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

Sri Lanka Tour

Pristine Beaches, Lowland Forest, Buddhist Monasteries, and the fragrance of Coconut oozing from all the directions are some of the few things that immediately leaps to mind when we think of Srilanka. Lying in the Indian Ocean and sharing its maritime border with India, Srilanka is the tropical country of Asia which is enriched with verdant hills and scenic coast. The outpouring beauty of this island country seems to cast a magical spell on every traveler who intent to unearth its dazzling chronicles.  Pinnawala is one such village that has received global admiration for housing Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. Located near Wilpattu National Park, it is a unique wildlife sanctuary established with the sole purpose of nurturing and feeding orphaned baby elephants found in the wild. An hour drive from Pinnawala will bring you to one of Asia's largest and best- preserved cave temple complexes known by the name of Dambulla Cave Temple. Dating back to the 1st Century BCE, the stunning statues and paintings of Lord Buddha conjure up Srilanka's significant evocative religious art form. 

Sigiriya is yet another destination of Srilanka known for holding one of the most valuable monuments in the globe. The exquisite fortress architecture displayed on the Sigiriya rock plateau, formed from magma of an extinct volcano seems to astound the visitors through its unprecedented harmony with nature and Human imagination. Earlier the rock plateau served as a monastery later it was converted into a royal palace surrounded by the robust network of fortification, canals, and alleys.

Nestled at an elevation of 3, 415 feet, Ella is a mountain town lying in the Central Highland of Sri Lanka. There are several exciting hiking trails one can explore. Some will take you to the unsullied waterfalls, while others will take you to the ancient rock temple or beautiful tea plantation estate, however, there is one particular hike that paves the way to the mystical Rannava Cave. It lies on the foundation of a cliff and is attached with historical values. Legends have it that the cave was used by King Ravana to hide princess Sita after abducting her from Panchvati.

Spreading in the expanse of dense thickets, grasslands, and lagoons, Yala is one of Sri Lanka's largest and most popular national parks harboring an array of birds and animals- the park is recognized worldwide for carrying the highest population of Leopards on this planet. While crisscrossing the jungle there will be many chances when you will come across this endangered species of Srilankan Elephants who risen significantly in Yala National Park.

Reflecting all the colors and culture that makes this island country, Colombo is a brilliant tourist hub of Sri Lanka. The place has a diverse variety of architecture spanning from different eras, depicting different styles of architecture. Along the shady boulevards, the legacies of colonial Colombo's garden are still intact. Colombo also offers a multitude of global cuisines, thanks to a history of colonialism and a large expat population. There are so many places of interest to come into close contact with such as museums, architectural wonders, museums and many more. It is also rich in cultural heritage and is loaded with historical charm as well. The history of the city dates back to more than 2,000 years ago. So, paying a visit to Colombo proves to be beneficial for history buffs. It is the largest of SriLankan cities and is the starting point for your tour to Sri Lanka.

5 best birding hotspots of the North India

India’s vast geographical range is home to a large variety of resident birds, with the number soaring manifold with the arrival of the migratory birds in winter. Besides, the national parks and sanctuaries, there are innumerable places to go birding in India. Here is a list of five best destinations in north India that you must see.

Pangot

Located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, Pangot is a bird watcher’s paradise and for obvious reasons. Covered with Oak and Pine trees which serve as perfect roosting spots and interspersed with gurgling brooks, Pangot attracts a plethora of bird species from all parts of the Northern peninsula. Trekking through its alluring nature trails, you can get close to the birds and take that perfect shot. Catch a glimpse of the Pheasants and Flycatchers, Barbets and Magpies, Laughingthrush and many other birds foraging for food and going about their daily chores, oblivious to your presence. During winters, the bird population explodes with flocks of migratory birds landing in Pangot in search of food and shelter. From Pangot, you can also take a quick excursion to the Corbett National Park to look for the Royal Bengal Tigers. The park also boasts of hosting over 600 species of resident and migratory birds which make it worth your time. Easily accessible from Delhi via bus, train or private vehicles, Pangot is a must visit destination if birding is your passion. 

Sattal

Named after the cluster of seven freshwater lakes that surround this little piece Eden, Sattal is another sought after birding hotspot by serious birders. The picturesque lakes of Sattal host a large number of bird species including the Brown-fronted Woodpecker, Stripe-breasted Woodpecker, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush, Accentors, Upland Pipit, Mountain Bulbul, Whiskered Yuhina, Verditer Flycatcher and the rare Siberian Rubythroat. Home to many resident and migratory birds, Sattal is a delightful place to observe the birds at close quarters. You can take a train from Delhi to Kathgodam and cover the remaining 9 kms via a taxi or drive up there as the roads are pretty decent and motorable.

Bharatpur

Step into the unique avian world of Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, also known as Keoladeo National Park for an unforgettable experience of birding in wetlands. Sprawling over an area of 29 square kilometres, the park comprises of varying types of microhabitats having trees, mounds, dykes and open water which harbour a plethora of bird species. Birds like Imperial, White-tailed and Spotted Eagle, Darter, Black-necked, Painted and Asian Openbill Stork, Common, Sarus and Demoiselle Crane, Black Bittern, Greater Painted Snipe, Large-tailed, Indian and Grey Nightjar, and Dusky Eagle Owl are a few among the myriad of species that the park hosts.

Chambal

Take a boat, float down the still waters of Chambal river and get up close to the large variety of avifauna the Chambal valley harbours. Our navigator will take you close to the bird colonies that can be seen atop the trees on the bank side or among the smaller islands and identify the different birds such as Indian Skimmer, Black-bellied Tern, Greater Thick Knee, Sarus and Demoiselle Crane, and flocks of migratory waterfowl. You may also catch a glimpse of the Gharials (fish-eating crocodiles) and Gangetic Dolphins that live in the river. You may also explore the ravines of Chambal valley on a Camel Safari and take an excursion to the Ater Fort. You can make your stay at Mela Kothi, a heritage bungalow now converted into a luxury lodge.

Ranthambhore

By virtue of its diverse terrain and abundance of water bodies, Ranthambore hosts large populations of resident and migratory birds. In total, 272 species of birds have been identified in the park which make it a popular birding hotspot. Ranthambore Fort, located inside the park happens to be an excellent location for spotting and photographing birds. Birds like White-naped Woodpecker, Sirkeer Malkoha, Painted Sandgrouse, Sulphur-bellied Warbler, and Indian Vulture are among the major sought after birds in this park. Visiting Ranthambore has twofold benefits - not only do you get to tick off a large number of target species from your checklist but you can also have a rendezvous with the Royal Bengal Tigers that prowl about in the park.

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