Attributes

Height

3100 Feet

Weather

Cold to Moderately Cold

15 Days Satyr Tragopan Tour

Bumthang, Paro, Punakha, Thimphu, Trongsa, Zhemgang Birding Tour

Bhutan is a paradise for bird lovers with over 770 recorded species, and many more yet to be discovered. The country is also home to critically endangered species such as the White-bellied Heron, and numerous threatened and vulnerable species including the Satyr Tragopan, Beautiful Nuthatch, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Ward’s Trogon, Black-necked Crane, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Rufous-throated Wren-Babbler, Blyth’s Kingfisher, Grey-crowned Prinia, Chestnut-breasted Partridge, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Blyth’s Tragopan, Wood Snipe, and Dark-rumped Swift.
The best birding seasons in Bhutan are spring, autumn, and winter in southern Bhutan. The country boasts a remarkable environmental record, maintaining 72% of its natural forest cover, with 51.44% of the land area falling under protected areas. Bhutan features diverse elevations ranging from 150 meters to over 7,400 meters, divided into three main ecological zones: Alpine Zone (Above 4000 meters): Characterized by alpine meadows. Temperate Zone (2000 to 4000 meters): Featuring coniferous or cool broadleaf forests. Subtropical Zone (150 to 2000 meters): Rich in subtropical broadleaf forests.

Overview
Itinerary
Gallery

Overview

The highlight of the tour is the near-threatened Satyr Tragopan (Tragopan satyra). The Satyr Tragopan is a species native to the Himalayas. The 15 days tour package explore western, southern and central Bhutan. This tour program is specifically designed to visit Royal Manas National Park in southern Bhutan.

Itinerary

Itinerary Expand All

Day 1 - Arrive at Paro birding around Paro valley
Day 1: Arrive at Paro birding around Paro valley
Drive for approximately 1.5 hours to Thimphu. Birding or relaxing depending on your flight schedule. Thimphu is situated at an elevation of 2,200 meters.
Day 2 - Paro to Punakha
Day 2: Paro to Punakha
Drive approximately 1 hour to Dochula Pass at an elevation of 3,150 meters. Hike down to Lamperi Botanical Park for morning birding amidst Rhododendron and mixed cool broadleaved forests. Then, continue driving to Punakha through Chirpine forest, where you will stay overnight. Punakha is situated at an elevation of 1,200 meters.
Day 3 - Punakha to Tashithang
Day 3: Punakha to Tashithang
Drive approximately 1.5 hours to Tashithang for morning birding in the warm broadleaved forest, then return to Punakha to visit Punakha Dzong. Punakha Dzong, also known as Pungthang Dewachen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness), was founded by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1637. It serves as the winter residence for the central monastic body and houses the district administrative offices. The dzong is situated at the confluence of the Pho Chhu (Male River) and Mo Chhu (Female River). Overnight stay in Punakha
Day 4 - Phochu to Gelephu
Day 4: Phochu to Gelephu
Drive approximately 6 hours to Gelephu elevation approximately 200 meters. Visit the White-bellied Heron Captive Breeding Center and the information center at Chanchey Tserang. Journey through the Chirpine forest, exploring the critically endangered, White-bellied Heron along the Punatshangchu River. Stop at Darachu for birdwatching to observe subtropical birds such as the Rufous-necked Hornbill, Great Hornbill, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, Crested Serpent Eagle, Long-tailed Broadbill, and Scarlet Minivet. Overnight stay in Gelephu.
Day 5 - Gelephu to Tingtibe
Day 5: Gelephu to Tingtibe
Drive approximately 4 hours to Tingtibe, passing through Tamala Pass at an elevation of 1,700 meters. Enjoy birdwatching along the way through cool broadleaved, warm broadleaved, and subtropical forests. Tingtibi is located at the boundaries between Royal Manas National Park in the south and Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park in the north. Overnight stay in Tingtibe, situated at an elevation of approximately 600 meters.
Day 6 - Day 6: Tingtibe
Day 6: Day 6: Tingtibe
Enjoy birdwatching in the rich biodiversity of the warm broadleaved forests around Tingtibi, which offers a wonderful opportunity to observe a variety of bird species in their natural habitat, including the critically endangered, White-bellied Heron. Then, drive to Zhemgang for an overnight stay, situated at an elevation of approximately 1,800 meters.
Day 7 - Tingtibe to Panbang
Day 7: Tingtibe to Panbang
Drive approximately 4.5 hours to Panbang, exploring along the way within the Royal Manas National Park. Tingtibi is located at the boundaries between Royal Manas National Park in the south and Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park in the north. Overnight stay in Panbang, 150 meters.
Day 8 - Panbang to Pantang
Day 8: Panbang to Pantang
In the morning, birdwatch from Panbang to the Royal Manas National Park camp. Park is known for its rich biodiversity, including a diverse range of bird species. The park has recorded over 350 species of birds. Then drive to Pantang. Overnight stay in Pantang, 150 meters.
Day 9 - Pantang to Tingtibe
Day 9: Pantang to Tingtibe
Drive approximately 3 hours to Tingtibi, exploring along the way within the Royal Manas National Park. Tingtibi is located at the boundaries between Royal Manas National Park in the south and Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park in the north. Overnight stay in Tingtibe.
Day 10 - Tingtibe to Trongsa
Day 10: Tingtibe to Trongsa
Drive approximately 4 hours to Trongsa, along the way, observe birds in the settlement areas, broadleaved forest and then continue driving to Trongsa for an overnight stay, situated at the elevation of 2,200 meters.
Day 11 - Trongsa to Phobjikha
Day 11: Trongsa to Phobjikha
Drive approximately 3.5 hours to Phobjikha via Pelela Pass elevation of 3,200 meters, enjoying birding along the way through cool broadleaved mixed with coniferous forests. From Gangtey, hike down to Phobjikha Valley, the largest marshland in the country, protected under the Ramsar Convention. Visit the Black-necked Crane Information Center. Overnight stay in Phobjikha, elevation approximately 2,700 meters
Day 12 - Phobjikha to Paro
Day 12: Phobjikha to Paro
Drive approximately 5.5 hours to Paro via Pelela Pass to explore Pheasant habitat areas such as Himalayan Monal, Satyr Tragopan, Blood Peasant and alpine birds and enjoying birding along the way. Overnight stay in Paro. 2,200meters.
Day 13 - Paro to Chelela Pass
Day 13: Depart from Paro international airport
Drive approximately 1.5 hours to Chelela Pass, reaching elevations up to 3988 meters, the highest motorable road in Bhutan. Enjoy birding through the subalpine mixed conifers (Eastern Himalayan fir, Spruce and Hemlock and Larch) and cool broadleaved forests. Then, drive back to Paro for an overnight stay
Day 14 - Paro to Tiger’s nest
Day 14: Paro to Tiger’s nest
Hike for approximately 2.5 hours uphill to Tiger’s Nest 3,150 meters. Enjoying birdwatching along the way in the oak and Blue Pine and Rhododendron Forest. Tiger’s Nest is one of Bhutan’s iconic landmarks, perched on a cliff. The cave was discovered by Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, who flew from Tibet riding on a tigress, believed to be his consort appearing in the form of a tigress. Guru Rinpoche meditated in the cave for three years. The temples were built in the 17th century by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye. Overnight stay in Paro.
Day 15 - Birding around Paro valley and depart
Day 15: Birding around Paro valley and depart
You may have some free time in Paro for last-minute shopping or birdwatching around Paro Valley, depending on your flight schedule.

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from ~~$240.00~~ $230.00

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