red panda, tea & elephant trail

22 Days  •  Eastern Himalaya  •  €1020

Eastern Himalaya is one of the top biodiversity regions of the world. Low rolling foothills stretch to the king and queen of mountains; the awe-inspiring Mt. Everest and guardian deity of the region, Mt. Kanchenjunga. Fertile lands are home to tea plantations, flaming Rhododendron blooms and schools of flutteries butterflies. Trek through dense forests and sweeping valleys searching for the elusive Red Panda. Join local conservation efforts, track elephant migration paths and learn first-hand about endangered habitats. Engage with communities that live and thrive on this sublime natural habitat. Get up close and personal and expand your knowledge of the natural world.

itinerary:

Day 1 - 3  Arrive Darjeeling Tea Bungalow

Wind up foothills cropped with tea to arrive at Darjeeling Heritage Tea Bungalow. Sip a perfect cup of tea while you drink in divine views. Trek through the gardens and join local conservation teams study and monitor activities.

Day 4  Darjeeling Town

Board the heritage toy train to reach Darjeeling town. Visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Everest Museum, Himalayan Zoo and Tibetan Refugees' Self-help Centre. Hark back to colonial days during your stay in the heritage Swiss Hotel (90 years and still going strong!).

Day 5  Hee-Bermiok

Watch the sunrise over the Kanchenjunga range from Tiger Hill before transferring to Hee-Bermiok. Adjacent to Barshey Rhododendron Sanctuary in West Sikkim this is one of the key- natural habitats of endangered Red Pandas, Birds, Butterflies, Rhododendrons & Magnolias.

Days 6 - 9  Trek to Barshey Ridge

Gentle trek through dense forests to reach Barshey top. Take time out to understand the conservation challenge and key- habitat preservation for the elusive Red Pandas. Camp at trekking huts and tents with a rest day at the top to enjoy stunning mountain views.

Days 10 - 13  Neora Valley Jungle Camp

Explore the rich heritage of Kalimpong. Proceed to a remote village adjacent to the pristine Neora Valley National Park at the tri-junction of Sikkim, West Bengal and Bhutan. A village of abundant natural beauty and our base for light treks and community visits.

Days 14 - 16  Central Dooars

Enter the Central Dooars - the most important migration corridor of Elephants from Bhutan and North East India. Help local conservation efforts monitor elephant corridors and migration patterns. The Jungle Camp here creates opportunities for nature-based tourism. Interact with the various tribal communities, namely Mech, Rava, Bagania and Coach.

Days 17 - 18  Central Manas

Transfer to Ultapani in Central Manas and join our local conseration team focusing on Elephants and the elusive Golden Langur.

Day 19 - 21  Manas National Park

Manas National Park is one of the richest biodiversity areas in the world. Explore the savanna, grasslands and sub-himalayan forest with the help of local conservationists. Participate in the first jointly initated community and conservation based tourism model in Northeast India. Take part in patrolling and monitoring Elephants, Rhino and Bengal Floricans.

Day 22  Depart Guwahati

Transfer to Guwahati, the capital of Assam. You may depart here or proceed to Kolkata and link up with the GREEN Circuit's East India sector.

fast facts:

Support: Passionate Local Leader throughout
Activities: Conservation volunteering, Nature treks, Tea Plantation Visit, Bird & Mammal Watching Expeditions, Jungle Patrolling, Hikes, Village Visits, Heritage Train Ride.
Accommodation: Heritage Tea Bungalow (3 nights), Heritage Hotel (1 night), Tourist Rest House (2 nights), Tent Camp (1 night).
Transport: Private transport, train, local ferry, bullock cart, pole boat, cycle rickshaws and foot
Meals: 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 3 Dinners. Please allow approx. €10 per day for additional meals.
Arrival/Departure: Kolkata has an International Airpport and Visakhapatnam (Vizag) is well connected to the rest of India by domestic airlines. Both are accessible by the Indian Railway network. See the Travel Essentials for more information.
Tipping: An essential way of life in India, we will provide you appropriate guidelines.

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