Duration

17 Days 16 Nights

Country

Bhutan

Maximum Traveller

Min Pax

Attributes

Height

3,988 meters

Weather

17 Days Ward’s Trogon Tour

Bumthang, Gelephu, Mongar, Paro, Punakha, Thimphu, Trongsa, Tserang, Wangdue Phodrang, 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, 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

Itinerary
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Itinerary

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Day 1 - Arrive at the Paro international airport
Day 1: Arrive at the Paro international airport
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 - 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 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).
Day 4 - Gelephu
Day 4: Punakha 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 - Tingtibe to Panbang
Day 6: 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 7 - Panbang to Royal Manas National Park and Panbang
Day 7: Panbang to Royal Manas National Park and Panbang
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 via Panbang. Overnight stay in Panbang, at an elevation of approximately 150 meters.
Day 8 - Panbang to Nganglam
Day 8: Panbang to Nganglam
Drive approximately 3.5 hours to Nganglam, enjoying birdwatching along the way through subtropical broad-leaved forests within the park. Overnight stay in Nganglam, at an elevation of approximately 200 meters.
Day 9 - Nganglam to Mongar
Day 9: Nganglam to Mongar
Drive for 4.5 hours to Mongar, enjoying the journey through subtropical broadleaved forests for about 1 hour. As you continue, the vegetation changes to Chirpine forests on rocky slopes along the Kuri/Gongri river.
Day 10 - Mongar to Yongkola
Day 10: Mongar to Yongkola
Drive approximately 4. hours to Yonkola via Korila Pass 2,450 meters. Hike down to Ngatasng to search for Ward's Trogon in the cool broadleaved forest, which takes about 2.5 hours on foot. Continue driving to Yonkola for an overnight stay. Elevation is approximately 1,700 meters.
Day 11 - Yongkola
Day 11: Yongkola
Birding around Yongkola, a popular birding hotspot in eastern Bhutan, allows nature enthusiasts to enjoy exploring the habitat of the Beautiful Nuthatch and Ward's Trogon. Yongkola is also known as a birding paradise for nature and bird enthusiasts. Overnight stay in Yongkola.
Day 12 - Yonkola to Bumthang
Day 12: Yonkola 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 13 - Bumthang to Phobjikha
Day 13: Bumthang to Phobjikha
Drive approximately 5 hours to Phobjikha via the Yotongla Pass, the country's third highest motorable road at 3,250 meters. You'll also cross the Pelela Pass at 3,200 meters elevation. From Gangtey, hike down to Phobjikha Valley, the largest marshland in Bhutan protected under the Ramsar Convention and Visit the Black-necked Crane Information Center. Overnight stay in Phobjikha at 2,600 meters elevation.
Day 14 - Phobjkha to Paro
Day 15: Phobjkha to Paro
Drive for 5. 5 hours to Paro via Pelela Pass, explore Pheasant habitat such as Himalayan Monal, Satyr Tragopan, Blood Pheasant and including alpine birds. Overnight stay in Paro. 2,200 meters.
Day 15 - Paro to Chelela pass
Day 15: 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 (Eastern Himalayan fir, Spruce and Hemlock and Larch) and cool broadleaved forests. Then, drive back to Paro for an overnight stay.
Day 16 - Departure
Day 16: Departure
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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Attributes

Itinerary

Itinerary Expand All

Day 1 - Arrive at the Paro international airport

Day 1: Arrive at the 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 - Gelephu

Day 4: Punakha to Gelephu

Day 5 - Gelephu to Tingtibe

Day 5: Gelephu to Tingtibe

Day 6 - Tingtibe to Panbang

Day 6: Tingtibe to Panbang

Day 7 - Panbang to Royal Manas National Park and Panbang

Day 7: Panbang to Royal Manas National Park and Panbang

Day 8 - Panbang to Nganglam

Day 8: Panbang to Nganglam

Day 9 - Nganglam to Mongar

Day 9: Nganglam to Mongar

Day 10 - Mongar to Yongkola

Day 10: Mongar to Yongkola

Day 11 - Yongkola

Day 11: Yongkola

Day 12 - Yonkola to Bumthang

Day 12: Yonkola to Bumthang

Day 13 - Bumthang to Phobjikha

Day 13: Bumthang to Phobjikha

Day 14 - Phobjkha to Paro

Day 15: Phobjkha to Paro

Day 15 - Paro to Chelela pass

Day 15: Paro to Chelela pass

Day 16 - Departure

Day 16: Departure

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