7 Days Bhutan Bird Watching Tour to Trongsa

Highlights: Arrive in Paro and transfer to Thimphu to spot birds like Blyth’s Leaf Warbler, Black-earned Kite, Blue-whistling Thrush, etc.

Upon your arrival at Paro International Airport by Druk Air, your local guide and driver will meet you at the arriving hall of the airport. And they will have a brief introduction about themselves. Then, you will be transferred to Thimphu (2,350m), the capital city of Bhutan. Covering a total distance of nearly 54 kilometers, it will take you about 1 hour to get to Thimphu from Paro (2,250m).

Thimphu valley is surrounded by beautiful stands of Blue Pine and temperate evergreen forests. The increasing human settlement has pushed birding spots at least 10 km, and now the ideal areas for birding are around the stream near Motithang and in and around Begana and Cheri villages.

Some of the bird species recorded here include Blyth’s Leaf Warbler, Black-earned Kite, Blue-whistling Thrush, Brown Parrotbill, Common Myna, Common Sandpiper, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Hobby, Fire tailed Sunbird, Short-toed Lark, Golden-spectacled Warbler, Grey-backed Shrike, Hodgson’s Redstart, Laughing Thrush, Long-tailed Minivet, Oriental Skylark, Oriental Turtle Dove, Oriental White eye, etc.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Appreciate Blyth’s Leaf Warbler in Thimphu

Highlights: Cross Dochula Pass and start birding in Punakha, including Himalayan Cutia, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Collared Grosbeak.

Today, 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

Highlights: Cross Pelela Pass to transfer to Trongsa and watch birds like Blood Pheasant, Yellowish-billed, Bush Warbler, etc.

Today, you will be transferred to Trongsa (2,180m) via Pelela Pass. Covering a total distance of nearly 130 kilometers, it will take you about 4 hours to get to Trongsa from Punakha.

On your way to Trongsa, you can find birds such as Blood Pheasant, Yellowish-billed, Bush Warbler, Great Parrotbill, White Winged Grosbeak, Fire-tailed Myzornis, and Maroon-backed Accentor. After having lunch, you continue your journey to Trongsa.

On arrival at Trongsa, your guide will lead you to visit Trongsa Dzong, the largest dzong fortress in Bhutan and built on a spur overlooking the gorge of the Mangde River. Then, you will head to visit the old tower of Trongsa (also called Royal Heritage Museum), a brilliant historical center of Bhutan. The five stories of showcases center around Buddhist workmanship and imperial memorabilia, including such fluctuated treasures as the 500-year-old coat of Ngagi Wangchuk and the football boots utilized by the teenaged fourth king.

Stay overnight in Trongsa.

Transfer to Trongsa and watch birds

Highlights: Transfer to Gangtey to explore the stunning valley and sight Himalayan Greenfinch, Great Barbet, Golden-throated Barbet, etc.

After breakfast, you will drive to Phobjikha valley (3,000m). The distance between Trongsa and Phobjikha is about 78 kilometers and will take you about 2 hours to finish this driving journey. On the way to Phobjikha, you will get amazed by the beauty and serenity of the rich flora and fauna. 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.

Phobjikha valley is serves as Black-necked Crane in winter

Highlights: Drive back to Paro and enjoy your birding experience in Paro valley to spot Aberrant Bush Warbler, Himalayan Whistling Thrush, Long Tailed Minivet, etc.

Today, you will get up early and say farewell to the charming Gangtey valley. About a 5-hour drive will bring you back to Paro. You will encounter the Simtokha Dzong en route. Built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, Simtokha Dzong is often said to be the first dzong in Bhutan.

After arriving at Paro, you start birding. The ideal birding spots in Paro cover the farmlands, the lower and upper broadleaved evergreen forests, the riversides, sub alpine forests, and shrubberies.

Some of the recorded bird species in Paro you can spot include Aberrant Bush Warbler, Blyth’s Reed Warbler, Himalayan Whistling Thrush, Common Teal, Grey-headed Flycatcher Warbler, Green-backed Tit, Hodgson’s Redstart, Jungle Crow, Himalayan Brown Dipper, Crested Honey Buzzard, Himalayan Treecreeper, Hill Pigeon, Rufous-breasted Accentor, Rufous Turtle Dove, Rufous-bellied Hawk-Eagle, Stripe-throated Yuhina, and Longtailed Minivet.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Find Himalayan Whistling Thrush in Paro 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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  Paro Olathang Hotel
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  Paro Tashi Namgay Resort
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  Paro Le Meridien Hotel

Highlights: Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery to find birds like Blue Whistling Thrush, Hodgson’s and Blue-fronted Redstart, etc.

In the morning after breakfast, you will start your hike to Taktsang Monastery (also known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery). You will spend 5 to 6 hours for the hike. Perched on the side of a cliff 900 meters above the Paro valley, Taktsang Monastery is one of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan.

On your way up, you will make regular birding stops while enjoying the scenery. Birds that can be seen in the valley here include Blue Whistling Thrush, Hodgson’s and Blue-fronted Redstart, Hoopoe, Rufous Sibia, White-collared Blackbird, Rufous-breasted Accentor, Long-tailed and Grey-backed Shrikes, and Yellow-billed Blue Magpie.

Next, you will begin your return tour to Paro. In the afternoon, you will visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest and most beautiful temples built by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo in the 7th century.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Find a Rufous Sibia in hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to Paro International Airport for your next destination.

The tour services end.