Bird Watching Tour

Day 1: Fly Kolkata – Guwahati (1.33 hrs)| Drive to Gelephu (233 km | 5 hrs)

In the morning we drive to Kolkata airport to take a flight to Guwahati. We leave Guwahati and drive northwest into Assam, India and onwards to Gelephu, a bustling border town (233 km, 5 hrs). We make several brief stops on the way. We’re sure to see several Lesser Adjutants and possibly Greater Adjutant en route.

Upon arrival at the entry point our Bhutan representative will pick and help us to go through the regular border formalities and transferred to our hotel. We’ll spend the afternoon exploring the forested hill slopes around Gelephu. Here we may find species such as Grey Peacock Pheasant, Wreathed Hornbill, Whistling Hawk-Cuckoo, Pin-tailed Green-Pigeon, Violet Cuckoo, and Sultan Tit etc. Overnight in Gelephu.

Accommodation: Overnight hotel, Gelephu

Day 2: Drive Gelephu – Tingtibi (125 km | 4-5 hrs)

We’ll start early today winding our way north to Tingtibi in south-central Bhutan.

Our journey takes us through a series of villages before continuing over several forest-covered passes and down equally spectacular river valleys. It’s very exciting as we’re explore the rich foothills above Gelephu early morning. During our last exploratory visit in 2016 we discovered Silverbreasted Broadbilss proclaiming a territory within site of the township and we can only imagine what else might occur there. Some of the specialties we might encounter include Lesser and greater Rufous-headed Parrotbills, White-hoodedbabbler and Pale-headed Woodpecker and all bamboo specialists. If we are very lucky red-headed Trogon, perhaps Grey Headed Parrobill, Great and Rufous-necked Hornbills and possibly Dark-rumped Swift. Overnight in Tingtibi.

Accommodation: Camping

Day 3: Drive Tingtibi – Manas National Park (105 km/5 hrs)

Tingtibi is the junction of Royal Manas Park and Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park. Situated at the northern most tip of the Royal Manas Park. It receives the heaviest rainfall in the country, resulting in the area being a thriving sub-tropical ecosystem which provides a haven for wildlife. This area of Central Bhutan had only recently been opened to foreigners and remains unknown to many.

Our campsite is in the heart of prime mid-altitude forest and provides us with opportunities to explore the wildlife of this rich biotope. We’ll spend the day birding and looking for some rare mammal species in the forests between Tingtibi and Manas NP. Our breakfast and lunch will be served in the field.

We expect to arrive at Gomphu, a small township close Manas NP entry point. We continue to Eco Communities Campsite our base for the following nights. Eco Communities Campsite is an enterprise which enables local villagers to participate in the Park’s conservation activities and management schemes; which also aims to raise the standards of living through community tourism programmes.

This is the beginning of Royal Manas National Park and the Bhutanese section of the Natural World Heritage Site of the Greater Manas Tiger Reserve. It is divided by the Manas River from Assam, India and is renowned as an area of great bio-diversity.

Within its boundaries it is possible to see up to 59 of the recorded species of mammals; 13 of which are totally protected. It is the only park where it is possible to see all of Asia’s ‘Big Five’: Asian Elephant, Asian Water Buffalo, One-horned Rhinoceros, Clouded Leopard and the Bengal Tiger as well as other rare species such as Golden Cat, Gaur, Sloth Bear, Binturong (Asian Bearcat), Himalayan Black Bear, the Assamese Macaque and three rare primates: the Golden and Capped Langurs. Manas provides the perfect habitat for orchids, as well as in excess of 900 species of vascular plants. It provides the perfect habitat for over 400 different bird species – 427 recorded in 2006 and 5 more in recent years, totalling 432. These include the rare Bengal Florican, Great Hornbill, Crested Serpent Eagle and the most recently recorded Malay Night Heron and Black Baza. Birding in these subtropical forests with their thick undergrowth of bamboo we should also find: Blue-throated and Golden-throated Barbers, Rufous-necked Hornbills, Himalayan, Ashy, White-throated and Black-crested Bulbuls, Emerald Dove, Grey-capped Pygmy, Pale-headed (rare) and Fulvous-breasted Woodpeckers, Red Jungle fowl, Spotted and Eye-browed (rare) Wren babblers, Red-faced Liocichla, Yellow-vented and Rufous-faced Warblers.

With the coordination of park ranges, each night we will try set a camera trap (not guaranteed) hoping to catch one of the park’s rare and endangered species. With 8 different species of cats and the largest recorded tiger density in the world, we will certainly do our best to capture an image of one!

Accommodation: Camping

Day 4-5: In Manas National Park

These two days we’ll explore the Manas national park – unique World Natural Heritage Site and one of the oldest protected areas in Bhutan. Manas National Park has an area of 1,059 sq. km and is now linked to the Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park to the north, India’s Manas Tiger Reserve in the south as well as Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary and Thrumshing La National Park through biological corridors; providing a continuous gradation of protected, natural habitats from the tropical lowlands up to the High Himalayas.

Over 90% of the park area is under forest cover including vast areas of tropical and sub-tropical monsoon forests, interspersed with expanses of natural grasslands and wide riverbeds; promoting the wide variety of wild-life found within its borders.

On these two days we will bird the route from our camp to the park office at Manas (13 km), where we will look fo Golden Langur, Asian Elephant. Tiger, Leopard, Leopard Cat and more. Some of the birding highlights are Oriental Dwarf and Ruddy kingfishers, Puff-throated, and Stripe Tit Babblers, Red-breasted Parakeet, Indian Roller, Asian Fairy Bluebird, Dollarbird, White-rumped Shama, Citrine Wagtail, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Hill Myna, Wreathed, Oriental Pied, Rufous- necked (rare) and Great hornbills, Hooded Pitta (rare), Silver-breasted Broadbill (rare) amongst the many that frequent this ancient landscape and with a great deal of luck Great Slaty Woodypecker and Green Cochoa.

Overnight Eco Communities Camping in Manas.

Accommodation: Camping

Day 6: Drive Manas National Park – Nganglam (3 hours)

Some magnificent subtropical forests can still be found by the roadsides en route from Manas National Park area to Nanglam offering some of the best birding in the entire country. Many significant birds are resident of this area, including the superb Rufous-necked and Blue-winged Laughingthrushes, and the lovely Crimson Liocichla. We should also encounter the magnificent Rufous-necked Hornbill and the beautiful Golden Langur monkey is relatively common here. Overnight in Nanglam.

Accommodation: Camping

Day 7-8: Nganglam –Yongkola via Mongar (160 km/7 hours)

The last five days we have been exploring the lush tropical lowland and hardwood forests in the south. Now we head further up central part of the country. We will stay in comfortable mobile-safari-style camps erected by our local outfitters along the road for the next couple nights, spending much time on the upper levels of the road. This remote area holds some of the most sought-after Himalayan species. The Eastern Himalayas are the most diverse part of that mighty mountain range, and their steep profile means that from the plains to the highest peaks the distance can be as little as 80 kilometers in places with altitudinal zone between 3700m and the valley bottom at 600 m.

The list of birds here is large and diverse, and our tally will include many species characteristic of the Eastern Himalayas. We shall, however, be concentrating on a number of prime specialties of this superb area in the time we have. These forests are bired so little that almost anything could turn up, maybe this year we’ll find the enigmatic and very rarely seen Gould’s Shortwing. We also look for rare and little-known Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Rufous-necked Hornbill (rare or extirpated throughout much of its range; the forests of Bhutan are almost certainly the stronghold for this impressive species), Speckled Wood-Pigeon (generally rare throughout its entire range) Blue beared Bee-eater, and War’s Trogon. The male is absolutely gorgeous. Stunning but secretive Satyr Tragopan, Blood Pheasant, and the majestic Himalayan Monal are not uncommon here. The entire length of this spectacularly forested valley is also a good area for the endangered Golden Langur monkey.

Accommodation: Camping

Day 9: Yongkola – Thrumsing La – Jakar (150 km/6 hours)

The drive to the Jakar Valley is considered by many to be one of the most spectacular in the world. As always our journey is likely to be conducted against a backdrop of jagged snow-capped mountains, magnificent forest, prayer flags fluttering in the breeze, and villages little changed in over 500 years. Each day in this medieval land evokes perennially special memories.

Climbing slowly through extra-ordinarily primeval larch, silver fir, spruce and towering hemlocks, we eventually reach Thrumsing La (3,780 m), the second-highest mountain pass in Bhutan, connecting its central and eastern regions across. We will spend the early morning exploring the upper reaches of this truly magnificent road, one of the great birding roads of the world. This largely paved and infrequently traveled road leads us through some of the most beautiful forests in the Himalayas. From these magnificent wonderfully rich, subtropical and warm, moist broad-leaved forests replete with many tall trees sporting impressive girths on huge buttresses, characterized by abundant orchids, a relatively sparse under storey and higher strata strung with enormous woody vines and lianas we will gradually bird our way up into some truly superb cool broad-leaved and evergreen forests.

Be especially alert to coveys of Blood Pheasants scuttling by or Himalayan orange-flanked Bush-Robins making their way up to tree line. If we are especially fortunate we may find a large mixed flock containing the elusive Fire-Tailed Myzorins; glorious Fire-tailed Sunbirds out their territory or an exquisite Rufous-bellied Bush-Robin singing its ethereal refrain from atop an ancient Hemlock.

From Thrumsing La, we will descend through wonderland of moss-draped tress. At higher elevations many of these huge sentinels will still be blanketed in snow, a totally entrancing scene. In addition to forest birds, we should check the fields far flocks of Snow Pigeons and a nearby a read of azalea scrub for Blood Pheasant.

Along the way, if we have tine we will explore the Ura Valley, the loveliest of the Bumthang Valleys. Ensconced in the depths of the charming valley is startlingly exotic temple dedicated to Guru Rinpoche. This ornate monastery located in a delightful village, provides us a magical window from which to experience the daily lives of these hardy people. Nearby, Red-billed Choughs abuse visitors from shingle roofs, while flocks of Russet Sparrows and Plain Mountain Finches search for seeds among recently plowed fields. With its spring light and pastel shades this valley and its village are indeed an artist’s dream. Overnight in Jakar.

Accommodation: Overnight hotel, Bumthang

Day 10: Drive Jakar – Punakha (210 km | 7-8 hrs)

We will head to Punakha today, we will pass through some truly magnificent rhododendreon/mognolia forests. At Chendebji and the site of a classic Nepalese Chorten, we we’ll search along a picture-perfect stream for a resident pair of Crested Kingfishers. In additional, Brown Dippers and White-capped Water Redstarts are usually seen feeding midstream, while Yellow-billed Blue magpies search or insects among the many flowering rhododendrons. From Chedebji we’ll continue on to Pele la pass where we will enjoy a relaxed lunch while watching the winter flock of Himalayan Griffons. From Pele La we descend to the valley floor and continue to sub-tropical Punakha. At an altitude of 1,350 m the difference in temperature and flora is apparent. Overnight in Punakha.

Accommodation: Overnight hotel, Punakha

Day 11: In Punakha

Today we will spend the morning birding in this beautiful pristine forest area of Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Park, at an elevation of 1,400 m. This area is much warmer than we have previously experienced, which means a very early rise in order to catch bird activities in the beauty of the warm broad-leaved forest. Here we may encounter: River Lapwing, Red-headed Trogon, Gray-headed Woodpecker, Greater Yellownape, Striated Bulbul, the glowing Little Niltava, the three Tesias, Ferruginous Flycatcher and Spotted Wren Babbler (a constant singer with a beautiful voice!), and the dazzling Scarlet Finch, Nepal Fulvetta, Slaty-backed and Spotted Forktail.

As the heat of the day increases we will drop down to Punakha to visit the Dzong the fortress. Punakha was the old capital of Bhutan and the dzong was the second one to be built in Bhutan. This remarkable fortress position at the confluence of the Mo and Pho Chhu is quite spectacular and it has survived many fires, an earthquake and a glacial flood. Over the years it has been repaired and added to and has several interesting features to protect it against invasion. In April the front of this majestic building is highlighted by the blossoming of the Jacaranda trees; their purple flowers softening the giant walls, encouraging your eye to the intricate hand-carved and painted windows.

If time permits we will drive along the Pho Chhu River, where it is hoped that as well as seeing a number of interesting waterfowl, we will also see: Ibisbill; Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler; Palla’s Fish Eagle and the globally threatened White-bellied Heron. Overnight in Punakha.

Accommodation: Overnight hotel, Punakha

Day 12: Drive Punakha – Thimphu (75 km | 3 hrs)

This morning we leave the terraced fields and sub-tropical forests around Punakha and travel to Dochu La 3,116 m, stopping at Lumetshawa before light in order to get to the site where we hope to spot our target bird for the day: Ward’s Trogon, amongst other avian species such as Mountain Hawk and Black eagles; Eurasian Treecreeper; Spotted Forktail and Slaty Blue Flycatcher.

After a hot picnic breakfast we continue to the Royal Botanical Park at Lampelri, which forms one of the critical biological corridors connecting the Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park and the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Park. It has cool broad leaf forests, mixed conifer forests, fir and sub-alpine forests and a temperate rain forest with hundred of species of flora and fauna. Here we will look for: Chestnut crowned Warbler; Dark-rumped and Dark-breasted Rosefinches. With a bit of luck, we may also encounter rare species of mammals that the park supports; Musk Deer, Leopard, Red Panda and the Leopard Cat.

We return to our vehicle and continue our journey to Thimphu. The route climbs steeply in places to the Dochula Pass. At 3,050 m, an awe-inspiring sight with the road festooned with prayer flags taking their blessings to all sentient beings and 108 chortens, celebrating the safe return of the fourth king from a threatened invasion. From here on a clear day, there are magnificent panoramic views of the high Himalayas, including Masagang 7,158 m, Tsendagang 6,960 m, Terigang 7,060 m, Jejegangphug 7,158 m, Kangphugang 7,170 m, Zongphugang 7,060 m and Gangkar Puensum – the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497 m. We descend from the high pass to Thimpu and our hotel for overnight. Overnight in Thimphu.

Accommodation: Overnight hotel, Thimphu

Day 13: Drive Thimphu – Paro (55 km | 1.5 hrs)

Before heading for Paro, we explore capital city Thimpu. We will visit some of the well-known landmarks in the city. In the city centre, you will find the traffic policeman directing the traffic flow instead of traffic signals. It is said that Thimphu is the only capital in the world without traffic signals.

Across the town the Zorig Chusum Institute, which literally translates as the thirteen (chusum) arts and crafts (zorig) of Bhutan. We will meet the talented artists and students at work. Just a short walk away is the National Institute for Traditional Medicine. The Institute produces indigenous medical products from herbs, minerals, gemstones and animal products. Some of the herbs are rare plants collected high in the Himalayas. Drive past the only public golf course in the country, on our way to the Trashichho Dzong – the 17th Century Dzong houses the offices of the Central Government and the Monastic Body and also the Throne Room of His Majesty.

Late in the afternoon we drive to Paro for our last two nights in Bhutan. Overnight in Paro.

Accommodation: Overnight hotel, Paro

Day 14: Paro – Tiger Nest

Today, we will make our way to the base of the mountain to begin our hike to visit the magnificent Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) that clings dramatically on a huge rock cliff, 900 m above the valley. According to the legend, Guru Rinpoche or Padmasambhava, who spread Buddhism across the entire Himalayas is said to have flown here in the Eighth Century on the back of a Tigress, and meditated for three years in a small cave where the main shrine of the monastery stands today.

It is a steep uphill walk through woods, of about 1½-2hrs, to reach a tea house an ascent of 340 m. After a welcome refreshment at the tea house, one of the principle viewpoints of the monastery we will climb the further half hour’s ascent, which brings us to another viewpoint directly across from the monastery. The final section of the walk takes us from this viewpoint steeply down 100m into the gorge that separates us from the monastery and then climbs back up again to reach the monastery gate – the monastery was designed to be isolated! We then descend back to the valley floor by our outward route back to where our vehicle will be waiting. The full walk to the monastery and back involves approximately 740 m ascent.

Along this hike we may see bird species such as Green-backed, Coal, and Grey-crested Tits, White-tailed Nuthatch, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Spotted Nutcracker, Black-faced, Chestnut-crowned, White-throated and Spotted Laughing thrushes. Up at the monastery by the rocky ledges we will scan for flocks of Snow Pigeon and Alpine Accentor while the waterfall next to the monastery often gives us the opportunity to see Little Forktail and White-capped and Plumbeous Water Redstarts.

The Paro valley lies beneath Jhomolhari one of the highest of Bhutan’s Himalayan peaks. Later if time permits will visit the impressive ruins of Drugyel Dzong, named to commemorate a victory over the Tibetan invasion of 1644. This picturesque ruin stands on a hillside above the lovely village of Drugyel with imposing views of Jhomolhari from the approach roads; here we may encounter Brown Parrotbill, Common Kestrels, White-collared Blackbirds and the Grey-backed Shrike. There may also be time for further sightseeing to visit the ancient temple of KychuLhakhang, one of 108 temples built by Songtsen Goenbo an important early Tibetan king, to pin down the Bon demon who was thought to hover over the whole of Tibet. We may also see the some of the treasures from Bhutan’s National Museum. The Museum itself is closed, apparently until 2015 following the earthquake in 2011, but many of its artifacts and displays may be temporarily housed in a nearby building. In the evening we will head out for dinner on one of Paro’s excellent restaurants. Overnight in Paro.

Accommodation: Overnight hotel, Paro

Day 16: Depart Paro

Transfer to airport for your homeward-bound flights.

Tour Cost: US$ 3150 per person

Single supplement: US$ 350

Visa fee: US$ 40