UTTARAKHAND – BUTTERFLIES, BIRDS AND WILDLIFE

Common Castor - Ariadne merione

This itinerary is ideal for nature lovers who wish to spend some time exploring the lower Himalayas. It is predominantly an introduction to the butterflies, moths and birds of the Himalayan foothills combined with easy paced walks, some short talks by local lepidopterists as well as birding with local experts. There will be stunning Himalayan vistas on a clear day, and an introduction to local lifestyle, culture, traditions and cuisine.

A 12 Night – 14 Day itinerary - additional days for an extended stay in Delhi, a visit to Agra for the Taj Mahal etc. can be arranged if required either before or after the main tour. Best taken in March – May and October – November.

Itinerary Day 1 UK - Delhi Depart UK from an airport of your choice and fly to New Delhi, either direct or via one of the Gulf states.

Day 2 Delhi On arrival at Indira Gandhi International airport you will be met by our representative as you leave the Arrivals hall. Look out for a Red Panda paging board with your names on it. You will then be transferred to your hotel for some relaxation after your flight. Depending on your arrival time and preferences we can arrange for some birding at the Okhla Barrage or a visit to the Lodhi Gardens, Aravalli biodiversity park or the Butterfly Park near Tughlakabad. Delhi hotel/Homestay

Day 3 Delhi to Bhimtal

After breakfast you will be collected from your hotel and be driven to Bhimtal: a distance of 200 miles which will take around 8hrs with plenty of stops along the route for refreshment and wildlife watching. On arrival check in at the resort, your home for the next four nights, and relax. TAG Resort Lavanya

Day 4 Bhimtal

A full day birding and butterfly study in and around Bhimtal; a small town in the state of

Uttarakhand, famous for its lake which is the largest lake in the Kumaon region, also known as the

"Lake District of India".

After breakfast start with a visit to the Butterfly Research Centre founded by Peter Smetacek. Peter

is the author of ‘A Naturalist’s Guide to The Butterflies of India’; a very useful field guide for India,

Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. He has recently published a Synoptic Catalogue of the

Butterflies of India with RK Varsheney and is an acknowledged expert in the field. The centre has a

sample collection of butterflies and moths from all over the world.

Some notable butterfly species to see in the area are: Orange Oakleaf, Spangle, Common Peacock, Glassy Bluebottle, Blue Admiral, Indian Tortoiseshell, Himalayan Brimstone.

TAG Resort Lavanya

Day 5 Bhimtal – Sattal – Bhimtal

Start the morning at the Butterfly Conservation Centre for a short workshop. This is followed by a drive to Sattal, a group of small lakes still untouched by modernization. The area is rich in bird and butterfly species. Some of the species to be found here are: Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler, Siberian Rubythroat, White -tailed Rubythroat, Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush, Golden Spectacled Warbler, Golden Oriol, Long Billed Thrush, Black-chinned Babbler. Proceed further to Kainchi temple via Nighlat where there is the possibility of: Long-billed Thrush, Orange-headed Thrush, Common Rosefinch, Pink- browed Rosefinch, Rockbunting, Crested Kingfisher, Brown Dipper, Wren Babbler, Little Forktail and many more. Butterfly species include: Common Peacock Papilio bianor Spangle Papilio protenor Orange Oakleaf Kallima inachus Chocolate Pansy Junonia iphita Pallas’ Sailer Neptis sappho Glassy Tiger Parantica aglea Striped Blue Crow Euploea mulciber Then return to the hotel for dinner. TAG Resort Lavanya

Day 6 Bhimtal - Chanfi River – Bhimtal

Start the morning at the Conservation Centre for a short workshop and review of the sightings so far, followed by a walk in the local area. Some of the species we will look for are Chestnut tiger, Tawny mime, Dark blue tiger, White- bordered Copper, Sorrel Sapphire, Silver Hairstreak and Commodore. Picnic lunch followed by an optional birding drive along the Chanfi River for Chestnut-headed Tesia, Black Bulbul, Warblers, Flycatchers and Wagtails. Some of the possible butterfly species we’ll be searching for during our drive include Circe, Eastern Courtier, Himalayan Five-ring, Indian Purple Emperor and Chocolate Pansy, Grey Pansy (below). TAG Resort Lavanya

Fri 27th Sept Bhimtal – Jilling Santuary

Today you will have a short trek to the Jilling Sanctuary located at an altitude of 7000 ft. Please note, the walk is moderately steep but there is no rush and it takes approximately 1.30 hrs to reach the property. The sanctuary is rich in flora and fauna and offers views of the snow-clad Himalayas along with walks through thick wooded forest with mountain streams. Enjoy the trails and butterfly viewing in and

around the lodge.

Species we will be targeting:

Common Punch Dodona durga Tailed Punch Dodona eugenes Lesser Punch Dodona dipoea Common Woodbrown Lethe sidonis Ringed Argus Callerebia annada Indian Red Admiral Vanessa indica Indian Tortoiseshell Aglais caschmirensis Blue Admiral Kaniska canace Western Courtier Sephisa dichroa Yellow Sailer Neptis ananta Creamy Sailer Neptis soma Chestnut Tiger Parantica sita

Jilling Terraces

Day 7 Jilling Sanctuary

Explore the region by foot on a medium-grade village trek to Kanarkha or Panyali village, a comfortable half day hike. Species you may see here include; Red-base Jezebel, Red Lacewing, Tawny Coster, Punchinello (below left), Plain Tiger, Grey Pansy, Brown Prince, Indian Red Admiral, Jungle Glory, Pallid Faun. Back to the lodge for the evening.

Jilling Terraces

Day 8 Jilling Sanctuary – Majkhali

Leisurely breakfast then drive to Roseville at Majkhali - around 50miles/3hrs. The rest of the day is free to explore the area and view the snow-capped Himalaya and lush green forests. Birding and butterfly watching around the lodge followed by dinner. Butterflies we will be targeting: Ringed Argus Callerebia annada Orange Oakleaf Kallima inachus Indian Cabbage White Pieris canidia Sorrel Sapphire Heliophorus sena Large Hedge Blue Celastrina hugeli Silvery Hedge Blue Celastrina gigas Roseville Cottage

Day 9 Majkhali A relaxing day butterflying and birding in the nearby fields. There will be the possibility of spotting: Chukar Partridge, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Fire-capped Tit, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Crimson Sunbird, Khalij Pheasant, Green-tailed Sunbird, Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush.

Roseville Cottage

Day 10 Majkhali - Nainital A short drive this morning to Nainital. This popular hill station is the headquarters of Nainital district and also home to the Governors House. Situated at 2084 metres (6,837 ft) the town is set in a valley containing a mango-shaped lake, approximately two miles in circumference, and surrounded by mountains, of which the highest is Naina (2,615 m (8,579 ft). The Naina Devi temple on the shore of the lake is worth a visit and after that we will take a short sail on the lake followed by lunch at the Yacht Club. Late afternoon a short walk from the property along a country trail with plenty of butterfly spotting opportunities for a spectacular sunset view. Back to the lodge for pre-dinner drinks and dinner. Abbotsford

Day 11 Nainital A full day exploring the trails and forests of the Nanda Devi Himalayan Bird Reserve looking for butterflies and birds. Common Punch Dodona durga Tailed Punch Dodona eugenes Lesser Punch Dodona dipoea Common Woodbrown Lethe sidonis Indian Red Admiral Vanessa indica Indian Tortoiseshell Aglais caschmirensis Commodore Auzakia danava Orange Staff Sergeant Athyma cama Common Wall Lasiommata schakra Abbotsford

Day 12 Delhi

This morning start your journey home with the drive back to Delhi with stops along the way for

refreshment and wildlife watching. Aerocity/Airport hotel

Fri 4th Oct Delhi – UK

Optional Delhi sightseeing/shopping then tfr to the airport for your flight home.

Accommodation

TAG Resort Lavanya - Bhimtal

Each room in the resort offers excellent

views with a balcony overlooking the lake

along with a double bed, tea/coffee

maker, hair dryer, LCD TV and en-suite

bathroom. The hotel has a multi cuisine

restaurant, gym, spa, bar and billiards

room.

Jilling Terraces - Nainital

In a clearing in 100 acres of untouched

forests this 80-year-old house, a couple of

hours away from Nainital in the South Gola

range of the Himalayas, has stunning

views of Nanda Devi and the surrounding

peaks on clear days. This former private

house has been converted into a charming

and stylish homestay with four suites and

a self-contained cottage.

Roseville Cottages - Majkhali

Set amidst the Pine and Deodars of the

lower Himalayas astride the Ranikhet

ridge. The chalets are crafted with local

stone and wood beam roofs. The rooms

are large with attached bathrooms. Indian,

Chinese, both vegetarian and non-

vegetarian cuisine, and Gujarati and

Rajasthani traditional dishes. This is one of

the best birding sites in the country, being

home to about 300 species of birds

including some seen only here.

Abbotsford Estate – Nainital

Built in 1876 the property was originally

owned by an Englishman, John Hope

Simpson, of the Indian Civil Service.

Bought in 1903 by the Prasadas it was

renamed “Prasada Bhawan" and the

fourth generation of the Prasadas run it

today. Furnished in colonial style there are

many antiquarian items from around the

world. The rooms are all well-equipped,

with ensuite facilities and are split

between the main lodge, the Wordsworth

bungalow up the hill at the rear and the recently completed and fabulously decorated Apsley house.

Included: All internal taxes and charges (including royalties) Accommodation Meals as per the plan above plus tea and snacks Travel with a licenced local escort/guide All surface transfers by a private vehicle All entry fees to monuments, museums and National Parks Excluded: Optional tours/excursions, Personal and incidental expenses - Tips, laundry, phone calls, and bars. International and domestic air fares Insurance Any other services not mentioned as included Indian visa fees. Notes: UK and EC citizens require a visa to visit India/Nepal/Bhutan and Sri Lanka. You are responsible for obtaining these yourselves but we will, of course, provide any guidance or assistance you may require. Most countries now operate an online e-visa / visa on arrival system which is relatively simple and you will need at least 6 months validity on your passports after your scheduled return date in order to obtain a visa.