcoholic drinks or souvenirs in either Nepalese Rupee or Indian Rupee.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Electricity − Both Nepal and India use 220 volts, 50 cycles, AC. Electricity will be available for charging your batteries at all lodgings (although at Habre’s Nest it is only provided at night by generator).
Internet – Wi-Fi connections are not available in Nepal; however, in case of an emergency Habre’s Nest can offer limited Wi-Fi and telephone services down the road in a small hamlet. Wi-Fi is available in the hotels in India and generally works well. Cell phone connections are also generally reliable, sometimes even in surprising places in the countryside.
Language ̶ In Nepal, the official language is Nepali. In India, Hindi, English and 14 other languages are spoken.
Currency ̶ In Nepal it’s the Nepalese Rupee, while in India the Indian Rupee. Please take note to change cash in New Delhi as after we depart New Delhi, we have no opportunity.
Time – Nepal & India are 10 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
Snacks ̶ It is advisable to bring some protein or granola-type bars, dried fruit and nuts or other snacks, as snacks are not always available. Most of our meals will be traditional Nepali style (adapted to our western likings) and you may find yourself wanting “a little extra variety” at times.
Insect Repellents – Everyone will need insect repellent to deal with the odd occasion that we encounter biting black flies or mosquitos (actually, the latter are almost completely lacking). Leeches are very unlikely as most of our birding is from the roads, but tight socks and tucked-in trousers are the best defense against them.
There are insect repellents for the skin and an insect repellent used to treat clothing that should not be applied to the skin.
Insect repellents for the skin are commonly available in three forms: • DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide): A chemical compound that is marketed under various brand names (OFF!®, Cutter™, Ultrathon™, etc.) and offered in a variety of formulations including sprays, lotions, time-release preparations, and disposable wipes. The formulations will state a percentage of the active ingredient DEET on the packaging. DEET may be applied to exposed skin directly and/or sprayed on clothing. Please be careful when applying DEET as it can damage plastics and lens coatings. • Picaridin: A synthetic formulation that is derived from piperine, a substance found in plants that produce black pepper. • Herbal insect repellents: Various mixtures of organic ingredients such as oils from eucalyptus, citronella, cedar, and other herbs. The herbal repellents are more difficult to categorize because of the difference in ingredients from one brand to another. There is considerable variation in their effectiveness.
An insect repellent for clothing is marketed in one approved formulation: • Permanone® (Permethrin) is an odorless spray-on repellent that may be used for pre-treatment of clothing, gear, and tents. It should not be used directly on the skin or sprayed on clothing while it is being worn. The pre-treatment process requires a number of hours to complete and must be done outdoors, so is best completed in advance of travel. Do-it-yourself pre-treatment has to be repeated more often than commercial treatment using Insect Shield® technology. It is available at various outdoor stores and can easily be found online. • Insect Shield® apparel: Clothing pre-treated with Permanone is made by a variety of manufacturers. It is available for purchase from some sporting goods suppliers. The clothing is advertised as retaining its repellency for up to 70 washings.
Nepal & India: Himalayan Paradise, Page 30 The US EPA offers a search tool to help choose a repellent that is best for a particular situation. For example, some repellents work for mosquitoes, but not for ticks. https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/which-insect-repellent-right-you
DOCUMENTS: A passport valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date, with at least three blank pages, is required for United States citizens to enter Nepal and India. Visas are required for both countries.
The India tourist visa must be obtained prior to departure. At the time of publication (July 21, 2021) tourist visas for India are currently suspended, but we expect this suspension will be revoked by the end of this year. The visa can be obtained online through the Indian government’s website (indianvisaonline.gov.in) or Travel Document Systems (www.pinnacletds.com/vent on the web; or 888-838-4867 by phone), a company which handles visa procurement. For further information, you may wish to contact the India consulate nearest you or Travel Document Systems (www.pinnacletds.com/vent on the web or 888-838- 4867 by phone), a company which handles visa procurement. Non-United States citizens should check with their consulate/embassy for instructions.
At the time of publication (July 21, 2021), online application (http://online.nepalimmigration.gov.np/tourist-visa) for the 15-day Nepal visa is currently suspended, but we expect this suspension will be revoked by the end of this year.
SUGGESTED READING: A number of traditional booksellers and online stores list excellent inventories of field guides and other natural history resources that will help prepare you for this tour. We recommend www.amazon.com which has a wide selection; www.buteobooks.com and www.nhbs.com which specialize in ornithology and natural history books; and www.abebooks.com for out-of-print and hard-to-find titles.
Birds: Grimmet, Richard and Carol and Tim Inskipp, Birds of India: Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, Second Edition, 2012. It covers all of the birds we are likely to see.
Beebe, W. Pheasant Jungles. Reading: World Pheasant Association, 1994. An interesting general read as we will be targeting some of the greatest species: blood, Kaliji and incomparable Satyr Tragopan!
Mammals: Gurung, K.K. and Raj Singh. Field Guide to the Mammals of the Indian Subcontinent. Cambridge, MA: Academic Press, 1998.
Menon, Vivek. Field Guide to Indian Mammals. Helm Field Guides. Helm Publishing, 2009. An excellent and complete resource on the mammals of India by one of the country’s top wildlife biologists. Highly recommended.
Prater, S.H. The Book of Indian Animals (Mammals). Bombay: Bombay Natural History, 1971. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of most, if not all, the animals inhabiting the Indian Subcontinent. A fairly easy book to obtain in India, if it’s not available near your home.
Reptiles: Daniel, J.C. The Book of Indian Reptiles and Amphibians. Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2002.
Whittaker, R. and Captain, A. Snakes of India The Field Guide. Tamil Nadu: Draco Books, 2004.
TIPPING: Tipping (restaurant staff, porters, drivers, local guides) is included on VENT tours. However, if you feel one or both of your VENT leaders or any local guides have given you exceptional service, it is entirely appropriate to tip these can be in US$. We emphasize that tips are not expected and are entirely optional. Tips should be given directly to your tour leader; they should not be sent to the VENT office.
Nepal & India: Himalayan Paradise, Page 31 RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT: Victor Emanuel Nature Tours, Inc., a Texas corporation, and/or its agents (together, “VENT”) act only as agents for the participant in regard to travel, whether by railroad, motorcar, motorcoach, boat, or airplane and assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason of defect in any vehicle or for any reason whatsoever, or through the acts or default of any company or person engaged in conveying the participant or in carrying out the arrangements of the tour. VENT accepts no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in airfare or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, terrorism, or other causes. All such losses or expenses will be borne by the participant, as tour rates only provide for arrangements for the time stated.
VENT reserves the right (i) to substitute hotels of similar category, or the best reasonable substitution available under the circumstances, for those indicated and (ii) to make any changes in the itinerary that are deemed necessary by VENT or which are caused by third party transportation schedules (i.e. railroad, motorcar, motorcoach, boat, airplane, etc.).
VENT reserves the right to substitute leaders or guides on any tour. Where VENT, in its sole discretion, determines such substitution is necessary, it will notify tour participants.
VENT reserves the right to cancel any tour prior to departure with or without cause or good reason. See the VENT Cancellation & Refunds policy set forth above.
Tour prices are based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect on July14, 2021, and are subject to adjustment in the event of any change thereto.
VENT reserves the right to decline any participant’s Registration Form and/or refuse to allow any participant to participate in a tour as VENT deems reasonably necessary, in its sole discretion. VENT also reserves the right to remove any tour participant from any portion of a tour as VENT deems necessary, in its sole discretion, reasons for such removal include but are not limited to, medical needs, injury, illness, inability to meet physical demands of a tour, personality conflict or situations in which such removal is otherwise in the best interest of the tour, the tour group and/or such participant. A participant may also voluntarily depart from a tour. If a participant is removed from a tour or voluntarily departs from a tour, such participant will be responsible for any expenses associated with such removal or departure, including but not limited to, transportation, lodging, airfare and meals, and VENT will have no obligation to refund or reimburse any such removed or departed participant for any tour payments or deposits previously paid by such participant.
Baggage is carried at the participant’s risk entirely. No airline company, its employees, agents and/or affiliates (the “Airline”) is to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time participants are not on board the Airline’s aircraft. The participant ticket in use by any Airline, when issued, will constitute the sole contract between the Airline and the purchaser of the tickets and/or the participant. The services of any I.A.T.A.N. carrier may be used for VENT tours, and transportation within the United States may be provided by any member carrier of the Airlines Reporting Corporation.
NEP:20220413 / NEPO:20220424 05/12/21-AW 07/21/21-MA/RS