Gangtok district · Theme
Birds and wildlife in East Sikkim
Red panda country and a long bird list
Photo: Dibyendu Ash · CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
In East Sikkim, birds and wildlife works best in Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary, Ganesh Tok and Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary. The red panda is Sikkim's state animal and the blood pheasant its state bird. Kitam, Maenam, Fambong Lho, Kyongnosla and Khangchendzonga National Park hold most of what birders come for. Sightings are never promised.
Sikkim packs subtropical forest, temperate oak and fir, and alpine meadow into one small state, which is why the bird list is so long. Early mornings and local guides matter more than any gear.
Red pandas are shy and rarely seen in the wild. We never promise wildlife, and we never use guides who bait or chase animals.
Places
Where to go
sanctuary
Fambong L…2,100M
Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary
Oak, magnolia and red panda forest west of Gangtok
viewpoint
Ganesh Tok1,980M
Ganesh Tok
A tiny Ganesh shrine at 1,980 m, opposite Gangtok's red pandas
Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary
Rhododendron and fir forest on the Tsomgo road
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Hours that fit the theme
Nature
Day hike through Fambong Lho forest
A guided day walk through Fambong Lho's layers of forest, from broadleaf trees and ferns into oak, magnolia, rhododendron and bamboo. Steady …
Wildlife and birds
Birding morning in Fambong Lho
An early start with a local bird guide in one of the best forest birding sites near Gangtok. Mixed flocks of minlas, …
Adventure
Climb towards Tinjure ridge
A longer, harder walk up through Fambong Lho to the area of Tinjure, at about 2,749 m the sanctuary's highest point. For …
Nature
Rhododendrons and magnolias in spring
A gentle spring walk in the middle forest of Fambong Lho, when magnolias and rhododendrons flower and orchids open on the tree …
Monasteries and shrines
Ganesh Tok shrine and the view over Gangtok
Climb the short steps to the tiny Ganesh shrine, stoop through its doorway to offer a prayer, then stand on the terrace …
Wildlife and birds
Red pandas at the Himalayan Zoological Park
Cross the road from Ganesh Tok into a hillside zoo of natural forest, where red pandas, Sikkim's state animal, live in large …
Nature
Evening lights of Gangtok from Ganesh Tok
Watch the sun set behind the western hills and the lights of Gangtok come on along the ridge below. A gentle hour …
Adventure
Walking down from Ganesh Tok to MG Marg
After the zoo, skip the taxi and walk back down the ridge to town, passing Enchey Monastery on the way. About 5 …
Price your own route
Tell us dates, people and budget. We send a day-by-day plan with every cost shown. StartNot sure where to start?
We match districts to your month, your budget and the people travelling with you. StartAsk the Gangtok desk
An itemised quote within one working day. No payment to start. StartGet my price
Tell us your dates and your budget
Who is travelling, when, and roughly what you want to spend. The Gangtok desk replies within one working day with a day-by-day plan and an itemised price.
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