DAY 01: ARRIVAL PARO
Upon your arrival at Paro airport you’ll meet with our local tour guide and after a brief introduction transfer to your hotel. Soon after a short break, you’ll be led for a short introductory sightseeing in Paro Valley. Your whole day of cultural sightseeing includes a visit to Paro Rinpung Dzong, located on a small hillside above Paro town. This giant fort was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1646. Your next stop is the Ta Dzong or Watch Tower later established as the National Museum in 1967 and holds fascinating collections of arts, relics, religious painting,s and armor of the ancient warriors. The last stop of the day is Dumtse Lhakhang located just outside of Paro town. Tibetan saint Thongtong Gyelpo built it in 1421 and was built in the shape of a chorten. In the evening drive to your hotel.
DAY 02: CHELELA BIRD EXCURSION 3720 m 40 km 02 hr
Leaving early from the hotel you then drive to a cool crisp Chelela pass for your first day of introductory birding inside Bhutan. The past is surrounded by many beautiful trees like oak, fir, pine, juniper, and rhododendron forests, that are ablaze with blood red and pink blooms during April and May. The pass is considered home to many great birds including some of the most spectacular in the Himalayas. Along the pass, you’ll see birds like: -
Satyr Tragopan, Blood Pheasant, Himalayan Monal, Chestnut-breasted Partridge, Kalij Pheasant, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Himalayan white-browed Rosefinch, Redheaded Bullfinch, White-winged Grosbeaks, Plain Mountain Finch, Long-tailed Thrush, Rufous-breasted Accentor, Spotted Laughingthrush etc.
DAY 03: PARO – PUNAKHA 1350 m 142 km 03 hr
Early hotel check-out drive to the ancient capital Punakha. The drive takes you past Thimphu and then Dochula passes. If you’re lucky enjoy the panorama view of the eastern Himalayan mountain range from Dochula Pass. You’ll be doing a short birding trip on the eastern side of Dochula, along the packed horse trail through a rich forest of rhododendron, oak, and bamboo trees. You can spot several birds once you finally get down to the valley along Mochu Riverside. Some of the common species found here are: -
Spotted Laughingthrush, Fire-capped Tit, Yellow-bellied Flower Picker, Rufous-breasted Bush Robin, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Kalij Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Grey-winged Blackbird, White-collard Blackbird, Plain-backed Thrrush, Rusty-flanked Tree Creeper, Greenish Warbler, Great Barbet, Red-flanked Bluetail, Golden Bush Robin, White-browed Fulvitta, Rufous Sibia, Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird, Ashy-throated Warbler, Shot-billed Minivet, Rosy Pipit, Maroon Oriole, Blue-fronted Redstart, Crimson-breasted Woodpecker, Whiskered Yuhina, Green-tailed Sunbird, Hill Partridge, Collared Owlet, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Red-vented Bulbul, Common Mynah, Oriental Turtle Dove, Eurasian Hoopoe, Russet Sparrow, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, White-throated Laughingthrush, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Rufous-winged Fulvetta, White-browed Fulvetta, Black Bulbul, White-napped Yuhina, Common Merganser, Ibisbill and Palla’s Fish Eagle, etc.
DAY 04: PHOCHU & MOCHU RIVER VALLEY
Today you’ll search for birds along the Phochu and Mochu River valleys. The warm broadleaved forest and the riversides are prime habitats for many great birds including some of the endemic in the world. The targeted bird is the critically endangered White-bellied Heron. Other species you’re likely to see are: -
Himalayan Tree Pie, Black-chinned Yuhina, Grey Heron, Ibisbill, Little Heron, Great Cormorant, Indian Cormorant, Little Cormorant, Little Grebe, River Lapwing, Northern Lapwing, Little-ringed Plover, Bar-headed Goose, Ruddy Shelduck, Eurasian Wigeon, Spot-billed Duck, Pied woodpecker, White-breasted Kingfisher, Red-breasted Rosefinch, Blacked-chinned Yuhina, Yellow-vented Warbler etc.
DAY 05: PUNAKHA – TSIRANG 1200 km 03 hr
The critically endangered White-bellied Heron, which is almost on the brink of extinction, has found itself befitting adobe along Punatshangchu and Sunkosh River. Almost 8 nesting sites have been spotted along the pine forest and lofty flowing riverside. The region's sub-tropical forests are less explored and have abundant and less disturbed species. White-bellied Heron will be the target species and along with this critically endangered species, other birds you’re likely to spot are: -
Rufous-necked Hornbill, Great Hornbill, Oriental dwarf Kingfisher, Bar-headed goose, Eurasian Wigeon, Crested Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Common Kingfisher, Ruddy Shelduck, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Grey Heron, Ibisbill, Little Heron, Great Cormorant, Indian Cormorant, Little Cormorant, Little Grebe, River Lapwing, Northern Lapwing, Little-ringed plover etc.
DAY 06: TSIRANG – GELEPHU 620 m 94 km 03 hr
The forest between Tsirang and Gelephu has a good measure of undisturbed forest and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to encounter some of the known and undisturbed birds of the sub-tropical lowland forest. The habitats here are home to some of the rare bird species like: -
Beautiful Nuthatch, Pied Falconet, Jungle Babbler, Large Hawk Cuckoo, Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, Great Hornbill, Puff-throated Babbler, Indian Roller, Long-tailed Sibia, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Blue-winged Laughingthrush, Common Green Magpie, Silver eared Mesia, Indian Peafowl, etc.
DAY 07: BIRDING IN GELEPHU
Today you’ll spend a full day birding in the lowland areas of Gelephu. The surrounding areas offer many great bird species including: -
Black Kite, House Sparrow, Jungle Babbler, Silver-eared Mesia, Oriential white-eye, Red-vented Bulbul, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Wallcreeper, Plumbous water Redstart, Ashy wood Swallow, Grey-headed Lapwing, Grey Heron, Little Heron, Steppe Eagle, Oriental-honey Buzzard, Red-headed Vulture, Black Eagle, Red-wattled Lapwing, Pine-tailed Green Pigeon, Red-breasted Parakeet, Blyth’s Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Great Hornbill, Yellow-rumped Hornbill, Great Barbet, Lineated Barbet, Blue-throated Barbet, Golden-throated Barbet, Rufous Woodpecker, Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Ruddy Shelduck, Indian Peaflow etc.
DAY 08: GELEPHU – TINGTIBI 1100 m 89 km 02 hr
The surrounding region along the lowland evergreen forest along the main road with deciduous thickets and patches of bamboo supports some colorful and legendary bird species including: -
Rufous-throated Partridge, Pin-tailed Pigeons, Barred Cuckoo-Dove, Red-headed Trogon, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Rufous-faced and Yellow-bellied Warblers, Lesser Necklaced, Blue-winged Laughingthrushes, Spotted Elachura, Grey-throated Babbler, Nepal Fulvetta, Long-tailed Broadbill, Speckled Piculet, Bay Woodpecker, Black and yellow Sultan Tit, Banded Bay Cuckoo, Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo, Pale-billed Parrotbill, Whitehooded Babbler etc.
DAY 09: BIRTI HERON HIKE
We suggest you make an early start. Birti is a beautiful valley dominated by tropical forests of broadleaved and evergreen jungles interspersed with some of the fertile terrace cultivation. Along the trail through Mangdue Chu River basin, you’ll see the critically endangered White-bellied Heron. Other bird species you’re likely to spot are: -
Rufous-necked Hornbill, Great Hornbill, Wreathed hornbill, Crested Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher, Great barbet, Blue-throated Barbet, Yellow-breasted Greenfinch, Streak Spider Hunter, green-tailed Sunbird, Golden babbler, Palla’s Fish Eagle, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Bay Woodpecker, Speckled Piculet, Red-jungle Fowl, White-crested Laughingthrush etc.
DAY 10: PANBANG HERON HIKE
Pnabang is the last end region of Zhemgang saddled on the confluence of two giant rivers – Mangdue Chu River and Dangme Chu River. The surrounding area supports the well-known habitat for spotting the globally endangered White-bellied Heron. Other bird species you regularly encountered for the past few days can be spotted along with other new species added to your list. Commonly spotted species you’re likely to sight in this area are: -
Rufous-necked Hornbill, Great Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Crested Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher, Great barbet, Blue-throated Barbet, Yellow-breasted Greenfinch, Streak Spider Hunter, Green-tailed Sunbird, Golden Babbler, Palla’s fish Eagle, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Bay Woodpecker, Speckled Piculet, Red-jungle Fowl, White-crested Laughingthrush, Long-tailed Sibia, Rufous-necked Laughingthrush etc.
DAY 11: PANBANG HERON HALT
Today you’ll enjoy the full-day birding trip in the region's forest and through the river continually sighting the critically endangered White-bellied Heron. You’ll also come across several common species that you enjoyed seeing for the past few days. Along with your birding trip, you can opt for an elephant safari through Royal Manas National Park at an extra cost.
DAY 12: PANBANG – GELEPHU 620 m 174 km 05 hr
Soon after your leisurely breakfast in the Guesthouse you then drive back to Gelephu following the same road. You can make a brief stop along the way in case if you have sighted any new species. Some of the birds you’ll continue to enjoy 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 13: GELEPHU (EXIT BHUTAN)
After your leisurely breakfast in the hotel drive to the immigration office to complete your exit formalities and then depart to your onward destination. Here you bid adieu to your helpful Bhutanese tourist guide. Here our Indian counterpart will pick you up and drive you to your onward destination.
