Plan Birds Watching Trip

Bhutan is a paradise for bird lovers and ornithologists. Over 670 species of birds have been recorded and many more are yet to be discovered. Around 50 species of the known birds are winter migrants. These include ducks, waders, birds of prey, thrushes, finches and buntings.

The partial migrants to Bhutan include cuckoos, swifts, bee-eaters, warblers and flycatchers. The country harbors more than 16 species of vulnerable birds. They are the Pallas’s Fish Eagle, White bellied Heron, Satyr Tragopan, Gray-bellied Tragopan, Ward’s Trogon, Blyth’s King Fisher, Yellow-rumped Honey Guide, Rufous Throated Wren Babbler, Chestnut-breasted Partridge, Blyth’s Trogon, Wood Snipe, Dark-rumped Swift, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Gray-crowned Prinia and the Beautiful Nuthatch all of which breed in Bhutan.

Bhutan is home to many species of birds that are in danger of extinction, including the Imperial Heron, which is one of the fifty rarest birds in the world and the rare Black-Necked Crane, which breeds in Tibet and then migrates over the Himalayas to Bhutan during the winter months. The Cranes can be spotted in Phobjikha Valley in Western Bhutan, Bumthang in Central Bhutan and in Bumdeling in Eastern Bhutan. They migrate to these winter roosting sites in the months of September and October and fly back to Tibet between February and March.

Bhutan Bird Watching Tour Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival Paro (2250m)

Transfer from hotel to airport in time to connect Druk Air flight to Paro. During the flight, one will experience breathtaking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Mount Chomolhari and Jitchu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, meet and greet transfer to hotel and briefing about the program rest and free. Overnight at the hotel in Paro

Day 02: Birding and Tour in Paro

After breakfast start our Bird watching tour in Bhutan, the ideal birding spots in Paro are through the farmlands, the lower and upper broadleaved evergreen forests, the riversides, sub alpine forests and shrubberies. The valley also possesses wealth of cultural attractions such as Ta Dzong (National Museum), Rinpung Dzong, Kyichu Lhakhang and Taktsang Lhakhang.

Some of the recorded bird species in Paro includes: Aberrant Bush Warbler (Cettia flavoivacea), Blyth’s Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus dumetorum), Himalayan Whistling Thrush (Myiophonus caeruleus), Common Teal (Ana crecca), Greyheaded Flycatcher Warbler (Seicercus xanthoschistos), Greenbacked Tit (Parus monticolus), Hodgson’s Redstart (Phoenicurus hodgsoni), Jungle Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos), Himalayan Brown Dipper (Cinclus pallasi), Crestee Honey Buzzard (Pernis ptilorhyncus), Himalayan Treecreeper (Certhia hamalayana), Hill Pigeon (Columba rupestris), Rufousbreasted Accentor (Prunella strophiata), Rufous Turtle Dove (Streptoppelia orientalis), Rufousbellied Hawk-Eagle (Hieraaetus kienerii), Stripethroated Yuhina (Yuhina gularis), Longtailed Minivet (Pericrocotus ethologus)

Day 03: Paro/ Thimphu (54 km, 1 and half hours)

After breakfast drive to Thimphu, the modern capital town of Bhutan, the Thimphu valley is surrounded by fine stands of Blue Pine and temperate evergreen forests. The increasing human settlement has pushed birding spots at least 10 km and now the ideal areas for birding are around the stream near Motithang and in and around Begana and Cheri villages.

Few of the bird species recorded here are: Common Sandpiper (Tringa hypoleucos), Redrumped Swallow (Hirunda daurica), Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus melaschistos), Grackle or Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa), Grey Wagtail (Motacilla caspica), Whitebellied Yuhina (Yuhina xanthoteuca), Upland Pipit (Anthus sylvanus), Plumbeous Redstart (Rhyacornis fuliginosus)

Day 04: Thimphu – Punakha (77km, 2 hours)

After breakfast drive to Punakha over dochula pass (3150 m). Stop for a while at the pass for a breath taking of eastern Himalayan Mountain Ranges on a clear day and also to see the 108 small chhortens (stupas). The following bird’s species can be found on our way to Punakha. Some special birds are Gold-naped Finch, Rufous-breasted Bush Robin, Satyr Tragopan, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler and Tree Creepers

After lunch at evening hike to Chhimi Lhakhang, this is located at a hill top. This temple is also known as ‘the temple of fertility’. The hike will take about 25 minutes from the road end through the farm fields. Then we will drive to Punakha and visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong. Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel

Day 05: Punakha – Trongsa

After breakfast drive to Trongsa over Pelela pass. Today we may find the following birds on our way to Trongsa. Frequently watching birds are Blood Pheasant, Yellowish-billed, Bush Warbler, Great Parrot bill, White Winged Grosbeak, Fire-tailed Myzornis and Maroon-backed Accentor. After having Lunch continue our journey to Trongsa. Overnight stay at Hotel

Day 06: Trongsa – Zhemgang

After breakfast drive to Zhemgang with pack lunch. Today we may see the following birds beside the good opportunity to see the golden langure – an animal endemic to Bhutan. Here you’ll see Chestnuts Breasted Partridge, Ward’s Trogon, Rufus Necked, Great Horn Bill and Blue-napped Pitta, Blue fronted Robin, Wedge Billed and Bar winged Wren Babblers and many more. Dinner and overnight stay in Zhemgang

Day 07: Zhemgang – Tingtingbi

Today we will explore the birds from Zhemgang till Tingtingbi. Dinner and overnight stay at Tingtingbi; night at Camp.

Day 08: Tingtingbi – Trongsa

After an early breakfast, drive to Trongsa with your pack lunch. We will stop wherever

necessary if we spot birds on our way back to Trongsa. Overnight at hotel

Day 09: Trongsa – Wangdue

After breakfast drive to Wangdue. The drive will take about 5 hours. Lunch will be served at Nobding and continue our journey to Wangdue. Spend evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10: Wangdue – Paro

Early morning drive to Paro. Have lunch at Thimphu. Continue our journey to Paro. At evening, stroll around the Paro town and the last shopping in Bhutan. Dinner and overnight stay at Paro.

Day 11: Final Departure

After breakfast at the hotel, we transfer you to the airport in Paro for departure flight to Kathmandu or your onward destination