Bird Watching Tour

Day 01: Paro

Welcome to Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Touching down at Paro International Airport, you will be greeted by your guide upon exiting the arrival hall. Today, we will take it easy to acclimatize to the altitude. After lunch drive to the north of Paro valley. This area, the riverbank of Paro Chu is best known for ibis bill. They are found in this area throughout the year. (Depending on arrival of flight time). Evening ends with a walk through Paro’s main shopping district.

Day 02: Paro – Thimphu

Built as a watch tower the Ta Dzong, it has since been turned into the national museum. This Dzong was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum boasts antique Thangka, textiles, weapons and armour, household objects and rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts. After which, visit the largest Dzong, Thimphu Dzong, which is also the seat of the office of the King of Bhutan. Afternoon drive towards the north of Thimphu valley to Dodina, here you may see black faced laughing thrust, brown dipper, spotted laughing thrust, Fire capped Tit.

Day 03: Thimphu – Punakha

Dochula Pass – the 108 chortens was built by the present Queen Mother of Bhutan Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over indian militants and to liberate the souls of the souls lost. In this area you may see Satyr Tragopan, Spotted Nutcracker, Large Hawk Cuckoo, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Yellow billed Magpie, Chest Tailed Minla, Collard Blackbird, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Brown Bullfinch, etc.

Built in 1637, Punakha Dzong continues to be the winter home for the clergy, headed by the Chief Abbott, the Je Khenpo. It is a stunning example of Bhutanese architecture, sitting at the fork of two rivers, portraying the image of a medieval city from a distance. The dzong was destroyed by fire and glacial floods over the years but has been carefully restored and is, today, a fine example of Bhutanese craftsmanship.

Day 04: Birdwatching in Punakha

In the morning, drive to Menchuna and start birding descending to Punakha in cold broad-leaved forests. You may see Scarlet Finch, Black Drongo, Chestnut bellied Nuthatch, Slaty backed Forktail, Gorgeted Flycatcher, White throated Laughing thrust, Eurasian Jay, Wedge Tailed Green Pigeon, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Verditer Flycatcher, etc.

Day 05: Birdwatching in Punakha

In the morning, drive to Tashithang and birding in warm broad-leaved forest. You may see Great Barbet, Barred Cuckoo Drove, Magpie Robin, Green Magpie, Palla’s Fish Eagle, Osprey, River Lapwing, Ruddy Shelduck, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Merganser, Pied Kingfisher, Red-vented Bulbul, Golden throated Barbet, Golden throated Barbet, Kalij, Pheasant, Orange bellied Leaf bird, Common Buzzard, Great Cormorant, Crested Bunting, etc.

Day 06: Punakha – Gangtey

In the morning, drive to Gangtey via Wangdue, one of the major towns and district headquarters of Western Bhutan. We then climb steadily passing through semi-tropical vegetation and then finally onto Phobjikha valley (3,100 m) with an alpine environment of rhododendrons and dwarf bamboo. Afternoon walks into the habitat of cranes, and studies the cranes and also visits the crane centre situated in the heart of the valley.

Day 07: Gangtey – Trongsa

Early morning studies the behavior of the cranes and other birds inhabited in the region and then drive to Trongsa over the Pelela pass (3,300m) and enroute visit Chendebji Chorten, passing through warm/cold broad-leaved and coniferous forests. You may see Mountain Bulbul, Striated Bulbul, common Kestrel, Spot-winged Grosbeak, Mountain Hawk Eagle, ward’s Trogon, Satyr Tragopan, Whiskered Yuhina, Wall Creeper, Himalayan Swiftlet, Himalayan Monal Pheasant, Blood Pheasant, Snow Pigeon, Cross bills, Fire-tailed Sun bird, Plain Mountain Finch, etc.

Day 08: Trongsa – Tingtibi

Morning drive towards the south of Trongsa in to the valley of Tingtibi and birding to Yeshi Zam, best place for spotting Yellow-rumped honey guide. Birding in cold broad-leaved forests. Birding in Namling areas. These areas possess best-unexplored forest in Bhutan. You may see ward’s Trogon, Satyr Tragopan, Grey chinned Minivet, Chestnut breasted Partridge, Striated Laughing thrust, etc.

Day 09: Birdwatching in Tingtibi

Today birding in warm broad-leaved forests. You will see Rufous-necked hornbill, Blue throated bee-eater, Maroon Oriole, Racket tailed Drongo, Red headed Trogon, Grey Treepie, Grey Nightjar, Hill Prinia, Asian Emerald Cuckoo, Great hornbill, etc.

Day 10: Tingtibi – Trongsa

Morning drive towards the south of Trongsa in to the valley of Tingtibi and birding to Yeshi Zam, best place for spotting Yellow-rumped honey guide. Birding in cold broad-leaved forests. Birding in Namling areas. These areas possess best-unexplored forest in Bhutan. You may see ward’s Trogon, Satyr Tragopan, Grey chinned Minivet, Chestnut breasted Partridge, Striated Laughing thrust, etc.

Day 11: Trongsa – Thimphu

Early morning drive to Thimphu over the Pelela and Dochula pass and enroute visit Wangdue Dzong. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 12: Departure

Today we will bid fond farewell to this beautiful Himalayan country. We hope by now you would have made some friends and also kept many photos and beautiful memories of Bhutan! And we look forward to seeing you again in this beautiful land of endless Enchantments!