India and Nepal 2008 (1 Viewer)

[joe cockram]

i'm going on a two month backpacking trip around northern India and Nepal in Jan and Feb next year and have a few questions that i hope you guys may be able to help me out on:

Tigers, obviously the major goal of the trip. There seems to be conflicting reports on their status at various sites. Are they still readily seeable at Ranthambhore and Corbett or is a trip down to Bandhavgarh necessary

Bharatpur, is their any news on if the governement is to flood the site this winter, or is this purely down to the strength of the monsoon?

In Nepal we are looking to do the Lantang and Helambu treks, near Khatmandu. It seems that the connecting Gosainkund track is the best area for Fire-tailed Myzornis, Satyr Tragopan and Grandala but i have heard that it becomes inpassable in winter, does anyone know if it is possible to get to the birds mentioned above, or if there other sites that are accessible in winter.

many thanks in advance

joe

 

[Larry Sweetland]

Hi Joe,

I can give you some ancient gen for Langtang/Gosainkund at the wrong time of year which may be of use in the absence of any other replies ! I did the trek in May 1992 and saw the 3 birds you were particularluy interested in.

Although the pass will probably be closed until March, I'm guessing that you could access the birds if you approach it from both directions, although most of the places to stay I'm guessing will be shut.

Syabru may well have somewhere to stay, and it is above here on the way to the Gosainkund pass that I saw Satyr Tragopan, by setting off uphill about an hour before dawn from the village. I don't know if they will be calling though when you want to go, which will make it much harder.

Fire-tailed Myzornis I saw a couple of on the other side of the pass, at Gopte, which again may well be accessible even if the pass is closed ?

Grandalas were in numbers right up at the pass, but I'm guessing they (and possibly the other birds) will be lower in the Winter. A male against the snow takes some beating !

It might be possible to see all 3 birds on one side of the pass, I haven't looked at recent gen. I just hope the habitat's still there.

Best of luck with your trip

 

[jurek]

Hi,

For tigers and Bharatpur, it is best to ask on Dehlibird or India birds mailing list a few weeks before going. People there were very friendly and active.

Have a good trip!