13-Day Itinerary
From Himalayan Heights to River Valleys: Bhutan’s Birding Extravaganza
The best time to embark on this travel is:
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter
- Arrive at Paro International Airport and transfer to your hotel.
- Afternoon birding along the Paro River, seeking Ibisbill, Brown Dipper, and Wallcreeper.
- Early morning drive to Chele La Pass (3,988m) for Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Kalij Pheasant, and Satyr Tragopan.
- Continue to Thimphu, birding en route for Yellow-billed Blue Magpie and Rufous Sibia.
- Morning birding around Thimphu, focusing on Red-billed Chough and Hodgson’s Redstart.
- Drive to Punakha via Dochula Pass (3,100m), birding for Fire-tailed Myzornis and Rufous-breasted Accentor.
- Full-day birding in the Punakha Valley, focusing on White-bellied Heron, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, and Black-tailed Crake.
- Drive to Phobjikha Valley, a wintering site for Black-necked Crane (November-March).
- Explore the valley for Spotted Laughingthrush and Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush.
- Early morning birding in Phobjikha for Grey-backed Shrike and Yellow-browed Tit.
- Drive to Trongsa, birding along the way for Golden Bush Robin and Brown Parrotbill.
- Morning birding near Trongsa for Red Crossbill and Fire-tailed Sunbird.
- Continue to Bumthang, birding along the route.
- Explore Bumthang’s forests and meadows for White-collared Blackbird, Eurasian Jay, and Grey-winged Blackbird.
- Full-day birding in Ura Valley, seeking Hill Partridge, Rufous-breasted Accentor, and Fire-capped Tit.
- Drive to Mongar, passing through diverse habitats, birding en route for Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Rusty-flanked Treecreeper, and Rufous-throated Wren-babbler.
- Explore Mongar and Lhuntse for Rufous-necked Hornbill and Blue-fronted Robin.
- Continue to Trashigang for birding around the river valleys.
- Long drive to Samdrup Jongkhar, with birding stops along the way for Beautiful Nuthatch, Great Hornbill, and Rufous-backed Sibia.
- Final birding around Samdrup Jongkhar before departure to India.
Key Species to Watch For: Black-necked Crane, White-bellied Heron, Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Beautiful Nuthatch
Service Included
- Accommodation in a 3-star hotel with breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- English-speaking guide throughout the tour
- Luxury transportation with experienced driver and guide
- Bottled water
Services Not Included:​
- Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) and travel insurance
- Personal expenses such as phone calls, drinks, laundry, and monument fees