Bhutan Birding Program

^{15 Days / 14 Nights}

Itinerary (Paro - Thimphu - Tashitang - Trongsa - Bumthang - Sengor - Limithang - Yongkhala - 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 Tashithang (109 kms and the drive takes about 4-5 hours) where you will be camping for two nights. 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). O/n camp at Tashithang

Day 3 :
Full day bird watching at Tashithang. 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 broad leaf forest. O/n camp at Tashitang

Day 4 :
After breakfast, drive to Trongsa (177 kms and the drive takes about 7 hours). On reaching Trongsa, check in the hotel.

Day 5 :
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 6 & 7 :
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 8 - 10 :
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 11 :
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 12 :
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 13 :
Gangtey Gonpa to Thimphu ( 137 kms and takes about 5 hours drive) O/n Hotel in Thimphu.

Day 14 :
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 15 :
Depart Bhutan.