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The cloud forests of the Himalayas. The moss-covered trees immersed in the floating clouds give the forest a mysterious feel. Here thrives an animal that is one of a kind. Tough to see. And it is Endangered, with its home shrinking! It is the Firefox – The Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens)!
Darter Photography takes you on an adventure into the Himalayan forests of Eastern Nepal in search of the elusive Red Panda. We’ll stay in a field station in a tiny village in the mountains, far away from civilization. We trek through rich forests, blooming with rhododendrons that add colour to the mountainsides. Be prepared to walk for a few hours every day as we track the domestic-cat sized Red Panda in the dense mountainous forests. Plenty of interesting birds also call this home, including the colourful Satyr Tragopan, Hill Partridge, Fulvettas, Bushtits, Minlas and many more.
Join us on this expedition to one of the most remote corners of the Himalayas.
Note: This is an expedition-style tour and can be physically demanding. We recommend that you talk to the Darter mentor before signing up.
Jump to ◆ Itinerary ◆ Tour Highlights ◆ FAQs ◆ Tour Price ◆ Tour Mentor ◆ Detailed Itinerary ◆ Previous Tour Reports ◆ Sign Up
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Darter’s Wildlife Unexplored photography tours are designed to photograph rare wildlife and push the boundaries of wildlife exploration in remote regions. -
Dates
Tour 1 – Mar 25 – Apr 01, 2023
Tour 2 – April 01 – 08, 2023
Price₹79,500/-Max. Participants – 6
Dates & Itinerary
Tour 1: Mar 25 – Apr 01, 2023 | Tour 2: Apr 01 – 08, 2023Day 01 Arrive in Bagdogra. Travel to Ilam in Nepal. Overnight in Ilam.
Day 02 Drive from Ilam to Red Panda habitat. Overnight in field station in Red Panda habitat.
Day 03 to Day 07 Explore Red Panda habitat for Red Panda and other wildlife. Plan would vary based on sighting records at the time of the tour.
Day 08 Drive from Red Panda habitat to Bagdogra
Scroll down to Detailed Itinerary for more details on each day of the tour.
Tour Highlights
Frequently Asked Questions
This tour is for wildlife photographers and wildlife enthusiasts who want to explore the cloud forests of Eastern Nepal for rare wildlife. Note that the participants are not required to be experts in photography or carry professional equipment. Due to the small group size, beginners as well as serious photographers benefit through our personalized attention to photography sessions and on field assistance. Non photographers interested in exploring wildlife of Eastern Nepal are welcome too.
How physically intense is this tour?
Due to the mountainous terrain and the rarity of the Red Panda, we might be walking for a few hours everyday to increase our chances of seeing the animal. Sometimes, we might need to do a quick walk for a couple of kilometres to reach the Red Panda sighting. A reasonable degree of fitness (equivalent of being able to walk a few kilometres in normal conditions) is desirable for this tour. Please speak to us if you have any doubts.
The ride to the Red Panda habitat can be very bumpy too. When we last travelled to this place in mid-2022, there was virtually no road for the last 30-40 kilometres of the journey. It took around 4 hours to make that trip. While roads were being laid, we’re not sure if they’ll be ready by the time we do this tour.
I am not a keen photographer. But I want to see the Red Panda. Can I still join?
Yes. If you are interested to explore the Himalayan landscapes and view rare wildlife like the Red Panda, you are welcome to join this tour. Please note that we do not offer a separate non-photographer pricing.
Can I bring my non-photographer partner with me?
Yes, you can. We visit one of the most pristine landscapes in the country and actively look for rare wildlife. Your partner will enjoy the journey with the group. Please note that we do not offer a separate non-photographer pricing.
What photography equipment is needed for the tour? Can we hire porters for carrying the equipment?
On this tour, we’ll primarily focus on photographing Red Panda and the birds. For this, telephoto lenses are recommended to photograph wildlife at a distance. We’ll also be photographing mountain and forest landscapes when the opportunities present themselves. Please talk to us to decide on the photography equipment that you need to carry for the tour.
Porters are available on prior request only, as this is a remote region. Please discuss with your photography mentor on optimizing your equipment for the tour.
Also refer to our tours faq for more information.
Tour Price
Tour Price: Rs.79,500/- per person (inclusive of all applicable taxes)
The tour price includes
- Accommodation on twin sharing basis in Ilam and Red Panda habitat
- Ground transportation during the tour
- All meals (simple vegetarian food) during the tour, starting with lunch on Day 1 and ending with breakfast on Day 8
- All permits and fees
- Photography sessions, expert advice and assistance and image reviews during the tour
- All applicable taxes
The tour price does not include
- Travel to Bagdogra from your location and return travel from Bagdogra to your location
- Insurance
- Additional food/snacks, bottled water or other beverages ordered
- Anything else that is not part of the includes list above
Cancellation Policy
– On or before 60 days from start of tour – 20% of the total tour fee is charged as cancellation fee
– Between 59 days and 30 days from start of tour – 50% of the total tour fee is charged as cancellation fee
– Between 29 days and 15 days from start of tour – 75% of the total tour fee is charged as cancellation fee
– On or after 14 days before start of tour – no refund of tour fee
Please note:
- You’ll need basic rain gear and warm clothing for the tour. We’ll send you the list of packing items a couple of months before tour starts.
- The itinerary mentioned in this page is subject to favourable weather and road conditions. In case of bad weather and inaccessibility to a destination, we will do our best to make alternate plans. The tour price or any part of it will not be refunded in the event of unfavourable conditions anytime during the tour days.
- Wildlife sightings depend on various factors, including weather, availability of food and the animal showing up in our vicinity (in the vast mountain landscapes).
- No refunds will be made if a participant is unable to complete the tour owing to medical conditions or any other reasons, after starting the tour.
- All participants would have to sign a Release of Liability, Assumption of Risk & Arbitration Agreement before joining the tour.
Photography Mentor
Shreeram M V
Shreeram M V is a professional outdoor photographer, specializing in travel and wildlife photography. He is the co-founder of Darter Photography that specializes in providing photography services such as workshops and outdoor photography tours. He lives in Bangalore, India.
What started off as a fascination for birds in a lake behind his house turned into a journey to different parts of India. For this IIM Bangalore graduate, the passion for travel and wildlife enabled him to charter his own course outside the corporate world. He has explored diverse places across the length and breadth of India, covering deserts, rainforests, mangroves, mountains, islands, wetlands and coasts to photograph wildlife. He has also traveled and photographed across various parts of the world, including Antarctica, Africa, Svalbard, Patagonia and New Zealand.
As a photography mentor, he focuses on the photography goals of each participant and provides individual attention to improve their photography. See some of his work at Shreeram M V Photography
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01. Drive from Bagdogra to Ilam. Photography Sessions and Rest.
We’ll arrive into Bagdogra in the morning (no later than 10am) and drive to Ilam. The roads are fairly smooth all along the way. We’ll stop for lunch enroute the 4-5 hour drive to Ilam. We’ll have tour orientation and photography sessions in the evening. Overnight in Ilam.
Day 02. Drive from Ilam to Red Panda habitat
After breakfast, we set off on the arduous journey to the Red Panda habitat. Be prepared to travel on bumpy paths for around 4 hours in the mountains. Our drive takes us through breathtaking landscapes and quaint little villages to arrive at the Red Panda habitat around lunchtime. We’ll check into the field station and, possibly, take a short walk to get introduced to the forests. This place is home for the next few days. Overnight in field station in Red Panda habitat.
Day 03 to Day 07. Exploration of the mountainous forests in search of Red Panda
The days begin early in the mountains. We have a filling breakfast and head out into the forest in search of the Red Panda. We’ll walk in different directions on different days, depending on our trackers’ guidance and previous sightings. The trails are quite the experience, with incredible forests and landscapes all around. We’ll photograph birds and other wildlife that we encounter on the walk. After a field lunch, we’ll walk back to the field station by early evening, hopefully with photographs of the Red Panda in the memory card. Overnight in field station in Red Panda habitat.
Day 08. Drive back to Bagdogra. Tour ends.
Nostalgia sets in as it’s time to head back home. After an early breakfast, we say our goodbyes to our hosts and drive back to Bagdogra. Expect to reach Bagdogra by early evening (around 4PM) if the weather and road conditions are favourable.
Previous Tour Reports
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Seeking Master Shifu
By
Shreeram M VSign Up
Contact us at the email/numbers below to book the tour. The Red Panda expeditions will have a maximum of 6 participants each. So, hurry up and book your place early before the tours fill up!
email: photography@darter.in
Tel: +91-97400 83260 (Shreeram)
Alternately, fill in the following form to get in touch with us regarding the tour.