DAY 01: GUWAHATI – S/JONGKHAR
Today at your arrival at Guwahati airport, our representative from India will pick you up from the airport and drive to Samdrup Jongkhar the eastern end bordering town of Bhutan. Reaching the border complete the immigration and customs formalities you will bid adieu to your one-day helpful guide from India, you then finally get into Bhutan. Upon your early arrival in Samdrup Jongkhar, we will lead you around for your introductory birding through the dominating tropical jungles of broad-leaf evergreen forest with some fertile terraced fields and through the town areas. The locally common birds likethe Blue-throated, Chestnut-tailed Starling, Indian Pond Heron, Ashy Woodswallow, Lineated Barbet, Blue-bearded Bee- Eater, and so on.
DAY 02: SAMDRUP JONGKHAR – MORANG
Morang lies at an elevation of 4650ft/1418m. The sub-tropical evergreen broad-leaf forest and terrace of cultivated fields provide many bird species including some of the globally threatened birds. Birds found the surrounding area are Wreathed Hornbill, Great Hornbills, Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Grey-Capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Common Iora, Rufescent Prinia, Beautiful Red-And-Black Scarlet Minivet, Beautiful Nuthatch, Black-Faced Warbler, Grey-Headed Canary-Fly Catcher, Black-Throated Bushtit, Striated Laughing Thrust, Long-Tailed Sibia, Blue Whistling Thrushes, Green Back Tits, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler, Chestnut-tailed Minlas, Orange-billed Leaf bird, Rusty-fronted Barwings, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Bush Wablers and many more.
DAY 03: MORANG BIRDING
Today you will be birding around the Morang area. You will spot several lowland species through forested foothills till you reach your campsite at Morang. The surrounding broad-leaved forest provides home to different bird species including Beautiful Nuthatch, Black_Faced Warbler, Grey-Headed Canary-Fly Catcher, Black-Throated Bushtit, Striated Laughing Thrust, Long-Tailed Sibia, Silver-Earned Leiothrix and Refous-Necked Hornbill, Great Hornbills, Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Tiny Grey-Capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Common Iora, Black-Crested and so on.
DAY 04: MORANG – TRASHIGANG
Today you drive to Tashigang. Tashigang is one of the most densely populated districts in the entire eastern Bhutan. Your drive takes you through the lofty forest and rhododendron-filled valley. Several stops will be made along the way to spot for birding and some species you are likely to encounter are Ward’s Trogon, Highly Nomadic Golden-Naped Finch, Scarce White-Spectacled Warbler, Rufouswinged Fulvetta, Exquisite Green-Tailed Sunbird, Yellow-Cheeked And Yellow-Browed Tits, Yellow- Rumped Honey Guide, Wall Creeper, White-Tailed Nuthatch and Fire-Breasted Flower Pecker, Himalayan Vulture, Migratory White-Throated Needle Tail and White Throated Laughing Thrush are the species that can be seen.
DAY 05: TRASHIGANG – MONGAR
Early morning check out, drive to Mongar on your way you will encounter some of the birds like Himalayan Bulbul, Striated Prinia, Blue-Capped Rock Thrush, Hodgson’s Red Start, and White-Crested Laughing Thrush. Your drive takes you through some of the breathtaking landscapes and stunning vistas. The road hugs the tight contours of steep tree-covered mountain slopes and ascends sharply to Kori La Pass at 7800ft/2378m. The pass is marked by gaily fluttering prayer flags and a prayer wheel. Pass through the lofty Kori La you then enter the forest of rhododendrons and several other altitude species plants. There are chances of spotting Darjeeling Woodpecker, Chestnut-Crowned Laughing Thrush, Dazzling Green-Tailed Sun Bird, migrant Blue Rock Thrush, Grey-Winged Black Bird, Striking Yellow-Billed Blue Magpie, etc.
DAY 06: MONGAR – LIMITHANG
From Mongar, you will drop for almost 600m downhill till you reach the open field which gives you a measurable time for birding. Lingmethang is rightfully known for birding and today it is considered one of the best birding sites in all of Asia since the area offers an endless tract of pristine broadleaved and coniferous forest that spans across a vast altitude provides fascinating spots for bird habitats. Your multiple days of birding will fall under the protected Thrumshingla National Park where you will go and search for the birds and their habitats in this splendid avian diversity. You are also likely to see several of Asia’s most sought-after birds and two of our main targets, the beautiful but rare Ward’s Trogon and the incomparable and endangered Rufous-necked Hornbill.
DAY 07: LIMITHANG BIRDING
Lingmethang surrounding is rightfully known for birding and today it is considered one of the best birding sites in all of Asia since the area offers endless tracts of pristine broadleaved and coniferous forest that span across vast altitude ranges that provide a fascinating spot for birds' habitats and opportunity for birders. All three days of birding will fall under the protected Thrumshingla National Park where we will go and search for the birds and their habitats in this splendid avian diversity. You will also encounter several mammals. You are likely to encounter the rare Ward’s Trogon, Broad-billed Warbler, Spotted Wren Babbler, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Great Rufous-headed Parrotbill, and Yellow-Throated Fulvetta. The additional bird species you can further search and find are - flocks of busy Greater Rufous-headed and Black-Throated Parrotbills, Golden-Breasted, and Yellow-Throated Fulvetta, and so on.
DAY 08: LIMITHANG – YONGKOLA
As you drive to Yongkola camp, bird lovers and ornithologists will surely have an abundant list of bird en en-route. Your drive takes you from chir pine vegetation zones to warm-broadleaved forests. Birding en route you will come across Rufous-breasted Bush Robin, Yellow-browed Tit, Spotted Wren Babbler, Great Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Great Hornbill, Yellow-Throated Fulvetta, Striated Laughingthrush, White-throated Laughingthrush, Broad-billed Warbler, White-crested Laughingthrush, Beautiful Nuthatch, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Wedge-billed Wren Babbler, Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler, Verditer Flycatcher, White-napped Yuhina, Hume’s Warbler, Slander-billed Scimitar Babbler, Tickell’s Leaf Warbler and Spotted Dove, etc.
DAY 09: YONGKOLA
Lingmethang surrounding is rightfully known for birding and today it is considered one of the best birding sites in all of Asia since the area offers endless tracts of pristine broadleaved and coniferous forest that spans across vast altitude ranges which provides fascinating spots for birds’ habitats and opportunity for birders. Birds found are Yellow-Rumped Honey Guide, Ward’s Trogon, Long-billed Thrush, Rufous-breasted Bush Robin, Blue-fronted Robin, Spotted Wren Babbler, Blue-napped Pitta, Yellow-vented Warbler, Purple Cochoa, Slander-billed Scimitar Babbler, Rufous-throated Wren Babbler, Beautiful Nuthatch, Rufous-necked Hornbill and Black-headed Shrike Babbler. Other species found are flocks of busy Greater Rufousheaded and Black-Throated Parrotbills, Golden-Breasted and so on.
DAY 10: YONGKOLA – SENGOR
Drive to Sengor and bird along the road through cool broadleaved forest. One can find birds such as Satyr Tragopan, Chestnut-Breasted Partridge, mountain Scops Owl, Hill Partridge, Yellow-Rumped Honey Guide, Ward’s Trogon, Golden Babbler, Black-headed Shrike Babbler, Rufous-Throated Wren Babbler, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Honey-throated Barwing, Striated Laughingthrush, Yellow-Vented Warbler, Blue-fronted Robin, Yellow-Throated Fulvetta, Rufous-Winged Fulvitta, Rufous-breasted Bush Robin, Stripe-Throated Yuhina, Grey Bushchat, Green-Tailed Sunbird, Long-billed Thrush, Broad-billed Warbler, Rufous-throated Wren Babbler, Blue-napped Pitta, Lemon-Rumped Warbler, Purple Cochoa and Pigmy Wren Babbler etc.
DAY 11: SENGOR BIRDING
Today you will be birding around Sengor and Thrumshingla Pass. The fir and hemlock forest with rhododendron and bamboo of the surrounding areas were found to be home to the rich diversity of high altitude birds supporting species like Satyr Tragopan, Mountain Scops Owl, Hill Partridge, Chestnut-Breasted Partridge, Yellow-Rumped Honey Guide, Ward’s Trogon, Golden Babbler, Rufous-Throated Wren Babbler, Darjeeling Woodpecker, White-Throated Laughingthrush, Striated Laughingthrush, Yellow-Vented Warbler, Yellow-Throated Fulvetta, Rufous-Winged Fulvitta, Grey Treepie, Stripe-Throated Yuhina, Grey Bushchat, Green-Tailed Sunbird, White-Napped Yuhina, Collard Owlet, Rufous-Capped Babbler, White-Capped Water Redstart, Lemon-Rumped Warbler, House Sparrow, Black Bulbul, Red-Vented Bulbul and Pigmy Wren Babbler etc.
DAY 12: SENGOR CAMP – BUMTHANG
After your morning breakfast in the camp head to Bumthang through the birding surrounding the slope of Thrumsingla National Park. You will encounter Satyr Tragopan, Great Parrot Bill, Fulvous Parrot Bill, Red-Billed Chough, Chestnut-breasted Partridge, Russet Sparrow, Plain Mountain Finch, Fird-Tailed Sun Bird, Fire-Tailed Myzornis, Gray-Crested and Rufous-Vented Tits. Additional species you are likely to encounter are Himalayan Blue Tail, White Browned Bush Robin, nomadic Rusous-Breasted Bush Robin, White-Colared Black Bird, Rufouse-Gorgeted Fly Catcher, Eurasian Wren, Dark-Rumped, Dark-Breasted, Common Rose Finches, Olive-Backed Pipit and Snow Pigeon. The drive takes you through some of the stunning landscapes, and settlements and if the weather is clear, the panoramic view of Mt. Gangkar Puensum can be visible.
DAY 13: BUMTHANG – TRONGSA
Today after having taken the sights of Bumthang your journey leads you to Trongsa (6800ft/2074m) crossing numerous small villages like Chumey and Geytsa. En route you will encounter several birds that inhabit the mountain forest undergrowth at Yotongla (11000ft/3345m) including along Brown Parrot-bill, Himalayan Rosefinch, Eurasian Sparrow hawk, Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Bush Robis, Bizza, Spotted Black-faced Laughing Thrush, Alpine Accentor, and White-winged Grosbeak. Upon your arrival at Trongsa check in to your hotel and after sa hort break drive to visit the impressive Trongsa Dzong. It was built in 1647 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and in recent years it played a pivotal role in the history of the country. After the dzong, you can also visit the Ta Dzong or watch tower.
DAY 14: TRONGSA – TINGTIBI
Tingtibi is one of the bird-rich paradises in the south-central Bhutan. It has much beautiful and undisturbed forest supporting diverse species of birds. The valley stretches between the streamside lowland forest and a deciduous thick valley that grows rich bamboo supporting extremely diverse species of birds. You will come across Yellow-browed Tit, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Great Hornbill, Striated Prinia, Striated Laughingthrush, White-throated Laughingthrush, White-crested Laughingthrush, Beautiful Nuthatch, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler, Verditer Flycatcher, Lemon-rumped Warbler, Hume’s Warbler, Tickell’s Leaf Warbler, Crested Bunting, House Swift, Common Kestrel, and Spotted Dov,e etc.
DAY 15: TINGTIBI BIRTI EXCURSION
The warm sub-tropical broadleaved forest around and along Birti was found to be especially rich in bird species and numbers. Here you can see birds such as White-bellied Heron, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Great Hornbill, Palla’s Fish Eagle, Rusty-checked Scrimitar Babbler, Rufous-necked Laughingthrush, Yellow-bellied Fantail, Red Jungle Fowl, Spotted Forktail, Crested Kingfisher, white-throated Kingfisher, Great Barbet, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Blue-throated Barbet, Yellow-breasted Green Finch, White-crested Laughingthrush, White-throated Laughingthrush, Streak Spider Hunter, Green-tailed Sunbird, Long-tailed Sibia, Golden Babbler, Black-chinned Yuhina, Chestnut-tailed Minla, Rusty-fronted Barwing, and many other interesting birds.
DAY 16: TINGTIBI – PANBANG
This morning you will start your day a little early. This morning you will descend through broadleaf forest and thick undergrowths. The drive takes you through Pangtang located on the right bank of the Manas River with views of Manas River and glimpses of settlements which is typical of lower Kheng. Continue your driving and birding through sub-tropical broadleaved forest. Along the road, one can find birds like Great Hornbill, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, White-bellied Heron, Beautiful Nuthatch, Sultan Tit, Mountain Tailorbird, Hume’s Warbler, Rusty-checked Scimitar Babbler, Striated Laughingthrush, Bhutan Laughingthrush, Lion-tailed Sibia, Scaly Laughingthrush, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Spotted Forktail and many other common and rare birds.
DAY 17: PANBANG WILDLIFE VIEWING
This morning you will start your day a little early and move to Elephant boarding point for your first jungle ride through RMNP. The elephant safari is the best way to view wildlife from a very close site. The park is one of the most environmentally conscious parks in the country. This protection has allowed birds and wildlife to continue to flourish and it is renowned amongst many birdwatchers and wildlife photographers worldwide. With easy trails, comfortable climate and easy access to great birding and wildlife habitats make RMNP a very special place to explore the wildlife in abundance. The park provides a safe haven for about 59 species of mammals. If you are lucky you can sight goral, capped langur, etc. Chances of spotting the royal Bengal Tiger, Assam Roofed Turtle, Hispid Hare, and Pygmy Hog are rare.
DAY 18: PANBANG – GELEPHU
Today you will drive back to Gelephu by following the same road. You can stop en route for birding. Birds found are – Ward’s Trogon, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Beautiful Nuthatch, Great Hornbill, Grey Bushchat, Crested Bunting, Sultan Tit, Yellow-checked Tit, Red-vented Bulbul, Black Bulbul, Straited Prinia, Hill Prinia, Mountain Tailorbird, Hum’s Warbler, Sultan Tit, White-crested Laughingthrush, Rusty-checked Scimitar Babbler, Straited Laughingthrush, Scaly Laughingthrush, Bhutan Laughingthrush, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler and Stripe-throated Yuhina etc.
DAY 19: GELEPHU (EXIT BHUTAN)
After your leisurely breakfast in the hotel drive to the immigration office and after completing the exit formalities depart to your onward destination. Here you bid adieu to your helpful Bhutanese tourist guide and driver and proceed to your onward destination.
