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Trip Report 1 Trip Report 2 Bird Images Checklist
Map
Destinations:
The landlocked Himalayan State of Sikkim is wedged in between China in the north, Nepal in the west, Bhutan in the east and the Indian State of West Bengal in the south. The Singelila Ridge containing Mt. Kanchenjunga (28,146 feet) on the west and the Chola Range on the east is capped in the north by the main Himalayan range, trapping Sikkim in a gigantic mountainous horseshoe . This large strip of rugged montane country feeds the mighty Teesta which
runs north to south across Sikkim.
Sikkim broadly has three altitudinal zones : The Tropical Zone upto 4000 feet which extends down to the foothills of the outer Himalayas , the Moist Temperate Zone extending to 8000/9000 feet and the Temperate Zone which goes all the way up to 13,000 feet.
The telescoping of terrain has created a divergent range of climates and vegetation making Sikkim an unique home for over 527 ( Salim Ali 1 ) bird species and is, perhaps, the richest birding area in the Himalayas.
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© Arun Bhat |
© Arun Bhat |
| Grandala (f) |
Grandala |
This section will focus on the birds of Sikkim with area specific focus on:
South and West Sikkim : Altitude 500 - 4000m. Contains hotspots like Pelling/Pemayangtze (1500-2000m), Yuksom (1800m), Ravangla (2000m) , Maenam Wild Life Sanctuary (3000m), Khechopari Lake
(2000m), Dzongri , Versey Rhododendron Sanctuary and Kanchenjunga National Park.
Best time to visit: November to February
East Sikkim : Altitude 1200 -4000m. Hotspots include Rumtek Gompa, Fambong Lho Wild Life Sanctuary ( 1500- 2800m), Changu Lake (3800m) and Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary ( 3200- 4000m)
Best time to visit: November to February
North Sikkim : Altitude 3000 - 4500 m. Places to visit include Yumthang ( 3500m ), Lachung/Lachen, Chungthang and Singba Rhododendron Sanctuary,
Best time to visit: October - November and February - March.
How to reach: Sikkim is connected by road with the rest of the country. Main access is from Siliguri in West Bengal. New Jalpaiguri/ Siliguri stations are the nearest railheads and Bagdogra Airport is linked to New Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati. You generally enter Sikkim by driving up the Sevok road from Siliguri . This National Highway follows the course of River Teesta. Driving time to Gangtok (capital of
Sikkim ) is 4 hours (120 kms) and Ravangla 4-5 hours. Buses, shared taxis and private taxis are freely available for transport inside Sikkim.
Where to stay : Most birding destinations have reasonable accommodation of some sort. Gangtok has many good hotels like Tashi Delek, Norkhill, Hotel Tibet etc. Check the links below to find out more about Sikkim.
References:
1. The Birds of Sikkim ~ Salim Ali (Oxford University Press).
2. A Birdwatchers' Guide to India ~ Krys Kazmierczak and Raj Singh (OUP).
Sikkim Links:
Sikkim Information
Information about places to visit and stay :
Sikkim Milestones.com
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Kolkata, India. May 17, 2007
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Last modified: May 17, 2007
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