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BIRDING TOUR

In Quest of Bhutan’s Tragopans

15 DAYS

FROM $ 4,600

AVAILABILITY

Guaranteed Departure

GROUP SIZE

Maximum 8 PAX

ACTIVITY LEVEL

Moderate

DEPARTURE

19 Apr–3 May 2025
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SATYR TRAGOPAN

From $ 4,600

Per Person Twin Bed /Double Room

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Or call us: +975 17 11 96 64

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Trip Overview

Through our experience, we have learned most of the birders visiting Bhutan are interested in seeing our colorful Pheasants, especially Satyr Tragopan, one of the top 10 most beautiful birds of the Indian Subcontinent. It is classified as Near Threatened by the international union for the conservation of nature (IUCN) and Birdlife international.

After much research in finding out the best season for seeing this species, we have designed this 14 nights and 15 days tour. Apart from seeing Satyr Tragopan, you will likely see some of the most sought-after species like Ward’ Trogon, Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Kalij Pheasant, Beautiful Nuthatch, and two species of Hornbills. All in all, we will show you over 250 birds, and 10 – 15 species of mammals in 16 days. Other highlights include the visit to some of the beautiful ancient fortress and temples in 15 days!

This tour is led by Tshering Dorji our young and promising guide, as a young and enthusiastic birder; Tshering is now familiar with the calls, behavior, distribution, and habitats of Bhutan birds.

Tshering has also represented the guide association of Bhutan (GAB) to make the presentation on the birds of Bhutan during the first-ever meeting of the Citizen Birders of Bhutan.
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Experts on this Trip

Tshering Dorji

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After graduating from high school, Tshering Dorji traveled in and around Bhutan as far as the countries wideness go. Exploring and studying birds in particular and nature in general.

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Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Paro – transfer Thimphu
The flight into the Himalayas is one of the most scenic and breath taking one with the views of some of the tallest mountains in the world. On your arrival at the Paro international airport, our representative will receive you. Drive to Thimphu the capital city of Bhutan (2hrs) drive. Evening birding around sewage pond and Wang Chu in Thimphu. (Overnight: Thimphu)
Day 2: Thimphu – Punakha
Early morning drive to Punakha over the Dochula Pass (3150). Our day starts from this pass with the breath-taking views of eastern Himalayas ranges. En route to Punakha stop at Lamperi Botanical. Afternoon: Visit Punakha Dzong, one of the most beautiful Dzong in the country. (Overnight: Punakha)
Day 3: Punakha – Phobjekha
Early morning you’ll wind up your way to the Phobjekha Valley. En route we’ll spend couple of hours birding the entire stretch of Nobding and continue our journey to Phobjekha. (Overnight: Phobjekha)
Day 4: Phobjekha – Trongsa
Morning we’ll drive to the Pelela pass (3400) and spend our morning hours birding along the old road searching for the high altitude species. Continue your drive to Trongsa; the remainder of the afternoon will be spent exploring the nearby broad-leaved evergreen forest nearby Trongsa. (Overnight: Trongsa)
Day 5: Trongsa – Zhemgang
Today on our drive to Zhemgang, we will have lots of stops at several forested valleys. This is also our best chance for the Golden Langur, a rare monkey near endemic to Bhutan and only discovered in the 1950s. In the evening birding along Zhemgang – Dakphel road. (Overnight: Tingtibe)
Day 6: Zhemgang – Tingtibe – Gomphu Road
We’ll explore the entire stretch of Zhemgang – Tingtibe and Gomphu road, the road that led to the Manas National Park. (Overnight: Tingtibe)
Day 7: Tingtibe – Trongsa – Bumthang
We head back to Trongsa today, birding many sites on the way looking for any species we might have missed earlier. Crossing Trongsa, Continue our journey to Bumthang. After a fairly long drive, we reach the Bumthang valley. (Overnight: Bumthang)
Day 8: Bumthang – Phrumshingla – Sengor
we drive from Bumthang to Sengor going over Phrumshingla (3800m). Later in the evening, we will be birding around Sengor. (Overnight: Sengor)
Day 9: Sengor – Namling – Yongkala
In the morning before we hit our road to Yongkala, we’ll bird around Sengor and Phrumshingla area. Then we will wind up our way to Yongkala en route birding along the forest of Namling and Yongkala. (Overnight: Yongkala)
Day 10 & 11: Yongkala – Namling – Limithang Road
We’ll spend two entire day birding Namling, upper and lower Limithang road, one of the finest birding areas in the Himalayas: (Overnight: Yongkala)
Day 12: Yongkala – Trongsa
we will be re-tracing our way back. So basically, we will be looking and listening to the flocks. Overnight: Trongsa
Day 13: Trongsa – Paro
Drive should take us about 6hrs. Re-tracing journey back; we will stop whenever we run into the flocks. Overnight: Paro
Day 14: Paro – Chelela Birding
Very early in the morning, drive to the cool and stunning alpine meadow of Chelila pass (3890m). Drive back to Paro for lunch. Afternoon free time to stroll around Paro town
Day 15: Departure
Departure: After breakfast transfer to airport for departure

Trip Gallery

What to Expect

Led by expert guides, you’ll visit prime birding spots while enjoying the country’s serene natural beauty, rich biodiversity, and unspoiled wilderness. Expect immersive days filled with rare bird sightings and breathtaking scenery.
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.

Inclusion

What is Included?

  • All internal taxes and charges (SDF)
  • Accommodation on twin sharing basis
  • All meals, tea, snack, and bottled water
  • All travel with a licensed local birding guide
  • All surface transfers by a private vehicle
  • Camping equipment and haulage for camping and trekking tours
  • All entry fees to monuments, Museum and National Parks
  • Bhutan Visa Fee

What is not Included?

  • Optional tours/excursions, personal & incidental expenses.
  • Tips, laundry, phone calls, and bars.
  • International and domestic airfare, and insurance.

Review

Henk ter Borg and Barbara Knigh – Netherland

We went with “Wild Nature Quest” (Bhutan Birding) to see the birds, and cultural sights, and trek in Bhutan. They are an A+ company! The owner, Mr. Norbu, worked with us to meticulously plan our 12-day trip. The company is locally owned & uses certified, local birds, cultural guides, & drivers. The driver’s skills are as important as the guide’s – given Bhutan’s sometimes challenging roads. The costs were exactly as stated. The tour was planned to give us the maximum number of days to acclimate to the altitude, before doing our trek.

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Trip Extension

Enhance your trip with an extension to eastern Nepal to spot the elusive Red Panda or visit Kaziranga National Park in Assam, home to one-horned rhinos, tigers, elephants, and vibrant birdlife.

Contact us for itineraries and pricing!

Bhutan’s Bird Songs

Symphony of Bhutan’s Birds

Bhutan Birdsong Collection
This collection features 163 recordings capturing the diverse and enchanting bird songs of Bhutan’s rich natural landscapes.

Norbu

With the help of his birding friend Tom Stephenson, co author of The Warbler Guide, I have done extensive recording in Bhutan and has a very large library of local songs.
View Bird Sounds