Discover the birds of Bhutan

Day 1: Arrival Paro – Thimphu

Accommodation: 3 stars rated hotel in Thimphu
Meals: lunch, dinner

Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, a T8 Untrodden Travels representative will be waiting outside the arrival terminal, holding a placard with your name on it. The representative will greet you in the traditional manner by offering a Trashi Khadar (greeting scarf), and will be your guide for the entire tour.

From there, you’ll embark on a picturesque one-hour drive through the mountains of Western Bhutan, en route to Thimphu, the charming capital city. On your journey, keep an eye out for the Red-billed Choughs, which are quite common in this valley. As you head further east, you’ll make stops to look for the Ibisbill and Brown Dipper. With some good fortune, you might even catch a glimpse of the Rufous-fronted Tit.

In Thimphu, you’ll visit the Takin Preserve, the Kuensel Phodrang Buddha Point, and the Memorial Chhorten. Finally, you’ll visit Tashichhodzong, which houses His Majesty’s Throne Room and serves as the summer residence of the Monastic Body.

Day 2: Thimphu – Punakha

Accommodation: 3 stars rated hotel in Punakha
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

The adventure begins right after breakfast with a thrilling mixed camping and hotel expedition. The journey will take you along the West-East Road, which leads to the western slopes of the Dochula, the first of a series of high altitude road passes that you will explore. This scenic route is dotted with breathtaking vistas of snow-capped peaks, glistening glaciers, and cascading waterfalls.

As you make your way through the mixed forests of hemlock, fir, oak, and blossoming magnolias and rhododendrons, you will be delighted to discover a rich variety of birdlife. Keep your eyes peeled for Quarrelsome Nutcrackers, which are common in the area, and you may also have the chance to spot a skulking Hill Partridge, a Satyr Tragopan, a Golden Bush Robin, an immaculate Cutia, a Brown Parrotbill or even the gorgeous Fire-tailed Myzornis.

While most of the birdwatching on this tour will be from the well-paved roads, today is a special treat as you will go off-road and on to a trail that allows you to explore the forest more thoroughly. This will give you a chance to discover some of Bhutan’s rarest and most elusive bird species.

With any luck, you might even catch a glimpse of the Ward’s Trogon, one of Bhutan’s premier avian prizes. This beautiful bird is known for its vibrant colors and unique call. It is also notoriously difficult to spot, so keep your eyes and ears open!

Overall, the road is generally free of traffic, providing a peaceful and tranquil environment for you to enjoy the beautiful scenery and stunning birdlife. Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in Bhutan’s natural beauty and wildlife on this exciting expedition.

Day 3: Explore Punakha

Accommodation: 3 stars rated hotel in Punakha
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Prepare to embark on an exciting adventure as you explore the braided channels of the Mo Chhu river and the bird-rich sub-tropical forests that it contains. As you journey along, you will be treated to stunning vistas of the surrounding mountains, and pass by the impressive Punakha Dzong, a fortress and monastery combined, which is sure to leave you in awe.

The area is teeming with an impressive array of bird species, and you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of one of Bhutan’s rarest birds, the White-bellied Heron. These magnificent birds are a sight to behold, and it is a privilege to witness them in their natural habitat. You will also have the chance to see brightly colored minivets, noisy Striated Laughing thrushes, and Ibisbills, among others.

As you delve deeper into the forest, you will discover a whole host of forest species, including the Bay Woodpecker, Red-headed Trogon, and Wedge-tailed Pigeon. Keep your eyes peeled for the elusive Fire-capped Tit, which breeds in the area, as well as the White-gorgeted Flycatcher and the rare Yellow-vented Warbler.

The forest also offers a great opportunity to search for a variety of skulkers, such as the Lesser Shortwing, Spotted and Pygmy Wren-Babblers, and two of the three species of tesia. These birds are masters of camouflage, and spotting them requires patience and keen observation skills.

Overall, this expedition offers a unique chance to explore some of Bhutan’s most stunning natural beauty and discover its rich and diverse birdlife. With the help of experienced guides, you will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the fascinating bird species that call this region home.

Day 4: Punakha – Gangtey

Accommodation: 3 stars rated hotel in Gangtey
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

As you continue your journey eastward, you will come across the impressive Wangdi Dzong, another magnificent monastery and fortress combined, which is sure to leave you spellbound. From here, you will make a series of brief stops to scan the braided river channel, taking in the breathtaking views and keeping an eye out for any bird species that may catch your attention.

Next, you will explore the forest edges and small patches of cultivation in the area, which are known to be a treasure trove of avian diversity. Towards the end of the day, you will enter a productive forest, where you will have the opportunity to spot some of the most sought-after bird species in the region. Keep your eyes peeled for the Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, and the majestic Himalayan Monal, which are some of the most spectacular birds to be found in Bhutan.

Other species that you may encounter include the Spotted Laughing Thrush, Yellowish-bellied Bush-Warbler, Rusty-flanked Tree Creeper, White-browed Bush Robin, and White-winged Grosbeak, among others. The forest is home to a rich variety of birdlife, and it’s hard to predict what species you might see next.

Expert guides will be on hand to help you identify and learn about the various bird species you encounter, and to share their knowledge of the local ecology and birding hotspots. This expedition promises to be an unforgettable experience, offering a unique opportunity to discover some of Bhutan’s most magnificent bird species in their natural habitat.

Day 5: Gangtey – Trongsa

Accommodation: 3 stars rated hotel in Trongsa
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

After spending some time in Gangtey, you will have the opportunity to observe one of the largest colonies in the world of the endangered Black Necked Crane. These magnificent birds are a true highlight of any birding expedition to Bhutan, and watching them in their natural habitat is an experience that you will never forget.

After bidding farewell to the cranes, you will follow the winding road over the Pelela pass into Central Bhutan. The pass offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, and you will be able to take in the stunning scenery as you drive through the region.

As you descend towards the valley, you will come across a stand of ringal bamboo that extends for about three miles below the pass. This area is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with a wide variety of species to be found in the forest. Keep an eye out for the Great and Brown Parrotbills, which are commonly found in this area, as well as the Golden-breasted Fulvetta, one of the world’s most attractive birds.

Day 6 – 7: Trongsa – Zhemgang

Accommodation: Camping tent
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

As we head south from Trongsa, our next destination is the beautiful and serene campsite near Zhemgang. On our way, we will make several stops to observe the elusive and rare Yellow-rumped Honeyguide. This bird is known for its ability to guide humans to beehives, and for this reason, it is greatly valued by the local communities.

As we drive through the valley, which is rich in forested areas, we will have the opportunity to observe a variety of bird species, including the Fire-capped Tit, Large Niltava, and Russet Bush Warbler. This valley is also home to the endangered Golden Langur monkey, which is one of the rarest primates in the world.

We will search for the beautiful Nuthatch, a striking bird that is known for its striking plumage, and spend time admiring this magnificent creature. Our campsite will be located in the heart of some superb forest at one of the lowest altitudes that we will visit in Bhutan.

At this campsite, you will have the chance to see a range of bird species, including the Chestnut-breasted Partridge, Violet Cuckoo, Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, Rufous-necked Hornbill, and Cutia. The Rufous-faced Warbler is also quite common in this area. Additionally, you will have a chance of encountering the rare and endangered White-bellied Heron.

For the next two nights, we will be camping in spacious tents, sleeping on comfortable camp beds that have been set up by your Bhutanese hosts. You will enjoy the unique experience of being immersed in nature, surrounded by the beautiful sounds and sights of the forest.

Day 8: Zhemgang – Bumthang

Accommodation: 3 stars rated hotel in Bumthang
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Today’s journey takes us back north as we retrace our route through Trongsa, before we start climbing over a bamboo-thronged pass and into the first of the four Bumthang Valleys. The scenery changes abruptly to broad grassy valleys and rolling hillsides that are covered in spruce and fir, which brings a corresponding change in the avifauna. We may still spot Quarrelsome Nutcrackers as they are common in this region, but we’ll need to spend a little more time searching for the real specialities of the region.

Birdwatchers will be delighted to see some of the region’s rare species such as the Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Fulvous, Brown and Great Parrotbills, White-browed and Rufous-breasted Bush Robins and Dark-rumped Rosefinch. Keep your eyes peeled for the Rufous-vented Yuhina and Red Crossbill, which are also known to occur here. With luck, we may also catch a glimpse of the elusive Yellow-billed Blue Magpie or the Mountain Hawk Eagle.

This region is also known for the presence of mammals such as the Himalayan Black Bear and the Red Panda. As we continue our journey, we’ll make several stops to scan the area for bird species and explore the surrounding forest areas, with hopes to spot some of the rarest birds in the region.

Day 9: Bumthang – Sengor

Accommodation: Village homestay in Sengor
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

We will start early today and continue our circuit eastward, searching for various species of pheasants, including the Monal, Satyr Tragopan, and the Blood Pheasant. As we ascend, we will eventually reach and cross the Thrumsingla, which, at 3800m, is the highest road pass in Bhutan. From there, the road plunges dramatically down into the lush semi-tropical rainforest, where we will be on the Lingmethang road – one of Asia’s best birding roads. This road is home to many of Bhutan’s most sought-after birds, such as the Chestnut-breasted Partridge, Ward’s Trogon, the majestic Rufous-necked Hornbill, Blue-naped Pitta, Blue-fronted Robin, and the Sikkim Wedge-billed, Long-billed and Bar-winged Wren-Babblers.

We will also have the chance to spot other species such as Beautiful Nuthatch, Golden-throated Barbet, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Fire-tailed Myzornis, and Scarlet Finch. As we traverse through the forest, we will keep our eyes peeled for other elusive species such as the Yellow-bellied Bush Warbler and the Himalayan Cutia. This road is also an excellent spot to observe raptors such as the Mountain Hawk-Eagle and the Black Eagle. We will stop at various points along the road to scan the surrounding area for any bird activity.

Day 10 – 11: Sengor – Lingmithang

Accommodation: 3 stars rated hotel in Lingmithang
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

During the next two days, you will have the opportunity to explore the lush, primary forests near Lingmethang, which are home to a variety of unique and exotic bird species. As you venture through the forest, keep an eye out for specialities such as the Slender-billed and Coral-billed Scimitar-Babblers, which are known for their long, curved bills used to extract insects from tree bark. Additionally, you may encounter Scaly and Blue-winged Laughing Thrushes, which are known for their unique calls and vibrant plumage. Another species you might encounter is the Greater Rufous-headed Parrotbill, a small bird with a distinctive red head and a habit of moving in large flocks. The Broad-billed Warbler, White-naped Yuhina, and Rufous-throated Wren-Babbler are other unique species that you may come across during your exploration of this area. Although these birds may not be considered rare, they are not well-known to most birders and offer a unique experience for any birding enthusiast.

Day 12: Lingmithang – Trashigang

Accommodation: 3 stars rated hotel in Trashigang
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

As we leave our campsite, we continue our journey towards the small town of Trashigang in northeastern Bhutan. This area is known for its incredible wildlife, and we will be camping overnight at a site where the elusive Black-tailed Crake has been frequently spotted. This small bird, with its distinctive black-and-white plumage, is notoriously difficult to find, so we will need to keep our eyes and ears open for any signs of its presence. While we are here, we will also have the opportunity to explore the surrounding forests and grasslands, which are home to a diverse array of bird species, such as the Rufous-necked Hornbill, Green-tailed Sunbird, Black-throated Parrotbill, and many more. So get ready for a truly unforgettable birdwatching experience in one of Bhutan’s most beautiful and wildlife-rich regions!

Day 13: Trashigang – Narphung

Accommodation: Camping tent
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

On this day, the journey takes us towards the southeast of Bhutan. As we travel through various villages, we will stop to view an ornate Buddhist temple. The route will take us over several forest-covered passes and through breathtaking river valleys. The easternmost part of Bhutan is not well studied in terms of its birdlife, so we will make several exploratory birding stops amid superb forests near Narphung. Here, we can expect to see a variety of bird species, including the Grey-sided Laughing Thrush and the Ward’s Trogon, which have previously been spotted in the area. We will camp overnight in Narphung, where we will enjoy a delicious dinner before settling down in comfortable tents.

Day 14: Narphung – Deothang

Accommodation: 3 stars rated hotel in Deothang
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

The campsite near Narphung is located in an area with prime mid-altitude forest, providing bird enthusiasts with excellent opportunities to observe the rich avifauna of this biotope. A full day of birding is planned in the forests between Morong and Deothang, with breakfast and lunch being enjoyed in the field. Our target species for the day will include the stunning Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Dark-rumped Swift, Long-tailed Broadbill, Rufous-necked Laughing Thrush, and we will also keep an eye out for the elusive Beautiful Nuthatch.

As we move towards our base for the following two nights in Samdrup Jongkhar, we will explore the forests carefully, looking out for any new bird species that may cross our path. Samdrup Jongkhar is an important trade town located in the south-eastern region of Bhutan, situated on the border of India. Here, we will enjoy a comfortable stay in a hotel while exploring the local avifauna.

Day 15: Deothang – Samdrup Jongkhar

Accommodation: 3 stars rated hotel in Samdrupjongkhar
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Today, you will have the opportunity to explore the forested hill slopes surrounding Samdrup Jongkhar. This bustling border town lies at the junction of the Himalayas and the Brahmaputra floodplain, providing a unique habitat for a diverse range of bird species.

During your birding expedition, you may come across some of the rare and elusive species such as Grey Peacock Pheasant, Jerdon’s Baza, and Pied Falconet. Additionally, Dark-rumped Swift, Wreathed Hornbill, Whistling Hawk-Cuckoo, Pin-tailed Green-Pigeon, Violet Cuckoo, and Sultan Tit are among the other species that you might spot.

As you navigate through the forested hill slopes, you will be able to observe the behavior and characteristics of the different bird species. The lush vegetation and hilly terrain create an ideal environment for these species, and you will have a unique opportunity to observe their natural habitat.

Day 16: Samdrup Jongkhar – Guwahati

After a fulfilling breakfast, you will embark on a scenic three-hour drive to the Guwahati International Airport, which is located in the Indian state of Assam. En route, you will have a chance to take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, which includes rolling hills, lush forests, and picturesque villages. At the airport, you will have the opportunity to reflect on your incredible journey through the beautiful country of Bhutan, where you have witnessed a stunning array of avian life and explored its diverse habitats. As you prepare to depart, you will no doubt be left with a sense of awe and wonder at the natural beauty of this unique part of the world.