About Himaaksh

About 24 km away from the Nainital city is the sigri village located at a height of 7196 ft above sea level. Sigri village is a famous tourist destination as it houses almost 580 different species of birds. The huge variety of birds is not the only attraction, the landscape amidst which sigri is located, is the Cherry on the cake. The drive to this village offers an exceptional experience as it passes through the forested zone around Naina Peak Range. The route is through Echo Zone and Himalaya Darshan area, famous for a splendid view of the Great Himalayas, especially Mt. Nanda Devi. This Bird Sanctuary is home to a variety of birds and mammals. The most sighted birds among the wide variety of 580 others are Lammergeier, Himalayan Griffon, Blue-winged minla, Spotted and Slaty-backed forktail, White-throated laughing thrushes, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Rufous-bellied niltava, Khalij pheasant, Brown wood owls, Collared grosbeaks, Little pied flycatcher, Himalayan bulbul, Striated Prinia, Altai accentor, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Green-backed tit, Dollarbird etc. Mammals The Bird Sanctuary is also home to various mammals whose natural habitat are the Kumaon Hills. Some of these include Leopards, Himalayan Palm civets, Yellow-throated Himalayan martens, Ghorals, Barking Deer, Sambhar. The best time to visit the sanctuary is during summers i.e. in March, April, May and June. The beauty of the place gets personified during that season and moreover, the weather is also much more pleasant. The evenings may get chilly at times. For a family trip, summers are the best season. For a romantic vacation, winters can prove to be a gift. It rains romance during winters as the snow falls. Apart from being a birdwatcher’s paradise, Pangot and Sigri area are bestowed with breathtaking scenic beauty and the most picturesque landscape which makes it a perfect spot for both picnic and a vacation. No trip to Nainital is complete without a visit to the Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary. How to Reach sigri Bird Sanctuary Nainital Roadways- The sanctuary is located at a distance of 24km from the Nainital City which can be reached by self-driving or hiring a taxi cab. The Sanctuary is located at a distance of 355 km from Delhi and 365 km from Agra. For first-timers, it is best advised to book a private cab from top rental companies in Nainital for a hassle free ride around Nainital. Railways- If you are traveling by train, Kathgodam Railway station is the nearest railway station which is about 20 km from the sigri Sanctuary. There is an abundance of bus and taxi service from the railway station to the sanctuary. Airways- If you are doing air travel, Pantnagar Airport is the nearest airport which is around 95 km from the sigri Bird Sanctuary. You can hire a private or shared taxi from the airport which will take around 2 to 3 hours to reach the sanctuary. Note: If you do not get a direct ride to the sigri Bird Sanctuary, you can ask for Mall Road Nainital. Once there, take another local ride to the sanctuary as it is quite close. Things to do at sigri Bird Sanctuary Nainital The first and foremost thing that comes to mind while visiting sigri Bird Sanctuary is Bird Watching. The sanctuary is home to both migratory and resident birds. You can spend your day at leisure while watching the birds and clicking them. Trekking is another charm at the sanctuary. The trek is safe and quite rewarding as you will spot a plethora of bird flocks and the serene greenery this area beholds. Take a guided tour deep into the sanctuary and visit the lesser popular spots. It is a safe option for first-timers. Do not miss the local cuisine at the street shops and restaurants to get the authentic flavors of Nainital.