MISHMI HILLS BIRDING & NATURE TOURS

Mishmi Hills is famous for its exceptional Eastern Himalayan birdlife and remarkable range of elevations. A birding journey moves from the lowland forests around Roing through dense subtropical and temperate forests to the high-altitude habitat of Mayodia Pass.

This changing landscape supports pheasants, trogons, babblers, nuthatches, sunbirds, winter migrants and many other forest birds. Read our detailed Mishmi Hills birdwatching and photography guide for more information about its birds and habitats.

Winter is the best overall season for birding in Mishmi Hills, particularly for migratory and altitudinal migrant birds. November to January is especially rewarding for birders seeking Sclater’s Monal.

May and June offer a different experience, with strong breeding activity and better opportunities for Blyth’s Tragopan. July to September should be avoided because heavy rain and landslides can disrupt birding and road travel.

November to January offers the best opportunity for Sclater’s Monal in the higher reaches of Mishmi Hills. May and June are more suitable for seeking Blyth’s Tragopan, when breeding activity and calling make the species easier to locate.

Both are elusive forest birds, and sightings cannot be guaranteed. The right season, sufficient field time and an experienced local birding guide significantly improve the opportunity.

Sought-after birds include Sclater’s Monal, Blyth’s Tragopan, Ward’s Trogon, Mishmi Wren-Babbler, Beautiful Nuthatch and Cachar Wedge-billed Babbler.

Other photographic highlights include Fire-tailed Myzornis, Chinese Rubythroat, Sultan Tit, Purple Cochoa, parrotbills, fulvettas, laughingthrushes and mixed hunting flocks. Mishmi Hills forms an important part of India’s wider range of Eastern Himalayan and Northeast India birding tours.

We recommend 5 nights and 6 days for a well-planned Mishmi Hills birding tour. This allows time to cover the changing habitats around Roing, Hunli and Mayodia Pass without rushing.

A longer stay gives greater flexibility for weather, bird movement and repeated searches for difficult species. Travellers can join one of our fixed-departure birding tours or request a private itinerary.

Roing offers lowland forests, grasslands and forest edges. As the road climbs towards Hunli, the habitat changes to dense subtropical and temperate forest, supporting a different mix of forest specialists and mixed flocks.

Mayodia Pass provides high-altitude birding for pheasants, myzornis, rubythroats and other Himalayan species. Covering all three areas gives birders access to a much wider range of elevations and birds.

Most birding is done along mountain roads, forest edges and short trails rather than on difficult treks. However, visitors should be comfortable walking on uneven ground, standing for extended periods and spending long hours in the field.

Cold conditions near Mayodia Pass, changing weather and occasional slippery trails can make some sessions demanding. The daily plan can be adjusted to suit the traveller’s fitness and walking ability.

Roing offers simple hotels and guesthouses with basic facilities. Accommodation around Hunli and Mayodia is more limited and generally consists of modest lodges or homestays close to the birding areas.

Rooms are practical rather than luxurious. Heating, hot water, electricity, mobile connectivity and internet access may be limited in the higher reaches.

Indian citizens from outside Arunachal Pradesh require an Inner Line Permit (ILP), while foreign nationals require a Protected Area Permit (PAP/RAP). As entry regulations may change, travellers should verify the latest requirements before departure.

WOW can assist with the applicable permit process and documentation as part of an organised tour. Indian travellers can consult the official Arunachal Pradesh eILP portal, while foreign travellers can check the Arunachal Pradesh Tourism Protected Area Permit page.

Yes. Mishmi Hills offers excellent bird photography, especially for pheasants, forest specialists and colourful birds such as Fire-tailed Myzornis, Chinese Rubythroat and Sultan Tit.

A 400–600mm lens is useful, while a zoom such as a 100–500mm or 200–600mm provides greater flexibility. Forest light can be low, so good high-ISO performance, rain protection and a monopod are helpful. An experienced guide is strongly recommended because many birds are first detected through their calls.

Dibrugarh Airport is the most convenient airport and is approximately 140–145 km from Roing. The drive generally takes around 3–4 hours, depending on road and weather conditions.

New Tinsukia Junction is the nearest major railway station, approximately 102 km from Roing. Private transfers can be arranged from either arrival point, followed by onward travel towards Hunli and Mayodia Pass.

Dehing Patkai is the most convenient extension and adds tropical rainforest birds and a distinctly different lowland habitat.

Travellers planning a longer Northeast India journey can combine Mishmi Hills with Manas National Park. Those wanting another Eastern Himalayan forest experience can add Latpanchar as a separate extension involving additional travel.