Great Hornbill

Birding Manas National Park

16 DAYS
FROM $3,700

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Tour Overview

This is an extensive birding tour led by very experience birding local birding guide with over 7 years of experience and has guided some of the most known international birding customers.

The tour takes you to some remote and least explored areas in Bhutan including the Royal Manas National Park – the oldest protected area in Bhutan. The carefully preserved park is a sanctuary for some of the most beautiful and rare bird species in the region.

On this trip, you will see three different types of pheasants, hornbills, ward’s trogon, Ibisbill, black-necked cranes, yellow-rumped Honeyguide including the beautiful Nuthatch – one of the most sought-after specialties of the Bhutan avifauna. The trip assures a good chance of sighting over 300 species of birds. In addition to sighting your birds, you can also come across more than a dozen species of mammals such as three different species of Langurs – including the nearly endemic Golden Langur, which is fairly common in Manas, Himalayan Giant Squirrel, Yellow-throated Marten and Himalayan Goral.

Other highlights from this trip include a pleasant short hike to Bhutan’s most scenic icon and revered destinations – Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest). We will also take you to Punakha Dzong built in the valley of Punakha and a relaxing time at a typical Bhutanese farmhouse to experience the local hospitality.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Paro – Transfer to Thimphu

On your arrival at the Paro international airport, our representative will receive you. Transfer to Thimphu, evening birding around Wang Chu. (Overnight: Thimphu)

Day 2: Thimphu – Dochula – Punakha

Early morning drive to Punakha over the Dochula Pass (3150). En route birding stop at Lamperi Botanical Garden. Afternoon: Visit Punakha Dzong. (Overnight: Punakha)

Day 3: Punakha – Jigme Dorji National Park

Full day birding inside Jigme Dorji National Park, visit Punakha Dzong. (Overnight: Punakha)

Day 4: Punakha - Nobding - Phobjekha

Early morning you’ll wind up your way to the Phobjekha Valley. En route, we’ll spend a couple of hours birding the entire stretch of Nobding and continue our journey to Phobjekha. (Overnight: Phobjekha)

Day 5: Phobjekha - Pelela - Trongsa - Bumthang

We’ll spend our morning hours birding along the Pelela pass (3400) old road. Continue your drive to Bumthang with some birding stop along the way: (Overnight: Bumthang)

Day 6: Bumthang - Phrumshingla - Sengor - Yongkala

We drive from Bumthang to Yongkala going over Phrumshingla (3800m). En route birding at Phrumshingla – Sengor and Namling. (Overnight: Yongkala)

Day 7 & 8: 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 9: Yongkala - Nganglam

Morning birding lower Limithang we will drive to Nganglam through new built Gyalpoizhing-Nganglam highway. Evening birding around Nganglam. (Overnight: Nganglam)

Day 10: Nganglam - Panbang

Drive to Panbang with several birding along the way (Overnight: Panbang)

Day 11: Panbang - Gomphu - Tingtibe

To Tingitbe with many birding stop en route. (Overnight: Tingitbe)

Day 12: Tingtibe - Dakphel - Gomphu Road

We’ll explore the entire stretch of Dakphel – Tingtibe road for the entire day (Overnight: Tingtibe)

Day 13: Tingtibe - Tamala - Gelephu

After early breakfast, we’ll wind up your way to Gelephu, En route birding at Tamala. In the evening we will explore the Gelephu for lowland species. (Overnight: Gelephu)

Day 14: Gelephu - Tsirang - Paro

After breakfast, we’ll bird the plain of Gelephu. Then we start climbing from the foothills en route birding around Tsirang and Darachu. (Overnight: Paro)

Day 15: Paro - Chelela Birding

We’ll set off early in the morning to the cool alpine meadow of Chelila pass, highest drivable pass in Bhutan, The forests on the way up can be good many high altitude species.Afternoon: free time to stroll the Paro town. (Overnight: Paro)

Day 16: Paro - Tiger's Nest Temple

After breakfast take 30 minutes drives to the parking lot at the base of the Tiger’s Nest monastery and hike to one of the most beautiful and holiest temples in Bhutan. (Overnight: Paro)

Day 17: Departure

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
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.
Generally, the weather should be mostly fine and sunny during the day time with temperatures varying from of 5-25°C but it can get quite cold and chilly at night and during early morning at some high altitude places with the temperature expected to go below zero and warm and pleasant weather in lowland.

Bhutan Birding Experts

After graduating from high school, Tshering Dorji traveled in and around Bhutan’ as far as the countries wideness go. Exploring and studying about birds in particular and Nature in general. For four and a half years’ Tshering was guided and trained by Mr. Norbu. As a young and enthusiastic birder, Tshering is now familiar with calls, behavior, distribution, and habitats of Bhutan birds. In the past few years, he has also.

From the 5 years Tshering has guided several casual, serious birding and wildlife photography tours very successfully with the positive feedback from all his clients.

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

Hear from our Guests

Dear Norbu, My husband and I and our 12 yr. old grandson spent 23 days on a mixed birding and cultural tour through Bhutan. We couldn’t have had a better trip! Our guide Tshering Dorji knew all the birds by sight and sound, and he knew where to find them. Also, he was well educated in his country’s history and contemporary issues. We were so impressed by his level of knowledge and his competency as a guide (and teacher). He also spoke excellent English and was always able to answer our questions to our satisfaction, which made the trip so much more exciting for our grandson. Our driver Tshewang was an excellent driver and we never felt worried, even when traversing some really dicey roads or squeezing by other vehicles on narrow, steep roads. Both of these two men were a pleasure to spend time with (and always there to help). Last, but not least, Mr. Norbu who owns the company spent a lot of time with us on email helping us customize our trip and make everything run smoothly. I can’t say enough positive things about “Off to Bhutan”. Bridget McCoy USA

Bridget McCoy

USA

My wife and I were very happy with our trip to Bhutan and with Off to Bhutan. Our guide Tshering spoke excellent English. Not only was he an excellent bird guide, he was a first-rate cultural guide. His knowledge of and respect for the Buddhist temples was a delight. He had a great sense of humor, which we enjoyed. We did not understand why we needed a separate driver ahead of time. It soon became apparent that this was a necessity. Our driver was superb. Both he and Tshering worked long hours to make our vacation enjoyable. We were very pleased with the accommodations and food. The only exception was near Royal Manas Park. However, there were no other hotels in the area so this was not the fault of Off to Bhutan. We would not have wanted to miss that part of the trip because the birds and golden langurs were fantastic. Off to Bhutan is a great company whether you are only interested in birds or you want a combination bird and cultural tour (which we recommend if you have never been to Bhutan before).

Warren and Lisa

Oronoco, United State. Email:thompson.warrenandlisa@gmail.com

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 an 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

USA. Email: bkron244@gmail.com