chambal wildlife sanctuary

Last year, my wife and I decided to visit the Chambal River Sanctuary for birdwatching. We’re both somewhat avid birdwatchers (not as amateur as some, but at the same time not the hardcore birders who travel for months on end). Living in Delhi, we had both done Bharatpur multiple times, but had somehow never added Chambal to our itinerary (much to the chagrin of our birding friends).

 After much planning, and a little delaying, we finally visited Chambal last February. We decided to save some time by skipping Bharatpur, since it was not a new place to us, and going directly to Chambal, more specifically Dholpur.

So after breakfast on the first day of our trip, we left Delhi for the National Chambal Sanctuary. This wildlife sanctuary lies along the Chambal River, and is home to some amazing wetland wildlife. We reached our lodge in Chambal just in time for lunch. Since we didn’t have any boat safaris or other activities planned for the day, we decided to go for a short afternoon nature trail near our lodge, where we saw Indian Scops Owl, Spotted Owlet, Brown-headed Barbet, Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Indian Thick-knee, and Indian Silverbill. We returned to our lodge by evening.

After an amazing dinner, we were still a little restless (and full from the food) so we decided to take a little night time walk to clear our heads and stomachs, and, at the same time, see if we could spot any nocturnal wildlife. While we didn’t get to see any owls or nightjards, I would still count our luck as fantastic as we managed to spot an Indian Palm Civet, which is normally very shy and reclusive.

The following morning, we had our boat safari in Chambal. On our way to the river, we did some light birdwatching, spotting birds like White-eyed Buzzard, Indian Silverbill, Long-tailed Shrike, and Greater Coucal. We then got to our designated boat and proceeded along the river. The boat safaris can be booked online, but we decided to save ourselves the trouble and got the lodge to do it for us.

Boating along the amazing River Chambal, one of the cleanest rivers I’ve ever seen, we got some amazing bird sightings, including Indian Skimmer, Black-bellied Tern, Bar-headed Goose, Pallas’s Gull, Long-legged Buzzard, Kentish and Little Ringed Plovers, Sand Lark, and Wire-tailed Swallow. We also saw plenty of Marsh Crocodiles (Mugger), as well as Gharials (also known as Fish-eating Crocodile), which Chambal is famous for, as well as an Indian Tent Turtle and Softshell Turtle. But the most amazing sighting was a Gangetic Dolphin that leaped out of the water very close to our boat. Despite everyone getting clear views of it, its movement was so fast that neither managed to get a photo.

After returning to our lodge and having lunch, we chatted with the staff as to what other activities could be done. After a few suggestions, we decided to to visit the nearby Bateshwar Temple. We’re not very religious but the temple, and the surrounding patch is very beautiful, and also peaceful and calming. After visiting the temple, we visited a nearby village known as Holipura. This small, neat and tidy village has many old houses, all of which belong to the same family. In fact, the entire village is occupied by the same extended multi-generation family. We then returned to our lodge.

Finally, it was our last morning in Chambal. After a hearty breakfast, and a small nature trail around our lodge, we started our drive back to Delhi.

For all those visiting Bharatpur, I strongly suggest adding a day to do a full-day excursion to Chambal. Not only will this save you a lot of time in planning a separate trip, but you will also be marvelled at how amazing a region once infamous for its bandits, is now a prime 

wildlife and birdwatching hotspot.

E: info@asianadventures.in

M: +91 8010450000  
https://linktr.ee/aatoursandlodges

Don’t miss joining our ‘conservation-travel’ community! Click Here

Manas National Park – Best Time to Visit and Things to Do

Manas National Park in Assam is well regarded as a natural heritage, biosphere reserve, Project Elephant Reserve and Project Tiger Reserve at once. The national park lies on the foothills of Himalayas and is flanked by the Manas River, from which it gets its name. It is home to Wild Water Buffalos and Royal Bengal Tiger with plenty of activities to enjoy. Manas National Park is a land of fulfilling experience and wholesome adventure in nature.

About Manas National Park

Manas National Park is a densely forested region in the Eastern Himalayas. The Manas River is a huge tributary with five different rivers along with the Brahmaputra River. The Savannah bedrocks are formed of sandstone and limestone. You can get a permit from the Field's Director Office to enter the park on Barpeta Road. Forest department doesn’t offer any guide or jeep. So, you need to hire private jeeps. You can also take your personal vehicle in the park. Bansbari Range Office also receives entry fee to the park.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Manas National Park is between November and April, when the weather is pleasant and there are high chances of spotting wild animals. The park remains open daily except for safety concerns or rain. From May to October, the park is open for a short period. The park remains closed in monsoons, i.e. from June to September.

 Things to do

Jeep Safari

Many endangered animals and bird species call the wilderness of Manas National Park their home. You can spot exotic and rare animals in Manas wildlife sanctuary like Pygmy Hog, Roofed Turtle, Hispid Hare, Bengal Florican, Indian Rhinoceros, and more.

Timings – 9AM to 12PM for Morning Safari and 2PM to 5PM for Afternoon Safari

Elephant Safari

An elephant safari is also available to get up close to more wild animals. These beautiful giants will take you through the areas where jeep cannot enter. So, be ready to get a unique insight to the park.

Timings – 6AM and 7AM

Getting There

By Rail – Guwahati is well connected to all major cities of the country and it’s the only railway station of its kind in North East. A lot of trains originate and halt here, including Rajdhani Express. From there, you can hop on another train to Barpeta station which is located only 22 km by road from Manas.

By Air – Similarly, Guwahati is the closest airport which is 180km away. You can easily take regular flights from different cities like Jaipur, Mumbai, New Delhi, and Bangalore. From the airport, you can hire a cab or taxi.

By Road – Manas also has good road connectivity from Guwahati, which takes up to 5 hours to cover 176 km.  

E: info@asianadventures.in

M: +91-8010450000
https://linktr.ee/aatoursandlodges

Don’t miss joining our ‘conservation-travel’ community! Click Here

Ranikhet Hill Station – A Complete Tour Guide to Visit the “Queen’s Meadow”

Ranikhet is one of the most exotic hill stations of Uttarakhand in Almora district. This cantonment town was initially developed by British rulers. It serves as a home to Naga Regiment, Kumaon Regiment, and Military Hospital and is completely managed by Indian Army.

Ranikhet is well regarded as “Queen’s Meadow” and the town served as a home to Rani Padmini. It was once the summer capital of British rulers but proposal to make it the same was shelved. It is located at around 1869m above sea level in Kumaon Hills and is covered by dense greens of Deodar and Oak forests. The upper landscapes are called Chaubatia Ridge which is located at around 2116m of altitude.

Climate

With its high altitude, Ranikhet has cool climate all year round and in winter, it gets a lot of snowfall. Summer starts late in March and lasts till May. But the temperatures still remain below 22 degrees and summers are very pleasant and mild. The monsoon starts at the end of the month of June and continues till September. The region is covered by beautiful greens and has most picturesque scenery due to rains. In Ranikhet , the winters start really early in October and ends in February. The higher areas often get snowfall and temperature goes below freezing range.

When to Visit Ranikhet?

You can easily visit Ranikhet in most times of the year and temperature remains very pleasant in summers. So, you can easily roam all day long and capture the true beauty of nature in the summer months. It becomes a natural paradise in monsoons but mountain rains are very heavy. So, you should avoid getting there during the rainy season as it is prone to landslides.

Things to do in Ranikhet

There is no lack of artificial and natural attractions in Ranikhet so visitors can relax and get an ideal escape from daily hustles and bustles. Ranikhet is covered by serene forests and have a lot of fauna species like mountain goat, leopard, barking deer, red fox, pine marten, Indian hare and jackal.

If you are on Central Himalayan birding tour in India, Ranikhet becomes a bird watcher’s paradise in summers. Also visit the army museum here, which is completely managed by Naga Regiment and Kumaon Regiment of Indian Army. You can watch several photographs, memorials and different stories related to World War I.

Jhula Devi Temple is another worthwhile attraction, which is devoted to Goddess Durga. The deity is known to fulfill all wishes of devotees who tie the bells on its walls. In its proximity is Ram Mandir which also has monastery where ancient Vedas and Vedic mathematics are taught to the students.

You can chill and relax at Chaubatia gardens which are covered by dense flowery meadows and fruit orchards. You can capture the exotic views of Himalayas and even buy fresh honey and fruits from souvenir shops. You can also view Nanda Devi peaks from several parts of this town. 

E: info@asianadventures.in

M: +91 8010450000  
https://linktr.ee/aatoursandlodges

Don’t miss joining our ‘conservation-travel’ community! Click Here

Sinharaja Rainforest – A Voyage to Heavenly Biosphere Reserve in Sri Lanka

Sinharaja Rainforest is well known for its endemic flora and fauna in Sri Lanka. Both migratory and resident birds flock the canopy of this rainforest from December to April. As I am an avdi birdwatcher, I decided to visit Sinharaja during this time. I had chosen to visit Sri Lanka as I knew that the island is a very beautiful country to explore nature at its best. We spotted plenty of flora and fauna along with birds as well.

We planned our tour in advance to explore the rich biodiversity of the rainforest. Along with it, we also visited Colombo, Kitulgala, Udawalawa and Bundala National Park. After arriving at Sinharaja, we prepared for kayaking and biking tours around the rainforest.  Our biking, kayaking, food and accommodation, all were pre-planned well in advance to avoid any last-minute issues.

We trekked in the rainforest for four hours and our guide took us along the canopy of forest while giving us details about the amazing wildlife. When we reached the Sinharaja Falls, we found a lot of vivid bird species as well as tree vines stretched across the river.

The river gets sandy and shallow where you can find time to have snacks and a leisurely bath. The villages are scattered all around the river on the log bridges or rope. We halted at a point where we had some refreshments like firework chilies and boiled jackfruit. I had to depart soon, otherwise I would have wanted to spend some more time over there. The river also gets deep and narrow.

You have to go through swampy islands and go through the right channel to avoid back padding problems. Kayaking really becomes fun in the midst of the river somewhere in the jungle. Roads and pathways are best for biking as steep, muddy and rocky climbs and a lot of descends make it ideal for hilltop biking. You need to have good fitness in order to deal with these parts.  

One thing I must tell you that it is not easy to see the wildlife due to dense vegetation. So, expect less when you are getting there. However, the native Purple-faced Langur is commonly found here.

I found the birds flocking and feeding there, including the Orange-billed Babbler and Racket-tailed Drongos. The rainforest has around 20 resident and 26 endemic species, including Green-billed Coucal, Red-faced Malkoha and Sri Lankan Blue Magpie. 

Later on, I spotted several reptiles like Hump-nosed vipers and Green pit viper, and amphibians like tree frogs. As planned, we finally reached the roadway and these trails are admired well by both foreign and local tourists. All in all, you can definitely have an extraordinary experience. The reserve is spread around just 7 km from north towards the south and 21 km from east towards the west.

Phone: +918010450000
Email: info@asianadventures.in
https://linktr.ee/aatoursandlodges

Don’t miss joining our ‘conservation-travel’ community! Click Here

Little Rann of Kutch – A Memorable Trip to Explore Indian Wild Ass

This year in the month of February, I visited Little Rann of Kutch with my family. After visiting Gir, I was damn excited to head to Little Rann, the only and last habitat of Indian Wild Ass.

In case you don’t know, Little Rann of Kutch is a huge marshland of salt in western India. The Little Rann of Kutch, Great Rann and Banni grasslands are located in Kutch district and stretched over 30,000 sq. km. It is well known as the last and only refuge to Khur “Indian Wild Ass” in the world. The government has announced it the Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary for its conservation. This bleak landscape is an ecologically vital landscape and bio-diverse area for its wildlife. You can spot a lot of migratory and local water bids in winters. If you are getting here in summer, bear in mind that it is one of the hottest regions in India. The temperature soars around 41°C in summer and peaks up to 49.5°C. On the other side, it drops to 0 °C in winter.

We started our journey on Friday morning from Ahmedabad. Our stay was located around 130 km from the city. There are different ways to access this desert area. We reached the camp by 2PM when our tummies were growling. We halted at our vivid round shaped huts, got fresh and prepared for lunch. The hotel staff served lunch. After having lunch, we returned back to our rooms for some rest. At 4.30PM, we had to leave our accommodation for evening safari.

After driving a few kilometers, we found the artificial white salt mounds. From the salt pans, the salt is deposited and goes to the factory for processing. A lot of dumpers and tractors carry it along. We spotted Nilgai in the bushes somewhere around a few meters away. Nilgais are a bit taller than goats. India has over 6 types of antelopes and Nilgai is the one found here. Others are Gazelle (known for their curvy and long horns), Sambar, Spotted deers, Black Buck and Chinkara.

Finally on the next stop, we found a herd of Wild Ass around a few meters away. They have vast brown spots on white skin. You can spot the males with their hide’s color. The females have whiter hides than that of males. These animals can survive in extreme temperatures of the desert. The temperature reaches over 49 degrees C in summer. The camp opens only from October to mid of March. We got to know that Asian Wild Ass has three varieties along with Indian Wild Ass. And three of them are found in Persia, Turkey, and Mongolia.

Next day, we left the camp around 12 PM and had a buffet lunch at a restaurant. Finally, we reached Ahmedabad by evening.

Phone: +918010450000
Email: info@asianadventures.in
https://linktr.ee/aatoursandlodges

Don’t miss joining our ‘conservation-travel’ community! Click Here

Sukau Rainforest Lodge – A Spectacular Tour to mesmerizing Rainforest

When I visited Borneo, I must tell you that I entered this unique and huge island with a blank mind, without any expectations. Somewhere on my mind, I had a dream to spot an orangutan in the wild. I just decided to get there when I read an article about the adverse effect of the palm oil industry on the existence of these beautiful creatures, before it’s too late.

I decided to visit Sukau Rainforest Lodge and I just had a trip of a lifetime. Along with orangutans, I also spotted the rare Pygmy Elephants and other animals.

Wildlife Safari Experience

Trust me, I am not a morning person. But I still woke up early in the morning because gliding down the misty river was truly a magical experience. Our tour included boat safaris on electric boats to avoid noise pollution in the wilderness. We enjoyed two safaris at dawn and in the afternoon to improve the chances to find orangutans and other fauna species.

Our guide was very knowledgeable who told us about the wildlife we found. We spotted a herd of giant Pygmy elephants en-route the lodge.  We also spotted a huge crocodile, hornbills, proboscis monkey and finally, the orangutans (kings of the jungle). There were two orangutans and one was eating fruits from the tree and it was truly a dream come true.

We also spotted long-tailed macaques and birds. Witnessing this magical show was truly an emotional moment. Anyone can indulge in this activity as you just have to sit on the boat and witness the live show of wilderness.

If it’s not enough, you can also hit the jungles on a night cruise. I skipped it because I was overwhelmed seeing all the animals in daylight. But you can also see owls and other wildlife species at night you cannot find in daytime.

Resting at Sukau Rainforest Lodge

Sukau Rainforest Lodge is truly a special place you can visit from Sandakan to Sukau. It has good connectivity with raised walkways and is built of local hardwood. It is located on the banks of Kinabatangan River. The lodge is blended with the forest so well that you look at the trees all around when you look outside the window. It is just in the heart of the jungle.

Best Time to Visit Sabah

Overall, the best time to explore the wilderness of Sabah is from May to September. Most people all over the internet will suggest you skip monsoons. I visited Borneo in January 2020. Since it’s the rainy season over there, many people told me to skip this month. Luckily, I didn’t stop. It just rained for a few hours but it didn’t hinder my travel plan. In fact, we enjoyed the pleasant weather with gorgeous and vivid sunsets.

Phone: +918010450000
Email: info@asianadventures.in
https://linktr.ee/aatoursandlodges

Don’t miss joining our ‘conservation-travel’ community! Click Here

My Peaceful and Spiritual Journey to Haridwar

After exploring all the points of interest in Delhi, we left the hustles and bustles of city life and reached Haridwar by afternoon to find peace of mind. The moment we reached Haridwar station, we got to know about a decent Dharamshala and we got three rooms. We arranged our luggage properly and came out of the rooms after taking refreshments. We visited the market near Har Ki Paudi. We found a lot of crowd going toward the ghat. There were pilgrims and devotees going to one of the holiest ghats of River Ganges. It was time for Maha Aarti which is held every evening.

Every 3 years, Kumbh Mela is held here. Haridwar is one of four places that host Maha Kumbh and Ardh Kumbh Mela every 12 and 6 years respectively. Haridwar has a lot of big and small temples dedicated to various devotees. It is also a district hub for meditation and yoga centers and people from different parts of the nation get here to visit yoga classes.

You can find a lot of motels and hotels which are of low and high standards across the city. Various Hindu communities also operate Dharamshala to accommodate the middle class and below for a free or minimum donation. There are travel agents available all around the railway station or roads. Armed forces are always vigilant at all the places for the safety of pilgrims. NGOs and Police are always available to help tourists when needed.

On Day 1, we took a holy bath early in the morning in Har KiPauri. The ghat is well paved, airy and well maintained.  The stairs are well made in descending order in the ghat. There are also iron chains hanging below the ghat to hold it well while taking a dip. 

The water was quite cold but very pleasant and relaxing. We had a delicious breakfast in the market and headed back after shopping. After taking a rest for a few hours and having a healthy lunch, we headed to Shantikunj by hiring an auto. We made around with other tourists and devotees. We spent two peaceful hours over there. It was a quiet and peaceful place far from the hustles and bustles.

It was founded by a legendary scholar, philosopher and patriot, Pt. Shriram Sharma, who was the founder of the Gayatri Parivar Movement across the world for the awakening of belief and faith in Kalash Yatra and Gayatri Pujan.

On Day 2, we got up early in the morning, took a bath and headed to Manasa Devi Temple. We chose to go to the temple on foot and it took around one hour or so. We took beautiful pictures of panoramic views of the whole city at once. The whole area was crowded and we were standing in queue. We also visited Bharat Mata Mandir later on. In the evening, we hired an auto again to come back to our Dharamshala. The next morning, we tied our bags and prepared for our return journey.

Phone: +918010450000
Email: info@asianadventures.in
https://linktr.ee/aatoursandlodges

Don’t miss joining our ‘conservation-travel’ community! Click Here

An Amazing and Mesmerizing Bird Watching Tour to Bhutan

Bhutan is definitely the best place and a paradise for bird watchers who wish to spot Himalayan birds. When we reached Bhutan, we were surprised to hear that the country has more than 600 species of birds. We also spotted dozens of species without any effort, such as Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Yellow-throated Fulvetta, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Satyr Tragopan, Long-billed, Wedge-billed, White-naped Yuhina, Bar-winged Wren-Babblers, yellow-vented warbler, and Blue Fronted Robin. bird watching  Tours 

It may be because Bhutan is one of those countries which have five different habitats that are ideal for birds like cool huge leaves forests, alpine, scrub and forests, warm and subtropical broad-leafed forests, and wetlands.

On Day 1, we arrived at Paro International Airport. After reaching the hotel and having meals, we hit the river banks. Over there, we spotted common sandpiper, black-tailed crake, dark-throated thrush, and olive-backed pipit.

The next morning, we took a drive to the highest pass in Bhutan, Chelela Pass. We observed three species of vivid Himalayan Monal (Pheasants) and herds of Kalij Pheasant and Blood Pheasants. Later on, we went back to our hotel.

 On Day 3, we drove to Thimphu. We found different birds in Dochula Pass like Rufous-breasted Bush Robin, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Rufous-gorgeted flycatcher, yellow-billed Flycatcher, and others. We continued our drive to Punakha. After having lunch, we visited Punakha Dzong and Punthang Dechen Phodrang.

On Day 4, we got up early and drove to the peaceful and heavenly Tsirang forest, which was recently opened for tourism purposes. We explored different birds all day like Great Hornbill and Rufous-necked Hornbill.

On day 5, we enjoyed birding in the jungle, which houses a lot of species like Pied Falconet, Nuthatch, Pin-tailed green pigeon, Black-backed forktail, Sultan Tit, Black Eagle, and even more.

We also enjoyed the next day while birding in Gelephu and spotted Large Hawk-Cuckoo, Jungle Babbler, Pied Falconet, Great and Wreathed Hornbill, Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, Indian Roller and even more.

Next day, we finalized our trip and said farewell to Bhutan. We have also seen some more birds on the way.

Is Bhutan worth a visit?

Of course! Every moment we spent here was really a memorable part of our life. It’s definitely an amazing place. It’s been one month but I am still dreaming of going back again someday. If you don’t care about expenses but want a memorable experience in return, look no further than Bhutan.

What about Transportation?

There are private vehicles provided by tour operators for ground transportation. You can rest assured to have clean AC vehicles. However, you should be prepared for narrow tracks and bad roads when you go uphill. Weather conditions may also affect your travel time. If you are getting there, I recommend you visit during September October or November when autumn is at its peak.

Phone: +918010450000
Email: info@asianadventures.in
https://linktr.ee/aatoursandlodges

Don’t miss joining our ‘conservation-travel’ community! Click Here