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Package Overview

Bhutan is home to more than 700 avian species. You’ll spot many varieties on this colorful excursion through the western part of the country, which takes you to both well-known and off-the-beaten-path birding zones. Fall in love with Bhutan’s forested landscapes and majestic wildlife on this itinerary that’s tailor-made for nature lovers.

Day wise Itinerary

• Day 1 : ARRIVE IN THIMPHU

  Welcome to Bhutan! Arrive at the airport in Paro, then head straight for Bhutan’s capital city: Thimphu. The best birding areas in the capital are suburbs like Upper-Motithang and the northern end of the valley (Cheri, Doedena, and Begana), so stow your bags at the hotel and venture outside the city center for an afternoon of birdwatching.
  
  Start with the Upper-Motithang area, a good place to see species like the Rufous-fronted Tit. Sparrow Hawks, Rufous-bellied Woodpeckers, Hoopoes, Nepal House Martin, and Hill Myna are also common here. In between birdwatching, visit the Tashichu Dzong and the Giant Buddha Statue before heading back to your hotel for the night

  • Themes Bird Watching
• Day 2 : Explore Bird Habitats in the Thimphu Valley

  Rise early on your second day in Bhutan for a pleasant drive through the rich vegetation of fir, pine, rhododendron, and apple trees just outside Thimphu. The Red-Billed Chough is seen frequently in this area, so keep an eye out on the way. Make your way to the northern end of the Thimphu Valley, where chances are high that you’ll see Ibisbills, Common Sandpipers, Crested-Pie kingfishers, Red-rumped Swallows, Long-Tailed Minivets, Grey Wagtails, Yellow-Billed Blue Magpies, Spotted Nutcrackers, White-Bellied Yuhina, Black-Browed Tits, Upland Pipits, and many more.

  • Themes Bird Watching
• Day 3 : Take a Scenic Drive to the Punakha Valley

  After an early breakfast, make your way east, stopping at the Dochula Pass. On a clear day, the pass offers breathtaking vistas of the entire Himalayan mountain range on the border between Bhutan and Tibet. The area around the pass is also a birding haven. Lace up your boots and hike through a forest of fir, birch, and rhododendron, where various birds species thrive, making your way up to Lungchutse Monastery. The most prized sighting in this area is the Ward’s Trogon. Other birds that you may encounter include Spotted Nutcracker, Large Hawk-Cuckoo, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Yellow-Billed Magpie, Chest-Tailed Minla, Collard Blackbird, Ultramarine Flycatcher, and Brown Bullfinch.
  
  In the afternoon, descend into the bird-rich subtropical valley of Punakha. Before you get there, make a brief stop to explore the edge of the forest and agricultural land in a nearby village. Sub-tropical species most likely to be seen here are the Red-headed Trogon, Wedge-Tailed Pigeon, Fire-Capped Tit, White-Gorgeted Flycatcher, the rare Yellow-Vented Warbler, Magpie Robin, Green Magpie, and Osprey.

  • Themes Bird Watching
• Day 4 : Search for Birds in the Punakha Valley

  Punakha is one of the lowest places in this part of Bhutan and has a subtropical climate. Following an old trail along the bank of the Mo Chhu river, explore its bank and surrounding vegetation. This area is renowned for the critically endangered White-Bellied Heron. Further up the road, pause to visit the impressive Punakha Dzong, arguably the most beautiful dzong (a kind of fortress) in Bhutan. Then make your way into the forests of the upper Punakha Valley where Bay Woodpeckers, Red-headed Trogons, Wedge-Tailed Pigeons, Fire-Capped Tits, White-Gorgeted Flycatchers, rare Yellow-vented Warblers, Magpie Robins, Green Magpies, Ospreys, River Lapwings, Ruddy Shelducks, and Eurasian Wigeons dart into and out of sight along riverbanks and villages. Keep an eye out for a variety of skulkers that also call this region home, including the Spotted Elachura and Pygmy Wren-Babbler, and two of Bhutan’s three species of Tesia.

  • Themes Bird Watching
• Day 5 : Drive from Punakha to Phobjika

  Wave farewell to Punakha, passing ruins and the construction site of Wangdi Prodang Dzong as you depart for Phobjikha. Along the way, stop often to explore the edge of a river channel, scanning the forests for Flycatchers and Wedge-Tailed Green Pigeons. This area is also home to the Carlet Finch, Black Drongo, Chestnut-Bellied Nuthatch, Slaty-Backed Forktail, Gorgeted Flycatcher, White-Throated Laughingthrush, Eurasian Jay, Wedge-Tailed Green Pigeon, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Verditer Flycatcher, and more.
  
  If you’re traveling between October and March, famed Black-Neck Cranes await in the wild. In the second half of the afternoon, stop at the Black-Neck Crane Center and, if time permits, take a leisurely walk in the glacial Phobjika Valley, where White-Throated Laughingtrushes, Mountain Imperial Pigeons, Slaty-backed Forktails, Rusty-Flanked Tree Creepers, White-Browed Bush Robins, and White-Winged Grosbeaks make their home. While you’re here, don’t miss the century-old Gangtey Monastery overlooking the valley.

  • Themes Bird Watching
• Day 6 : Go Birding on the Way to the Paro Valley

  Say goodbye to Phobjikha and its cranes as you drive east to Pele La Pass, where the morning is the best time to spot the area’s most beloved birds: Satyrs Tragopan, Blood Pheasant, Khalij Pheasant, Himalayan Monal, Yellow-Billed Magpie, Chest-Tailed Minla, Collard Blackbird, and Ultramarine Flycatcher. Then head back to the car for a leisurely drive — with many birding stops along the way — to Paro. The most elusive find on this drive is the Shriek Babbler.

  • Themes Bird Watching
• Day 7 : Visit Bhutan’s Oldest Temple

  Start your first morning in Paro with a walk along the Po Chu riverbank to the Drukyul Dzong area, where you’re likely to spot various species of birds, including Fire-Capped Tits, Spotted Laughing Thrush, and Brown Dipper. Later, visit cultural attractions like the Buddhist monasteries Rinpung Dzong and Ta Dzong as well as Bhutan’s oldest temple, Kichu Lhakhang.

  • Themes Bird Watching, Sightseeing
• Day 8 : Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery

  Get an early start on your hike to the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Taktsang Monastery) for your best chance of spotting the area’s most unique birds. This is one of Bhutan’s most popular hiking trails, which means the later you hike, the more crowded it becomes — and the more birds steer clear. So start with the sunrise and keep your eyes open for Brown Dippers, Spotted Laughingthrushes, and Fire-Capped Tits.
  
  In the afternoon, visit another of the Paro Valley’s best birding areas: the banks of the Paro River. The most common bird here is the Ibisbill, which is found throughout the year. Other birds likely to make an appearance include Black-faced Laughingthrushes, Brown Dippers, Spotted Laughingthrushes, and Fire-Capped Tits. In the late afternoon, head back to Paro for your last dinner of the trip.

  • Themes Bird Watching
• Day 9 : DEPART PARO

  Breakfast in the hotel, and then drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination.

  • Themes Bird Watching

Inclusions

• Hotel
• Minimum of 3 star rated accommodation
• All meals (excluding alcoholic beverages
• All internal transportation (excluding domestic flights if any)
• Airport pick-drop
• Professional English-Speaking guide and driver
• All road permits and entry fees
• Government fee, royalty and surcharges
• Adventure Equipment
• Camp Assistances
• All services and assistance before, during and after the trip

Exclusions

• Flight into Bhutan (Can be arranged with us)
• Hotel stay outside Bhutan
• Expenditure of personal nature
• Tips for the guide and driver
• Alcoholic drinks/Beverages- Travel insurance

Package Start From

• Paro, Bhutan, Asia

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• Prior to your trip to Bhutan you need to wire transfer the full tour payment with Alpha & Omega Gateways specified as the ultimate beneficiary.
• After the wire transfer is completed, the receipt copy should be emailed to us as our reference for your tour confirmation.
• Please note that it takes minimum two to three working days for the payment to be deposited in our local Bank.

Terms & Conditions

This Tour is Offered by

• Babesa, Thimphu, Bhutan
• XXXXXX6770 View Contact
• XXXXXXXXXX@gmail.com View Mail ID

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