Day 1: Paro

Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be met by our representative from Bhutan Green Travel and checked-in to your hotel in Paro for two nights. Afterwards, visit the impressive Paro Dzong (also known as the Rinpung Dzong), built in 1644 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. We begin birding along the banks of the Parochhu (Pachhu) River and looking out for the Himalayan riverine species such as Ibisbill, Black-tailed Crake, Brown Dipper, River Lapwing, Plumbeous Water-Redstart, White-capped Water-Redstart, White Wagtail, Blue Whistling-Thrush, Oriental Turtle-Dove, Russet Sparrow, Eurasian Hoopoe, Green Sandpiper and the winter visitor like Black-throated Thrush,etc. Tonight enjoy a welcome drink and dinner with BGT. Overnight in Paro.

Day 2: Wonder of Bhutan

Today you will take a short hike to Paro Taktshang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest). No visit to Bhutan would be complete without a trip to Taktshang. The monastery is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900m above the Paro valley and takes about a 4-5-hours climb (up and down) on a well-maintained trail through beautiful pine forest, trees festooned with Spanish Moss and fluttering prayer flags. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche (Padma Sambhava) flew to Paro Taktshang cliff in the form of Guru Dorji Drolo, mounted on the back of a flaming tigress from Tibet to tame five demons, who were opposing the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan in the 8th century. If time permits, visit Ta Dzong (ancient watch tower), which now houses the National Museum of Bhutan, and continue to the Paro Dzong (also known as the Rinpung Dzong), built in 1644 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Overnight in Paro.

Day 3: Birding in Chele La Pass

This early morning we drive up to to Chele La pass on the road to Haa at an altitude of 3,950m through blue pine and hemlock forests. If the weather is clear, you will see the breath-taking views of Mounts Jomolhari and adjacent Jiju Drake plus the splendid view of the Paro and Ha valleys. Chele La area is a spot for three different species of Pheasants: the spectacular Himalayan Monal, coveys of attractive Blood Pheasants and Kalij Pheasantand Satyr Tragopan, Other species found include Spotted Laughingthrush, Black-faced Laughingthrush, Blue-fronted Redstart, White-collared Blackbird, White-browed Rosefinches, White-winged Grosbeak to name a few. Lunch will be served in Paro. We then head to Thimphu for the distance of 65-km for about one hour journey. En route stop off at the 13th century Tamchog Lhakhang on the base of a mountain across the Pa Chhu River on the Paro – Thimphu highway, the hereditary place of worship for Bhutan’s great architect Dupthop Thangtong Gyalpo (builder of iron chain bridges). The evening is at leisure to relax – so why not stroll in the great atmospheric Thimphu town? Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 4: Thimphu – Punakha

After breakfast, travel to Punakha for the distance of 77-km for about 3 hours journey. Punakha, at an altitude of 1,300m, was once the old capital of Bhutan from 1637 to 1907. En route stop off at the Druk Wangyal 108 Chortens constructed on the crest of Dochula pass at 3,100m (45-minutes drive towards the east of Thimphu). On a clear day, you will enjoy an amazing 360-degree panoramic view of the snow capped mountain peaks of eastern Himalayas including Mt. Masanggang at 7,570m, the highest peak of Bhutan (locally known as Mt. Gangkar Puensum). Explore into Bhutan’s mixed forests of hemlock, fir, oak and rhododendron where the diversity of birds and flowering plants are in abundance. Today’s birding include Fire-tailed Myzornis (chances for this star bird further east), Hoary-throated Barwing, Yellow-billed Blue Magpies, a flock of Gould’s, Green-tailed Sunbird, Golden-breasted Fulvettas, White-browned Fulvettas, Rufous-winged Fulvettas, Spotted Nutcracker, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Dark-breasted Rosefinch, Red-headed Bullfinch, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher. Later continue your voyage descending down to the sub-tropical Punakha–Wangdue Phodrang valley at an altitude of 1,300m. Lunch will be served in a restaurant at Lobesa. Visit the Punakha Dzong (also known as the Pungthang Dechen Phodrang Dzong) built in 1637, which is strategically located at the confluence of the Phochhu (male) and Mochhu (female) Rivers. The evening is at leisure to relax – so why not take a walk to the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan built over the Phochu River? Overnight in Punakha.

Day 5: Birding in Punakha

Punakha, at an altitude of 1,300m, was once the old capital of Bhutan and the seat of government until 1955. We’ll explore along the Phochu River in search of the world’s very rare and endangered bird, White-bellied Heron. Other species sighted in the area are the Ibisbill, Slender-billed Oriole, Crested Kingfisher and and possibly Pallas’s Fish Eagle. Then travel up the Mochhu valley as far as Gasa stretch where we should find Great Cormorant, Slaty-backed Forktail, Spotted Forktail, Black-backed Forktail, Maroon Oriole, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Bay Woodpecker, Great Barbets, Golden-throated Barbets, Barred Cuckoo Dove, Himalayan Cuckoo, Slaty-bellied Tesia, Black-throated Yuhina, Striped-throated Yuhina, Whiskered Yuhina, Straited Yuhina, Green-crowned Warbler, Grey-hooded Warbler, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Slaty-bellied Tesia, Grey-bellied Tesia, Small Niltava, Large Niltava, White-gorgeted Flycatcher, Grey-headed Flycatchers, Nepal Fulvetta. Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush, White-throated Laughingthrush, Greater Yellownape, Lesser Yellownape, Striated Bulbul, Mountain Bulbul, Spotted Elachura, Black-eared Shrike-babbler, Pygmy Wren-Babbler, Rufous-capped Babbler, Scarlet Finch, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Blyth’s Leaf, Black-throated Sunbird, Green-tailed Sunbird, Short-billed Minivet, Scarlet Minivet, Long-tailed Minivet, Grey-chinned Minivet, Brown-throated Treecreeper, Black-throated Tit, Oriental Turtle Dove, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, White-tailed Nuthatch and Grey Treepie. Along the river on the outskirts of town we will have another chance to find the splendid Ibisbill. Overnight in Punakha.

Day 6: Punakha - Phobjikha

After breakfast drive the distance of 78-km for about 3 hours journey to Gangtey via Wangdue Phodrang. Phobjikha valley, at an altitude of 3,000m, is one of the winter roosting grounds of the rare Black-necked Cranes, where they come in hundreds after spending their summer in Tibet and then migrates to the Himalayas of Bhutan to spend their winter – they arrive in the months of September and October and fly back to Tibet between February and March. Today we could see Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Blue-capped Rock Thrushes, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Bearded Vulture, Oriental Magpie Robin, Great Parrotbill, Red-headed Bullfinch, Scarlet Finch, White-tailed Nuthatch, Rufous-breasted Accentor, etc. Overnight in Gangtey.

Day 7: Phobjikha – Bumthang

We head central for the distance of 120-km for about 5 hours to Trongsa via Pele La Pass at an altitude of 3,300m. Trongsa is the ancestral home of the present Royal Family of Bhutan. Before reaching Trongsa, explore the bamboo-clad slopes of the Pele La high altitude species such as Alpine Accentor, White-browed Rosefinch, Great Parrotbill, Brown Parrotbill, Black-faced Laughingthrush, Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush and Speckled Woodpigeon. En route you’ll be awestruck by the majestic architectural masterpiece of Trongsa Dzong. Continue the journey to Bumthang via Yotongla Pass at an altitude of 3,400m. We encounter birds inlcuidng the rare and unusual Fire-tailed Myzornis, Spotted Laughingthrush and Slender-billed Scimitar-Babbler. En route stop off at the Yathra Weaving Centre at Chumey village, where they use yak and sheep wools for yathra products with patterns unique to Bumthang. Overnight in Bumthang.

Day 8: Moving to Sengor

This morning drive to Sengor via Thumshing La Pass (the highest point of the journey), shrouded in thick hemlock and rhododendron forest, at an altitude of 3,800m. Along the way we will see the Ura valley with spectacular views of countryside, forests and large sheep pastures. Located at an altitude of 3,100m, Ura village has characteristically close-clustered houses which are quite unique in Bhutan. The pass is frequented by some high-altitude species and may find Satyr Tragopan, the beautiful Blood Pheasant, Yellow-Billed Blur Magpies, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Goldcrest, Snow Pigeon, Red-headed Bullfinch,Yellow-bellied Fantail, Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Great parrotbill, Black-faced Laughingthrush, Fire-tailed Sunbird and Golden Bush Robin. Overnight in Sengor.

Day 9-10: The Hotspot of Birding

Travel to Yongkola towards the eastern Bhutan at an altitude of 1,855m through rich sub-tropical rainforest. Stop at Namling at an altitude of 3,000m, the Bhutan’s most sought-after birding area and many avid bird watchers spend many days here. We have two days to explore them, from the cool mid-elevations down to the warmer subtropical.

The list of birds here is large and diverse including Satyr Tragopan, Ward’s Trogon, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Slender-billed Scimitar-Babbler, Chestnut Breasted Partridge(heard often, rarely seen), Gould’s Shortwing, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Black-throated Parrotbill, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Rufous-throated Wren-Babbler, Grey-chinned Minivet, Blue-throated Barbet, Golden-throated Barbet, Golden Bush Robin, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Scaly-breasted Wren-Babbler, Pygmy Wren-Babbler, Golden Babbler, Scaly Wren Babbler, White-browed and Black-eared Shrike-Babblers, Black-headed and Pied shrike-babblers; Asian Barred Owlet, Yellow- throated Fulvetta, Striated Bulbul, the miniscule Chestnut-headed and Grey-bellied Tesias, Yellow-cheeked Tit, Chestnut-crowned and Black-faced Warblers, Sultan Tit and Rusty-fronted Treecreeper, Brown-throated Treecreeper, White-browed Shortwing, Pale and Pygmy blue-flycatchers, Grey-sided and Scaly Laughingthrushes, Gray-sided and Blue-winged laughingthrushes; the near-endemic Bhutan Laughingthrush (split from Streaked), White-naped Yuhina; Black-chinned Yuhina, Red-billed Leiothrix, Black-throated Prinia; Hill Prinia, Grey-chinned Minivet, Short-billed Minivet, Scarlet Minivet,White-tailed Nuthatch, the shy Sapphire Flycatcher, Large and Rufous-bellied Niltavas, White-tailed Robin, Chestnut-tailed Minla, Blue-winged Minla, the exquisite Himalayan Cutia, Spotted Elachura, the strange Sikkim Wedge-billed Babbler, Himalayan Cutia, etc.

If we are lucky we will find Black-headed Shrike-Babbler, Bar-winged Wren-Babbler and the dapper Golden-naped Finch. Overnight in Yongkola.

Day 11: Back to Trongsa

Return to Trongsa, the ancestral home of the present Royal Family of Bhutan. Discover the quaint village of Ura valley en route and continue the journey along 32-km Nangar – Ura bypass highway. Later, visit the magnificent Trongsa Dzong where the first two Kings ruled from this dzong and the ancient Tower of Trongsa (now converted to museum). You’ll be awestruck by the majestic architectural masterpiece of Trongsa Dzong. The evening is at leisure to relax, explore and enjoy the idyllic atmosphere of the Trongsa town. Overnight in Trongsa.

Day 12: Trongsa – Zhemgang – Tingtibi

Today we leave Trongsa behind and drive southwards for about 4-5 hours journey to Tingtibi and Zhemgang following the Mangde Chhu River. We have chances to encounter the rarely observed Yellow-Rumped Honeyguide. Other birds found in this area are Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Mountain Hawk-Eagle, with a bit of luck, the rare Beautiful Nuthatch, Rufous-necked Laughingthrush, Lesser-necklaced Laughingthrush, Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush, White-browed Scimitar-Babbler, Blyth’s Shrike Babbler, Pin-tailed Green Pigeons, Red-headed Trogon, the sensational Great Hornbill, Grey-capped woodpecker, Fulvous-breasted woodpeckers, Little Pied Flycatcher, Pygmy-blue flycatcher, Sultan Tit, White-browed Piculet, Speckled Piculet to name a few. One of the highlights of this birding tour is the impressive number of Golden Langur Monkeys. Campsite at Tingtibi.

Day 13 & 14: Birding in Tingtibi and Manas

Continue a full day birding in the Tingtibi and Manas areas for two days. Today explore the entire stretch of Zhemgang as far as the Royal Manas National Park. Tingtibi area offers some of the best birding in the country and its elevations complement like that of southwards Yonkola-Limithang areas.

A wide variety of birds that we hope to find in this low elevation region include Great Hornbill, Rufous-necked Hornbill, the gorgeous Long-tailed Broadbill, Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, White-crested Laughingthrush, Rufous-necked Laughingthrush, Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush, Straited Laughingthrush, Greater Necklaced laughingthrush, Lesser Necklaced laughingthrush, the magnificent Black Eagle, crested Serpent-Eagle, Gray-capped Woodpecker, Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker, Pale-headed woodpecker, Gray-throated Babbler, Spotted Elachura, Black-eared Shrike-babbler, White-browed Scimitar Babbler, White-browed Scimitar Babbler, Jungle Babbler, Golden Babbler, Pin-striped Tit Babbler, Puff-throated Babbler, Abbott’s Babbler, Long-billed Wren-Babbler, Eye-browed Wren-Babler, Scaly Wren-Babbler, Pygmy Wren-Babbler, Common Green Magpie, Common Kestrel, Chestnut-winged Cuckoo, Emerald Dove, Bar-tailed Cuckoo-Dove, Whistling Hawk-Cuckoo, Lesser Yellownape, Indian and Violet Cuckoos, Scarlet Minivet, Bronzed Drongo, Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, Cutia, Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, the bamboo specialized White-hooded Babbler, the lovely Red-faced Liocichla, Mountain Bulbul, Red-whiskered Bulbul, Black-crested Bulbul, White-throated Bulbul, Ashy Bulbuls, Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Rufous Woodpecker, Grey-headed Woodpecker, White-bellied Erpornis, Rufous-faced Warbler, Chestnut-crowned Warbler, Grey-cheeked Warbler, Whistler’s Warbler, Black-faced Warbler, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, White-tailed Nuthatch Striated Prinia, Rufescent Prinia, Lesser Yellownape, Long-tailed Sibia, Streaked Spiderhunter and many more.

We should also encounter the beautiful Golden Langur monkey once again and the main target bird for the day will be the rare Beautiful Nuthatch. Overnight at Jungle Camp (Panbang).

Day 14: Drive to Gelephu

This morning we continue towards the Bhutanese border town of Gelephu via Sarpang for the distance of 115-km for 4 hours journey. Sarpang Dzonghag (District) is located in the central part of southern Bhutan, bordering to Assam sate in India. Gelephu is one of the three gateways to Bhutan from India (located 32-km away from Sarpang headquarters). We will stop in several areas of good habitat and enjoy some lower foothill forest birding en route.

Birds not encountered elsewhere on this journey include Indian Peafowl, Black Francolin, Green Imperial-Pigeon, Thick-billed Green Pigeon, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Indian Cuckoo, Grey-capped Woodpecker, Common Tailorbird, Indian Roller, White-throated Kingfisher, Golden-fronted Leafbird, Speckled Piculet, Large Woodshrike, Black-hooded Oriole, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Common Hill Myna, Jungle myna, Great Hornbill and Oriental Pied Hornbills. Discover the Gelephu Tshachu (hot springs). Other places of interest include Army Welfare Distillery Factory (liquors of Bhutan are made), Dathgari Market between Assam–Gelephu border crossings, Serzhong Lhakhang (about 20 minutes from popular Gelephu Bridge) on a hilltop providing the best viewpoint of Gelephu town and Chuzegang and Norbuling villages. The evening is at leisure to relax and enjoy, we have allowed some time for this and also to explore the delightful surroundings of Gelephu. Overnight in Gelephu.

Day 15: Depart Gelephug via Guwahati to New Delhi, India

Your tour concludes this morning after breakfast. We will enter Assam (the famous Assamese tea garden tea), traveling across the fertile northern plains of the Brahmaputra River to Guwahati, the capital and largest city of Assam in northeastern state of India. The travelling distance is 390-km for about 6 hours journey. From Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati, fly back to New Delhi. Most international flights to Europe depart after midnight. Goodbye and Good luck! Tashi Delek!