BHUTAN BIRDING
Explore the enchanting realm of Bhutan, often hailed as the birding paradise of the world, on an immersive bird-watching tour. Traverse the picturesque landscapes of this tiny Himalayan kingdom, venturing through dense wooded forests, traversing mountain passes, and admiring panoramic vistas of green-carpeted valleys. Along the way, encounter a diverse array of exquisite avian species, from the elusive to the brightly colored, making Bhutan a haven for bird enthusiasts. Delve deeper into Bhutanese culture and traditions, woven intricately into the fabric of daily life, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience the vibrancy of this ancient land. Immerse yourself in the Bhutanese way of life as you interact with locals, partake in traditional customs, and witness age-old beliefs in action. This bird-watching tour promises not only unparalleled encounters with some of the world’s most beautiful birds but also a profound exploration of Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or a nature enthusiast, this journey through Bhutan’s pristine wilderness and vibrant traditions guarantees an unforgettable experience that will leave you enchanted and inspired.
Trip Details
Embark on an immersive bird-watching tour in Bhutan, hailed as the birding paradise of the world. Traverse picturesque landscapes, dense forests, and mountain passes while encountering a diverse array of exquisite avian species. Delve into Bhutanese culture and traditions for an unforgettable journey through pristine wilderness and vibrant traditions, leaving you enchanted and inspired.
Duration
15 Days 14 Nights
Group Size
Minimum 03 Members
Trip Type
Walking, Birding, Photography and Culture Trip
Include
The tour prices cover a multitude of benefits, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience. Included are accommodations in premium hotels, ensuring comfort and luxury throughout your stay. Transportation is provided for the entire itinerary, allowing you to travel with ease and convenience. Meals featuring authentic local cuisine are included, giving you a taste of the region’s culinary delights. Additionally, entrance fees to select sites are covered, eliminating the hassle of purchasing tickets. The expertise of knowledgeable guides is also provided, enhancing your understanding and appreciation of each location you visit. This comprehensive package ensures a worry-free and memorable journey.
- Rate inclusive of all three meals both local and continental healthy cuisine.
- Rate inclusive of all accommodation [three-star hotels with double/twin sharing basis]
- Rate inclusive of air-conditioned tourist standard transportation.
- Rate inclusive of local tour English-speaking licensed guide on all your sightseeing tours.
- Rate inclusive of extensive choices of flexible comprehensive tour itineraries.
- Rate inclusive of Bhutan Government Royalty fees of $ 100 per person per nights.
- Rate inclusive of all entry fees, museum fees and historical attraction fees.
- Rate inclusive of all applicable taxes – BST 10%, Service Charge 10%
- Rate inclusive of one-time visa fee of USD 40.
- Rate inclusive of airport arrival and departure transfer in Bhutan.
- Rate inclusive of arrival refreshments.
- Rate inclusive of one bottle mineral water each a day.
- Rate inclusive of a small farewell gift on the day of departure.
- Rate inclusive of one-time cultural program for group exceedingly above 7 members.
Exclude
Regrettably, certain elements are not encompassed in our Bhutan packages, necessitating clients to cover additional expenses independently. These include international airfare, which clients need to arrange on their own, and travel insurance, which is essential for covering any unforeseen incidents. Personal expenditures such as souvenirs, extra meals, and other incidental costs are also not included. Additionally, entrance fees to specific attractions are not covered, requiring clients to pay these separately. Clients must ensure they are prepared to bear these costs beyond the package provisions to ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel experience.
- Rate does not include incoming & outgoing Bhutan airfares and airport taxes.
- Rate does not include drinks and alcohols and non- alcoholic beverage.
- Rate does not include guides speaking language other than English.
- Rate does not include expenses of personal nature like tipping, laundry, potter, telephone/fax calls, camera/video camera fee at monuments, medical expenses, any insurance etc
- Rate does not include extra expenses or loss due to nature and un-foreseen events beyond the control of our management.
- Rate does not include any service outside Bhutan.
- Rate does not include onetime bank transfer charge of USD 45.
- Rate does not include tipping to guide, driver etc.
ITINERARY OVERVIEW
Journey where sacred and sublime seamlessly intertwine, immersing you in its rich cultural tapestry and breathtaking natural landscapes.
Fly to Paro.
The in-flight to Bhutan offers breathtaking scenery of the Himalayan Mountain
Ranges including the world’s highest peat Mt. Everest and Kanchenjunga. Arrival
Paro airport our local tour representative will welcome you with a traditional
reception. Following the pick-up, drive to your hotel. Rest day at leisure.
Distance: 40Kms
Time: 02Hrs
Elevation: 3720m
After your early morning breakfast, drive to Chelela Pass (3720m) for your first day introductory birding trip in the Himalaya. The drive takes you through some of
the spectacularly lovely forest of pines, oak and rhododendrons that are ablaze
during the months of April and May. The surrounding pass is one of the prime destinations in Bhutan for locating and photographing some of the game birds including Himalayan Monal, Blood and Kalij Pheasants, Satyr Tragopan and Snow Partridge. Along with this group of Pheasants you are likely to unfold diverse species of other birds including the Darjeeling Woodpecker, Himalayan White-browed
Rose-finch, bright Redheaded Bullfinch, Collared and White-winged Grosbeaks,
high-flying Plain Mountain Finch and the warbler-like Goldcrest etc.
Distance: 40Min
Time: 01Hrs
Elevation: 2600m
There is a domestic flight to Bumthang from Paro international airport. In the morning after your leisurely breakfast in the hotel drive to Paro airport and depart to Bumthang. On arrival at Bumthang our guide and driver will pick you up and lead you to your hotel. Your cultural sightseeing in Bumthang includes a visit to Jakar Dzong, Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, Tamshing Lhakhang and Kenchosum Lhakhang. In the evening, take a leisurely walk around the town area.
Distance: 13Kms
Time: 01Hrs
Elevation: 2725m
After your leisurely breakfast in the hotel drive to Tang Kizom. Your drive takes you past the popular burning lake. Locally it was believed that in the 15th century Terton Pema Lingpa first discover the sacred treasure hidden by Guru Padmasambhava. After the lake drive to Tang, one of the beautiful open valleys in Bumthang. On your arrival check in to Ogyencholing Palace guest house. This beautiful historical building dated back to the 16th century and was later restored in 19th century. It is a privately owned building and now restored into museum depicting the life of Bhutanese nobility and served as retreat for those engaged in religious studies.
Distance: 17Kms
Time: 07Hrs
Elevation: 3356m
After your early morning breakfast your birding trek starts with an easy uphill ascent. You will pass a waid clear river with beautiful boulders in it. Along the side of the river is located the sacred temple build on a rock face popularly known as Kuenzang Drak, billed as a meditation center for Terton Pema Lingpa. Your treks gradually ascend from alpine forest and enter a cool broadleaved forest of fir, juniper, rhododendron, and bamboos that support rare bird species and specialties including Chestnut-breasted Partridge, Satyr Tragopan, Himalaya Monal, Blood Pheasants, Broad-billed Warbler, Slender-billed Scrimitar Babblers, and Wedged-billed Wren Babbler etc.
Distance: 11Kms
Time: 08Hrs
Elevation: 3395m
Today you will make around eight hours walk through fir and rhododendron forest. In the morning the trek climbs uphill following the Rodungla Trek for around three hours till you reach Namgay Phok. En route you will encounter Blood Pheasant and Satyr Tragopan. There is also a high chance of seeing Musk Deer. After Namgang Phok you will ascend for another 4 hours to Phokpey campsite with its beautiful view of the surrounding landscape. On the west side of your campsite is the lonely Phokpey Lhakhang in the thick jungle. You will have a great chance to spot several high-altitude birds including the pheasant family that we are after.
Distance: 10Kms
Time: 08Hrs
Elevation: 3265m
Today you have a total journey of ten kilometers and takes around eight walking hours. Your trek in the morning begins with an easy uphill climb until you reach the top of Simila at 4040m. The top offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape. If the weather is clear, you can also catch the glimpses of snowcapped peaks including Jomolhari and Gangkar Puensum – the tallest peak of Bhutan. The targeted birds found are Satyr Tragopan, Blood Pheasant, Himalayan Monal, Snow Partridge, Tibetan Partridge and Blyth’s Tragopan, chances of seeing all are rare, however you will somehow get something to take back home.
Distance: 09Kms
Time: 05Hrs
Elevation: 3270m
Today your trail continues through rich forest of rhododendrons species until you reach Phurshila. Some of the well-known rhododendron shrubs in the area are impeditum, hyperythrum, hippophaeodies, groenlandicum, erosum, bureavii, arboretum and spinuliferum. On arrival at the top, you can also see the homes of sages, where ladies of Ura come to conduct prayer for the peace of the world. If the weather is clear one can also see Tawang district if India along with Mt. Gangkar Puensum, Jomolhari, Masagang, Bretengla, Sontrang, Pangkhar and Shingkhar village. A total of 2 hours downhill walk takes you to Wangla campsite. You will spot birds like Satyr Tragopan, Blood Pheasant, Himalayan Monal, Snow Partridge, Blyth’s Tragopan, Chestnut-breasted Partridge, Waged-billed Wren Babbler, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Mountain Finch, White-browed Bush Robin, and Snow Pigeon etc.
Distance: 10Kms
Time: 05Hrs
Elevation: 3454m
Today your beautiful bird trek ends here at Gayzam Chhu. In the morning your walk takes you uphill climb through Wangla pass. From the pass the walk gradually descends to Gayzam Chu through rich forest of silver fir, hemlock, bamboos and Junipers. The trail offers many great birds including Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Himalayan Monal, and Chestnut breasted partridge which are some of the highlights of this trek. You will also get a chance to spot musk deer and red panda. Chances of seeing snow leopard and Tigers are rare.
Distance: 20Kms
Time: 01Hrs
Elevation: 2360m
Today after your morning breakfast in the park guest house, drive to Sengor which is only 20km away from the Gayzam Chu. The surrounding area of Thrumshingla and Sengor falls directly under Thrumshingla National Park. It is one of the best birding spots in Asia. As permanent features of birdwatchers, the surrounding area harbor more than 341 species of birds including the globally threatened birds like rufous-necked hornbill, blood pheasant, wood snipe, nuthatch, blue-napped pitta, brown wood owl, booted eagle, flycatcher, and black-headed shrike babbler etc. Along with its rich diversity of bird’s species the area is also famed for several mammals including red panda, Malayan giant squirrel, leopard and tigers.
Distance: 22Kms
Time: 01Hrs
Elevation: 1700m
After your early morning breakfast drive along the highway to Yongkola. Birding through semi-tropical broadleaved forest. You will cross Namling and a ‘must do’ stop at Namling Drag waterfall, as this is the best place to view the water fall as it explodes off the mountain side and crashes down into the gorge. You will be birding en-route Namling and Yongkola and experience incredible birds. Some of the species found are rufous-necked hornbill, laughingthrush, Bhutan laughingthrush, barn swallow, hill prinia, little bunting, white-throated laughingthrush, pygmy blue flycatcher, blue throated flycatcher, green magpie, wallcreeper, black-faced laughingthrush and bonelli’s eagle etc.
Distance: 104Kms
Time: 06Hrs
Elevation: 2600m
Today you will drive all the way back to Bumthang. There is not much to see and do during your day. Arrival Bumthang check in to your hotel and rest day at leisure.
Distance: 40Min
Time: 01Hrs
Elevation: 2250m
In the morning after your leisurely breakfast in the hotel drive to Bumthang airport and depart to Paro. On arrival in Paro our guide and driver will pick you up and lead you to your hotel.
Distance: 03Kms
Time: 04Hrs
Elevation: 3140m
After your breakfast in the hotel drive further north of Paro and take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery, which is Bhutan’s most famous monastery. Legends say that Guru Padsambhava came here flying on the back of tigress and meditated at the place where now monastery stands. Taktsang or Tiger Nest was severely damaged by fire, which took place in April 1998, and now it has been restored to its original splendor. In the evening, visit Kyichu temple built by King Tsongchen Gyampo in the 7th century. This is one of the oldest temples in the country. In the evening stroll around downtown Paro.
Distance: 03Kms
Time: 30Min
Elevation: 2250m
After your leisurely breakfast in the hotel drive to Paro airport and depart for your onward destination. Here you bid adieu to your helpful Bhutanese tourist guide and driver and proceed to your onward destination.
BOOK THIS TRIP NOW
If you’re pleased with the itinerary, seize the opportunity and book now to revel in the divine beauty of Bhutan.