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19 Days
Birding Hotspots Expedition
Western, Central & Southern trails
Duration
19 Days
Difficulty
Moderate-Challenging
Destinations
Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha, Trongsa, Bumthang, Zhemgang, Tingtibi
Best Time
March-May, October-November
Overview
Comprehensive expedition covering western, central, and southern Bhutan's major birding hotspots in a single journey. From alpine pheasants at high passes to lowland hornbills and the legendary Yongkola subtropical forests, target 300+ species including all Bhutan specialties. This expedition maximizes habitat diversity for the serious lister seeking comprehensive coverage.
Journey Highlights
Multiple habitat zones
High-altitude passes
Subtropical forests
Wetlands and rivers
Tailored Itinerary
1
Day 1: Arrival in Paro | Riverside Birding & Cultural Introduction
Arrive Paro with Himalayan views. Visit National Museum and Rinpung Dzong. Afternoon birding along Paro River for Ibisbill, Brown Dipper, Wallcreeper, River Lapwing, and Water Redstarts. The soft evening light and gentle river ambience make this a serene start to your birding adventure.
Experience Highlights
- Airport arrival with a smooth welcome and Himalayan valley orientation
- Rinpung Dzong exploration for deeper insight into Bhutanese history, symbolism, and living tradition
- National Museum visit for deeper insight into Bhutanese history, symbolism, and living tradition
- Paro River birding with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
Hotel in Paro
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
2
Day 2: Paro to Thimphu via Chele La Pass | High-Altitude Pheasants
Early drive to Chele La Pass (3,988m). Target Kalij Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Blood Pheasant, Himalayan Monal, Laughingthrushes, Grosbeaks, Rosefinches. Stop at Thimphu sewage ponds. This is one of the finest high-altitude birding locations in the western Himalayas, with habitats shifting from lower forest edges to alpine slopes.
Experience Highlights
- Alpine species with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Pheasant searching with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Chele La Pass birding with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Thimphu sewage ponds as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
Hotel in Thimphu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
3
Day 3: Thimphu to Jigme Dorji National Park | Forest Birding
Drive north to Jigme Dorji National Park. Target Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Little Forktail, Himalayan Monal, Great Parrotbill. Hike to Cheri Monastery with chances for Himalayan Goral and Gray Langur. Birding follows forest trails and riverine edges with unhurried time for observation, photography, and listening for calls in mixed habitats.
Experience Highlights
- Stream species with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Wildlife observation with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- National park birding with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Cheri Monastery hike along scenic routes linking culture, nature, and local life
Hotel in Thimphu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
4
Day 4: Thimphu to Punakha | Alpine Passes & Riverine Rarities
Cross Dochula Pass (3,150m) for Fire-tailed Myzornis and alpine species. Explore Royal Botanical Park for Ward's Trogon and Parrotbills. Evening birding at Po Chhu River for White-bellied Heron. Dochula acts as an important transition zone between alpine and subtropical habitats, often rewarding careful scanning across elevations.
Experience Highlights
- White-bellied Heron search with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Dochula Pass birding with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Po Chhu River birding with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Royal Botanical Park as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
Hotel in Punakha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
5
Day 5: Punakha | Full-Day Birding in Jigme Dorji National Park
Full day in Jigme Dorji National Park. Target Yellow-vented Warbler, Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Maroon Oriole, Shrike-babblers, Lesser Shortwing, Blue-fronted Robin, and diverse leaf warblers. Birding follows forest trails and riverine edges with unhurried time for observation, photography, and listening for calls in mixed habitats.
Experience Highlights
- Forest trail birding with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Riverine edge species with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Photography opportunities as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
- Warbler searching with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
Hotel in Punakha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
6
Day 6: Punakha to Darachu | Scenic Rivers & Foothill Diversity
Morning revisit White-bellied Heron site. Drive south to Darachu through Sunkosh region. Target Great Hornbill, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Flameback Woodpecker, Blue-throated Barbet. Morning and evening sessions are prioritized when bird activity is at its peak.
Experience Highlights
- Lowland species with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Darachu camp arrival with a smooth welcome and Himalayan valley orientation
- Sunkosh region birding with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- White-bellied Heron search with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
Camp at Darachu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
7
Day 7: Darachu to Gelephu | Broadleaf Forests & Hornbill Spectacle
Continue south through warm broadleaf forest. Target Beautiful Nuthatch, Scimitar Babblers, Red-headed Trogon, Sultan Tit. Evening hornbill roost spectacle with Oriental Pied and Wreathed Hornbills. Morning and evening sessions are prioritized when bird activity is at its peak.
Experience Highlights
- Lowland specialists as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
- Gelephu arrival with a smooth welcome and Himalayan valley orientation
- Broadleaf forest birding with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Hornbill roost observation with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
Hotel in Gelephu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
8
Day 8: Gelephu to Tingtibi | Subtropical Forests & Rare Hornbills
Early birding for Spotted and Jungle Owlet. Drive to Tingtibi along Mangde Chhu River. Target Rufous-necked Hornbill, Tawny Fish Owl, Red-headed Trogon, Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler, Greater Rufous-headed Parrotbill. As the route descends into subtropical zones, riverine clearings and forest edges support hornbills, trogons, and several conservation-priority species.
Experience Highlights
- Subtropical forest species with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Owlet searching with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Tingtibi arrival with a smooth welcome and Himalayan valley orientation
- River valley birding with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
Camp at Tingtibi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
9
Day 9: Explore Tingtibi | Southern Foothill Birding
Full day on Zhemgang-Tingtibi roads and Gomphu Road. Target Golden Langur, Hornbills, Beautiful Nuthatch, Cutia, Laughingthrushes, Parrotbills, and possibly Pale-headed Woodpecker. These foothill forests and bamboo thickets are among southern Bhutan's most productive areas for rare and localized lowland birds.
Experience Highlights
- Rare species searching with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Bamboo forest habitats to recharge, adapt to altitude, and enjoy the mountain atmosphere
- Zhemgang road birding with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Gomphu Road exploration as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
Camp at Tingtibi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
10
Day 10: Tingtibi to Bumthang | Warm Foothills to Cool Alpine Valleys
Drive to central Bhutan through forests. Target Gray-headed Parrotbill, Trogons, Woodpeckers, Laughingthrushes. Cross Yotongla Pass (3,400m) for alpine species including Eurasian Magpie in Bumthang. The high pass and surrounding alpine slopes are especially valuable for parrotbills, laughingthrushes, and mixed flocks.
Experience Highlights
- Forest valley birding with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Alpine specialists as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
- Bumthang arrival with a smooth welcome and Himalayan valley orientation
- Yotongla Pass species with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
Hotel in Bumthang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
11
Day 11: Bumthang to Sengor | Thrumshingla Pass & Satyr Tragopan
Cross Thrumshingla Pass (3,750m) for Blood Pheasant, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Great Parrotbill. Birding around Sengor, a hotspot for Satyr Tragopan, Wren Babblers, Gold-naped Finch, and Minlas. This high-elevation section is a major hotspot for Satyr Tragopan and other alpine specialists in central Bhutan.
Experience Highlights
- Sengor area exploration as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
- Blood Pheasant searching with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Satyr Tragopan habitat as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
- Thrumshingla Pass birding with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
Lodge in Sengor
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
12
Day 12: Sengor to Yongkola | Subtropical Rainforest & Rare Birds
Full-day birding through subtropical rainforest to Yongkola. Target Mrs Gould's Sunbird, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Bar-winged Wren-Babbler, Gold-naped Finch, and Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler. Yongkola is widely regarded as one of Bhutan's top birding sites, with dense subtropical forest and strong bamboo-specialist diversity.
Experience Highlights
- Stream and trail species with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Photography stops as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
- Yongkola camp arrival with a smooth welcome and Himalayan valley orientation
- Rainforest birding with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
Camp in Yongkola
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
13
Day 13: Yongkola | Subtropical Birding Paradise (Day 1)
First of two days at Yongkola, a premier birding site. Explore Limithang roads for Rufous-headed Parrotbills, Fulvettas, Wren Babblers, Tesias, Trogons, Beautiful Nuthatch, and Hornbills. Yongkola is widely regarded as one of Bhutan's top birding sites, with dense subtropical forest and strong bamboo-specialist diversity.
Experience Highlights
- Parrotbill flocks as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
- Tesia and babbler searching with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Forest canopy species with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Upper Limithang road as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
Camp in Yongkola
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
14
Day 14: Yongkola | Subtropical Birding Paradise (Day 2)
Second full day exploring different altitudinal habitats. Target remaining species: Cutia, Barbets, Warblers, Nuthatches, Minivets, Scimitar Babblers, and various Laughingthrushes. Morning and evening sessions are prioritized when bird activity is at its peak.
Experience Highlights
- Lower Limithang road as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
- Altitude variation birding with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Photography opportunities as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
- Target species completion with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
Camp in Yongkola
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
15
Day 15: Yongkola to Bumthang | Scenic Valleys & Alpine Forests
Return through Sengor and Thrumshing La Pass (3,800m). Target Blood Pheasant, Snow Pigeon, Fire-tailed Sunbird. Continue through beautiful Ura Valley to Bumthang. This high-elevation section is a major hotspot for Satyr Tragopan and other alpine specialists in central Bhutan.
Experience Highlights
- Final Yongkola birding with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Thrumshing La species with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Bumthang arrival with a smooth welcome and Himalayan valley orientation
- Ura Valley passage with wide Himalayan panoramas and changing alpine landscapes
Hotel in Bumthang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
16
Day 16: Bumthang to Phobjikha | Alpine Slopes to Scenic Valley
Morning birding at Yotongla Pass for Great and Fulvous Parrotbill, Blood Pheasant, Laughingthrushes. Continue past Trongsa to Phobjikha Valley with birding stops for Fantails, Vultures, Woodpeckers. The high pass and surrounding alpine slopes are especially valuable for parrotbills, laughingthrushes, and mixed flocks.
Experience Highlights
- Dwarf bamboo specialists as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
- Trongsa transit as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
- Phobjikha arrival with a smooth welcome and Himalayan valley orientation
- Yotongla Pass birding with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
Hotel in Phobjikha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
17
Day 17: Phobjikha to Paro | High-Altitude Passes & Himalayan Avifauna
Drive to Paro with morning birding at Pele La Pass (3,400m). Target Satyr Tragopan, Himalayan Monal, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Rosefinches, Sunbirds, and Darjeeling Woodpecker. Morning coverage on the quieter old road improves chances for pheasants, rosefinches, and other montane specialists before traffic builds.
Experience Highlights
- Alpine specialists as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
- Pheasant and monal searching with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Scenic drive to Paro as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
- Pele La Pass birding with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
Hotel in Paro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
18
Day 18: Paro | Hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest Monastery)
Iconic hike to Tiger's Nest through Blue Pine forests. Birding for Laughingthrushes, Accentors, Woodpeckers, Spotted Nutcracker, Yellow-billed Magpie, and various Tits and Warblers. The trail combines spiritual pilgrimage with excellent forest birding through Blue Pine and mixed conifer habitat.
Experience Highlights
- Monastery visit for deeper insight into Bhutanese history, symbolism, and living tradition
- Panoramic views with wide Himalayan panoramas and changing alpine landscapes
- Forest trail birding with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Tiger's Nest hike (5-7 hours) along scenic routes linking culture, nature, and local life
Hotel in Paro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
19
Day 19: Depart Paro | Farewell Bhutan
Transfer to Paro International Airport. Conclude your comprehensive Birding Hotspots Expedition covering western, central, and southern Bhutan's diverse habitats.
Experience Highlights
- Departure with lasting memories of Bhutan's culture, landscapes, and warm hospitality
- Comfortable transfer to the airport with support for smooth check-in and departure
Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions
- Sustainable Tourism Fee (USD $100 per night)
- All monument, entrance, and park fees
- All transfers and sightseeing
- All meals: Full board (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- Unlimited drinking mineral water
- Accommodation (hotels and lodges)
- Expert birding guide with spotting scopes
- Bird checklists provided
- English-speaking licensed tour guide and driver
- Transportation in comfortable SUV
Exclusions
- Airfare
- Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, spa, telephone, shopping)
- Bank or transaction charges
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips and gratuities for guide and driver
- Personal binoculars and camera equipment
Booking Protocol
Contact us to book this comprehensive birding expedition covering all major hotspots.
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Executive Summary
- Duration
- 19 Days
- Difficulty
- Moderate-Challenging
- Destinations
- Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha, Trongsa, Bumthang, Zhemgang, Tingtibi
- Best Season
- March-May, October-November
Living Traditions
Festivals of Bhutan
Experience vibrant Tshechu festivals featuring sacred mask dances, ancient rituals, and colorful celebrations that have been passed down through centuries.
Download 2026 Festival Dates (PDF)
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