ZEISS OPTICS Sponsored Tour
NAGALAND: Amur Falcon Migration Spectacle
TOUR FOCUS
BIRDS & WILDLIFE
SCHEDULED TOURS
TRIP LEADERS
TOUR COST
From: $9,500 (See details)
Cost is per person, double occupancy from Delhi, India (DEL)
GROUP SIZE
4 - 6 Participants
AVAILABILITY
2022: 5 spaces available
2023: 6 spaces available
PRIVATE TOUR OPTION
This tour is available as a private trip for any size group. The tour cost will vary with the number of people and any custom requests.
TESTIMONIALS
Highlights of NAGALAND: Amur Falcon Migration Spectacle
Description of NAGALAND: Amur Falcon Migration Spectacle
The final chapter of Scott’s newest book discusses the conservation efforts to protect the Amur Falcon and tells the tale of our Wildside/Zeiss expedition to witness the event. [Purchase Book]
Remote. No infrastructure. Amazing! Nagaland is India’s most remote state. Lying east of Assam, Nagaland rests on the border with Myanmar and has a similar culture. The tribal region was only ‘opened’ by the Indian government in very recent years, to allow outsiders to explore the region.
When this happened, it was found that the hundreds of thousands of Amur Falcons who had been migrating through the region were stopping for days at a time. The recent hydro-electric dam that had been built seemed to have changed the ecosystem with the huge reservoir created. This prompted the local people, each season, to capture 10-12,000 falcons per day with nets, to sell them as food in the surrounding communities.
When this was witnessed by a local conservationist, she quickly jumped into action, gathered help and shared the story of the Amur Falcon migration, from Siberia to South Africa and back. Together they convinced the tribal elders that the falcons needed to be protected, and the elders agreed. The following season less than 1000 falcons were killed in total! This is one of the most amazing conservation stories in history!
Length of Tour
12-days/11-nights
Brief Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive in Delhi anytime today. Overnight in Delhi.
Day 2 – Flights to Jorhat. Overnight in Jorhat.
Day 3 – Birding at Gibbon Sanctuary. Overnight in Jorhat.
Day 4 – Drive to Pangti Village . Overnight in Pangti.
Day 5 – Enjoy the Falcons. Overnight in Pangti.
Day 6 – Enjoy the Falcons. Overnight in Pangti.
Day 7 – Drive to Kaziranga. Overnight in Kaziranga.
Day 8 – Enjoy Kaziranga NP. Overnight in Kaziranga.
Day 9 – Enjoy Kaziranga NP. Overnight in Kaziranga.
Day 10 – Drive to Wild Mahseer. Overnight Wild Mahseer.
Day 11 – Enjoy birding around Wild Mahseer. Overnight Wild Mahseer.
Day 12 – Return to Guwahati, Delhi – USA.
Detailed Itinerary
(Day 0 – Depart USA for overnight flight.)
Day 1 – Arrive Delhi. (Anytime today.)
On your arrival at international airport in Delhi and after clearing customs & immigration, our representative will greet you and transfer to the hotel.
NOTE: Meals will not be included on this day as everyone will be arriving at different times.
Stay overnight in Delhi.
Day 2 – Flights Delhi – Jorhat.
After early breakfast, transfer to the airport for flights to Jorhat. Upon arrival at Jorhat airport our representative will meet & greet us and transfer to us to our hotel.
Day 3 – Gibbon Sanctuary / Jorhat.
Early morning drive to Gibbon Wildlife sanctuary to explore the most concentrate habitat of Western Hoolock Gibbon. We’ll have the opportunity to watch Stump-tailed Macaque, Pig-tailed Macaque, Capped Langur, Malayan Giant Squirrel and more. We also have the chance to see Sultan Tit, Scarlet Minivet, Pale Blue and Pale chinned Flycatcher and others.
Day 4 – Drive To Pangti.
Early morning drive to Pangti village (4-Hours with good conditions) in Nagaland through Merapani. Pangti village has hosting the Amur Falcons for a few of years, where it roosts near the Doyang Reservoir.
Our next three nights will be in Pangti Village in a home-stay. Accommodations are sparce… though we will have electricity (albeit irregular). Shared bathrooms and bucket wash bath-house.
Day 5 – Falcons / Pangti.
Today we will venture to the falcon watch platform early in the morning to enjoy the fly-out of thousands of Amur Falcons. Returning to our accommodation for lunch we will search for falcons and other birds along the road in the afternoon, before returning for the fly-in near dark.
Day 6 – Falcons / Culture / Pangti.
Today we will venture to the falcon watch platform early in the morning to enjoy the fly-out of thousands of Amur Falcons. Returning to our accommodation for lunch we enjoy the local culture before searching for falcons and other birds along the road in late afternoon, before returning for the fly-in near dark.
Day 7 – Pangti – Kaziranga.
After breakfast, we’ll drive to Kaziranga National Park (4 – 5 hours drive) famous as the only natural habitat of the Great Indian (Asian One-horned) Rhinoceros.
Kaziranga National Park, in Assam, covers about 430 sq kms, bordered on the north by the Brahmaputra River and on the south by the Karbi Anglong hills. The largest number of one-horned rhinoceros in the world roams its swamps, grasslands with tall thickets of elephant grass and areas of mixed deciduous and tropical semi-evergreen forest. It is home to a wide variety of other animals and birds, and the open vistas make it relatively easy to see many species of wildlife in a day.
Along with the Indian Rhino, the Park contains about 35 major mammals, including Wild Elephant, Tiger, small population of Hoolock Gibbon, Capped Langur, Bristly Hare, Hog Badger, Otter, Leopard, Wild Boar, Sambar, Swamp Deer, Hog Deer, Muntjac, Water Buffalo and Gaur. Among the rich birdlife are the rare Greater Adjutant stork, Bengal Florican, Black-necked Stork, Lesser Adjutant stork, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Swamp Partridge, Grey Peacock-pheasant, Great Pied Hornbill, Green Imperial Pigeon, babblers and thousands of migratory birds, seasonally attracted to the various water areas of the park from as far away as Siberia.
Day 8 – Kaziranga.
Early morning Jeep Safari, returning to the lodge for lunch and siesta.
Later afternoon jeep safari to another area of the park.
Day 9 – Kaziranga.
Early morning Elephant Safari, followed by jeep safari, returning to the lodge for lunch and siesta. Late afternoon jungle safari.
Day 10 – Drive Kaziranga – Balipara.
Early morning checkout and drive to Adabari Tea Estate in Balipara.
Rest of afternoon free to relax.
Day 11 – Balipara – Nameri – Balipara.
Early morning go for a walk inside the park to look for illusive and endangered White-winged Duck and other birds in the park.
Post walk, back to a nearby camp for breakfast. Afternoon, we will drive approx 15 km upstream to raft down the river Jia Bhorelli. Throughout the sailing, you will have the chance to spot aquatic birds. Reach the camp by dusk and back to Balipara.
Day 12 – Balipara – Guwahati – Delhi – Home.
After breakfast checkout and drive to Guwahati airport to board flight to Delhi.
Later departure transfer to international airport to board flight to USA.
Cost
Cost is $9,500 per person, based upon double occupancy, from Delhi, India (Airport code DEL).
This trip ends in Delhi, India (Airport code DEL).
Single Supplement
If a single room is preferred, or we are unable to find a suitable roommate for you, a single supplement fee of $1,250 will be assessed.
Deposit Requirements
A $1,000 deposit per person is required to hold each space on this tour. Deposit may be made online by clicking the "Book Your Trip Now" button and using any credit card. If you prefer, you may call us at 888-875-9453 to pay by phone. You may also mail us a check, however, remember that all space is held on a first come-first served basis as deposits are received.
Minimum Number
If fewer than the minimum number of required participants are registered, we may still be able to run the trip by adding a small-group supplement fee, per person, determined by the number of participants registered.
How to Book
In order to hold your space, click the "Book Your Trip Now" button above and complete the deposit process, including payment of the deposit through our Paypal portal using ANY CREDIT CARD. Upon completion of deposit, please visit our secure, online CLIENT INFORMATION FORM to complete your registration.
Final Payment
For all land-based tours: full payment by check is due 120 days prior to the departure date.
For all boat-based adventure cruises of 7-days or longer: full payment by check is required 180 days prior to departure.
NOTE: If you prefer to use credit card for final payment, a 3% fee may be added to cover the credit card merchant fees we incur.
Pangti Home Stay
Cement structures with separate, shared flush toilet bathroom and bath house. Simple, with electricity and great food. However, Nagaland is a “dry” state, so you will have to wait until our next lodging to enjoy wine or beer.
Diphlu River Lodge
Nestled on the banks of the picturesque Diphlu River which meanders by the celebrated Kaziranga National Park, Diphlu River Lodge is the ideal getaway for a never-before intimacy with the natural world. With environment-sensitive cottages overlooking the river, Park or verdant farmland, Diphlu River Lodge combines modern comforts with the thrill of the wild with a plethora of activities to enthral your every sense.
Wild Mahseer
Beautiful, colonial-style bungalows on a tea plantation offer en suite facilities and AC. Exquisite meals are all served family style in the restaurant.
Activity Level Rating: 3 (Note: 1 is easy and 5 is difficult)
• Rough roads from Jorhat to Pangti will make for a slow bumpy ride.
• Trails are easy walking, however, we will be walking on them before daylight and after dark every day.
• Accommodations in Pangti are rustic, with very simple rooms, minimal padding on beds and shared facilities with one western-style toilet and a “bucket wash” bath house.
Purchasing Flights
Do not purchase your flights until the trip has been confirmed to go.
Detailed Trip Information
Upon notification that final payment is due (120 days prior to departure for land based tours / 180 days for boat based tours), you will receive a trip package of detailed information for your tour.
Any additional information about the trip, including lodgings, contacts, participants, meeting locations, etc., will sent about 2 weeks prior to the trip departure, or after final payment is received for late registrants.
Travel Insurance
As with all tours, we recommend purchasing Travel Insurance to help cover your investment, for covered reasons. Please see our section on Travel Insurance.
Passport & Visa
US Citizens may require a visa to enter certain foreign countries. See above for any required visa information.
Participants arriving to the USA from a foreign country may need to get a travel visa to enter the United States. Be sure to check the requirements for your country of origin.
Itinerary Changes
The trip itinerary is developed many months ahead of time. Occasionally, despite our best planning, changes may occur during the trip, or we may be forced to alter our plans. Changes may occur because of weather, road conditions, safety concerns or other circumstances. In these situations, it is the leader(s) responsibility to carefully consider and implement appropriate alternatives. Any additional costs incurred because of changes will be the responsibility of each individual participant. Refunds will not be issued as a result of itinerary changes.
