Asia

This program is an eco tour designed to facilitate and support the protection of the rare and elusive Red Panda. A member of the bear family, the Red Panda is the size of a large cat, with a tail reaching 60cm long. It is currently endangered due to poaching and the reduction of its natural habitat. During this trek, we fly in to the Eastern Indian metropolis of Calcutta and enjoy the various historical sites that the city of joy has to offer. We then travel to Darjeeling and visit the major sites there. For the following six days, we trek into the heart of the Singalila range and absorb the astounding views of the Himalayas. With the help of the local inhabitants we will search for rare animals like the clouded leopard, musk deer, snow leopard, himalayan black bear and threatened bird species like the Spiny Babbler Scarlet Minivet, Kalij Pheasant, Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Brown and Fulvous Parrotbills.

The park is in a region of exceptional flora and fauna, where you can quietly observe Himalayan black bears, grey leopards or snow leopards. In spring time, the region is enhanced by thousands of colours and scents and you will be able to marvel at the magnificent views of the Himalayan giants. This relatively easy 9-day trek is a real dive into untouched subtropical forests of the park, guided by local members of “Initiative Panda” – an association to protect red pandas. It is a trip that will also give you an idea of British colonial heritage in India, from the ever-amazing Calcutta, to the sights and scents of peaceful Darjeeling - "The Queen of Hills"- which is one of the world's tea capitals.