17-Day Private Nature Trip and Birding in Bhutan

Day 1: Paro-Thimphu(54Km/1 And Half Hour)

1. Tachogang Lhakhang Bridge
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Enjoy the breeze & the view on hilltop of Tachogang Lhakhang. You got to cross the bridge Over Pa Chhu river before reaching the Lhakhang.
2. Buddha Dordenma
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Visit Dordenma and take a blessing from the world largest Buddha's statue.
3. The Craft Gallery
   2h · Admission ticket included
   In the evening stroll around Thimphu town, you can visit craft bazaar and check out small souvenir to take back home

Day 2: Thimphu: Visit Jigme Dorji National Park

1. Jigme Dorji National Park
   8h · Admission ticket included
   Today we will take an hour and half drive towards the northern end of Thimphu valley and hike through Jigme Dorji National Park. It is a huge park covering 4316KM Sq.feet , the park is a natural jewel with the wealth of biodiversity. However we will be just covering a very tiny part of it.
   It would be a pleasant hike through the forest of pines . You will be welcomed by variance of Bird . Commonly you may sight Laughing Thrust, Brown Dipper, Spotted Laughing Thrust, Fire capped Tit, Chestnut–crowned Laughing Thrushes, White-throated Laughing Thrushes, Rufous-bellied Woodpeckers, and White-collared Blackbirds. We will have packed lunch in the forest. Evening return to Thimphu .
   Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.

Day 3: Thimphu-Gangtey(134Km/6hrs)

1. Gangtey
   6h
   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 Laughingthrush, Spotted Laughingthrush, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Red-headed Bullfinch, Scarlet Finch, White-tailed Nuthatch, etc.

Day 4: Phobjikha – Trongsa ( 87kms/ 3 hours)

1. Trongsa
   6h
   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 Laughingthrush, Crested Serpent Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Common Kestrel, Himalayan Griffon, Himalayan Swiftlet, Asian House Martin, Nepal House Martin, Common Rosefinch, Beatiful Rosefinch, White-browed Rosefinch, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Streaked-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Brown Parrotbill, Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler, and Speckled Wood Pigeon

Day 5: Trongsa-Bumthang(68Km/2-3Hrs)

1. 6h · Admission ticket included
   Bumthang is famous for sighting pheasants . We can visit Tharparling monastery for magnificent Himalayan Monal and Satyr Tragopan. You may sight Spot-winged Grosbeak, Daurian Redstart, Olive-backed Pipit, Oriental Skylark, Black-billed Magpie, etc.

Day 6: Bumthang – Sengor- Yotongla (10 hours)

1. 10h
   A short stretch of 26Km of broad leaved forest in eastern Bhutan, found between Sengor & Yonkola is considered by birders as "Birding Capital of The World".
   Sengor to Namling : The hemlock and cool broad leaf forest host of Tragopans, Bar-winged Wren Babbler and the fire tailed Myzornis.
   Namling to Yonkola: Cool Broad leaf forest hostssing over Thrumsingla pass at 3800m.The species you would encounter are Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Spotted Nutcracker, Fire-tailed Myzornis,
   Namling to Yongkhala: Cool and warm broad leaf forests host the yellow -rumped Honey Guide, Rufoused -Necked Hornbill,Laughing Thrush, Coral Billed Scimitar Babbler, ad the golden breasted Fulvetta.

Day 7: Explore Yongkola-Paradise For Birders

1. 10h
   In this area you will sight Rufous-necked Hornbil, Tawny Fish Owl, Ward’s Trogon, Red-headed Trogon, Rufous-throated Wren Babbler, Scaly-breasted 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 Laughingthrush, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Beautiful Nuthatch, White-tailed Nuthatch, Asian-barred Owlet, Short-billed Minivet, Rufous-necked Laughingthrush etc.

Day 8: Yongkola-Nganglam-Panbang(158/6Hrs)

1. 6h
   Today we will drive from Yotongla-Nganglam-Panbang. On the way we will come across various birds.

Day 9: Explore Panbang and Royal Manas National Park

1. The Royal Manas National Park
   6h · Admission ticket included
   Today we will raft 13Km from Panbang to Manas.On foot it might take few hours but the boat ride takes only thirty minutes. Many prefer boat rides to enjoy the scenic beauty and watch birds. You can explore the park through various activities like – bird watching, river rafting , picnicking along the river and walking through the Park’s Eco Trail.
   This place is a treasure house of around 365 bird species among which the Emerald Cuckoo, Spotted Wren-Babbler, White-bellied Heron, Pallas Fish Eagle, Wreathed Hornbill, Pied Hornbill, Great Indian Hornbill and Rufous-necked Hornbill are commonly visible.

Day 10: Panbang-Tingtibi

1. 8h · Admission ticket included
   We will drive from Panbang to Tingtibi. On the way you can witness a giant waterfall.
   We will stay at Tingtibi Eco lodge and later visit the village of Berit.
   Tingtibi is another hotspot for birds. You may spot Explore Tingtibi where you can 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 Laughingthrush, Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush, Straited Laughingthrush, White-crested Laughingthrush, Jungle Babbler, Golden Babbler, Grey-throated Babbler, Pin-striped Tit Babbler, Long-billed Wren Babbler, Eye-browed Wren Babbler and many more

Day 11: Tigtibi-Trongsa

1. Trongsa
   6h
   The species found in this area includes Spotted Laughingthrush, 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.
   If time permits we can also visit Trongsa Dzong Today

Day 12: Trongsa-Punakha(129Km/5hrs)

1. Chimi Lhakhang Temple
   1h · Admission ticket included
   We will visit Chimi Lhakhang today and learn the myths of Phallus

Day 13: Punakha

1. Punakha Dzong
   1h · Admission ticket included
   In the morning we will visit Punakha Dzong before heading to Jigme Dorji National Park
2. Jigme Dorji National Park
   6h · Admission ticket included
   After detouring Punakha Dzong, we will explore Mo Chu Valley & Rimchu to Jigme Dorji National Park. The warm broad leaf forest here are the habitat of the rare White-Bellied Heron, White -gorgetted Flycatcher and Yellow-vented Warbler

Day 14: Punakha-Paro(130Km/4-5hrs)

1. Paro
   6h
   Early morning we will drive to Paro.
   Later we can do some sightseeing
   
   Overnight at Hotel in Paro

Day 15: Paro to Chelela Pass

1. 1h
   Early in the morning drive to Chelela pass for pheasants: Kalij Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Blood Pheasant and Himalayan Monal. There is also chance of sighting the Fire-tailed Myzornis as well.
   We can have a picnic lunch today
   Evening Return to Paro

Day 16: Tiger Nest

1. Paro Taktsang
   5h · Admission ticket included
   Today we will hike to Tiger's Nest. It is a signature spot of Bhutan Tourism.
   After the hike you can relax by soaking yourself in hot stone bath.
   And later you can try some Bhutanese Beer at Namgay Artisinary Brewery

Day 17: Departure

1. Paro
   1h
   Our guide and driver will drop you to the Airport and bid your farewell

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels