Category: Bird Watching Destinations in Sikkim

Situated in the Western part of Sikkim, the Barsay Rhododendron Sanctuary is one of the most fabulous places for nature lovers. The sanctuary was declared in 1996 in an initiative to conserve the Rhododendron trees. The total area of the sanctuary is 104 sq km. The altitudinal range of 2200 meters to 4100 meters supports various biodiversity values ranging from the sub-tropical Forest, Mixed Broadleaf Forest, Conifer Forest, and Alpine Meadows. All these diverse vegetation make a perfect home for many Himalayan bird species, including a stunning Satyr Tragopan, Brown Parrotbill, Great Parrotbill, Fulvous Parrotbill Black-throated Parrotbill, Golden bush Robin and White-browed Bush Robin. Hillay is a buffer zone of Barsay Rhododendron Sanctuary that covers mostly high-altitude bamboos. It is a home of many good birds like shortwings, Scimitar-Babblers, Parotbills, etc. There are some areas occupied as agriculture field which has an important feeding ground for many birds too. Hillay is one of the most easiest places for Spotted Laughingthrush, Black-faced Laughingthrush, White-throated Laughingthrush, Scaly Laughingthrush, and Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush. Some of the commonly seen birds are White-browed, Golden-breasted, Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Spotted Nutcracker, Streaked-breasted, and Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, White-collared and Grey-winged Blackbird. Our more than ten years of birding experience here in this area builds confidence to find all important target birds and deliver the best services of hospitality.

The largest among all four districts, the Northern part of Sikkim is one of the least populated districts. The higher part of the district is restricted area that shares international boundary with China (Tibet) for which all the visitor needs to have inner line permit to visit. Our important birding destination here are Lachen, Thangu and Gurudongmar lake as well as Lachung and Yumthang Valley. Birding here in North Sikkim is comparatively more challenging than our other destinations due to the high altitude and rugged terrain. However, the birds here may be different than all other places. Birding from 1800 meters of elevation to 5000 meters has a massive change in habitat. Higher up at Gurudongmar lake, the topography is completely different. The birds and mammals found here are nowhere else in the whole of India other than in Ladakh. Some birds, including White-rumped Snow Finch and Rufous-necked Snow Finch, are rather tricky in Ladakh that we see quickly in North Sikkim.

One of our favorite birding destination, the Pangolakha wildlife sanctuary situated in Eastern part of Sikkim. The Sanctuary shares the boundary with Bhutan in East and Neora valley national park of West Bengal on South.  The Sanctuary has typical alpine-temperate-subtropical vegetation with high altitude lakes around Jelep La. Rhododendron, Silver Fir, Juniper forest, associated ground flora, and moss-filled oak forests with mountains dense bamboo thickets form an ideal habitat for much faunal life.  The steep terrain of the Sanctuary, starting from an elevation of 1300 meters that goes all the way up to 4000 meters, has few settlements like Zuluk, Nathang, and Kupup. Also, there are few wetlands which is a breeding ground for few migratory birds during summer.  Due to the vast diversity of altitudinal zone and habitat types, the Pangolakha wildlife sanctuary has become a remarkable destination for nature lovers.  There are number of rare birds found in the Sanctuary for e.g Himalayan Monal, Satyr Tragopan, Great Parrotbill, Fulvous Parrotbill, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Blood Pheasant and many others. It is also a home of elusive Red Panda and Musk deer. Himalayan Goral can easily be seen here. Pangolakha wildlife sanctuary is also popularly known as Zuluk (a village there) and old silk road. It has become a favorite destination for other tourists who like scenery and landscape.  The twisted road from Zuluk to Thambi is one of the most beautiful photo attractions. Here we often come across beautiful Himalayan Monal basking in the sun in the morning. The view of Mt. Khangchendzonga is going to be a lifetime experience from Thambi point.