Remote Eastern Himalayan forest in Arunachal Pradesh, where some of India’s rarest babblers, pheasants and hornbills live.
Mishmi Hills birding takes place in the Mishmi Hills of Arunachal Pradesh, in remote Eastern Himalayan forest around Roing, Mayodia and the Dibang Valley. This is one of India’s most sought after birding regions, because many species here are found nowhere else in India, or only in a few Eastern Himalayan valleys. The forest ranges from subtropical foothill forest to temperate montane forest, and altitude change over a short road distance gives a very long bird list.
The star birds are the Mishmi wren babbler, found in dense undergrowth, Sclater’s monal, Blyth’s tragopan, Ward’s trogon, rufous necked hornbill, wreathed hornbill and a long list of laughingthrushes, babblers, fulvettas and warblers. Birding here is slow and careful, with early mornings spent listening for skulking babblers, then scanning the canopy for hornbills and mixed flocks. Weather, road conditions and permits matter here, and a local guide is essential, not optional.
Mishmi Hills birding suits experienced birders and list focused travellers who want Eastern Himalayan rarities, photographers who want hornbills and pheasants in remote forest, and travellers who enjoy a longer, expedition style trip. It pairs with Eaglenest and Nameri in Assam for a full Northeast birding circuit. Four to six days in the Mishmi Hills, rather than a single day, give a much better chance for wren babblers and other shy species.
October to April, with November to March best for winter birds and March to April best for breeding activity.
Dibrugarh, with Guwahati as the larger option.
Cool winters, humid summers, mist in mornings, cold at higher altitudes.
Monsoon May to September, about 3,000 mm a year, with roads difficult in monsoon.
Walking birding trails in Mishmi Hills forest, morning and late afternoon, with a local guide. Roadside birding stops along the Roing to Mayodia road for altitude changes. No jeep safari is used as the main method for Mishmi Hills birding, and most birding is on foot on forest trails and roadsides.
By train, Tinsukia and Dibrugarh stations are the nearest major railheads, followed by road to Roing. By road, Roing is reached by road from Dibrugarh through Tinsukia and Sadiya, with onward forest roads to Mayodia. By air, Dibrugarh airport is the nearest airport, followed by road to Roing and Mishmi Hills.
October to April is best, with November to March for winter birds and March to April for breeding activity.
Mishmi wren babbler, Sclater’s monal, Blyth’s tragopan, Ward’s trogon and rufous necked and wreathed hornbills.
Fly to Dibrugarh, take a train to Tinsukia or Dibrugarh, then drive to Roing and onward to Mayodia and Dibang Valley.
It suits experienced birders best, because the forest is remote, the birds are shy, and a local guide and several days are needed.
Yes, Mishmi Hills, Nameri and Eaglenest form a classic Northeast birding circuit, with foothill, riverine and montane forest in one trip.
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A journey through Bengal where festival traditions, wetlands and wildlife come together.
A journey through Bengal where festival traditions, wetlands and wildlife come together.
A journey through Bengal where festival traditions, wetlands and wildlife come together.
