Itinerary

DAY 1: DELHI/CALCUTTA TO GUWAHATI & SAMDRUP JONGKHAR

Our tour will start with a flight from Delhi or Calcutta to Guwahati (India). We will meet our driver and from here, drive north to Samdrup Jongkhar. Along the drive, we will keep an eye out for the rare Lesser and Greater adjutants, and White-throated Kingfisher. We will cross the border at Samdrup Jongkar into Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon! After meeting our local guide, we can spend some time birding around the area, where we can look for Indian and Chinese pond-herons, Little Heron, Asian Pied Starling, Rose-ringed and Alexandrine parakeets, Oriental Magpie-Robin, Yellow-footed Green-Pigeon, Asian Green Bee-eater, and with a bit of luck, the very rarely seen Blyth’s Kingfisher, and Black-backed Forktail. Overnight in Samdrup Jongkhar.

DAY 2: SAMDRUP JONGKHAR TO DEOTHANG

Today we will explore the tropical forests between Samdrup Jongkhar and Deothang. The lower elevation humid forest habitats here are home to Ruby-cheeked Sunbird, Little Spiderhunter, Pied Harrier, Golden-fronted Leafbird, Indian Paradise-Flycatcher, Blue-eared, Coppersmith, and Lineated barbets, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Green-billed Malkoha, Black-naped Monarch, Asian Fairy-bluebird, Dollarbird, Oriental Pied-Hornbill, Wreathed and Great hornbills, Violet Cuckoo, Collared Scops-Owl, and Long-tailed Broadbill, among many others. Overnight in Deothang.

DAY 3: DEOTHANG TO TRASHIGANG

With an early start, we will bird the superb forests of the Morong Valley. Himalayan Cutia, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Red-tailed and Blue-winged minlas, Hill Partridge, Kalij Pheasant, Crimson-naped Woodpecker, Lesser Yellownape, Red-headed Trogon, Asian Barred Owlet, Steppe Eagle, Long-tailed Shrike, and the rare Beautiful Nuthatch are all possibilities to see here. We will continue birding while enjoying the spectacular views of the Bhutanese hillside along the drive to Trashigang. Along the way, we will watch for Yellow-billed Blue-Magpie, Maroon Oriole, Long-tailed Minivet, Yellow-bellied and White-throated fantails, Blue Whistling-Thrush, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Spotted Forktail, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-Babbler, Red-billed Leiothrix, Green-tailed and Mrs. Gould’s sunbirds. Overnight in Trashigang. 

DAY 4: TRASHIGANG TO YONGKOLA VIA KORE LA

Today we make our way to Yongkola. The road passes corn fields and broadleaf forests where we will stop for some birding. Here we can find Brown Bullfinch, Scarlet Finch, Gray-winged Blackbird, Brown-throated Treecreeper, and Gray-sided Laughingthrush. Then we will make our final ascent to Kore La Pass (2,450 m.). Crossing the pass, we descend through cool broadleaf forests dripping with orchids, and fern-lined Rhododendron forests, where we can look for Common Rosefinch, Hill Prinia, Bhutan Laughingthrush, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, and Gold-naped Finch in these pristine habitats. Continuing our descent to the town of Mongar and the sub-tropical forests around Lingmethang. Then once more, climb in elevation to Yongkola. If time permits, we can continue birding until dusk. Overnight in Yongkola.

DAYS 5 & 6: THRUMSHING LA NATIONAL PARK

The warm broadleaf forests are the perfect environment for many of Bhutan’s most sought-after birds. Birding along a paved yet rarely used road through pristine protected forest at a higher elevation, we will look for the rare Ward’s Trogon, Slender-billed Scimitar-Babbler, the little-known Rufous-throated Wren-Babbler, the rare and impressive Satyr Tragopan, Blue-winged Laughingthrush, White-breasted Parrotbill, and Gould’s Shortwing. The sub-tropical forests of ancient trees covered in colorful orchids of the lower Yongkola area set the scene for finding Chestnut-breasted and Rufous-throated partridges, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Crested Serpent-Eagle, Speckled Wood-Pigeon, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, and the rare Rufous-necked Hornbill! Other species regularly seen here include Golden-throated Barbet, Large Hawk-Cuckoo, Short-billed Minivet, Blue-capped Rock-Thrush, Verditer Flycatcher, Slaty-backed Forktail, Rusty-flanked Treecreeper, Sultan, Black-throated, and Yellow-cheeked tits, Chestnut-headed Tesia, White-crested Laughingthrush, Coral-billed Scimitar-Babbler, Whiskered and Black-chinned yuhinas, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Spot-winged Grosbeak, and the exquisite Golden-breasted Fulvetta. 

One morning we will head out early to Sengor to look for the rare Satyr Tragopan and Bar-winged Wren-Babbler, as well as Gray-crested and Green-backed tits, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Lemon-rumped Warbler, White-browed Fulvetta, and Green Shrike-Babbler. Overnights in Yongkola. 

DAY 7: YONGKOLA TO BUMTHANG

Before breakfast, we will bird the upper Yongkola region, then drive to the high pass of Thrumshing La (3,799 m.). As we ascend to the pass we will look for Himalayan Buzzard, Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Great Parrotbill, Himalayan Bluetail, Blue-fronted Redstart, Black-faced and Spotted laughingthrushes, Red-headed Bullfinch, White-winged Grosbeak, Eyebrowed and Dusky thrushes. At the pass, we will enjoy the breathtaking views of the eastern Himalayas! From here, we will descend through coniferous forests which provide great habitat for Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, and Satyr Tragopan. Overnight in Bumthang. 

DAY 8: BUMTHANG TO TRONGSA

We will head out early, passing through pine forests, cross the Chumey Valley to Gyeltsha, to the Tharpaling Monastery. Here will will have another chance to look for Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, and Satyr Tragopan. We will return to the main road and carry on to Yotong La (3,353 m.). From here, we will slowly descend through mixed rhododendron forest, a great place to find Fire-tailed Myzornis, Rufous-vented Yuhina, Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker, Darjeeling Woodpecker, and Brown Parrotbill. In the afternoon, we will drive towards Shemgang Road. Along this stretch, we should encounter Spotted Elachura, Barred Cuckoo-Dove, Greater Yellownape, and many others. We will visit the 17th-century Taa Dzong (watch tower), which sits on the hill above the dzong. It has recently been converted into an excellent museum providing visitors with insight into the significance of Trongsa in Bhutan’s history. Overnight in Trongsa. 

DAY 9: TRONGSA TO TINGTIBI VIA SHEMGANG ROAD

We will be up early to explore the famous Shemgang Road. Our first stop will be at Chunjey Pang, where we hope to encounter Eurasian Jay, Pale Blue Flycatcher, Hill Prinia, Large Niltava, and the beautifully plumaged Blue-capped Rock-Thrush. We will continue our drive to Dangdung, stopping briefly at Kuenga Rubten, the former Summer Palace of the Second King. Continuing our descent through the intensively cultivated, terraced fields, we can see Crested Bunting, Striated Prinia, and Striated Yuhina. We then climb in elevation up to Koshala, where we should encounter Crimson Sunbird, Tickell’s Leaf Warbler, Rufous Woodpecker, Large Hawk-Cuckoo, and with some luck, Rufous-necked Hornbill, amongst the flowering trees. Approaching Tingtibi, we will look for Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, White-throated and Black-crested bulbuls, Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker, Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush, Pin-tailed and Wedge-tailed green pigeons, Common Green-Magpie, and Emerald Dove in the warm broadleaf forests. Overnight in Tingtibi. 

DAY 10: SUB-TROPICAL FORESTS OF TINGTIBI (ROYAL MANAS NATIONAL PARK)

Today, we will explore in and around Tingtibi and Shemgang in search of our lengthy list of target species in this region! The magnificent and rarely visited Shemgang Road is one of the most beautiful and peaceful roads in the world. Here we can see an amazing diversity of rare and special birds and mammals, including the endangered Gee’s Golden Langur, as this is their prime habitat. Some of the birds we will seek out today include Gray Peacock-Pheasant, the impressive Rufous-necked and Great hornbills, White-browed Piculet, Bay Woodpecker, White-tailed Robin, White-browed Scimitar-Babbler, Rufous-winged and Nepal fulvettas, Sultan Tit, and with some luck, Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Green Cochoa, and White-hooded Babbler. Overnight in Tingtibi. 

DAY 11: TINGTIBI TO TRONGSA VIA SHEMGANG BYPASS

We will start early to reach the habitat of the Beautiful Nuthatch, allowing ourselves plenty of time to search for and see this amazing bird. Then we will continue birding along the Shemgang Road, stopping at the prime locations to bird. There are fantastic views all along this route as we make our way to Trongsa, with occasional waterfalls dropping down the mountain slopes. We will enjoy lunch at Kosha La while taking in an incredible view of the valley below. Just before arriving in Trongsa, we will pass high cliff-faces where we will stop and look for the Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, amongst the cluster of beehives clinging to the rock face. At a nearby waterfall, we will look for Little Forktail, which is regularly seen here. Overnight in Trongsa. 

DAY 12: TRONGSA TO PUNAKHA

We will spend the first part of the morning birding along the Trongsa-Chendibji stretch looking for Brown Dipper, Crested Kingfisher, Fire-tailed Myzornis, and Yellow-browed Tit. After a hot breakfast en route, we will pass through the village of Chendibji, where we will stop at the Nepalese-style Chorten, picturesquely situated alongside the river. Then we will continue on our way, climbing to Pele La (3,350 m.) for awe-inspiring views of the valley, hills, and mountain ridges, where we can soak up even more stunning Himalayan views. Then we will descend through forests of rhododendron and fir to the Nobding Valley. Here we will look for Himalayan Griffon, Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush, Gray-headed Woodpecker, and Speckled Piculet. Arriving in Punakha, we will take advantage of the final hours of the day to seek out Slender-billed Oriole, Gray Nightjar, and Collared Scops-Owl around the hotel. Overnight in Punakha. 

DAY 13: PUNAKHA TO PARO

This morning we will visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong (“Palace of Great Bliss”), where we will get a glimpse of Bhutanese culture. As we walk through buildings and halls, we will see huge Buddha statues, detailed frescos and carvings, and spectacular paintings showing the creative skills of artists and showcasing some of Bhutan’s traditional arts. After visiting the dzong, we will continue our journey to the Royal Botanical Park at Lampelri. It has a mix of cool broadleaf, mixed conifer, fir, and sub-alpine forests, and a temperate rainforest, which all contribute to the high biodiversity found here. Chestnut-crowned Warbler, Dark-rumped and Dark-breasted rosefinches, Hill Partridge, and Rufous-capped Babbler are all found here. If very lucky, we may come across some rare mammals: Musk Deer, Tiger, Leopard, Red Panda, and the Leopard Cat are all found here. 

We will continue our journey to Dochu La (3,150 m.). On a clear day, there are fantastic panoramic views of the high Himalayas, with seven major peaks visible, including Gangkhar Puensum, Bhutan’s highest peak. Then we will drive down to Thimphu, where we will stop by a marshy spot en route to look for Black-tailed Crake. Overnight in Paro. 

DAY 14: CHELE LA PASS

With an early start, we will journey up through ancient pine and fir forests to Chele La Pass (3,780 m.), where there is a magnificent view of some high Himalayan peaks. Chele La offers us the opportunity to ascend above the tree line into alpine meadows and dwarf rhododendron scrub, where we will look for Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Himalayan Griffon, Kalij Pheasant, Spotted and Chestnut-crowned laughingthrushes, Common Kestrel, Rufous-breasted Bush-Robin, Rufous-breasted and Alpine accentors, and the beautiful Himalayan White-browed Rosefinch. We will continue exploring this beautiful area before gradually making our way back to Paro. In Paro, we will stop by the Pa Chhu, to look for Himalayan riverine birds, including the unique Ibisbill, as well as Pied Wagtail, Rosy Pipit, White-capped and Plumbeous redstarts, Blue Whistling-Thrush, Common Hoopoe, Crested Goshawk, and Brown Dipper. Overnight in Paro.

DAY 15: TIGER’S NEST MONASTERY

We have an exciting final day in Bhutan ahead of us with a great mix of birding and some of Paro Valley’s cultural treasures. Today, we will walk up to the famous Tiger’s Nest, Taksang Monastery. The impressive monastery is perched 600 meters up on a cliff overlooking the valley. It is a steep, uphill walk through the woods. After walking 1.5-2 hours, we will stop at a tea house for a welcome refreshment and a stunning view of the monastery. Along the way, we will look for birds: Coal and Gray-crested tits, White-tailed Nuthatch, Spotted Nutcracker, and a few species of laughingthrushes may be encountered, among others. At the monastery, we will scan for flocks of Snow Pigeon and Alpine Accentor, and Little Forktail and Plumbeous Redstart at the waterfall next to the monastery. Overnight in Paro. 

DAY 16: DEPARTURE

After breakfast, we will transfer to the airport for our flight to Delhi for your onward flights home.

Our Bhutan birding tour concludes in Delhi.