Grand Birding Wildlife Tour of Bhutan

Grand Birding Wildlife Tour of Bhutan

Exploring Bhutan's Biodiversity

Trip Overview

cultural_tour Duration 13 Days
Easy Trip Level Easy
wildlife_bird_&_nature Trip Type Wildlife Bird & Nature
Activities Included Activities Included
Activities Included Wildlife Bird & Nature Activities Included Deluxe Camping Activities Included Discovery
accommodations Accommodation Tourist Standard hotel 2* to 3* and whenever possible we use 4* hotel like Hotel Druk in Thimphu and Tashi Namgay in Paro. In some places we camp and option are to do normal camping or deluxe camping (Safari Style Tent and Bed). Also we can add farm house stay for a day or two for authentic experience.
meals Meals Full Board including evening Tea
seasons Best Seasons In tropical region like Tingtibi, Gonphu and Gelephu, summer(May -Sep) are hot and wet.However Winter are pleasant in tropical belt, but can be relatively cold in morning and evening in temperate region like Thimphu, Paro. This period would be ideal to do birding also these period affords to see some migratory bird like Black Neck Crane etc.Spring(March and April) is the mating season for birds, when the birds' call are distinct and it exhibit colour changes to entice the mate.

Trip Highlights

    Focussing, primarily on birding  yet at backdrop cultural insights in places of interest
    Birding in off the beaten habitats and visit and interaction with people at remote regions.

    Some resident, indigenous, rare, exotic and endangered Birds. 
    Hill myna.Rufous Fronted Tits,  Stayr Tragopan, Monal, Large Hawk Cuckoo, Darjeeling Woodpecker,Ward’s Trogan.Bay Woodpecker, Red-headed Trogon, Wedge-tailed Pigeon Fire-capped Tit breeds White-gorgeted Flycatcher, rare Yellow-vented Warbler. Magpie Robin, Green Magpie, Osprey, River Lapwing, Ruddy Shelduck, Eurasian Wigeon, Spotted Elachura, Pygmy Wren-babbler,pallas Eagle,Slender billed Scimitar Babbler, Red Headed Bull Flinches.  Fire Tailed Myzornis, yellow throated Marten, Yuhinas, Fulvettas, Spotted laughing thrushes,Great Hornbill, Rufous Necked Hornbill, Fire Tailed Mizoram,Black Eagle, Oriental Cuckoo, Speckled Wood Pigeon, Brown Parrot Bill, Black throated Sunbird, Sultan Tit, Green Magpie, Small Niltava, Silver eared Mesia,  Maroon Oriele, beautiful Nuthatch.

    Top Animals
    Golden Langur, Yellow-throated Marten, Black Giant Squirrel, Large-eared Pika, Red Panda, also chances to sight  Himalayan Black Bear, Musk Deer.

    Habitats Covered
    Sub- tropical birding habitat with broad and warm leaves forest, temperate habitat with forest of fir, Conifer, hemlock forest, High mountain passes like Docula, Pelala passes, bamboo bushes, river Channels, agricultural land etc.

    Tour Pace and Walking
    Pace of tour is moderate except once or twice it require to drive for longer hours  to cover distance. Its not just we hike for birding but also to visit rural villages and temples, and the walk is moderately pace more often.

    Number of Birds species expected
    250 to 350 species of birds.

Trip Description

The Grand Birding Wildlife Tour of Bhutan immerses you in a journey through diverse avian habitats, spanning from temperate forests to subalpine zones and into the realm of subtropical jungles.
Within this context, this trips also bring us to prominent attractions in towns like Thimphu, Paro, and Punakha. Nevertheless, our unwavering focus remains fixed on capturing the thriving avian marvels along peripheries and river channels, as well as within the agricultural landscapes encompassing these towns.
Nestled within the heart of tropical birding havens such as Tingibiti, Gonphu, and Gelephu, our journey transports us to relatively remote domains. These areas are flourishing grounds for exotic bird species, including the Yellow Rumped Honeyguide, exquisite Nuthatch, diverse hornbill species, and more. Notably, these regions also serve as a habitat for remarkable creatures like the Golden Langur.
Largely, the art of birding here involves a profound interaction with the themes of nature. The terrains surrounding Gelephu and Tshirang, where our regular stops are planned, have remained mostly undiscovered by visitors. Within these enclaves, there exists the potential for encountering delightful surprises.
Furthermore, elevated mountain passes such as Pelela and Dochula provide a habitat for captivating bird species, encompassing the almost mythical Satyr Tragopan, the resplendent Himalayan Monal, and numerous other extraordinary inhabitants of the avian realm.

Outline Itinerary 

Day 1: Arrive and stay in Paro (2200m)
Day 2: Paro across Dochula pass to Punakha: (1250m)
Day 3: In Punakha (Birding in Tashithang & beyond in JDW National Park areas)
Day 4: In Gangtey, Phobjikha (3000m)
Day 5: Cross Pelela pass (3420m) to Trongsa (2000m)
Day 6: Birding in lower Trongsa and Zhemgang to Tingtibi (600m)
Day 7: From Tingtibi- birding in Gonghu/Zhemgang area (600m-1100m)
Day 8: Descend through the foothills to the plains of Gelephu (200m)
Day 9: Ascend through the hills/jungles to Tsirang and descend to Wangdue/Punakha (1250m)
Day 10: Wangdue to Thimphu across Dochula pass
Day 11: In the capital Thimphu
Day 12: Drive to Paro (Hike to Takstang)
Day 13: Departure

 

Included

    • Daily Tourists Fees (SDF)
    • Visa processing and visa fees
    • Accommodations
    • All meals
    • All land transfers and transportation by private vehicle
    • Sightseeing with entrance fees.
    • Experienced Birding local Guide
    • Bottled water in the vehicle and other comp. services.

Not included

    • Flights into and out of Bhutan
    • Optional Travel/Medical Insurance
    • Personal expenses such as bars, beverages in the hotel, telephone, laundry, trips, and others.
    • Any aspect not reflected in included section.