17-Day Private Nature Trip and Birding in Bhutan

In this tour you will be almost making 360 degree Bhutan Tour. The tour will be a treat to nature and bird lovers. As you move you can see the change in vegetation from the hemlock and cool broadleaf forest in the west to warm broadleaf in the east to subtropical forest in the southern part.
You will be passing through some of the best birding sites in the kingdom. You would also be covering a short stretch of 26 Kilometers found between Sengor to Yongkola which is considered as “ Birding Capital of the world” by birders.
You may see few endangered bird species like White-bellied-Heron, Baer’s Pochard & few other vulnerable species like Rufous –Necked Hornbill , Black Necked Crane, Satyr Tragopan and so on and so forth.
The tour also includes camping in the jungle camp, day hike through national park, and village visits. We have also included few of the cultural sightseeing and famous Tiger nest hike to make this tour more wholesome.


Itinerary

Day 1: Paro-Thimphu(54Km/1 And Half Hour)

Stop At: Tachogang Lhakhang Bridge, Paro-Thimphu Highway, Paro 12001 Bhutan
Enjoy the breeze & the view on hilltop of Tachogang Lhakhang. You got to cross the bridge Over Pa Chhu river before reaching the Lhakhang.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Buddha Dordenma, Kuensel Phodrang Viewing Point, Thimphu 11001 Bhutan
Visit Dordenma and take a blessing from the world largest Buddha's statue.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: The Craft GALLERY, Norzin Lam 3 Building #69, Opposite to Bhutan Development Bank Limited (BDBL), behind Department of Revenue and Customs (DRC) and Duty Free Shop, Thimphu 11001 Bhutan
In the evening stroll around Thimphu town, you can visit craft bazaar and check out small souvenir to take back home
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel in Thimphu, 3* Luxury

Day 2: Thimphu: Visit Jigme Dorji National Park

Stop At: Jigme Dorji National Park, Thimphu Bhutan
Today we will take an hour and half drive towards the northern end of Thimphu valley and hike through Jigme Dorji National Park. It is a huge park covering 4316KM Sq.feet , the park is a natural jewel with the wealth of biodiversity. However we will be just covering a very tiny part of it.
It would be a pleasant hike through the forest of pines . You will be welcomed by variance of Bird . Commonly you may sight Laughing Thrust, Brown Dipper, Spotted Laughing Thrust, Fire capped Tit, Chestnut–crowned Laughing Thrushes, White-throated Laughing Thrushes, Rufous-bellied Woodpeckers, and White-collared Blackbirds. We will have packed lunch in the forest. Evening return to Thimphu .
Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel in Thimphu, 3* Luxury

Day 3: Thimphu-Gangtey(134Km/6hrs)

Stop At: Gangtey, Gangtey, Wangdue Phodrang District
Phobjikha valley is one of the most important wildlife preserves in the country and it serves as the nesting grounds for the endangered Black-necked Crane in winter. The bird species found in this valley are Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Blue-capped Rock Thrush,Fire-tailed Myzornis, Great Parrotbill, Alpine Accentor, Green-tailed Sunbird, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Rufous-vented Yuhina, Whiskered Yuhina, Scaly Thrush, Tickell’s Thrush, Fire-capped Tit, Amur falcon, Ward’s Trogon, Blue Rock Thrush, Black-faced Laughingthrush, Spotted Laughingthrush, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Red-headed Bullfinch, Scarlet Finch, White-tailed Nuthatch, etc.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Overnight At Hotel in Phobjikha, 3* Luxury

Day 4: Phobjikha – Trongsa ( 87kms/ 3 hours)

Stop At: Trongsa, Trongsa, Trongsa District
Drive for three hours through dense evergreen forests of oak, rhododendron, horse chestnut, laurel, maple, fir, spruce, larch, hemlock and juniper to the central district of Trongsa crossing Pele La (pass) at 3390m. The species found in this area includes Spotted Laughingthrush, Crested Serpent Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Common Kestrel, Himalayan Griffon, Himalayan Swiftlet, Asian House Martin, Nepal House Martin, Common Rosefinch, Beatiful Rosefinch, White-browed Rosefinch, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Streaked-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Brown Parrotbill, Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler, and Speckled Wood Pigeon
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Overnight At hotel in Trongsa, 3* Luxury

Day 5: Trongsa-Bumthang(68Km/2-3Hrs)

Stop At: Tharpaling Monastery ཐར་པ་གླིང་ལྷ་ཁང་།, Tharpaling ,Chummey,, GMJP+6WP, Jakar, Bhutan
Bumthang is famous for sighting pheasants . We can visit Tharparling monastery for magnificent Himalayan Monal and Satyr Tragopan. You may sight Spot-winged Grosbeak, Daurian Redstart, Olive-backed Pipit, Oriental Skylark, Black-billed Magpie, etc.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Overnight At Hotel , 3* Luxury

Day 6: Bumthang – Sengor- Yotongla (10 hours)

Stop At: Sengor, Bhutan
A short stretch of 26Km of broad leaved forest in eastern Bhutan, found between Sengor & Yonkola is considered by birders as "Birding Capital of The World".
Sengor to Namling : The hemlock and cool broad leaf forest host of Tragopans, Bar-winged Wren Babbler and the fire tailed Myzornis.
Namling to Yonkola: Cool Broad leaf forest hostssing over Thrumsingla pass at 3800m.The species you would encounter are Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Spotted Nutcracker, Fire-tailed Myzornis,
Namling to Yongkhala: Cool and warm broad leaf forests host the yellow -rumped Honey Guide, Rufoused -Necked Hornbill,Laughing Thrush, Coral Billed Scimitar Babbler, ad the golden breasted Fulvetta.
Duration: 10 hours

Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Overnight At Hotel at Yongkola,3*

Day 7: Explore Yongkola-Paradise For Birders

Stop At: Yongkola Pass, Bhutan
In this area you will sight Rufous-necked Hornbil, Tawny Fish Owl, Ward’s Trogon, Red-headed Trogon, Rufous-throated Wren Babbler, Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler, Pygmy Wren Babbler, Himalayan Cutia, Grey-winged Blackbird, Hoary-throated Barwing, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Steak-breasted Scimitar Babblers, Collar-billed Scimitar Babbler, Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler, Long-tailed Minivet, Short-billed Minivet, Grey-chinned Minivet, Scarlet Minivet, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Black-throated Prinia, Striated Prinia, Gray-throated Babbler, Ashy Bulbull, Mountain Bulbull, Himalayan Bulbull, Grey-throated Babbler, Bhutan Laughingthrush, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Beautiful Nuthatch, White-tailed Nuthatch, Asian-barred Owlet, Short-billed Minivet, Rufous-necked Laughingthrush etc.
Duration: 10 hours

Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Overnight At Yotongla , 3* Hotel

Day 8: Yongkola-Nganglam-Panbang(158/6Hrs)

Stop At: Panbang, Bhutan
Today we will drive from Yotongla-Nganglam-Panbang. On the way we will come across various birds.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Overnight At Marang Jungle Lodge

Day 9: Explore Panbang and Royal Manas National Park

Stop At: The Royal Manas National Park, Bhutan
Today we will raft 13Km from Panbang to Manas.On foot it might take few hours but the boat ride takes only thirty minutes. Many prefer boat rides to enjoy the scenic beauty and watch birds. You can explore the park through various activities like – bird watching, river rafting , picnicking along the river and walking through the Park’s Eco Trail.
This place is a treasure house of around 365 bird species among which the Emerald Cuckoo, Spotted Wren-Babbler, White-bellied Heron, Pallas Fish Eagle, Wreathed Hornbill, Pied Hornbill, Great Indian Hornbill and Rufous-necked Hornbill are commonly visible.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Overnight At Marang Jungle Eco Lodge

Day 10: Panbang-Tingtibi

Stop At: Tingtibi Bridge, 4MWR+H9J, Zhemgang, Bhutan
We will drive from Panbang to Tingtibi. On the way you can witness a giant waterfall.
We will stay at Tingtibi Eco lodge and later visit the village of Berit.
Tingtibi is another hotspot for birds. You may spot Explore Tingtibi where you can spot the Great Hornbill, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Wreated Hornbill, Lesser Yellownape, Scarlet minivet, Sultan Tit, Black-eared Shrike-babbler, White-bellied Erpornis, Long-tailed Sibia,Silver-eared Mesia, Red-billed Leiothrix, Bar-throated Siva, Blue-Winged Siva, Red-tailed Minla,Red-faced Liocichla, Rufous-necked Laughingthrush, Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush, Straited Laughingthrush, White-crested Laughingthrush, Jungle Babbler, Golden Babbler, Grey-throated Babbler, Pin-striped Tit Babbler, Long-billed Wren Babbler, Eye-browed Wren Babbler and many more
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Overnight At Tingtibi EcoLodge

Day 11: Tigtibi-Trongsa

Stop At: Trongsa, Trongsa, Trongsa District
The species found in this area includes Spotted Laughingthrush, Crested Serpent Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Common Kestrel, Himalayan Griffon, Himalayan Swiftlet, Asian House Martin, Nepal House Martin, Common Rosefinch, Beautiful Rosefinch, White-browed Rosefinch, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Streaked-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Brown Parrotbill, Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler, and Speckled Wood Pigeon.
If time permits we can also visit Trongsa Dzong Today
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Overnight At Hotel in Trongsa, 3* Luxury Hotel

Day 12: Trongsa-Punakha(129Km/5hrs)

Stop At: Chimi Lhakhang Temple, Punakha Bhutan
We will visit Chimi Lhakhang today and learn the myths of Phallus
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel in Punakha

Day 13: Punakha

Stop At: Punakha Dzong, Punakha 13001 Bhutan
In the morning we will visit Punakha Dzong before heading to Jigme Dorji National Park
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Jigme Dorji National Park, Thimphu Bhutan
After detouring Punakha Dzong, we will explore Mo Chu Valley & Rimchu to Jigme Dorji National Park. The warm broad leaf forest here are the habitat of the rare White-Bellied Heron, White -gorgetted Flycatcher and Yellow-vented Warbler
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Overnight At Hotel,3* Luxury

Day 14: Punakha-Paro(130Km/4-5hrs)

Stop At: Paro, Paro, Paro District
Early morning we will drive to Paro.
Later we can do some sightseeing

Overnight at Hotel in Paro
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel in Paro

Day 15: Paro to Chelela Pass

Stop At: Chele La, Bhutan
Early in the morning drive to Chelela pass for pheasants: Kalij Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Blood Pheasant and Himalayan Monal. There is also chance of sighting the Fire-tailed Myzornis as well.
We can have a picnic lunch today
Evening Return to Paro
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Overnight at Paro, 3* Luxury

Day 16: Tiger Nest

Stop At: Paro Taktsang, Taktsang Trail, Paro Bhutan
Today we will hike to Tiger's Nest. It is a signature spot of Bhutan Tourism.
After the hike you can relax by soaking yourself in hot stone bath.
And later you can try some Bhutanese Beer at Namgay Artisinary Brewery
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel in Paro, 3* Luxury

Day 17: Departure

Stop At: Paro, Paro, Paro District
Our guide and driver will drop you to the Airport and bid your farewell
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
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No accommodation included on this day.

Informacion Adicional
"Not wheelchair accessible"
"Service animals allowed"
"Near public transportation"
"Most travelers can participate"
"A current valid passport is required on the day of travel"
"This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate"
"Confirmation will be received at time of booking"



Start Time: 09:00 AM
Duration: 17 Days
Start location: Paro International Airport - departure terminal, Airport Road Paro, Paro 12001, Bhutan

Cancellations and refunds: If you cancel at least 4 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.

Included

• Bhutan Visa
• Accommodation/Transportation/Certified Guide/Internal Taxes & Charges
• Government SDF of USD 100 per person per night
• 17x Breakfast
• 16x Dinner
• 16x Lunch
• Accommodation included: 16 nights
• Entry/Admission - Buddha Dordenma
• Entry/Admission - Tingtibi Bridge
• Entry/Admission - Punakha Dzong
• Entry/Admission - Tachogang Lhakhang Bridge
• Entry/Admission - The Craft GALLERY
• Entry/Admission - The Royal Manas National Park
• Entry/Admission - Tharpaling Monastery ཐར་པ་གླིང་ལྷ་ཁང་།
• Entry/Admission - Chimi Lhakhang Temple
• Entry/Admission - Paro Taktsang
• Entry/Admission - Jigme Dorji National Park

Not Included

• Travel Insurance/Airfare/Those not included in Inclusion

Facilities