Bhutan 's extensive bird list reflects
the kingdom's wide range of agro-ecological
environments, from subtropical to alpine.
Currently 675 species have been recorded
in Bhutan . Most widely known are the Black
Neck Cranes, a rare and endangered crane.
In Bhutan , the Black Neck Crane holds
a special place in folklore and Bhutanese
hearts. To injure a Black Neck Crane in
Bhutan is go to prison for life.
Hundreds flock to the Phobjikha Valley
, a glacial valley in a remote area with
no electrical power. Here the Black Neck
Cranes are conservatory protected and can
be viewed. There are many legends and myths
about this bird. The Bhutanese call it Thrung
Thrung. Black Neck Crane Dancers honor the
bird with a festival dance. Other migratory
birds as the Pailas' fish eagle, which is
considered rare, migrates through Bhutan
between Tibet and northern India . This bird
is often seen near Wangdi near spring. Often
it will be spotted with Ospreys and Pied
Avocet. Wintertime brings numerous species
down to lower altitudes, including accentors,
rose finches, grosbeaks, snow pigeons and
pheasants such as the satyrtragopan, the
Himalayan monal and the blood pheasant.
Even the casual observer can be sure to
see the blue whistling-thrush, yellow blue
magpie, the wallcreeper, white capped water
redstarts, spotted nutcracker in the pine
forest and the red-billed choughs on the
roofs on the dzongs. All animals in Bhutan
are protected by the Buddhist ethic that
prohibits killing. Further protection in
the 1995 Forest and Nature Conservation Act
defines several species as totally protected.
Black Neck Cranes, Monal Pheasant, Peacock,
Pheasant, Raven and the Rufous-Necked Hornbill.
The following itinerary is a suggestion
and can be modified according to length of
your stay.
Bird-Watching Itinerary (End of March
and all of April)
Note: Tour and Tour Information are subject
to change.
Tour Prices:
Single Person Price: $ 3075
Double Occupancy Per Person Price: $2935
More than 2 persons: Per Person Price:
$2515
Notes: Airfare is not included in the
tour price.
COST INCLUDES:
Twin sharing accommodation with full board,
all transfers as per the itinerary, English
speaking guide, All the monument entrance
fees & govt. Taxes. All
camping equipments, except for sleeping bags, porters and trekking permits.
COST EXCLUDES:
Airfares, visa fee of $20 (cash) payable upon arrival at airport, beverage, phone
calls, laundry, medical, insurance and any other expenses that are not specified
above.
Outline Itinerary:
Day
01:
Arrive Paro,
drive to your Paro/ overnight
Day 02:
Drive to Thimphu , capitol
of Bhutan , birding, overnight hotel
Day 03:
A drive into the country
a full day birding, return to Thimphu
, Overnight at hotel.
Day 04:
Drive to Dochula Pass (10,500
ft.) Overnight at hotel.
Day 05:
Today we drive to Punakha.
Overnight camp
Day 06:
Entire day bird watching
in Tashithang Valley, overnight at camp
Day 07:
Depart Tashithang for Wangdue
Pelela Pass. Overnight in Trongsa Hotel.
Day 08:
Drive from Trongsa to Kuengarabten.
Overnight in Bumthang
Day 09:
Depart Bumthang, for Gayzamchu.
Day 10:
Leave Gayzamchu for Sengor
crossing Thumshingla pass, overnight
Halt in Sengor.
Day 11:
Continuing on to Thrumshingla - overnight
camp at Yongkola Lingmithang.
Day 12:
Lingmithang Birdwatching
Full Day. Overnight Halt.
Day 13:
Begin drive back to west.
Photos stops. Overnight Hotel.
Day 14:
Continue our drive back
toward the west, arrive Paro
Day 15:
Depart for airport and
your return home.
Detail Itinerary:
Day 1:
Arrive Paro Airport . Received by
Nature Trail's Bhutan representative after
processing of visa is complete. Drive to
your hotel in quaint Paro Village . Your
hotel welcomes you to Bhutan . Enjoy a hearty
lunch at the hotel and prepare for your first
bird watching outing in beautiful Paro Valley
. You will then proceed to visit Paro Rinpung
Dzong. A flagstone path rises gradually from
a beautiful wooden bridge with shingle roofing
and is abutted by two guardhouses, to the
dzong. Today, the Dzong is the seat of the
district administration as well as the home
for the monastic school. The central tower
(Utse) of the Dzong, offers superb woodwork
and is one of the most beautiful in the nation.
The Dzong was built in 1645 A .D. Enjoy hearty
Bhutanese dinner at a local restaurant in
quaint Paro town. Overnight hotel; wonderful
cluster of individual Bhutanese cottages.
Day 2:
Drive to Thimphu , capitol of Bhutan
. A visit to the bank and post office to
exchange money and have an opportunity to
purchase collector item Bhutan stamps. Bird
stamps are extremely beautiful and a must
for your birding adventure. After check in
at your hotel, enjoy a relaxing lunch. After
lunch, the famous weekend market is an exciting
time in Bhutan . A wonderful opportunity
to mingle with local Bhutanese folks out
to market, and marvel at the handicrafts
and fresh organic produce. Market is held
on weekends. Optional trip to Textile Museum
is available. We are now driving to the countryside
outside of Thimphu for bird sightings. Here
we will find; Brown dippers, Ibis Bill, Shrikes
and Fantails. Tonight we enjoy a reception
dinner with our hostess, local representative
in Thimphu . Itinerary review with our guide
upon return to the hotel.
Day 3:
A drive into the country today full
a full day of birding in spectacular Tango/Cheri
Valley. Sightings will be seen of Sunbirds,
Wagtails and different varieties of dippers
and thrush. Don't forget the camera and binocular.
Picnic Lunch provided. Return to Thimphu
and dine at cozy local restaurant. Overnight
at hotel.
Day 4:
Drive to Dochula Pass (10,500 ft.)
Spectacular views are offered from the visa
point, which is surrounded by prayer flags
fluttering on high. The Dochula and Menchola
area provide a good chance to see Tragopans,
Monals and different varieties of Pheasants,
as well as Wood Peckers, Tree Creepers
and varieties of Doves. Overnight at hotel.
Day 5:
Today we drive to Punakha. Along
the way we stop to see the beautiful Punakha
Dzong , the former winter capital and present
administrative seat of the district. It is
also the winter residence of the central
monastic body. The Dzong (fortress) lies
between two rivers, the Pochu and Mochu,
uncaring male and female rivers. It was built
in 1637 A. D. Punakha is a true work of Bhutanese
art. It stands proud, preserved by the ages.
A short drive and we check into the hotel
in Wangduephodrang, After lunch we depart
for an afternoon of birding in Punakha and
Tashithang Valley . Here we will see Kingfishers,
Fishing Eagles and Hornbills. Tonight we
campout, Bhutanese style. You will enjoy
wonderful food, warm fires and stories of
enchantment in The Land of the Thunder Dragon.
Day 6:
Today we spend the entire day bird
watching in Tashithang Valley . We overnight
at camp. Conversation around the campfire
relives your day of unusual bird sightings
today. Sleep well.
Day 7:
Depart Tashithang for Wangdue Pelela
Pass. The countryside here is rich in foliage
and forest, making it ideal for Nutcrackers,
Warbblers, Fork-tails and Robins. After time
spent here we depart to visit the ancestral
home of the royal family, the Trongsa Dzong.
Built by Chogyel Minjur Tempa, the Third
Desi, in 1648 it is presently the administrative
seat of the district and home of the monastic
school. Built at split-levels on a narrow
spur, the Dzong is an architectural wonder.
Views from here are extensive creating strategic
location of this Dzong. We also tour the
medieval Watchtower, located over the Trongsa
Dzong. This ancient structure gives unobstructed
views of the valley, and it's winding river
and roads. The Watchtower is located strategically
above the Trongsa Dzong. Climb the ancient
ladders to the top, as you view warrior armor
and aging altars, immersing yourself in the
presence unchanged within its walls. Overnight
in Trongsa Hotel.
Day 8:
Drive from Trongsa to Kuengarabten.
Breakfast enroute to Kuengarabten and do
some bird watching for Honey Guides along
the way. Here you will see many beautiful
terraced rice fields along the Manage Chi
Valley . Proceed to Bumthang in Central Bhutan
. Stop along the way to watch and marvel
at the textile weavers and handicraft shops
close to Bumthang. Overnight in Bumthang
and enjoy Bhutanese hospitality at its finest.
Day 9:
Depart Bumthang, after traditional
buckwheat pancake breakfast, for Gayzamchu
And Thumshingla. We will bird watch here
for the day, looking for Himalayan Pheasants
and campout tonight at our highest altitude
of the tour, 10,850 ft. Snuggle up To the
fire after a sumptuous dinner and local Ara
provided by the locals. Songs of Bhutan by
your guide.
Day 10:
Leave Gayzamchu for Sengor crossing
Thumshingla pass., altitude 10, 400 ft. Near
Sengor, one can see Yellow-bill Magpies,
Fire-tail mizoros and Jungle fowls. Overnight
Halt in Sengor.
Day 11:
Continuing on to Thrumshingla -
Limithang . This is the best birding area
in The Himalayan Mountains.. A wide variety
of sub- tropical to alpine birds can be found.
Varieties of Hornbills Owls, NightJars. Camp
overnight at Yongkola Lingmithang.
Day 12:
Lingmithang Birdwatching Full Day.
Overnight Halt.
Day 13:
Begin drive back to west. Photos
stops. Overnight Hotel.
Day 14:
Continue our drive back toward
the west. Tonight we arrive in Paro Town
and enjoy our farewell dinner. We hope you
have enjoyed your bird watching tour in Bhutan
. Tashi Delek!
Your senses will awake upon entering the
impressive courtyard of the Punakha Dzong; " Palace of Great
Happiness ". The Dzong lies between two rivers, the Pochu and
Mochu, male and female rivers.
