Bhutan Botanical Tour

18 DAYS
FROM $3,600

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Group Size

Maximum 6PAX

Activity Level

Moderate

Tour Status

Space Available

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Tour Overview

Bhutan is divided into three zones, from the altitude of 4000m and above, this zone mostly comprises high-altitude scrub on alpine grassy and stony slopes. The temperate Zone (2000m-4000m) the vegetation in this zone mostly comprises of conifer or broadleaf forest, and Subtropical Zone (150m-2000m) with the tropical and subtropical vegetation, due to this wide range of altitudinal and climatic, Bhutan has diverse and rich flora and fauna. Further, Bhutan is also a home for the 60% of the plants species that are found in the eastern Himalayas. 300 species of medicinal plants and close to 46 species of rhododendrons are found in Bhutan, beside some commonly found species include Junipers, Magnolias, Orchids, Blue Poppies (the national flower), Edelweiss, Gentian, various medicinal herbs, Daphne, Giant Rhubarb, Pine and Oak trees.

On this tour you can experience the magnificent flora and fauna on your treks and hikes through beautiful virgin forest, pristine Himalayan Mountains. Visiting some ancient fortresses and monasteries are included as part of your sightseeing.

Itinerary

What to Expect

This birding tour will be on selected sites that do not pose any threats such as steep slopes. During these trips, you should expect yourself to walk at least 6-7 kilometers on average per day
Like elsewhere, the best time for watching birds is in the morning. You can expect an early start in the morning most of the time. However, a couple of very early mornings are required to look for high elevation dwelling Pheasant that comes out to the roadside early in the morning.
Accommodation on this tour is generally simple but comfortable. The hotels are generally spacious, clean and comfortable, built-in westernized Bhutanese style, and all rooms have private facilities. However, due to the limited availability of good lodges and hotels in some remote part of the country, you will spend a couple of nights in basic hotels or tented camp.

Bhutan Birding Experts

Pema Dawa comes from a remote village in Bhutan and has grown up in a village surrounded with beautiful and pristine forests and many local people who have lots of knowledge on the plants around. It is often said that people from his village can survive a month in the forest with their knowledge on the plants. After he graduated from Sherubtse College, oldest university in Bhutan, he decided to become a tour guide. In order to enhance his knowledge Pema, continue his interest in flora and fauna by going with some foreign botanist expert as co guide and also lead successfully many botanists tour on his own. He is one of the few guides who received advance training on nature guides conducted by Ugyen Wangchuk Institue on Conservation and Environment, and topped the botany exam.

Pema is also enthusiastic birder and well proficient in local culture, history and tradition with good command of the English language.

Bhutan Birding Experts

Judy and I wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed our "Off To Bhutan" trip. Tshering was a great bird guide; very Knowledgeable about the birds and excellent spotter .His information on the history of Bhutan was remarkable and for a young man he is quite mature. We enjoyed being with Karma, he is an excellent driver (on many not so good roads) and he is also a great bird spotter. He was looking out for us the day he yelled "RUN" when the tree was about to fall down the cliff onto the road where Judy and I were walking. Both the guys have a great sense of humor and we enjoyed spending the 18 days with them. We thought the balance between birding and "cultural activities" was good. We liked learning about your country, some of the history, seeing the three temples/dzongs, and meeting some of the local people. The climb to Tiger's Nest was harder than I thought it would be, but it was worth it. And of course the birds were great!! (all 241 of them)

Bruce and Judy Kronmiller

(bkron244@gmail.com) USA

In March/April 2015 we made a birding trip of three weeks to the Kingdom of Bhutan. We want to thanks Norbu of Off to Bhutan for organizing this tour. We started our journey in Paro, in the western part of the country, and ended in Samdrup Jongkhar in the southeast at the border of Bhutan and India (Assam). Two young people accompanied us on this trip: Tshering, our guide and Phurba Dorji, the driver. Tshering was very helpful in finding the birds and succeeded in showing us most of the local specialties. Among them the Ibisbill, Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Himalayan Monal, Rufous-necked Hornbill and many more… Our driver Phurba did a great job in driving us carefully along the many curves on the road, sometime very narrow roads. Nine out twenty-two two nights we camped and were accompanied by a crew of another 3 young men who cared for the tents and meals, many thanks to Norbu, Sa, gay and Sonam for their support.

Wim de Groot and Jeanette den Herder

Schelgeest 53 1901HC Castricum. The Netherlands

Thanks, Norbu and Tshering my guide for the great trip, I enjoyed it thoroughly, your ears, and knowledge of the local birds were fantastic, also your knowledge of many other parts of your beautiful country was very much appreciated. Despite a few difficulties, you manage the tour with the skill of the much older person. All the very best for your future where ever it takes you. if you ever come to Australia, don’t forget to look me up, just don’t leave it to long.

Dick

THE JUNCTION 2291 Australia