Nestled between China and India in the eastern Himalayas the beautiful Kingdom of Bhutan has been isolated from
the outside world for centuries. It gained its independence from India in 1949. This small land of breathtaking
beauty and fascinating culture has now opened its doors to visitors. Unlike other Himalayan countries which suffer
extensive deforestation and environmental degradation, Bhutan has the highest percentage of ecological reserves
in the world - over 26% of the land is protected as national parks. Due to the strict Government environmental policies
and efforts to preserve wildlife many species of birds have thrived in this rich forested country.
On our fantastic birding adventure we will explore the marvels and delights of one of the world´s best birding locations.
We will travel through spell-binding pristine forests, walk in woodlands smothered with rhododendrons and magnolia, cross
mountain passes with thundering rivers gushing down the valleys. Our route takes us right through the leading endemic bird
areas of Bhutan thus enabling us to see most of the 670 species currently recorded. There are ten bird species in Bhutan,
which have been identified as globally threatened by Bird Life International. These include the Black-necked Crane, one of
the world´s rarest and least known cranes, which traditionally winter in Bhutan, the Rufous-necked Hornbill, Blyth´s Tragopan,
Blyth´s Kingfisher, Ward´s Trogon, Chestnut-breasted partridge, White-bellied Heron, Wood Snipe and Pallas´s Fish Eagle.
Apart from birding this tour offers breathtaking views, fascinating architecture and a sense of privilege to get to know
the culture and way of life of a society where materialism is not propagated at the cost of people´s happiness!
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max. 12 persons
- Day 1
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Departure
Meet at London Heathrow for scheduled overnight flight to Delhi.
- Day 2
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Arrival in Bhutan
Early morning flight from Delhi to Paro. Our route takes us parallel to the mighty Himalayan mountain chain and weather
permitting there is a good chance to see Mount Everest and even the Tibetan Plateau.
You will be met at Paro Airport by our ground agent and after clearing immigration you will be driven to your hotel.
There will be a short break to freshen up before you visit a beautiful restaurant for your first meal in Bhutan.
We will enjoy the afternoon with a short birding trip along the Paro Pachu River looking for the rare Ibisbill, River
Lapwing, Brown Dipper, White Wagtail, Green and Common Sandpiper, Common Buzzard, and Common Kestrel hawking above.
We can also see a few feral species such as Red Billed Chough, Common Crow, Rock Pigeon, Oriental Turtle Dove and Long-tailed
and Grey-backed Shrike which are the common species typical of the inhabited areas throughout Bhutan. Before supper
your guide will brief you on the details of the upcoming itinerary and discuss changes if necessary.
- Day 3
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Paro - Thimphu
This morning we will undertake the two hour drive to Thimphu (2346 mtrs), the capital city of Bhutan. We will make our
way through the beautiful pine forest and deep valleys accompanied by the sound of the rushing Pachu River. The habitat
of the birds here is similar to Paro. Before entering the city we will stop to look for some waterfowl; Ruddy Shelduck,
Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon, Goosander, Common Merganser all of which are winter visitors to this area. A solitary Brown-
headed Gull can also be sighted. We´ll spend the night in Bhutan´s beautiful capital.
- Day 4
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Thimphu Birding Excursion
Drive to Tango for full day birding. On our travels we will be looking for sunbirds such as Green-tailed and Crimson
Sunbird as well as the very rare Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Laughing Trushes such as White-throated and Chestnut Crowned,
Crested Kingfisher, Darjeeling Woodpecker and Plumbeous Water Redstart. We will stop for a picnic lunch near a monastery.
Camp overnight.
- Day 5
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Thimphy - Punakha
From Thimphu proceed further over the Dochula Pass (3200 mtrs) - an important spiritual place for the Bhutanese. An early
morning start gives us a spectacular view over the high peaks of the Eastern Himalayas as they unfold in the morning
light. Amongst the endless pryer flags we will commence our exploration of Bhutan´s pristine mixed forests of hemlock,
fir, oak, magnolia and rhododendron which hold a wealth of new species. Highlights could included Rufous Woodpecker,
Eurasian Jay, Spotted Nutcracker, Besra, Maroon Oriole, Long-tailed Minivet, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Yellow-bellied
Fantail, Ashy Drongo, Chestnut-bellied Rockthrush, Plain-backed Thrush, White-collared Blackbird, Spot-winged Grosbeak,
Verditer Flycatcher, Large Niltava, Orange-flanked Bush Robin, White-tailed Nuthatch, Yellow-browed Tit, Rufous-Fronted
Tit, Straited Laughing Thrush, Black Bulbul, Hoary-throated Barwing, Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Rufous Sibia, Brown Bullfinch.
In the afternoon look for the globally threatened White-bellied Heron at Samdingkha and if we are lucky we might see
Tawny Fish Owl by the roadside.
Camp overnight.
- Day 6 - 7
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Punakha Birding Excursion
Birding near camp site in Tashithang. Birds expected here are Hill Partridge, Kalij Pheasant, Great Barbet, Golden-
throated Barbet, Crested Serpent Eagle, Chestnut-headed Tesia, the rare Yellow-vented Warbler, Rufous-chinned Laughingtrush,
Streaked-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Bay Woodpecker, Small Niltava, Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler, Streaked or Bhutan
Laughingthrush, White-crested Laughingthrush.
- Day 8
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Punakha/Trongsa
Depart Tashithang for Pelela Pass. Explore the old road looking for Black-faced Laughingtrush, Himalayan Griffon,
Dark-throated Thrush, Great Parrotbill, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Rufous-Vented Tit, Coal Tit, White-Browed Fulvetta
Spotted Laughing thrush, Long-legged Buzzard, Yellowish-bellied Warbler. Try to retrace Honeyguide if we didn´t find
them during our Tango trip. In the evening a short drive to look for Slaty-backed Forktail, Grey-sided Bush Warbler,
Russets Bush Warbler.
- Day 9
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Trongsa/Bumthang
Drive towards Bumthang via the Yotongla Pass. Look for Crimson-breasted Woodpecker, Eurasian Cuckoo, Large-hawk Cuckoo
Orange-flanked Bush Robin, Winter Wren, Rufous-breasted Accentor, Green Shrike Babbler, Stripe-throated Yuhina, Rufous-
vented Yuhina, White-browed Rosefinch, White-winged Grosbeak. Before you arrive in the Bumthang Valley you will be
greeted warmly by the Black-billed Magpie which is endemic to this area.
- Day 10
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Thrumshingla (highest pass in country)
After a traditional breakfast of buckwheat pancakes we will make our way to Gayzamchu and the Thrumshingla National
Park where there are over 340 bird species. Here we will look for Snow Pigeon, Red-crossbill, Lemon-rumped Warbler,
Brown Bullfinch, Fork-tailed Swift, Oriental Skylark.
Camp overnight.
- Day 11
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Sengor
Explore the Sengor area for Satyr Tragopan, Bar-winged Wren Babbler, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Slender-billed Scimitar
Babbler, Red-billed Lieothrix, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Yellow-breasted Greenfinch, Collared Grosbeak and Golden Bush Robin.
Camp.
- Day 12 - 13
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Sengor to Yongkola - Lingmithang, Menchugang, Thridangbee
This is a great birding area and one of the birding hot spots in Bhutan. Some specialities are: Rufous-necked Hornbill,
Wards Trogon, Rufous-breasted partridge (very hard to see but the calls can be heard). Other rare species are: Bar-
winged Wren Babbler, Wedge-billed Wren Babbler (recently discovered species in Bhutan), Collared Owlet, Asian-barred
Owlet, White-throated Fantail, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Little Forktail, Yellow-cheeked Tit, Sultan Tit, Nepal
House Martin, Gray-cheeked Warbler, White-spectacled Warbler, Chestnut-crowned Warbler, Grey-sided Laughingtrush,
Blue-winged Laughingtrush, Bar-winged Wren Babbler, Golden Babbler, Rufous-capped Babbler, Black-eared Shrike
Babbler, Red-tailed Minla, Chestnut-tailed Minla, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Yellow-throated Fulvetta, Whiskered
Yuhina, White-naped Yuhina, Black-throated Parrotbill, Greater Yellownape, Blue-throated Barbet, Red-headed Trogon,
Common Green Magpie, Scarlet Minivet, Gray Treepie, Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, White-browed Shortwing, Gray-bellied
Tesia, Little-pied Flycatcher, Gray Bushchat, Straited Bulbul, Mountain Bulbul, Ashy Bulbul, Red-vented Bulbul, Hill
Prinia, Rufuscent Prinia, Slaty-bellied Tesia, Oriental White-eye, Barred-cuckoo Dove, Emerald Dove, Scarlet Finch,
Black-faced Warbler, Gray-hooded Warbler, Black-chinned Yuhina, rusty-fronted Barwing, Long-billed Wren Babbler,
White-browed Piculet, Gray-headed Woodpecker, Black Eagle, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Wall Creeper, Common Tailorbird,
Cutia, Nepal Fulvetta, Speckled Wood Pigeon, Broad-billed Warbler, Scaly Laughingthrush, Red-faced Liocichla, Fire-
breasted Flowerpecker, Streaked Spider Hunter, Blue-winged Minla.
Camp at Yongkola Lingmithang.
- Day 14
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Bumthang
We will take the same road back trying to find some of the species we missed prewiously.
- Day 15
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Bumthang - Punakha
Continue back westwards with frequent birding stops.
Overnight in hotel in Punakha.
- Day 16
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Paro/Taktsang
Drive to Paro via Thimphu birding on the way looking for Green-backed Tit, Blue-fronted Redstart, Common Rose Finch.
Farewell dinner with our host.
- Day 17
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Paro - Departure
Early morning drive to Paro Airport.
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