Birds of the Eastern Himalayas
14 days · from US$4560 per person — all-inclusive: guide, transport, accommodation, meals, visa and SDF.
A specialized tour for ornithologists. Bhutan is a birding paradise with over 770 species including the rare White-Bellied Heron, Satyr Tragopan, and Ward's Trogon. Explore diverse habitats from subtropical jungles to alpine meadows.
Highlights: Sengor · Yongkola · Namling Waterfall · Ward's Trogon
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
Arrive in Paro. Meet your specialist ornithology guide. Afternoon gentle birding around Paro valley. Look for White-collared Blackbird, Ultramarine Flycatcher, and White-capped Redstart along streams. Evening briefing on Bhutan's 770+ bird species. Review target species list. Overnight: Paro (2,235m)
Day 2: Paro to Thimphu
Morning birding at Chele La Pass (3,988m). Look for Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Kalij Pheasant in rhododendron forests. Drive to Thimphu. Afternoon birding at Jigme Dorji Wildlife Sanctuary edges. Target: Fire-tailed Myzornis, Rufous-breasted Bush Robin. Overnight: Thimphu (2,320m)
Day 3: Thimphu to Punakha
Early morning birding at Dochula Pass. Look for alpine species including Spotted Laughingthrush and Alpine Accentor. Descend to subtropical Punakha. Habitat change brings new species: White-throated Bulbul, Striated Bulbul, Asian Barred Owlet. Overnight: Punakha (1,200m)
Day 4: Punakha Lowlands
Full day birding in Punakha valley and Phobjikha foothills. Target: Ward's Trogon, Long-tailed Broadbill, Beautiful Nuthatch. Visit farmlands for Grey Treepie, Black-headed Jay, Black Bulbul. Overnight: Punakha
Day 5: Punakha to Trongsa
Long drive with birding stops. Cross multiple elevation zones - each with distinct bird communities. Pele La Pass (3,420m): Look for Rufous-vented Tit, Brown Parrotbill. Descend to Trongsa. Evening birding around dzong. Overnight: Trongsa (2,200m)
Day 6: Trongsa to Sengor
Drive to Sengor village, entering Thrumshingla National Park - prime birding territory. Birding along Yongkola road, one of Asia's most productive birding sites. Incredible diversity in mixed species flocks. Target species: Satyr Tragopan (endangered pheasant), Rufous-throated Wren-Babbler, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide. Overnight: Sengor (2,400m)
Day 7: Yongkola - Premier Birding
Full day at Yongkola. Wake at dawn for maximum bird activity. Mixed feeding flocks contain 20-30 species moving through forest. Target species: - Ward's Trogon (one of world's most beautiful birds) - Beautiful Nuthatch - Rufous-necked Hornbill - Satyr Tragopan (if not seen yesterday) - Fire-tailed Myzornis - Spotted Laughingthrush The mid-elevation forests (2,000-3,000m) have extraordinary diversity. Spotting scopes help view canopy species. Evening: Review checklist. Many birders reach 200+ species in two weeks! Overnight: Sengor
Day 8: Sengor to Bumthang
Continue through Thrumshingla Pass (3,750m), Bhutan's highest road pass. Look for alpine specialties: Robin Accentor, White-browed Rosefinch. Descend to Bumthang valley. Afternoon birding in agricultural areas for Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Hoopoe. Overnight: Bumthang (2,600m)
Day 9: Bumthang Valleys
Full day birding Tang and Chumey valleys. Habitat variety includes rivers, farms, forests. Target: Ibisbill (rare wader in fast mountain streams), White-throated Redstart, Wallcreeper, White-winged Grosbeak. Visit Mebar Tsho gorge for elevation migrants. Overnight: Bumthang
Day 10: Bumthang to Phobjikha
Drive to Phobjikha valley (November-March: Black-Necked Cranes present!). This glacial valley hosts 300-400 cranes wintering from Tibet. Birding the marshlands and forests. Also look for White-naped Crane (rare vagrant), Long-billed Thrush. Overnight: Phobjikha (3,000m)
Day 11: Phobjikha Valley
Full day exploring the valley. Early morning crane watching as they leave roost sites. Forest birding for Hill Partridge, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Grey-winged Blackbird. Gangtey Nature Trail offers excellent birding. Overnight: Phobjikha
Day 12: Phobjikha to Paro
Return to Paro (6-7 hours) with birding stops. Different season/conditions may reveal species missed earlier. Final target species hunting based on checklist gaps. Overnight: Paro
Day 13: Paro Birding
Full day birding Paro valley. Visit varied habitats: rivers, wetlands, forests, farmland. Last attempts for any missed target species. Many birders add 10-20 species on final day! Evening: Final checklist review and celebration dinner. Overnight: Paro
Day 14: Departure
Morning at leisure or final birding before airport transfer. Most participants record 250-350 species including many Himalayan specialties, endemics, and globally threatened species. Bhutan remains one of Asia's premier birding destinations with pristine habitats and sustainable tourism. Tashi Delek!