Bhutan Birding Program

^{21 Days / 20 Nights}

Itinerary (Paro - Thimphu - Tashitang - Trongsa - Tingtibi - Trongsa - Bumthang - Sengor - Limithang - Yongkala - Bumthang - Gangtey Gonpa - Thimphu)

Day 1 :
Arrive Paro International airport. After some refreshment in a local restaurant, visit the National Museum and Paro Rinpung Dzong and drive to Thimphu ( 65 kms and the drive takes 2 hours). Check in at hotel.

Day 2 :
Morning - Thimphu sightseeing - Visit to the Memorial Chorten, a huge Stupa built in memory of the late King of Bhutan, the Changangkha monastery, the Sangyegang view point, from where you can see the entire Thimphu valley in all its glory and on the way back, visit the Takin mini zoo (National animal of Bhutan ) and the Zilukha nunnery. Lunch in an exclusive local restaurant in the town. After lunch, visit the Institute of Arts and crafts, the National Library, the Folk heritage Museum. Drive to Punakha ( 77 kms and the drive takes about 3 hours). On the way, stop at Dochula pass 3100m for evening tea and also to view the most spectacular view of the entire Eastern Himalayan Mountain ranges (possible only if the weather is clear). On reaching Punakha, check in the hotel.

Day 3 & 4 :
After an early breakfast, drive to Tashithang ( 32 kms) where you will be camping for 2 nights for bird Watching. At Tashithang, you can see almost 70 species of birds among which you will see Ward’s Trogon, Lesser Shortwing, White-bellied Heron ( rare), White-gorgeted Flycatcher ( rare), Yellow-vented Warbler, Variety of Ducks and other water birds, Black-tailed Crake, Grey-sided Laughingthrush, Slender-built Scimitar Babbler, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Brown Parrotbill. Tashithang is at 1700m, habitat - Warm broadleaf forest.

Day 5 :
After breakfast, drive to Trongsa ( 177 kms and the drive takes about 7 hours). On reaching Trongsa, check in the hotel.

Day 6 , 7 & 8 :
After breakfast, drive to Tingtibi (86 Kms and 3-4 hours drive). On the way visit the Trongsa Dzong and Kuenga Rabten Palace. This road is the least used mortar vehicle road thus lots of birds can be seen on the roadside. You will be camping in a place called Dagpe for three nights. In this place, you can see birds like Rufous-necked Hornbill, White-gorgeted Flycatcher(Rare), Beautiful Nuthatch, Grey- sided Laughing thrush, Yellow-throated Fulvetta, White-naped Yuhina, Gold-naped Flinch and others. In this area, you will see almost 100 species of birds. On today’s trek the true communion with the nature starts with alpine flora and fauna (birds are common). Two hours of gradual uphill walk and rest at a huge rock platform, offers a picturesque view of the valley below. After another two hours the trek ends. Camp at Gur, here flowers are abundant in spring.

Day 9 :
After break, drive back to Trongsa and check into hotel. After a good shower/bath in the hotel, visit the ancient Watch Tower (Ta-dzong).

Day 10 :
After breakfast, drive to Bumthang( 68 kms and the drive takes about 3 hours). This stretch of road is one of the most scenically beautiful drive in Bhutan. On the way, at Yutongla pass, you will see Yellowish-bellied Bush Warbler, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Great Parrotbill, Maroon-backed Accentor ( only in winters). In Bumthang, check into the hotel.

Day 11 & 12 :
After breakfast, drive to Sengor (119 kms and the drive takes about 4 hours). O/n camp. You will be camping here for 2 nights. At Sengor, you will be able to see almost 150 species of birds among which you will see Satyr Tragopan, Bar-winged Wren Babbler, Fire-tailed Myzornis (rare).

Day 13 - 16 :
Drive to Limithang and Yongkhala (Sengor to Limithang - 44 kms and takes about 1 and half hour ) camping at both the places. In these places, you will see about 80 species of birds among which you will see Chestnut-breasted Partridge( rare), Yellow-rumped Honeyguide ( rare), Rofous-necked Hornbill, Ward’s Trogon ( rare), Collared Treepie ( rare ), Lesser Shortwing, White-gorgeted Flycatcher ( rare), Rufous-breasted Bush Robin, Blue-fronted Robin, Purple Cochoa, Broad-built Warbler, Grey-sided Laughingthrush, Slender-built Scimitar Babbler, Coral-built Scimitar Babbler, Rufous-throated Wren Babbler (rare), Cutia, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Yellow-throated Fulvetta, White-naped Yuhina, Greater Rufous - headed Parrotbill, Rufous-bellied Hawk Eagle (rare), Yellow-vented Warbler

Day 17 :
After breakfast, drive from Yongkala to Bumthang (150 kms and the drive takes about 5 hours). O/N hotel in Bumthang. If time permits, do some sightseeing in Bumthang.

Day 18 :
After breakfast, drive to Gangtey Gonpa (145 kms and the drive takes about 5 hours). O/n Guest house in Gangtey. On the way to Gangtey, stop at Pelela to watch some birds in this area. At Pelela area, you will see Yellowish-bellied Bush Warbler, Fire-tailed Myzornis (rare), Brown Parrotbill, Great Parrotbill, Maroon-backed Accentor ( only in winters).

Day 19 :
Gangtey Gonpa to Thimphu (137 kms and takes about 5 hours drive) O/n Hotel in Thimphu.

Day 20 :
Morning, Visit the National Textile Museum, the traditional hand made paper unit, the traditional Gold and Silver smith unit and the handicrafts emporium. After lunch, drive to Paro. On arrival at Paro, check into the hotel and visit the Drugyal Dzong, a ruined fortress which is historically very important for Bhutan as it was from this fortress the Bhutanese managed to repel many attempts of invasion by the Tibetan army in the old days.

Day 21 :
Depart Bhutan.