Duration

13 Days 12 Nights

Country

Bhutan

Maximum Traveller

Min Pax

Attributes

Height

1200-3988 meters

Weather

13 Days Himalayan Monal Tour

Bumthang, Mongar, Paro, Punakha, Thimphu, Trongsa, Wangdue Phodrang 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, Chestnut-breasted Partridge, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Blyth’s Tragopan and Wood Snipe.
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.

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Day 1 - Arrive at Paro international airport
Day 1: Arrive at Paro international airport
Drive for approximately 1.5 hours to Thimphu the capital city of Bhutan. Birding or relaxing depending on your flight schedule. Thimphu is situated at an elevation of 2,200 meters.
Day 2 - Thimphu to Punakha
Day 2: Thimphu 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 for an overnight stay. 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 a day-long birding experience in the warm broadleaved forest, then return to Punakha for an overnight stay. Optional: 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).
Day 4 - Punakha to Phobjikha
Day 4: Punakha to Phobjikha
Visit 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) then drive to Phobjikha, 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 5 - Phobjikha to Bumthang
Day 5: Phobjikha to Bumthang
Drive approximately 5 hours to Bumthang via Pelela Pass, at 3,200 meters elevation. Explore pheasant habitats like the Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, and Satyr Tragopan, along with alpine birds. You'll also cross the Yotongla Pass, the third highest motorable road in the country, at 3,250 meters elevation. Overnight stay in Bumthang at 2,600 meters elevation.
Day 6 - Bumthang to Yongkola
Day 6: Bumthang to Yongkola
Drive approximately 5 hours to Yongkola, crossing over Phromshing Pass at an elevation of 3,780 meters, the second-highest motorable road in the country. You will enjoy traveling through mixed conifer forests such as eastern Himalayan fir, spruce, hemlock, larch, and blue pine forests. As you approach Singor, you will enter cool broad-leaved and warm broad-leaved forests. Overnight stay in Yongkola, elevation approximately 1,700 meters.
Day 7 - Explore in Yongkola
Day 7: Explore in Yongkola
Birding around Youkola, a popular hotspot in eastern Bhutan, allows nature enthusiasts to enjoy exploring the habitat of Beautiful Nuthatch and Wards Trogon. Overnight stay in Yongkola
Day 8 - Yongkola to Lingmethang
Day 8: Yongkola to Lingmethang
In the morning, explore around Yongkola and then drive down to Lingmethang, 700 meters, in search of the Rufous-necked Hornbill and Red-headed Trogon, and bird in the settlement. Overnight stay in Yongkola.
Day 9 - Yongkola to Bumthang
Day 9: Yongkola to Bumthang
Drive for 5 hours to Bumthang, there are chances to encounter the Satyr Tragopan, Blood Pheasant, and Himalayan Monal en-route. Overnight stay in Bumthang
Day 10 - Bumthang to Punakha
Day 10: Bumthang to Punakha
Drive approximately 5 hours to Punakha, overnight stay in Punakha.
Day 11 - Punakha to Paro
Day 11: Punakha to Paro
Drive back to Paro, relax, and explore the town of Paro. Overnight stay in Paro
Day 12 - Paro to Chelela Pass
Day 12: Paro to Chelela Pass
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 such as Eastern Himalayan fir, Spruce and Hemlock and Larch and cool broadleaved forests. Then, drive back to Paro for an overnight stay.
Day 13 - Depart from Paro international airport
Day 13: Depart from Paro international airport
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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Itinerary

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Day 1 - Arrive at Paro international airport

Day 1: Arrive at Paro international airport

Day 2 - Thimphu to Punakha

Day 2: Thimphu to Punakha

Day 3 - Punakha to Tashithang

Day 3: Punakha to Tashithang

Day 4 - Punakha to Phobjikha

Day 4: Punakha to Phobjikha

Day 5 - Phobjikha to Bumthang

Day 5: Phobjikha to Bumthang

Day 6 - Bumthang to Yongkola

Day 6: Bumthang to Yongkola

Day 7 - Explore in Yongkola

Day 7: Explore in Yongkola

Day 8 - Yongkola to Lingmethang

Day 8: Yongkola to Lingmethang

Day 9 - Yongkola to Bumthang

Day 9: Yongkola to Bumthang

Day 10 - Bumthang to Punakha

Day 10: Bumthang to Punakha

Day 11 - Punakha to Paro

Day 11: Punakha to Paro

Day 12 - Paro to Chelela Pass

Day 12: Paro to Chelela Pass

Day 13 - Depart from Paro international airport

Day 13: Depart from Paro international airport

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