Bhutan Birdwatching East to West

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Duration: 9 Days

Trip Grade:

Bhutan Birdwatching East to West 9 days tour is one of the most comprehensive bird watching tour to the country covering all highlights in a short span of time.  The itinerary is compacted for those with limited time and it is recommended to extend the duration to enjoy more of the country's rich bird life and natural scenic sights.

Journey begins from the south east town of Samdrup Jongkhar and traverses the mid Himalayas across high passes, lush forests, midhill valleys and agrarian regions most suitable to find a good mix of birdlife. The journey ends at Paro valley.

DAY 1 Samdrup Jongkhar 170m – Deothang 850m

Arriving at Samdrup Jongkhar this small border town between Bhutan and India, we enter the country after completing immigration and customs check. Today the bird watching will be nearby Deothang area approximately 26 kms from Samdrup Jongkhar.  A deluxe camping has been set up for the night.

Day 2 Deothang 850m

Today we shall enjoy the rich bird life of this area including spotting Brownish-flanked Bush-warbler, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Little Bunting, Black Eagle, Emerald Dove, Bronze Drongo, Beautiful Nuthatch, Red-billed Leiothrix, Red-faced Liocichla, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Blue-winged Laughing Thrush, Black-naped Monarch, Grey-throated Babbler, Black-crested Bulbul, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Great Hornbill, Green-billed Malkoha to list some.  Another night at deluxe camping.

DAY 3 Trashigang 1070m

We leave early, and make our journey north towards Trashigang with stops at Rongthong & Kanglung area for birding. This is a picturesque town set at the base of a thickly wooded valley with the small Mithidang Chu river running through it. We spend the night at a hotel.

DAY 4 Mongar 1600m

We can start with birding or visiting some cultural sites including Trashigang Dzong built in 1667 by Mingyur Tenpa a revered provincial chiefs. The Dzong itself is located high up overlooking the confluence of Drangme and Gamri rivers. Travel westwards to the small town of Mongar, though a distance of 92kms, it may take over 3.30hrs drive.  We spend the night at a hotel.

Day 5 Bumthang 2580m

We continue our westward journey with birding stops at Yonkola, Sengor and Ura approximately 8-9 hours drive. This is exciting birding region and one might spot Ward’s Trogon, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Greater Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Black-throated Parrotbill, Slender-billed Scimitar-babbler, Broad-billed Warbler, Black-throated Parrotbill, Asian Emerald Cuckoo, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Crimson-breasted Woodpecker, long-billed or Bar-winged Wren Babbler, Streaked-breasted and Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-babbler, Bhutan Laughing Thrush, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Flycatchers, Shortwings and much more. Approximately 85kms before Bumthang is Trumshing-La pass at 3750m, though often shrouded in mist, on clear days there are superb view of Mount Gangkhar Puensum at 7451m often called the world's highest unclimbed mountain!  We spend the night at a hotel or resort.

DAY 6 Phobjika valley 2900m

Start early after breakfast as we take a packed lunch to Phobjika a beautifull bowl shaped valley the wintering home of the endangered Black Necked cranes. In the months of November to February this is where flocks of these majestic birds can be see feeding among the potato fields of this immensely scenic valley. Often giant black Langurs can be seen on this highway foraging for food.

Enroute stop for birding and look out for Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Fire-tailed sunbird and Great Parrotbill, Slender-billed Scimiter-babbler, Great and brown Parrotbill, Fulvous Parrotbill, Red-headed Bullfinch, White-winged Grossbeak, Gold-nape Finch. We spend the night at a hotel or resort.

Day 7 Punakha 1250m

We shall observe these giant birds in the morning from the crane observatory and after breakfast visit the exquisite wood carvings of Gangtey Gompa a seminary for lay monks. Often one will see performers practicing their ritual dances. The monastery is also venue for the annual Black Neck Crane festival. Drive to Punakha the ancient capital of Bhutan.  There are good opportunities to see waders enroute on the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers.  We spend the night at a hotel or resort.

DAY 8 Paro 2280m

Time permitting, we will visit Punakha Dzong in the morning and drive to Paro via Thimphu for a short stopover. Enroute birding at Dochula pass 3140m. One has a good chance of spotting Satyr Tragopan, White-throated, Straited, Chesnut-crowned Laughing Thrushes, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Rufous winged Fulvetta, Hoary-throated Barwing. We spend the night at a hotel or resort.

Day 9  Departure Paro.

Ending your birdwatching of this fascinating country, transfer to airport for your flight to the next destination! 

Note:- this itinerary can be reversed with beginning from Paro to Samdrup Jongkhar. We highly recommend the Brahmaputra River Cruise after exiting from Bhutan to experience another nature and cultural journey.

Our Local Bird Watching Leader with experience and knowledge will accompany this trip.

Bhutan's Paro International Airport is connected by Druk Air and Bhutan Air flights from Bagdogra, Bangkok, Delhi, Dhaka, Guwahati, Kathmandu, Kolkata and Singapore.

Enquire & Book Bhutan Birdwatching East to West and enjoy a birdwatching experience in one of the few destinations with unspoilt nature.