Bhutan is a small independent kingdom
in the Himalayas lying between Tibet and
India , with a recorded avifauna of over
616 species. Only recently has it begun
to open up to visitors. Over 72% of the
land is still forested and 26% of the land
is protected as National Parks. It is an
ideal place to see a wide variety of birds
that are impossible or difficult to see
anywhere else. Unlike the other Himalayan
countries, which suffer from much deforestation
and environmental degradation, Bhutan 's
richly diverse and beautiful forests are
some of the best remaining forest habitats
in the Himalayas . So much so that the
country is claimed to be the major part
of the high bio-diversity conservation
hotspot known as Eastern Himalayan hotspots.
Apart from the birding, this tour will give you a feast of imposing architecture,
breath taking views, friendly people and natural spring beauty of this stunning
mountain kingdom. The trip will enable you to see most of the 616 species recorded
in Bhutan so far as the tour takes you right through the leading endemic bird
areas of Bhutan . By the end of the trip you will come to understand how the
Bhutanese people have harmonized with culture and the natural environment over
the centuries. This itinerary of birding from west to east Bhutan can be done
from spring, early summer and autumn.
Outline Itinerary:
Day
01:
Arrive Paro
from Delhi or Bangkok or Kathmandu ,
Drive to Thimphu, Overnight hotel
Day 02:
Around Thimphu, Night near
Punakha in Meri Puensum Resort
Day 03:
Spending around Punakha - sightseeing
and Birding
Day 04:
Spending around Punakha - sightseeing
and Birding
Day 05:
Continuing east, past
Wangdue Dzong, stay guesthouse next to
Gangtey Gompa
Day 06:
Leaving Gangtey, Night
in Trongsa, Sherublig Lodge
Day 07:
Head south, Night at Jakar,
Sidharta Resort.
Day 08:
Continuing our circuit
east accommodation in traditional house.
Day 09:
Exploring the fabulous,
lush primary forests -birding
Day 10:
Exploring the fabulous,
lush primary forests -birding
Day 11:
We retrace our way back
to Bumthang across the Thrumsingla pass,
Night at Jakar.
Day 12:
Full day in Bumthang, Night
in Jakar
Day 13:
Early drive to Thimphu
Day 14:
Morning, shopping, and
afternoon drive to Paro, Night at Paro
Day 15:
Morning flight to Kathmandu
or Delhi or Bangkok , tour end.
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.
Detail Itinerary:
Day 1:
Arrive Paro International airport
from Delhi or Bangkok After clearing immigration
we'll drive east through an enchanting valley
with its decorated shingle-roofed houses
and willow-fringed river. Red billed Choughs
are quite common in this valley and as we
head east we'll stop to search for Ibisbill
and Brown Dipper. We will spend the night
at Thimphu in Hotel River View, Bhutan 's
delightful capital.
Day 2:
We'll head east out of Thimphu ,
up onto the western slopes of Dochu la, the
first of a series of high altitude road passes.
Entering the pristine mixed forests of hemlock,
fir, oak, blossoming magnolias, and rhododendrons
we should see a wealth of birds including
some species rich feeding flocks. Quarrelsome
Nutcrackers are common and other highlights
may include a skulking Hill Partridge or
Satyr Tragopan, Golden Bush Robin, an immaculate
Cutia, Brown Parrotbill, or even a gorgeous
Firetailed Myzornis. We'll venture off road
on to a couple of trail that enables us to
explore the forest more thoroughly. Night
near Punakha in Meri Puensum Resort.
Day 3-4:
Spending three nights at a splendid
traditionally decorated hotel near Punakha,
the former capital of Bhutan , we'll have
ample time to explore the braided channels
of MoChhu river and the bird-rich subtropical
forests it contains. Our route will take
us past the spectacular Punakha Dzong. We
should see an impressive array of species,
including the White bellied Heron, one of
Bhutan 's rarest specialties. We are sure
to encounter several parties of brightly
colored minivets, noisy Straited Laughingthrushes
and may also see more Red headed Trogon,
and Wedge tailed Piegon, wait to be discovered.
Fire capped Tit breeds here, as does White
gorgeted Flycatcher and rare Yellow vented
Warbler. We will also search for variety
of skulkers including White browed Shortwing,
Spotted and Pygmy Wren Babblers and all three
species of tesia. Night near Puna
Day 5:
Continuing east, past Wangdue Dzong
(a monastery and fortress combined), we will
make a series of brief stops to scan the
braided river channel. We have seen Palla's
Gull and Palla's Fishing Eagle regularly
here. We also check forest edges and explore
some of the small patches of cultivation.
We will enter productive forest near the
end of our journey and will stop here to
look for species such as Blood Pheasant,
Satyr Tragopan or majestic Himalayan Monal.
Spotted Laughingthrush, Yellowish bellied
Bush Warbler, Rusty flanked Treecreeper,
and White winged Grosbeak also occurs here.
We will also make our proper search for Ward's
Trogon, perhaps Bhutan 's premier avian prize,
before heading on to our superbly situated,
guesthouse next to Gangtey Gompa
Day 6:
Leaving Gangtey we will flow the
twisting road over the Pelela Pass and into
Central Bhutan . A stand of bamboo extend
for about three miles below the pass and
we will search here for specialties such
as Great and Brown Parrotbills, and Goldenbreasted
Fulvetta, surely one of the world's most
attractive passerines. Night in Trongsa,
Sherublig Lodge.
Day 7:
We will initially head south. Our
main target is the rare and little known
Yellow rumped Honeyguide but we should see
a number of other species perhaps including
Emerald Dove, Large Niltava, and Russet Bush
Warbler. The Valley here is also good area
for the rare Golden Langur. Retracing our
route we will climb over a pass into the
first four valleys and rolling hillsides
covered in spruce and fir and the avifauna
alters equally abruptly. Nutcrackers can
be common, though we will have to spend little
more time searching for Beautiful Rosefinches.
Night at Jakar, Sidharta Resort.
Day 8:
Continuing our circuit east we ill
climb eventually across the Thrumsingla 12,
465ft is Bhutan 's highest road pass. The
road then plunges dramatically down into
rich semitropical rain forest. This is Lingmethang
road, perhaps Asia 's premier birding road.
Many of Bhutan's most sought after birds
can be found here including Chestnut breasted
Partridge, Ward's Trogon, the majestic Rufous
necked Hornbill, Blue napped Pitta, Blue
fronted Robin, and wedge billed and Bar winged
Wren Babblers. 3 nights accommodation in
the modern tents or traditional house.
Day 9-10:
In our of exploring the fabulous,
lush primary forests in search of the area's
specialties will also include the special
area where the Rofous necked Hornbill spend
resting during mid day. Some of the rare
species are slender billed and Coral billed
Scimitar Babblers, Scaly and Blue winged
Laughing thrushes, Greater Rofous headed
Parrotbill, Broad billed Warbler and Rofous
throated Wren Babbler.
Day 11:
We retrace our way back to Bumthang across
the Thrumsingla pass checking the places
that we missed. Night at Jakar.
Day 12:
Full day in Bumthang to explore
the cultural sites and do some of the best
walking trips through the farms, cattle and
farm houses. Night in Jakar.
Day 13:
Early drive to Thimphu across the
passes Yotongla, Pelela, and finally across
Dochula and on to Thimphu .
Day 14:
Morning make a visit to the Handicrafts
Emporium, Sunday Market and depart for Paro.
Afternoon visit the National Musuem housed
in the ancient watchtower for Paro Dzong.
Night at Paro in Olathang hotel
Day 15:
Morning flight on the Druk Airlines
to Kathmandu or Delhi or Bangkok , end of
the trip.
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.
