Detail Itinerary
[spoiler title=’Day 1 : Arrive Paro (2200m)’]
You will be received and welcomed by our tour guide. Thereafter you will escort from the airport to you hotel.
Afternoon you will visit Rinpung Dzong (fortress on heap of jewels) built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder of Bhutan, and Ta Dzong. Ta Dzong was once a watchtower for the defense of the Paro Rinpung Dzong. It was turned into a museum of natural history in 1967. Evening freely stroll along the Paro river to for birding.
Overnight stay at hotel, Paro.
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[spoiler title=’Day 2: Paro – Chele la, (3890m) Thimphu (2300m) ‘]
Very early in the morning, drive to the cool and stunning alpine meadow of Chelila pass (3890m). This is the highest pass accessible by car in Bhutan. Here we should be rewarded with three different species of Pheasants: the colorful Himalayan Monal, flocks of Blood Pheasants and Kalij Pheasant. Beside this we’ll also see other birds like various Rose-finches, Grosbeaks and Laughing thrushes. Drive back to Paro for lunch. After lunch drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The drive will take about an hour and half. In the evening, free time to stroll around the Thimphu city.
Overnight stay at hotel, Paro.
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[spoiler title=’Day 3: Birding in Thimphu (2300m)’]
Take picnic lunch and drive 20km to Cheri. The road ends at Cheri Bridge where Jigme Dorji Wildlife sanctuary starts. The trail to Cheri is mixed deciduous vegetation which will offer good birding like Spotted laughing Trush, Fire Capped Tit, Golden Breasted Fulvetta, Yellow Backed Flower Packer, and Maroon Backed Accentor.
After lunch will drive back to City of Thimphu for cultural sightseeing visit Changangkha Lhakhang; One of the oldest monasteries in the Thimphu valley. It built in the 15th century by a descendant of Lama Phajo, the man who spread the sect Drukpa kagyu in Bhutan. The main statue at the temple is of Avalokiteswara (the eleven-headed Buddha manifestation with 1000 arms and 1000 eyes). You have to walk to reach it. The temple courtyard offers good views over the city of Thimphu.
National Memorial Chorten; the building of this landmark was envisaged by the third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, as a monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it is both a memorial to the Late King (“the father of modern Bhutan”) and a monument to world peace. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy;
In the evening, drive to Kuenselphodrang to view the world’s largest and the tallest statue of Lord Buddha. The 169-feet bronze statue of Buddha Dordenma symbolizes indestructibility, and seated on a vajra throne, overlooking the capital city.
Overnight stay at hotel, Thimphu.
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[spoiler title=’Day 4: Thimphu – Punakha 4hrs drive (1350m)’]
You will drive to Punakha, Bhutan’s old capital; you will take through some of the kingdom’s fertile agricultural land and most dramatic river valleys. The first stop at Dochu La (pass) at 3,050 meters. The snow-capped eastern Himalayan range can be seen on a clear day. You could also circumambulate the 108 stupas of the Druk Wangyal Chorten.
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, White-throated Kingfisher, Crested Kingfisher, Grey Treepie, Spotted Nutcracker, Speckled Wood Pigeon, Slaty-backed Forktail, Spotted Forktail, Eurasian Jay, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler, Streaked-breasted Scimitar Babbler, etc.
Overnight stay at hotel, Punakha.
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[spoiler title=’Day 5: Birding in Punakha – Gasa (2900m)’]
In this Punakha to Gasa 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, 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, Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon.
Overnight stay at hotel, Punakha.
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[spoiler title=’Day 6: Punakha – Gangtey/Phobjikha 3hrs, drive. (2900m)’]
From Punakha you will drive eastward toward Phobjikha through the black mountain region. The Phobjikha valley is one of the most important wildlife preserves in the country and it serves as the nesting grounds for the endangered Black-necked Crane in winter. The bird species found in this valley are Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Blue-capped Rock Thrush,Fire-tailed Myzornis, Great Parrotbill, Alpine Accentor, Green-tailed Sunbird, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Rufous-vented Yuhina, Whiskered Yuhina, Scaly Thrush, Tickell’s Thrush, Fire-capped Tit, Amur falcon, Ward’s Trogon, Blue Rock Thrush, Black-faced Laughing thrush, Spotted Laughing thrush, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Red-headed Bullfinch, Scarlet Finch, White-tailed Nuthatch, etc.
Overnight stay at hotel, Phobjikha.
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[spoiler title=’Day 7: Phobjikha – Trongsa 87kms/ 3 hours, (2200m)’]
Drive for three hours through dense evergreen forests of oak, rhododendron, horse chestnut, laurel, maple, fir, spruce, larch, hemlock and juniper to the central district of Trongsa crossing Pele La (pass) at 3390m. The species found in this area includes Spotted Laughing thrush, Crested Serpent Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Common Kestrel, Himalayan Griffon, Himalayan Swiftlet, Asian House Martin, Nepal House Martin, Common Rosefinch, Beautiful Rosefinch, White-browed Rosefinch, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Streaked-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Brown Parrotbill, Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler, and Speckled Wood Pigeon.
Overnight stay in hotel, Trongsa.
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[spoiler title=’Day 8: Trongsa to Ura 3.5 hrs, drive. (3100m)’]
In the morning, try to spot the Beautiful Nuthatch and the sapphire flycatcher. After breakfast you will drive to Bumthang Ura after visiting Dzong and Ta- dzong which was built in 1648; it was seat of power over central and eastern Bhutan and visit Ta Dzong which houses royal heritage museum.
You will continue drive to Ura crossing Yotong la pass at 3400m en route you will spot species like Bar-throated Siva, Brown Parrot bill, Hill Partridge, Black-faced Laughing thrush, Chestnut-crowned Laughing thrush, Gold-naped Finch etc. Ura is Located in a broad valley (3100 m), Ura is the highest of the four valleys in Bumthang district. The village of Ura has about 60 or so clusters of traditional homes with cobbled walkways, that gives somewhat a medieval atmosphere. Women here traditionally cover their head with white scarf against cold wind and wear sheepskin behind their back, which is used as cushion and as well as to protect their cloth from the loads they carry. In the center of the village, there is an interesting Ura temple. Over dinner a display of “Puta” making, a dish made from buckwheat, something like a noodle. This gives us a taste of Bumthang food.
Overnight stay in Farmhouse.
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[spoiler title=’Day 09: Visit PNP Ura visitor information center and proceed to Sengor 3.5hrs, drive. (3000m)’]
Morning drive to Sengor passing over Thrumsingla pass at 3800m.The species you would encounter are Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Spotted Nutcracker, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Black Bulbul, Red-headed Bullfinch, Grey Wagtail, Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Great Parrotbill, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Orange-flanked Bush Robin, Stripe-throated Yuhina, White-browed Fulvatas, Satyr Tragonpan, Blood Pheasnat, Himalayan Monal, White-throated Fantail ,Rufous-throated Partridge, Lesser-racked Tailed Drongo.
Overnight in tented camp.
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[spoiler title=’Day 10: Sengor-Namling-Yongkola 2.5hrs, (1875m).’]
Today you travel to Namling and to Yongkola in search of species like Gould’s Shortwing, Bar-winged Wren Babblers, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Black-headed Shrike Babblers, White-browed Shrike Babbler, Ward’s Trogons, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Blue-throated Barbet, Golden-throated Barbet, Great Barbet, Golden Bush Robin, and Chestnut-breasted Partridge.
Overnight in tented camp.
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[spoiler title=’Day 11 and 12: Explore Yongkola (1875m).’]
Your today’s birding stretch from Namling and Sengor is one of the best birding areas in the eastern part of the country. In the broad-leafed and temperate forests of this region search for the Bar-winged Wren Babbler, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Rufous-throated Wren Babbler, Scaly Wren Babbler, Red-faced Liocichla, Scaly Laughing thrush, Blue-wing Laughing thrush, Rufous-necked Laughing thrush, Beautiful Nuthatch, White-tailed Nuthatch, Black-faced Warbler, Whistler’s Warbler, Gray-cheeked Warbler, Grey-hooded Warbler, Rufous-faced Warbler, Chestnut-crowned Warbler, Blyth’s Leaf Warbler, Ashy-throated Warbler, Hume’s Leaf Warbler, Lemon-rumped Warbler, Slaty-bellied Tesia, Grey-bellied Tesia, Gould’s Shortwing, Black-throated Parrotbill, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Common Green Magpie, Drongo Cuckoo, Large Hawk Cuckoo, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Sultan Tit, Yellow-cheeked Tit, Jungle Owlet, Asian-barred Owlet, Striated Prinia, Black-throated Prinia, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Streaked Spiderhunter, Scarlet Minivet, Himalayan Cutia, Black-headed Shrike Babbler, Ward’s Trogon, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Great Barbet, Golden-throated Barbet, Golden Bush Robin and the globally threatened Chestnut-breasted Partridge.
In this area you will sight Rufous-necked Hornbil, Tawny Fish Owl, Ward’s Trogon, Red-headed Trogon, Rufous-throated Wren Babbler, Scaly Wren Babbler, Pygmy Wren Babbler, Himalayan Cutia, Grey-winged Blackbird, Hoary-throated Barwing, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Steak-breasted Scimitar Babblers, Collar-billed Scimitar Babbler, Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler, Long-tailed Minivet, Short-billed Minivet, Grey-chinned Minivet, Scarlet Minivet, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Black-throated Prinia, Striated Prinia, Gray-throated Babbler, Ashy Bulbull, Mountain Bulbull, Himalayan Bulbull, Grey-throated Babbler, Bhutan Laughing thrush, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Beautiful Nuthatch, White-tailed Nuthatch, Asian-barred Owlet, Short-billed Minivet, Rufous-necked Laughing thrush etc.
Overnight in tented camp.
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[spoiler title=’Day 13: Yongkola to Chamkhar 4.5hrs, drive. (2650m).’]
After breakfast you will drive to Bumthang valley crossing Thrumshingla Pass 3,800meters. The birds species in this area are the Blood pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Himalayan Monal, Spotted nutcracker, Fire-tailed sunbird, Green-tailed Sunbird, Red-headed Bullfinch, Yellow-bellied flowerpecker, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Brown Parrotbill, Snow Pigeon, Collard Grosbeak, Spot-winged Grosbeak, Alpine Accentor, Himalayan Blue tail, Stripe-throated Yuhina, Whiskered Yuhina, Rufous-vented Yuhina, White-browed Fulvetta, Rufous-throated Partridge and Lesser, etc.
Overnight stay at hotel, Bumthang.
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[spoiler title=’Day 14: Explore Bumthang culture and nature (2650m).’]
In the morning we will visit Kurje Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places in the kingdom as Bhutan’s “patron saint”, Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) meditated here. From Kurje monastery, a tarmac road heads south along the right bank of the river to Jambey Lhakhang. This temple, erected by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century, is one of the two oldest in Bhutan (the other being Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro).
After lunch, we will visit Tamshing Lhakhang, founded in 1501 by Pema Lingpa. It contains interesting and ancient Buddhist wall paintings. Later on we will visit Jakar Dzong, “the castle of the white bird”, and then take a stroll through Bumthang’s market area before returning to the lodge. Evening freely stroll along the Chamkhar Chu river for birding.
Overnight stay at hotel, Bumthang.
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[spoiler title=’Day 15: Early morning to Tharpaling and proceed to Trongsa 3.5hrs, drive. (2200m)’]
Drive through the road leading to Tharpaling monastery. You will see the magnificent pheasants such as; Himalayan Monal, Satyr Tragopan, Blood Pheasant and Kalij Pheasant. Besides, you will sight Spot-winged Grosbeak, Daurian Redstart, Olive-backed Pipit, Oriental Skylark, Black-billed Magpie, etc.
After breakfast drive to Trongsa crossing Yotongla pass 3,400 meters. En-route you will stop to spot the Chestnut tailed minla, Brown Parrotbill, Hill partridge, Black-faced laughing thrush, Chestnut-crowned Laughing thrush and the Gold-naped Finch. On arrival in Trongsa visit Ta Dzong (watch tower), converted into a world-class heritage museum and visit Trongsa Dzong, overlooks a rocky ravine. It was built in 1648 it was the seat of power over central and eastern Bhutan in the old days.
Overnight stay at hotel, Trongsa.
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[spoiler title=’Day 16: Trongsa – Lobesa 4.5 hrs, drive. (1300m)’]
You will drive about 4.5 hours through pristine dense evergreen forests of oak, rhododendron, horse chestnut, laurel, maple, fir, spruce, larch, hemlock and juniper to the Phobjikha valley crossing Pele La pass at 3390 meter. The species found in this area includes Spotted Laughing thrush, Himalayan Griffon, Himalayan Swiftlet, Brown Parrotbill, Snow Partridge, Beautiful Rosefinch, Common Rosefinch, White-browed Rosefinch, Russet Bush warbler, Grey-sided Bush Warbler, Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler, Scaly-breasted wren babbler, Bar-winged Wren Babbler, Speckled Wood Pigeon, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Crimson Sunbird, Green-tailed Sunbird, Great Parrotbill, Brown Parrotbill.
Overnight stay at hotel, Lobesa.
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[spoiler title=’Day 17: Lobesa- Paro 3hrs, 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=’Day 18: Paro Taktshang 4hrs, 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 Laughing thrushes, Eurasian Nutcracker, White-browed Fulvetta, Yellow-billed Magpie and Little Forktail. Evening freely stroll along the Paro river to for birding.
Overnight stay in hotel Paro.
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[spoiler title=’Day 19: Departure’]
After breakfast in the hotel, then drive to the airport for flight to onward destination.
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Tashi Delek