Day notes
Arrive in Kolkata
On arrival at Kolkata Airport, our representative will be there to meet you and help with your transfer into the city.
Around 1400, we depart for the Rupnarayan River (approx. 1.5-hour drive) to look for the Ganges River Dolphin. (Boat ride duration: approx. 2 hours)
Around 1600, we leave the hotel for the Fishing Cat hide (approx 30 minutes drive)
Important Notes on the Fishing Cat Hide
We will stay for three nights at Fortune Park Panchwati, Kolkata. For the Fishing Cat tracking, we will be taken each afternoon to a hide at Dhulagori, Howrah, which is approximately 15 km / 30 minutes’ drive from the hotel. The hide is for our private use.
It is important to note that the hide is used primarily as a base for spotting Fishing Cats and does not have proper accommodation in the usual sense. Amenities are very simple, with fan-only rooms and no air conditioning, but clean rooms and washrooms.
The basic room arrangements at the hide are as follows:
- Ground floor: one room with a bed, with a shared bathroom just outside the room
- Third floor: one room with a bed, with a common washroom
The Fishing Cat watching session runs from approximately 17:00 until 04:00 the following morning. Depending on sightings, there are two possible options.
a) If there is an early sighting, we return to our hotel for the night and have dinner there.
b) We remain at the hide watching, in which case dinner will be arranged at a nearby restaurant. We use the rooms in the hide to rest. nap….
Our car will be available to us to allow this flexibility. We can arrange for any of us to return earlier at an additional cost, if someone wants to leave while others stay.
If we stay at the hide through the night and early morning, we will return to the hotel for breakfast and lunch, then head back to the hide later in the day for birding and Fishing Cat tracking.
Transfer from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport [CCU] to Fortune Park Panchwati
Transfer
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport [CCU]
Fortune Park Panchwati
Check-in to Fortune Park Panchwati
Expert tips:
The Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus)
The Fishing Cat is the largest member of the Prionailurus genus — stocky and powerfully built, with a broad head, short muscular legs and a tail roughly one third the length of its body. Adults weigh between 5 and 16kg, with pronounced sexual dimorphism. The coat is a grizzled olive-grey with rows of dark elongated spots along the flanks and six to eight dark lines running from forehead to nape. The paws are partially webbed and the claws incompletely sheathed — both adaptations for an aquatic lifestyle unique among the small cats of Asia. The local Bengali name is Baghrol or Mechobagha — literally “fish tiger.”
Listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List (assessed 2024), with an estimated global population of between 3,200 and 7,500 mature individuals. The population trend is declining. Primary threats are wetland destruction and degradation, retaliatory killing by fish farmers, road casualties, and poaching. The species is listed under Schedule I of India’s Wildlife Protection Act, affording it the highest level of legal protection.
The Fiishing Cat is strongly associated with slow-moving or still water — marshes, oxbow lakes, reed beds, tidal creeks and river margins with dense bankside vegetation. It hunts primarily by wading or swimming, scooping fish with its paws or plunging its head below the surface. It is largely nocturnal and, despite being locally present in parts of West Bengal, remains significantly understudied — basic population data across most of its Indian range is lacking.
Bagrohl Basa Conservation Model
The project was founded by naturalist Shantanu Prasad, whose long-term camera trap programme in the floodplains around Bagrohl has generated some of the most detailed data on fishing cat behaviour and habitat use in West Bengal. The wider programme operates across 30 villages and employs more than 50 local people in conservation-related roles. A central challenge — and the focus of ongoing community outreach — is conflict with fish farmers, who frequently persecute fishing cats as a threat to their livelihoods. Changing those attitudes, and creating economic alternatives through responsible tourism, is the core of the Bagrohl Basa model.
Other Mammals
Jungle cat (Felis chaus), Asian Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus), Small Indian Civet (Viverricula indica), Golden Jackal (Canis aureus) — including melanistic individuals, a rare black-coated form regularly recorded in this area and a notable photographic subject. Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus giganteus) roosts colonially near the property. Water Monitor (Varanus salvator) and Bengal monitor (Varanus bengalensis) are both present.
Birds — Selected Highlights
Kingfishers: Stork-billed (Pelargopsis capensis), White-throated (Halcyon smyrnensis), Common (Alcedo atthis)
Waterbirds: Asian Openbill Stork (Anastomus oscitans), Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus), Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea), Indian Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii), Pheasant-tailed Jacana (Hydrophasianus chirurgus)
Raptors: Pied Harrier (Circus melanoleucos), White-eyed Buzzard (Butastur teesa), Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus caeruleus)
Winter migrants (November–February): Lesser Whistling Teal (Dendrocygna javanica), Common Teal (Anas crecca)
Approximately 300 bird species have been recorded across all seasons in the wider region. A dedicated bird hide on the property offers photography opportunities without disturbance
Day notes
Morning at leisure.
Afternoon Fishing Cat tracking
Day notes
Morning at leisure.
Afternoon Fishing Cat tracking
Day notes
Flight Kolkata - Bagdogra and drive to Maneybhanjang
This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight to Bagdogra. Then a drive to Maneybhanjang through forests alive with orchids and wildflowers.
Shikhar Tarry is a rustic lodge at the edge of Singalila National Park. Rooms are simple but comfortable, with an emphasis on providing close access to the park’s Red Panda habitats. Expect friendly hosts and hearty mountain meals.
Wildlife Highlights: The Singalila forests are one of the few places in the world to track Red Panda in the wild. Other highlights include Yellow-throated Martens, Himalayan Black Bear (rare), and a wealth of Himalayan birdlife such as Satyr Tragopan and Blood Pheasant.
Check-out from Fortune Park Panchwati
Transfer from Fortune Park Panchwati to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport [CCU]
Transfer
Fortune Park Panchwati
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport [CCU]
Scheduled Flight from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport [CCU] to Bagdogra International Airport [IXB]
IndiGo [6E]
Scheduled Flight
751
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport [CCU]
12:55
Bagdogra International Airport [IXB]
14:05
Transfer from Bagdogra International Airport [IXB] to Shikhar Tarry
Transfer
Bagdogra International Airport [IXB]
Shikhar Tarry
Check-in to Shikhar Tarry
Day notes
Spend three days on guided Red Panda tracking walks, usually starting at dawn.
The local trackers use their deep knowledge of the forest to locate the pandas, increasing our chance of sightings.
Expert tips:
Red Pandas
Red Pandas (Ailurus fulgens), sometimes called the “firefox” or “Himalayan cat-bear,” are small, arboreal mammals found in the temperate forests of the eastern Himalayas. They are not closely related to giant pandas — instead, they belong to their own unique family (Ailuridae) and are the last surviving member of their lineage.
With their rust-coloured fur, masked face, and ringed tail, Red Pandas are superbly camouflaged among the mossy branches and bamboo thickets where they feed. Their diet is 90% bamboo, but they will also eat berries, blossoms, and bird eggs. Typically crepuscular, they are most active at dawn and dusk. Tracking them with local guides in Singalila gives us the best possible chance of sightings while supporting efforts to protect their fragile habitat.
Red Pandas & Community-Based Tracking
Red Pandas are classified as Endangered, with fewer than 10,000 mature individuals left in the wild. Their main threats are habitat loss due to logging, livestock grazing, and accidental snaring.
In Singalila National Park, your tracking experience is led by local trackers who have been trained to monitor panda populations and protect them from poaching. Tourism creates an incentive for local communities to conserve forests and reduces dependency on unsustainable activities. Every panda sighting you enjoy contributes to a growing database that helps guide protection measures.
Day notes
Drive to Bagdogra for a flight to Guwahati via Kolkata
Vivanta Guwahati is a contemporary, comfortable hotel – the perfect stopover before our travels the next day to Kaziranga.
Check-out from Shikhar Tarry
Transfer from Shikhar Tarry to Bagdogra International Airport [IXB]
Transfer
Shikhar Tarry
Bagdogra International Airport [IXB]
Scheduled Flight from Bagdogra International Airport [IXB] to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport [CCU]
IndiGo [6E]
Scheduled Flight
292
Bagdogra International Airport [IXB]
14:45
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport [CCU]
15:55
Scheduled Flight from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport [CCU] to Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport [GAU]
IndiGo [6E]
Scheduled Flight
6663
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport [CCU]
19:40
Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport [GAU]
20:45
Transfer from Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport [GAU] to Vivanta Guwahati
Transfer
Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport [GAU]
Vivanta Guwahati
Check-in to Vivanta Guwahati
Expert tips:
The Ganges River Dolphin
The Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica), locally called Susu, is one of only a handful of true freshwater dolphin species in the world. Once widespread across the Ganges-Brahmaputra river systems, they are now classified as Endangered due to pollution, dam construction, accidental entanglement in fishing nets, and declining fish populations.
hese dolphins are almost blind — relying on echolocation clicks to navigate and hunt in the often muddy waters — which makes seeing one surface for air (they breathe every 30–120 seconds) a thrilling moment. Boat safaris on the Brahmaputra give you the chance to witness their rolling surfacing behaviour, often with a loud “splash” as they dive.
Hargila Army & the Greater Adjutant Stork
The Greater Adjutant Stork (Leptoptilos dubius) is one of the world’s rarest storks, with fewer than 1,200 individuals left in the wild. Once considered a nuisance due to their scavenging habits and large, untidy nests in village trees, their numbers declined dramatically.
The Hargila Army — a women-led grassroots movement founded by conservationist Purnima Devi Barman — has transformed attitudes towards the species. The name Hargila means “bone swallower” in Assamese, but today it has become a symbol of pride. The group protects nesting trees, rehabilitates fallen chicks, and celebrates the storks with baby showers and village festivals.
Meeting the Hargila Army gives you a first-hand look at one of India’s most inspiring community conservation success stories, where a near-vilified bird is now a flagship species and source of local empowerment.
Day notes
Fly Kolkata – Jorhat and drive approx. 5 hrs to Kaziranga National Park.
Meet the Hargila Army, a grassroots group protecting the endangered Greater Adjutant Stork – one of the rarest storks in the world.
En route, we will also stop at Kalia Bhomora Bridge for a boat safari on the Brahmaputra River to spot Ganges River Dolphins.
Wildlife Highlights: Kaziranga is famous for its Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros, as well as wild Asiatic Elephants, Swamp Deer, and over 500 bird species.
Check-out from Vivanta Guwahati
Transfer from Vivanta Guwahati to Infinity Resorts Kaziranga
Transfer
Vivanta Guwahati
Infinity Resorts Kaziranga
Check-in to Infinity Resorts Kaziranga
Expert tips:
The Ganges River Dolphin
The Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica), locally called Susu, is one of only a handful of true freshwater dolphin species in the world. Once widespread across the Ganges-Brahmaputra river systems, they are now classified as Endangered due to pollution, dam construction, accidental entanglement in fishing nets, and declining fish populations.
hese dolphins are almost blind — relying on echolocation clicks to navigate and hunt in the often muddy waters — which makes seeing one surface for air (they breathe every 30–120 seconds) a thrilling moment. Boat safaris on the Brahmaputra give you the chance to witness their rolling surfacing behaviour, often with a loud “splash” as they dive.
Hargila Army & the Greater Adjutant Stork
The Greater Adjutant Stork (Leptoptilos dubius) is one of the world’s rarest storks, with fewer than 1,200 individuals left in the wild. Once considered a nuisance due to their scavenging habits and large, untidy nests in village trees, their numbers declined dramatically.
The Hargila Army — a women-led grassroots movement founded by conservationist Purnima Devi Barman — has transformed attitudes towards the species. The name Hargila means “bone swallower” in Assamese, but today it has become a symbol of pride. The group protects nesting trees, rehabilitates fallen chicks, and celebrates the storks with baby showers and village festivals.
Meeting the Hargila Army gives you a first-hand look at one of India’s most inspiring community conservation success stories, where a near-vilified bird is now a flagship species and source of local empowerment.
Day notes
Morning and afternoon private jeep safaris exploring different zones of Kaziranga.
Day notes
Kaziranga & Hoollongapar
Early departure for Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary (2 hrs each way) to search for Hoolock Gibbons, India’s only apes, as well as capped langurs and other primates.
Return by midday for lunch
Afternoon private safari in Kaziranga.
Expert tips:
About Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary & the Hoolock Gibbons
Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary is a small but incredibly important patch of semi-evergreen forest located near Jorhat, Assam. Once part of a larger forested landscape, it is now an isolated island of biodiversity surrounded by tea plantations and villages — a rare green haven that shelters some of India’s last remaining populations of western Hoolock Gibbons, the country’s only true apes.
Hoolock Gibbons are known for their distinctive loud morning calls, which echo through the forest canopy at dawn. They are highly acrobatic, swinging gracefully from branch to branch with their long arms — a movement known as brachiation. Gibbons are monogamous and live in small family groups, often seen feeding on wild figs, leaves, and shoots high in the trees.
The sanctuary is also home to seven species of primates, including Stump-tailed Macaques, Northern Pig-tailed Macaques, Capped Langurs, and Slow Loris, making it one of the richest primate habitats in India. Birdlife is excellent too, with chances to spot Great Hornbill, Green Imperial Pigeon, and a variety of woodpeckers and drongos.
The Hoollongapar forest is a critical refuge not just for Hoolock Gibbons but also for seven other primate species, many of which are threatened. Because the forest is now an island amid tea plantations, connectivity to other forest patches is essential for the survival of these primates.
Conservation organisations are working with tea estate owners to create green corridors that reconnect the fragmented habitat, allowing gibbons to move between forests.
Day notes
Morning and afternoon private safaris for more opportunities to see rare mammals and birds. Look for Fishing Eagles, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, and if lucky, Sloth Bear.
Day notes
Fly back to Kolkata
After breakfast, transfer to Jorhat Airport for our flight to Kolkata,
On arrival, transfer to the Taj City Center New Town Kolkata
Check-out from Infinity Resorts Kaziranga
Transfer from Infinity Resorts Kaziranga to Jorhat Airport [JRH]
Transfer
Infinity Resorts Kaziranga
Jorhat Airport [JRH]
Scheduled Flight from Jorhat Airport [JRH] to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport [CCU]
IndiGo [6E]
Scheduled Flight
6153
Jorhat Airport [JRH]
13:45
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport [CCU]
15:25
Transfer from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport [CCU] to Taj City Centre New Town Kolkata
Transfer
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport [CCU]
Taj City Centre New Town Kolkata
Check-in to Taj City Centre New Town Kolkata
Day notes
Return to Kolkata airport for international flights home
Check-out from Taj City Centre New Town Kolkata
Transfer from Taj City Centre New Town Kolkata to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport [CCU]
Transfer
Taj City Centre New Town Kolkata
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport [CCU]
