Kitam | bird sanctuary

Kitam or Kitam (কিতাম) Bird Sanctuary is heaven for bird lovers and attracts domestic and international tourists around the year for birding. Kitam is only low altitude bird sanctuary and remain open throughout the year. New tourist attraction, Kitam Bird Sanctuary situated on around 1,200 ft to 3,000 ft above sea level at South Sikkim district of Sikkim, India and spreads across more than 6 sq K.M. This sanctuary will on the way to Namchi (another most attracted tourist destination of Sikkim) via Melli from Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri. Kitam can be reached from Siliguri or New Jalpaiguri within 3 hrs of joyful journey by car. The emerald green Rangit River or Rangeet flows through southern side of Kitam bird sanctuary. Nearby beautiful and majestic villages can be seen from Kitam sanctuary, at least spend 2 days here to explore monastery, pile of ancient relics, big papal tree, 100 year old mud house etc. You can reach to Tamley Lake (Tamley Pokhri) from sanctuary by crossing Sherpa and Lepcha villages on your foot, or you can enjoy birding through your binocular within this secluded environment of sanctuary. Numbers of birds are can be seen here including oriental white eye,  Kaleej pheasant , Indian Peafowl, Red Jungle Fowl, Scarlet Minivet, Green Magpie, Himalayan Flame back etc. Also numbers of migratory birds are gathered here from the month of October. Kitam is also home of different species butterflies including around 200 species of birds.

See Accommodation & Homestay

Accommodation in Kitam

Best accommodation option in Kitam Bird sanctuary is homestays. Few home stay has organized by locals with basic facilities and with clean and attached bathrooms at Kitam and nearby. You can feel local culture and mouth watering home cooked delicious foods at home stays.

Our associate homestay is a perfect accommodation at Kitam bird sanctuary, tariff starts Rs. 900 onwards with foods and lodging per day per head. Owner Mr. Sunil Thapa has car and arrange pick-up and drop to and from Melli bazaar or Siliguri. The homestay is double storey house of brick in good location and well maintained. Mrs. Thapa is home maker and good cook, she serves very hygienic and delicious food for tourists.

        Our another associate homestay located in precise abode amid nature with soothing breeze of the dawn. Here, Kaushik Family shall extend their warm welcome and traditional Sikkimese hospitality enchanting you to stay more days in Lower Kitam, the fringe village of Kitam Bird Sanctuary. Sitting in the verandah and courtyard in the late evening to enjoy the calm and tranquil night, gazing the stars and following the falling stars to make a wish and watching birds in the early morning around the Homestays shall enthrall your live here. Upon your arrival, you will be served with traditional fare called Sel Roti and Organic Tea, refreshing your inner core.  Evening can be spent savouring the organic delicacies while the host can arrange for early morning bird watching, Heritage walk in the village, soft treks and assist the researchers to get insight into their culture, oral history treading to the remnant of its feudal past and regaling you with the tales of their fore-father’s feat in the village and the erstwhile kingdom showcasing some traditional artifacts.

Tariff: Rs. 1100 per person.

Accommodation: a single two bedded room having capacity to accommodate at least 2 person minimum to 5 person maximum in case of a single family stay.

Another newly built homestay, nice and authentic village house and home stay very nearby of Kitam sanctuary. Owner Mr. Prahlad Rai a goods human being and guide, he has good knowledge of local areas. Tariff starts Rs.700 onwards with lodging and fooding. They provide local sightseeing including Tarey Bhir, Phool Dhara and pick-up drop service. 

Hotel Green Valley – owner Mr. K.B Pradan has a hotel with all modern facilities, a little away from heart of Kitam bird sanctuary near Kitam bazar. Best quality foods are available with good accommodation.

          Also way side inn can be a good accommodation for stay at Kitam bazaar.

Guests Comments

We have visited 9-11 May 2017, a group of 10 adults. Very well maintained room and food was delicious and service was very good. Different birds were seen from homestay - Partha Sarathi Mandal, Kolkata

How to Reach Kitam

Nearest airport is Bagdogra (IXB) of state of West Bengal, daily flights are available from and to all major India cities. New Jalpaiguri of NJP is nearest railway station, well connection with rest of India by regular train service.

          Direct cars are available from Siliguri town, NJP railway station and airport to Kitam bird sanctuary through Sevoke and Melli. The road divided at Melli, the straight one goes to Gangtok and left turned road goes to Kitam via Melli-Nayabazar road. Shared transportation is also available from Siliguri Junction jeep stand. Jeeps are going towards Namchi and sahred cost would be around Rs.150/ to Rs.200. Entire exclusive car rent would be around Rs.3,500 to Rs.4,200.

          See distance chart bellow...

From	Distance
New Jalpaiguri (NJP)	110 K.M
Gangtok	101 K.M
Pelling	116 K.M
Ravangla	30 K.M
Namchi	12 K.M

Best Season to Visit Kitam

Kitam bird sanctuary can be visited around the year due to low altitude and moderate climate. The autumn and winter season (October to late November) is best time to visit Kitam, the entire sanctuary covered with migratory birds in this season.

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Nearby attractions of Kitam