Ourindiantours

Bird Watching in Bhutan


01 Day. Paro.
Arrive Paro airport. Received and welcome by representative at the airport. Ttransfer to hotel. Visit Paro Rinpung Dzong (fortress on heap of jewels) built in 1646 AD by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Ta Dzong (watch tower) built in 1951. Ta Dzong was once watchtower for the defence of the Paro Rinpung Dzong. It was turned into natural history museum in 1967. Evening stroll in the town. Overnight.


02 Day. Paro
After breakfast we walk along Paro River till north to Drukgyal Dzong. The birds which are spotted here are: Ibis bill, Black-faced Laughing Thrush, Aberrant Bush Warbler, Brown Dipper, Blyth’s Reed Warbler, Spotted Laughing Thrush, Himalayan Whistling Thrush, Fire-capped Tit, Common Teal, Grey-headed Flycatcher Warbler, Green-backed Tit, Hodgson’s Redstart, and more. At high altitude in Paro  we will spot Kalij pheasant, Himalayan monal, Blood pheasant, Satyr tragopon etc. Overnight.

03 Day. Paro
Hike to Taksang. Taksang is well known as tiger’s nest. The Indian master Guru Padmasambava visited it to mediate in the cave where the monastery now stands. The hike to tiger’s nest takes about 3-4 hours. It is located on the side of a cliff at the height of 900m. After lunch drive to ruin of Drukgyal Dzong (fort of victory) built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over Tibetans. Overnight.

04 Day. Paro/Thimpu.
Morning drive to Thimphu. The best place for birding in Thimphu is in Motithang upper
Thimphu city and Cheri in north. The bird species found in these places are: Ibis bill,
Common Sandpiper, Crested Pied Kingfisher, Red-rumped Swallow, Sparrow Hawk, Rufous-
bellied Woodpecker, Hoopoe, Nepal House Martin, Hill Myna, Long-tailed Minivet, Grey
Wagtail, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Spotted Nutcracker, White-bellied Yuhina, Red Crossbill, Upland Pipit, Grey-crested Tit, Plumbeous Redstart, Crested Serpent Eagle, Black Eagle, Common Merganser, Oriental White-eye. Evening visit Tashichoedzong built in 1641. Overnight.

05 Day. Thimpu/Phobjika.
Heading out from Thimphu drive to Gangtey eastwards through Black Mountain region.
The first stop will be at Dochula pass at 3050m where beauty is enhanced by the 108 Druk Wangyel stupa and Druk Wangyel temple as well, hoping that the weather permits you to see high mountain peaks in eastern Himalayan ranges. The Bird Species found in Punakha and Wangdiphodrang are: Yellow-billed Magpie, Brown Bullfinch, Chestnut-tailed Minla, Large Hawk Cuckoo, Black-chinned Yuhina, Spotted Dove, Large Grey Babbler, Red-fronted  Rosefinch, Little Bunting, Grey Heron, White-breasted Kingfisher, Himalayan Treepie, Spotted Nut-cracker, Speckled Wood Pigeon, Steppe Eagle, Grey Tit, Yellow-cheeked Tit, Slaty-backed Forktail, Red-crowned Jay, Ultramarine Flycatcher etc.
Phobjikha valley is one of the most important wildlife preserves in the country, renowned for  the large flock of Black-necked Cranes staying here in winter. The fascinating Gangtey

village is sitting on the ridge overlooking Phobjikha valley. The birds found in this valley are: Yellow-rumped Honey Guide, Amur Falcon, Ward’s Trogon, Laughing Thrushes, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Bush Warblers, Red-headed Bullfinch, Scarlet Finch, White-tailed Nuthatch, Magpie Robin, Gold Crest etc. Overnight.

06 Day. Phobjikha/Trongsa.
Drive about 3 to 4 hours to Trongsa passing over Pele La, at 3390 meters pass driving through dense, evergreen forest covered with oak and rhododendron, horse-chestnuts, laurels,
maples, fir, spruce, larch, hemlock and juniper. We stop on the way to spot bird species like Spotted Laughing Thrushes, Himalayan Griffons, Himalayan Swiftlet, Brown Parrot Bills, Snow Partridge, Finches, Purple Cochoa, Bush Warblers, Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler, Speckled Wood Pigeon, Rufous-bellied Bulbul etc.

07 Day. Trongsa/Thimphu
Drive back to Punakha (Thimpu) through the same route. We try to spot more beautiful birds on the way. Evening free for a stroll in Thimphu.

08 Day. Thimpu.
Transfer to Airport at Paro. Farewell.