Bhutan Birding Tour

Day 1: Paro to Thimphu

1. 30m · Admission ticket included
   Located on the other side of the river of the Thimphu - Paro highway, one needs to cross an iron chain suspension bridge to get to the Lhakhang
2. Thimphu
   Pass by
   Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital, occupies a valley in the country’s western interior. In addition to being the government seat, the city is known for its Buddhist sites. The massive Tashichho Dzong is a fortified monastery and government palace with gold-leaf roofs. The Memorial Chorten, a whitewashed structure with a gold spire, is a revered Buddhist shrine dedicated to Bhutan’s third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
3. 1h · Admission ticket included
   Tashichho Dzong has been the seat of the government since 1952 and presently houses the throne room and offices of the king, the secretariat and the ministries of home affairs and finance. Other government departments are housed in buildings nearby.

Day 2: Thimphu-punakha

1. 1h · Admission ticket included
   Driving from Thimphu to Punakha, there is a 3,150 m of a huge Pass called the Dochula Pass where you can easily spot different species of birds like the Fire-tailed Myzornis, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Rufous-breasted Bush Robin, Black-eared Shrike Babblers, Grey-winged Blackbird, and Gold-billed Magpie.
2. Royal Botanical Park, Lampelri
   1h · Admission ticket included
   The park is also a popular bird watching area and 46 avifauna species have been identified. Some of the rare species reported are monal pheasants and blood pheasants (Ithaginis cruentus). There are 21 animal species identified in the park which includes musk deer, tiger, leopard, red panda and the leopard cat.
3. Punakha Dzong
   1h · Admission ticket included
   visit the glorious Punakha Dzong and Punthang Dechen Phodrang which are a few top tourist sightseeing places in Punakha.
4. Punakha Suspension Bridge
   2h · Admission ticket included
   white bellied herons are found in the low elevation riparian habitat below 1700 m, particularly in the Punatsang Chhu (river) basin. About 30 individual birds are known within the river valley of Bhutan in the Punakha-Wangdiphodrang district in west central part of the country.

Day 3: Punakha-Tsirang forest

1. Tsirang District
   2h
   The Tsirang forest division of Bhutan has newly inaugurated the Pemachoeling Heritage Forest which is a welcoming route to paradise for bird lovers. Tourists in large numbers visit this lively place to explore birds such as the Rufous-necked Hornbill, Great Hornbill and much more.

Day 4: Tsirang-Galeyphu

1. Tsirang District
   Pass by
   Whole day birding in Tsirang and then to Galeyphu will take you to explore some distinct varieties of birds such as the Black-backed Forktail, Pied Falconet, Sultan Tit, Red-headed Trogon, Black Eagle, Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, Jungle Babbler, Grey-sided Laughing Thrush and much more.

Day 5: Galeyphu

1. Gelephu
   8h
   Galeyphu is the habitat to many bird species like the Large Hawk Cuckoo, Pied Falconet, Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, Jungle Babbler, Wreathed, Great Hornbill, Puff-throated Babbler, Indian Roller and much more. Your guide can help you know more about the place and birds.

Day 6: Galeyphu-Zhemgang

1. Gelephu
   Pass by
   On the way from Galeyphu-Zhemgang, you can witness other bird species like the Tesias, couples of Wren Babbler, Laughing Thrush, and Parrot bills etc. in the lower alleviation.

Day 7: Zhemgang sightseeing

1. 8h · Admission ticket included
   Zhemgang, formerly known as Shemgang is one of the 20 districts in Bhutan. About 86 percent of its area is covered by forests and preserving its natural ecosystem and wildlife. The protected areas such as the Jigme Singye Wangchuk and Thrumshingla National Park are the habitat of species like the necked Hornbill, White-browed Shrike Babblers, Minlas, Green Pigeons Cutia, White-tailed Nuthatch, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch & much more.

Day 8: Zhemgang to Trongsa

1. Trongsa
   Pass by
   On the trip to Trongsa, the above road climbs will take you through the forest of Silver Firs where you can spot the Gold-naped Finch. There is also the possibility to witnessing the elusive Fulvous Parrot bill. Besides these, during the entire trip, there are high chances to see the Steak-breasted Scimitar Babblers, Grey-bellied Tesia, Crested Buntings, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Common Kestrel, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babblers, White-browed Scimitar Babblers, Long-tailed Shrikes, Prinias, Rufous Woodpeckers, and Common Green Magpie.

Day 9: Trongsa to bumthang

1. Bumthang
   Pass by
   Some of the birds that are easy to come across in the biodiversity-flourishing region are White-bellied Heron and hornbills. While you commute to Bumthang, you are likely to get the chance to gaze at avian species like Hill Patridge, Daurian Redstart, Spot-winged Grosbeak, Oriental Skylark, and Common Sandpiper.

Day 10: Bumthang to mongar

1. Mongar
   Pass by
   Some of birds that are found are Satyr Tragopan, Spotted Nutcracker, Large Hawk Cuckoo, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Yellow billed Magpie, Chest Tailed Minla, Collard Blackbird, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Brown Bullfinch, Kalij pheasant, Blood Pheasant, Himalayan monal.

Day 11: Yongkala sightseeing-Mongar

1. Mongar
   Pass by
   They are Pallas's Fish Eagle, White bellied Heron, Satyr Tragopan, Grey bellied Tragopan, Ward's Trogaon, Blyth's King Fisher, rumped Honey Guide, Purple Cochoa, Rufous throated Wren Babbler, Red headed Parrot Bill, Chestnut breasted Partridge, Blyth's Trogon, Wood Snipe, Dark RumpedSwift,Rufous necked Hornbill, Grey ...

Day 12: Mongar -yongkala pass to trongsa

1. Trongsa
   Pass by
   Many of Bhutan's most sought-after birds can be found here including the Chestnut-breasted Partridge, Ward's Trogon, the majestic Rufous- necked Hornbill, Blue-naped Pitta, Blue-fronted Robin, and the Sikkim Wedge-billed, Long-billed and Bar-winged Wren-Babblers.

Day 13: Trongsa-phobjikha

1. Black Necked Crane Center
   Pass by
   This bird is often seen near Wangdi near spring. Often it will be spotted with Ospreys and Pied Avocet. Wintertime brings numerous species down to lower altitudes, including accentors, rose finches, grosbeaks, snow pigeons and pheasants such as the satyrtragopan, the Himalayan monal and the blood pheasant.

Day 14: Phobjikha-Thimphu

1. Thimphu
   Pass by
   Some of birds that are found are Satyr Tragopan, Spotted Nutcracker, Large Hawk Cuckoo, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Yellow billed Magpie, Chest Tailed Minla, Collard Blackbird, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Brown Bullfinch, Kalij pheasant, Blood Pheasant, Himalayan monal.

Day 15: Thimphu-paro

1. Pass by
   afternoon look for target water birds like Ibisbill, Black-tailed Crake, Solitary Snipe and Brown Dipper. There is also a likelihood of seeing ducks and other shorebirds along the river.

Day 16: Departure

1. Paro Airport Bird's Eye View Point
   Pass by
   After breakfast, continue till airport for drop

Pickup details

Outside of airport terminal

• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness