Tour Highlights
- Brief sightseeing the ancient dzongs,temples and towns.
- Viable to see Black Nacked crane,Ibisbill, Beautiful Nuthatch, White Bellied Heron, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Rufous Necked Hornbill and others.
- Experience the various habitat from alpine (3000m) to the lowest subtropical(200m)
- Exploring the natural wildness
Tour fact
Duration:12 days
Grade: Easy
Season:Sep,Oct,Nov.
Places:Paro,Thimphu,Punakha
Trongsa,Zhemgang.
Accommodation
Plan:3 star hotel
Options: 4 or 5 star hotel
12 Days Entirety Bird-watching Tour
Day 1 Paro
Kuzuzangpo and warm Welcome to Bhutan! On arrival at Paro International Airport, your guide will greet you upon exiting the arrival hall. Today, we follow a gentle schedule as we acclimatize to the altitude.
Afternoon bird watching on the riverbank of Paro chu and You might spot following bird species: Ibis bill, Brown Dipper, White-capped Water Redstart, River Lapwing, etc. they are mostly found throughout the year in this area. We enjoy a relaxing evening with time to stroll around the town, visit its cafes, eateries and art and craft shops.
Day 2 Paro to Thimphu sightseeing
In the Morning we stop by Paro Rinpung Dzong (Fortress of Jewels). Located at the edge of Paro Town, this impressive example of 15th century Bhutanese architecture now serves as the local government center of Paro.
We then visit nearby Ta Dzong (Watchtower) which was built in 1649 and converted into the National Museum of Bhutan in 1968. Here we can view antiques, art, textiles, weapons and household items offering a glimpse of Bhutan’s fascinating history.
Then we enroute to Thimphu ,we take the opportunity to stretch our legs with an easy 10 minute walk to Tachog Lhakhang (temple) reached by crossing Paro Chhu (river) on one of the few remaining ancient iron chain bridges, both built circa 1420 by the Tibetan master Tangtong Gyelpo (aka the Bridge Builder).
In the afternoon we visit Buddha Dordenma (Buddha Point), one of the largest statues of Buddha Shakyamuni in the world overlooking Thimphu City.
We then visit the National Memorial Chorten (stupa) where we can join local worshippers who gather to circumambulate this famous stupa. In the evening we have time to relax and settle into our hotel.
Day 3 Thimphu to Punakha
Early morning from Thimphu we head to Punakha, via Dochula-la pass (3115 m). On the clear day, the view from here is spectacular, over the forest below and the snow-capped Himalayan Mountains. You will passing through mixed forest of hemlock, fir, oaks, and rhododendron, which are habitat of many birds including, Large Hawk Cuckoo, Spotted and Black-faced Laughing thrush, Blue-fronted Redstart, Yellow billed Magpie, Eurasian Jay, Collard Blackbird, Spotted Nutcracker, Long-tailed Minivet, Brown Bullfinch and Rufous-vente.
Then we will descend to Lamperli Botanical garden which extends gentle walking trails where we will be looking for Brown Parrot bill, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Speckled Wood Pigeon, Plain-backed Thrush White-collared Blackbird and Green-backed Tit.
Then continue drive to Punakha, Punakha Dzong continues to be the winter home for the clergy and Center Monastic Body. It is a stunning example of Bhutanese architecture, sitting at the fork of two rivers, portraying the image of a medieval city from a distance and perfect examples of Bhutanese craftsmanship.
Later in the afternoon we carry out for bird-watching at the Pho Chu valley, have a shot to spot the rare White-bellied Heron (endangered bird) and only 60 birds remaining in the country. We can also witness Pallas Fish Eagle, White-throated and Crested Kingfisher, Ibisbill, River Lapwing, and few species of Ducks.
Day 4 Punakha to Gasa stretch
Today we will start with bird watching inside Jigme Dorji National Park one of the most important protected areas of country, along Mo Chhu River. We might notice the Great Barbet, Large-billed Crow, Plumbeous Water Redstart, Eurasian Wigeon, Bhutan Laughingthrush, Red-vented Bulbul, Blue Whistling Thrush, Great Cormorant, Crested Bunting, Red–headed Trogon, Palla’s Fish Eagle, Small and Large Niltava, Crested Kingfisher, Grey Treepie, Ashy Drongo, Verdure Flycatcher, Brown-throated Treecreeper, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Golden throated Barbet, Kalij, Pheasant, Orange bellied Leaf bird, Common Buzzard, , Rufous Sibia, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Green-backed and Black-throated Tit, Brown Dipper, White-capped Water Redstart, White-throated, Rufous-chinned etc.
In the later afternoon we stop by majestic Punakha Dzong, one of the most icon architecture of the country. We stroll to the longest suspension bridge in the country, crossing the Pho Chu and explore the nearby village.
Day 5 Punakha to Gangtey
In the morning we depart Punakha for Gangtey, multiples break off for birding on the way and passes through beautiful forest landscapes and breathtaking mountain views. Along the way we may catch sight of Yellow-rumped Honey guide, Grey wagtail, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Green-tailed Sunbird, Rufous-breasted Accentor, Orange Bellied Leafbird, Longtailed Grey–backed Shrike, Thrushes(Zoolhera Thrushes) and Forktails, Redstart, Rufous Capped Babbler Streak-Breasted Scimitar Babbler, Red-hilled Leiolthrix, White-tailed Nuthatch,etc.
Then finally we end up at Phobjikha valley (3,100 m) with an alpine environment of rhododendrons and dwarf bamboo. It is famous as the winter home of the endangered Black necked crane (Grus Nigricollis).
Afternoon we make visit to crane center situated in the heart of the valley. In winter months, we can expect up to 60 cranes to be residing in the valley, making it quite easy to spot even from the close. Afterwards, we take an easy walk beyond Gangtey Goempa, along the Gangtey Nature Trail, overlooking the Phobjikha Valley.
Day 6: Gangtey to Trongsa
Today we drive to Trongsa over the Pelela pass (3,300m); our route passes through beautiful coniferous forests and stunning mountain views. We take a breather at Chendebji Chorten and we may spot Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Mountain Bulbul, Striated Bulbul, common Kestrel, Spot-winged Grosbeak, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Spotted and Black-faced Laughing thrush, Himalayan Griffon, Brown and Great Parrotbill, Blue-fronted and White-throated Redstart, Darjeeling and Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, White-winged, Collared Grosbeak, White-browed and Dark-rumped Rose finch and Plain Mountain Finch etc.
After arriving Trongsa, we go to see the resplendent museum in watchtower with exhibition on Bhutanese monarchy. Then we set off to forest to glimpse some local species like Spotted, Slaty-backed Forktail, Spotted Wren-Babbler, Bhutan Laughing thrush, Plain and Long-billed Thrush.
Day 7 Trongsa to Tingtibi
Today we descend southward to Tingtibi at Zhemgang district and well-known for bird watching hotspots. On the way we pass through southern foothill vegetation, rivers and beautiful landscape. We follow around Zhemgang Dzong which serves as the district headquarters.
We carry out bird-watching at Namling areas with cold broad –leaved forest. These areas own the best unexplored forest in the country. We might sight Silver-eared Mesia, Black-throated and Green-tailed Sunbird, Crested Buntings, Long-tailed Shrikes, Rufescent, Striated Prinias, Rufous and Grey-headed Woodpeckers, Common Green Magpie, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Common Kestrel, Rufous-necked and Bhutan Laughingthrush etc.
Then we proceed to Yeshi zam where we may as well spot the especial Yellow-rumped Honey guide, one of the two species of Honeyguide of Asia. Finally arrive to Tingtibi.
Day 8 Tingtibi to Manas stretch
Today we enjoy warm and fresh board level forest and drive to Manas area. Along the way, we may spot the species like Red-faced Liocichla, Black-chinned, Whiskered and Striated Yuhina, Blue-winged Minla Cutia, Blyth’s Shrike Babbler, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Coral-billed and Streaked-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Rufous-chinned and Rufous-necked Laughingthrush etc. We draw on exclusive effort to catch sight of the Beautiful Nuthatch (rare species in the world). Then descend further to Pangbang, climate gets more temperate and welcome by eye catching twin water fall. We can as well glimpse the giant Manas River and fresh breeze along with winsome sight, first rate spot to take hold of photo. You might see Rufous-necked hornbill, Blue throated bee-eater, Maroon Oriole, Racket tailed Drongo, Red headed Trogon, Grey Treepie, Grey Nightjar, Hill Prinia, Asian Emerald Cuckoo, Great hornbill, etc. Evening we drive back to Tingtibi and relax in hotel.
Day 9: Tingtibi to Trongsa
Today slowly we depart Tingtibi for Trongsa, the ancestral home of the ruling dynasty. catch an additional opportunity to take a look around the areas and some birds as well. We continue ascend passing through various vegetation and landscape, experience your quality time along the ride. Late afternoon we reached to Trongsa and relax in hotel. In evening we enjoy gentle walk around town and visit craft shops, cafes etc.
Day 10: Trongsa to Thimphu
Early morning we drive to Thimphu, retrace our previous travel over the Pelela and Dochula pass, refreshing our memories and birding as well. We take a short break at Dochula pass; enjoy gentle walks into woods and birding too. Then descend towards Thimphu (capital city), in evening we stroll around the town for shopping and overnight in hotel.
Day 11 Thimphu – Paro via Chele-la
Early morning start drive to Chele-la pass (3890m), the highest motorable point in country and offers to spot many bird species, like different pheasants, Plain Mountain Finch, White winged and Collared Grosbeaks and Black-faced and Spotted laughingthrushes etc. From this area we can glimpse a stunning view of Paro valley and beautiful mountain range. Then Descend from Chele-la, along the way we stop to Kila Gompa (oldest nunnery), take a gentle walk through ancient forest with fresh air and peaceful nature.
In the evening there is time for shopping in Paro and we gather for our farewell dinner.
Day 12: Depart Paro
Today we endeavor warm farewell to this beautiful kingdom and take an early flight back to your destination. We hope you have splendid stay and unforgettable memories of Bhutan. We look forward to seeing you again to this delightful land of endless happiness. Tashi Delek!
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