Trip Overview
Join us on a thrilling 14-day bird-watching expedition that spans across nine distinct districts in Bhutan. These regions are teeming with some of the world’s rarest avian species, thriving in diverse and unexplored forests ranging from 150m to 3890m in elevation.
Every day, you’ll journey to a new destination, offering breathtaking views, unique weather conditions, varied vegetation, wildlife, and, most importantly, a rare bird sighting.
Expect to spot two hornbill species – the Great and Rufous-necked Hornbill – and a host of other sought-after rarities such as the Ward’s Trogon, Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Ibisbill, and Yellow-rumped Honeyguide. These birds are among the most elusive and endemic to the Eastern Himalayas. You’ll witness a total of 250-270 bird species and 10-15 mammal species in just 14 days. In addition, you’ll get the chance to visit stunning ancient temples and fortresses along the way.
Every day, you’ll journey to a new destination, offering breathtaking views, unique weather conditions, varied vegetation, wildlife, and, most importantly, a rare bird sighting.
Expect to spot two hornbill species – the Great and Rufous-necked Hornbill – and a host of other sought-after rarities such as the Ward’s Trogon, Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Ibisbill, and Yellow-rumped Honeyguide. These birds are among the most elusive and endemic to the Eastern Himalayas. You’ll witness a total of 250-270 bird species and 10-15 mammal species in just 14 days. In addition, you’ll get the chance to visit stunning ancient temples and fortresses along the way.
Experts on this Trip
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Paro
Arrive Paro, meet by our representative. Transfer to the hotel. Afternoon visits the historic Par o Rimpung Dzong (fortress) and the late afternoon birding along the Paro Chu (River)
(Overnight: Paro)
(Overnight: Paro)
Day 2: Paro – Chelila – Thimphu
Very early in the morning, drive to the cool and stunning alpine meadow of Chelila pass (3890m). Drive back to Paro for lunch. After lunch drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The drive will take about an hour and a half. In the evening, birding along the sewage pond in Thimphu.
(Overnight: Thimphu)
(Overnight: Thimphu)
Day 3: Thimphu – Punakha
Early morning drive to Punakha over the Dochula Pass (3150). Birding in the Lamperi Botanical Gardens. Drive to Punakha with lunch en route and a visit to the Dzong in the late afternoon.
(Overnight: Punakha)
(Overnight: Punakha)
Day 4: Punakha – Tsirang
After early breakfast drive toward the south of Punakha, the drive will take you through some of the best least explored forests of the country. Evening birding along Tsirang and Darachu area.
(Overnight: Tsirang)
(Overnight: Tsirang)
Day 5: Tsirang – Gelephu
After early breakfast, we’ll spend lots of birding in the forest along Tsirang and Darachu, Later we’ll be heading to a lower elevation We’ll target the varieties of low elevation specialties
(Overnight: Gelephu)
(Overnight: Gelephu)
Day 6: Gelephu
Today in the morning we’ll explore the sewage pond and surrounding field around Gelephu. After lunch, we’ll drive further north of Gelephu town and explore the lowland forest around here. This forest is remarkably rich and diverse.
(Overnight: Gelephu)
(Overnight: Gelephu)
Day 7: Gelephu – Tamala – Tingitbe
Early in the morning, we start climbing from the foothills experience lots of changes in the elevation. Starting from the 150m to the 2500m. Later in the evening crossing Tamala we’ll enter into Zhemgang region.
(Overnight: Tingtibe)
(Overnight: Tingtibe)
Day 8: Zhemgang – Tingtibe – Gomphu Road
We’ll explore the entire stretch of Dakphel – Tingtibe road in the morning. Later in the afternoon, we’ll explore the Gomphu road, the road that leads to the Manas National Park.
(Overnight: Tingtibe)
(Overnight: Tingtibe)
Day 9: Zhemgang – Trongsa – Bumthang
After our final morning birding in this wonderful habitat we wind up our way to Bumthang, Basically it is transit day and a fairly long drive, we’ll reach to the Bumthang valley.
(Overnight: Bumthang)
(Overnight: Bumthang)
Day 10: Bumthang – Sengor
We drive from Bumthang to Sengor going over Phrumshingla(3800m). Later in the evening, we will be birding around Sengor.
(Overnight: Sengor)
(Overnight: Sengor)
Day 11: 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
Day 12: 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)
(Overnight: Yongkala)
Day 13: Yoongkala – Trongsa
we will be re-tracing our way back. So basically we will be looking and listening to the flocks.
Overnight: Trongsa
Overnight: Trongsa
Day 14: Trongsa – Paro
Drive should take us about 6hrs. Re-tracing journey back; we will stop whenever we run into the flocks.
Overnight: Paro
Overnight: Paro
Day 15: 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
Review
Trip Extension
For travelers with extra days after their birdwatching tour in Bhutan, we offer trip extensions to Eastern Nepal and Assam, India. Discover Eastern Nepal’s wildlife conservation areas or explore Assam’s renowned sanctuaries for more birdwatching and wildlife encounters. These extensions provide a chance to experience diverse ecosystems and enrich your birding adventure.
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.
