Pandas & Sloth Bears - Linkd Tourism
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Pandas & Sloth Bears
India is full of wonderful species waiting to be seen and appreciated, one
amongst these and undoubtedly one of the cutest creatures of them all is
the Red Panda. It is also the only “panda” species in the world. The Giant
Panda is actually a bear. The eastern Himalayas is the only place where
one can find the red pandas. This program here is a great combination
of unique along with the more easily seen wildlife in the Indian
subcontinent.
Our program take you to two states in India – West Bengal in eastern
India to Singalila National Park and to Madhya Pradesh in Central India
to Satpura Tiger Reserve. The regions differ vastly in the terrain, birdlife
as well as mammalian life forms.
Singalila National Park is one of the most exotic Himalayan forests in
India. It is a wilderness located on the Singalila Ridge at an altitude of
7000 feet to 12000 feet above sea level with an area of 78.6 square
kilometers. This is a Birding Paradise as well. More than 300 species of
birds have been recorded here. It has a huge list of exotic birds, like-
Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Kalij Pheasant, Brown and Fulvous
Parrotbills, Rufous-vented Tit, and Old World babblers like the Fire-tailed
Myzornis and the Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Rosefinchs, bull finches,
Wren Babblers, Laughingthrushes, Nuthatchs, Treecreepers, Yuhinas,
Minivets, Partridges and many more.
There are an estimated 32 Red Pandas within the limits of Singalila. Apart
from the Red Panda, other mammals found here are- Himalayan Black
bear, Clouded Leopard, Leopard, Leopard Cat, Himalayan Serow,
Barking Deer, Yellow-throated Marten, Wild Boar, Pangolin, Pika and
many other Eastern Himalayan exotics.
Departure Satpura on the other hand is excellent for exploring the central Indian
jungles in canoes, on foot and even allows one to do dusk drives. Known
4th to 15th April for a high density of sloth bears, leopards and bison, it also is home to
interesting lesser known species such as the Indian Giant Squirrel, rusty
spotted cat and the small Indian civet. Satpura is home to about 350
species including the much sought after Indian Skimmer.
Day 1 Day 4
Arrive in Delhi. No activities are We continue exploring Singalila.
planned for this day as participants The park offers you various
of this group arrive from different opportunities to photograph
destinations. Overnight at Holiday beautiful landscapes, birds and
Inn, Aerocity. even the flora. The park is home to
over 600 species of orchids and is
the largest concentration orchid
Day 2 blooms in a single geographical
We check out after an early area. Overnight will be at Habre’s
breakfast and transfer to the Nest.
airport to catch our flight to
Bagdogra (1020/1225). Our team Day 5, 6 & 7
will receive you at the airport. Your search for the red panda
Break for lunch before starting a along with the diversity of birds
long journey to Majua, which lies and the wildcats in the region
at the edge of Singalila National continues. Sandakhphu top is
Park. Today we spend the night in situated within Singalila National
Majua as entry into Singalila after Park and is the highest peak in
1300 is not allowed. Majua again West Bengal. Sandakhphu offers
is a homestay and is an excellent the best view of Kangchenjunga
location for birding as well as for also known as Sleeping Buddha or
finding Bhutan Flying Squirrel. Sleeping Shiva. Overnight will be
Overnight in Majua. at Habre’s Nest.
Day 3
This morning we make our way Day 8
into Singalila National Park and to Much of today will be spent
Habre’s Nest – our home for the traveling back to Delhi. After
next few days. After lunch we begin breakfast take the road transfer to
our search for the red panda and Bagdogra from where you catch
the other denizens of Singalila is your flight to Delhi (1630/1850).
all on foot exploring various trails Overnight will be at Holiday Inn
through the park. Overnight will be Aerocity.
Itinerary Program at Habre’s Nest.
Day 9 Day 10
We unfortunately have a very early Continued from below….
start this morning. We fly from For those interested in rock art
Delhi to Bhopal (0555/0720). Our there is an option to hike up to
team will receive you at the airport some caves not too far away to see
and transfer you by road to the same. But please note we are
Satpura Tiger Reserve (4hr). You in the middle of the park so do
should arrive at the lodge by follow the naturalist’s lead as
1200/1230. Lunch will be at the wildlife can be about. Overnight
lodge. After some rest we begin will be at Forsyth Lodge
exploring Satpura. Since you have
already spent enough time in a Day 11
vehicle we though it will be best to
We change pace again early this
begin with a walking safari in the
morning and embark on a canoe
tiger reserve. Walking is also a
safari to explore the river and
great way to tune your senses to
streams of Satpura. If you start
the sights, sounds and smell of the
early enough you also get to enjoy
forest. There is also a lot of focus
a spectacular sunrise on the river.
on birding and lesser fauna on
Canoe safaris are excellent for
these walks. Overnight will be at
watching and photographing
Forsyth Lodge.
riverine birds, crocodiles as well as
land mammals coming down for a
Day 10 drink. The afternoon is a leisure to
Today is an exciting day, you get to rest from all the hectic travel. This
spend the whole day in the forest. evening take a dusk drive into the
We have planned a visit to Churna buffer forest search for nocturnal
region in the park. The morning animals. Overnight will be at
safari is used to get to Churna and Forsyth Lodge.
the afternoon safari gets you back.
You spend the time in between the
safaris at Churna Forest Rest
Day 12
Take two jeep drives in search of
House, but honestly all our guests
the tiger, leopard, Asiatic wild dogs
in the past have preferred to spend
and the sloth bear. Overnight will
this time by a small creek that runs
be at Forsyth Lodge.
past the camp and is home to a
diversity of birds, butterflies and
dragonflies. Continued….
Day 13 This morning we take our last safari – a walking safari through the tiger reserve. Return to the lodge, freshen-up and rest a bit. After a leisurely lunch transfer by road to Bhopal. Take a evening flight to Delhi (2040/2205) and connect on to your international flight back home. END OF THE TOUR
Habre’s Nest, Singalila National Park Habre’s Nest is a homestay that is located in the quaint hamlet of Kaiakata on the India and Nepal border. The home is built in Nepali design typical of this region and houses all basic amenities that guests will require. It is a research hub along with a wildlife tourism centre promoted by like minded wildlife enthusiasts. This project was ideated and executed by Shantanu who has been working in the Singalila ridge since 2011. Singalila was declared a National Park in 1992. The habitat type can be described as temperate forest of fir, deciduous hardwood and Rhododendron with thick bamboo understory. There are over 600 varieties of orchids that bloom in Singalia, the largest concentration in any single geographical area in the world. The area gets considerable seasonal monsoon rains and is located in the Eastern Himalayan Region of India in the state of West Bengal. It is well known for the trekking route to Sandakphu that runs through it. Same habitat continues in Nepal called Tinchule Forest. Tinchule-Singalila is still mostly known as a trekking route . But what is baffling is why a forest with such high wildlife diversity did not come into lime light. The more Shantanu and team explored these jungles the more they came to love it and then came the idea of starting a sustainable tourism model that would secure the future of Red Panda in one of the best known habitats. Habre’s Nest is a green initiative completely dedicated to the conservation of the Red Panda. They aim to give guests a once in a lifetime and exclusive Red Panda viewing experience and filter benefits to the local community. 20% of the profits of Habre’s Nest directly go into conservation of this hostile Red Panda habitat. The greatest threat faced by the Red Panda today is habitat loss. Singalila is not free from this threat too. An estimated 32 Red Pandas live in these forests compared to 20,000 people that are dependent on its resources. IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a 4 bedroom homestay, thus the group size can be maximum of 8 guests. If there is a traveling tour leader, he/she has the option of using a shared naturalist room or travel with lesser number of guests so that all can be accommodated in the 4 rooms.
Satpura Tiger Reserve: Forsyth Lodge
Nestled in the midst of 44 acres of jungle at the end of the Satpura Tiger
Reserve, Forsyth Lodge is your gateway into verdant surroundings
coupled with the allure of natural living. Their focus lies in being able to
deliver to you, a wholesome and sustainable wildlife experience. Through
constant partnership with the park administration and the local
community, they have crafted a bespoke wilderness experience that suits
every need.
Forsyth’s makes every effort to tread as lightly as possible on the
ecosystem while making an exciting encounter with Nature possible for
the visitor. This is reflected in the care with which their buildings are
constructed, and in the ways in which they manage and recycle water,
and in the manner in which they cast about for better alternatives to
existing technology —be it quieter engines or solar-powered motors—
when it comes to everyday access to the Satpura Park
At Forsyth, they are a team of enthusiastic, dedicated and passionate
individuals helping their guests explore the best of the wilderness at
Satpura. It is because of their team’s immense love for nature that they
relentlessly strive to deliver an immaculate experience of the woodlands.
Each of their team members is a distinctive nemophilist, who not only
knows the ways of the wild but also knows how to make your experience
memorable.
Lodge Naturalist
Vineeth: An alumnus of the National
Outdoor Leadership School, Vineeth’s been
trekking the Western Ghats since 1999. His
love for nature has led him to track king
cobras in a telemetry project and set up
trekking models for the Eco trails Project. A
skilled tracker and angler, his scientific
approach towards storytelling lends an
intriguing angle to wildlife and history.
INCLUDED ACCOMMODATION
City / Park Name of Hotel Room Category
New Delhi Holiday Inn, Aerocity Superior Room
Singalila Habre’s Nest Homestay room
Satpura Forsyth Lodge Cottage
JOURNEY COST
Pricing Options $
USD
Price per person (6pax) 3820
on twin sharing
Single room supplement 2350
Over and above the twin sharing journey cost. Only offered if room is
available with the lodge.
Airfare 435
Airfare in economy class for the sector – Delhi – Bagdogra – Delhi & Delhi –
Bhopal – Delhi (airfare subject to change at the time of booking)
INCLUSIONS
o Accommodation for twelve (12) nights in India with breakfast included
in Delhi. Your stay in Singalila & Satpura Tiger Reserve will be on full
board (inclusive of breakfast, lunch & dinner).
o Four (4) exclusive jeep safaris in Satpura Tiger Reserve.
o One (1) Full day safari to Churna in Satpura Tiger Reserve.
o One (1) canoe safari in Satpura.
o One (1) walking or canoe safari in Satpura.
o One (1) dusk drive in Satpura.
o Walking / Trekking in Singalila with a naturalist on all days that you
are there.
o Complimentary tour leader or photographer sent by your company.
Alternately we can send a National Award winning professional
wildlife photographer (Indian) should you want this to be a
photography tour (availability of photographer needs to be checked
at the time of planning /booking). This too is included in the price.
o All road transfers will be by air-conditioned Toyota Innova. (3 guests
per jeep)
o All currently applicable taxes.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
o Does not include any beverages including mineral water, soft drinks,
alcoholic drinks etc. unless otherwise specified. It is more cost
effective for us to bill you for all beverages based on actual
consumption.
o Any airfare or airport taxes (quoted separately above with the
package cost)
o Any items of a personal nature such as beverages, tips (except for
group meals and baggage handling), laundry, telephone calls etc.
o Anything featured as optional.
o The prices do not include: undue escalation in fuel prices, new taxes
levies on hotels and transportation services or any hikes in entrance
fees.
BOOKING & CANCELLATION PROCESS
BOOKING
o 35 % of Journey cost to be paid at the time of booking
o Remaining payment to be paid 90 days prior to Journey
o If booking is made within 90 days of the journey, full payment is
required to confirm the Journey
o Payment can be made by bank transfer or through online payment
gateway (a small credit card processing fee shall be applicable)
CANCELLATION
o Between 120 - 90 days prior to Journey - 35% cancellation fee shall
be applicable
o Between 89 - 31 days prior to Journey - 50% cancellation fee shall be
applicable
o Less than 30 days prior to Journey - 100% cancellation fee shall be
applicable
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