15-Day Bird Watching and Cultural Tour in Bhutan

This morning you meet your local guide and driver from our office

Next we will stop by the Pa Chhu river, where camouflaged amongst the glacial stones, we can look for Ibisbill, one of the highlights of our Bhutan birding tour. In this area we should also find; Brown Dipper, Common and Green Sandpipers, Common Hoopoe, Plumbeous Water Redstart, Himalayan Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Grey-backed Shrike, Russet Sparrow, Rosy Pipit, Siberian Stonechat, Citrine Wagtail, Rufous-breasted Accentor and Wallcreeper (winter visitor). Northward migration will be underway and many of the valleys throughout Bhutan act as important conduits, therefore, it is possible that you may see species as yet not recorded in Bhutan.

An early morning departure for our journey up through ancient high boreal forests to Chele La pass at 3,780m, the highest point we will reach on this tour. On the way we hope to see Grey Nightjar (often flushed by our vehicles light). Chele La gives us the opportunity to ascend above tree line into alpine meadows and dwarf rhododendron scrub where we have the possibility of seeing some of Bhutan’s high altitude birds such as; Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Himalayan Cuckoo, Snow Pigeon, Rufous-fronted and Yellow-browed Tits, Greenish Warbler, Red-tailed Minla, White-browed Fulvetta, Black-throated Thrush, Blanford’s and White-browed Rosefinches, Collared Grosbeak, White-throated Redstart, White-browed Bush Robin, Alpine Accentor, Plain Mountain Finch (often seen in big flocks of up to 200 birds), and Red-headed Bullfinch.

After breakfast we will continue birding the beautiful areas of Chele La before gradually making our way back to Paro and continue east to Thimphu city.

We leave early in order to see the high Himalayas as dawn breaks over Dochu La. It is an awe-inspiring sight, with prayer flags fluttering in the breeze and 108 white chortens, it is unlike any other pass in the world! In this high elevation, mixed broad-leaved forests, there is an incredible wide range attractive birds such as: Hodgson’s Hawk Cuckoo, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Rufous-vented Tit, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush, Rufous Sibia, Fire-tailed Myzornis (one of the top birds in Bhutan), White-collared Blackbird, Green-tailed Sunbird and Olive-backed Pipit.

Continuing to Lampelri we will explore the Royal Botanical Park looking for, Hill Partridge, Eurasian Jay, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Blue-fronted Redstart, Verditer Flycatcher, Blue-fronted Robin (very shy and rare), Scarlet Finch, and Dark-breasted Rosefinch.

Eventually we arrive in Punakha where we will take a short cultural break to visit the majestic Punakha Dzong built in 1637.

In the morning we will bird along the Puna Tshang Chhu looking for, Pallas’s Fish Eagle (rare and globally endangered), Bar-headed Geese, Ruddy Shelduck, Eurasian Wigeon River and Red-wattled Lapwing amongst many other species.

Leaving Punakha we take the winding mountain road up through rhododendron forests, festooned with lichens towards Lawa La at 3,350m. Along these diverse habitats we look for the areas top attractions such as: Ward’s Trogon (a montane species found only in the Eastern Himalayas) and Spot-winged Grosbeak. From Lawa La we will descent to Phobjikha valley stopping en-route to visit Gangtey Goenba, the largest Nyingmapa monastery in Bhutan, set on a spur above the Phobjikha valley and surrounded by the quaint village of Gangtey.

Phobjikha valley is the wintering home of the rare and little-known Black-necked Crane (globally vulnerable, and one of the top five birds of Bhutan), the cranes find refuge here from November until March.

le La, 3,350m hoping to find Himalayan Vulture (often found in flocks of up to 30 birds soaring high above Pele La), Solitary Snipe (a rare inhabitant of the roadside marshes), Lesser Cuckoo, the amazing Spotted and Black-faced Laughingthrushes, Hume’s Bush Warbler (a bamboo dweller), Short-billed Minivet, Rufous-vented Yuhina, Dark-rumped Rosefinch, Crimson-browed Finch, Red Crossbill and Brown Bullfinch.

illage of Chendibji, where a Nepalese styled Chorten is picturesquely situated alongside the river.

The road then takes us through the village of Tangsibji where we stop near a small stream looking for a pair of Black-tailed Crake that are at resident. We eventually arrive in Trongsa for an overnight stay.

Today we drive along the quiet, forest road towards Tingtibi. Blue Whistling Thrushes fly off the road at regular intervals, and we keep a sharp lookout for Spotted Forktail at the beautiful mossy waterfalls that are a feature of the journey. The whole section of todays journey is spectacular as we look for an amazing variety of rare and special birds in the mixed broad-leafed forests that stretches from 2200m down to 700m.

Our target birds for today include: Mountain Hawk Eagle, Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon (seen in mixed feeding flocks), Green-billed Malkoha, Red-headed Trogon (one of the finest trogons in the world), Speckled Piculet, Lesser Yellownape, Bay Woodpecker, Rusty-flanked Treecreeper, Pygmy Blue and Ferruginous Flycatchers, Blue Rock Thrush, Long-tailed Broadbill, Crested Kingfisher, Crimson Sunbird, beautifully coloured Emerald Dove, and several flocks of White-crested and Lesser Necklaced Laughing thrushes.

After a quick tea/coffee at our hotel, we will drive along the Tingtibi – Gomphu road, exploring the rich bamboo forests, looking for the areas top birds such as Tawny Fish Owl, Red Junglefowl, White-browed Piculet, White-hooded Babbler (the only known site in Bhutan), Rufous-faced Warbler (rare), Pale-headed Woodpecker (very rare and elusive), Lesser Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Blyth’s Paradise Flycatcher, the amazing Great Hornbill (globally vulnerable, but sometimes seen in flocks of up to 50 birds), Blue-bearded Bee-eater, and along the Mangde chhu (river) we will look for perhaps the rarest bird in Bhutan the critically endangered White-bellied Heron, the population of this birds is estimated at only 60 individuals left in the wild. After a hot picnic breakfast, we will continue birding along this beautiful river valley on Gomphu road before making our way back to Tingtibi. As night falls we can look around our hotel for Spot-bellied Eagle Owl, and Collared Scops Owl.

lly vulnerable), allowing ourselves plenty of time to locate and see this special bird. Other species we will hope to encounter include Common Green Magpie, Golden-throated Barbet, Blue-winged Laughingthrush (an impressive species), Small Niltava (view of a glowing male is not to be missed), Grey-throated Babbler, White-browed Shrike Babbler, Rufous-winged Fulvetta, White-bellied Erpornis (formally known as White-bellied Yuhina), and Black-throated Sunbird. After breakfast we will continue birding along the Zhemgang road, stopping at prime locations and to absorb the sheer beauty of this part of Bhutan. Along here we will look for, Indian Cuckoo, Black Eagle, Red-faced Liocichla (very beautiful bird), Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler and White-tailed Robin.

Just before arriving in Trongsa we will stop at Bubja near a high cliff-faces where we will look for a pair of Yellow-rumped Honeyguide.

h cascading waterfalls and more magnificent rhododendron and magnolia forests. Birds we will look for include; Steppe Eagle (globally endangered), White-capped Water Redstart, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Black-billed Magpie (endemic to Bumthang valley), Brown Parrotbill, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Russet Bush Warbler, Red-throated Thrush, Yellow-breasted Greenfinch, Himalayan Beautiful Rosefinch and White-winged Grosbeak.

Chumey, the religious heartland of Bhutan where there are many ancient cultural and religious sites dating as far back as the 7th century. In the late afternoon we will drive up to the nearby Tharpaling monastery to take another chance to see the spectacular Himalayan Monal, as they feed on the left over food thrown by the monks. The birds have now become accustomed to this practice.

e and towering hemlocks to Thrumshing La pass at 3,780m, in the upper reaches of these magnificent forests we have our second opportunity to see the stunning Blood Pheasants often seen in huge flocks feeding by the roadside, Satyr Tragopan (another star attraction for Bhutan), Bearded Vulture, and Great Parrotbill.

be looking for some of Bhutan highly prized birds such as: Alpine Thrush, Hoary-throated Barwing (fairly common in this area but rang restricted to Eastern Himalayas), Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Speckled Wood Pigeon and the very localized Bar-winged Wren Babbler. We continue our birding until we reach Yongkola where we stay for the next three nights.

sequently, exactly what avian delights may be around the corner may be a complete surprise! We will bird in the pristine forests of Thrumshing La national park using a paved yet rarely used road. Here we will look for some of Bhutan’s most sought-after birds such as, Chestnut-breasted Partridge (globally vulnerable), Rufous-necked Hornbill (uncommon in Bhutan but rare elsewhere in the world), Yellow-throated and Golden-breasted Fulvettas, Gould’s Shortwing, Sikkim Wedge-billed Babbler, Long-billed and Rufous-throated Wren Babblers, Himalayan Cutia, Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler, Golden Bush Robin, Spotted Elachura, Black-headed Shrike-babbler, Crimson-breasted Woodpecker, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Yellow-bellied fantail, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Mountain Tailorbird, and varieties of flycatchers, tits, warblers and laughingthrushes.

rfully rich, warm broad-leafed forests of Lingmethang road, with ancient trees, festooned with orchids adding a riot of colour to this beautiful land. Here we can find, Asian Emerald Cuckoo, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Greater Yellownape, Maroon Oriole, Streaked Spiderhunter, Lesser Racket-tailed and Hair-crested Drongos, Grey-bellied Tesia, Greater Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Mountain and Striated Bulbuls, Brown-throated Treecreeper and Rufous-bellied Niltava. On one evening, we will take a short night drive looking for the the near-threatened mammal, Bhutan Giant Flying Squirrel and possibly Hodgson’s Frogmouth, Brown Wood Owl, Mountain Scops Owl (common but difficult bird to see) and the more numerous Collared Owlet.

Our early part of the morning will be spent, birding along the cool broad-leafed forests of Namling, here we can look for the areas top attractions such as Himalayan Cutia, Gould’s Shortwing (rare), Black-eared Shrike Babbler, Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush, Little Forktail (along the roadside waterfalls), and Black-throated Parrotbill amongst few verities of laughingthrushes, yuhinas, redstarts and fulvettas. After breakfast we will continue to bird along the Sengor valley, looking for special birds in this higher mid temperate forest, such as Fire-tailed Myzornis, Tickell’s Thrush, White-collared Blackbird, Rufous-breasted Bush Robin (rare), Fire-tailed Sunbird (rare), and another opportunity to see the stunning Satyr Tragopan. Eventually we drive over the pass of Thrumshingla and continue through the picturesque village of Ura, gradually descending to Bumthang valley for the night.

This morning we will take the short flight to Paro (25 mins), where there are breathtaking views of Himalayan Mountains from your flight. Arriving in Paro we will visit Paro Dzong (1644), the Fortress of the “Heap of Jewels”, which was featured in some scenes of the film ‘Little Buddha’ (1993). This 5 storey building has white-washed walls, magnificently carved and painted wooden doors and windows, which add to the sense of power and wealth required to build this fortress. From the dzong we will follow the stone path down to the Paro Chhu (river) and cross the Nyamai Zam - the wooden cantilevered bridge festooned with prayer flags.

ning back to our hotel for the farewell dinner. Birds we may encounter include; Kalij Pheasant, Long-tailed Shrike, Ashy Drongo, Black-throated Tit, Grey-sided Bush Warbler, Ashy-throated Warbler, Pygmy Wren Babbler, Striated Laughingthrush and Maroon Accentor.

Tour end