A Unique Wildlife Experience in the Himalaya

Presenting the Bears and Blossoms Experiences which gives you a unique opportunity to witness the largest Carnivores of the Himalayas, the Himalayan Brown Bear and the Himalayan Black Bear in their Natural Habitats. It also gives a rare glimpse into the Wildlife habitats of these elusive Creatures as well as see the other Flora and Fauna in their habitats.

The Experience spans two Neighboring but different Regions of the Western Himalayas. We will experience the Black Bear in the well known Dachigam National Park in Kashmir which is also well known for the Kashmir Antelope, the Hangul. We would then move onto the Lacchipora Wildlife Sanctuary to look for the elusive Markhor. For the sighting of the Himalayan Brown Bears we will move to the Trans Himalayan Region of Drass which is home to a population of the majestic Brown Bears. We would stay in an exclusive Bear Lodge in the Mushkoh Valley of Drass.

Day 1 : Arrival in Srinagar. Do a bit of Sightseeing around the City. Shikara ride in the Evening. Acclimatise Generally. Stay at the Khanda Kothi

Day 2 : Early start to the Day and a visit to the Dachigam National Park famous for the Hanguls as well as Black Bears. You will be accompanied by a Forest Ranger who will take you through the Park on foot and set you up in places where the sightings of Black Bears are most likely. Stay at the Khanda Kothi

Day 3 : Another Early to the Dachigam National Park famous for the Hanguls as well as Black Bears. You will be accompanied by a Forest Ranger who will take you through the Park on foot and set you up in places where the sightings of Black Bears are most likely. Leave for Limber Forest Hut where you will spend the Night. 

Day 4 : Visit the Lachipora Wildlife Sanctuary which offers perfect habitat for the Markhors the numbers of which have increased over the Years in these parts which are close to the LoC. 

Day 5 : Move from Lacchipora 

Day 6: Drass Wildlife - Bear tracking Today will be a bit relaxed and we will take it easy. Spend most of the day at leisure and take in the beauty of the landscape. Start the day with a leisurely walk or a drive along the Mushkow river. Here we try spotting the bears in the mountains/valleys around. At this time of the year the north facing slopes are still packed with snow which makes spotting the bears easier and in many cases they tend to come further down towards the habitations looking for food. Breakfast can be a picnic depending on the weather conditions and sightings. Post breakfast, drive further into the valley to scan for Ibex and other mammals. Return to the lodge for lunch and rest. Venture out for another round of sightings in the late afternoon. In the evening, join your local / lodge host / naturalist to learn about the bears in the area and the conservation work they have been doing with the local community. Bears are most active during early morning and late evening hours making these the golden hours for bear viewing. So our following days will be planned as such that morning and evenings are spent bear watching and the day time is used to explore the nature and culture of the region. Click here to take a virtual tour of the brown bear landscape Stay: Drenmo Lodge 

Day 7: Mamel Hike Early Start to the day at 5-6 am. Depending on the snow conditions, we will hike up or use ponies to reach the adjacent hillside, which provides a good vantage point to scan for bear movements in the area or we will stick to the lower reaches and start scanning. Our local spotters will accompany us and with their trained eyes and tracking skills help us get to find and see this magnificent animal. Breakfast can be had as a picnic depending on the weather condition. Return to the lodge for lunch and rest. Post lunch, we will drive to the adjacent valleys of Pandrass or Shimsha Karbu to spot more wildlife. Return to the lodge by evening for a bonfire and high tea. Dinner and overnight at the lodge. Stay: Drenmo Lodge 

Day  8 : Return to Srinagar from Drass

Day 9 : Return Home from Srinagar Airport