Nature, Birds & Wildlife of Bhutan

To many Bhutan conjures up image of a mystical land  surrounded by high mountains and snow-capped peaks with cold winters.  However, Bhutan is also a land full of dense subtropical jungles with warm and pleasant winters. In this very land, there are places, among a few, such as mid-south regions that are less treaded even by the local , leave alone the visitors. This region was opened to the visitors only recently, and its inaccessibility assist to retain its originality . The underlying area of  remote Nabji, Korphu villages and area like  Tingtibiti, Gonphu and Manas wildlife sanctuary seemingly encloses endless foliages making it one of the hotbed for birding and other wild-lives, in addition to  less population, devoid of  modern  means, unpaved road, as a whole it lends and arrest a typical quaint charm of areas and present off the beaten tracks experiences. This itinerary is curated specifically for those  who seek to tread upon the road less taken and in company of rare, exotic avians amidst the bountiful and pristine nature.

Primarily focusing on birds  as well as other wildlife, this itinerary unfolds leisurely, examining prime birding habitats in western Bhutan  mainly temperate region like Paro, Thimphu, Phobjikha and sub tropical -Punakha. Yet at the backdrop we will visit landmark  attractions and sights at respective places. As we move south of Trongsa, we head into sub-tropical zone in Tingtibi, Gonphu, Nabji and Korphu village and Royal Manas National Park (Bhutan) and Manas National Sanctuary (India). These areas have rich reservoir of flora and fauna ( prime sub tropical birding habitat ) and other wildlife. There are almost 360 species of birds recorded with 210 resident species. Most notable  are Giant Hornbill, Rufous Necked Hornbill,  Pallas Fish Eagle, Spotted Wren Babbler, Blue headed Rock Thrushes, Emerald Cuckoo, Finn’s Weaver, Hodgson, Bengal Florican, Scarlet Minivet, Magpie Robin, Herons, Pied Hornbill etc. Most notable among the animals are Red Panda( Trongsa area) Golden Langur, deers,  Asiatic elephants, one horn Rhinoceros, Asian water buffalos etc.

As we cross the border  and step in the Manas National Sanctuary  (India) -World Heritage site – it teems with myriad species of birds, wildlife, plants so this  conserve sanctuary  is home to diverse habitats for varied flora and fauna. Through jeep Safari and Elephant ride in the forest, opportunities to see these wild lives, birds and flora are prime.

Outline Itinerary 

Day 1: Arrival in Paro and tour (2200 m)
Arrive in Paro and transfer to hotel. Later visit cultural landmarks such as Rinpung Dzong and National Museum. If time permit, we’ll explore and scan villages and farmhouses and agricultural channel nearby in a way setting  tone for avifauna that thrive in Bhutan, On the agricultural fringes the birds such as Ibis Bill, fire capped Tits, Spotted Laughing Thrush etc are most likely to be seen.  Overnight in Hotel.

Day 2: Paro valley tour and birding
Full day tour of Paro valley scanning for avian and also visiting cultural attractions mainstay.  Ideally, in early morning hour we set out examining thoroughly along the bank of Paro river and agricultural edges till the Drukyul Dzong, these areas offer best birding colony in Paro. Birds to most likely to be seen are Black faced laughing thrush, brown dipper, spotted laughing thrush, Fire capped Tit, Ibis Bill, Crested-pie kingfisher, Redrumped swallow,  Long-tailed minivet, Grey wagtail, Yellow-billed blue Magpie, Spotted nutcracker, later visit, Kichyu Lhakhang and Dumtshe Lhakahang. Overnight in Paro

Day 3: Hike to Taksang
Today is the hike to iconic Taktsang monastery, if early, we can also see some birds such as Ibis Bill, Brown Dipper, Laughing thrushes. Red Billed Clough. As day progress, it set out flight reaction of bird as the visitors grows. With almost 3 hours uphill walk and 1 -2 hours downhill hike in addition to visit of Tiger’s Nest monastery visit, it’s a whole day affair.  Upon return to hotel, pamper yourself with traditional hot stone bath.  Overnight in Hotel

Day 4: Paro – Thimphu (2300 m/54 km/1.20 Hrs)
Drive to Thimphu and head out past the town through the vegetation of fir, conifers, hemlock into Cheri and Begana. Temperate vegetation with quiet ambience provides an ideal habitat for varied species of avifauna. Along the way, sighting of Red bill cough is common. The most common species of avian likely to be seen are Ibis bill, Common sandpiper, Crested-pie kingfisher, Reddrumped swallow,  Long-tailed minivet, Grey wagtail, Yellow-billed blue Magpie, Spotted nutcracker, White-bellied yuhina, Red-billed chough, Black-browed tit etc. Later, visit cultural highlight that is synonymous with capital such as Tashi Chho Dozing, Giant Buddha Statue, Takin Reserve, weekend market, Archery match and more in ratio with available time. Overnight in hotel.

Day 5: Thimphu to Punakha ( 1310 m/71 km/3 hours)
Drive to Punakha, if early this will  enable  prime time birding at Docula Pass (3150 m/ 1 hour) .Given early early morning hours at pass, it not just limits to prime time birding but also can relish glorious sun rise and vista of  mountain peaks and surroundings area, weather permitting. We’ll side track into the trail in the forest of fir, birch, hemlock, examining the vegetation for the birds. During spring, it’s a botanist’s delight as forest is ablaze with crimson and pink rhododendrons, creamy magnolia and aromatic Daphne. The forest floor covered with iris, anemone and euphorbia with Lavender primula and deep purple iris lined at the side. Sighting Ward’s Trogon would be a prize conquest. And also endemic birds such as resplendent Himalayan Monal, near mythical Satyr Tragopan, Blood Pheasant, Khalij Pheasant etc. In Punakha, we will visit Punkaha Dzong, sitting tall in the confluence of Mo & Pho Chhu river. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 6: In Punakha
Full day tour of Punakha valley that consist of scanning Mo Chhu riverbank and Tashithang area. Punakha has typical sub tropical climate, conducive for varied species of birds to flourish. There are instance where migrant are recorded even in non-migratory season. We’ll start with exploring riverbank where birds of duck family and cormorant are frequently seen especially during morning hour. Critically endangered White Bellied Heron are common. After, we drive to northern edge to Tashithang- affluent birding area in western Bhutan, naturally designed with broad-leaved sub tropical vegetation. You may see varied species such as Collared Owlet, Barred Cuckoo-dove, White-browed Shrike-babbler, Large Niltava,We’ll also search for a variety of skulkers, including Spotted Elachura and Pygmy Wren-babbler and many more. Overnight in Hotel/ Farm House/ Deluxe Camping nearby river.

Day 7: Punakha – Gangtey, Phobikha (2900 m/65 km/2.5 hours)
Leaving Punakha, along the way we will make succession of stops that features birding spots in agricultural fringes, rivers channels and vegetation -Flycatcher, wedge Tailed green Pigeon are common. Pallas Fish Eagle has been recorded more often in these area. We will also make a stop at large swathe of productive forest before the Phobjika for birds such as scarlet Finch, Black Drongo, Chestnut bellied Nuthatch, Slaty backed Forktail, Gorgeted Flycatcher, White throated Laughing thrust, Eurasian Jay, Wedge Tailed Green Pigeon, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Verditer Flycatcher, etc. Later visit Gangtey monastery and Nature centre and if your travel date fall between Oct to March, watch Black Neck crane in action. If time permits, a leisurely nature walk in glacial Phobjika valley, where a few birds may awaits you to be discovered such are White Throated laughing thrushes, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, slaty backed forktail, Rusty-flanked Tree creeper, White-browed Bush Robin, and White-winged Grosbeak. Overnight in Hotel.   

Day 8: Phobjikha – Trongsa (2200 m/120 km/4 -5 hours)
Leaving Trongsa early, we’ll stop at Pela La pass. We will spend the whole morning hours looking for alpine avian delights like Satyr Tagopan, Blood Pheasant, Khalij Pheasant and the beautiful Himalayan Monal. Below the pass, the stand of bamboo up shoots attracts many birds. The specialties of the area are Great and Brown Parrot bills and Golden-breasted Fulvetta, probably one of the world’s most attractive passerines. Whilst in Trongsa, visit historical Trongsa Dzong and Museum. Overnight in hotel in Trongsa.

Day 9: Trongsa to Nabji (1367 m/90 kms, 4 -5hours)
Drive to Nabji however road are mainly dirt road, transportation is through tractors and some portion we will walk. This region has impressive flora and fauna, we will make stops to explore the vegetation of broad leaves forests, wild lives are abundant like Rufus Necked Hornbill, Gaint Hornbill, Golden Languor, Himalayan Squirrel, Rhesus Macaques  and varied species of sub tropical birds. Nabji village consist of around 50 houses, and just below the village, set in paddy field is the sacred temple of Nabji or “Oath” which is believed to have power of granting wishes and prayers. It would be worthwhile to take a walk in the village and interact with friendly locales.  Overnight in Deluxe Camp just below the village in small channel.

Day 10:  Full day for excursion to Korphu. Camp (1500 m/6 km/2-3 hours)
Excursion hike to Korphu village, it is located at hilltop above the Nabji. Start the hike with short descent through fan shaped field, cross the small stream and follow steep ascent for 2 to 3 hours to reach Korphu village. Korphu villages consist of around 76 households.  Once in  village, explore temples, visit village, school , interaction with people et al. Return to Nabji .  Overnight in deluxe camp.

Day 11:  Drive to Tingtibi.( 560 m/102 km/ 4 -5 hours)
In the morning, we’ll walk till the road head and drive through farm road for almost 2 hours, then connect with highway and drive for further 2 hours  to Tingtibi. Tingtibi is the bedrock of birding in Bhutan. Its warm sub tropical thick broad leaves forest in addition to lesser people in vicinity augment well for the birds to thrive. Depending on the time of arrival, we’ll do the birding in Tingtibi. Overnight in deluxe camp.

Day 12:  Birding in Tingtibi and Gonphu areas and camp in Gongphu.(398 m/45 km/2 hours)
The underlying areas of Tingtibi, Gonphu and Manas have relatively lesser population concentration in addition to subtropical climate offer best birding spot in Bhutan. We’ll do birding for whole day in Tingtibi and Gongphu area. In Tingtibi, We will focus mainly to spot much sought after Yellow- Rumped honey guide and beautiful nuthatch. Along with it, there are may birds you will encountered such as yellow-throated martin, giant squirrel etc. birds – Rufus-necked hornbill, Blue throated bee-eater, Maroon Oriole, Racket tailed Drongo, Red headed Trogon, sultan tit, Grey Nightjar, Hill Prinia, Asian Emerald Cuckoo, Great hornbill, Partridge, Violet Cuckoo, Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, and Cutia. Rufous-faced Warbler is also quite common, and we stand a chance of encountering the rare White-bellied Heron and possibly Collared Treepie.
In afternoon, less than 2 hours drive takes to Gonphu area, birding in avian rich forest. The species remain similar with Tingtibi however more chances of sighting these species due to serene ambience.
Overnight in deluxe Camp

Day 13: Gongphu to Manas (110 m/55 km/3 hours)
After breakfast, drive 3 hours to reach Manas. It is the part of Royal Manas National Park, the oldest National Park that is the “genetic repository” of varied flora and fauna and pioneer conservation project of fauna in Bhutan. Along the way, we will make regular stop for birding and visit the roadside villages. Once in Manas you can opt for river raft, rapid grade are pretty good and also you can indulge in further birding. Mostly tropical birds such as Egret, Jungle Fowl, Indian roller, Great Hornbill, Alexander parakeet, crested Serpent Eagle, Spotted dove, lesser adjutant stork, white breasted Kingfisher, Stoke Bill Kingfisher, Rose Ring Parakeet, Black Necked stoke etc. Free evening. Overnight in  Lungta Comfort Camp/ Park’s Shed.

Day 14: Manas -Cross into Indian Manas doing safari on the way
Finish immigration formalities of both Bhutan and India, once in Indian side of Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, we can do wildlife safari and also take excursion for birding in nearby vegetation. These broad leaves forest harbour the avian species such as Indian Roller, Egret, lesser Adjutant Stroke, Jungle Fowls, Pelican, Stroke Bill Kingfisher, Bulbuls, Brahminy Ducks, Fishing eagles etc.Overnight in Safari Lodge.

Day 15: Manas (Indian side).
Rest and relax for whole day or you can start early for wildlife safari such as Jeep safari in deeper part of park, where the sighting of birds are ample such Serpent Eagle, Giant Hornbills, Jungle Fowls, Indian rollers, White Breast Kingfisher, Rose Ring Parakeet and other sub tropical species. And also animals such as Asiatic elephant, wild Gour/ Indian Bison, One horn Rhinoceros, deers etc.   And also do elephant ride, along side it, you can also do fair bit of birding in interior of the park. Overnight in safari Lodge.

Day 16: Manas to Guwahati (Departure) (56m/176 km/5 hours)
After break fast, drive 4-5hrs to Guwahati to connect with afternoon flight to Delhi or Kolkata. Or you can take one of our Northeast India Tour.

Best Time To Visit
Window to explore this  itinerary is quite small, it stretches from beginning of November – end of Feb. Areas south of Trongsa, fall under sub tropical zone where it tend to get very hot and humid, come June it gets wet with heavy rain till end of September. The weather between Nov – Feb is pleasant and dry during the day and slightly cool at night.
Some relevant links 
Birding In Bhutan
Deluxe Camping or Lungta Deluxe
Sample North East India Tour Itinerary as extension trip.