Adventure Birding Tour 15 days / 16 Nights
Duration: 15 Nights / 16Days
Destination: Paro,Thimphu, Punakha, wangdue Phodrang, Trongsa, Zhemgang, Bumthang and Mongar
Birding stands as a premier nature tour company in Bhutan, renowned for meticulously crafted birding packages to prime locations. Our aim is to offer seamless birding holidays, fostering a profound appreciation for nature and wildlife conservation. With expert leaders, we accommodate birders of all levels, promising unforgettable experiences. Join us to explore Bhutan’s avian wonders and indulge in the beauty of its natural landscapes.
- Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, an Jetsuniae Birding Guide will greet you and escort you to your hotel. Your evening birding adventure commences along the Paro River bank, focusing on spotting the elusive Ibisbill, Brown Dipper, and Wallcreeper. Additionally, expect sightings of other common species such as River Lapwing, Olive-backed Pipit, and White Wagtail, enriching your birding experience.
Over Night at Paro
- Before venturing further into eastern Bhutan, embark on a hike to the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery, a revered Buddhist site and a marvel of this Himalayan kingdom. The challenging uphill trek takes over 2 hours from the last road point, winding through lush Blue Pine and mixed conifer forests. Along the way, encounter diverse bird species like Laughingthrushes, Accentors, Woodpeckers, Nutcrackers, Magpies, Sibias, Warblers, and Sunbirds.
Over Night at Paro.
Embark on an early morning drive to Chelela, the highest motor road entrance to prime birding sites at approximately 4000m. Witness frequent sightings of Kalij Pheasants at the base, then journey into the habitat of Satyr Tragopans. Encounter Blood Pheasants and Himalayan Monals near the pass. Other notable species include Laughingthrushes, Tits, Grosbeaks, Nutcrackers, Sunbirds, Bullfinches, Rosefinches, Woodpeckers, Treecreepers, Fulvettas, Yuhinas, and more. Return to Thimphu, stopping at the sewage pond area for additional birding.
After birding at pass, you will head back towards capital city of Bhutan.
Break for the day, shopping if necessary.
Over Night at Thimphu capital city of Bhutan.
After breakfast, embark on a drive north of Thimphu towards the National Park. Along the way, stop to search for Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Little Forktail, and Brown Dipper. Upon entering the park, witness a shift in vegetation, offering habitats for various species including Himalayan Monal, Satyr Tragopan, Great Parrotbill, Fulvettas, Finches, Grosbeaks, Woodpeckers, Robins, Laughthrushes, Tits, Warblers, and Eurasian Wren. Enjoy a picnic lunch at Cheri Monastery base before hiking to the monastery, where sightings of Himalayan Ghoral and Gray Langur await.
Over Night at Thimphu Capital City of Bhutan.
- Early morning drive towards Punakha (2 hr 30 min drive), en route Dochula (3150 masl). Around the Dochula pass you look for Fire-tailed Myzornis, Finches, Yuhinas, Eurasian Jay and other alpine birds. Later while descending, we will explore Royal Botanical Park. The park has amazing broad leaf forest composition providing good habitat for wildlife. Here you may see illusive Red Panda if you are lucky. Apart from the common birds, you will explore nature trail inside the Park for Ward’s Trogon, Brown and Black-throated Parrotbill, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Slender-billed and Streaked-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Grey-sided Laughing thrush and many others..
Continue your drive to Punakha valley, along with the drive you’ll look for the species like Scarlet and Long-tailed Minivet, Great and Golden-throated Barbet and other residential birds.
Evening drive along Po Chhu River for critically endangered White-bellied Heron and vulnerable Pallas’s Fish Eagle. other species include here are migratory water birds, sometime there is sighting of vagrant Mandarin Duck, Ibisbill, Red-wattled and Lapwing, Common and Crested Kingfisher and few raptors.
Over Night at Punakha
You’ll spend the entire day birding within the Jigme Dorji National Park, known for its rich avifauna and as a winter habitat for the Bhutan Takin, our national animal. Seek out the elusive Yellow-vented Warbler, Nepal and Rufous-winged Fulvettas, Woodpeckers, Barbets, Laughingthrushes, Robins, Flycatchers, Niltavas, Thrushes, various raptors, and the rare Spotted Elachura, Rufous-throated Wren Babbler, and Tesias. With luck, catch a glimpse of the Bhutan Takin, a highlight for many birders.
Over Night at Punakha
Embark on an early morning 4-hour drive to Phobjikha Valley, passing through warm and cool broadleaf forests. Along the way, stop amidst diverse vegetation to spot Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Himalayan Cutia, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Ward’s Trogon, and Hoary-throated Barwing. Continue the journey, encountering Blyth’s Shrike-babbler, Bhutan and Rufous-chinned Laughingthrushes, Himalayan Bluetail, Grey-bellied Tesia, Rufous-capped and Golden Babblers, and Rufous-bellied Woodpecker. As you approach Pelela Pass and Lawala Pass, explore habitats for species including Laughingthrushes, Nutcrackers, Parrotbills, Shortwings, Magpies, Tesias, Choughs, Warblers, Scimitar Babblers, and Skylarks.
Over Night at Ph0bjikha.
After an early breakfast, drive to Pelela Pass (3400 masl) for morning birding. Seek out the elusive Satyr Tragopan and high-altitude species like Spotted Laughingthrush, Himalayan Griffon, Parrotbills, Mountain Finch, Grosbeaks, Nutcrackers, Flycatchers, Bush Warblers, and Tits. Key species include Himalayan Monal, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Rosefinches, Sunbirds, Finch, and Woodpeckers. En route to Trongsa, watch for Speckled Wood Pigeon, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Fulvettas, Scimitar Babblers, Cuckoo Shrike, Martins, Swifts, Black Eagle, and more.
Over Night at Trongsa
Today you drive to Zhemgang and to Tingtibi (6 hrs. drive) following the MangdeChhu River. Species found in this area are Pin-tailed Green Pigeons, Red-Headed Trogon, , Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Rufous-throated Partridge, Hill Partridge, Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Great Hornbill, White-browed Piculet, Speckled Piculet, Bay woodpecker, White-tailed Robin, White-browed Scimitar Babbler, Black-faced laughing thrush, Grey-headed Parrotbill, White-throated Needletail, Mountain Scops Owl, Collard Scops Owl, Collared Treepie, Pygmy-blue flycatcher. There is a chance of spotting the critically endangered White bellied Heron and rare Collared Treepie, Beautiful Nuthatch and Lesser Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Greater Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Lesser-necklacedLaughingthrush, Greater NecklacedLaughingthrush.
To high light few on mammals sighting, you will see Golden langur, AsameseMacque, Malayan Giant squirrel and others.
Over Night at Tingtibi.
Today’s exploration along the Zhemgang – Tingtibe roads offers diverse habitats from mossy forests to streamside lowland forests. Keep an eye out for the fairly common Golden Langur and elusive species like Rufous-necked and Great Hornbill, Green Pigeons, Cutia, Scarlet Minivet, Laughingthrushes, Spotted Wren Babblers, and the sought-after Beautiful Nuthatch. In the afternoon, venture along the Gomphu Road towards Manas National Park to spot Lesser Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Babblers, Yellownape, Bee-eater, Laughingthrush, Flycatcher, Yuhinas, Drongo Cuckoo, Magpie, Dove, Bulbul, and with luck, the Pale-headed Woodpecker.
Over Night at Tingtibee
After your final morning birding, head towards central Bhutan, encountering Gray-headed Parrotbill, Speckled Piculet, Red-headed Trogon, Woodpeckers, Shrike Babblers, Thrushes, Laughingthrushes, Prinias, Minivets, and more. Upon reaching Trongsa, embark on a 3-hour drive through Yotongla pass. Search for Chestnut-tailed Minla, Parrotbills, Laughingthrushes, Woodpecker, Bullfinch, Scimitar Babbler, Tits, Accentor, and Mountain Finch. In Bumthang valley after Yotongla pass, spot Eurasian Magpies, once exclusive to this area but now recorded in other Bhutanese localities like Phobjikha, Zhemgang, and Yongkala.
Over Night at Bumthang
- Morning drive back to Tharpaling monastery road, before monastery while driving along pristine bluepine forests, we may see satyr Tragopan. Later at monastery we can see co-operative Himalayan Monal feeding nearby, Beautiful Rosefinch, Snow Pigeon, Eurasian Magpie and other commoners.
Overnight in Bumthang
Embark on a drive from Bumthang to Yongkala via Thrumshingla, renowned for its prime habitat for Blood Pheasants and other high-altitude species like Snow Pigeons, Bush Robins, Myzornis, Nutcrackers, Choughs, Sunbirds, Parrotbills, Yuhinas, Tits, Fulvettas, Rosefinch, Thrush, Blackbirds, Treecreepers, and Warblers. Later, bird around Sengor, a hotspot for Satyr Tragopan, while also spotting Wren Babblers, Finches, Barwings, Minlas, Whistlers, Warblers, and Scimitar Babblers.
Over night Yangkola
- Yongkala stands as the epitome of birding in Bhutan, a true paradise for birdwatchers. Over two days, explore the upper and lower Limithang road, encountering busy flocks of Greater Rufous-headed and Black-throated Parrotbills, Fulvettas, Wren Babblers, Tesias, Trogons, Barwings, Barbets, Cutia, Warblers, Nuthatches, Hornbills, Minivets, Babblers, Tits, Scimitar Babblers, Laughingthrushes, Birds of Prey, Flycatchers, Robins, and Woodpeckers. This diverse array of species makes Yongkala a haven for bird enthusiasts, promising unforgettable sightings and experiences.
- After an early morning breakfast, we’ll begin our journey towards Punakha. As we hit the road, anticipate a scenic drive through Bhutan’s breathtaking landscapes, passing by verdant valleys, winding rivers, and picturesque villages. Keep your eyes peeled for glimpses of wildlife and birdlife along the way, as Bhutan’s natural beauty is teeming with diversity. Punakha, nestled amidst lush greenery and surrounded by majestic mountains, holds historical significance as the former capital of Bhutan and is home to the iconic Punakha Dzong, a masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture. As we traverse the winding roads, soak in the serenity of the surroundings and immerse yourself in the tranquility of the journey. Stay prepared for surprises and delights as we venture towards Punakha, ready to explore its charm and beauty upon our arrival.
Over night at Punkha
After departing Punakha, our journey to Paro via Dochula Pass promises scenic vistas and refreshing mountain air. As we traverse the winding roads, we’ll pause at Dochula Pass to admire the panoramic views of the Himalayas and the iconic 108 stupas. Upon reaching Paro, indulge in some shopping for family and friends, exploring the quaint streets lined with traditional Bhutanese handicrafts, textiles, and souvenirs. After a fulfilling shopping excursion, unwind in the evening amidst the charm of Paro, immersing yourself in the ambiance of this beautiful traditional town. Whether strolling through the bustling markets or enjoying a leisurely cup of tea at a local café, Paro offers the perfect setting to relax and rejuvenate after a day of exploration and adventure.
Over Night at Paro
Good bye from Bhutan with all the memories and checklist of Bhutan birds
Depart from Paro international airport.