Singalila, Kaziranga, and Darjeeling
Wildlife of Eastern India: From Red Pandas to Rhinos
Overview
Some of the rarest species in the world are found in the fascinating wildlife reserves of eastern India, including the furry, tree-dwelling red panda and the prehistoric-looking one-horned rhino. With Trip Leader Devendra Basnet, an inveterate naturalist who has been leading for WT for 35 years, we'll be immersed in the richness of India's natural habitats each day as we explore from the Himalayan foothills to the grassy savannas of Assam. To look for red pandas, we'll fly from Kolkata to Bagdogra in West Bengal and make our way by road up into the rugged Himalayan landscape of Singalila National Park, which straddles a dramatic ridge on the India-Nepal border. A population of endangered red pandas resides in the forests here, and with our local trackers, we'll look for these beautiful creatures as we hike peaceful trails. We'll also witness Himalayan panoramas from Singalila's high viewpoints. Afterwards, we'll descend into India and unwind in charming Darjeeling, known as the Queen of the Hill Stations. Our next Indian wildlife adventure begins in Kaziranga National Park in the lowlands of Assam. Spread across the floodplains of the great Brahmaputra River, Kaziranga is home to some of the world's last one-horned rhinos, along with a host of other wildlife including tigers and large breeding populations of elephant. This unique journey is limited to just eight people, so early signup is advised.
Arrive: Kolkata, India
Depart: Kolkata, India
Highlights
- Track endangered red pandas in the misty Himalayan forests of Singalila
- Look for Asian one-horned rhinos in the UNESCO-listed sanctuary of Kaziranga
- Enjoy breathtaking panoramas of Mt. Kanchenjunga from Sandakphu and Darjeeling
Itinerary
After an overnight in Kolkata, a short flight brings us to Bagdogra, where we board 4WD vehicles for a drive up to our remote accommodation in the broadleaf forests of Singalila National Park, habitat of the red panda and other fascinating species.
We join professional trackers to hike mountain trails in search of these iconic animals each day. While we're here, we'll also head up to the famous Himalayan overlook at Sandakphu (11,929') for classic Kanchenjunga and Everest views. Our ridgetop accommodation is a conservation hub and a Nepali-style homestay with breathtaking Himalayan views into India on one side and Nepal on the other.
We descend from Singalila and continue to Darjeeling, long the queen of the British hill stations and still exuding Victorian charm. During our days here, we'll ride the narrow-gauge “toy train” and visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Himalayan Zoological Park, with the option of a sunrise visit to the famous Kanchenjunga viewpoint at Tiger Hill.
Descending to the tropical plains of Assam, we check into our wonderful lodge just outside Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the banks of the Brahmaputra River. Endangered Asian one-horned rhinos are the stars here, but as we explore by 4WD vehicle with our trackers, we'll also be on the lookout for elephant, wild Asiatic water buffalo, and with luck, a glimpse of the elusive Bengal tiger. Depart via Kolkata on Day 12.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 2+, Easy to Moderate, according to our trip grading system. It is a cultural and natural history journey with travel by vehicle with hikes and walks that can be enjoyed by anyone in reasonably good health who has recent hiking experience.
Review Trip Level Details
On some of our panda-tracking hikes, there may be some rough off-trail footing, so these hikes are best suited for people who have a good sense of balance. There is also some rough road travel on dirt or gravel tracks.
Singalila National Park is at altitudes between 7,000 and 10,000 feet in the foothills of the Himalayas. In spring in Singalila, daytime highs will be in the chilly 50s and 60s, even dropping as low as the 30s at night. There is more precipitation in spring and skies can sometimes be hazy but the rhododendrons should be in beautiful bloom and the stunning tea gardens will be operational. In autumn, daytime highs will be in the 60, with nights in the low 50s, and the Himalayan vistas should be mostly clear. As in all mountain areas, there is always the possibility of rain. In Darjeeling in spring, temperatures will be pleasant, ranging from the 60s to the high 70s, with autumn temperatures ranging between 50°F and 75°F. In Kaziranga National Park in the lowlands of Assam, it will be quite warm, with spring temperatures between 70°F and 85°F and autumn temperatures ranging between 65°F and 80°F, dropping to much cooler at dawn.
We enjoy excellent hotels and a comfortable wildlife lodge on this journey, plus four nights at
Shikhar Tarry Lodge, a very simple “homestay-style” accommodation. A recommended clothing and equipment list is provided in our Pre-Departure Booklet, and more detailed description of each accommodation can be found in the “Lodging” section.
In Singalila, the only vehicles available are old-fashioned “vintage” land rovers with limited shocks and suspension systems, which make for bumpy rides on the dirt roads. In Kaziranga, we use open-roof safari vehicles that guarantee everyone a “window” seat and great wildlife viewing opportunities. All other road travel will be in modern and comfortable vehicles—typically a Toyota Innova.
Client Testimonials
"It was a fantastic trip and we were very lucky to see the red pandas. I enjoyed the opportunity to see and photograph the many birds in the areas where we were. Learning history and culture made it a well-rounded and interesting trip. "
Dory B.
Waunakee, WI
"It was a fantastic trip and we were very lucky to see the red pandas. I enjoyed the opportunity to see and photograph the many birds in the areas we were. Learning history and culture when we could made it well rounded and interesting trip."
Dory B.
Waunakee, WI
"The exoticness of seeing a red panda in Singalila NP was enough to justify the trip. Visiting an area of India rarely visited by Americans made it even better. Kaziranga NP delivered its rhinoceroses and elephants in a spectacular fashion."
Richard R.
Columbus, GA
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult.