The Eagle's Nest is a wildlife sanctuary located in the Indian State of Arunachal Pradesh on the eastern side of the Himalayas and home to an extraordinary diversity of species including nine Wren-Babbler species: Sikkim Wedge-billed, Rufous-throated, Bar-winged, Long-billed, Streaked, Eyebrowed, Pygmy, Scaly-breasted and Spotted Wren Babblers. Wren-Babblers are shy birds of deep undergrowth and as such can be difficult birds to photograph. However, with the right tactics, good timing and sound local knowledge, close photographic encounters of these shy birds can be enjoyed and this family of birds will be one of our prime targets on our Eagle's Nest Bird-Photo-Tour. The supporting cast of other bird species to photograph on this trip is also fabulous too including Himalayan treasures such as Fire-tailed Myzornis, Gould's Shortwing, Himalayan Cutia, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Snow Partridge, Golden-naped Finch and Lesser Adjutant making this 12-day Bird-Photo-Tour one of the more popular photography workshops in the portfolio.
[For those bird photographers wanting to spend more time photographing birds in Arunachal Pradesh, Bird-Photo-Tours Asia does offer a 10-day tour extension taking in another two more locations with an opportunity to photograph the recently rediscovered Mishmi Wren Babbler as well as, an albeit slimmer chance of photographing arguably two of the most sought birds in Asia, Blyth's Tragopan and Sclater's Monal].
Targets: Spotted Elachura, Pygmy Cupwing, Long-billed Wren-Babbler, Bar-winged Wren-Babbler, Eyebrowed Wren-Babbler, Scaly-breasted Cupwing, Rufous-throated Wren-Babbler, Sikkim Wedge-billed Wren-Babbler.
Others: Fire-tailed Myzornis, Gould's Shortwing, Himalayan Cutia, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Snow Partridge, Golden-naped Finch, Lesser Adjutant.
Guiding Fees / Ground Transportation / Accommodation / Meals / Entrance Fees / Tipping for Drivers, Boatsmen, Hotel and Restaurant Staff.
International Flights / VISA Fees / Travel Insurance / Tips for Local Guide / Alcohol / Laundry / Items of a Personal Nature
Day 1, Guwahati, Kamrup Metropolitan Division [1N, 0D, 0S]: Arrive Guwahati Airport, Assam.
Days 2-6, Eagle’s Nest, West Kameng District [4N, 3D, 7S]: Drive 6-hours. Photographic Targets: Scaly-breasted Cupwing / Pygmy Cupwing / Long-billed Wren-Babbler / Bar-winged Wren-Babbler / Rufous-throated Wren-Babbler / Spotted Elachura.
Days 6-11, Eagle’s Nest, West Kameng District [5N, 4D, 10S]: Drive 2-hours. Photographic Targets: Scaly-breasted Cupwing / Pygmy Cupwing / Rufous-throated Wren-Babbler / Eyebrowed Wren-Babbler / Sikkim Wedge-billed Wren-Babbler / Spotted Elachura.
Days 11-12, Eagle’s Nest, West Kameng District [1N, 0D, 1S]: Drive 3-hours to Tenga and check into hotel.
Days 12-13, Dibrugarh District [1N, 0D, 0S]: Drive 6-hours to Guwahati Airport in Assam for international departures the following day [END].
Key: N=Night, D=Full Day, S=Session / Half-Day
Lobsang is an experienced guide with a first-class understanding of the needs of the bird photographer. One of India's top bird guides and currently serving as President of the Arunachal Pradesh Bird Club, Lobsang has a wealth of bird photography experience throughout India, particularly the bird-rich Himalayan region, growing up in Dirang and living not far away today in the mountains surrounding the Tenga Valley. Appointed as a Director and Shareholder of Bird-Photo-Tours Asia, Lobsang is 'India Managing Director' with particular responsibility for both India inbound and outbound Bird-Photo-Tours.
(i) The guesthouses are all in close proximity to the bird photography locations (ii) Walking is at a light pace (iii) There is no requirement to hike nor climb. (iv) None of the locations are at altitude (v) There is no camping. Summary: for these five reasons this trip has been graded as 'Easy'.
: Kashmir
