Himalayan Bird Watching Tours.Recognized for high biological diversity, Bhutan is known as the East Himalayan ‘hot spot’. It is the habitat for 221 global endemic bird areas. Over 670 species of birds are officially reported but many more are to be found. Diverse forests along wide altitudinal range make Bhutan “Sanctuary of Birds”. The intact natural forest cover of Bhutan is over 70% of the total land and 84% breeding birds depend on these forests.
The virgin forests support 57% of Bhutan’s globally threatened birds and 90% of the country’s restricted range birds. There are about 415 resident bird species in Bhutan. These resident birds are altitudinal migrants, moving up and down the mountains depending upon the seasons and weather conditions. Around 50 species are known to be winter migrants. These include ducks, waders, birds of prey, thrushes, finches & buntings. About 40 species of summer visitors or partial migrants to Bhutan include cuckoos, swifts, bee-eaters, warblers, flycatchers and drongos. The country harbours more than 16 species of internationally threatened birds. They are Pallas’s Fish Eagle, White bellied Heron, Satyr Tragopan, Grey bellied Tragopan, Ward’s Trogaon, Blyth’s King Fisher, rumped Honey Guide, Purple Cochoa, Rufous throated Wren Babbler, Red headed Parrot Bill, Chestnut breasted Partridge, Blyth’s Trogon, Wood Snipe, Dark RumpedSwift,Rufous necked Hornbill, Grey crowned Prinia and the Beautiful Nuthatch all of which breed in Bhutan.
The country is an important wintering ground for the rare Black necked crane. Greater spotted Eagle, Baer’s Pochard, Imperial Eagle and Hodgson’s Bushchat are also found.
Day 01: Arrival at Paro International Airport/Thimphu
Arrive Paro Airport and once baggage is collected and visa documentation is complete, you will meet your tour representative and your Bhutan adventure begins! We now drive into the quaint village of Paro to enjoy a hearty lunch at a local Bhutanese cozy restaurant. You will then proceed to visit ParoRinpungDzong. A flagstone path rises gradually from a beautiful wooden bridge with shingle roofing and is abutted by two guardhouses, to the Dzong. Today, the Dzong is the seat of the district administration as well as the home for the monastic school. The central tower (Utse) of the Dzong, offers superb woodwork and is one of the most beautiful in the nation. The Dzong was built in 1645 A .D.
We will tour DumtseLhakhang prior to our departure for Thimphu, capitol of Bhutan. (2 hour scenic drive) We check into our Thimphu hotel and later enjoy a reception dinner with our host in Bhutan.
Day 02:Thimphu/Punakha or Wangdi
This morning following breakfast we visit the Bank of Bhutan and post office to exchange money and have an opportunity to purchase collector item Bhutan stamps. Bird stamps are extremely beautiful and a must for your birding adventure. Depart Thimphu and enjoy a spectacular and beautiful drive over Dochula Pass (10,500 ft.) Spectacular high Himalayan mountain views are offered from the visa point which is surrounded by chortens and prayer flags fluttering on high. We stop for tea and here in Dochula and Menchola areas have a good chance to see Tragopans, Monals and different varieties of Pheasants, as well as Wood Peckers, Tree Creepers and varieties of Doves. We continue onwards toward Punakha/Wangdu and stop to see the beautiful PunakhaDzong, the former winter capital and present administrative seat of the district. It is also the winter residence of the central monastic body. The Dzong (fortress) lies between two rivers, the Pochu and Mochu, uncaring male and female rivers. It was built in 1637 A. D. Punakha is a true work of Bhutanese art; it stands proud, preserved by the ages. Over nightWangdu Resort.
Day 03: Wangdue to Bumthang
Today we drive a good distance to arrive in Bumthang tonight. The drive is absolutely spectacular, meandering along a high Himalayan highway that will take your breath away. Our expert drivers and guides and small vans make the drive so pleasant. We enjoy many stops along the route for photo opportunity. We enjoy lunch in Trongsa town and tour TrongsaDzong; you will see the yellow rooftop of this massive medieval structure from afar. TrongsaDzong is the ancestral home of the royal family, built by ChogyelMinjurTempa, the Third Desi, in 1648. It is presently the administrative seat of the district and home of the monastic school. Built at split-levels on a narrow spur, the Dzong is an architectural wonder. Views from here are extensive creating strategic location of this Dzong. The medieval Watchtower, located over the TrongsaDzong is most impressive in design. The Watchtower is located strategically above the TrongsaDzong. We continue eastward reaching Bumthang to check into our wonderful Bhutanese lodge greeted by our Bhutanese host. Tomorrow we enjoy full day of Bumthang sightseeing.
Day 04: Bumthang(sightseeing)
Today we sightsee and tour in Bumthang. Visit JakarDzong, JambayLhakhang, KurjeyLhakhang, and Flaming Lake, (MembarTsho). Shopping is a delight in Bumthang. Textile weaving prevails in this area and we visit weavers utilizing the back and toe strap looms. Here you will find the best price for textile purchase. After lunch we will visit a Bhutanese schoolhouse and be entertained and delighted by wonderful Bhutanese children; this is a favorite experience for many guests in Bhutan. Overnight at lodge and prepare for your full day outing to the remote village of Ura for UraYakchoe Festival, where we will set up camp and prepare for Bird Tour departure after festival day.
Day 5: Bumthang-Sengkor.Camp
: BIRD TOUR BEGINS: Depart Bumthang towards Sengor, crossing Thumshinglapass. Near Sengor, one can see Yellow-bill Magpies, Fire-tail Mizoros and Jungle fowl. This area is a HOT SPOT for Satyr Tragopan which is on the endangered species List. This pristine countryside is rich in foliage and forest, making it ideal for Nutcrackers, Warbblers, Fork-tails and Robins. Set up camp in Sengor.
Day 06: Sengor-Sengor Camp
(Sengor/ 3050m) We spend the next few days camping and birding in the best birding area in the Himalayan Mountain range of Bhutan. A wide variety of sub-tropical to alpine birds can be found. Varieties of Hornbills, Owls, nightjars, Wood Snipe, Yellow-RumpedHoneyguide, Wards’s Trogon, Rufus Necked Hornbill, Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Ibisbill, Kalij Pheasant, Black Tailed Crake, Spotted Wren Babbler and the Great Hornbill. Chestnut-breasted Patridge (rare), Collared Treepie (rare), Lesser Shortwing, White-gorgeted Flycatcher (rare), Rufous-breasted Bush Robin (rare), Blue-fronted Robin, Purple Cochoa, Broad-billed Warbler, Grey-sided Laughingthrush, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler, Rufous-throated Wren Babbler (rare), Cutia, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Yellow-throated Fulvetta, White-napedYuhina, Greater Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Rufous-bellied Hawk Eagle (rare), Yellow-vented Warbler. Our expert guide knows all the hot spots to visit! Camp-out.
Day 07: Sengor-Yongula camp
Sengor/ Yongkola.Yongkola is about two hour drive from Sengor, and is known as the best birding place towards the east. Yongkola has a rich sub tropical forest where you can view many species sub tropical birds (monkeys too!) here in this lush forest area. Camp in Yongkola 1700m.
Day 8: :Yongkola – Yongkola .Camp.
Since this place is known for the best place for watching we will spend the whole day looking for more birds which you must have missed yesterday.
Day 9.Yongkola to Trongsa.
Today we will arrive in Trongsa to overnight at the Trongsa hotel. Rest well.
Day 10: Depart Trongsa to Shamgang.
We will spend the next few days birding and camping in the Shamgang/Punakha area of Bhutan. Beauty is rich here and the opportunity to view wildlife is ample. Birding in this area is rewarded by sightings of White Bellied Heron, Tawny Fish Owl, Phallas Fish Eagle and Crested Kingfisher. Sightings of the Satyr Tragopan, an endangered species, have been made here. Camp at Tingtibi 600m.
Day 11: April 24 Thursday: Birding in Zhemgang Area.
Halt in Tingtibi in Zhemgang and explore the birding Area.
Day 12: April 25 Friday: Zhemgang – Punakha Drive to Punakha through Trongsa.
Camp at Tashithang: Alt 1700 m
Day 13: April 26 Saturday: Tashithang – Punakha – Thimphu
Early Morning birding in Tashithang in JigmeDorji National Park Arrive at your vehicle and you are transported from Punakha to Thimphu in time for the famous week-end market. Thimphu market is an exciting time in Bhutan. Here is wonderful opportunity to mingle with local Bhutanese folks out to market and marvel at the handicrafts and fresh organic produce. You will have ample Kodak opportunity at market, please ask first. You will find Bhutanese folks most pleasant and willing to please. You now enjoy leisure time after hotel check in. Stroll Thimphu village, arrange a hot-stone Bhutanese bath, and inquire with your guide on any special interest items you wish to purchase. (Textile museum, Incense house, traditional Paper factory, Takin Zoo or relaxation time!)
Day 14: April 27 Sun: Thimphu – Paro
Today we depart Thimphu towards the village of Paro. Along our route we visit the famous Tigers Nest Monastery. We drive to a path for our hike (3 hour) leading us upwards towards the famous Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest). The monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 800 meters. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padma Sambhava, the saint who converted Bhutan to Buddhism enlighten here upon the back of a tigress. We will enjoy a picnic lunch and return to vehicle and drive to our hotel In Paro for the evening.
Day 15: April 28 Monday: Paro
drive to Chelela for Birding. We spend a full day today birding around Chilela – DrugyelDzong. This area is good for alpine-zone species, Ibis Bill, Himalayan Griffon, Golden Eagle, White-throated Dipper, Grandala, White-bellied Redstart, Brown dippers, , Shrikes, Fantails, Sun-birds, Wag tails, different varieties of dippers. Return to your hotel for a farewell dinner. Evening: birding by the Paro River.
Day 16: April 29 Sun: Depart Bhutan
Drive to Airport for Departure.
