Duration

21 Days 20 Nights

Country

Bhutan

Maximum Traveller

Min Pax

Attributes

Height

150-3988 meters

Weather

21 Days Beautiful Nuthatch Tour

Bumthang, Gelephu, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatshel, Punakha, Thimphu, Trashigang, 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.

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Day 1: Paro to Thimphu
Arrive at Paro International Airport, elevation of 2,200 meters, 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
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
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: Punakha to Phobjikha
Visit Punakha Dzong, also known as Pungthang Dewachen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness), founded by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1637. The dzong serves as the district’s administrative center and the winter residence of the central monastic body. Situated at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu (Male and Female Rivers), it is a significant cultural and administrative landmark. After the visit, drive for about 2.5 hours to Phobjikha via Lawala Pass (approx. 3,200 meters) en route to Gangtey. The drive takes you through chir pine and warm broadleaved forests, gradually transitioning into cool broadleaved and rhododendron forests. From Gangtey, hike down to the Phobjikha Valley the largest marshland in Bhutan, protected under the Ramsar Convention. Visit the Black-necked Crane Information Center. Overnight stay in Phobjikha. elevation: 2,700 meters.
Day 5: Phobjikha to Chumey, Bumthang
Drive for about 5.5 hours to Bumthang, in central Bhutan. You will cross Pelela Pass (3,200 meters) and Yotongla Pass (3,350 meters). The route goes through Trongsa district, you will pass through forests of rhododendron mixed with Oak and other trees like birch (Betula), alder (Alnus nepalensis), maple, and conifer forests dominated by hemlock, spruce, and Himalayan silver fir. Stop birding along the way. Stay overnight in Chumey, Bumthang. Elevation: 2,600 meters.
Day 6: Chumey to Chamkhar, Bumthang
Drive to Tharpaling Monastery, located at an elevation of 3,600 meters (approximately 1 hour), early in the morning to observe the Himalayan Monal around the temple during their feeding time. Drive to Chamkhar, birding around the Bumthang Valley, which is surrounded by Blue Pine forest. Overnight stay in Chamkhar. Elevation: 2,600 meters.
Day 7: Bumthang to Singor, Mongar
Drive approximately 5 hours to Yongkola, crossing over Thrumshingla Pass at an elevation of 3,780 meters, the second-highest motorable road in the country. The journey will be exciting as you enter mixed conifer forests of Eastern Himalayan fir, spruce, hemlock, larch, and blue pine. There are chances to observe Blood Pheasants, Himalayan Monals, and the rare Satyr Tragopan feeding along the roadside. As you approach Singor, the vegetation shifts from conifer forest to cool broadleaved and rhododendron forests. Overnight stay in Singor. Elevation is approximately 3,100 meters.
Day 8: Singor to Yongkola
The journey will be around 2 hours by car but mostly birding on foot or car along road through temperate, warm broadleaved and bamboo forest. Yongkola is 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. Elevation: 1,600 meters.
Day 9: Birding around Yongkola
In the morning, explore around Yongkola, then drive to Mongar, takes 2.5 hours. Explore the Rufous-necked Hornbill habitat site and birds in the settlement areas. Overnight stay in Yongkola at an elevation of 1,600 meters.
Day 10: Yongkola to Trashigang
Drive approximately 5 hours to Trashigang passes 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 Trashigang for an overnight stay. Trashigang is situated at the elevation of 1,200 meters
Day 11: Trashigang to Pheasant Mounatain
Drive for 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 12: Birding around Pheasant Mountain
Birding around the campsite in search of rare pheasant species, Satyr Tragopan, Temminck’s Tragopan, and Blyth’s Tragopan, where all three species share the same habitat. Overnight stay in camp at Pheasant Mountain. Elevation: 2,900 meters.
Day 13: 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 14: 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 15: Pangbang Tingtibe
In the morning, birdwatch along the route from Panbang to the Royal Manas National Park camp — a park renowned for its rich biodiversity and home to several wild cat species, including the Royal Bengal Tiger. Explore the habitat of White-bellied Heron, then continue with a 3-hour drive to Tingtibi, birding en route through 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. elevation: approximately 6,00 meters.
Day 16: Birding around Tingtibe
Birding in the rich biodiversity of the warm broadleaved forests around Tingtibi and to observe a variety of bird species in their natural habitat, including the critically endangered, White-bellied Heron. Overnight stay in Tingtibi at an elevation of 600 meters.
Day 17: Tingtibe to Gelephu
Drive approximately 4 hours to Gelephu, passing through Tamala Pass at an elevation of 1,700 meters. Enjoy birdwatching along the way through cool broadleaved, subtropical broadleaved forests. Overnight stay in Gelephu, 200 meters.
Day 18: Gelephu to Punakha
Drive for approximately 6 hours to Punakha. On the way, visit the White-bellied Heron Captive Breeding and Information Center at Chanchey, Tserang. The journey then continues through Chirpine forests, with opportunities to observe the critically endangered White-bellied Heron along the Punatsangchhu River. Overnight stay in Punakha, at an elevation of 1,200 meters
Day 19: Punakha to Paro
Drive for about 4 hours to Paro, with birding stops along the way. Overnight stay in Paro
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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Attributes

Itinerary

Itinerary Expand All

Day 1: Paro to Thimphu

Day 2: Thimphu to Punakha

Day 3: Punakha to Tashithang

Day 4: Punakha to Phobjikha

Day 5: Phobjikha to Chumey, Bumthang

Day 6: Chumey to Chamkhar, Bumthang

Day 7: Bumthang to Singor, Mongar

Day 8: Singor to Yongkola

Day 9: Birding around Yongkola

Day 10: Yongkola to Trashigang

Day 11: Trashigang to Pheasant Mounatain

Day 12: Birding around Pheasant Mountain

Day 13: Pheasant Mountain to Nganglam

Day 14: Nganglam to Panbang

Day 15: Pangbang Tingtibe

Day 16: Birding around Tingtibe

Day 17: Tingtibe to Gelephu

Day 18: Gelephu to Punakha

Day 19: Punakha to Paro

Day 20: Paro to Chelela Pass

Day 21 - Depart from Paro international airport

Day 21: Depart from Paro international airport

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