Trip Highlights

         1. Drive thought Guwahati Domestic Airport, the largest cities in the State of Assam located on the south shore of the Brahmaputra River

         2. Cross highest pass called Thrumshing La Pass (3,780m) between Mongar and Bumthang valley

         3. Witness low elevation species like Rufous-necked Hornbill, Green Pigeons, Cutia, White-browned Shrike Babblers, Minlas, White-tailed Nuthatch, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch and Laughingthrushs species such as Red-faced Liocichla, Rufous-chinned, Blue-winged and Grey-sided Laughingthrush, Ashy and Bronze Drongo, Grey-headed Canary, Pale Blue Fly-catcher, Blyth’s Shrike Babbler, White-hooded Babbler, Great and Lesser Yellownape, Crimson- breasted, Grey-capped and Pale-headed woodpecker, Chesnut-winged Cuckoo and White-browned Scimitar Babbler

Bhutan Birding Tour Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Guwahati,India  – Samdrup Jongkhar, Bhutan 
Upon arrival at Guwahati Domestic Airport, the Indian largest cities in the Indian State of Assam located on the south of Brahmaputra River, our tour guide will greet you at Guwahati airport and transfer straight to the Kingdom of Bhutan, which is approximately 3-hours drive through hustle bustle city of Assam. When we drive to Bhutan, we look out for Little Cormorant, Egrets, Indian Pond Heron, Ashy Drongo and Red-wattled Lapwing within the reach of roadside of Assam. Time permitting, we will make our efforts to find lesser and Great Adjutant, both highly endangered species recorded as of now. Once we touch the Indo-Bhutan Border, complete the immigration process at the Indian border side and enter the mini town of Samdrup Jongkhar where we spend our tonight overnight stay. If time permit later  towards in the evening side, we will do quick birding around Samdrup Jongkhar district looking for the species like Great and Wreathed Hornbill, Asian Fairy Bluebird, Indian Roller, Pin-tailed Green Pigeon and many more. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 02: Samdrup Jongkhar – Dewathang – Morong birding 
After breakfast at the hotel, we will head for Morong crossing through old town of Dewathang where handful of peoples live in. Before we head for Morong birding, we will spend morning time exploring nearby the foothills surroundings of Samdrup Jongkhar areas. A broad-leaved tree patches and small stand of Bamboo around the Samdrup Jongkhar hosts a number of lowland species like Wreathed, Oriental Pied and Grat Hornbills, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, Rufescent Prinia, Black-naped Monarch, Scarlet Minivet, Black-crested, Ashy and Black Bulbuls, Golden-fronted Leafbird, White-rumped Shama, Sultan Tit, Asian Fairy-bluebird and Long-tailed Broadbill. We will also look for the Black-backed Forktail along the rocky streams of Bhutan. If luck strikes, grab an opportunity to encounter those rare birds such as Dark-rumped Swift.
After enjoying picnic lunch somewhere around Dewathang or under the shed of the tree, we head little further north through the forested foothills towards the Morong areas. We will put our extra efforts today afternoon birding in reach of mossy, mid altitude broad-leaved forest and our today’s main target is to lookout for Beautiful Nuthatch. Some other more interesting species we may encounter this afternoon while searching for those highly-sought nuthatch include Black-faced Warbler, Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher, Striated Laughingthrush, Long-tailed Sibia, Silver-earned Mesia and Rufous-necked Hornbill to name a few in terms of birds. Evening time,we return back to Dewathang for an overnight stay. Tonight we will spent our halt at Dewathang. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 03: Dewathang – Bhangtar Birding (Kawaipani / Phuntshothang) 
Today we make our road journey little further to Bhangtar valley, which is approximately 3 hours drive from Dewathang. On the way to Bhangtar, we will stop to look for a some species of Barbet, Hornbills, Laughingthrush, Bushwabler, Wablers, Yuhina and other many species. Dinner and overnight stay at local farmhouse / Tent.

Day 04: Bhangtar – Dewathang 
Today we try to spend half of our beautiful day looking for a birds around Bhangtar areas. After lunch at Bhangtar, drive to Dewathang for an overnight stay. While on the way back, if we encounter some interesting birds we will stop. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 05: Dewathang – Khaling – Trashigang
Right after we board our vehicle, the next destination that we will be reaching to the settlements of the Narphung and Morong village. We will take a short stoppage at Morong for a Beautiful Nuthatch, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Silver-earned Mesia and many more.
After our Morong and Narphung stoppage we will continue our road journey toward Trashigang, the main hub of the eastern Bhutan, passing through lofty forests and rhododendron-filled valleys with several birding stop along the way in areas of lush forest. As far as possible we will try to spot some of the species that we will be on the lookout for Ward’s Trogon, Golden-naped Finch, Rufous-breasted Accentor, Blue-winged and White-throated Laughing Thrushes.
Ofcourse, we make a short stoppage at Khaling Handloom, where we have National Handloom Centre Development Project supported by the National Women Association of Bhutan to train the young girls from different parts of the country. Its an honour to witness the woven Kira, table runners and scarves. Check into the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 06: Trashigang – Korila Pass – Yongkala
Pack our luggages and drive to Yongkala, on the way we will take a short break at the Korila Pass. The Korila Pass is located in between Trashigang and Mongar national highway. Along the way, we will try to lookout for Steak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler, Grey-winged Blackbird, Hoary-throated Barwing, Long-tailed and Short-billed Minivets, Bhutan Laughingthrush, Chest-nut-bellied Nuthatch, Brownish-flanked Bush-Warbler and Spotted Wren-Babbler.
After lunch, we will reach to one of the Bhutan’s most wet subtropical forest and also one of the finest birding areas in the eastern Himalayas, the Yongkala campsite. Our two days time will be spent in Yongkola searching for shortwings, Black-headed Shrike-Babbler, Ward’s Trogon, Slender-billed Scimitar-Babbler, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Barbets, Hair-crested and Brooze Drongo, Little Pied, Ultramarine, White-gorgeted Flycatchers and many more. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 07 – 08: Yongkala – Namling – Limithang 
Our challenging and beautiful two long full days will be spent doing birding around the upper and lower side of the Limithang roadside. The Yongkala-Limithang road areas has been touted as one of the guaranteed best birding sites allowing the birders as an opportunity to access the wide varieties of Habitats from the pristine broad-leaved to coniferous that spans across a vast altitudinal range and the Thrumshing La National Park is protected areas according to the Bhutan Forestry and Park Services.
The varieties of the bird species that we are going to witness in our today’s list are flocks of White-breasted and Black-throated Parrotbills, Golden-breasted, Yellow-throated, Rufous-winged and Nepal Fulvettas; very shy Rufous-throted, Long-billed, Pygmy and Sikkim Wedge-billed Wren Babbler, Slaty-bellied Tesia, Red-headed Trogon, Rusty-throated Barwing, Great and Golden-throated Barbet, Blue-winged, Grey-sided, Rufous-necked, Black-faced, Blue-winged and Grey-sided Laughingthrushes, Grey-hooded, Ashy-throated, Yellow-vented and Chestnut-crowned Warblers. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 09: Yongkala – Namling – Sengor Birding 
After a quick and hot breakfast at campsite, we will spend our whole time searching for a high altitude species such as Blood Pheasant and Satyr Tragopan, the bird that draws attention of many birders to the Bhutan.
Later, we bound for Sengor and keep watch for an species like Streaked-breasted and Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Ward’s Trogon, Black-headed and Black-eared Shrike Babbler, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, one of the only two species of honeyguide witness in Asia.
After sometimes, towards in the evening, try to spend sometimes doing birding around the Sengor stretch searching for a Satyr Tragopan, the bird that draws many birders concentration to the eastern Himalayas. Additional species that we might encounter today are Red-headed Bullfinch, Bar-throated Minla, Hoary-throated Barwing Stripe-throated and Rufous-vented Yuhinas, Bar-winged and Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler, Scaly and Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrushes, and white-collared Blackbird. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 10: Sengor – Thrumshingla – Bumthang Birding 
After breakfast at the hotel, we slowly climb uphill until we reach the nearest and highest pass called Thrumshing La(3800M)The Thrumshing La area is the key habitat for Blood Pheasant and also find other high altitude species such as Snow Pigeon, Orange-flanked Bush-Robin, Spotted Nutcracker, Red-billed Chough, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Great Parrotbill, Stripe-throated Yuhina, Grey-crested and Coal Tits and white-browned Fulvetta. If the day at our side, we might encounter with one of the most colorful pheasants, the Himalayan Monal. We continue our drive to Bumthang, the one of the most sacred Buddhist land in Bhutan Himlayas. The drive along the way going to be most scenic drive through the beautiful valley of Ura valley. If weather permits, on the clear day we will be able to witness the Bhutan’s highest peak, Mt. Gangkar Phuensum at 7550 and it is the highest unclimbed mountain in the world. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 11: Bumthang – Trongsa Drive & Birding 
After breakfast, today we will leave for a place called Trongsa, crossing beautiful stretch of Chumey valley among four main valleys of Bumthang region, this majestic valley is famous for its distinctive woolen weaves, known as Yathra. Stop at Zugney where you will come across to witness the fine samples of yathra hanging along the roadside. Along the Yotongla Pass (3500m) areas spend sometimes looking for an Brown Parrotbill, Himalayan Beautiful Rosefinch, White-browned and Golden Bush Robins, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Spotted and Black-faced Laughingthrushes, Alpine Accentor, White-winged Grosbeak, Grey-sided Bush warbler.
Rest of our remaining time we try to spend exploring around the nearby broad-leaved evergreen forest in search of species like Spotted Forktail, Grey-bellied Tesia and Spotted Wren-Babbler. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 12: Trongsa – Tingtibi Drive and Birding 
After completing breakfast at the hotel, we descend down to Tingtibi valley crossing the settlement of Langthel and Dangdung village, again we cross Dangdung. Later we climb uphill until we reach Khosela Pass and our today’s journey will be along the Mangde Chu riverside. Today is a great day to encounter a Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-Babbler, White-browned Scimitar- Babbler, Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler, Grey-bellied Tesia, Crested Bunting, Long-tailed Shrike, Prinias, Rufous Woodpecker, Blue-beared Bee-eater, Spot-winged Starling, Common Green Magpie, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Common Kestrel, Blue-bearded Bee-Eater and various minivets. Tingtibi also popular for Golden Langur, a rare monkey endemic to Bhutan and only discovered in late 1950s.
In the evening time, we will enjoy our birding along the Zhemgang-Dakphel roadside searching for a species like Cutia, Blyth’s Shrike Babbler, Sultan Tit and many more. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 13: Tingtibi – Gomphu Road Birding 
In the morning we will explore around Zhemgang-Tingtibi road. Our main focus will be for low elevation birds such as Green Pigeons, Cutia, Great and Rufous-necked Hornbill, , White-browned Shrike Babblers, Minlas, White-tailed Nuthatch, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch and the Laughingthrush such as Red-faced Liocichla, Rufous-chinned, Blue-winged and Grey-sided Laughingthrush, Ashy and Bronze Drongo, Grey-headed Canary, Pale Blue Fly-catcher, Blyth’s Shrike Babbler. Targeted bird of the day is Beautiful Nuthatch.
After rich lunch, drive further for Gomphu road that certainly connects Royal Manas National Park. Along the Gomphu road we will be looking for the species like White-hooded Babbler, Great and Lesser Yellownape, Crimson-breasted, Grey-capped and Pale-headed woodpecker, Chesnut-winged Cuckoo, White-browned Scimitar Babbler. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 14: Tingtibi – Panbang – Tingtibi (Day Excursion)
Today we will take a pleasant day excursion drive to Panbang crossing Phangkhar village. Today we will spend our whole time looking for low elevation species like Green Pigeons, Cutia, White-browned Shrike Babblers,Great and Rufous-necked Hornbill,  Minlas, White-tailed Nuthatch, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch and Laughingthrushs species such as Red-faced Liocichla, Rufous-chinned, Blue-winged and Grey-sided Laughingthrush, Ashy and Bronze Drongo, Grey-headed Canary, Pale Blue Fly-catcher, Blyth’s Shrike Babbler. We will also be looking out for a species like White-hooded Babbler, Great and Lesser Yellownape, Crimson-breasted, Grey-capped and Pale-headed woodpecker, Chesnut-winged Cuckoo, White-browned Scimitar Babbler. Towards in the late evening we drive back to Tingtibi for an overnight stay. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 15: Tingtibi – Tsirang Drive & Birding 
Try to wake up early for a Tsirang district via Gelephu town. Along the Gelephu – Sarpang road we look for a low elevation species, if we are lucky we will find barbet. Try to do birding along the Gelephu-Tsirang highway or roadside. Stop at Darichu areas to watch for low elevation birds. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 16: Tsirang – Punakha Drive & Birding 
After breakfast, descend down and today we drive to Punakha valley following the Tsirang-Punakha highway along the Punatshangchu River. We try to stop for a White – bellied heron along the Punasthangchu River but subject to weather and availability. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Punakha.

Day 17: Punakha – Tashithang – Punakha (Day Excursion)
Wake up early in the morning and drive to explore around Tashithang area for Tesia, Spotted Eluchura, Maroon Oriole and species of woodpecker. After lunch, we will continue exploring Pho Chhu side in search of the White-bellied heron. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Punakha.

Day 18: Punakha – Dochula Pass – Thimphu
As far as possible, today we try to start early for Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. Our road drive will be uphill until we reach to impressive Dochula Pass, which is beautifully coloured with 108 stupas built in the year of 2004 to celebrate the stability and progress that His Majesty has vigorously brought to the nations of Bhutan. This small and tiny flat hill is surrounded with 108 religious monuments in the middle of the pass dedicating Bhutan’s spiritual and artistic traditions.

Before reaching to Dochu La Pass, we will stop at Lamperi Botanical garden and explore around for a species like Darjeeling Woodpecker and Rufous-bellied, Brown Parrotbill, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Spotted Nutcracker, White Collared Blackbird, Grey-winged Blackbird.
After completing birding around Lamperi areas enjoy our continue road journey toward Thimphu. In the evening if time permits, spend sometimes exploring Thimphu downtown. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 19: Thimphu – Paro (Hike for Tiger’s Nest)
Today we will start early morning drive to Paro for a challenging hike to Tiger’s Nest, which take about 2-3-hour hike uphill and 1-hour downhill. If you are not tired in the afternoon then we will spend our time visiting to Ta Dzong (Museum), Paro Rinpung Dzong(fortress) and Kichu Temple. Later in the evening stroll around Paro town or do your last day shopping in Bhutan. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 20: Departure / Exit
Transfer you to airport for your onward flight to back home. Your beautiful Bhutan Bird Watching Tour ends here.

Cost information

2Pax: US$ 5,840 Per Person

3-5 Pax: US$ 4,836 Per Person

6-10 Pax: US$ 4,352 Per Person

1. Accommodation on twin sharing basis at tourist standard hotel
2. All meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
3. Packed / Picnic lunch
4. Pickup from Guwahati Airport and Paro Airport drop
5. All land transportation by a comfortable vehicle throughout the tour
6. Bottled water once in a day
7. Accompanied by a expert birding guide throughout the tour
8. Bhutan visa fees
9. Internal route permit for national park / restricted areas
10. Bottled water once in a day
11. All hotel taxes / service charge
12. Evening tea / coffee
13. Pony / Horse to Tiger’s Nest

Service Not Included 

1. Any airfare to / from Bhutan (international / domestic)
2. Entrance fees
3. Any medical / travel insurance coverage (Recommended or can be done upon arrival at Bhutan)
4. Any drinks
5. Any laundry
6. SDF US$200 per person per day (Sustainable Development Fees)
7. Any itinerary extensions will be subject to additional cost
8. Any Indian Visa
9. Any single supplement US$ 665
10. Any tips to guide / driver