Bhutan Birding Tour
Bhutan is a paradise for bird lovers and ornithology. Over 670 species of birds have been recorded and many more are yet to be discovered. Around 50 species of the known birds are winter migrants. These include ducks, waders, birds of prey, thrushes, finches and buntings.
Bhutan is home to many species of birds that are in danger of extinction, including the Imperial Heron, which is one of the fifty rarest birds in the world and the rare Black-Necked Crane, which breeds in Tibet and then migrates over the Himalayas to Bhutan during the winter months. The Cranes can be spotted in Phobjikha Valley in Western Bhutan, Bumthang in Central Bhutan and 43 in Bomdeling in Eastern Bhutan. They migrate to these winter roosting sites in the months of September and October and fly back to Tibet between February and March.
ItineraryDay 1: Paro to ThimphuStop At: Tachog Lhakhang(tamchu), Tachog Lhakhang, Tachog Lhakhang, Bhutan
Located on the other side of the river of the Thimphu - Paro highway, one needs to cross an iron chain suspension bridge to get to the Lhakhang
Duration: 30 minutes
Pass By: Thimphu, Thimphu, Thimphu District
Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital, occupies a valley in the country’s western interior. In addition to being the government seat, the city is known for its Buddhist sites. The massive Tashichho Dzong is a fortified monastery and government palace with gold-leaf roofs. The Memorial Chorten, a whitewashed structure with a gold spire, is a revered Buddhist shrine dedicated to Bhutan’s third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
Stop At: Tashichho Dzong, Thimphu 11001, Bhutan
Tashichho Dzong has been the seat of the government since 1952 and presently houses the throne room and offices of the king, the secretariat and the ministries of home affairs and finance. Other government departments are housed in buildings nearby.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Overnight at Tashiyoedling -3star hotel or similar
Day 2: Thimphu-punakha Stop At: Douchula, FPRX+FJP, Dochula, Bhutan
Driving from Thimphu to Punakha, there is a 3,150 m of a huge Pass called the Dochula Pass where you can easily spot different species of birds like the Fire-tailed Myzornis, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Rufous-breasted Bush Robin, Black-eared Shrike Babblers, Grey-winged Blackbird, and Gold-billed Magpie.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Royal Botanical Park, Lampelri, Punakha-Wangdue Highway, Punakha 13001 Bhutan
The park is also a popular bird watching area and 46 avifauna species have been identified. Some of the rare species reported are monal pheasants and blood pheasants (Ithaginis cruentus). There are 21 animal species identified in the park which includes musk deer, tiger, leopard, red panda and the leopard cat.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Punakha Dzong, Punakha 13001 Bhutan
visit the glorious Punakha Dzong and Punthang Dechen Phodrang which are a few top tourist sightseeing places in Punakha.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Punakha Suspension Bridge, Punakha Dzong, Punakha 13001 Bhutan
white bellied herons are found in the low elevation riparian habitat below 1700 m, particularly in the Punatsang Chhu (river) basin. About 30 individual birds are known within the river valley of Bhutan in the Punakha-Wangdiphodrang district in west central part of the country.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Punatsangchu cottage -3star hotel or similar
Day 3: Punakha-Tsirang forestStop At: Tsirang District, Tsirang District
The Tsirang forest division of Bhutan has newly inaugurated the Pemachoeling Heritage Forest which is a welcoming route to paradise for bird lovers. Tourists in large numbers visit this lively place to explore birds such as the Rufous-necked Hornbill, Great Hornbill and much more.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Overnight stay-camping at Darachu
Day 4: Tsirang-GaleyphuPass By: Tsirang District, Tsirang District
Whole day birding in Tsirang and then to Galeyphu will take you to explore some distinct varieties of birds such as the Black-backed Forktail, Pied Falconet, Sultan Tit, Red-headed Trogon, Black Eagle, Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, Jungle Babbler, Grey-sided Laughing Thrush and much more.
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Cucu grand -3star hotel or similar
Day 5: GaleyphuStop At: Gelephu, Gelephu
Galeyphu is the habitat to many bird species like the Large Hawk Cuckoo, Pied Falconet, Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, Jungle Babbler, Wreathed, Great Hornbill, Puff-throated Babbler, Indian Roller and much more. Your guide can help you know more about the place and birds.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Overnight at same hotel
Day 6: Galeyphu-ZhemgangPass By: Gelephu, Gelephu
On the way from Galeyphu-Zhemgang, you can witness other bird species like the Tesias, couples of Wren Babbler, Laughing Thrush, and Parrot bills etc. in the lower alleviation.
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Camping at eco - Lodge at Tingtibi
Day 7: Zhemgang sightseeingStop At: Tingtibi, Zhemgang, Tingtibi 00975, Bhutan
Zhemgang, formerly known as Shemgang is one of the 20 districts in Bhutan. About 86 percent of its area is covered by forests and preserving its natural ecosystem and wildlife. The protected areas such as the Jigme Singye Wangchuk and Thrumshingla National Park are the habitat of species like the necked Hornbill, White-browed Shrike Babblers, Minlas, Green Pigeons Cutia, White-tailed Nuthatch, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch & much more.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Overnight at same place
Day 8: Zhemgang to TrongsaPass By: Trongsa, Trongsa, Trongsa District
On the trip to Trongsa, the above road climbs will take you through the forest of Silver Firs where you can spot the Gold-naped Finch. There is also the possibility to witnessing the elusive Fulvous Parrot bill. Besides these, during the entire trip, there are high chances to see the Steak-breasted Scimitar Babblers, Grey-bellied Tesia, Crested Buntings, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Common Kestrel, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babblers, White-browed Scimitar Babblers, Long-tailed Shrikes, Prinias, Rufous Woodpeckers, and Common Green Magpie.
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Overnight at trongsa, yangki villa
Day 9: Trongsa to bumthangPass By: Bumthang, Bumthang, Bumthang District
Some of the birds that are easy to come across in the biodiversity-flourishing region are White-bellied Heron and hornbills. While you commute to Bumthang, you are likely to get the chance to gaze at avian species like Hill Patridge, Daurian Redstart, Spot-winged Grosbeak, Oriental Skylark, and Common Sandpiper.
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Overnight at Pedling resort of similar
Day 10: Bumthang to mongar Pass By: Mongar, Mongar, Mongar District
Some of birds that are found are Satyr Tragopan, Spotted Nutcracker, Large Hawk Cuckoo, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Yellow billed Magpie, Chest Tailed Minla, Collard Blackbird, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Brown Bullfinch, Kalij pheasant, Blood Pheasant, Himalayan monal.
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Campaign at yongka la
Day 11: Yongkala sightseeing-MongarPass By: Mongar, Mongar, Mongar District
They are Pallas's Fish Eagle, White bellied Heron, Satyr Tragopan, Grey bellied Tragopan, Ward's Trogaon, Blyth's King Fisher, rumped Honey Guide, Purple Cochoa, Rufous throated Wren Babbler, Red headed Parrot Bill, Chestnut breasted Partridge, Blyth's Trogon, Wood Snipe, Dark RumpedSwift,Rufous necked Hornbill, Grey ...
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Overnight, campaign at yongkala pass
Day 12: Mongar -yongkala pass to trongsaPass By: Trongsa, Trongsa, Trongsa District
Many of Bhutan's most sought-after birds can be found here including the Chestnut-breasted Partridge, Ward's Trogon, the majestic Rufous- necked Hornbill, Blue-naped Pitta, Blue-fronted Robin, and the Sikkim Wedge-billed, Long-billed and Bar-winged Wren-Babblers.
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Overnight at same hotel
Day 13: Trongsa-phobjikha Pass By: Black Necked Crane Center, Bhutan
This bird is often seen near Wangdi near spring. Often it will be spotted with Ospreys and Pied Avocet. Wintertime brings numerous species down to lower altitudes, including accentors, rose finches, grosbeaks, snow pigeons and pheasants such as the satyrtragopan, the Himalayan monal and the blood pheasant.
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Dewachen 3star resort or similar
Day 14: Phobjikha-ThimphuPass By: Thimphu, Thimphu, Thimphu District
Some of birds that are found are Satyr Tragopan, Spotted Nutcracker, Large Hawk Cuckoo, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Yellow billed Magpie, Chest Tailed Minla, Collard Blackbird, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Brown Bullfinch, Kalij pheasant, Blood Pheasant, Himalayan monal.
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Overnight at Same hotel or similar
Day 15: Thimphu-paroPass By: Chele La, Bhutan
afternoon look for target water birds like Ibisbill, Black-tailed Crake, Solitary Snipe and Brown Dipper. There is also a likelihood of seeing ducks and other shorebirds along the river.
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Over night at same place
Day 16: DeparturePass By: Paro Airport Bird's Eye View Point, Paro Bhutan
After breakfast, continue till airport for drop
Meals included:
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No accommodation included on this day.
Informacion Adicional
"Not wheelchair accessible"
"Infants must sit on laps"
"Infant seats available"
"Not recommended for travelers with back problems"
"Not recommended for pregnant travelers"
"No heart problems or other serious medical conditions"
"Travelers should have a strong physical fitness level"
"This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund"
"This tour/activity will have a maximum of 18 travelers"
"Confirmation will be received at time of booking"
Duração: 16 Days
Ponto de partida: Paro International Airport - departure terminal, Airport Road Paro, Paro 12001, Bhutan
Traveler pickup is offered
Outside of airport terminal
Airports- Paro International Airport - departure terminal, Airport Road Paro, Paro 12001, Bhutan
Cancelamentos e reembolsos:
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
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