21 Days 20 Nights
Bhutan
Attributes
3988 Feet
Cold to very cold
21 Days Beautiful Nuthatch 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 critically endangered Beautiful Nuthatch (Sitta formosa). The 21-day loop trip tour package explores western, eastern, and southern Bhutan, ranging from alpine to subtropical forests with elevations varying between 150 and 3988 meters above sea level.
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. 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 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 for 1.5 hours to Tashithang for a day-long birding experience in the warm broadleaved forest, then return to Punakha for an overnight stay.
Day 4 - Birding around Phobjikha
Day 4: Birding around Phobjikha
Drive to Pelela Pass to explore pheasant habitat areas, such as Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan and including alpine birds. Then, return to Gangtey and 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 at an elevation of approximately 2,700 meters.
Day 5 - Phobjikha to Bumthang
Day 5: Phobjikha to Bumthang
Drive for 5.5 hours to Bumthang via Pelela Pass, situated at 3,200 meters. Enjoy birdwatching along the route as you continue driving, crossing over the Yotongla Pass at 3,350 meters. Overnight stay in Bumthang, which is at an elevation of 2,600 meters.
Day 6 - Bumthang to Yongkola
Day 6: Bumthang to Yongkola
Drive approximately 5 hours to Yotongla, crossing over Phromshing Pass at an elevation of 3,780 meters, the second-highest motorable road in the country. This journey promises excitement as you enter a birding paradise at Yongkola, passing through mixed conifer forests including eastern Himalayan fir, spruce, hemlock, larch, and blue pine. As you approach Singor, the landscape transitions into cool broad-leaved and warm broad-leaved forests. Overnight stay in Yongkola, at an elevation of approximately 1,700 meters.
Day 7 - Birding in Yongkola
Day 7: Birding in Yongkola
Birding around Youkola, a popular birding 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 Mongar
Day 8: Yongkola to Mongar
In the morning, explore around Yongkola, then drive to Mongar, takes 2.5 hours. Explore the Rufous-necked Hornbill habitatsite and birds in the settlement areas. Overnight stay in Mongar at an elevation of 1,600 meters.
Day 9 - Mongar to Trashigang
Day 9: Mongar to Trashigang
Drive approximately 3.5 hours to Trashigang 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 Trashigang for an overnight stay. Trashigang situated at the elevation of 1,200 meters.
Day 10 - Trashigang to Pheasant Mountain
Day 10: Trashigang to Pheasant Mountain
Drive approximately 3 hours to Kharungla. Hike to Pheasant Mountain takes approximately 2.5 hours uphill, passing through a canopy of cool broad-leaved and rhododendron forests. Overnight camp in camp at Pheasant Mountain. The elevation is approximately 2,900 meters.
Day 11 - Kharungla to Pheasant Mountain
Day 11: Kharungla to 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 12 - Pheasant Mountain to Nganglam
Day 12: Pheasant Mountain to Nganglam
In the morning, hike down to the trailhead, which takes approximately 1.5 hours, then drive to Nganglam, a journey of approximately 6 hours. Descending to an elevation of 200 meters in subtropical forest, another exciting journey awaits as you explore the rich biodiversity in southern Bhutan. Overnight stay in Nganglam.
Day 13 - Nganglam to Panbang
Day 13: Nganglam to Panbang
Drive approximately 3.5 hours to Panbang, entering the Royal Manas National Park as you travel from Nganglam. Enjoy birdwatching along the way through subtropical broad-leaved forests within the park. Overnight stay in Panbang. Elevation is approximately 150 meters.
Day 14 - Pangbang to Royal Manas National Park to Pantang
Day 14: Pangbang to Royal Manas National Park 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 via Panbang. Overnight stay in Pantang, at an elevation of approximately 150 meters.
Day 15 - Pantang to Tingtibe
Day 15: Pantang to Tingtibe
Explore the White-bellied Heron habitat site, then drive 3 hours to Tingtibi, birdwatching along the route within the Royal Manas National Park. Tingtibi is situated at the boundary between Royal Manas National Park in the south and Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park in the north. Overnight stay in Tingtibi.
Day 16 - Birding around Tingtibe
Day 16: Birding around Tingtibe
Enjoy birdwatching in the rich biodiversity of warm broadleaved forests around Tingtibe, which offers a wonderful opportunity to observe a variety of bird species in their natural habitat including critically endangered, White-bellied Heron. Overnight stay in Tingtibe at the elevation of 600 meters.
Day 17 - Tingtibe to Gelephu
Day 17: Tingtibe to Gelephu
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. Overnight stay in Gelephu, 200 meters.
Day 18 - Gelephu to Punakha
Day 18: Gelephu to Punakha
Drive approximately 6 hours to Punakha. Visit the White-bellied Heron Captive Breeding Center and the information center at Chanchey Tserang. After Chanchey, continue the journey through the chirpine forest, exploring the critically endangered, White-bellied Heron along the Punatshangchu River. Overnight stay in Punakha, 1,200 meters.
Day 19 - Punakha to Paro
Day 19: Punakha to Paro
Bird along the Pho Chhu River and explore the White-bellied Heron habitat site. Then, visit Punakha Dzong, also known as Pungthang Dewachen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness), founded by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1637. It serves as the winter residence for the central monastic body and district administrative offices. The dzong is situated at the confluence of the Pho Chhu (Male River) and Mo Chhu (Female River). Drive for 3 hours to Paro for an overnight stay.
Day 20 - Paro to Chelela Pass
Day 20: 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 21 - Depart from Paro international airport
Day 21: 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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