Northeast: Mishmi Hills and Brahmaputra

Trip Description

Brief Itinerary

This tour provides the chance to explore the little-visited extremity of India’s bird-rich northeast region looking for regional grassland endemics and East Himalayan specialities.

The tour covers the key birding sites in the Brahmaputra Valley of Assam state, including the vast wetlands and marshy grasslands of Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, and remnant patches of lowland tropical forests of Dehing-Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary. We then ascend into the Mishmi Hills of Arunachal Pradesh, dividing our time between two elevations. Here, we will explore the subtropical forests of the foothills and conifers of higher elevations in the most pristine tract of forest remaining in the entire Himalayan range.

This tour visits an interesting corner of India as we enjoy productive birding in part of the biodiverse Eastern Himalayan region. We have realistic chances to see the most sought-after regional endemics among a rich selection of grassland and Himalayan species. We will also encounter various mammals, including iconic species such as Asian Elephant, and endemics including the strange-looking Mishmi Takin.

We will stay in a comfortable hotel in lowland Assam, and two rest houses in the hills that although simple are uniquely located for exploring the range of elevations. As we travel, we will pass through scenic open grasslands and wide river valleys, spectacular mountain landscapes, and vast tea estates in India’s prime tea-growing region.

This trip can be combined with our tour of Nagaland.