Day to Day Sample tour itinerary for 19 days Tour package in Bhutan.

Bhutan’s total land area is designated as national parks, nature reserves, wildlife sanctuaries and conservation areas. These protected areas sustain hundreds of bird species. There are more then 675 bird species have been sighted in Bhutan, including 14 that are identified as globally threatened by Bird Life International. The threatened species include the Rufous-necked Hornbill, which inhabits the southern foothills, the Black-Necked Crane which migrates to Bhutan from Tibet in winter, and the Tragopan Blythii.Bhutan has 114 temperate forest species of birds alone.

DAY 1.
Arrive at Paro National Air port. On a clear morning, the flight promises spectacular views of the Eastern Himalayas, including Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga. You will be welcomed in traditional custom by representatives from Bhutan Dragon Adventures will escorted to your hotel. After lunch, visit the National Museum, housed in a 16th century watchtower and Paro Rinpung Dzong, the seat of the district administration and residence of the monk body. Although not a birding day, you may come across the Wallcreeper probing the sides of the fortress, a pair or two of Ibis bill, Brown Dipper, Hodgson’s, Slumberous and White-capped Water-Redstarts around the river valley and nearby rock cliffs. Over night in Paro.

DAY 2 .Paro – Thimphu through Chele La Pass.
Today we will begin the our  birding tours, we will  drive up early to the Chelela pass to catch the elusive Himalayan Monal, the amazing Blood Pheasant, and the most sought after of all pheasants, the mythical Satyr’s Tragopan. After breakfast at Chelela, drive to Thimphu capital city of Bhutan. On the return drive, there will be opportunities to run into Kalij Pheasants, White-winged Grosbeak, White-browed Rose finch, Spotted Nutcracker, Rufous Sibia, White-browed Fulvetta, Brown Parrot bill, Stripe-throated Yuhina and various Eurasian warblers. Before calling it a day, take a short trip to downtown Thimphu where we usually see Ibisbill, River Lapwing, Ruddy Shelduck, and assorted shorebirds along the riverbed. Over night at hotel, Thimphu

DAY 03 –Thimphu – Tango – Cheri
Today after early breakfast we drive to the north of the capital to Cheri, a quiet Buddhist retreat that is also the home of various species of birds. The river banks at Cheri are the haunts of Yellow-rumped Honey guide, Rufous-bellied woodpecker, Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird, Blue fronted Red starts, Rufous flanked, yellow brown Tit, and Blacked faced Laughing thrushes, Wallcreeper and many others. Lunch will be served at the location. Over night in Thimphu

DAY 4 – Thimphu – Punakha
Today we will be Leaving Thimphu early to reach the Dochu La pass (3,150m) in time for sunrise. On a clear day, the scenery from Dochula is breathtaking: we can get a full view of the mightiest peaks of the Himalayas towering along the northern horizon. Today is an excellent opportunity to see pheasant species like the Satyr’s Tragopan and a host of mixed species that dwell in the cool broadleaf forests. En route to Punakha, espy the Red-flanked Bluetail and Golden Bush-Robin, Grey Bushchat and Rufous-breasted Accentor. Identify the Blue-winged, Red-tailed and Chestnut-tailed Minlas, Rufus-winged, White-browed and Nepal Fulvetta and Whiskered, Stripe-throated, Rufus-vented, Black-chinned and White-bellied Yuhinas. It is possible to see both Barwings plus a good selection of Laughing Thrushes before Punakha.After lunch, take a short trip to the temple of the “Divine Mad Man”. The temple is famous today for its miraculous powers to bestow fertility to barren women. From the temple, walk to the Phochu banks to look for the endangered Pallas’ Fish-Eagle and the world-renowned White-bellied Heron. Over night at Hotel in Punakha.

DAY 5. Punakha – Tashithang (Day excursion)
Drive northwards to Tashithang, a thickly forested base for Bhutan ’s extremely challenging northern trek routes. Here, at an elevation of 5,000 feet above the sea level, comb for species such as Crested Kingfisher, Lesser Shortwing, Greater Yellownape, Bay Woodpecker, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Little and Slaty-backed Forktail, Pygmy Wren-babbler, Golden Tree-Babbler, Striated and Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush, Black-eared Shrike-Babbler, tesias, Golden-spectacled and Broad-billed Warbler, Small Niltava and Black-throated Tits. Also, if lucky, spot a pair or two of Yellow-throated Martins and flocks of Assamese Macaques or the extremely rare Twany Fishing Owl. This area is known for its excellent hawk watching spots.After lunch, retrace the journey to the imposing Punakha Dzong, a massive 17th century fortress that was the seat of the Bhutanese government until the 1950s. Over night in Punakha

DAY 6 – Punakha to Pele La Pass area
Get another go at spotting the White-bellied Heron during an excursion along the river and up through a forest of cool broadleaf and evergreen trees to Pele-la, the pass that divides eastern and western Bhutan. The diverse habitats along the way should present numerous prospects of seeing a great range of species such as Cutia, Great Barbet, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Long-tailed Minivet, Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler, White-throated Laughingthrush, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Yellow-bellied Bush-Warbler, Ashy-throated Leaf Warbler, and Verditer. Ward’s Trogon is usually sighted along this road. Night camping near Pele pass or in Chendipjee Areas.

DAY 7. Pele pass or in Chendipjee Areas – Trongsa
It should be another day of great birding prospects. Scour the slopes of the campsite for the Himalayan Bear, Black Leopard, White-collared Blackbird, the Himalayan Monal, Black-faced Laughing Thrush and White-tailed Nuthatch. Chances of seeing tragopans are high as it is the bird’s breeding season. In the pine forests around the pass look for Rusty-flanked Treecreeper, Dark Rosefinch, Himalayan Greenfinch and Rufus-vented, Grey-crested, Green-backed Tits, Common Buzzard, Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Steppe Eagle and Himalayan Griffon.

Finally, move on to the interior town of Trongsa through cool broadleaf forests where it is highly likely that you will come across Red-billed Leiothrix, Yellow-billed Blue-Magpie and Gray-sided Bush-Warbler. Over night at Trongsa.

DAY 8 – Trongsa – Zhemgang
Today we will drive deep into the interior of an area known as the Black Mountain National Park , via the town of Zhemgang and finally to Tingtibhi, the night halt. The path cuts through dense jungles that contain a plethora of wildlife species like the Black-Eagle, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Speckled Piculet, Lesser Yellownape,and the Golden Langur (a strikingly beautiful monkey species that is found only in Bhutan ). Flowers and fruiting trees that attract sunbirds will be plentiful enroute along the descent to the lowest elevation. This entire region is very rich in wildfire and has thus been declared as a protected area by the Bhutanese government. Night camp at Tingtibhi.

DAY 9 – Zhemgang – Zhemgang
We will start birding early. Breakfast and lunch will be served at birding points in the forests. The bamboo groves around Tingtibhi are usually the haunts of Lesser Rufus-headed Parrotbills and Streaked Laughingthrushes while the fruiting trees attract Golden-throated Barbets, Wedge-tailed and Pin-tailed Green-Pigeon and Scarlet Minivets. This area is also the best chance of encountering the Rufus-necked Hornbill. Chances are you will see flocks of Yellow-bellied and White-throated Fantail and other species like yuhinas, minlas, fulvettas and sibias. Night camp at Tingtibi

DAY 10 – Zhemgang – Trongsa
Again we will return back to Trongsa today and en route look for birds that may not have been seen earlier.  Expect to see the Mountain-Imperial Pigeon, Golden-throated Barbet, Great-pied Hornbill, White-browed Piculet,Nepal House-Martin, Fulvous-breasted, Grey-capped, Gray-headed Green Woodpeckers,laughingthrushes, White-throated,Greater,Necklaced,Rufus-chinned,Liocichla.BeautifulNuthatch another species found in this region. Over night at Trongsa

DAY 11 – Trongsa – Bumthang
A relaxed trip awaits to  Bumthang, the next night’s halt, just about 67 kilometres away. The  aim here should be to spot the Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, then climb the Yotongla Pass and enter the forests of spruce and fir abruptly changing the avifauna. The Bumthang valley, one of the most beautiful in the country, is home to Beautiful Rosefinch, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Spotted Laughingthrush, Ibisbill and Snow Pigeon. The Himalayan Black Bear is commonly spotted in this valley. After lunch in Bumthang, explore the valley in the afternoon visiting, among others, the textile shops, the Jakar Dzong (fortress), ancient monasteries, the local brewery, and a stupa under which, legend has it, lies the severed head of a Tibetan General who tried to invade Bhutan. Over night at Bumthang.

DAY 12 – Bumthang – Sengor
Today Early we will drive eastwards. Crossing a pass and enter the Ura valley for a stop to visit the village. The Ura locality is not only beautiful but has plenty of bird species. After the stopover, climb up to the Thrumsing La pass, the highest point on of the journey, and then begin a long descent to Sengor. Over Night camping at Sengor.

DAY 13, 14 and 15 Lemithang Road camping
Now next three days we should highlights of the tour, scouring the Lemithang valley for birds. The Lemithang area, situated at elevations ranging from 3,000 to 12,400 feet, boasts some of the country’s most pristine forests, unrivalled in the density of tree species, and thus is a natural haven for birds. The endless stretches of forests, the quaint villages and a sleepy road which winds through the valley are all frequented by flocks after flocks of birds of all shades that make the entire area a visual delight for bird lovers. Here we have the greatest chance of seeing famous Bhutanese birds that may have been missed elsewhere during the trip like the Rufus-necked Hornbill, Ward’s Trogon, Satyr Tragopan and endless others.The objective here is to track down, among others, the Collared Scops-Owl, Collared Owlet, Himalayan Swiftlet, Striated, Black-crested, White-cheeked, Red-vented, Ashy, Black and Mountain Bulbuls, Golden-breasted and Yellow-throated Fulvetta, Slender-billed Rusty-cheeked, Streak-breasted, and Coral-billed Scimitar-Babblers, Hill and Rufecent Prinia, Gray-headed Canary Flycatcher, Common Tailorbird, Ashy, Bronzed, Lesser Racquet-tailed and Hair-crested Dorangos, and Scarlet Finch. Over night camping for 3 nights here.

DAY 16 – Lemithang – Bumthang
From Lemithang we will retrace the journey back to western Bhutan, the airport and eventually the flight home. It doesn’t however mean that no new birds will be added to the sighting list. And we will be doing some cultural tours if you’re interested. Over night at Bumthang.

DAY 17 – Bumthang – Wangduephodrang / Punakha
After breakfast will drive to Wangdue / Punakha via Yontong La Pass, Pelela Pass. Over night in Wangdue / Punakha.

DAY 18 – Wangduephodrang/ Punakha via Thimphu – Paro
After breakfast at around 8- 8.30 am, we will drive to back to Paro via Dochula Pass. We will have lunch at Thimphu, capital city of Bhutan. In the evening we will drive to Paro.

DAY 19 – Paro- Depart.
Early breakfast we will drive to Paro National air port and bid you a farewell.

Thank you and Tashi Delek!!!

Tour cost: US $ 3,630.00 per head. Inclusive of Bhutan Visa fees, Tourism Development.

Group size: 3 people and above.

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