Tour: Birding Tour
Places Visited
Kolkata, Paro, Thimpu, Gangtey, Trongsa, Tingtibee and Yongkala
Spotted, Black-faced and Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrushes, Varieties of Tits, Collared and White-winged Grosbeak, Spotted Nutcracker, Green-tailed and Mrs Gould’s Sunbirds, Red-headed Bullfinch, White-browed, Dark-rumped and Dark-breasted Rosefinch, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Hodgson’s Treecreeper, Magpie, Fulvettas, Yuhinas and other alpine specialist species.
Price Includes
✔ Accommodation on twin sharing as per below mentioned hotels
✔ Breakfast & dinner at the hotel and lunch at the local restaurant.
✔ All transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary
✔ English speaking accompanying guide
✔ Governmental royalty and taxes
✔ Entrances
✔ Bhutan visa fee
✔ 02 water bottle per person per day basis on the vehicle.
✔ Breakfast & dinner at the hotel and lunch at the local restaurant.
✔ All transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary
✔ English speaking accompanying guide
✔ Governmental royalty and taxes
✔ Entrances
✔ Bhutan visa fee
✔ 02 water bottle per person per day basis on the vehicle.
Day 2 – Kolkata – Paro by Flight, arrive Paro and Transfer to Thimphu
The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular in entire Himalayas. Flying along the Himalayan range from Kathmandu, the journey offers fascinating views and an exciting descent into the Kingdom. Bhutan’s first gift to you as you disembark from the aircraft will be cool, clean fresh mountain air. After immigration formalities and baggage collection, you will be met by our representative, and afterwards drive to your hotel.
Your evening birding starts here, exploring Paro riverbank specifically looking for Ibis bill, Brown Dipper and Wall Creeper. While looking for above mentioned targeted species, you will also have good catch of other commoner species. To mention few, River Lapwing, Olive-backed Pipit, White-capped and Plumbeous Water Redstart, White Wagtail, Rufous-breasted Accentor, Green and Common Sandpiper and others.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro
Hotel Name
Your evening birding starts here, exploring Paro riverbank specifically looking for Ibis bill, Brown Dipper and Wall Creeper. While looking for above mentioned targeted species, you will also have good catch of other commoner species. To mention few, River Lapwing, Olive-backed Pipit, White-capped and Plumbeous Water Redstart, White Wagtail, Rufous-breasted Accentor, Green and Common Sandpiper and others.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro
Accommodation Options
Hotel Name
Day 3 – Paro – Chelela – Thimphu
Early morning drive to Chelela, 1hr drive (approx. 4000 masl) highest motor road entrance birding sites.
Today’s targeted species will be Pheasants and other high altitude birds. While starting from the base, you will be amaze by frequent sighting of Kalij Pheasants. Later at mid-way point to the pass, you will be entering into the Satyr Tragopan’s habitat and finally you will see Blood Pheasant and HimalyanMonals within the vicinity of pass. Other species on the way and around the pass includes Spotted, Black-faced and Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrushes, Varieties of Tits, Collared and White-winged Grosbeak, Spotted Nutcracker, Green-tailed and Mrs Gould’s Sunbirds, Red-headed Bullfinch, White-browed, Dark-rumped and Dark-breasted Rosefinch, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Hodgson’s Treecreeper,Magpie, Fulvettas, Yuhinas and other alpine specialist species.
After birding at pass, you will head back towards capital city of Bhutan, Thimphu. Our final stop for the day will be next to Thimphu city, sewage pond area for Solitary Snipe and Black-tailed Crake, Ibisbill and Wallcreeperincase if you missed at Paro.
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu
Hotel Name
Today’s targeted species will be Pheasants and other high altitude birds. While starting from the base, you will be amaze by frequent sighting of Kalij Pheasants. Later at mid-way point to the pass, you will be entering into the Satyr Tragopan’s habitat and finally you will see Blood Pheasant and HimalyanMonals within the vicinity of pass. Other species on the way and around the pass includes Spotted, Black-faced and Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrushes, Varieties of Tits, Collared and White-winged Grosbeak, Spotted Nutcracker, Green-tailed and Mrs Gould’s Sunbirds, Red-headed Bullfinch, White-browed, Dark-rumped and Dark-breasted Rosefinch, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Hodgson’s Treecreeper,Magpie, Fulvettas, Yuhinas and other alpine specialist species.
After birding at pass, you will head back towards capital city of Bhutan, Thimphu. Our final stop for the day will be next to Thimphu city, sewage pond area for Solitary Snipe and Black-tailed Crake, Ibisbill and Wallcreeperincase if you missed at Paro.
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu
Accommodation Options
Hotel Name
Day 4 – Thimphu – Punakha
Early morning drive towards Punakha (02½ hrs drive), enroute visit Dochu-la Pass (3150 masl). Around the Dochula Pass, you look for Fire-tailed Myzornis, Finches, Yuhinas, Eurasian Jay and other alpine birds.
Later while descending, we will explore Royal Botanical Park. The park has amazing broad leaf forest composition providing good habitat for wildlife. Here you may see illusive Red Panda if you are lucky. Apart from the common birds, you will explore nature trail inside the Park for Ward’s Trogon, Brown and Black-throated Parrotbill, Golden-breastedFulvetta, Slender-billed and Streaked-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Grey-sided Laughing thrush and many others.
Continue your drive to Punakha valley, along with the drive, you’ll look for the species like Scarlet and Long-tailed Minivet, Great and Golden-throated Barbet and other residential birds.
Evening drive along Po Chhu River for critically endangered White-bellied Heron and vulnerable Pallas’s Fish Eagle. other species include here are migratory water birds, sometime there is sighting of vagrant Mandarin Duck, Ibisbill, Red-wattled and Lapwing, Common and Crested Kingfisher and few raptors.
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu
Hotel Name
Later while descending, we will explore Royal Botanical Park. The park has amazing broad leaf forest composition providing good habitat for wildlife. Here you may see illusive Red Panda if you are lucky. Apart from the common birds, you will explore nature trail inside the Park for Ward’s Trogon, Brown and Black-throated Parrotbill, Golden-breastedFulvetta, Slender-billed and Streaked-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Grey-sided Laughing thrush and many others.
Continue your drive to Punakha valley, along with the drive, you’ll look for the species like Scarlet and Long-tailed Minivet, Great and Golden-throated Barbet and other residential birds.
Evening drive along Po Chhu River for critically endangered White-bellied Heron and vulnerable Pallas’s Fish Eagle. other species include here are migratory water birds, sometime there is sighting of vagrant Mandarin Duck, Ibisbill, Red-wattled and Lapwing, Common and Crested Kingfisher and few raptors.
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu
Accommodation Options
Hotel Name
Day 5 – Punakha – Gangtey (Phobjikha)
Early morning drive to Phobjikha Valley (4hrs) along the warm and cool broad leaf forest. You will make several stop on the way as you are inside the different vegetation. Here you will be rewarded with sighting of Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, HimalyanCutia, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Ward’s Trogon, Hoary-throated Barwing, Blyth’s Shrike-babbler, Bhutan and Rufous-chinned laughingthrush, Himalayan Bluetail, Grey-bellied Tesia, Rufous-capped and Golden Babbler and others..
Before reaching Pelela pass we’ll take the road to Phobjekha valley, crossing Lawala pass the vegetation changes into dwarf bamboo, here you’ll searching for the species like Spotted, Chestnut-crowned and Black-faced Laughingthrushes, Spotted Nutcracker, Great and Brown Parrotbills, Oriental Skylark, White-browed Shortwing Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Red-billed Chough, Large-billed and Whistler’s Warbler, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler and Oriental Skylark.
Overnight at the hotel in Gangtey
Hotel Name
Before reaching Pelela pass we’ll take the road to Phobjekha valley, crossing Lawala pass the vegetation changes into dwarf bamboo, here you’ll searching for the species like Spotted, Chestnut-crowned and Black-faced Laughingthrushes, Spotted Nutcracker, Great and Brown Parrotbills, Oriental Skylark, White-browed Shortwing Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Red-billed Chough, Large-billed and Whistler’s Warbler, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler and Oriental Skylark.
Overnight at the hotel in Gangtey
Accommodation Options
Hotel Name
Day 6 – Gangtey (Phobjikha) – Trongsa
After early breakfast, we’ll drive to the Pelela pass (3400 masl) and spend the morning hours birding along the old road especially for Satyr Trogopan and other high altitude species like Spotted Laughingthrush, Himalayan Griffon, Great and Brown Parrotbill, Plain Mountain Finch, White-winged and collared Grosbeak, Spotted Nutcracker, Slaty-blue, and Dark-sided Flycatcher, Grey-sided Bush Warbler and varieties of Tits, Some of the key birds you’ll looking her include Himalayan Monal, Dark-rumpedRosefinch, Fire-tailed and Green-tailed Sunbirds.
While drive to Trongsa, we’ll also be looking for the species like Speckled Wood Pigeon, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Golden-breasted and White-browed and Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Streak-breasted and Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler. Black-winged Cuckoo Shrike, Nepal House Martin, Blyth’s Swift and White-throated Needletail, Black Eagle and many more.
Overnight at the hotel in Trongsa
Hotel Name
While drive to Trongsa, we’ll also be looking for the species like Speckled Wood Pigeon, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Golden-breasted and White-browed and Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Streak-breasted and Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler. Black-winged Cuckoo Shrike, Nepal House Martin, Blyth’s Swift and White-throated Needletail, Black Eagle and many more.
Overnight at the hotel in Trongsa
Accommodation Options
Hotel Name
Day 7 – Trongsa – Tingtibee (The Valley of Golden Langur)
Today drive to Zhemgang and Tingtibi (06 hrs drive) following the MangdeChhu River. Species found in this area are Pin-tailed Green Pigeons, Red-Headed Trogon, , Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Rufous-throated Partridge, Hill Partridge, Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Great Hornbill, White-browed Piculet, Speckled Piculet, Bay woodpecker, White-tailed Robin, White-browed Scimitar Babbler, Black-faced laughing thrush, Grey-headed Parrotbill, White-throated Needletail, Mountain Scops Owl, Collard Scops Owl, Collared Treepie, Pygmy-blue Flycatcher.
There is a chance of spotting thecritically endangered White bellied Heron and rare Collared Treepie, Beautiful Nuthatch and Lesser Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Greater Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Lesser-necklaced Laughingthrush, Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush.
To high light few on mammals sighting, you will see Golden langur, AsameseMacque, Malayan Giant squirrel and others.
Overnight at the hotel in Tingtibee
Hotel Name
There is a chance of spotting thecritically endangered White bellied Heron and rare Collared Treepie, Beautiful Nuthatch and Lesser Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Greater Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Lesser-necklaced Laughingthrush, Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush.
To high light few on mammals sighting, you will see Golden langur, AsameseMacque, Malayan Giant squirrel and others.
Overnight at the hotel in Tingtibee
Accommodation Options
Hotel Name
Day 8 – Tingtibee
Today you’ll explore wide varieties of habitats on the Zhemgang – Tingtibe roads. Habitats vary from mossy forests to streamside lowland forest. This is another chance to see Golden Langur, which is fairly common here. We’ll also be searching for Rufous-necked and Great Hornbill, Pin-tailed and Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Cutia, Scarlet Minivet, varieties of beautiful Laughingthrushes, Spotted Wren Babblers and very rare and sought after Beautiful Nuthatch.
In the afternoon we’ll be exploring the Gomphu Road, the road that goes to Manas National Park, here we’ll be searching for the species like Lesser Rufous-headed Parrotbill, White-hooded Babbler, Grey-throated and Rufous-capped Babbler, Lesser Yellownape, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush, Blue-throated Flycatcher, Striated and Black-chinned Yuhinas, Chestnut-winged, Drongo Cuckoo, Common Green Magpie, Emerald Dove, White-throated Bulbul and with the little bit of luck Pale -headed Woodpecker.
Overnight at the hotel in Tingtibee
Hotel Name
In the afternoon we’ll be exploring the Gomphu Road, the road that goes to Manas National Park, here we’ll be searching for the species like Lesser Rufous-headed Parrotbill, White-hooded Babbler, Grey-throated and Rufous-capped Babbler, Lesser Yellownape, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush, Blue-throated Flycatcher, Striated and Black-chinned Yuhinas, Chestnut-winged, Drongo Cuckoo, Common Green Magpie, Emerald Dove, White-throated Bulbul and with the little bit of luck Pale -headed Woodpecker.
Overnight at the hotel in Tingtibee
Accommodation Options
Hotel Name
Day 9 – Tingtibee – Bumthang (08½ hrs Drive)
After your final morning birding, we will work our way back to Trongsa, looking along the way for the species we might have missed before.
After Trongsa it is another 03 hrs drive take you through the Yotongla pass. Here we will search for Hill Partridge, Chestnut-tailed Minla, Brown and Great Parrotbill, Chestnut-crown, Black-faced and Spotted Laughingthrush, Grey-crested, Coal, Rufous-vented and Rufous-fronted Tits, Rufous-breasted Accentor, Plain Mountain Finch, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Rufous-gorgeted and Slaty Blue Flycatchers.
Overnight at the hotel in Bumthang
Hotel Name
After Trongsa it is another 03 hrs drive take you through the Yotongla pass. Here we will search for Hill Partridge, Chestnut-tailed Minla, Brown and Great Parrotbill, Chestnut-crown, Black-faced and Spotted Laughingthrush, Grey-crested, Coal, Rufous-vented and Rufous-fronted Tits, Rufous-breasted Accentor, Plain Mountain Finch, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Rufous-gorgeted and Slaty Blue Flycatchers.
Overnight at the hotel in Bumthang
Accommodation Options
Hotel Name
Day 10 – Bumthang
Morning drive back to Tharpaling monastery road, before monastery while driving along pristine Bluepine forests you may see satyr Tragopan. Later at monastery we can see co-operative Himalayan Monal feeding nearby, Beautiful Rosefinch, Snow Pigeon,Eurasian Magpie and other Commoners.
Overnight at the hotel in Bumthang
Hotel Name
Overnight at the hotel in Bumthang
Accommodation Options
Hotel Name
Day 11 – Bumthang – Yongkala
We drive from Bumthang to Yongkala going over Thrumshingla. Thrumshingla is the prime habitat for Blood Pheasants and also hold other high altitude species like, Snow Pigeons, Orange-flanked Bush Robin, Golden and White-browed Bush Robin, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Spotted Nutcracker, Red-billed Chough, Fire-tailed Sunbirds, Greats Parrotbills, Stripe-throated and Rufous-vented Yuhinas, Grey-crested, coals, Rufous-vented Tits, White-browed Fulvata, Dark-rumpedRosefinch, Plain-backed Thrush, White-collared and Grey-winged Blackbird, Rusty-flanked Treecreeper Buff-barred and Ashy-throated Warbler.
Later, we will be birding around Sengor looking for Satyr Tragopan. Sengor known as the hotspot for Satyr Tragopan. Other birds you’ll be looking out here include Bar-winged and Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler, Gold-naped Finch, Hoary-throated Barwing, Bar-throated and Red-tailed Minlas, Whistler’s and Grey-hooded Warbler and Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler.
Overnight at the hotel in Yongkala
Hotel Name
Later, we will be birding around Sengor looking for Satyr Tragopan. Sengor known as the hotspot for Satyr Tragopan. Other birds you’ll be looking out here include Bar-winged and Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler, Gold-naped Finch, Hoary-throated Barwing, Bar-throated and Red-tailed Minlas, Whistler’s and Grey-hooded Warbler and Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler.
Overnight at the hotel in Yongkala
Accommodation Options
Hotel Name
Day 12 – Yongkala
We spend the day birding the upper and lower Limithang road. Some of the species, you’ll be searching here include flocks of busy Greater Rufous-headed and Black-throated Parrotbills, Golden-breasted and Yellow-throated Fulvettas; Rufous-throated, Long-billed, Pygmy and Sikkim Wedge-billed Wren Babbler, Grey-bellied Tesia, Red-headedand Ward’s Trogon, Hoary-throated Barwing, Great and Golden throated Barbet, Cutia, Grey-cheeked warbler, White-tailed and Beautiful Nuthatch, Rufous-necked Hornbil, Grey-chinned Minivet, Babblers and Tit, Coral-billed and Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler,and Black Eagle and many more species.
Overnight at the hotel in Yongkala
Hotel Name
Overnight at the hotel in Yongkala
Accommodation Options
Hotel Name
Day 13 – Yongkala
After breakfast, full explore for bird watching.
Overnight at the hotel in Yongkala
Hotel Name
Overnight at the hotel in Yongkala
Accommodation Options
Hotel Name
Day 14 – Yongkala – Trongsa
After a final morning birding in this wonderful habitat, you’ll retrace our way back to Trongsa passing through the Sengor valley, after crossing one of the high passes, the Thrumshing La (3800m). Thrumshing La is the prime habitat for Blood Pheasant and also holds other high altitude species such as Snow Pigeon, Orange-flanked Bush-Robin, Spotted Nutcracker, Red-billed Chough, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Great Parrotbill, Stripe-throated Yuhina, Grey-crested and Coal Tits and White-browed Fulvetta. We continue through the valley of Bumthang, one of the most beautiful valleys in Bhutan. After crossing the Bumthang valley it is another 3hrs drive to Trongsa crossing the Yotongla pass (3400m).
Overnight at the hotel in Trongsa
Hotel Name
Overnight at the hotel in Trongsa
Accommodation Options
Hotel Name
Day 15 – Trongsa – Paro (07½ Hrs Drive)
We leave our hotel in the morning as we start our return back to home. We do so with an eight hours journey bringing us back to Paro. We bird along the way for any missed species as we retrace our footsteps by following the same road as we came.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro
Hotel Name
Overnight at the hotel in Paro
Accommodation Options
Hotel Name
Day 16 – Paro-Kolkata By Flight
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flight to Kolkata. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight in Kolkata
Hotel Name
Overnight in Kolkata
Accommodation Options
Hotel Name
Day 17 – Depart Kolkata
Post breakfast transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.
Hotel Name
Accommodation Options
Hotel Name
