Bhutan Birding Tour

The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular in the entire Himalayas. The journey offers fascinating views and an exciting descent into the Kingdom. Bhutan’s first gift, as you disembark from the aircraft will be cool, clean fresh mountain air. After immigration formalities and baggage collection, you will be met by our representative and transfer to the capital city of Bhutan. Today no site visit is planned and can be doing sightseeing after discussion with a guide.

Today drive crosses the Dochula, a pass at 3050m, from where you can see much of the Himalayas on clear days, and where 108 stupas grace the hill. Today you are looking for birds in cold deciduous forest and mixed coniferous forest. In this area, you have a chance to see Satyr Tragopan, Spotted Nutcracker, Large Hawk-Cuckoo, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Yellow-Billed Magpie, Chest Tailed Minla, Collard Blackbird, Ultramarine Flycatcher, and Brown Bullfinch.

The next drive takes you to the warm deciduous forest of Tashitang. Here you may see the Great Barbet, Barred Cuckoo Dove, Magpie Robin, Green Magpie, Palla's Fish Eagle, Osprey, River Lapwing, Ruddy Shelduck, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Merganser, Pied Kingfisher, Red-vented Bulbul, and many others. Evening drive back to the hotel for an overnight stay.

After breakfast head north of Punakha and Hunt for endangering bird of White-billed heron at the bank of the Phochu river. Later in the afternoon head to Gangtey through warmer and colder deciduous forests. Here you have a chance to see Scarlet Finch, Black Drongo, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Slaty Backed Forktail, Gorgeted Flycatcher, White-throated Laughingthrush, Eurasian Jay, Wedge Tailed Green Pigeon, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, and Verditer Flycatcher. Gangtey also resting place for migratory birds, black-necked crane (Late Oct-first week of April)

Morning visits crane center and learn the behavior of crane and later drive to Trongsa where you will make stops to look for birds. The bamboo forests here are home to the Himalayan Monal, Satyr Tragopan, Blood Pheasant, and Parrotbill. Also, you may see the Mountain Bulbul, Striated Bulbul, Common Kestrel, Spot-winged Grosbeak, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Whiskered Yuhina, Wall Creeper, and Himalayan Swiftlet. Today's route crosses the pass Pele La (3400m). In clear weather, the Jomolhari (7326m) is visible. The tree line in Bhutan is exceptionally high, at around 4000 meters. Therefore, even at a great height, a great diversity of species can be observed.

upon discussion with a guide, you can visit the Dzong and the watchtower. The watchtower now houses a museum. visiting the impressive structures of Trongsa you will be taken to Bumthang valley, a drive of about 3 hours to era valley. You will camp in the Ura Valley for the next few days. On your way here you will make bird stops in the bamboo forest and coniferous forest. This area includes the Great Parrotbill, Fulvous Parrotbill, Black-billed Magpie, Red-billed Chough, Eurasian Hobby, and White-winged Grosbeak. overnight in Farmhouse or camp.

You start the day with a visit to the village temple of Ura. Then you will look for birds in the coniferous forest, from the road. Here you may observe the Himalayan Monal Pheasant, Blood Pheasant, Snow Pigeon, Crossbills, Fire-tailed Sunbird, and Plain Mountain Finch. You spend the night in the camp again

You are on your way to the next bird hotspot: Yongkola. You will look for birds in the bamboo forests along your route along the way. Here, the Beautiful Rosefinch, Gold-naped Finch, little Forktail, White-capped Redstart, Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrust, Coal Tit, Green-tailed Sunbird, and Long-tailed Minivet are regularly observed. Moreover, a special animal lives in these forests: the red panda! You may be lucky enough to see him.

Your guide will take you out birding in the cooler deciduous forests, near Namling. Here are the best-undiscovered forests of Bhutan. Here you may see Ward's Trogon, Satyr Tragopan, Gray Chinned Minivet, Chestnut Breasted Partridge, Striated Laughingthrush, and Rufous-necked Hornbill. If you see a crane, goose, swan, duck, or pheasant flying over, or you hear their call, it is considered a favorable sign; a blessing from the Buddha. By the end of this journey, you are bound to be a blessed person!

The subtropical forest is discussed today, with the associated birds: Blue Throated Bee-eater, Maroon Oriole, Racket Tailed Drongo, Red-Headed Trogon, Gray Treepie, Gray Nightjar, Hill Prinia, and Asian Emerald Cuckoo. In the evening you can enjoy a delicious meal full of fresh organic ingredients, which your chef will put on the table. The population has traditionally read the changing seasons from the comings and goings of certain birds. If a certain bird appears, it is, for example, time to plant the rice. The birds also warn of upcoming weather conditions, and several times it was a bird that chose the place where a dzong had to be built. Your guide can provide you with factual information about the bird species found in Bhutan, also tell about the many myths and legends in which birds play a leading role. Fun for the campfire

You descend to the lowest point at 650 meters, where you arrive at the river Kuru Chhu and the bridge over it. Here you can look for birds that like to stay by the river in the tropical part of the country. You will search for birds in and near the ruins of the Shongar Dzong. This dzong was abandoned and the function was taken over by Mongar's dzong. Enjoy camping one last time under the starry sky of the Himalayas.

Today you return to the Bumthang valley. It's about a 4-hour drive if you were to drive through all at once, but since the route is 'spiced up' with bird stops, it will probably take you 7 to 8 hours. You spend the night in a pleasant lodge run by a friendly family in Jakar

A long day of travel is planned for today, back to Punakha. Along the way, you can make stops in places that were successful on the 'outward journey', or in other places. You can discuss this with the guide on the spot. You will spend the night again in the hotel you already know in the hills above Punakha, with a view over the valley and the river. Note: If you dread the long way back, we can also arrange a flight from Bumthang to Paro at an additional cost. These flights are operated daily by Druk Air, saving you many kilometers. It is advisable not to place this flight on the last day, but to allow a few days clearance.

On the way back from Punakha to Paro, you can continue looking for birds that you have not seen on the way there. Talk to your guide about what you would like to see and he can then find the best places. Of course, it is also possible to drive to Paro without too many stops, so that you have time here in the afternoon to visit the Rinpung Dzong, the monastery fortress of Paro. The museum in the watchtower is also worth a visit. Note: Would you like to visit the icon of Bhutan, the Tigers Nest (the sanctuary that lies high against a mountain wall above the Paro valley), then we can add an extra day here in the program.

After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to Paro Airport for your departure.