8N - 9D Bhutan Birding Trip

Rise early on your second day in Bhutan for a pleasant drive through the rich vegetation of fir, pine, rhododendron, and apple trees just outside Thimphu. The Red-Billed Chough is seen frequently in this area, so keep an eye out on the way. Make your way to the northern end of the Thimphu Valley, where chances are high that you’ll see Ibisbills, Common Sandpipers, Crested-Pie kingfishers, Red-rumped Swallows, Long-Tailed Minivets, Grey Wagtails, Yellow-Billed Blue Magpies, Spotted Nutcrackers, White-Bellied Yuhina, Black-Browed Tits, Upland Pipits, and many more.

After an early breakfast, make your way east, stopping at the Dochula Pass. On a clear day, the pass offers breathtaking vistas of the entire Himalayan mountain range on the border between Bhutan and Tibet. The area around the pass is also a birding haven. Lace up your boots and hike through a forest of fir, birch, and rhododendron, where various birds species thrive, making your way up to Lungchutse Monastery. The most prized sighting in this area is the Ward’s Trogon. Other birds that you may encounter include Spotted Nutcracker, Large Hawk-Cuckoo, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Yellow-Billed Magpie, Chest-Tailed Minla, Collard Blackbird, Ultramarine Flycatcher, and Brown Bullfinch.

In the afternoon, descend into the bird-rich subtropical valley of Punakha. Before you get there, make a brief stop to explore the edge of the forest and agricultural land in a nearby village. Sub-tropical species most likely to be seen here are the Red-headed Trogon, Wedge-Tailed Pigeon, Fire-Capped Tit, White-Gorgeted Flycatcher, the rare Yellow-Vented Warbler, Magpie Robin, Green Magpie, and Osprey.

Punakha is one of the lowest places in this part of Bhutan and has a subtropical climate. Following an old trail along the bank of the Mo Chhu river, explore its bank and surrounding vegetation. This area is renowned for the critically endangered White-Bellied Heron. Further up the road, pause to visit the impressive Punakha Dzong, arguably the most beautiful dzong (a kind of fortress) in Bhutan. Then make your way into the forests of the upper Punakha Valley where Bay Woodpeckers, Red-headed Trogons, Wedge-Tailed Pigeons, Fire-Capped Tits, White-Gorgeted Flycatchers, rare Yellow-vented Warblers, Magpie Robins, Green Magpies, Ospreys, River Lapwings, Ruddy Shelducks, and Eurasian Wigeons dart into and out of sight along riverbanks and villages. Keep an eye out for a variety of skulkers that also call this region home, including the Spotted Elachura and Pygmy Wren-Babbler, and two of Bhutan’s three species of Tesia.

Wave farewell to Punakha, passing ruins and the construction site of Wangdi Prodang Dzong as you depart for Phobjikha. Along the way, stop often to explore the edge of a river channel, scanning the forests for Flycatchers and Wedge-Tailed Green Pigeons. This area is also home to the Carlet Finch, Black Drongo, Chestnut-Bellied Nuthatch, Slaty-Backed Forktail, Gorgeted Flycatcher, White-Throated Laughingthrush, Eurasian Jay, Wedge-Tailed Green Pigeon, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Verditer Flycatcher, and more.

If you’re traveling between October and March, famed Black-Neck Cranes await in the wild. In the second half of the afternoon, stop at the Black-Neck Crane Center and, if time permits, take a leisurely walk in the glacial Phobjika Valley, where White-Throated Laughingtrushes, Mountain Imperial Pigeons, Slaty-backed Forktails, Rusty-Flanked Tree Creepers, White-Browed Bush Robins, and White-Winged Grosbeaks make their home. While you’re here, don’t miss the century-old Gangtey Monastery overlooking the valley.

Say goodbye to Phobjikha and its cranes as you drive east to Pele La Pass, where the morning is the best time to spot the area’s most beloved birds: Satyrs Tragopan, Blood Pheasant, Khalij Pheasant, Himalayan Monal, Yellow-Billed Magpie, Chest-Tailed Minla, Collard Blackbird, and Ultramarine Flycatcher. Then head back to the car for a leisurely drive — with many birding stops along the way — to Paro. The most elusive find on this drive is the Shriek Babbler.

Start your first morning in Paro with a walk along the Po Chu riverbank to the Drukyul Dzong area, where you’re likely to spot various species of birds, including Fire-Capped Tits, Spotted Laughing Thrush, and Brown Dipper. Later, visit cultural attractions like the Buddhist monasteries Rinpung Dzong and Ta Dzong as well as Bhutan’s oldest temple, Kichu Lhakhang.

Get an early start on your hike to the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Taktsang Monastery) for your best chance of spotting the area’s most unique birds. This is one of Bhutan’s most popular hiking trails, which means the later you hike, the more crowded it becomes — and the more birds steer clear. So start with the sunrise and keep your eyes open for Brown Dippers, Spotted Laughingthrushes, and Fire-Capped Tits.

In the afternoon, visit another of the Paro Valley’s best birding areas: the banks of the Paro River. The most common bird here is the Ibisbill, which is found throughout the year. Other birds likely to make an appearance include Black-faced Laughingthrushes, Brown Dippers, Spotted Laughingthrushes, and Fire-Capped Tits. In the late afternoon, head back to Paro for your last dinner of the trip.

Breakfast in the hotel, and then drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination.