Bird watching Tour in Bhutan
Birding Tour in Bhutan
Day 01 : Arrive Paro by Air & transfer to Thimphu
Arrive Paro Airport and once baggage is collected and visa documentation is complete, you will meet your tour representative and your Bhutan adventure begins! We now drive into the quaint village of Paro to enjoy a hearty lunch at a local Bhutanese cozy restaurant. You will then proceed to visit Paro Rinpung Dzong. A flagstone path rises gradually from a beautiful wooden bridge with shingle roofing and is abutted by two guardhouses, to the Dzong. Today, the Dzong is the seat of the district administration as well as the home for the monastic school. The central tower (Utse) of the Dzong, offers superb woodwork and is one of the most beautiful in the nation. The Dzong was built in 1645 A .D.
We will tour Dumtse Lhakhang prior to our departure for Thimphu, capitol of Bhutan. (2 hour scenic drive) We check into our Thimphu hotel and later enjoy a reception dinner with our host in Bhutan;
Day 02 : Punakha
This morning following breakfast we visit the Bank of Bhutan and post office to exchange money and have an opportunity to purchase collector item Bhutan stamps. Bird stamps are extremely beautiful and a must for your birding adventure. Depart Thimphu and enjoy a spectacular and beautiful drive over Dochula Pass (10,500 ft.) Spectacular high Himalayan mountain views are offered from the visa point which is surrounded by chortens and prayer flags fluttering on high. We stop for tea and here in Dochula and Menchola areas have a good chance to see Tragopans, Monals and different varieties of Pheasants, as well as Wood Peckers, Tree Creepers and varieties of Doves. We continue onwards toward Punakha/Wangdu and stop to see the beautiful Punakha Dzong, the former winter capital and present administrative seat of the district. It is also the winter residence of the central monastic body. The Dzong (fortress) lies between two rivers, the Pochu and Mochu, uncaring male and female rivers. It was built in 1637 A. D. Punakha is a true work of Bhutanese art; it stands proud, preserved by the ages.
Overnight
Day 03 : Punakha or Wangdue to Bumthang
Today we drive a good distance to arrive in Bumthang tonight. The drive is absolutely spectacular, meandering along a high Himalayan highway that will take your breath away. Our expert drivers and guides and small vans make the drive so pleasant. We enjoy many stops along the route for photo opportunity. We enjoy lunch in Trongsa town and tour Trongsa Dzong; you will see the yellow rooftop of this massive medieval structure from afar. Trongsa Dzong is the ancestral home of the royal family, built by Chogyel Minjur Tempa, the Third Desi, in 1648. It is presently the administrative seat of the district and home of the monastic school. Built at split-levels on a narrow spur, the Dzong is an architectural wonder. Views from here are extensive creating strategic location of this Dzong. The medieval Watchtower, located over the Trongsa Dzong is most impressive in design. The Watchtower is located strategically above the Trongsa Dzong. We continue eastward reaching Bumthang to check into our wonderful Bhutanese lodge greeted by our Bhutanese host.
Overnight.
Day 04 : Today we sightseeing and tour in Bumthang
We visit Jakar Dzong,-Jambay Lhakhang Kurjey Lhakhang, and Flaming Lake, (Membar Tsho). Shopping is a delight in Bumthang. Textile weaving prevails in this area and we visit weavers utilizing the back and toe strap looms. Here you will find the best price for textile purchase After our lunch we will visit a Bhutanese schoolhouse and be entertained and delighted by wonderful Bhutanese children; this is a favorite experience for many guests in Bhutan. Overnight at lodge and prepare for your full day outing to the remote village of Ura for Ura Yakchoe Festival, where we will set up camp and prepare for Bird Tour departure after festival day.
Day 05 : Ura
Departing our lodge early we drive to the remote village of Ura which is considered one of the holiest valleys in Bhutan. Camp in Ura; tonight go over your itinerary with your Birding Expert Guide and prepare for the beginning of your Exotic Bhutan Bird tour.
Overnight Camp in Ura.
Day 06 : Bird Tour Begins
Depart Bumthang towards Sengor, crossing Thumshingla pass. Near Sengor, one can see Yellow-bill Magpies, Fire-tail Mizoros and Jungle fowl. This area is a HOT SPOT for Satyr Tragopan which is on the endangered species List. This pristine countryside is rich in foliage and forest, making it ideal for Nutcrackers, Warbblers, Fork-tails and Robins. Set up camp in Sengor.
Day 07 : (Sengor/ 3050m)
We spend the next few days camping and birding in the best birding area in the Himalayan Mountain range of Bhutan. A wide variety of sub-tropical to alpine birds can be found. Varieties of Hornbills, Owls, nightjars, Wood Snipe, Yellow-Rumped Honeyguide, Wards’s Trogon, Rufus Necked Hornbill, Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Ibisbill, Kalij Pheasant, Black Tailed Crake, Spotted Wren Babbler and the Great Hornbill. Chestnut-breasted Patridge (rare), Collared Treepie (rare), Lesser Shortwing, White-gorgeted Flycatcher (rare), Rufous-breasted Bush Robin (rare), Blue-fronted Robin, Purple Cochoa, Broad-billed Warbler, Grey-sided
Laughingthrush, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler, Rufous-throated Wren Babbler (rare), Cutia, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Yellow-throated Fulvetta, White-naped Yuhina, Greater Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Rufous-bellied Hawk Eagle (rare), Yellow-vented Warbler. Our expert guide knows all the hot spots to visit! Camp-out.
Day 08 : Sengor/ Yongkola.
Yongkola is about two hour drive from Sengor, and is known as the best birding place towards the east. Yongkola has a rich sub tropical forest where you can view many species sub tropical birds (monkeys too!) here in this lush forest area. Camp in Yongkola 1700m.
Day 09 : Yongkola – Trongsa .
Today we will arrive in Trongsa to overnight at the Trongsa hotel. Rest well.
Day10 : Depart Trongsa to Shamgang
We will spend the next few days birding and camping in the Shamgang/Punakha area of Bhutan. Beauty is rich here and the opportunity to view wildlife is ample. Birding in this area is rewarded by sightings of White Bellied Heron, Tawny Fish Owl, Phallas Fish Eagle and Crested Kingfisher. Sightings of the Satyr Tragopan, an endangered species, have been made here. Camp at Tingtibi 600m.
Day11 : Birding in Zhemgang Area.
Halt in Tingtibi in Zhemgang and explore the birding Area.
Day12 : Zhemgang – Punakha
Drive to Punakha through Trongsa. Camp at Tashithang: Alt 1700 m
Day13 : Tashithang – Punakha – Thimphu
Early morning birding in Tashithang in Jigme Dorji National Park; arrive at your vehicle and you are transported from Punakha to Thimphu. Check into your hotel and enjoy lunch and a leisure afternoon to sightsee in Thimphu and indulge your special interest or purchase. Visit the
interesting Textile Museum, House of Incense, House of Paper, Tarkin Zoo or perhaps an archers match, specialty item shops, or try a hot-stone Bhutanese bath; inquire with your guide; he will assist you with your interest.
Overnight Thimphu.
Day14 : Thimphu – Paro
This morning we check out of the hotel and depart for the famous week-end market. Thimphu market is an exciting time in Bhutan. Here is a wonderful opportunity to mingle with local Bhutanese folks out to market and marvel at the handicrafts and fresh organic produce. You will have ample Kodak opportunity at market, please ask first. You will find Bhutanese folks most pleasant and willing to please. We then depart Thimphu towards the village of Paro. Along our route we visit the famous Tigers Nest Monastery. We drive to a path for our hike (3 hour) leading us upwards towards the famous Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest). The monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 800 meters. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padma Sambhava, the saint who converted Bhutan to Buddhism enlighten here upon the back of a tigress. We will enjoy a picnic lunch and return to vehicle and drive to our hotel In Paro for the evening.
Day15 : Paro – Chelela
Day 15: Paro drive to Chelela for Birding. We spend a full day today birding around Chilela – Drugyel Dzong. This area is good for alpine-zone species, Ibis Bill, Himalayan Griffon, Golden Eagle, White-throated Dipper, Grandala, White-bellied Redstart, Brown dippers, , Shrikes, Fantails, Sun-birds, Wag tails, different varieties of dippers. Return to your hotel for a farewell dinner. Evening: birding by the Paro River.
Day 16 : Depart Paro
Departs Bhutan; Transfer to Airport for Departure.
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