19 Days 18 Nights
Bhutan
Attributes
4,888 meters
19 Days Blyth’s Tragopan 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
Overview
The highlight of the tour is the sighting of the vulnerable species Blyth's Tragopan (Tragopan blythii), endemic to the eastern Himalayas. The 19-day loop trip explores western, southern, eastern, and central Bhutan, concluding with a flight back to Paro from Bumthang in central Bhutan
Itinerary
Itinerary Expand All
Day 1 - Arrive at the Paro international airport
Day 1: Arrive at the Paro international airport
Drive for approximately 1.5 hours to Thimphu, the only capital city in the world without traffic lights, which is surrounded by lush vegetation. Stop for birdwatching en route to Thimphu if the flight arrives early. Overnight stay in Thimphu. Elevation: approx. 2,200m.
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 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).
Day 4 - Punakha to 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 Pantang, exploring along the way within the Royal Manas National Park. Overnight stay in Panbang. 150 meter.
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 - Pangbang to Wamrong
Day 8: Pangbang to Wamrong
Drive approximately 7.5 hours to Wamrong via Ngalam and Pemagatsel, ascend to an elevation of 1,800 meters through subtropical forest and settlements in eastern Bhutan. Overnight stay in Warmrong.
Day 9 - Warmrong Pheasant Mountain
Day 9: Warmrong Pheasant Mountain
Drive to Kharungla and hike to Pheasant Mounatian, takes approximately 2.5 hours uphill hiking through canopy of Oak and Rhododendron Forest. Overnight stay in camp at Pheasant Mounatian. 2,900 meters.
Day 10 - Pheasant Mountain
Day 10: Pheasant Mountain
Observe the magnificent birds in and around. Pheasant Mountain is the exclusive habitat for three stunning Tragopans: Temminck’s, Blyth’s, and Satyr, offering the chance to encounter these magnificent birds. Overnight stay in a camp at Pheasant Mountain.
Day 11 - Pheasant Mounatain to Trashigang.
Day 11: Pheasant Mounatain to Trashigang.
Hike down to the trailhead for approximately 1.5 hours, then enjoy a 3-hour drive to Trashigang through settlements and winding mountain roads in the eastern region. Overnight stay in Trashigang.
Day 12 - Trashigang to Mongar
Day 12: Trashigang to Mongar
Drive approximately 4 hours to Mongar, crossing through 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 Mongar for overnight stay. Elevation is approximately 1,600 meters.
Day 13 - Mongar to Yonkola
Day 13: Mongar to Yonkola
Drive 2.5 hours to Yonkola, through Chirpine forest and settlement and explore the settlement birds.
Day 14 - Yonkola
Day 14: Yonkola
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 15 - Yonkola to Bumthang
Day 15: 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 16 - Fly to Paro International airport from Bumthang domestic airport
Day 16: Fly to Paro International airport from Bumthang domestic airport
Go around shopping or birding in Paro or in Bumthang depending on flight schedule
Day 17 - Paro to Chelela Pass
Day 17: 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 18 - Paro to Tiger’s nest
Day 18: Paro to Tiger’s nest
Hike for approximately 4-5 hours to Tiger’s Nest, enjoying birdwatching along the way. 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 19 - Depart from Paro International airport
Day 19: 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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