Birding Tours in Bhutan

Birding Tours in Bhutan

Chelela Pass, Haa

Bhutan is a paradise for bird lovers and ornithologists. Bird watching in Bhutan is your lifetime ticket to the theater of nature. The 8 days Birding tour in the western part of Thimphu, Punakha and Phobjikha offers the opportunity to spot more than 60 different species of birds in the temperate and alpine vegetation of valleys and mountain passes. The highlight of this trip is the endangered Black Necked Crane which can be spotted in Phobjikha . This journey also includes visit to historical cultural monuments and hike to sacred sites. Spend your amazing holiday in Bhutan with Heavenly Bhutan Travels and watch those nature gifted rare species of birds. Birding Tours in Bhutan

Day 01: Arrival in Paro- Thimphu (1.5 hrs drive)
Fly on the wings of the Dragon to Bhutan, on arrival in Paro International Airport, complete the immigration formalities and exit through only one arrival gate where HBT dedicated team who will be holding placard, no one will be missed. We welcome with khaddar and proceed to Thimphu which will take about an hour and half. The route will follow Paro River until Chuzom from where we will bend towards Thimphu River taking us to the heart of capital city Thimphu. The entire stretch of drives is very scenic and picturesque as we pass by some of the beautiful villages of Bondey, Shaba, Isina etc until we enter welcome gate in Thimphu. Tachongang Lhakhang– En-route to Thimphu, stopover for little leg stretch walk crossing Paro River or enjoy the views from the roadside depending on your arrival time. Chuzom– Meeting point of two rivers (Thimphu & Paro) this is tri junction of highway leading to Thimphu, Paro and Phuentsholing into three directions. Enjoy the lovely picture of beautiful portrait of our King and Queen placed at chuzom which is so welcoming to all who visits Bhutan.  Overnight in Thimphu, altitude 2400m

Day 02: Thimphu- Phobjikha (5 hrs drive)
The valley of black necked cranes and rhododendron and often referred as Asian Switzerland. The natural beauty of the Phobjikha, beautiful home stays and nature adds more value to experience the living style, food habit and culture of the Bhutanese people. The drive also passes through some of the most beautiful forests, waterfall, hills, river and villages and Pelela pass before stepping into Phobjikha. Enjoy the most scenic and adventurous drive today. Buddha Dordenma– The Buddha Dordenma is located at a top of the hill in Kuenselphodrang Nature Park and overlooks the southern entrance to Thimphu valley. The Buddha Dordenma is a gigantic 51.5-meter-tall statue, making it one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world. Dochula Pass– The pass is at a popular location as it offers a stunning 180-degree panoramic view of the Great Himalayan Mountain ranges. The view is especially scenic and very clear on winter days with snowcapped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquility of the 108 chortens gracing the mountain pass. Birdwatching at Dochula Pass– Out of many birds, some of the birds seen are fire-tailed myzornis, rufous-gorgeted flycatcher, rufous-breasted bush robin, black-eared shrike babblers, grey-winged blackbird, white collared blackbird and gold-billed magpie. Bird watching in Nobding- Some of the birds you can see enroute to Pobjikha are Yellow-rumped Honey guide, Blue-capped Rock Thrush, Scarlet minivet, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Yellow- bellied Fantail, etc. Bird watching in Phobjikha– The birds found here Alpine Accentor, Green-tailed Sunbird, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Rufous-vented Yuhina, Whiskered Yuhina, Scaly Thrush, Tickell’s Thrush, Fire-capped Tit, Amur falcon, Blue Rock Thrush, Black-faced Laughing thrush, Spotted Laughing thrush, Fire-breasted Flower pecker, Black billed magpie, Red billed chough, spotted nutcracker, himalayan griffon etc. Overnight in Phobjikha, altitude 2900m

Day 03: Phobjikha- Punakha (3 hrs drive)
Start the most scenic drive to Punakha from Phobjikha over Pele La pass which takes about three hours.  After the break at Pele La Pass, the road descends into Punakha taking us to one of the warmest places of Bhutan. Bird watching at Pele La Pass– The Pele La pass is famous for Pheasants like Satyr Tragopan, Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Yellowish-bellied Bush Warbler, Brown Parrot bill, and Maroon-backed Accentor. Punakha Dzong– Built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo religious head of Bhutan. King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck convened the first National Assembly here in 1952.  This is one of the finest and must see Dzongs of Bhutan. The Dzong stands in between meeting point of two rivers, Phochu and Mochu making the most photogenic Dzongs of Bhutan. Punakha Suspension Bridge– Punakha suspension bridge is considered one of the longest of its kind in Bhutan. The bridge connects the dzong with the villages Shengana, Samdingkha and Wangkha on the other bank of the Po Chhu river. In these small villages, locals sell their wares in tiny, traditional shops. Visitors can stop here for a quick and authentic view of true Bhutan.  The suspension bridge is only about 15 minutes’ walk from Punakha Dzong. Overnight in Punakha, altitude 1350m

Day 04: Punakha Sightseeing
Punakha is often referred as second capital having best Dzongs of Bhutan. Punakha has the perfect place to awaken the nature lover, take in the splendid views of the Himalayas, listen to the sounds of the Mo Chhu and Po Chhu rivers that simply soak up the serene beauty of this gorgeous valley. Bird watching at Tashithang – There are chances you might see great barbet, barred cuckoo dove, magpie robin, palla’s fish eagle, osprey, river lapwing, ruddy shelduck, mallard duck, common merganser, pied kingfisher, white crested kingfisher, red-vented bulbul, kalij pheasant, orange bellied leaf bird, common buzzard, great cormorant, crested bunting, etc. Bird watching at Po Chhu River– You can see White- bellied Heron, Osprey, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, White- throated Fanltail, ruddy shelduck, ibisbill, river lapwing, etc. Overnight in Punakha

Day 05: Punakha- Paro (3 hrs drive)
As we proceed to Paro, we will retrace the journey crossing over Dochula, up until Chuzom and further to Paro. The entire stretch of drive will refresh your mind and give you second chance to enjoy the great snowcapped mountain views of the Himalayas from Dochula. Bird watching at Lamperi Botanical Garden– The Royal Botanical Park is the country’s first nature recreational park, to preserve the rich natural biodiversity of the area. You will be able to spot some rare Himalayan birds such as Great Parrotbill, Darjeeling woodpecker, streak-breasted scimitar babbler, Eurasian jay, strong-footed bush warbler, chestnut-crowned and spotted laughing thrushes. Birdwatching at Pa Chu– You will be able to find water birds like Ibis bill, Brown Dipper, White-capped Water Redstart, Plumbeous Water Redstart, etc. Overnight in Paro, altitude 2200m

Day 06: Paro Sightseeing
Home to Bhutan’s only international airport. Paro is also one of the most fertile valleys in the Kingdom producing a bulk of the locally famous red rice from its terraced fields. Blessed with beautiful weathers throughout the year and world famous and most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage Taktsang is located in Paro. Chele La Pass- Highest motor-able road pass connecting two districts Paro and Haa, an elevation of 3988m above the sea level. On clear days, one can enjoy view of the most sacred Mt. Jomolhari (7314m). The pass is dotted with beautiful prayer flags and offers amazing walks around, worth a visit while in Bhutan. You can also plan to ride mountain biking from Pass to Paro valley with the stretch of 36-48km, mostly downhill and easy ride. Bird watching at Chele La Pass– There are chances of spotting pheasants: Blood Pheasant and Himalayan Monal, Kalij Pheasant, there is also a chance of sighting Fire-tailed Sunbird, Beautiful Rose finch, White-winged Grosbeak, Collared Grosbeak, Cold Tit, Grey bush chat as well. Overnight in Paro

Day 07: Paro Sightseeing
This picturesque region in the kingdom is covered in fertile rice fields and has a beautiful, crystalline river meandering down the valley. Paro has more of historical sites, high-end tourist resort and many souvenir shops for shopping including world famous Takstang. Taktsang Gompa/Tiger’s Nest Temple– is Bhutan’s most iconic landmark and religious Buddhist site in the world. The name Taktsang translates to “The Tiger’s Nest”. The temple is one of the holiest sites in Bhutan which clings impossibly to a sheer cliff face 900 meters above the valley. Although good trekkers can make it to the top in two hours, most of the guests take whole day to complete the hike. Some of the birds you can see on the way are snow pigeon, yellow bellied blue magpie, white throated laughing thrush, rufous sibia, etc.  Overnight in Paro

Day 08: End of the Tour
Departure from the Kingdom of Bhutan

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