Butterflies & Orchids Expedition
11 days · from US$3570 per person — all-inclusive: guide, transport, accommodation, meals, visa and SDF.
Discover the smaller wonders of Bhutan. Ideal for macro photography enthusiasts. Visit the humid subtropical valleys of Zhemgang.
Highlights: Subtropical Forests · Rare Orchids · Kaiser-i-Hind Butterfly · Macro Photography
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
Arrive in Paro. Transfer to Thimphu. Evening briefing on Bhutan's 600+ butterfly species and 369 orchid species. Best season: May-September. Overnight: Thimphu
Day 2: Thimphu Gardens
Visit Royal Botanical Garden observing butterflies and orchids in collections. Learn identification techniques, butterfly behavior, and orchid ecology from expert naturalist. Afternoon: Nature walks in valley observing species in natural habitat. Overnight: Thimphu
Day 3: Thimphu to Punakha
Drive to Punakha (warm valley with high butterfly diversity). Stop at flowering sites along the route. Observe swallowtails, brush-footed butterflies in roadside flowers. Overnight: Punakha
Day 4: Punakha Lowlands
Full day butterfly watching in Punakha valley. Riverside areas attract numerous species. Target species: Kaiser-i-Hind (one of Asia's most spectacular butterflies), Great Windmill, Bhutan Glory. Photographers can capture butterflies feeding on flowers, mud-puddling, or displaying. Overnight: Punakha
Day 5: Tingtibi - Butterfly Paradise
Drive to Tingtibi in Zhemgang district (5-6 hours). This subtropical region has extraordinary butterfly diversity. Afternoon butterfly watching in humid forests. The warm, wet environment supports incredible insect life. Orchids grow on trees and rocks - epiphytic species in stunning variety. Overnight: Tingtibi
Day 6: Tingtibi Exploration
Full day exploring forests and streams. Morning when butterflies are most active. Walk forest trails observing: - Swallowtails (multiple species) - Birdwings (giant butterflies) - Satyrs and Browns - Blues and Coppers Orchids bloom along paths - photograph these delicate flowers. Many species are endemic or rare. Evening: Review photos and species lists. Overnight: Tingtibi
Day 7: Tingtibi Nature Study
Second full day for macro photography and detailed observation. Focus on butterfly life cycles: eggs, caterpillars, chrysalises, emergence. Patient observation reveals fascinating behaviors. Search for rare orchid species in forest canopy and shady grottos. Overnight: Tingtibi
Day 8: Tingtibi to Bumthang
Drive to Bumthang (6-7 hours). Ascend from subtropical to temperate zones observing habitat changes. Different altitude brings different butterfly species. Overnight: Bumthang
Day 9: Bumthang Valleys
Explore Bumthang's alpine meadows. High-altitude butterflies include Apollos and various Blues. Orchid species differ from lowland varieties. Terrestrial orchids grow in meadows. Visit cultural sites blending nature with culture. Overnight: Bumthang
Day 10: Bumthang to Paro
Fly or drive to Paro. Afternoon at leisure. Final butterfly watching around Paro valley. Farewell dinner sharing macro photography highlights. Overnight: Paro
Day 11: Departure
Transfer to airport. You leave with memory cards full of stunning macro photographs - butterflies and orchids representing Bhutan's smaller but equally magnificent biodiversity. Tashi Delek!