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.
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.
Experts on this Trip
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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.
Inclusion
Testimonials 2025
Read heartfelt testimonials from our satisfied guests, sharing their unforgettable experiences, exceptional service, and cherished memories of their journey.
Surreal
Mr Norbu is well versed , very patient and takes pains to ensure you have a good bird watching experience.
A memorable trip….so much to experience.
We were well looked after, and the guides were unbelievably good at identifying the many birds, both by sight and sound.
Fantastic 3 week small group birding tour in Bhutan
The trip was well organised, with plenty of information given in advance, including a zoom meeting with Norbu the group leader.
Top class bird watching tour of Bhutan
The entire trip was a delight. We travelled extensively around the country with excellent accommodation, meals and transport, all of which were organised by Wild Nature Quest.
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
This collection features 163 recordings capturing the diverse and enchanting bird songs of Bhutan’s rich natural landscapes.
