Discover Bhutan Through Its Birdsong

During the journey to Bhutan, you will experience breathtaking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Jomolhari and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan.On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be greeted by our representative. You will then drive along the Pa Chhu River and look for shorebirds, Ibisbill, Brown Dipper and other bird species.Lunch will be at Thimphu or Dochula. After lunch, you will do birding at Dochula Pass, where you can look for Myzornis, Great Parrotbill, Long-billed Thrush, Red-headed Bullfinch and five species of Laughing Thrushes. You will then visit the Royal Botanical Park and look for 3–5 species of cuckoo. Later, you will drive to Punakha along the Punakha River, where you will look for shorebirds and two endangered species, Pallas’s Fish Eagle and White-bellied Heron. Overnight at a hotel in Punakha.

After breakfast this morning, we will drive to Bumthang. Along the way, we will do birding along the road, at Pele La Pass and Yotong La Pass, both above 3,300 meters. We will look for Sunbirds, Ward’s Trogon, Satyr Tragopan, Himalayan Monal, Rosefinches and other bird species. Overnight at a hotel in Bumthang.

Today, we will have a full day of birding as we enter one of the best birding areas in Bhutan. We will look for four species of pheasants, including Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan and Kalij Pheasant, along with other bird species. Overnight at a hotel in Yongkola.

Today, we will continue birding around the Yongkola area and look for Rufous-necked Hornbill, Wren Babblers, Tawny Fish Owl, Beautiful Nuthatch, Red-faced Liocichla, Laughing Thrushes and other bird species. Overnight at a hotel in Yongkola.

Today, you will drive back towards Trongsa along the same route. Along the way, you will do birding at Thrumshing La and Yotong La passes and along the road. Overnight at a hotel in Trongsa.

Today, you will drive to Tingtibi and do birding along the way, especially around Koshala. You will look for Forktails, Bhutan Laughingthrush, Crested Bunting, Himalayan Prinia, Barbets, Grey-headed Parrotbill, Piculets, Great Hornbill, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Bulbuls and other bird species. Overnight at a hotel in Tingtibi.

Today, we will look for some of the special bird species found in the Tingtibi area. Species to look for include White-hooded Babbler, Pale-billed Parrotbill, White-breasted Parrotbill, Rufous-faced Warbler, Yellow-bellied Warbler, Yellow-vented Warbler, cuckoos, and woodpeckers such as Pale-headed Woodpecker and Bay Woodpecker. We will also look for Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker, White-browed Scimitar Babbler, Great Hornbill and Rufous-necked Hornbill. Overnight at a hotel in Tingtibi.

Today, you will drive to Gelephu while continuing birding along the way. You will look for Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Wreathed Hornbill and Oriental Pied Hornbill. In the evening, we will do birding around the sewage treatment area. At night, we will look for owls. Overnight at a hotel in Gelephu.

Today, you will continue your birding journey towards Tsirang. You will look for Mynas, Indian Roller and woodpeckers such as Yellow-naped Woodpecker, Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker, Greater Flameback and Lesser Flameback. Other species to look for include Beautiful Nuthatch, Long-tailed Broadbill, Collared Treepie, Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler, White-naped Yuhina and other bird species. Overnight at a hotel in Tsirang.

The main highlight of today will be looking for the critically endangered White-bellied Heron. You will also look for Greater Flameback, Greater Yellownape, Lesser Yellownape, Bulbuls, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater and Black-tailed Crake. After birding, you will continue your drive towards Paro. Overnight at a hotel in Paro.

Early in the morning, you will drive to Chele La to look for the four species of pheasants and other high-altitude birds before driving back to Paro. After breakfast, you will hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, Bhutan’s most famous monastery, situated at an altitude of 3,180 meters. According to legend, Guru Rinpoche (spiritual master) is said to have flown on the back of a tigress from Singye Dzong in Lhuntse to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. The monastery is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. Lunch will be served at the cafeteria. After lunch, you will explore the monastery and hike back to the valley in the afternoon. Overnight at a hotel in Paro.

After breakfast, you will drive to Paro International Airport for your departure. Our representative will bid you farewell.