Overview
Bird watching tours in Bhutan
Bhutan is a bird-watcher’s paradise as large area of natural habitat is protected. Due to the wide range of specific altitudinal and climatic conditions (from sub-tropical to alpine), the country possesses an immense variety of birds within its small territory. Over 600 species have been recorded to date, this extensive list growing increasingly longer as more systematic birding is undertaken. The most high profile species include the Black-necked crane, Blyth’s/Satyr tragopan, Ward’s trogon, Monal pheasant, Wedge-billed, Long –billed, Bar Winged wren-Babblers, yellow-throated fulvetta and Rufus-necked hornbill. For a wider variety of birds and better sightings one should travel to the east of the country. Sengor and Limithang are known to be some of the finest areas.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive in Bhutan
Transfer to airport and fly to Paro then drive to Thimpu. You will see the Red-billed Choughs, Black-tailed Crake, Ibisbill, and Brown Dipper while driving. Arrive Thimpu. Dinner and over night at hotel.
Day 2 : Drive to Punakha via Dochu La,
On the way you will see a wealth of birds, including some species-rich feeding flocks. Quarrelsome Nutcrackers are common, and past highlights have included a skulking Hill Partridge, a Satyr Tragopan, a Golden Bush Robin, an immaculate Cutia, a Brown Parrotbill, and even the gorgeous Fire-tailed Myzornis. Over night stay near Punakha.
Day 3 : Explore the braided channels of the Mo Chhu River beside Punakha Dzong and its bird-rich subtropical forests.
Here you will see White-bellied Heron, one of Bhutan’s rarest birds, brightly colored minivets and noisy Striated Laughingthrushes, and Ibisbills. In the afternoon we hope to be able to go inside Punakha Dzong, a fabulous fortified monastery that’s still home to many hundred monks. Over night stay in Punakha.
Day 4 : Drive to Wangdi Dzong where near by can be seen Pallas’s Gull and Pallas’s Fishing Eagle.
Enter further the forest near the end of our journey, where we’ll stop to look for species such as Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, and the majestic Himalayan Monal. Spotted Laughingthrush, Yellowish-bellied Bush-Warbler, Rusty-flanked Treecreeper, White-browed Bush Robin, and White-winged Grosbeak also occur here. Over night stay in Gangtey.
Day 5 : Drive through the Pele La pass and into Central Bhutan.
A stand of ringal bamboo extends for about three miles below the pass, and we’ll search here for specialties such as Great and Brown Parrotbills and Golden-breasted Fulvetta, surely one of the world’s most attractive passerines. Over night stay in Trongsa.
Day 6 : Drive through the bamboo-thronged Yotong La into the first of the four Bumthang valleys.
Nutcrackers can be common, though we’ll have to spend a little more time searching for the region’s real specialties: Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, White-browed and Rufous-breasted Bush Robins, Dark-rmped Rosefinch, and Fulvous, Brown, and Great Parrotbills. Over night stay in Jakar.
Day 7 : Drive to Thimphu via Punakha and Dachula pass.
Dinner and over night stay at hotel. You will encounters with some spice of birds that cab ne one you saw beofe or new ones.
Day 8 : Exploring some cultural sites of the Thimpu city including handicraft center, memorial chhotren, Dzongs etc then drive back to paro. Dinner and over night at hotel.
Day 9 : Morning drive to Satsam Chorten and then hike to Takstang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, the most photographed in Bhutan.
Here it is being said that Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in the 8 th century. Walk back to the road point and visit Kyichu
Day 10 : After breakfast, drive to Paro airport and farewell.
Inclusions
What is included?
- Royalty fee and permits
- Accommodation and all meals
- Sightseeing tours by private coaches
- Bird and nature specialist
- Service of experienced and English speaking guide
- All transportation within Bhutan, entrance fee to the monuments
What isn't included?
- Bhutan visa fee USD 40 and TDF USD 10
- Airfares USd 485 round trip (Kathmandu sector)
- Expense for such as drinks, cigarettes, laundry, telephone call and tipping etc.
Complimentary
Introduction and trip briefing:
On our all tours, we give a short brief about the trip on the same day of your arrival and introduce your tour guide. At the mean time, we provide an opportunity for individuals to ask questions if any about the trip.
Tour Guide:
English speaking, well experienced and knowledgeable holding license from the government. They are well trained about eco tourism, social/culture/traditions responsibilities, and sincerely dedicated on their duty. Actually the tour guide play an invaluable role in ensuring that our clients have the best opportunity to experience, learn about, and enjoy their trip presenting them whenever you need any help.
Accommodation:
A wide variety of accommodation is available ranging from farmhouse stays and budget hotels to the high-end resorts. However, there is no rating on the star category but all government approved A-B-C grade. Basically comfortable 2/3 star category resorts and hotels are used on the tour.
Transportation:
Our local agent in Bhutan has own fleet of luxury Japanese/Korean and Indian car, van and buses. All major places of interest are connected by paved roads so travelling will be smooth and pleasant.
Tour itinerary:
Given tour itinerary is fixed as the route permit is taken while applying visa of the planned tour itinerary. In the special case there will be possibility to extend or shorten the tour so please discuss this with your tour guide and express your wishes.
Food and drinks:
As a full board package tour; three times meals are provided. The favorite Bhutanese dishes being Ema Dasti- a cheese and chilly dish. All Bhutanese dishes use an abundance of chilly so do order according to your palette strength. You will also have Indian and Chinese cuisine too. Besides the locally produced beer and whiskey, the local brew, are that is distilled from rice, barley or wheat is also popular with visitor
Photography:
Bhutan is the picturesque country for the Photograph so bring a good camera with extra batteries memory as what you need may not be available in Bhutan. It is polite to ask people if you may take their picture. Ask your guide when it is permissible to take pictures in religious and public buildings.
Risk and Liability:
Holiday Mountain Treks is not responsible for any loss, injury, or damage sustained by tourists. Additional expenses caused by weather-related delays, original itinerary change, and political actions must be borne by the traveler.
Tipping and Gifts:
You will find no beggars in Bhutan. Please do not hand out candy or trinkets to children. Small gifts to people you stay with and tips for your guide and driver are appropriate.
Travel Insurance:
Normally city tours no need any emergency evacuation insurance but we encourage people to purchase travel insurance that covers baggage and travel delays as well as helicopter evacuation for medical emergencies.