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10 Days Bhutan Bird Watching Tour from Bagdogra
Bagdogra - Phuentsholing [1N] - Thimphu [1N] - Punakha [1N] - Shatem Camp [1N] - Gangtey [1N] - Trongsa [1N] - Zhemgang [1N] - Gelephu [1N] - Bagdogra [1N]
In this 10 days Bhutan bird watching tour, you will get fabulous birding experience in Bagdogra, Phuentsholing, Thimphu, Punakha, Shatem, Gangtey, Trongsa and Zhemgang.
You will first arrive in Bagdogra and transfer to phuentsholing to find birds like Black Kite, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Red-breasted Parakeet, etc. Then you drive towards Thimphu and birding along the road, including Hill Partridge, Red Crossbill, Spotted Nutcracker, etc. Next, you need to cross Dochula Pass and start birding in Punakha, including Himalayan Cutia, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Collared Grosbeak. At Dochula Pass, you can get excellent views of Bhutanese Himalayas. After that you go to explore the Jigme Dorji National Park to spot Ruddy Shelduck, River Lapwing, Common Kingfisher, etc. Then the journey will take you to Phobjikha Valley. The 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. In the following day, after visiting the impressive Gangtey Goempa, you will drive towards Trongsa and spot White-collared Blackbird, Winter Wren, Himalayan Monal and more along the road. Then you have the chance to explore the forests in Zhemgang. After that, you will transfer to Gelephu and then Bagdogra to end this tour.
- Late February to May, September to December
- Cultural Sightseeing and Bird Watching
- Private Tour for One and More
Highlights
- Experience the amazing birding tour in Phuentsholing, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, Trongsa and Zhemgang.
- Explore Jigme Dorji National Park for bird watching.
- Cross Dochula Pass to enjoy the magnificent view of Bhutanese Himalayas.
- Witness the stunning beauty of Phobjikha Valley.
- Pay a visit to the impressive Gangtey Monastery.
No documents found.
Itinerary
Day 1: Bagdogra Arrival and Transfer to Phuentsholing
Highlights: Arrive in Bagdogra and transfer to phuentsholing to find birds like Black Kite, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Red-breasted Parakeet, etc.
Upon your arrival at Bagdogra International Airport, the nearest Indian airport to bordering town of Phuentsholing, your local guide and driver will meet you at the arriving hall of the airport. And they will drive you to Phuentsholing and help you check in hotel.
In Phuentsholing, you can find some species of birds like Black Kite, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Red-breasted Parakeet, Coppersmith Barbet, Lineated Barbet, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Ibisbill, River Lapwing, Black Eagle, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Great Egret, House Crow, Maroon Oriole, Oriental Magpie Robin, Common Stonechat, Chestnut-tailed Starling, Barn Swallow, Oriental White-eye, Mountain Tailorbird, and House Sparrow.
Stay overnight in Phuentsholing.
Arrive in Bagdogra and find Black Kite
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Phuentsholing to Thimphu
Highlights: Drive towards Thimphu and birding along the road, including Hill Partridge, Red Crossbill, Spotted Nutcracker, etc.
Today, you will have a long driving journey from Phuentsholing to Thimphu (2,350m), the capital city of Bhutan. Covering a total distance of nearly 174 kilometers, it will take you about 5 hours to get to Thimphu.
Birds you can spot along the road to Thimphu are Hill Partridge, Red Crossbill, Spotted Nutcracker, Black-faced Laughing Thrush, Rusty-checked Scimitar Babbler, White-browed Fulvetta, Grey-crested Tit, Green-backed Tit, Red-headed Bullfinch, Rufous-vented Tit, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Speckled Piculet, Crimson-breasted Woodpecker, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, etc.
Stay overnight in Thimphu.
Birding Hill Partridge in Thimphu
Accommodation
The following local hotels are for your referrence. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquring for your trip to Bhutan.
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Thimphu Namseling Hotel
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Thimphu Druk Hotel
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Thimphu Six Senses Bhutan
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Thimphu to Punakha
Highlights: Cross Dochula Pass and start birding in Punakha, including Himalayan Cutia, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Collared Grosbeak.
After breakfast, you will drive from Thimphu to Punakha (1,242m). The distance between Thimphu to Punakha is 71 kilometers, and it will take you 3 hours to get there. On the way, you will have an excellent opportunity to enjoy the panoramic view of the solemn Bhutan Himalaya Ranges and even take photos at the impressive collection of 108 chortens at Dochula Pass (3,140m).
Upon arrival, you start birding in Punakha. The birds found in Punakha valley are Himalayan Cutia, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Collared Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, White-browed Fulvetta, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Plain Mountain Finch, Mrs Gould’s Sunbird, Green-tailed Sunbird, Black-throated Parrotbill, Himalayan Bluetail, White-browed Bush Robin, Rufous-breasted Bush Robin, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Brown Bullfinch, Red-headed Bullfinch, Chestnut-tailed Minla, etc.
Stay overnight in Punakha.
Birding Yellow-billed Blue Magpie in Punakha
Accommodation
The following local hotels are for your referrence. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquring for your trip to Bhutan.
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Punakha Meri Phuntsum
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Punakha Zhingkham Resort
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Punakha COMO Uma
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Punakha to Shatem Camp
Highlights: Get to Jigme Dorji National Park to spot Ruddy Shelduck, River Lapwing, Common Kingfisher, etc.
After breakfast, your guide will drive you towards Jigme Dorji National Park, crossing through Chir pine and broadleaved forest. More than 365 species of birds have been recorded and 200 are believed to be residing in this national park and is the second largest protected areas of Bhutan.
Here you can spot Ruddy Shelduck, River Lapwing, Common Kingfisher, Common Merganser, Common Hoopoe, Siberian Stonechat, Rufous-cheeked Scimitar Babbler, Long-tailed Shrike, Grey-backed Shrike, Hodgson’s Redstart, Ibisbill, Northern Pintail, Eurasian Wigeon, Mallard, Bar-headed Geese, Brown Dipper, Oriental Magpie Robin, Scaly-breasted Munia, Crested Bunting, Yellow-bellied Fantail, Grey-cheeked Warbler, Grey-hooded Warbler, Hume’s Warbler, Lemon-rumped Warbler, Oriental White-eye, Grey Wagtail, Grey Treepie, Red-crested Pochard, Tufted Duck, etc.
Stay overnight at Shatem Campsite.
Get to Jigme Dorji National Park to spot Ruddy Shelduck
Accommodation
The following local hotels are for your referrence. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquring for your trip to Bhutan.
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Punakha Meri Phuntsum
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Punakha Zhingkham Resort
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Punakha COMO Uma
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Shatem Camp to Gangtey
Highlights: Transfer to Gangtey to explore the stunning valley and sight Himalayan Greenfinch, Great Barbet, Golden-throated Barbet, etc.
Today, you will transfer to Phobjikha valley (3,000m). The 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 include Himalayan Greenfinch, Great Barbet, Golden-throated Barbet, Blue-throated Barbet, Black-throated Sunbird, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Oriental White-eye, Crested Serpent Eagle, Pygmy Wren Babbler, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Chestnut-tailed Minla, White-throated Fantail, Green-tailed Sunbird, Mrs Gould's Sunbird, Winter Wren, Black-necked Crane, Hen Harrier, Common Buzzard, Red-billed Chough, White-browed Rosefinch, Crimson-browed Finch, Himalayan Griffon Vulture, Great Parrotbill, etc.
Stay overnight in Gangtey.
Sight Great Barbet in Gangtey valley
Accommodation
The following local hotels are for your referrence. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquring for your trip to Bhutan.
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Gangtey Dewachen
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Gangtey RKPO Green Resort
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Amankora Gangtey
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Gangtey to Trongsa
Highlights: Visit Gangtey Goempa and drive towards Trongsa and spot White-collared Blackbird, Winter Wren, Himalayan Monal and more along the road.
After breakfast, you will pay a visit to an impressive monastery called Gangtey Monastery, generally known as Gangtey Goempa. It is a very important monastery of Nyingmapa school.
Then you will drive towards Trongsa. Along the road, you will halt in many places where you can get closer proximity to birds. Available birds include White-collared Blackbird, Winter Wren, Himalayan Monal, Satyr Tragopan, Alpine Accentor, White-browed Rosefinch, Great Parrotbill, Dark-throated Thrush, Hoary-throated Barwing, Black-faced Laughing thrush, Stripe-throated Yuhina, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Rufous Sibia, White-browed Bush Robin, Black-throated, Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Eurasian Jay, Himalayan Swiftlet.
Stay overnight in Trongsa.
Transfer to Trongsa and watch birds
Accommodation
The following local hotels are for your referrence. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquring for your trip to Bhutan.
-
Gangtey Dewachen
-
Gangtey RKPO Green Resort
-
Amankora Gangtey
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Trongsa to Zhemgang
Highlights: Explore the forests in Zhemgang and sight Yellow-browed Tit, White-throated Laughing thrush, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, etc.
Today, the bird watching tour will take you to Zhemgang, where a rich variety of flora and fauna can be found. You will cross through broadleaved forests, vast areas of settlement and mixed chirpine broad-leaf forests.
You can find various birds here, including Yellow-browed Tit, White-throated Laughing thrush, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler, Verditer Flycatcher, Lemon-rumped Warbler, Hume's Warbler, Tickell's Leaf Warbler, Crested Bunting, House Swift, Eurasian Kestrel, Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush, Blue Rock Thrush, Ashy Bulbul, Golden-fronted Leafbird, Blythe's Leaf Warbler, Pacific Swift, Greater Spotted Eagle, Black Drongo, Ashy Bulbul, Mountain Bulbul, Striated Bulbul, Black-crested Bulbul, Great Barbet, Blue-throated Barbet, etc.
Stay overnight in Zhemgang.
Explore the forests in Zhemgang and sight White-throated Laughing thrush
Accommodation
The following local hotels are for your referrence. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquring for your trip to Bhutan.
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Paro Olathang Hotel
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Paro Tashi Namgay Resort
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Paro Le Meridien Hotel
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Tour Price
Add-on Activities
The general travel itineraries in Bhutan are usually leisure and relaxing. To make the most your time in Bhutan, you can choose to have more activities as you like, such as light hiking around the town or a featured culture experience.
Here we offer you the most popular travel ideas that most of our travelers choose to experience as an add-on activity during their trips in Bhutan. For more available activities or anything you want to add on to your trip in Bhutan, just feel free to contact us.
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Bhutan Hot Stone Bath
The popular Hot Stone Bath, a traditional healing process in Bhutan, is a great experience for you to relax and refresh yourself after one-day hiking or trekking. Different from hot spring, it is a kind of hot water bath offered in a traditional way with a wooden tub and herbs in the water. You can experience it in a local farmhouse or in a resort.
Please notice that you need to pay additional fees for the hot stone bath (usually within 30 minutes).
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Sightseeing Hiking
Even you don't take the trekking tour in Bhutan, you can also experience pleasant hiking on your travel days. Especially during your trips in western and central Bhutan, like in Gangtey, Bumthang, and Trongsa, there are some easy hiking and trekking trails around the town. You can take light hiking for 1 to 2 hours after general daily sightseeing. Just feel free to tell your guide if you are interested in an extra hiking experience.
Generally, you don't need to pay extra money for the hours' hiking.
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Cultural Exploration
Bhutan is a place that rich in culture and handicraft. If you want to experience more local culture and the real life of the locals, you can ask for more activities, such as a visit to a local weekend market, a class of traditional Bhutan archery or traditional weaving in Bhutan. Just feel free to let us know want you are looking for and want to experience during your Bhutan tour, we will help you find the best options to do.
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Farmhouse Homestay
All of our tour packages cover the accommodation from 3-star hotels to 5-star hotels and resorts. But if you want to get closer to the local Bhutanese' life, it is suggested to take one night stay in a farmhouse. It will be an unforgettable experience to eat ordinary food and dishes and live in the typical Bhutanese house just like a Bhutanese does.
Since the accommodation is required to be arranged in advance, if you are keen on a homestay in Bhutan, please tell us as early as possible.
Food and Drinks
Our Bhutan Trekking tour packages include three meals every day during your stay in Bhutan. And on the trekking days, your trek staff will cook for you. You don’t need to carry the food yourself. If you have any requirements on food, such as vegetarian, please feel free to tell your travel consultant or your local guide. The following are the general food and drinks you can have in an ordinary Bhutan tour.
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Bhutanese Food
Most of your meals are in local restaurants, which offers typicla bhutanese food. The most popular food among local people is the Chili Cheese.
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Western Food
Besides the traditional Bhutan dishes, you can also have western buffet or breakfast in some hotels in Bhutan.
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Water and Drinks
For every day trip, we offer one bottle of water for each tourists. There are also kinds of soft drinks you can buy in the restaurant, hotel or shops in the town in Bhutan. Also, you can taste the local beers if you want.
Bhutan Tour Planning FAQs
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