Flying Colours of the Eastern Himalayas
Eaglenest WLS, Arunachal Pradesh Eaglenest WLS, Arunachal Pradesh Eaglenest WLS, Arunachal Pradesh Eaglenest WLS, Arunachal Pradesh Eaglenest WLS, Arunachal Pradesh Eaglenest WLS, Arunachal Pradesh Eaglenest WLS, Arunachal Pradesh

Eaglenest WLS, Arunachal Pradesh
24 Mar - 1 Apr 2012

In the thick of a prosaic urban grind, does your heart beat for a little adventure? Do you dream of breaking the sedentary mould to take a hike in the land of high hills, low clouds and ‘flying colours’? Where the woods are pristine, free of vehicles and full of wildlife, would you like to embrace nature and photograph avian exotics? Now you can.

The place is Eaglenest, the opportunity is this Photo Tour, and the time to book your place is now.

The Essence of Eaglenest
With steep ridges, lazy streams and vibrant waterfalls, the historic Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary in the Eastern Himalaya is India’s own Shangri La. It takes its name from the Red Eagle Division of the Indian army, which was posted in the area in the 1950s. Located in West Kameng district in Arunachal Pradesh and covering an area of 218km2, the variation in its altitudes is extreme and spawns a mindboggling richness and diversity of avian life.

At every altitude range, starting from the lowest at 500m to the highest at over 3000m, different types of birds thrive, so birding in Eaglenest is akin to visiting a multi-storey exhibition mall where each floor sports different attractions.

Managed by the Bugun tribe with support from Ramana Athreya, an astrophysicist who discovered a new bird species called the Bugun Liocichla, Eaglenest is a shining paradigm of community-supported ecotourism. And this is strikingly evident in the habitat and the wildlife that thrive in the virginal forests around Lama (2350m), Eaglenest Pass (2800m), Sunderview (2465m), Bompu (1940m), Sessni (1250m) and Khellong (750m), where even the occasional vehicular noise is absent, pristine nature rules the roost and the bliss of peace reigns supreme.

What you will see and photograph:
Amid dense forests and utopian vistas lies Eaglenest’s prime draw - birds - some skulking, some bold; some colourful and some drab; but most perky and restless and found nowhere else in the country.

13 types of Cuckoo and as many species of Laughing Thrush, over two dozen types of Babbler and eight varieties of Woodpecker also await your discovery, while with cooperation from nature’s elements and a little help from your Toehold Skipper, more than 24 types of Warbler, five species of Sunbird and a flamboyant array of Flycatchers can make their way into your memory card.

Eaglenest is a limitless treasure-chest, and very soon you may find your checklist growing faster than you came to expect. While Chestnut-crowned Warbler and Streak-throated Barwing have it in them to take your breath away, bagging images of a Fulvetta or a Yuhina can rob you of a night’s sleep.

It wouldn’t be baseless either to say that the Green-tailed Sunbird is omnipresent. And while the Beautiful Sibia lives up to its name and Golden-breasted Fulvettas redefine the term ‘vividness’ once and for all, as many as three types of Minla, along with inmates like the Bay Woodpecker and Chestnut-crowned Laughing Thrush, vie to regale your aesthetic sense.

Further afield, an almightily glorious Rufous-fronted Tit can cause you to erupt uncontrollably in elation, while a Himalayan Cutia is likely to be a subject of your unbridled admiration.

Surface scratched, the inhabitants under the tip of the iceberg betray themselves and you realize that these flying attractions are not just pretty critters but match their looks with substance. Mixed hunting flocks press themselves into action as insect activity propagates. Led ably by a Fulvetta or a Parrotbill, they join forces to bring varied kinds of prey to the dinner table.

Near Eaglenest Pass, where Magnolia and Rhododendrons adorn the scenery, good sightings of the Green-backed Tit are usually just a sniff away. Rubbing shoulders with them, the Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird has been witnessed to have a flair to pose exceptionally well to any lens that may be wielded at it.

Further ahead a Spotted Nutcracker and Crimson-breasted Woodpecker may crystallize themselves in your memory by attracting you with their strident calls.

Elsewhere, fortune may favour the brave but here in the hills fortune usually favours the hard-working. Perseverance and wakeful senses can yield sightings of the Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, and it’s worthwhile to try tracking the Chestnut headed Tesia and the Pygmy Wren-Babbler.

Most of all, a single glimpse of the coveted Ward’s Trogon can give you as much gratification as a lifetime achievement award and free you of all the trekking fatigue in an instant.

And thus you see that if you enjoy courting birds around bushes and striking ‘lifers’ out from a list, this Tour was conceived for you. And, while you’re at it, if making images of these avian sirens gives you a bigger kick than a cognac, you will raise a toast to the winged treasures of Eaglenest.

What you will take back:
With such a profusion of opportunities on the platter, you can count on taking back -

  • An exotic birding experience in one of India’s most pristine natural habitats
  • An exciting time photographing several species of birds you may have never seen before
  • An authentic ecological adventure that allows you to connect wholesomely with nature
  • A profound insight into technical and artistic aspects of bird photography
  • Extensive assistance in photographing birds in challenging conditions
  • Plenty of photography, post-processing and natural history learning with Toehold's expert Skippers through our ChaayaaChitra
    ChaayaaChitra: Photography Techniques, Tips, Tricks
    , ChitraTantra
    ChitraTantra: Photo Principles, Reviews, Critique
    , Charchaaloka
    Charchaaloka: Presentations, Lectures, Discussions
    sessions.
  • Highly useful and practical tips and tricks to help you photograph like a pro






PHOTOGRAPHY SKIPPER

Sachin Rai
A keen eye for wildlife and unique perspectives underline Sachin's journey as a nature lover and as a well-established name in the field of nature photography. Having travelled extensively through several remote corners of India for over a decade, Sachin brings with him great respect for nature and a holistic understanding of many of the environmental crises we face today. He loves Amphibians and Tigers and anyone who has ever been out with him in the field will appreciate his contagious craziness and witty sense of humour, things adding to worthwhile company!

Sachin has been documenting many of the less-known and less-noticed aspects of the wild and constantly perseveres to share his experiences with citizens and scientists, especially through his photography website - an enriching resource for budding wildlife enthusiasts and naturalists. He is an active supporter of many conservation NGOs and invests a lot of his time in their outreach activities. He has led several expeditions in search of rare species and ended up rediscovering a 'lost' species of frog, 73 years after its first sighting and description. Sachin has also been honoured with prestigious awards and accolades for his photography and his involvement in wildlife tourism adds great value to our clients' experience.

Sachin's work can be viewed on his website at www.landofthewild.com



WHY GO ON A TOEHOLD PHOTO TOUR?

At Toehold, we are passionate about photography just as you are, which lets us understand your travails and needs perfectly. And we use this insight to specially design our Photography Tours so they give you a toehold to excel at the art and set you up for success.

The Toehold team at your disposal will keep you tuned and geared, so you come in empty-handed but go out with bagful of images and tales of an experience that is better lived than heard. Specifically, you will get -

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WHAT PEOPLE SAID ON OUR PREVIOUS PHOTO TOUR?

Photography enthusiasts who were a part of a similar tour previously said:

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  • Day 1, March 24 (Saturday): Guwahati to Tezpur
    Participants arrive at Guwahati from their respective locations by afternoon. We then drive to Tezpur and camp for the night.
  • Day 2, March 25: Arrival at Lama Camp
    We depart Tezpur in the morning after breakfast. Our quest for feathered exhibits takes us to the famous Lama Camp, around which spotting Leaf Birds, Blue-throated Barbets, Lesser Yellow Nape and Capped Langur has been known to be relatively easy. We reach Lama by dusk and camp overnight with colourful dreams of the treats that lie ahead.
  • Day 3, March 26: All day birding and overnight in Lama
    Commencing our mission early, we keep our ears peeled for calls of the Sooty Flycatcher. While we’re at it, Spiderhunters, Malkohas and Cuckoo-doves can break cover. Other treats may include the Black-headed Shrike Babbler and the magnificent Forktails. On our way back to Lama, we look out for the Eastern Trinket Snake, which is found here. After hopefully a fruitful inaugural day, we put our feet up at Lama.
  • Day 4, March 27: Birding in Lama and overnight in Sunderview Camp
    After probably being woken up by the calls of a Blyth’s Tragopan, we spend another whole day birding around Lama, trying particularly zealously to give the Bugun Liocichla some eye. Thusly by evening we drift to Sunderview, and soaking in the splendid forest scenes, sounds and smells, we hibernate for the night here.
  • Day 5 and 6; March 28 and 29: Sunderview
    Each day, starting early, we walk around Sunderview finding all the birds we can, which may include the Aberrant Bush Warbler, Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler and the Rufous-headed Parrotbill. Around Sessni, Small Niltava, Collared Owlet, Beautiful Nuthatch, Maroon Oriole and Long-tailed Broadbill can satiate the thirsty. Butterfly admirers are likely to be entertained by Birdwings and Chestnut Tigers. Busy watching birds, two nights will be spent in the hallowed environs of the Sunderview Camp.
  • Day 7, March 30: Return to Lama
    A day-long photography session may yield the Himalayan Krait, Mountain Scops Owl, Particolored Flying Squirrel, Golden Babblers, Cutias and Cochoas. Lesser and White-browed Shortwings, Scarlet Finches, Black Eagles and Eurasian Sparrowhawks may mark their attendance too. At the end of it all, we return to Lama by evening and camp overnight.
  • Day 8, March 31: Checkout and overnight in Tezpur
    We enjoy some birding in the morning at Lama and check-out in time to reach Tezpur by evening. On our return journey we may stumble upon the Himalayan Greenfinch and the Plaintive Cuckoo. Gratified, we halt at Tezpur for the night.
  • Day 9: April 1: Dispersal
    Having opened our eyes and exposed our sensors to the many new and beautiful birds of the Eastern Himalayas, we depart for Guwahati, whence we return to our homes with the species lists we carried from home now marred by myriad strikes.

    Please note: Due to the remoteness of the region, accommodation and other facilities will be basic but comfortable, and meals simple but tasty. The terrain also demands some level of physical fitness. If you are unsure of your fitness, please talk to us for more details.
Indian Nationals: INR 42,900/- per participant
Couple Discount: Indian couples are entitled to a discount of 5% on the entire Tour.
Foreign Nationals: Please get in touch with us for the Tour cost for international guests.

Inclusions:

  • Twin-sharing accommodation in tented cottages
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and hot beverages (coffee and tea)
  • All applicable taxes
  • All entry fees
  • Dedicated vehicle for every 3 participants from Guwahati to Guwahati

Exclusions:

  • Any Airfare
  • Any kind of personal expenses or optional tours, extra meals and beverages ordered
  • Insurance, laundry and phone calls
  • Bottled water and soft drinks
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Camera fees if any (participants will be advised of the estimated fees in advance)
  • Anything that is not included in the Inclusions list (see above)

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How many participants are expected in one safari vehicle on this tour?
    All our Photo Tours are designed to provide ample attention to the participants. You can expect a maximum of 3 participants in a vehicle on this Tour.
  • How different are your Photo Tours from ordinary tours?
    Unlike travel agents who plan your holiday from a remote destination to places they sometimes haven’t experienced themselves, Photo Tours offer a comprehensive toehold to experience a place through the guidance of a professional photographer. The common ingredients in all our Photo Tours are fun and a lot of learning and knowledge sharing. Besides, most or all of our Tour participants are photography enthusiasts, which keeps the group in harmony and helps make your experience focussed.
  • How sure are you about photographing birds on this Tour?
    Considering the meticulous attention to timing we pay while scheduling Tours and the local expertise we leverage, we believe that it would be extremely unfortunate if our sightings and photography were unsatisfactory. However, since we will be in an uncontrolled environment, we stop just short of claiming that sightings are guaranteed.
  • What equipment do you suggest on this Tour?
    Although it is often said about bird photography that the ideal focal length is 100mm more than the one you brought, a lens with a focal length of around 400mm is essential. An additional 100mm often proves very effective but will not stop you from making images. Since the light conditions in Eaglenest can be often challenging, an image-stabilized lens and a camera body that performs well at high sensitivities are boons. However, if you do not have appropriate equipment, there is no need to fret. Toehold offers an exhaustive array of cameras and lenses for hire, so you can always hire what you need. Click here to see what we offer
  • I am a newbie in bird photography. Am I eligible?
    Absolutely! This tour is meant for fledgling as well as experienced photographers. Beginners get all the advantages of learning on and off the field from Toehold’s eminent Skippers. In fact if you are a newbie, you should jump on this terrific learning opportunity and sign up right away!
  • Refund/Cancellation Fees:
    1. 15% for cancellation between 30 and 45 days from date of departure
    2. 50% for cancellation between 7 and 30 days from date of departure
    3. 90% for cancellation between 2 and 7 days from the date of departure
    4. No refund will be made for cancellation within 48 hours from date of departure
  • Terms & conditions
    • 1. Participants who have a medical history of blood pressure, heart-related problems or asthma are advised to seek medical advice before enrolling for this Tour.
    • 2. Fitness to complete the Tour is the only criterion for participation.
    • 3. Toehold Travel & Photography Pvt. Ltd. shall not be responsible for injuries, damages or losses caused to any participant due to terrorist acts, social or labour unrest, mechanical or construction failures or difficulties, diseases, local laws, climatic conditions, abnormal conditions or developments, or any other actions, omissions, or conditions outside the travel agent's control.
    • 4. All clients traveling with Toehold Travel & Photography Pvt Ltd. must complete and sign a reservation form and the "Release of Liability, Assumption of Risk & Arbitration Agreement" form.




LOCALE

Eaglenest WLS, Arunachal Pradesh

QUICK INFO

  • Date : Mar 24th - Apr 1st
  • Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary: INR 42,900/-
    Per Person, Indian Nationals
  • All fares excluding flights
  • Skipper: Sachin Rai