The enjoyable Bird Watching Tours in the picturesque Bhutan will run for 13 Nights and 14 Days. Some of the best tourist spots of Bhutan will be covered during this tour package. For instance, you will enjoy the scenic locales and finest tourist spots of Paro, Bhumthang, Trongsa, Sengor and Limithang Valley.
The stunning architecture of Paro Dzong which dates back to 1646 followed by National Museum tour, the oldest temple, Kyichu Lhakhang etc are few major attractions during the Bird Watching Tours. While drive towards Thimpu, you will enjoy the sights of Khalih Pheasants, White-browned Rose Finch, White Winged Grosbeak, Spotted nutcrackaer and many more. Our expert guide will make the Bird Watching Tours in Bhutan a memorable experience!
Tour Duration : 13 Nights / 14 Days
Places To Visit : Paro - Bhumthang - Trongsa - Sengor - Limithang Valley
Day 1: Arrival at Paro
It is the town that has Bhutan’s only International airport. You can fly into Paro International Airport from airports of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata or Bangalore. You can also come to Bhutan by road from Indian hill stations of Darjeeling, Gangtok and Kalimpong. On arrival, you will be greeted by a GHIJ representative who would arrange for your transfer to a hotel.While in Paro, visit the Paro Dzong, which was in 1646, today it houses government offices and religious institutions. While there, you can also tour the National Museum, which formerly was the watchtower for the Dzong. It now holds some of the finest collection of arts, paintings, thankas, statues and antiques. Next stop would be at Kyichu Lhakhang, it is one of the oldest temples in the country. Spend the evening strolling through the town and market of Paro. You may come across the Wallcreeper, a pair or two of Ibisbill, Brown Dipper, Hodgson’s, Plumbeous and White-capped Water-Redstarts around the river valley and nearby cliffs.
Day 2: Paro - Chele La Pass (56 kms)
On day 2 of your Bhutan bird watching tour, start early and drive to the Chele La Pass for a 56 km drive to Thimpu. Here you would be delighted to see the Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant and the mythical Satyr’s Tragopan. Have a hearty breakfast and start driving to Thimpu. En route, you would be able to see Kalij Pheasants, White-browed Rose Finch, White-winged Grosbeak, spotted nutcracker, white-browed Fulvetta, Rufous Sibia, Stripe-throated Yuhina, Brown Parrot Bills and a number of other Eurasian Warblers. Go on a short de-tour to the Thimpu down-town and you would be able to spot different species of goose along the river.Days 3: Chele La Pass - Dochu La Pass (23 kms)
Nothing can be more beautiful than watching the sun rise at Dochu La Pass, about 23 kms away. The tourists would simply love the pheasant species like Satyr's Tragopan as well as a host of mixed species that dwell in the cool jungles of the region. On way back to Punakha the visitors can find Golden Bush-Robin, Rufous-breasted Accentor, Grey Bushchat and Red-flanked Bluetail. Someone lucky among the group may even get to see Blue-winged, Red-tailed and Chestnut-tailed Minlas, Rufus-winged, White-browed and Nepal Fulvetta and Whiskered, Stripe-throated, Rufus-vented, Black-chinned and White-bellied Yuhinas apart from Barwings plus a good selection of Laughing Thrushes. Take some time off for lunch and then get ready for a short trip to the Divine Mad Man temple. Walk up to the banks of the Phochu River from there and have a look at the endangered Pallas’ Fish-Eagle and the world-renowned White-bellied Heron.Days 4: Dochu La Pass - Pele-la
Go out for an excursion today and visit the natural landscapes along the river and through forests to Pele-la, the pass which divides eastern and western Bhutan. A number of diverse habitats can be cited here along with many prospects for seeing an excellent range of species. Tourists may spot Cutia, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Great Barbet, Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler, Long-tailed Minivet, Fire-tailed Myzornis, White-throated Laughing Thrush, Ashy-throated Leaf Warbler and Ward’s Trogon in this region.Days 5: Pele-la
Another good day for bird watching with the English speaking guide provided by GHIJ. Tourists are generally amazed to see how rich this bird watching tour can be. However, apart from bird watching, you may get lucky enough to see the Himalayan Bear and Black Leopard. Don’t forget to look out for the Himalayan Monal, White-collared Blackbird, White-tailed Nuthatch & the Black-faced Laughing Thursh. While ferrying around in the forest area, you should look out for Dark Rosefinch, Rusty-flanked Treecreepers, Himalayan Greenfinch, Grey crested, Green-backed Tits, Common Buzzard, Mountain Hawk-Eagles, Steppe Eagle and the Himalayan Griffon. In the later part of the day, you can go to the town of Trongsa.Day 6: Pele-la - Black Mountain
We continue east into the region known as the Black Mountain NP, to Tingtibhi where we will spend the night. The path we take today passes through dense jungle containing a plethora of wildlife such as the Black-Eagle, Speckled Piculet, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Lesser Yellownape and Golden Langur’s. This entire region is rich in wildfire and has been declared as a protected area.
Day 7: Black Mountain
Start your day early and after breakfast, get out of the hotel to go to different birding points. Lunch is served at these birding points. The fruit trees at these points attract Golden-throated Barbets, Wedge-tailed and Pin-tailed Green-Pigeon and Scarlet Minivets. Make sure you visit these points to get a chance of coming across the Rufus-necked Hornbill.Day 8: Black Mountain - Trongsa
On the eighth day of our journey, we return to Trongsa today. However, even on the way, one can expect to find the beautiful species of the Mountain-Imperial Pigeon, Great-pied Hornbill, White-browed Piculet, Golden-throated Barbet, Nepal House-Martin, Laughing Thrushes, Fulvous-breasted, Grey-capped, Gray-headed Green Woodpeckers, White-throated, Greater Necklaced, Rufus-chinned, Blue-winged and Red-faced Liocichla.
Day 9: Trongsa - Bumthang (79 kms)
The nineth day of our journey includes a 79 kms drive to Bumthang. This valley is the abode of Beautiful Rosefinch, Spotted Laughing Thrush, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Ibisbill and Snow Pigeon. You can also find the Himalayan Black Bear here. Post lunch, explore the valley and the textile shops along with Jakar Dzong, monasteries, local brewery, and a stupa under which, according to the legends, lies the severed head of a Tibetan General who had once tried to invade this kingdom of Bhutan.
Day 10: Bumthang - Sengor (84 kms)
Start your day with a 84 kms drive towards Sengor. On our way, we will also visit a village located in the Ura valley. This valley is not only enchanting but it also has a huge variety of bird species. After spending some time in the village, we can go for a climb up to the Thrumsing La pass, which is the highest point of the journey, and then start on our to Sengor again.
Day 11 - 13: Sengor - Limithang Valley
The next 3 days in the Limithang Valley are the highlights of this tour. The vast expanse of forests, the tranquil villages and sluggish roads are frequented by several species of birds. On this trip, you will have a chance of seeing famous Bhutanese birds that may not be available elsewhere. You can also find opportunities to see the Collared Scops-Owl, Collared Owlet, Himalayan Swiftlet, Striated, Black-crested, White-cheeked, Red-vented, Ashy, Black and Mountain Bulbuls, Golden-breasted and Yellow-throated Fulvetta, Slender-billed Rusty-cheeked, Streak-breasted, and Coral-billed Scimitar-Babblers, Hill and Rufecent Prinia, Gray-headed Canary Flycatcher, Common Tailorbird, Bronzed, Lesser Racquet-tailed and Hair-crested Dorangos, and Scarlet Finch. Spend 3 nights in comfortable camps in this adventurous bird watching trip with camp-beds and sleeping bags provided.Day 14: Back to Paro
Having reached the east-most part of the Bhutan bird watching tour, begin to retrace our steps, back to western Bhutan, and reach the international airport with the assistance of a GHIJ representative and take the flight home.
