BIRDING IN BHUTAN
Bhutan remained isolated from the rest of the world for centuries. It is the only country in the region which was never colonised. Having
remained in isolation for centuries we have been able to preserve our natural resources. Today Bhutan has been recognised as one of
the ten global hot spots.
Bhutan has almost 65 per cent forest cover which has helped to preserve many species of birds and animals. There are almost 650
different species of birds in Bhutan. From the sub-tropical species to the alpine forests there are different species of birds. Thus making
Bhutan a bird watchers paradise.
Tentative Birding/Cultural tour itinerary
Day 1: Sept 27 Thursday: Paro -Thimphu
Arrive Paro International airport from Delhi. After clearing immigration 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. Overnight Thimphu.
Day 2 Sept 28 Friday:Thimphu: Punakha.
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. Overnight Punakha.
Day 3-4 Sept 29 & 30 Saturday and Sunday :Punakha.
Staying three night in Punkha you will get to see some wonderful species along MoChhu river and the bird-rich subtropical forests it
contains. Your route will take you 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. Overnight Punakha.
Day 5 Oct 01, Monday: Punakha - Gangtey.
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. Overnight Gangtey Gompa.
Day 6 Oct 02, Tuesday: Gangtey - Trongsa.
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.
Day 7 Oct 03, Wednesday : Trongsa - Bumthang.
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. Overnight Bumthang.
Day 8 Oct 04, Thursday : Bumthang -Lingmethang.
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. Overnight camp/modern Bhutanese
house in Lingmethang.
Day 9-10 Oct 05 & 06, Friday and Saturday :Lingmethang.
Explore 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. Overnight camp
in Lingmethang.
Day11 Oct 07, Sunday : Lingmethang – Bumthang.
Retrace to Bumthang checking the missed places. Overnight Bumthang.
Day12 Oct 08 Monday : Bumthang sightseeing.
After breakfast you will visit the following places:
~~Jakar Dzong (fortress)
~~Jambey Lhakhang (one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan)
~~Kurjey Lhakhang (temple of Guru Rinpoche's body print)
~~Tamshing Lhakhang (see old Buddhist paintings)
~~Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake)
~~Short hike to Thangbi Monastery in the afternoon and explore Thangbi village
You can spend the evening exploring Bumthang town. Overnight in Bumthang
Day 13 Oct 09 Tuesday: Day hike to Petsheling (6-hour roundtrip)
Today you will hike to Petsheling Monastery, It is located about three hours' hiking distance above the Swiss Guesthouse on a steep
incline. It offers fine panoramic views of the central Bumthang valley. You can also hike beyond the monastery across the ridge and feel
the spirit of the mountains and monastery. In the evening you can relax in the town. Overnight in Bumthang
Day 14 Oct 10 Wednesday: Bumthang – Wangdiphodrang
Early morning drive to Wangdiphodrang. Evening walk around the Wangdi town. Overnight in a hotel in Wangdi.
Day 15 Oct 11 Thursday: Wangdi
Morning visit Wangdi Dzong and Chhimmy Lhakhang(built by Lam Drukpa kinley who is known as the divine madman. Heirless couples
are blessed with a stone phallus (believed to be of the master’s) in his temple. Lunch with the locals in a village. A Farm house visit
near Chhimmy Lhakhang. After lunch visit Punakha Dzong. Overnight Wangdiphodrang.
Day 16 Oct 12 Friday: Wangdi –Thimphu
Morning drive to Thimphu. Visit the kings memorial chorten, painting school and zulikha nunnery. Afternoon visit the Sunday market.
Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 17 Oct 13 Saturday: Thimphu –Paro
Morning drive to Paro visit Kyichu lhakhang. Afternoon hike to Taktsang. Overnight hotel in Paro.
Day 18 Oct 14 Sunday: fly out
Season
March, April, May, June, July, August, Sep, Oct and Nov
Price
1 person US$240/night halt
2 persons US$230/person per night halt
3 persons and above US$200/person per night halt
Included in Price
* All meals (mineral water included) and lodging,
* All ground transportation within Bhutan which includes pack ponies
and porters during treks,
* Multilingual guide,
* Entrée fee into monuments and temples.
Not Included in Price
* Airfare, visa fee, airport tax,
* Choppers during emergency evacuation,
* Expenses of personal nature like telephones, laundry and hard
drinks (intoxicating beverages).
CONTACT US
remained in isolation for centuries we have been able to preserve our natural resources. Today Bhutan has been recognised as one of
the ten global hot spots.
Bhutan has almost 65 per cent forest cover which has helped to preserve many species of birds and animals. There are almost 650
different species of birds in Bhutan. From the sub-tropical species to the alpine forests there are different species of birds. Thus making
Bhutan a bird watchers paradise.
Tentative Birding/Cultural tour itinerary
Day 1: Sept 27 Thursday: Paro -Thimphu
Arrive Paro International airport from Delhi. After clearing immigration 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. Overnight Thimphu.
Day 2 Sept 28 Friday:Thimphu: Punakha.
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. Overnight Punakha.
Day 3-4 Sept 29 & 30 Saturday and Sunday :Punakha.
Staying three night in Punkha you will get to see some wonderful species along MoChhu river and the bird-rich subtropical forests it
contains. Your route will take you 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. Overnight Punakha.
Day 5 Oct 01, Monday: Punakha - Gangtey.
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. Overnight Gangtey Gompa.
Day 6 Oct 02, Tuesday: Gangtey - Trongsa.
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.
Day 7 Oct 03, Wednesday : Trongsa - Bumthang.
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. Overnight Bumthang.
Day 8 Oct 04, Thursday : Bumthang -Lingmethang.
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. Overnight camp/modern Bhutanese
house in Lingmethang.
Day 9-10 Oct 05 & 06, Friday and Saturday :Lingmethang.
Explore 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. Overnight camp
in Lingmethang.
Day11 Oct 07, Sunday : Lingmethang – Bumthang.
Retrace to Bumthang checking the missed places. Overnight Bumthang.
Day12 Oct 08 Monday : Bumthang sightseeing.
After breakfast you will visit the following places:
~~Jakar Dzong (fortress)
~~Jambey Lhakhang (one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan)
~~Kurjey Lhakhang (temple of Guru Rinpoche's body print)
~~Tamshing Lhakhang (see old Buddhist paintings)
~~Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake)
~~Short hike to Thangbi Monastery in the afternoon and explore Thangbi village
You can spend the evening exploring Bumthang town. Overnight in Bumthang
Day 13 Oct 09 Tuesday: Day hike to Petsheling (6-hour roundtrip)
Today you will hike to Petsheling Monastery, It is located about three hours' hiking distance above the Swiss Guesthouse on a steep
incline. It offers fine panoramic views of the central Bumthang valley. You can also hike beyond the monastery across the ridge and feel
the spirit of the mountains and monastery. In the evening you can relax in the town. Overnight in Bumthang
Day 14 Oct 10 Wednesday: Bumthang – Wangdiphodrang
Early morning drive to Wangdiphodrang. Evening walk around the Wangdi town. Overnight in a hotel in Wangdi.
Day 15 Oct 11 Thursday: Wangdi
Morning visit Wangdi Dzong and Chhimmy Lhakhang(built by Lam Drukpa kinley who is known as the divine madman. Heirless couples
are blessed with a stone phallus (believed to be of the master’s) in his temple. Lunch with the locals in a village. A Farm house visit
near Chhimmy Lhakhang. After lunch visit Punakha Dzong. Overnight Wangdiphodrang.
Day 16 Oct 12 Friday: Wangdi –Thimphu
Morning drive to Thimphu. Visit the kings memorial chorten, painting school and zulikha nunnery. Afternoon visit the Sunday market.
Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 17 Oct 13 Saturday: Thimphu –Paro
Morning drive to Paro visit Kyichu lhakhang. Afternoon hike to Taktsang. Overnight hotel in Paro.
Day 18 Oct 14 Sunday: fly out
Season
March, April, May, June, July, August, Sep, Oct and Nov
Price
1 person US$240/night halt
2 persons US$230/person per night halt
3 persons and above US$200/person per night halt
Included in Price
* All meals (mineral water included) and lodging,
* All ground transportation within Bhutan which includes pack ponies
and porters during treks,
* Multilingual guide,
* Entrée fee into monuments and temples.
Not Included in Price
* Airfare, visa fee, airport tax,
* Choppers during emergency evacuation,
* Expenses of personal nature like telephones, laundry and hard
drinks (intoxicating beverages).
CONTACT US
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BIRDS OF BHUTAN
Carol Inskipp • Tim
Inskipp • Richard
Grimmett
FIELD GUIDE • 2004 •
• 192 PAGES
Inskipp • Richard
Grimmett
FIELD GUIDE • 2004 •
• 192 PAGES
This book is a compact
guide on bird watching
in Bhutan. This book
contains descriptive
information on different
species of birds their
habitats and
conservation. This book
is dedicated to fourth
king of Bhutan and is
produced in conjunction
with WWF Bhutan
programme.
guide on bird watching
in Bhutan. This book
contains descriptive
information on different
species of birds their
habitats and
conservation. This book
is dedicated to fourth
king of Bhutan and is
produced in conjunction
with WWF Bhutan
programme.
| contents © 2007 Adventure Bhutan. All rights Reserved. Reproduction of any material in any form without prior written consent strictly prohibited. |