Embark on an extraordinary 15-day birding adventure through Bhutan, one of the world’s premier birdwatching destinations and home to more than 770 recorded bird species. Journey from alpine mountain passes and pristine temperate forests to lush subtropical jungles, exploring a remarkable diversity of habitats that support some of the Himalayas’ rarest and most sought-after birds. Led by experienced local birding guides, this expedition combines world-class birdwatching with Bhutan’s breathtaking landscapes, rich biodiversity, and unique cultural heritage.
Highlights
- Discover Bhutan's Incredible Bird Diversity – Search for over 250–300 bird species across diverse ecosystems, including Himalayan Monal, Satyr Tragopan, Blood Pheasant, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Beautiful Nuthatch, Fire-tailed Myzornis, and the iconic Black-necked Crane.
- Explore World-Class Birding Hotspots – Bird through the renowned forests of Royal Manas National Park, Yongkola, Thrumshing La, Chele La Pass, and the serene Phobjikha Valley, celebrated among Asia's finest birdwatching destinations.
- Experience Bhutan Beyond Birding – Enjoy spectacular Himalayan scenery, remote mountain passes, peaceful valleys, and visits to Bhutan's historic monasteries and cultural landmarks, creating the perfect blend of wildlife, nature, and culture.
Arrive at Paro International Airport, where your Bhutanese birding guide will welcome you. After hotel check-in, enjoy an introductory birding excursion along the scenic Paro Chhu (Paro River) and surrounding farmland.
This gentle introduction to Bhutan's avifauna offers opportunities to see species such as Ibisbill, Brown Dipper, White-capped Water Redstart, Plumbeous Water Redstart, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, Crested Kingfisher, Wallcreeper (winter), Black-tailed Crake, Himalayan Buzzard, and a variety of finches and flycatchers.
Overnight: Paro
Distance: 110 km
After breakfast, drive through conifer forests to Chele La Pass (3,988 m), Bhutan's highest motorable pass. The alpine forests and rhododendron slopes provide excellent opportunities to observe high-altitude Himalayan birds.
Target species include Blood Pheasant, Himalayan Monal, Satyr Tragopan, Grandala, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Dark-rumped Rosefinch, White-browed Bush Robin, Altai Accentor, and Bearded Vulture.
Continue to Thimphu, making birding stops along the way.
Overnight: Thimphu
Distance: 78 km
Travel across the spectacular Dochu La Pass (3,100 m), famous for its 108 chortens and breathtaking Himalayan panorama. Bird the forests of the Royal Botanical Park before descending into the warm valleys of Punakha.
Target species include Fire-tailed Myzornis, Chestnut-crowned Warbler, Dark-breasted Rosefinch, Yellow-browed Tit, White-browed Shrike-Babbler, Black-eared Shrike-Babbler, Himalayan Cutia, Spotted Laughingthrush, and Speckled Piculet.
Overnight: Punakha
Distance: 85 km
Drive through changing vegetation zones to the beautiful glacial valley of Phobjikha, crossing Lawa La Pass en route. The forests and open marshes provide excellent birding opportunities.
Look for Brown Dipper, Crested Kingfisher, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Yellow-browed Tit, Rufous-vented Yuhina, Whiskered Yuhina, Beautiful Rosefinch, and, during winter, the iconic Black-necked Crane.
Overnight: Phobjikha
Distance: 85 km
Begin the morning birding around Pele La Pass (3,350 m) before continuing to the historic town of Trongsa.
The conifer forests are excellent for Blood Pheasant, Himalayan Monal, Satyr Tragopan, Fire-tailed Myzornis, White-browed Bush Robin, White-winged Grosbeak, Red-headed Bullfinch, Himalayan Bluetail, and Mountain Hawk-Eagle.Overnight: Trongsa
Distance: 140 km
Descend through spectacular broadleaf forests toward Tingtibi, entering the rich subtropical habitats surrounding Royal Manas National Park, one of Bhutan's premier biodiversity hotspots.
Target species include Rufous-necked Hornbill, Great Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Long-tailed Broadbill, Bay Woodpecker, White-browed Piculet, Green Cochoa, White-tailed Robin, Common Green Magpie, and Beautiful Nuthatch.
Overnight: Tingtibi
Spend the day exploring the forests of Royal Manas National Park, one of the finest birding destinations in the eastern Himalayas. The park supports more than 450 bird species together with an exceptional diversity of mammals and butterflies.
Highlights include Grey Peacock-Pheasant, Rufous-necked Hornbill, White-hooded Babbler, Long-billed Wren-Babbler, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, White-browed Scimitar-Babbler, Sultan Tit, Cutia, Lesser Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Asian Fairy-bluebird, Green-billed Malkoha, and numerous barbets, broadbills, laughingthrushes, babblers, and flycatchers.
Overnight: Tingtibi
Distance: 140 km
Return to Trongsa via the famous Zhemgang Road, making frequent birding stops in productive forest habitats.
This route provides additional opportunities for Beautiful Nuthatch, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Little Forktail, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Greater Yellownape, Blue-throated Barbet, Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, and many subtropical forest specialists.
Overnight: Trongsa
Distance: 80 km
Travel through scenic mountain landscapes toward Bumthang, stopping at the peaceful Tharpaling Monastery and surrounding forests.
Birding may produce Red Crossbill, White-winged Grosbeak, Dark-throated Thrush, Eyebrowed Thrush, Himalayan Bluetail, White-browed Bush Robin, Spotted Laughingthrush, and Hume's Bush Warbler.
Overnight: Bumthang
Distance: 140 km
Cross Thrumshing La National Park before descending into the legendary birding forests of Yongkola.
As habitats change from alpine conifers to warm broadleaf forest, watch for Satyr Tragopan, Blood Pheasant, Himalayan Monal, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Bhutan Laughingthrush, Brown Bullfinch, Scarlet Finch, Fire-capped Tit, and Gold-naped Finch.
Overnight: Yongkola
Spend two full days exploring the famous birding areas around Yongkola, Lingmethang, Namling Valley, and Sengor, regarded among the finest birding destinations in the Himalayas.
Specialty birds include Blue-fronted Robin, Wedge-billed Wren-Babbler, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Speckled Wood Pigeon, Bay Woodpecker, Greater Yellownape, Blue-throated Barbet, Large Niltava, Verditer Flycatcher, Slaty-backed Forktail, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Yellow-throated Fulvetta, Scarlet Finch, Spot-winged Grosbeak, Satyr Tragopan, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Bar-winged Wren-Babbler, and numerous laughingthrushes, yuhinas, minlas, and shrike-babblers.
Overnight: Yongkola
Distance: 140 km
Enjoy an early morning birding session before retracing the scenic route across Thrumshing La Pass (3,799 m) toward Bumthang.
The journey offers excellent opportunities to observe Himalayan alpine species, pheasants, rosefinches, grosbeaks, treecreepers, bush robins, thrushes, and high-elevation warblers while taking in some of Bhutan's most spectacular mountain scenery.Overnight: Bumthang
Take the spectacular domestic flight from Bumthang to Paro (approximately 25 minutes), offering magnificent aerial views of the Himalayas.
Upon arrival, enjoy birding around the Paro Valley before visiting some of Bhutan's cultural landmarks, including Kyichu Lhakhang, Rinpung Dzong, or the National Museum, depending on time and interest.
Overnight: Paro
After breakfast, transfer to Paro International Airport for your departure flight to Delhi, Kolkata, Kathmandu, or Bangkok for your onward international connections.
- Comfortable accommodation in 3-star hotels (upgrade to 4-star or 5-star hotels available upon request).
- Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout the tour.
- Private airport transfers and all ground transportation in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle.
- Services of a licensed English-speaking Bhutanese tour guide.
- Experienced professional driver throughout the journey.
- Bhutan Sustainable Development Fee (SDF).
- Bhutan tourist visa processing and visa fee.
- All entrance fees to monuments, museums, temples, monasteries, and attractions included in the itinerary.
- Bottled drinking water during sightseeing and transfers.
- Guided hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery.
- Government royalties and all applicable Bhutan tourism taxes.
- 24/7 local assistance and support throughout your stay.
- International airfare to and from Bhutan.
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended).
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, snacks, beverages, shopping, and minibar charges.
- Alcoholic beverages and premium drinks.
- Tips and gratuities for your guide and driver (at your discretion).
- Optional activities or excursions not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Horse hire for the Tiger's Nest hike (available at an additional cost).
- Camera or video fees where applicable.
- Expenses arising from flight delays, cancellations, road closures, natural disasters, political events, or other circumstances beyond our control.
- Any services not specifically listed under Tour Inclusions.
- Note: Accommodation upgrades to 4-star, 5-star, or luxury hotels, as well as customized itineraries and private experiences, can be arranged upon request for an additional cost.
