Bhutan Winter Birds Photo Tour

Day 1

Arrive in Paro and transfer to Thimphu. Later in the day, enjoy an introductory bird photography session in and around Thimphu. (Overnight: Thimphu)

Day 2

Thimphu – Dochula – Punakha – Our bird photography expedition begins at Dochula Pass, offering breathtaking views of the eastern Himalayas. From there, we proceed to the Lamperi Botanical Garden, and then continue on to Punakha, where we will visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong. (Overnight: Punakha)

Day 3:

Punakha – Nobding – Phobjekha We will journey eastward through Bhutan, making several stops along the way. Later in the evening, we will dedicate ample time to observing and attempting to photograph one of the world’s rarest cranes, the Black-necked Crane. (Overnight: Phobjekha)

Day 4

Phobjekha Early in the morning, we will take a short walk to observe the cranes as they depart from their main roosting sites to various destinations. It is enjoyable to watch them, and it also provides an opportunity to photograph the cranes in flight. (Overnight: Phobjekha)

Day 5:

Phobjekha – Pelela – Bumthang We will start early and head to Pelela Pass, beginning our photography session on the old, nearly traffic-free road. Here, we will try to photograph Redstarts, Laughingthrushes, and Rosefinches, and we might also be fortunate enough to capture images of the majestic Himalayan Griffon. Later in the evening, we will drive to Tharpaling Monastery for an opportunity to photograph the Himalayan Monal. (Overnight: Bumthang)

Day 6:

Bumthang – Phrumsengla – Sengor – Yongkala Early in the morning, we will head to one of the finest birding sites in the country, crossing one of the highest passes, which offers a reliable chance to spot high-altitude species. Today’s journey takes us through prime habitat for the Blood Pheasant. (Overnight: Yongkala)

Day 7 – 8

Yongkala – Namling – Limithang Road These two days will be thoroughly enjoyed in one of the country’s premier birding locations. Among our main targets will be the Beautiful Nuthatch, Rufous-necked Hornbill, and numerous other species. (Overnight: Yongkala)

Day 9:

Yongkala – Gyalpohsing – Nganglam We will be heading further south from Yongkala. The first leg of our journey traverses a route with significant cliffs and steep drops. By evening, we will enter a subtropical forest and follow a small stream near Nganglam town, where we will search for Forktails and Kingfishers. (Overnight: Nganglam)

Day 10:

Nganglam – Panbang Our journey primarily winds through subtropical forests, featuring extensive bamboo groves. Along the way, we will have numerous opportunities to photograph low-elevation species. In the evening, we will enjoy birdwatching in the vicinity of Manas National Park. (Overnight: Panbang)

Day 11:

Panbang – Gomphu – Tingtibe We’ll depart from Panbang and head towards Tingitbe, following the Mangde Chu River and passing by the renowned Twin Waterfalls. Our route traverses a diverse range of habitats, offering excellent opportunities to photograph a variety of species. (Overnight: Tingtibe)

Day 12:

Birding Tingtibe – Gomphu and Dakphel Road A full-day expedition around Tintieb, Dakphel, and the Gomphu road. We will explore a wide range of habitats, including a thorough scan of the Mangde Chu riverbank. This area offers a reasonable chance of spotting one of the rarest birds in the world, the White-bellied Heron. (Overnight: Tingtibe)

Day 13:

Tingtibe – Tamala – Gelephu Today’s drive takes us through a variety of forests, from subtropical lowland forests to cool broadleaved forests. We’ll explore some of the finest lowland forests, targeting specific lowland species. Additionally, we may visit the Gelephu sewage pond, which hosts a significant number of wintering species. (Overnight: Gelephu)

Day 14:

Tsirang – Paro While primarily a transit day, we will make plenty of stops for bird photography, capturing any interesting species along the way. (Overnight in Paro)

Day 15:

Paro – Chelela Birding Early in the morning, we will head to Chelela Pass, the highest point on the trip, aiming to photograph three species of pheasants. For the rest of the day, we’ll explore the Paro River, one of the best places to photograph the Ibisbill, a Himalayan specialty. (Overnight: Paro)

Day 16:

Departure | Extension to Taktshang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) AVAILABLE After breakfast, transfer to the airport for departure. Alternatively, you can opt for a cultural sightseeing tour to Tiger’s Nest Temple, one of Bhutan’s most iconic and holiest sites.