Mon., Nov. 1    Arrivals in Kolkata

Arrive in Kolkata, known as the cultural capital of India, today. You are met at the airport and taken to the hotel. We have optional birding in the afternoon in the outskirts of the bustling city. Likely species include Spotted Owlet, Indian Blue Robin, Indian Pitta, White-rumped Shama, Blue-throated Flycatcher, Siberian Rubythroat, Black-rumped Flameback, and others.

In the evening we gather to enjoy some of the fabulous cuisine that Kolkata is known for while getting to know our guides and fellow travelers.
Accommodations at Taj Vivanta Gateway (D)

Tues., Nov. 2    Kolkata Birding | Fly to Dimapur | Khonoma

After breakfast at the hotel, we take a short flight to Dimapur. We are met on arrival and head to Khonoma, a village in Nagaland about 3-4 hours away. Khonoma is nestled in the Japfu Mountains and a renowned wildlife conservation area. Traditional hunting and logging has been banned since 2000, which has allowed bird populations to flourish.

We arrive and check in to our simple, family run guesthouse. Today is mostly a travel day, but if time allows we do some birding before dinner.
Accommodations at Dovipie Inn (B,L,D)

Mon., Nov. 3    Khonoma Birding

This morning, we explore the Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary. The forests here are home to over 300 bird species including the endemic Naga Wren-Babbler, the beautiful Blyth’s Tragopan, Hodgson’s Frogmouth, Dark-rumped Swift, Gray Sibia, Cachar Wedge-billed Babbler, and several Laughingthrush species including Spot-breasted, Assam, and Brown-capped. If times allows, we head to Chizami to search for the skulking Yellow-throated Laughingthrush, Spot-breasted Scimitar-Babbler, Striated Prinia, and White-browed Fulvetta. We also have a chance at the rare Blue-naped Pitta in this area.

More uncommon species we look for include the beautifully patterned Mountain Bamboo-Partridge, Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Crested Goshawk, Chestnut-vented Nuthatch, Red-faced Liochichla, Silver-eared Mesia, Spot-breasted Parrotbill, and a variety of others.

We return to our simple accommodation and enjoy dinner.
Accommodations at Dovipie Inn (B,L,D)

Thurs., Nov. 4    Khonoma | Dimapur

We head out early this morning to return to Dimapur. Once there, we explore a recently reported site for one of the world’s most amazing bird spectacles- the Amur Falcon migration. During the annual migration to southern Africa, these small birds weighing just 150 grams travel over 13,000 miles from their breeding grounds in northern China and eastern Russia. They pass through Nagaland, India in large numbers on their way to the wintering grounds. In 2025, nearly one million Amur Falcons were reported from this area.

Once targeted by hunters for consumption and sale in local markets, religious leaders and youth groups stepped in by 2013 to persuade local authorities to allow safe passage for the birds. In the following years, villagers have adopted measure to protect the falcons and their habitat and punish illegal hunting of the species. Data collected in recent years has given scientists a more clear understanding of the migratory routes as well as why so many Amur Falcons migrate through Nagaland and other parts of northeastern India. The abundance of termites in September and October makes the area a preferred refueling site for the birds before they continue their migration across the Arabian Sea.

We visit a roost in Hakheze village, situated in the Niuland Circle of the Dimapur district in Nagaland. In recent years, there has been a notable shift in the roosting area from the Pangti area to Hakheze. After viewing this amazing spectacle, we continue on to nearby Dimapur.
Accommodations at Niaythu Resort (B,L,D)

Fri., Nov. 5     Amur Falcon Migration

We head out early with a packed breakfast back to Hakheze, less than an hour away. We spend the whole day admiring this wonder of Amur Falcon migration. We also spend time looking for other species in the area including Blue Whistling Thrush, Yellow-browed Warbler, Blue-throated Barbet, and others.

After a picnic lunch, we head back to Dimapur for some rest and to pack for the next part of our adventure.
Accommodations at Niaythu Resort (B,L,D)

Sat., Nov. 6   Kaziranga National Park

If you haven’t had your fill of Amur Falcons, we can visit Hakheze one last time this morning before heading to Kaziranga National Park. The drive is about 3.5 hours and we make stops along the way for birding. Species we look for include both Great and Jungle Myna, Asian Pied Starling, Blue-eared Barbet, Shikra, Asian Openbill, and if we are lucky perhaps Pied Falconet or Yellow Bittern.

On arrival, we check into our lodge and meet up with the rest of the group for dinner.
Accommodations at Niltava Kaziranga (B,L,D)

India

• January 2006
  • Trip Report
• March 2012
  • Species List
  • Trip Report
• January 2020
  • Trip Report
  • Species List
• November 2023
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  • Trip Report
• November 2024
  • Species List
  • Trip Report
• February 2025 (Big Cats)
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  • Trip Report
• November 2025 (Western Ghats & Andaman Islands)
  • Species List
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• January 2026 (Birds, Tigers & Taj Mahal)
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• March 2026 (Big Cats)
  • Species List
  • Trip Report

This information is important for being prepared for your journey; we want you to have the best experience possible. If you only read one section, this one is key!

Ahead of Your Tour

• Make sure your passport is valid for six (6) months AFTER your scheduled return date to the U.S. Your passport should have a minimum of two (2) blank pages for entry stamps. See "Passports, Visas & Documentation" section below for details.

• Obtain your India Tourist Visa. Your passport must be valid for six months beyond date of visa application to obtain a visa. If you are from a country other than the United States, please contact your embassy website for travel documentation requirements.

• Please check current CDC recommendations for travel to India and consult with your doctor about general travel vaccinations you should have as precaution for travel. You may need anti-malarial medications. Many malarial drugs require you to start taking them a week ahead of the tour. See the “General Health and Inoculations” section below.

• Travel insurance in case of serious medical emergency is strongly recommended. Full health coverage and repatriation is available through Allianz Travel Insurance.

• Please take luggage restrictions seriously! Luggage restrictions are 15 kilograms for the checked bag and 7 kilograms for the carry on. The excess baggage charge is US $8 per kilogram—if you plan to have excess baggage just let us know in advance and our operator can pre purchase to save time at the airport. Then you can just settle up with the operator while you're there.

Passports, Visas & Documents

Guidelines and regulations can change. It is always advisable to double-check the country’s documentation requirements 60-90 days ahead of traveling. Detailed information for U.S. citizens can be found at the US Department of State website for India travel. If you are from another country, please contact the tour destination’s embassy website for guidelines.

Passport: You must have a passport that is in good condition and is valid for six (6) months BEYOND your scheduled return to the U.S. Please check that expiration date! You must have at least two blank passport pages. The blank pages need to say “Visas” at the top. Pages marked “Amendments and Endorsements” will not be accepted. 

Visa:  A Tourist Visa is required for U.S. travelers to enter India. This visa must be acquired in advance as it cannot be obtained on arrival. U.S. citizens seeking to enter India solely for tourist purposes for stays of less than 60 days may apply for an eVisa before their arrival (in lieu of applying for a tourist visa at an Indian embassy or consulate). Visit indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html to apply for your e-Tourist Visa at least 10 days in advance of travel, and for additional information regarding the eligibilities and requirements.  Please ensure you have the correct type of visa for your planned activity in India or you may be denied entry. Note that the Indian authorities issue visas with dates in the DD/MM/YY format.  Applicants should carry a copy of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) along with them at the time of travel. Please confirm that your ETA status is shown as 'GRANTED' on this website prior to commencement of your journey. Applicants can track the status of their application online by clicking VisaStatus.

Backups for documentation: As a precaution for lost or misplaced documents you carry on your person during travel, we highly recommend you keep hard and digital backup copies on your phone (either photo or PDF scan), as well as a hard copy left with your emergency contact at home. The recommended important documents to copy include, but are not limited to; your passport ID page, travel visa or ETA, the front and back of your credit card(s), the airline barcode on your luggage. This will greatly expedite getting new ones if necessary – we hope everyone will always keep travel documents close so that losing them will not be an issue.  

General Health & Inoculations Information – Be Prepared!

Health requirements for entry to any country can change. It is always advisable to double-check the country’s health requirements and recommendations 60-90 days ahead of traveling. Helpful websites for planning include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, the CDC Yellow Book: Health Information for International Travel website, or you may contact CDC by phone at (800) CDC-INFO or (800) 232-4636. There are additional useful links in “Helpful Travel Websites” section under the  “Useful Links” TAB.

We will share your health information with your guide. This information will be kept confidential but is very important as we want to be best prepared in case of a medical emergency.

Vaccinations: At the time of writing, no vaccines are required to enter India (with the exception of yellow fever, required if the traveler is arriving from an infected area). However, the CDC recommends that all travelers be up to date with routine vaccinations and basic travel vaccines (such as Hepatitis A and Typhoid) before traveling to any destination. Please bring your up-to-date vaccination records with you. Consult with your doctor for recommendations at least 6-8 weeks before departing on your trip, as some vaccines may require more than one dose and time to become effective prior to your departure. 

Mosquito and tick-borne illness: The CDC will have updated information regarding recent disease outbreaks, such as Malaria or other mosquito or tick-borne diseases, such as Yellow Fever, as well as extra precautions to take depending on the area(s) you will be traveling through. Travelers should reduce their risk of mosquito and/or tick-borne diseases by protecting themselves from bites using protective clothing, insect repellant (containing DEET, Picaridin, OLE, etc.) and prophylactics where applicable. Check the CDC and with your doctor to see whether your trip destination is currently at risk for malaria transmission and whether you should consider anti-malarial medication. For repellent permeated clothing, see Packing List for our recommendations.  See the CDC Yellow Book: Health Information for International Travel website for more information.

Prescriptions: It is a good idea to pack any meds you take regularly in your carry-on luggage.  Bring an extra pair of your prescription glasses or contact lenses. Bring an adequate supply of any prescription medications you use, a copy of the prescription(s) and a list of generic names of your medicines as “back-up” in case it is necessary to purchase drugs while abroad. Your doctor may also recommend some prescription medications to bring with you to treat possible illnesses that might occur, depending on your destination, such as an anti-malarial medication or an antibiotic. You’ll want to keep all medications in their original, labeled containers.

Allergies: To be prepared for environmental triggers to allergies or breathing difficulties, please bring your allergy and/or asthma medication(s).  If you have severe allergies talk to your doctor about carrying an EPI pen and notify your guides. It is also recommended to carry with you an up-to-date record of known allergies, chronic medical problems and Medic Alerts so that, if necessary, emergency treatment can be carried out without endangering your health.

Common Ailments: We recommend that you bring a travel-sized first aid kit and a supply of standard over-the-counter medications for prevention or treatment of common ailments (such as diarrhea, constipation, stomach upset, cough, congestion, head or body aches, motion sickness, insect bites and sunburn); as well as ointments, moisturizer, sunscreen, oral rehydration salts, band-aids, moleskin for blisters, cotton swabs, nail clippers, and tweezers, etc.

Altitude Illness: According to the CDC's website, day trips to high-elevation destinations less than 8000 ft. with an evening return to a lower elevation are much less stressful on the body, depending on the time provided for your body to adjust. However, overnights at higher altitudes may have more adverse effects on your body and you should be informed about altitude illness and Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) (see CDC's information for Altitude Illness). The most general symptoms are headache and occasionally fatigue and dizziness. You’ll want to take it easy, particularly at first. The likelihood of these symptoms can be reduced by resting, drinking plenty of water, avoiding alcohol, and taking aspirin.  In addition, we will optimize acclimatization by adjusting itineraries to avoid going “too high too fast." If you have worries about the altitude, ask your physician about medications (such as Diamox) that may be right for you. 

Weather & Climate

November is a great time of year to visit India! You’ll be visiting several different regions on this trip. November in the Assam lowlands will have daytime temperatures around 75–85°F, with cooler nights around 55–65°F. It will be mostly dry with low humidity compared to the monsoon season (which ends in September). The Darjeeling foothills and Kurseong will be a bit cooler, with daytime averages between 55–70°F and nighttime averages between 40–50°F. Expect mornings and evenings that can be a bit chilly! We’ll be at our highest elevations in Singalila National Park, and you should expect temperatures as low as 25–40°F at night, and around 40–60°F during the day. With such a range of possible temperatures, packing layers is especially important! 

You may check your favorite weather website, like www.weather.com, closer to your departure to better predict what the weather will be upon arrival. See “Packing List” for recommendations for clothing and gear that is appropriate for the anticipated temperatures and conditions.  

Annoyances & Hazards

Always listen carefully to any advice given by your local guide regarding pests and other biting insects or reptiles you may encounter, especially those that may be poisonous, though this may be rare.

Mosquitos, ticks and other insects: Even if you are traveling in the dry season, mosquitos, ticks and other insects can always be encountered in your travels, so don't risk illness. See the “General Health and Inoculations” section above regarding recommended preventative measures.

Chiggers are a part of lowland and mid-elevation habitats. You may encounter them at grassland or farm locations. Your guide should have a good read on whether chiggers are a concern. It is helpful to spray your shoes with repellent and tuck your pants into your socks.  When back, be sure to shower and air out your clothing.

Remember, sunburn can occur at any altitude and can be both an annoyance and a hazard, so be prepared with sufficient sun protection. On particularly hot days be sure to increase your intake of fluids.

Food & Drinks

Indian food is a highlight of the trip and has an amazing history dating back thousands of years! Indian food is said to be rich, spicy, and delicious! Usually, stomach upsets are due to a change in diet or excess of chilis rather than bacteria and, as with any case when traveling, we urge you to consider what your body is used to before you eat something. That said, it is recommended to avoid eating fresh fruits and and vegetables, including juice, as you do not know the condition of the water that was used to wash or make. Fruit that you can peel would be an exception. Trust your common sense when consuming food and beverages. Minor intestinal problems are possible and we suggest bringing a remedy for traveler’s diarrhea. Please discuss appropriate medication with your physician. If you plan to eat out on your own, ask for recommendations from your hotel or refer to a guidebook such as Frommers.

The CDC considers tap water in India not safe to drink - we recommend that you use sealed bottled, or purified water to drink and brush your teeth with.  Hot drinks that have been boiled are also safe to drink. While bottled water will be available for field trips, we appreciate you bringing a reusable water bottle to refill while we are out as we intentionally strive to reduce our consumption of single use plastics (such as bottled water).  Purified drinking water will be made available to refill your bottle whenever possible. 

There are some great reusable water filtering bottles on the market today that are great for travels abroad. We encourage you to invest in one (such as Lifestraw or GRAYL Ultrapress or SteriPen). 

Packing, Clothing & Laundry

In summary, we emphasize that you pack light in soft-sided luggage (easier to load in vans and charter planes), plan for dressing comfortably in layers (for managing varying conditions in any given day), and please pack your personal medication, travel documents, optics, and other essential items in your CARRY-ON, not in your checked luggage. Be prepared to hand launder if you need to in a pinch. See “Packing List” tab for more detailed information and checklists.

Spending Money

The official currency of India is the rupee. For the current exchange rate, please refer to an online converter tool like www.xe.com or your bank. We advise you carry a mix of different types of payments, such as the local currency, an ATM card, and a credit card. U.S. dollars are not typically accepted; the local currency is preferred. Indian rupees are not available to obtain anywhere outside of India. You should plan to exchange money or use an ATM when you arrive. Both Chennai and Bangaluru airports have foreign exchange counters and ATMs from various banks.

An easy way is to withdraw funds from a local ATM. ATMs are available throughout India’s cities and larger towns. They are limited in smaller towns and national parks. The ATM will give you local money and your bank will convert that into U.S. Dollars. Many banks charge a fee of $1 - $5 each time you use a foreign ATM. Others may charge you a percentage of the amount you withdraw. Check with your bank before departure. You must become familiar with how to use your ATM card and PIN number ahead of the journey. If you plan to exchange cash in country, bring large U.S. bill ($50 or $100) in good condition that will give you the better rate when exchanging to local currency.

Credit and debit cards are commonly accepted throughout India. We suggest you have more than one card available, if possible. You may want to bring more than one brand of card (one Visa, and one MasterCard; American Express is less accepted). Not every shop will accept every card. Some smaller shops and restaurants require cash, so it is always a good idea to ask before making a purchase. Also, we recommend that you advise your bank or credit card company that you will be traveling to India to avoid questions, card freezes, or charges. If you have a choice of cards, bring one with no foreign exchange fees.

Traveler’s checks are not widely accepted. They can be difficult to exchange. We do not advise you to use them.

When it comes to spending money, every traveler has different spending habits. Please consider your own spending behaviors when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping, and tipping. There are MANY shopping temptations in India.

Gratuities

We hope that you will be pleased with all professional services offered on this tour. All tips for all services of your tour are now included in your tour price, with the exception of your main guides. The local guide is your main guide, if there is more than one, they will share your gratuity. The recommended rate is $10.00 - $15.00 per day per guest. You may also wish to tip your Naturalist Journeys guide/host if you have one on your tour; this should be done separately and the same suggested rate applies. We suggest you bring two envelopes or cards to make it easy to share your gratuity at the end of the tour. If you are on an extension, that may be a different local guide for those days.

Tipping to your guide(s) to show your appreciation is entirely at your discretion and should reflect your level of satisfaction of the service provided. If you wish to offer a tip, know that they appreciate anything you care to give. Of course, you are welcome to give more in recognition of exceptional service.

Please note recommended tips are quoted in U.S. dollars. Tips should be converted and paid in local currency.

Cell Phones & Internet Service

If you want to use your cell phone in India, be sure to check your cell phone company’s coverage, roaming charges, how to turn on international service/roaming, or perhaps purchase a temporary international data/calling plan. Sometimes it’s cheaper to buy a SIM card or rent an international phone when you arrive in India. If you do purchase a local SIM, please make sure it’s compatible with your phone first. You may also consider purchasing an eSIM. 

If your phone can connect to Wi-Fi, you may be able to make voice and video calls free of charge. Please contact your cell phone provider for further details. Another option if you have access to Wi-Fi is to use smartphone apps like Skye, WhatsApp, or Viber to send text messages and make voice or video calls. Many smartphones, tablets, or laptops come with one of these apps pre-installed or you can download for free. If bringing a laptop or tablet, get a good dustcover to protect it at all times.

Make sure if you do NOT want to use your cell phone that you turn off your cellular data. You could incur huge charges if you are not on Wi-Fi. Putting your phone in airplane mode if you mainly use it for photos will save the battery as well.

WiFi/Internet is available in a few of your accommodations, usually in their common area or business center. Connections in India can be slow and sometimes require repeated logging in.

Electricity

The standard Indian voltage is 230V and frequency is 50 Hz, using the power plug and socket type C, D, and M (the U.S. uses 110 V with plug and socket type A & B).

You will need a power plug adapter and a voltage converter (or make sure your devices can be used with 220/240 Volts). Adaptors can be purchased ahead of time and are generally available at major airports. For more information: www.power-plugs-sockets.com.

Time

India has one time zone of India Standard Time (IST). It’s a half-hour different from most time zones! A great website if you want to tell someone to check ahead of calling you is www.timeanddate.com.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone at our office: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey!

Pace of the Tour & What to Expect

You will receive a Schedule-at-a-Glance and list of hotels (our eContact List) a few weeks before your departure. This will serve as an outline for each day and alert you to any recent changes made in the schedule or to our hotels, if needed.

Our journeys are set up to follow the rhythm of nature. Our focus is on birding and nature; we offer full, well-planned field days and often get up early for that magical time around dawn. We generally follow the published itinerary, but we stay flexible to the weather, wildlife opportunities and the interests of the group. Your guide will keep you apprised of the next day’s schedule at each evening meal, noting what to bring and what to prepare for. Questions and/or concerns are welcome.

The pace of our Naturalist Journeys tours is moderate; to fully participate you should be able to get in and out of vehicles several times a day, and walk 1-3 miles over uneven terrain. It is important to participate with a flexible attitude as adjustments may be made in our schedule to make the most of our time in the field or for other purposes at your guide's discretion. We are not a “listing” bird company that drills down on target species, but at times we do wait for those special species unique to the places we visit. During the day, we take time to stop for photos and for educational opportunities to learn about conservation projects, landscapes, and geology. We appreciate other taxa as well as birds, with mammals often the biggest draw but plants and butterflies are also very popular. Our clients often lend their own expertise to the mix.

We like to make meals a fun and memorable part of the experience, too. Breakfasts are often at hotels, and we carry snacks, fruit, and water in the vans each day. Lunches are a mix of picnics in the field (weather dependent) and a chance to dine with locals at small cafes and restaurants. For dinner, we pride ourselves in our homework to keep up with the best choices for dining, choosing restaurants with atmosphere that specialize in local foods. On occasion we keep dinner simple to go back out in the field for sunset wildlife viewing or night walks. In some remote locations, our choices are limited. If you are tired, room service for dinner may be an option you can choose.

Naturalist Journeys International Trips: Guide Role

Naturalist Journeys supports ecotourism and the development of excellent local guides. Once we know our international partners and guides well, we can send out small groups working directly with these trusted partners, adding a Naturalist Journeys guide to assist the local expert when we have a group of 6-7 or more. This helps us keep your costs down while retaining tour quality. The local guide is your main guide. You can expect your Naturalist Journeys guide to be well-researched and often they are experienced in the destination, but their role is not to be primary, it is to help to organize logistics, help you find birds, mammals, and interesting other species in the field, keep reports, help facilitate group interactions, and to keep the trip within Naturalist Journeys' style. Local guides live in the countries we travel to, know the destinations intimately, and are often the strongest force for conservation in their countries. They open many doors for us to have a rich experience.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any vehicle or in any situation where the group is participating in an activity together, such as a vehicle excursion or a guided walk. Please respect all designated smoking areas at hotels and restaurants.

Transportation

As a courtesy to each other, we ask that all travelers please rotate seating. On international trips we may all be in one small bus, on some trips we are in vans, particularly the roomy Sprinter Vans when available. Some areas require us to be in smaller 4-wheel drive or safari vehicles. Rotation allows you to sit with different drivers and alternate front and back seating.

Photo Release & Sharing

We take many group photos and will share photos with the group. And after your tour, we will organize a chance to share photos via Dropbox or Google Photos. Please note that this is our policy and if you prefer to be excluded, we need to know ahead of your tour.

By registering for this tour, you agree to grant to Naturalist Journeys and its authorized representatives’ permission to record on photography film and/or video, pictures of my participation in the tour. You further agree that any or all of the material photographed may be used, in any form, as part of any future publications, brochure, or other printed materials used to promote Naturalist Journeys, and further that such use shall be without payment of fees, royalties, special credit or other compensation.

Travel Insurance

You are traveling in remote areas. Naturalist Journeys strongly recommends you have full medical and evacuation insurance from a company such as Allianz, for all international travel. If you do not have medical coverage or evacuation coverage on your existing travel insurance policy or for some reason elected not to take that out, we advise getting an evacuation plan with Global Rescue, World Nomads, Medjet, Allianz (they can do evacuation only) or a similar company. These plans are typically $300-$400 for a year for multiple destinations. This coverage may be a part of a larger Travel Insurance policy but can also be purchased on its own.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone our office: (520) 558-1146 or toll free: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey.