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3988 Feet

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Cold to Moderately Cold

9 Days White-bellied Heron Tour

Paro, Punakha, Thimphu 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, 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
Itinerary
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Overview

The highlight of this tour is the globally critically endangered, White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis). The 9-day tour package covers only the western Bhutan, it is specifically designed to visit the WBH Center in Chanchey Tserang. There are fewer than 40 individuals remaining in the world. The White-bellied Heron is found in only five countries: Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, and Nepal. The highest recorded number of individuals was in Bhutan, with 26 counted in 2024

Itinerary

Itinerary Expand All

Day 1 - Arrive at Paro international airport
Day 1: Arrive at 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 - Birding around Thimphu
Day 2: Birding around Thimphu
Drive approximately 45 minutes to Dodina for morning birding in the cool broadleaved and blue pine forest. Then, continue to Babesa sewage pond to observe water birds. Afterward, enjoy shopping in town. Overnight stay in Thimphu.
Day 3 - Thimphu to Punakha
Day 3: 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 4 - Punakha to Tashithang
Day 4: 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.
Day 5 - Punakha to Chanchey, Tserang
Day 5: Punakha to Chanchey, Tserang
Drive approximately 2.5 hours to Chanchey (elevation approximately 350 meters) to visit the White-bellied Heron Captive Breeding Center. Journey through Chirpine forest, exploring the critically endangered species WBH, and return to Punakha for an overnight stay.
Day 6 - Punakha to Paro
Day 6: 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 approximately 3 hours to Paro for an overnight stay. 1200 meters.
Day 7 - Paro to Chelela Pass
Day 7: Paro to Chelela Pass
Drive approximately 1.5 hours to Chelela Pass, reaching elevations up to 3,988 meters, the highest motorable road in Bhutan and a prime spot for pheasant spotting, such as the Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, and Kalij Pheasant. Enjoy birding through the subalpine mixed coniferous forests (Eastern Himalayan fir, spruce, hemlock, and larch) and cool broadleaved forests. Return to Paro for an overnight stay.
Day 8 - Paro to Tiger’s Nest
Day 8: Paro to Tiger’s Nest
Hike for approximately 4 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 9 - Depart from Paro international airport.
Day 9: 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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