Homeland of Rare Birds - 12 Days

Fly on the wings of Dragon to the international airport in Paro, Bhutan. On a clear day, the panoramic views of the Himalaya are sensational, including Mt. Everest (if you are flying from Delhi and Kathmandu), but particularly exciting is the approach through the Bhutanese foothills and the landing, including a few steep, turn to land at the tiny airstrip of Paro. On arrival in Paro, you will be received by the Heavenly Bhutan team by offering welcome scarfs. After the check-in to the hotel, we will go birding along the Pachhu river, you will sight waterbirds like; Ibisbill, Brown Dipper, White-capped Water Redstart, River Lapwing, Plumbeous Water Redstart, etc. Overnight in Paro.

We will drive to Punakha en route stopover Dochu La pass at 3,050 meters. The snow-capped eastern Himalayan range can be seen on a clear day. You could also circumambulate the 108 stupas of the Druk Wangyal Chorten. The birds found in Punakha and Wangduephodrang valleys are Himalayan Cutia, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Collared Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, White-browed Fulvetta, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Spotted Nutcracker, Speckled Wood Pigeon, Slaty-backed Forktail, Spotted Forktail, Eurasian Jay, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler, etc. Overnight in Punakha.

We will drive to Punakha en route stopover Dochu La pass at 3,050 meters. The snow-capped eastern Himalayan range can be seen on a clear day. You could also circumambulate the 108 stupas of the Druk Wangyal Chorten. The birds found in Punakha and Wangduephodrang valleys are Himalayan Cutia, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Collared Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, White-browed Fulvetta, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Spotted Nutcracker, Speckled Wood Pigeon, Slaty-backed Forktail, Spotted Forktail, Eurasian Jay, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler, etc. Overnight in Punakha.

In this stretch you will sight Jungle Owlet, Asian-barred Owlet, Osprey, White-bellied Heron, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Lesser Fish Eagle, Great Cormorant, Black-throated Sunbird, Green-tailed Sunbird, Black-throated Yuhina, Striped-throated Yuhina, Whiskered Yuhina, Striated Yuhina, Scarlet Minivet, Long-tailed Minivet, Hoary-throated Barwing, Blue-fronted Robin, Lesser Shortwing, Himalayan Cutia, Green Shrike-babbler, Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Yellow-throated Fulvetta, Black-eared Shrike-babbler, Spotted Wren Babbler, Pygmy Wren Babbler, Speckled Piculet, Orange-bellied Leafbird, White-tailed Nuthatch, Maroon Oriole, Scarlet Finch, Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon. Overnight in Punakha.

After breakfast, we will drive eastward toward Phobjikha through the black mountain region. Phobjikha valley is one of the most important wildlife preserves in the country and it serves as the nesting grounds for the endangered Black-necked Crane in winter. The bird species found in this valley are Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Blue-capped Rock Thrush, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Great Parrotbill, Alpine Accentor, Green-tailed Sunbird, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Rufous-vented Yuhina, Whiskered Yuhina, Scaly Thrush, Tickell’s Thrush, Fire-capped Tit, Amur falcon, Ward’s Trogon, Blue Rock Thrush, Black-faced Laughingthrush, Spotted Laughingthrush, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Red-headed Bullfinch, Scarlet Finch, White-tailed Nuthatch, etc. Overnight in Phobjikha.

We will drive through the dense evergreen forests of oak, rhododendron, horse chestnut, laurel, maple, fir, spruce, larch, hemlock and juniper to the central district of Trongsa crossing Pele La (pass) at 3390m. The species found in this area includes Spotted Laughingthrush, Crested Serpent Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Common Kestrel, Himalayan Griffon, Himalayan Swiftlet, Asian House Martin, Nepal House Martin, Common Rosefinch, Beautiful Rosefinch, White-browed Rosefinch, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Streaked-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Brown Parrotbill, Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler, and Speckled Wood Pigeon. Overnight in Trongsa.

Depart for Zhemgang and Tingtibi following the Mangde Chhu River. Species found in this area are Pin-tailed Green Pigeons, Red-headed Trogon, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Chestnut-breasted 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, Collared Scops Owl, Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush. Overnight in Tingtibi.

Explore Tingtibi where you can spot the Great Hornbill, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Lesser Yellownape, Scarlet Minivet, Sultan Tit, Black-eared Shrike-babbler, White-bellied Erpornis, Long-tailed Sibia, Silver-eared Mesia, Red-billed Leiothrix, Bare-throated Siva, Blue-winged Siva, Red-tailed Minla, Red-faced Liocichla, Rufous-necked Laughingthrush, Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush, Striated Laughingthrush, White-crested Laughingthrush, Jungle Babbler, Golden Babbler, Grey-throated Babbler, Pin-striped Tit Babbler, Long-billed Wren-Babbler, Eye-browed Wren Babler, Scaly Wren-Babbler, Pygmy Wren Babbler, Puff-throated Babbler, Abbott’s Babbler, Chestnut-crowned Warbler, Grey-cheeked Warbler, Whistler’s Warbler, Rufous-faced Warbler, Black-faced Warbler, Mountain Tailorbird. Overnight in Tingtibi.

In the morning before heading to Bumthang you will try to spot the Beautiful Nuthatch and the sapphire flycatcher. Then drive to Bumthang crossing over Yotong La pass 3,400m. En route spot the Chestnut-tailed Minla, Brown Parrotbill, Black-faced Laughingthrush, Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush, and Gold-naped Finch. Evening, walk along the Chamkhar Chu River in Bumthang valley to spot the Little Bunting, Red-billed Chough, Blyth’s pipit and Common Sandpiper. Overnight in Bumthang.

Today you will sight pheasants if missed in the previous days. Visit Tharparling monastery for magnificent Himalayan Monal and Satyr Tragopan. Besides, you will sight Spot-winged Grosbeak, Daurian Redstart, Olive-backed Pipit, Oriental Skylark, Black-billed Magpie, etc. Overnight in Bumthang.

Receive by a new set of guides and drivers, transfer to the hotel. Afternoon visit 17th century Paro Dzong and Ta Dzong unique national museum having a masterpiece of various collections. Visit 8th-century Kyichu Lhakhang and enjoy outdoor activities wearing Gho/Kira, play archery at HBT outdoor center. Overnight in Paro.