Red Pandas of Singalila Safari

Arrive Delhi

Today you will be welcomed to the bustling city of Delhi, the capital of India, by your local guide who will transfer you to your hotel for the night. The rest of the day is yours to relax and prepare for your flight to Darjeeling tomorrow.

Delhi - Bagdogra - Darjeeling

This morning you will be transferred back to the airport for your two hour flight to Bagdogra. Upon arrival, you will be met and driven to your hotel on the outskirts of the Darjeeling, an scenic hill town set against the impressive backdrop of the snow-capped Himalayan Peaks. Darjeeling is one of the most important hill stations in eastern India, but is perhaps best known for providing a vast amount of tea to around the world. This evening, set out to explore the local market or simply relax and enjoy your surroundings.

Overnight: Windamere Hotel (B, D)

Darjeeling - Singalila National Park

After breakfast you will be driven approximately 2.5 hours to Manebhanjen, the entry point to Singalila National Park. You will head straight to the current camera trapping sight to check the cameras and see what animals have passed by recently; rare species including black leopards, leopard cats and Indian civets have all been recorded here. The data collected is used to educate the local forest-dwelling populations on how to coexist sustainably with the animals. Once the cameras have been reset, you will drive through the stunning landscapes of the Himalayan foothills to Habre's Nest Homestay, your home for the next six nights. Settle in to your homestay with a warm cup of tea, enjoying the breathtaking views across to Nepal over the valley.

Singalila National Park

You will spend the next five days exploring Singalila National Park and the surrounding communities with a team of researchers and expert trackers. Most of your time will be spent hiking through the national park in search of the endangered red pandas who live in these remote forests, heading out on a different forest trail each day. You will also have the opportunity to join the researchers in the setting of camera traps, hoping to capture the parks elusive predators on camera, work on a number of tree-planting, dog vaccination and other important conservation projects. The exact itinerary will depend on the conservation programmes being carried out in the area at the time of your visit, but your work will have a real positive impact on the local wildlife and communities.

Singalila National Park - Bagdogra - Delhi

Your time in the Himalayan foothills has now come to an end, as you are driven the four hours back to the airport at Bagdogra for your return flight to Delhi. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel close to the airport.

Depart Delhi

Today is your final day in India, and you will be transferred back to the airport for your international flight home. Alternatively, this safari can be combined with an extension to visit some of the numerous cultural and wildlife sites across India.