FIRE-TAILED MYZORNIS
Trip Overview
This tour is a shorter version of our comprehensive 20 nights and 21 days (Birding Across Bhutan) tour, this tour is personally led by Norbu, the founder of the company. Norbu is one first few local birding guides in Bhutan. He guided many known international birders including Steve and Sue Gauntlett from “Birding World” and he closely worked together with Tom Stephenson, Author of The Warbler Guide.
He has also researched and recorded the vocalization of many of the species of Bhutan. And his recording of some rarest species reside in Cornell’s Macaulay Library of Natural Sound and Xeno Canto, including several species, not before represented in their collection
You will likely see all the key species of Bhutan including four species of Pheasants, Ward’s Trogon, Ibisbill, five species of Parrotbills, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, and Beautiful Nuthatch, one of the most sought-after specialties of the Bhutan avifauna, it also offers a good chance for the summer migrants including Flycatchers and Cuckoo, we will also focus on the super skulker species like Tesias, Shortwings, and Wren Babbler. All in all, we will show you over 300 birds and 10 – 15 species of mammals such as three species of langurs, including the nearly endemic Golden Langur. Himalayan Giant Squirrel, Yellow-throated Marten, and Himalayan Goral.
Other highlights include a visit to Bhutan’s most scenic icon and a most important destination for pilgrimages Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest), the most beautiful and impressive Punakha Dzong, and a visit to a typical Bhutanese farmhouse to experience the local hospitality.
He has also researched and recorded the vocalization of many of the species of Bhutan. And his recording of some rarest species reside in Cornell’s Macaulay Library of Natural Sound and Xeno Canto, including several species, not before represented in their collection
You will likely see all the key species of Bhutan including four species of Pheasants, Ward’s Trogon, Ibisbill, five species of Parrotbills, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, and Beautiful Nuthatch, one of the most sought-after specialties of the Bhutan avifauna, it also offers a good chance for the summer migrants including Flycatchers and Cuckoo, we will also focus on the super skulker species like Tesias, Shortwings, and Wren Babbler. All in all, we will show you over 300 birds and 10 – 15 species of mammals such as three species of langurs, including the nearly endemic Golden Langur. Himalayan Giant Squirrel, Yellow-throated Marten, and Himalayan Goral.
Other highlights include a visit to Bhutan’s most scenic icon and a most important destination for pilgrimages Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest), the most beautiful and impressive Punakha Dzong, and a visit to a typical Bhutanese farmhouse to experience the local hospitality.
Experts on this Trip
Join Norbu on other trips
Itinerary
Day 1: Guwahati – Samdrup Jongkhar
We’ll meet at Guwahati airport in the Indian state of Assam. Transfer to Bhutan through the plain of Assam. In the evening birding around Samdrup Jongkhar. (Overnight: Samdrup Jongkhar)
Day 2: Samdrup – Deothang – Morong
After our final morning exploring the lowland forest between Samdrup Jongkhar and Deothang. We will head further north of Morong. The remainder of the afternoon will be spent birding a stretch of mossy, mid-altitude broad-leaved forest around Morong. (Overnight: Morong)
Day 3: Morong – Trashigang
We will have a before-breakfast outing. After breakfast at the campsite, we make our way to Trashigang stopping along the way for birding. (Overnight: Trashigang.)
Day 4: Trashigang – Mongar – Yongkala
En route to Yongkala, we stop at Kori La for birding. In the afternoon we will reach lower Limithang road. (Overnight: Yongkala)
Day 5-6: Yongkala – Namling – Limithang Road
We spend two full days birding along this incredible 80 km long road, ranked amongst the ten top birding sites in Asia. (Overnight: Yongkala)
Day 7: Yongkala – Namling – Sengor
After early breakfast, we’ll be moving uphill in search of high-altitude species. En route to Sengor, we’ll make several stops for any missing species. Evening birding around Sengor. (Overnight: Sengor)
Day 8: Sengor – Phrumshingla – Bumthang
Today we cross one of the high passes, the Phrumshing La, at 3800m. Phrumshing La is the prime habitat for many high altitude species; we’ll spend morning time around the pass. Continue our drive to Bumthang. (Overnight: Bumthang)
Day 9: Bumthang – Trongsa
After early breakfast, we hit our road to Trongsa, en route birding at Yotongla, after lunch, we will have the opportunity to visit the impressive Trongsa Dzong. (Overnight Trongsa)
Day 10: 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 11-12: Zhemgang – Tingtibe Road
These two days We’ll explore the entire stretch of Zhemgang – Tingtibe and Gomphu road, the road that leads to the Manas National Park. (Overnight: Tingtibe)
Day 13: Zhemgang – Trongsa – Phobjekha
We head back to Trongsa today, birding many sites on the way looking for any species we might have missed earlier.Crossing Trongsa, we’ll make stops along the way to search for any interesting species that come along our drive. After a fairly long drive, we reach the Phobjekha valley, a sacred wintering ground for the Black-necked Crane.(Overnight: Phobjekha)
Day 14: Phobjekha – Pelela– Punakha
After an early breakfast, we drive to the Pele la pass (4000 m) and spend the morning hours birding along the old road at Pele la for high altitude species. Later we drive to Punakha, traveling through the valley of Wangdiphodrang; Afternoon visits the impressive Punakha’s Punthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of GreatBliss) standing on the confluence of the two rivers, the Phochu and Mochu.(Overnight: Punakha)
Day 15: Punakha – Jigme Dorji National Park
We will spend the whole day birding inside the Jigme Dorji National Park and along the Mo Chu River. (Overnight: Punakha)
Day 16: Punakha – Thimphu:
Today after early breakfast we will make our way to Dochu La. Leaving the almost tropical Punakha Valley, we ascend through mixed evergreen and broad-leaved forests to the pass at 3140 meters stopping en route at Lamperi Botanical Park and take a nature walk. (Overnight: Thimphu)
Day 17: Thimphu – Paro
In the early morning before breakfast we visit the local sewage pond and along the Wang Chu, back to the hotel for breakfast, then Take two hrs. drives to the parking lot at the base of the Tiger’s Nest monastery, from here you can hike to one of the most beautiful and holiest temples in Bhutan. (Overnight: Paro)
Day 18: Paro – Chelila Birding
Very early in the morning drive to the cool alpine meadow of Chelila pass (3890m) for the high altitude species. This is the highest pass on the car road. Evening: visit the typical Bhutanese farmhouse to experience the local hospitality. (Overnight: Paro)
Day 19: Departure
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
Review
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.
