This document summarizes a 7-day butterfly trip to the Chilapata and Ultapani forests in Northeast India. The trip highlights include observing over 300 species of butterflies, as well as birds and other wildlife, in these biodiverse forests. It involves stays in jungle camps with basic amenities and includes guided excursions each day to prime butterfly watching locations within the forests. Community-based conservation initiatives in the areas are also supported through the tour.

1. CHILAPATA AND ULTAPANI BUTTERFLY TRIP
The Northeast India represents the transitional zone between the Indian, Indo-Malayan and Indo-Chinese
bio geographic regions and is the geographical 'gateway' for much of India's flora and fauna .It lies in the
Indo Burma biodiversity 'hotspot' , which is the second largest diversity hotspot in terms of size and
number of species in the world. The forests of this region harbor a vast wealth of diversity with
approximately 13,500 plant species , 1170 bird species, 329 mammal species and 484 reptile species. Of
the 1500 species of butterflies found in India more than 75% are found in the North East, making it a Mecca
for butterfly lovers.
This trip takes us to the forests of Chilapata and Ultapani which probably are the best places in India to
observe butterflies.
CHILAPATA
Chilapata is a reserved forest located in the Dooars region of West Bengal.
Dooars valley which lies on the foot hills of the Eastern Himalayas stretches
from the Teesta river in the West to the Sankosh river in the East. The region
is a vast network of thick forests, meandering rivers and endless tea
gardens . The forests harbor a large variety of biodiversity from mammals
like the One horned rhino and tiger to birds, butterflies and insects.
The Chilapata forest forms an elephant corridor between Jaldapara wildlife
sanctuary and Buxa tiger reserve. The forest is mainly mixed deciduous with
open grasslands interlaced with many small rivers like Bania, Kalchini and
Torsa. It is an ideal habitat for butterflies resulting in a sizable number of
species found over here.
ULTAPANI
A paradise for butterfly lovers, Ultapani is probably one of the best places in
India for observing butterflies. It is a haven for butterfly lovers with more
than 300 species of butterflies many of which are rare. Ultapani forest which
lies in the western part of the Manas Biosphere Reserve in Assam, derives its
name from the fact that unlike the other rivers on the North bank of the
Brahmaputra this river flows from West to East.
The forest is a mixture of moist evergreen , moist deciduous and alluvial
grasslands. The small forest has vast botanical wealth with 197 species of
trees and an equal number of flowering plants. Lying on the western bank of
the Manas river, large groups of Golden Langurs are found here . The Great
Pied and Wreathed Hornbill are found in the plentiful and often times you can
see them in flocks of 40 to 50.
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2. COMMUNTIY INITIATIVE
Keeping in line with our organizational philosophy we promote and assist community based initiatives through
our tours for the long term sustainability of the forests as well as the local people.
Chilapata forest was at one time notoriously famous for poaching and logging. Outsiders dreaded going over
there due to a high incidence of dacoity. Some years back Kalyan Das , the present DFO of Jalpaiguri managed to
convince some of the locals to give up the regressive practice of logging. He also managed to catch some of the
poachers and began transforming them. During this period Kalyan Das assisted one local to setup cottages so as
to promote tourism. Thus slowly over a period of time the local villagers started warming up to the concept of
tourism and started protecting the forests of Chilapata.
Similarly in Ultapani few of the local youth came together to protect their natural treasure. The youth understood
that for their secure future the forests needed to be protected, that their well being was interlinked with that of
the forest. This step led them to getting organized in the form of an NGO for not only protecting the forests but
also educating the other villagers about the importance of conserving the forests. Today they have 50 volunteers
who patrol the forests against poachers and loggers. Some of them have now been trained as nature guides and
in various other tourism related activities, giving them an opportunity to earn income from alternative sources.
BUTTERFLY LIST
Some uncommon butterflies we are likely to encounter in Chilapata and Ultapani
SKIPPERS NYMPHALIDS SWALLOWTAILS WHITES & YELLOWS BLUES
Small Green Awlet Blackvein Sergant Fivebar Swordtail Tree Yellow Western Centaur Oakblue
Orange-T Awl
ail Yellow Rajah Spot Swordtail Pale Wanderer Banded Lineblue
White Banded Awl Dusky Diadem Lesser Zebra Stripped Albatross Silver Forget-Me-Not
Dusky Yellow-Breasted Flat Chinese Bushbrown Great Mime Bath White Copper Flash
Tiger Hopper Dingy Sailer Yellow Helen Spotted Sawtooth White-Banded Royal
Banded Ace Leopard Lacewing Great Windmill Red-Base Jezebel Cornelian
Dark Velvet Bob Green Commodore Paris Peacock Red-Breast Jezebel Angled Sunbeam
Wax Dart Pasha Golden Birdwing Painted Jezebel Pointed Ciliate Blue
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3. TRIP DETAILS
Date: 17th October to 23rd October
Cost per person: Rs.15,150/-
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1
17th October
Meet at NJP/Bagdogra by 12.30 pm and proceed to Chilapata jungle camp which is
approximately a three hour drive. Allocation of rooms and introductions at the camp.
Day 2
18th October
Early morning proceed to Buxa Tiger Reserve. Butterflying in Jayanti river bed and various
other parts of the park. Packed breakfast and jungle lunch at the reserve. In the evening
return to Chilapata jungle camp for overnight stay.
Day 3
19th October
Early morning walk near the camp for observing the wonderful bird life. Remainder of the day
we walk to various locations in Chilapata for observing butterflies. Overnight stay at
Chilapata jungle camp.
Day 4
20th October
Post breakfast leave for Ultapani which would approximately take five hours. Butterflying for
the remaining part of the day and in the evening move towards the Bhutan road to see the
Hornbills. Overnight at the forest guest house in Ultapani.
Day 5
21st October
Enjoy the birdlife in the surrounding forest early in the morning. After breakfast we drive to
some of the best locations to watch butterflies. In the second session we walk to 'Mass
Bhandar' a beautiful rivulet near the camp. Overnight at the forest guest house in Ultapani.
Day 6
22nd October
In the first half we drive to Saralpara village on the border of Bhutan to observe butterflies. In
the second half we drive back to the Ultapani road to watch butterflies.
Day 7
23rd October
Leave for Guwahati early in the morning to reach the airport by early afternoon.
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4. COST INCLUDES
1.Accommodation on a twin sharing basis at Chilapata and on a triple sharing basis at Ultapani.
2.All meals during the course of the trip.
3.All transfers and excursions within the forests in Sumo/Bolero or similar vehicles. Maximum of 5 people per
vehicle.
4.Fees and charges in the parks and for the guides.
COST EXCLUDES
1.Travel from city of origin to Silliguri/Bagdogra and travel from Guwahati to city of origin . Participants are
requested to make their own arrangements for the same.
2.Excess stay & meals due to bad weather conditions or strikes, resulting in delay of flights or any other form of
transport.
3.Soft drink charges, table drinks, laundry, cigarettes, telephone expenses, beer and liquor charges.
4.Any other item not mentioned in “Cost Includes” section above.
ACCOMODATION DETAILS
There is no electricity at the jungle camps in Chilapata and Ultapani , but power would be provided by using
solar or diesel generators for a few hours in a day. Enough power would be provided to ensure that participants
can charge their camera batteries.
WEATHER
Overall the weather would be bright and sunny with the temperatures being very pleasant in the mornings and
evenings but tending to be more hot and humid during the day. The day time temperatures would hover around
28 oC with the evenings becoming cooler at around 18 oC.
HOW TO BOOK
In order to book your place on this trek send us an e-mail on trips@kipepeo.in
or call us on +91 9930002412.
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