Mandala Bird

It is often said that North East India is not the place for bird photographers, thats partly true, But the kind & number of species one can target in North east are staggering , Arunachal alone has 700+ species to look for. Out of 700 species there are many species which are rare & difficult to shoot do to lack of exploration / lack of knowledge & kind of habitat they live in.

The main challenges of Photographing bird in Arunachal are difficult habitat , Low light , difficult & Skulking behavior .These are few reason people often talk about bird photography in Northeast. But above all it is the lack of information & choosing the right site.

Here is a opportunity for bird photographers to set their targets & fulfill their dream to photograph rare & elusive birds of eastern Himalayas . This trip is specially designed for Bird Photographers who have never been to Eastern Himalayas & have always dreamed to be there.

For photographers who have been long longing to increase their list & who have already explored other prime Indian destinations, this trip will be a all new opening to a uncharted birding destination.

We have selected Mandala, in West Kameng district of Arunachal pradesh. It forms the part of the Important Bird Area (IBA) with the contiguous forest tracts of Shergaon and Kalaktang. The Mandala-Phudung area forms a contiguous unit with Shergaon and Kalaktang tracts of the high altitude mountainous region, lying in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. It covers an area of around 100,000 ha and the central coordinates are 27� 23' 60" N, 92� 17' 60" E. more than 300 species of birds have been recorded in this area (Choudhary, 2001). Also, this is a region with high biodiversity and is a global biodiversity hotspot (Myers, 1988) as well as on Eastern Himalayas Endemic Bird Area (Stattersfield et al., 1998). Some of the 'trigger' species of birds as presented by Birdlife International are Blyth's Tragopan Tragopanblythii, Ward's Trogon Harpacteswardi, Rufous-necked Hornbill Acerosnipalensis, Yellow-vented Warbler Phylloscopuscantator, Broad-billed Warbler Tickelliahodgsoni, Rufous-throated Wren-babbler Spelaeorniscaudatus, Hoary-throated BarwingActinoduranipalensis, Streak-throated BarwingActinodurawaldeni, Beautiful SibiaHeterophasiapulchella, White-naped YuhinaYuhinabakeri, Beautiful Nuthatch SittaFormosa, Rusty-bellied Shortwing Brachypteryxhyperythra.

Most Interestingly only few birders have been to this area. This area is known for Gould's Shortwing, Brown Bush Warbler, Red Crossbill, Blanford's rosefinch, Temminck's tragopan, Kessler's thrush, White-bellied Redstart and really good sighting of the elusive rear Red Panda besides number of other mammals.

Mandala Bird

Arrival at Guwahati, Meet our Guide & driver, Later driver for 5-6 hrs to Bhalukpong, Check in at Hotel. If time permits than evening birding around Bhalukpong .O/N Hotel.

Early morning drive from Bhalukpong to Lama camp. enroute birding at Sessa orchid sanctuary. Late evening check in at Hotel at Dirang. O/N Hotel.

You have to start very early in the morning at 03:00 hrs , drive through bad roads to Sela pass, half day birding & than have afternoon birding at Shangti Valley. Later drive for 22 kms to Mandala. Late evening check in Mandala birding lodge. O/N Lodge.

Full day birding in Mandala region . O/N Lodge.

Full day birding in Mandala region . O/N Lodge.

Mandala Bird

Full day birding in Mandala region . O/N Lodge.

Full day birding in Mandala region . O/N Lodge.

This is a long day, Start early birding around Lama camp & than drive for 10 hrs to Guwahati. End of trip.