Details Itinerary
[spoiler title=’Day 1: Arrive Paro and journey to Thimphu 2hrs. (2300m)’]
The flight into the Himalayas is one of the most scenic and breathes taking one with the views of some of the tallest mountains of the world. On your arrival at the Paro international airport, our representative will receive you. Evening birding around sewage pond in Thimphu searching for one of the main target bird, Ibis bill, other birds we’ll be searching here include Black-tailed Crake, Wallcreeper, Brown Dipper, Ruddy She duck, Common Merganser, White-capped and Plumbeous Water Redstart, White Wagtail, Rufous-breasted Accentor, Common and Green Sandpiper, Common and Crested Kingfisher.
Overnight stay in hotel Thimphu.
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[spoiler title=’Day 2: Birding in Thimphu (2300m).’]
In capital city Thimphu biridng’s best is Motithang (upper Thimphu) and Cheri to the northern end. The species found in this area are Ibis bill, Common Sandpiper, Crested kingfisher, Brown Dipper, Eurasian Sparrow hawk, Shikra, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Common Hoopoe, Nepal House Martin, Long-tailed Minivet, Scarlet Minivet, Grey wagtail, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Spotted Nutcracker, Red-billed Chough, Yellow-browed Tit, Upland Buzzard, Himalayan Buzzard, Common Buzzard, Wallcreeper, Rufous-fronted Tit, Black-throated Tit, Black-tailed Crake, Ruddy-breasted Crake, Solitary Snipe, Plumbeous Water Redstart, Northern Goshawk, Black eagle, etc. In the evening you will visit Trashichhoedzong built in 1641, the king’s throne room and house of Jekhenpo the chief abbot.
Overnight stay at hotel, Thimphu.
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[spoiler title=’Day 3: Thimphu – Punakha 3hrs.drive (1350m).’]
Early morning drive to Punakha over the Dochula Pass (3150). Our day starts from this pass with the breathtaking views of eastern Himalaya’s ranges. The mixed forests of hemlock, fir, oaks and rhododendron here is good habitat for many good species including, Spotted and Black-faced Laughingthrush, Blue-fronted Redstart, Eurasian Jay, Stripe-throated and Rufous-vented Yuhina, Spotted Nutcracker, Long-tailed Minivet, Rufous-vented and Coal Tit. Then drive to Punakha over the Dochula Pass (3150). En route stop at Lamperi Botanical Garden and take the nature walk for about hours, birds we’ll be looking here include Brown Parrotbill, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Darjeeling and Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Speckled Wood Pigeon, Plain-backed Thrush White-collared Blackbird and Green-backed Tit.
Continue your drive to Punakha valley, along the drive you’ll look for the species like Chestnut-tailed Starling, Great and Golden-throated Barbet, Long-tailed Shrike, Spotted Dove, Red-vented and Black Bulbul, Common Kestrel.
Later in the evening birding along the Pho Chu valley looking for one of the main target bird, White-bellied Heron. One of the rarest birds in the world, with a population of less than 60 worldwide. Other birds we might see Pallas Fish Eagle, White-throated and Crested Kingfisher, Ibis bill, River Lapwing, and few species of Ducks.
Overnight stay in hotel Punakha.
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[spoiler title=’Day 4: Birding in Punakha – Gasa (2900m).’]
In this stretch you will sight Jungle Owlet, Asian-barred Owlet, Osprey, White-bellied Heron, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Lesser Fish Eagle, Great Cormorant, Black-throated Sunbird, Green-tailed Sunbird, Black-throated Yuhina, Striped-throated Yuhina, Whiskered Yuhina, Straited Yuhina, Scarlet Minivet, Long-tailed Minivet, Grey-chinned Minivet, Barred Cuckoo Dove, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Bay Woodpecker, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Slaty-bellied Tesia, Grey-bellied Tesia, White-gorgeted Flycatcher, Large Niltava, Small Niltava, Rufous-bellied Niltava, Great Barbet, Blue-throated Barbet, Golden-throated Barbet, Asian Koel, Grey-hooded Warbler, Golden-spectacled Warbler, Tickell’s Leaf Warbler, Lemon-rumped Warbler, Buff-barred Warbler, Slaty-backed Forktail, Spotted Forktail, Black-backed Forktail, Yellow-bellied Fantail, White-throated Fantail, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Hoary-throated Barwing, Blue-fronted Robin, Lesser Shortwing, Himalayan Cutia, Green Shrike-babbler, Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Yellow-throated Fulvetta, Black-eared Shrike-babbler, Spotted Wren Babbler, Pygmy Wren Babbler, Speckled Piculet, Orange-bellied Leafbird, White-tailed Nuthatch, Maroon Oriole, Scarlet Finch, Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon
Overnight stay at hotel, Punakha.
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[spoiler title=’Day 5: Punakha- Phobjikha 4hrs.drive. (2900m)’]
Explore Phobjikha valley, one of the most important wildlife preserves in the country, which serves as a roosting ground for Black Necked Crane in winter. The birds found in this valley are Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Amur Falcon, Ward’s Trogon, Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Red-headed Bullfinch, Grey-headed Bullfinch, Scarlet Finch, White-tailed Nuthatch, Oriental Magpie Robin, etc. Continue to drive to Punakha valley.
Overnight stay at hotel, Gangtey.
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[spoiler title=’Day 6: Phobjikha – Trongsa 4.5hrs.drive. (2200m)’]
After early breakfast, we’ll drive to the Pelela pass (3400) and spend our morning hours birding along the old road searching for the high altitude species like Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan Himalayan Griffon, Brown and Great Parrotbill, Spotted Nutcracker, White-winged and Collared Grosbeak, Darjeeling and Rufous-breasted Woodpecker, Stripe-throated and Rufous-vented Yuhinas, White Collared Blackbird, White-browed and Dark-rumped Rose finch. Continue you drive to Trongsa, we’ll also be looking for the species like Speckled Wood Pigeon, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Golden-breasted and White-browed and Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Streak-breasted and Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler. Black-winged Cuckoo Shrike, Yellow-rumped Honey guide, Nepal House Martin, Blyth’s Swift and White-throated Needletail, Black Eagle and many more.
The remainder of the afternoon will be spent exploring the nearby broad-leaved evergreen forest in search of specialties like Spotted Fork tail, Grey-bellied Tesia and Spotted Wren-Babbler.
Overnight stay in hotel Trongsa.
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[spoiler title=’Day 7: Trongsa- Tingtibi 4hrs drive. (600m)’]
Depart to Zhemgang and Tingtibi, following the Mangde Chhu River. Species found in this area are Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, Red-headed Trogon, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Hill Partridge, Rufous-necked Hornbill, White-browed Piculet, Speckled Piculet, Bay Woodpecker, White-tailed Robin, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Streaked-breasted Scimitar Babbler, White-browed Scimitar Babbler, Black-faced Laughingthrush, Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush, Rufous-necked Laughingthrush, White-browed Fulvetta, Chestnut-winged Fulvetta, Grey-headed Parrotbill, Pygmy-blue Flycatcher, Pale-chinned Flycatcher, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Bar-winged Flycatcher Shrike, There is a chance of spotting the highly endangered White-bellied Heron as well as the Collared Treepie, Beautiful Nuthatch and Lesser Rufous-headed Parrotbill.
Overnight in tented camp.
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[spoiler title=’Day 8: Birding in Tingtibi (600m)’]
In Tingtibi where you will spot the Great Hornbill, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Wreated Hornbill, Lesser Yellownape, Scarlet Minivet, Sultan Tit, Black-eared Shrike-babbler, White-bellied Erpornis, Long-tailed Sibia,Silver-eared Mesia, Red-billed Leiothrix, Bar-throated Siva, Blue-Winged Siva, Red-tailed Minla,Red-faced Liocichla, Rufous-necked Laughing thrush, Rufous-chinned Laughing thrush, Straited Laughing thrush, White-crested Laughing thrush, Jungle Babbler, Golden Babbler, Grey-throated Babbler, Pin-striped Tit Babbler, Long-billed Wren Babbler, Eye-browed Wren Babler, Scaly Wren Babbler, Pygmy Wren Babbler, Puff-throated Babbler, Abbott’s Babbler, Chestnut-crowned Warbler, Grey-cheeked Warbler, Whistler’s Warbler, Rufous-faced Warbler, Black-faced Warbler, Mountain Tailorbird, Common Tailorbird, Rufescent Prinia, Straited Prinia, Mountain Bulbul, Red-whiskered Bulbul, Black-crested Bulbul, Common Green Magpie, Black-hooded Oriole, Maroon Oriole, Slender-billed Oriole, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, Spangled Drongo, Common Iora, Black-winged Cuckoo shrike, Large Cuckoo shrike, Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Large Woodshrike, Long-tailed Broadbill, Silver-eared Broadbill, Himalayan Goldenback, Greater Goldenback, Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Rufous Woodpecker, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Eurasian Wryneck, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Green Bee-eater, Dollarbird, Chestnut-winged Cuckoo, Emerald Dove, Ashy Woodswallow, Lesser Coucal, Greater Coucal, Green-billed Malkoha,Green Emperial Pigeon, White-rumped Shama, Siberean Rubythroat, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, White-hooded Babbler, and many species of other Woodpeckers, Blyth’s kingfisher, and chances of sighting Hodgson’s Frogmouth. Collared Falconet, Pied Falconet, etc.
Overnight in tented camp.
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[spoiler title=’Day 9: Tingtibi – Pantang 2.5hrs.drive. (239m)’]
Today you’ll explore wide varieties of habitats Tingtibe-Pantang roads. Habitats vary from mossy forests to streamside lowland forest. This is another chance to see Golden Langur, which is fairly common here. We’ll also be searching for Rufous-necked and Great hornbill, Pin-tailed and Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Cutia, Scarlet Minivet, varieties of beautiful Laughingthrushes, Spotted Wren Babblers and very rare and sought after Beautiful Nuthatch.
In the afternoon we’ll be exploring the Gomphu Road, the road that goes to Manas National Park, here we’ll be searching for the species like Lesser Rufous-headed Parrotbill, White-hooded Babbler, Grey-throated and Rufous-capped Babbler, Lesser Yellownape, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush, Blue-throated Flycatcher, Striated and Black-chinned Yuhinas, Chestnut-winged and Drongo Cuckoo, Common Green Magpie, Emerald Dove and with the little bit of luck Pale -headed Woodpecker.
Overnight in tented camp.
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[spoiler title=’Day 10: Pantang – Manas 3hrs.drive. (450m)’]
The park’s location and the largely pristine forest, which covers approximately 92% of the area, make the park extremely rich in biodiversity. There are five different vegetation types which consist of tropical monsoon forest, subtropical broadleaved forest, warm broadleaved forest, cool broadleaved forest and evergreen oak forest. These habitats support a wide range of fauna, including many rare and endangered species such as the Royal Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, gaur, wild buffalo, wild dog, common leopard, Black Panther, marveled cat, golden cat, clouded Leopard and Chinese pangolin. Species endemic to the Eastern Himalayan foothills, such as golden langur, capped langur, pygmy hog and hispid hare also occur in the park. The park is also extremely rich in avifauna and other lower vertebrate and invertebrate fauna. A total of 530 species of birds have been recorded so far, highest among all protected areas. Globally endangered species include the Rufous-necked hornbill and Pallas fish eagle, and 14 other species recorded from the park that are considered to have globally significant breeding populations in Bhutan. The chestnut-breasted partridge for which there are no recent records outside Bhutan has also been recorded in this richly forested park. In addition, more than 900 species of vascular plants have been recorded in the park. Several of these species have value as cultivars for agriculture crops and other horticultural uses, and a number of others are of immense economic, medicinal, traditional, and religious significance.
Overnight in tented camp.
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[spoiler title=’Day 11: Following Hornbills in Manas’]
Most birds found in Manas park areas are Bengal Florican, Giant Hornbill, Jungle Fowls, Bulbuls, Brahminy Ducks, Egrets, Pelicans, Pied Hornbills, Grey Hornbills, Mergansers, Serpent Eagles, Falcons, Red-headed Trogon, Swamp Francolin, Wreathed and Rufous-necked Hornbill, Marsh and Jerdon’s Babblers, Pied Harrier, Ibis bill, Scarlet Minivets, Fishing Eagles, Magpie Robins, Bee-Eaters, Harriers, Como duck etc.
Overnight in tented camp.
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[spoiler title=’Day 12: Manas to Tingtibi 5hrs drive. (600m)’]
Today you’ll explore wide varieties of habitats Manas-Tingtibe roads. Habitats vary from mossy forests to streamside lowland forest. This is another chance to see the verities of birds which is mentioned at day 8&9.
Overnight in tented camp.
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[spoiler title=’Day 13: Tingtibi-Gelephu 4hrs drive. (280m)’]
After breakfast we slowly start heading toward Gelephu, today you will experience lots of changes in the elevation. Starting from the 600m to the 280m. Drive goes through some of the best forest in the country. Birds we might see are few species of Laughingthrushs, Tesias, and couple of Wren Babbler. Parrot bills and many more.
Overnight stay in Hotel Gelephu.
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[spoiler title=’Day 14: Gelephu- Lobesa 6.5hrs drive. (1300m)’]
After early breakfast drive toward the north of Gelephu, the drive will take you through some of the best least explored forests of the country. This section of the country was very recently open for the visitors. You’ll have lots of stop for the birding. Some of the key birds you might be able to see are Rufous-necked Hornbill, Great Hornbill, Nuthatch, Pied Falconet, Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, Sultan Tit, Black-backed Forktail, Red- headed Trogon, Black Eagle, House Sparrow (rare in Bhutan…), Jungle Babbler, Grey-sided Laughing thrush and many more.
Overnight stay in hotel Lobesa.
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[spoiler title=’Day 15: Lobesa-Paro 3.5hrs drive. (2200m)’]
The birds found in Punakha and Wangduephodrang valleys are Himalayan Cutia, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Collared Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, White-browed Fulvetta, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Plain Mountain Finch, Mrs Gould’s Sunbird, Green-tailed Sunbird, Black-throated Parrotbill, Himalayan Blue tail, White-browed Bush Robin, Rufous-breasted Bush Robin, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Brown Bullfinch, Red-headed Bullfinch, Chestnut-tailed Minla (Bar-throated Siva) , Dark-breasted Rosefinch, Little Bunting, White-bellied Heron, Common Kingfisher, Grey Treepie, Spotted Nutcracker, Speckled Wood Pigeon, Slaty-backed Forktail, Spotted Forktail, Eurasian Jay, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler, etc.
Overnight stay in hotel Paro.
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[spoiler title=’Day16: Chelela day trip. (3890m) ‘]
Very early in the morning drive 2hrs.to the cool alpine meadows of Chelila pass (3890m). This is the highest pass on the car road. Here we should be reward with the three different species of Pheasants, Colorful Himalayan Monals, flocks of Blood Pheasants and Kalij Pheasants. Beside this we’ll also see other birds like White-browed Finch, White-browed Bush Robin, Rufous-bellied and Darjeeling Woodpecker, Hodgson’s Tree creeper, Coal, Rufous-vented, Rufous-fronted and Grey-Crested Tits, White-winged and Collared Grosbeaks, Chestnut-crowned, Black-faced and Spotted Laughingthrushes, Brown Parrot bill and Long-tailed Minivet. Evening freely stroll in Paro town.
Overnight stay in hotel Paro.
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[spoiler title=’Day 17: Tigers Nest 4.5hrs hike. (2950m)’]
Hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest). The place is visited and sanctified by Guru Rimpoche is one of the most venerated pilgrim sites of the Himalayan world. Over the period of time many great Buddhist masters have visited and mediated around here. Later in the year 1692 AD. The 4th temporal ruler of Bhutan built the monastery over the cave where Guru Rimpoche and his consort Khandro Yeshi Tshogyal have mediated. The monastic complex clings to the rock towering 800 meters above the valley. It is located 2950 meters above sea level. On the hike you may see few different species of Laughingthrushes, Eurasian Nutcracker, White-browed Fulvetta, Yellow-billed Magpie and Little Forktail.
Overnight stay in hotel Paro.
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[spoiler title=’Day 18: Departure’]
After breakfast in the hotel, then drive towards Guahati to onward destination.
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Tashi Delek