ITINERARY: 20 DAYS

Tuesday 3rd Mar 2009: Depart from Home
We board connected flight LX 146 at 12.30 hrs from Zurich to Delhi.

Wednesday 4th Mar 2009: Arrive Delhi
We arrive in Delhi International Airport at 0035 hrs Welcome and assistance by Mr. Vivek Sharma and transfer to Hotel Shanti Palace, New Delhi. Overnight stay in hotel Shanti Palace.

Wednesday 4th Mar 2009: Delhi - Ramnagar
Following breakfast explore Delhi, visiting national museums, Lunch at original Mughal kitchen called Karim's. Following lunch drive to Akshardham Temple. It is a Monument to World Peace, and is nicknamed “India’s Spiritual Theme Park”. Return to hotel. After dinner transfer to Delhi Railway station to board Corbett link express to Ramnagar at 2240 hrs. Over night in the train. (B, L, D)
We have managed to book a complete   1st or 2nd AC railway compartment in this train – so whole of this train section is personal & locked. We had already discussed the matter with Indian railway authorities who have given us their assurance.

Thursday 5th Mar 2009:  Ramnagar – Corbett Tiger Reserve
The train arrives Ramnagar railway station at 0545hrs. This is Corbett National Park’s head office. On arrival we will wash & Fresh & take breakfast in Tree Top Country Inn before we start our journey to our Camp, which is in the heart of Corbett Tiger Reserve. For two nights we are staying inside the core area of the park upon arrival transfer to forest lodge Dhikala and continue our excursion into the Park and overnight in Dhikala forest lodge. (B, L, D)
And for one night we are staying in Tree Tops, Country Inn, Located in the foothills of Himalayas. All modern facilities and amenities of Indian standard are available for you comfort. (B, L, D)

Thursday /Friday 5th/6th Mar 2009: Corbett Tiger Reserve
Morning and afternoon safari at Corbett Tiger Reserve in Dhikala Zone. Overnight stay in Dhikala Forest Lodge. (B, L, D)

Saturday 7th Mar 2009: Corbett Tiger Reserve
Morning safari in Corbett Dhikala Zone. After breakfast transfer to Tree Top Country Inn resort. Afternoon safari at Corbett Tiger Reserve in Bijrani Zone. Overnight stay in Tree Tops, Country Inn. (B, L, D)

Sunday 8th Mar 2009: Corbett National Park – Delhi
Morning excursion into the park. After lunch transfer to Ramnagar Railway station to board in train #5013 Link Exp. to Delhi.
We have managed to book a complete 1st or 2nd AC railway compartment in this train – so whole of this train section is personal & locked. We had already discussed the matter with Indian railway authorities who have given us their assurance.

Monday 9th Mar 2009: Delhi- Guwahati
The said train arrives Delhi at 0405 hrs. On arrival transfer to Hotel Shanti Palace, New Delhi. For wash & fresh. After breakfast transfer to the domestic airport for our flight at 1100 hrs to arrive Guwahati at 1315hrs. Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight stay hotel Brahmaputra Ashok, Guwahati. (B, L, D)

Tuesday 10th Mar 2009: Guwahati- Kaziranga Tiger Reserve
After breakfast drive for 4 hrs to Kaziranga Tiger Reserve, where it becomes apparent that the people of Assam have a more pronounced Asian influence than those of any place visited. Assam is the biological crossroads for the flora and fauna of the Malay Peninsula, China, Himalayas and the Indian subcontinent. Here, the forests are primarily tropical evergreen rather than the deciduous type found in dryer areas. Arrive late afternoon at the Bon Habi Resort. (B, L, D) 

Tuesday/ Thursday 11th/12th Mar 2009: Kaziranga Tiger Reserve
Three full days at Kaziranga, exploring the park by open 4X4 WD Jeep and on elephant back. Accommodation at Bon Habi Resort. (B, L, D Daily)

Friday 13th Mar 2009: Kaziranga Tiger Reserve - Guwahati – Bagdogra – Kalimpong
After breakfast, depart for Guwahati to board flight #IC0879 at 1415hrs to arrive Bagdogra at 1510hrs. Upon arrival, drive for 80 km 3 hrs to Kalimpong. Over night stay in hotel Silver Oaks, Kalimpong.

Saturday 14th Mar 2009- Kalimpong – Lava (35 kms/1 hrs) Excursion
Lava is a prime birding destination in this region. It is a small bazaar once a halting place for convoys relating to Bhutan & Sikkim trade. Surrounded by very large tracts of protected forests ranging an elevation between 1600 and 2400 mtrs, it includes the remote and uninhabited Neora Valley National Park which a paradise of bird watchers forest lovers.  Evening return to Kalimpong. O/n in hotel Silver Oaks. 

Sunday 15th Mar 2009: Transfer   from    Kalimpong - Damthang Forests - Ravangla, 2200.
This day we undertake a drive through   Forests. En route stop at various places for bird watch and road side nature scenic. This is journey through forest valley of rivers where 1000 types of birds take shelter. The main bird to be seen are  Shikra, Red Jungle Fowl, River Lapwing, Green billed Malkoha, White throated Kingfisher, Crested Kingfisher, Chestnut headed Bee eater, Indian Roller, Dollarbird, Great Barbet, Greater Yellow nape, Black backed Wagtail, Small Minivet, Scarlet Minivet, Black crested Bulbul, White cheeked Bulbul, Red vented Bulbul, Black Bulbul, Golden fronted Leaf bird, Orange bellied Leaf bird, Common Iora, Blue Rock Thrush, Chestnut bellied Rock Thrush, White capped Redstart, Hair crested Drongo, Green Magpie, Himalayan Swiftlet, and oriental White Eye. We complete this journey of 80 Kms only by evening and enjoy the entire day watch and proceed basis. This is only because of attractive nature scenic. Arrive and transfer to Hotel. Overnight in Babumoshai Resort, Ravangla.

Monday 16h Mar 2009:  Ravangla- Menam (10, 800ft.) – A Trek for 12 Kms – Ravangla Wildlife Bird Sanctuary.
It is a walking distance 12 km up from Ravangla .It is a trek spot and can be visited on foot. A traditional meditation site for the monks, it is also a vantage location for spectacular view of the mountains at sunrise.  The forest is a diverse of colors during spring. A natural habitat of the red panda, Himalayan black bear and many species of deer.   If the time permits then also visit main sighting places i.e Temi Tea Garden, Ralang hot spring, Ralang Monasteries Tashiding Monastery. Overnight at Babumoshai Resort.

Tuesday 17th Mar 2009: Ravangla –Pelling – Pemyangtse - Sangacholing (approx 6 hrs tour).
After breakfast undertake this journey of 55 kms with birding halts enroute at selected spots. Arrive Pelling at lunch time. Pelling offers the spectacular views of Eastern Himalayas. To-day we go for bird watch for full day in the adjoining areas including visit to Pemayangtse and Sangacholing Monasteries. Overnight at hotel The Elgin Mt Pandim, Pelling.

Wednesday 18th Mar 2009:  Pelling to - Khechopalri Lake
Drive to Khichepheri Lake for birding. Some of the best birds are migrant waterfowl, Black necked grebe, Baer's Pochard, Speckled wood pigeon, Emerald Cuckoo, Blue-winged and Scaly Laughing thrush, White-naped Yuhina.Overnight at hotel The Elgin Mt Pandim, Pelling.

Thursday 19th Mar 2009.   Pelling to Darjeeling (105 kms/3 hrs)
After break fast drive to Darjeeling 105 kms/3 hrs. Evening at Nature walk. O/N in the Hotel The Elgin Darjeeling.

Friday 20th Mar 2009:Back Home
Meet our connecting flights LX 147 at 0155 hrs to Zurich.