Day 1. Paro

We receive you at Paro Airport (2,230m/7,316ft) and proceed to your hotel, which is your base while in Bhutan. Towards the evening, depending on time, we will bird along the Pa Chhu (Paro River), dipping into a taste of birding in our Important Bird Area (IBA) No.5, for waders –Ibisbill, Brown Dipper, Solitary Snipe, IUCN Red List vulnerable River Lapwing Black-tailed Crake and Wallcreeper. While the Pa Chhu river meanders through the valley, it passes under a traditional cantilever bridge roofed with wooden shingles and near the base of the massive fortress and Buddhist monastery built in 1645 overlooking the town of Paro valley.

Overnight: Tashi Namgay Resort (2,250m/7,382ft), Paro

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Day 2. Paro - Chele La (3,810 m/12,500ft) – Thimphu

Early in the morning, we ascend to our Important Bird Area 4 (IBA) Chele La pass, which consists of dwarf rhododendrons and alpine meadows vegetation at an elevation of 3,810m/12,500ft, for beautiful pheasants (Himalayan Monal, Satyr Tragopan, Blood Pheasant), and other high-altitude species of Grosbeaks (Collared, White-winged), Hen Harrier, Spotted Nutcracker, Treecreepers (Hodgson’s, Rusty-flanked), and Snow Pigeon. While Tits (Grey-crested, Coal, and Rufous-vented) are also in this habitat, we explore for Laughingthrushes (Spotted, Black-faced, and Chestnut-crowned) and Rosefinches (Himilayan White-browed, and Beautiful). 

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From the Pass, you can view the majestic mount Jomolhari (7,326m/24,035ft) and adjacent Jichu Drake (6,989m/22,930ft) Mountain during the clear skies, and also offers a gorgeous view of Haa and Paro valleys.

After birding at the Pass, we descend to Paro valley for onward journey to Thimphu.

Overnight: Peaceful Resort (2,560m/8,399ft), Thimphu

 

Day 3. Thimphu— Dochu La – Punakha, (85km, 2h30min)

After an overnight stay in Thimphu, while driving early in the morning en route to Punakha, we stop at Dochu La pass (3,100m/10,171ft) to look for Fire-tailed Myzornis (rarity), Bullfinches (Red-headed, Brown), White-browed Shortwing, Plain Mountain Finch (winter visitor) and Fire-tailed Sunbird. 

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Subsequently, while descending to Lampelri Royal Botanical Park, exploring for birds along the walking trail inside the Park is exciting. We are likely to encounter our Near Threatened Ward’s Trogon, which is also one of the 22 restricted-range endemic area birds of Eastern Himalaya, a rarity in other areas of Bhutan, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Parrotbills (Great, Black-throated, Brown), Golden-breasted Fulvetta (rarity) and Scarlet Finch as well.

Gradually, we descend to warmer spring Punakha, which is situated in subtropical vegetation (1,200m/3,937ft). The freshwater rivers— Pho Chu (male river) and Mo Chu (Female river)—flow through the valley, and it makes the valley suitable for growing rice and healthy habitats for migratory and non-migratory birds.

Overnight: Meri Puensum Hotel (1,340m/4,396ft), Punakha

 

Day 4. Punakha Birding

Early in the morning, we drive through Gasa highway (Jigme Dorji National Park), Important Bird Area (IBA) 1 in Bhutan, and the species expected to see are Spotted Elachura (a monotypic species), Asian Emerald Cuckoo, Maroon Oriole, Mountain Bulbul, White-bellied Erpornis, Black-chinned Yuhina, Black-throated Sunbird, Forktails (Spotted, Black-backed), Treecreepers (Hodgson’s, Rusty-flanked), White-tailed Nuthatchand Thrushes (Plain-backed, Long-tailed, Scaly).

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During the afternoon birding, we will drive along the Pho Chu river looking for IUCN Red List threatened species. Critically endangered White-bellied Heron, endangered Pallas’s Fish Eagle, vulnerable Greater Spotted Eagle, vulnerable River Lapwing, and vulnerable waterfowl Common Pochard are in this habitat. Other bird species like Brown Dipper, Kingfishers (Crested, Common), Osprey and White-browed Wagtail are also found in this Important Bird Area. Additionally, along the way, we will also look for waders: Sandpipers (Common, Green), Timminck’s Stint, Plovers (Little-ringed, Long-billed) and waterfowls which are migratory: Mandarin Duck, Northern Pintail, and other waders and waterfowls that are winter visitors to this place.

Overnight: Meri Puensum Hotel (1,340m/4,396ft), Punakha

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Day 5. Punakha- Pele La- Bumthang

As we drive towards Bumthang, we will be stopping at Pele La Pass, which is situated at 3,390m/11,122ft with sub-alpine conifers and bamboo vegetation, for Bearded Vulture and Griffon Vulture. While other birds like Thrushes (Red-throated and Black-throated), Crimson-browed Finch, White-browed Rosefinch, White-throated Redstart and Spotted Nutcracker are in this habitat, Pheasants (Himalayan Monal and Satyr Tragopan) are also in this vegetation. 

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Along the way, before reaching Bumthang, we will look for species like Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Nepal House Martin, Himalayan Swiftlet and Asian Palm Swift. 

Overnight: Chumey Nature Resort (2,935m/9,629ft), Bumthang

 

Day 6. Bumthang Birding 

Today, we drive early in the morning towards Tharpaling monastery (3,800m/12,467ft) for morning birding, and the habitat in this area consists of healthy forests of blue pine, hemlock, birch, rhododendron, fir, juniper, bamboo, maples and spruces, and chestnuts. Highlights around here are Himalayan Monal, Satyr Tragopan, Snow Pigeon, Altai Accentor, Red-billed Chough, Rosefinches (Himalayan White-browed, and Beautiful), Laughingthrushes (Black-faced, and Spotted), Redstarts (White-throated, and Daurian), Himalayan Bluetail, Goldcrest, Bullfinches (Brown, & Red-headed) and many more. For the afternoon we will be birding in patches of bamboo thicket for Great Parrotbill (rarity), Rufous-breasted Accentor and Redstarts (Hodgson’s and Blue-fronted). Just after the dusk, we will be spotlighting for Himalayan Wood Owl (rarity).

Overnight: Chumey Nature Resort (2,935m/9,629ft), Bumthang

 

Day 7. Bumthang- Thrumseng La- Yongkala

We start early in the morning. On the way close to Thrumshing La pass (3,780m/12,309ft), we look for Bar-winged Wren Babbler, Blood Pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus tibetanus—a subspecies distributed in eastern region only), Fire-tailed Sunbird and Griffon Vulture. As we descend towards Sengor valley, we will stop to look for Fulvous Parrotbill (rarity), Thrushes (Black-throated and Red-throated), Slaty Blue Flycatcher, and Red Crossbill. As we continue to drive towards Yongkala, we stop look for Gould’s Shortwing (rarity), Black-headed Shrike-babbler (rarity), and Golden-breasted Fulvetta (rarity). 

 

Overnight: Trogon Villa Lodge (1,600m/5,249ft), Yongkala

 

Day. 8 and 9. Yongkala

We have reached cool broad-leaved forest of Phrumsengla National Park, Important Bird Area (IBA) 16, which is one of the best birding stretches in Bhutan.

 

Early in the morning, we drive along Yongkala-Namling road for restricted-range bird species of Eastern Himalayas Endemic Bird Area (EBA), which Bhutan is a part of this Endemic Area. While these birds are the restricted-range, some of them are also threatened species in IUCN Red List. Vulnerable Chestnut-breasted Partridge, near threatened Ward’s Trogon (the most sought after specie), near threatened Rufous-throated Wren-babbler are not only under IUCN Red List, they are also the restricted-range birds of the Endemic Area. The other restricted-range birds like Hoary-throated Barwing, and Yellow-vented Warbler are also in this habitat.

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Another important highlight of this birding trail is to look out for the Himalayan Wedge-billed Babbler (rarity to only find in this habitat). While it is a restricted-range bird of the Endemic Area, it is also near threatened of IUCN Red List, and more importantly, it is one of the two endemic birds of Eastern Himalayas found in Bhutan. The other endemic bird Cachar Wedge-billed Babbler is found in the habitats of North Eastern India in Mizoram state.

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Additionally, along this trail, we look for other equally important birds are Flycatchers (Pygmy Blue, and Snowy-browed), Rufous-throated Partridge, a majestic and vulnerable Rufous-necked Hornbill, Lesser Shortwing, Wren Babblers (Pygmy, Long-billed, and Scaly-breasted), Parrotbills (Black-throated, Grey-headed, and Greater Rufous-headed), Himalayan Cutia, Fulvettas (Golden-breasted, Yellow-throated, Nepal, and Rufous-winged), Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler, White-browed Piculet, Small Niltava, Tesias (Grey-bellied, and Slaty-bellied), Sivas (Bar-throated, Blue-winged), Rusty-frontedBarwing,  Blanford’s Rosefinch, Scarlet Finch, and Brown-throated Treecreeper.

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In the following morning, we drive through Yongkala-Tsamang road for Beautiful Nuthatch (rarity), Red-faced Liocichla, Laughingthrushes (Blue-winged, Rufous-chinned, and Scaly), Shrike-babblers (White-browed, and Black-eared), Grey Treepie, Flycatchers  (Little Pied, Pale Blue, White-gorgeted, and Ferrugenous), Owlets (Collared, Asian Barred), Mountain Scops Owl, Babblers (Golden, Grey-throated, and Rufous-capped), Golden Bush Robin, Black-throated Sunbird, Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Streaked Spiderhunter, Green-crowned Warbler, Black-faced, Rufous-faced, White-spectacled and Grey-cheeked), Yellow-bellied Fairy Fantail and Minivets (Scarlet, and Long-tailed). 

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Note: After the dusk we will be engaged for few hours in spotlighting for Hodgson’s Frogmouth (rarity) and Oriental Bay Owl (rarity).

Overnight: Trogon Villa Lodge (1,600m/5,249ft), Yongkala

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Day 10. Yongkala- Bumthang

Today, we ascend from broad-leaved forest to mixed conifer forest, and we will experience sharp change in vegetation, landscape and temperature.  On the way, we will stop for Shrike-babbler (Black-headed, and Green), Gould’s Shortwing (rarity) and Spotted Laughingthrush.  As we enter the mixed conifer, we will be looking for Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Satyr Tragopan (the most sought after pheasant), Blood Pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus tibetanus- subspecies distributed in the eastern region only), Parrotbills (Great and Fulvous), Goldcrest, Gould’s Shortwing, Red Crossbill, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Spotted Nutcracker, Crimson-browed Finch and many more.

Overnight: Chumey Nature Resort (2,935m/9,629ft), Bumthang

 

Day11. Bumthang-Punakha

We leave Bumthang for Punakha via Trongsa and Wangue Phodrang provinces. As we drive towards Punakha, we will stop on the way for Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Brown Parrotbill, Tickell’s Leaf Warbler, Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos lathami), Laughingthrushes (Chestnut-crowned, and White-throated), Red-billed Leiothrix, White-browed Shrike-babbler, White-browed Fulvetta, Green-tailed Sunbird, Eurasian Jay, Yuhinas (Stripe-throated, and Whiskered), Little Forktail, Griffon Vulture, and Bearded Vulture. 

Overnight: Meri Puensum Hotel (1,340m/4,396ft), Punakha 

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Day 12. Punakha- Paro

We leave subtropical Punakha (1,310m/4,300ft) for temperate Paro (2,250m/7,382ft) via subalpine Dochula (3,150m/10,334ft) vegetation. On our way we will be looking for Little Bunting, Slender-billed Oriole, Flycatchers (Ultramarine, Little Pied, Dark-sided, Rufous-gorgeted, Verditer), Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, White-browed Shortwing, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Plain Mountain Finch, Tits (Rufous-fronted, Black-throated), Bush Warblers (Brown-flanked, Grey-sided, Aberrant, and Chestnut-crowned), Bush Robins (Rufous-breasted, and White-browed), Himalayan Bluetail, Blue-fronted Robin (rarity), Yellow-rumped Honeyguide (rarity), Cuckoos (Lesser, Large Hawk, Oriental, Eurasian), Maroon-backed Accentor, Scarlet Finch, and Speckled Wood Pigeon.

Overnight: Tashi Namgay Resort (2,250m/7,382ft), Paro

 

Day13. Depart for home