8 Days – Bhutan Birding Tour “Black-necked crane festival”

• A scenic drive
• Beautiful local villages
• View of Dochula pass
• 180-degree panoramic view of the Great Himalayan Mountain ranges
• Visit to Tiger’s Nest temple
• Celebrate the Black-necked Crane Festival 

Birds Species – Fire-tailed myzornis, Rufous-gorgeted flycatcher, Rufous-breasted bush robin, Black-eared shrike babblers, Grey-winged blackbird, White-collared blackbird and Gold-billed magpie, Oriental turtle dove, Long tail turtle dove, Common myna, Grey treepie, Common redstart, Paddyfield Pipit, Blue whistling thrush, Jungle Babbler, Black eagle, Spotted Forktail, White bellied heron, Brown dipper, Water plumbous redstart, River lapwing, Great barbet, Barred cuckoo dove, Magpie robin, Palla’s fish eagle, Osprey, River lapwing, Ruddy shelduck, Mallard duck, Common merganser, Pied kingfisher, White-crested Kingfisher, Red-vented bulbul, Kalij pheasant, Orange-bellied leaf bird, Common buzzard, Great cormorant, Crested bunting, Bird watching at Po Chhu River– You can see White-bellied Heron, Owlet, Osprey, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Yellow-bellied Fantail, White-throated Familtail, Speckled piculet, Great Parrotbill, Darjeeling woodpecker, Streak-breasted scimitar babbler, Eurasian jay, Strong-footed bush warbler, Chestnut-crowned and Spotted laughing thrushes, Blood Pheasant and Himalayan Monal, Kalij Pheasants, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Beautiful Rosefinch, White-winged Grosbeak, Collared Grosbeak, Cold Tit, Grey bush chat, Snow pigeon, Yellow-bellied blue magpie, White-throated laughing thrush, Rufous sibia, etc.

1. Paro

2. Thimphu

3. Punakha

4. Phobjikha valley

Day 01: Arrival in Paro- Thimphu (1.5 hrs drive)

Fly on the wings of the Dragon to Bhutan, on arrival at Paro International Airport, complete the immigration formalities and exit through only one arrival gate where our dedicated team will be holding placards, no one will be missed. We welcome Khaddar and proceed to Thimphu which will take about an hour and a half. The route will follow the Paro River until Chuzom from where we will bend towards the Thimphu river taking us to the heart of the capital city Thimphu. The entire stretch of drives is scenic as we pass by some of the beautiful villages of Bondey, Shaba, Isina, etc until we enter the welcome gate in Thimphu. Tachongang Lhakhang– En route to Thimphu, stop for a little leg stretch walk crossing Paro River or enjoy the views from the roadside depending on your arrival time.

Chuzom—Meeting point of two rivers (Thimphu & Paro), this is a tri-junction of highways leading to Thimphu, Paro, and Phuentsholing in three directions. Enjoy the lovely picture of a beautiful portrait of our King and Queen placed at Chuzom, which is so welcoming to all who visit Bhutan.

Expected Birds: Ibisbill, Plumbeous and White-capped Redstarts, Brown Dipper, Siberian Stonechat, Common Hoopoe, Wallcreeper, River Lapwing, Russet Sparrow, and
more. Overnight in Thimphu.

Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Activity: Birding on the bank of  Paro River 

Day 02: Thimphu to Punakha,

Birding stops at Dochu La Pass and Lampelri Park. In Punakha, birding along the Puna Tsang Chhu valley. 

Target Birds: Black-faced, Spotted, and Striated Laughingthrushes, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Blue-fronted Redstart, Eurasian Jay, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Dark-breasted and Dark- rumped Rosefinches, Great and Brown Parrotbills, Black Eagle, Blue-throated and Golden-throated Barbets, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Scarlet Finch, Maroon-backed Accentor, Crested Serpent Eagle, White-bellied Heron, Crested, Common and White-throated Kingfishers, Eurasian Hobby, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Slender-billed Oriole, Collared Scops Owl, Rusty- cheeked Scimitar Babbler, Scaly-breasted, Tufted Duck, Goosander, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Pochard, River and Red-wattled Lapwings, Small Pratincole, Little Ringed Plover, Green and Common Sandpipers and more. Overnight stay in Punakha.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activity: Full-day birding

Day 03: Punakha 

Birding along Tashithang and Jigme Dorje National Park, in the afternoon visit magnificent Punakha dzong followed by birding along the Puna Tsang Chu valley again. 

Target Birds: Himalayan Cutia, Brown-throated Treecreeper, Alpine Thrush, Ward’s Trogon, Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush, Spotted Elachura, Spot-winged Grossbeak, Spotted Nutcracker, Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush, Little Pied Flycatcher, Speckled Piculet, Fire-capped Tit, Himalayan Cuckoo, Fire- tailed Myzornis, Solitary Snipe, Satyr Tragopan, Crimson- browed Finch, Rufous-vented Yuhina, Himalayan Vulture, Short-billed Minivet, Oriental Skylark and Himalayan Owl and more. Overnight stay in Punakha.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activity: Full-day birding

Day 04: Punakha to Phobjikha valley

Today, we will drive from Punakha to Phobjikha Valley. We will go birding in the morning at Nobding and Lawa La Pass. Upon arriving at Gangtey, we will hike the nature trail. 
Target Birds: Himalayan Monal, Black-necked Crane, Red-billed Chough, Black-billed Magpie, Greenish Warbler, Large Hawk Cuckoo, Gold-naped Finch, Great, Black-throated Thrush, Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird, Golden Bush Robin, and more. Overnight stay in Phobjikha. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activity: Full-day birding

Day 05: Phobjikha – Celebrating the Black-necked Crane Festival.

The morning after breakfast at our resort, we will visit the Black-necked festival and in the afternoon we will visit Pele La Pass for birding.

The Black-necked Crane Festival is a vibrant celebration held annually in Bhutan to honor the arrival of the endangered black-necked crane to the Phobjikha Valley. This cultural event showcases traditional music, dance, and rituals, highlighting the deep connection between the local community and the cranes. It also raises awareness about conservation efforts to protect these majestic birds and their natural habitat. The festival is a unique blend of nature, culture, and environmental stewardship.

Target Birds: Wedge-billed and Rufous-throated and Long-billed Wren Babblers, Yellow-throated and Rufous-winged Trogon Villa or camping Fulvettas, Asian Emerald and Lesser Cuckoos, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Beautiful Nuthatch, Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Brown Wood and Mountain Scops Owls, Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, White-naped Yuhina, White-bellied Erpornis, Speckled Piculet, Rufous-chinned, Blue-winged and Scaly Laughingthrushes, Red-faced Liocichla, Hodgson’s Frogmouth, Blue-naped Pitta, and more. Overnight stay in Phobjikha. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activity: Full-day birding

Day 06: Phobjikha to Paro

Today we will drive from Phobjikha to Paro Valley. We will stop for Birding along Dangchu Valley and Puna Tsang Chu Valley.

Target Birds: Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Black-throated Parrotbill, Rufous-breasted Bush Robin, Himalayan Bluetail, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Ward’s Trogon, Scaly-breasted Cupwing, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Grey-sided Laughingthrush, Crimson-breasted Woodpecker, Little Bunting, Brow-flanked Bush Warbler and Bar-throated Siva. Overnight stay in Paro. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activity: Full-day birding

Day 07: Paro 

Today after having breakfast at our resort, we will drive to the base of Tiger’s nest and then start our hiking. It’s a 5-hour activity, on the way to Tiger’s nest we will do some birding also. No activity plan for the afternoon, you can walk around Paro Street and markets, and buy some souvenirs for friends and family. At 7 we will meet for a farewell dinner. Overnight stay in Paro. 

Target Birds: Himalayan Buzzard, Gold-naped Finch, Red Crossbill, Dark-breasted Rosefinch, Bhutan Laughingthrush, Large-billed Leaf Warbler, Red-tailed Minla, Solitary Snipe, Crested Kingfisher, Green Shrike Babbler, Russet Bush Warbler, Nepal House Martin and more.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activity: Full-day birding

Day 08: Drop at Paro Airport

Drive to Paro Airport for flights to Delhi/Calcutta or Kathmandu for your onward connections.

Meals: Breakfast 

Included –

1- Visa fee for a single entry

2-Visa process and arrangement, only valid passports are accepted.

3-Sustainable Development Funds to the government

4-All accommodations on a sharing basis as per the hotels listed below

5-Buffet set breakfast & dinner in the hotel, Lunch in tourist standard restaurant

6-Full-time English-speaking guide will be provided

7-Transfers and sightseeing as per your itinerary

8- Domestic flights if required

8-Complimentary a bottle of water per head

9- Tip to Guide and Driver

Excluded 

1-Flight (International)

3-Entrance/Monument visiting fees, directly payable at the site

4-Bank charges for payment transfers, if applicable only

5-Any alcoholic/nonalcoholic beverages

6-Personal expenses/shopping etc

7-Travel Insurance

8-Unforeseen COVID expenses & Personal PPE

9-Outdoor activities (Cycling, River Rafting, Motor Biking, Horse Riding, Cultural Program, Traditional Sports, Costumes, Hotstone Bath etc.)

10- Accommodation for single occupancy at an extra cost

11-Anything that is not mentioned in the inclusion is not included in the cost