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20 Days
Grand Bhutan Birding Expedition
Complete birding circuit west to east
Duration
20 Days
Difficulty
Challenging
Destinations
Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha, Trongsa, Bumthang, Mongar, Trashigang, Samdrup Jongkhar
Best Time
March-May, October-November
Overview
The ultimate Bhutan birding experience: a complete west-to-east traverse covering every major birding zone in the kingdom. Target 350+ species including all Bhutan endemics and regional specialties from the alpine meadows of Chelela to the subtropical forests of eastern Bhutan. Exit via Samdrup Jongkhar for final lowland species unavailable elsewhere, completing the most comprehensive birding circuit possible.
Journey Highlights
Complete east-west traverse
All habitat types
Maximum species diversity
Remote birding locations
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 | Tiger's Nest Hike & Forest Birding
Iconic hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery through Blue Pine forests. Birding for Laughingthrushes, Accentors, Woodpeckers, Spotted Nutcracker. Spiritual and natural highlights combined. The trail combines spiritual pilgrimage with excellent forest birding through Blue Pine and mixed conifer habitat.
Experience Highlights
- Panoramic valley views with wide Himalayan panoramas and changing alpine landscapes
- Forest trail birding with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Monastery visit for deeper insight into Bhutanese history, symbolism, and living tradition
- Tiger's Nest hike (5-7 hours) along scenic routes linking culture, nature, and local life
Hotel in Paro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
3
Day 3: Paro to Thimphu via Chele La Pass | High-Altitude Pheasants
Full day at 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
4
Day 4: 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
5
Day 5: 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
6
Day 6: 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
7
Day 7: Punakha to Phobjikha Valley | Montane Specialists
Drive to Phobjikha through broadleaf forests. Target Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Himalayan Cutia, Ward's Trogon, Bhutan Laughingthrush. Cross Lawa La Pass with dwarf bamboo habitat for Parrotbills. The vegetation transition into dwarf bamboo and subalpine scrub creates ideal habitat for parrotbills and laughingthrushes.
Experience Highlights
- Montane specialists as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
- Valley arrival with a smooth welcome and Himalayan valley orientation
- Broadleaf forest birding with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Lawa La Pass species with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
Hotel in Phobjikha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
8
Day 8: Phobjikha to Trongsa | High-Altitude Meadows to Woodlands
Birding at Pele La Pass (3,400m) for Satyr Tragopan, Himalayan Monal, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Rosefinches. Descend to Trongsa with mixed forest species en route. Morning coverage on the quieter old road improves chances for pheasants, rosefinches, and other montane specialists before traffic builds.
Experience Highlights
- Pheasant and monal searching with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Trongsa arrival with a smooth welcome and Himalayan valley orientation
- Pele La Pass birding with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Mixed forest species with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
Hotel in Trongsa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
9
Day 9: Trongsa to Tingtibi | Cloud Forests to Subtropical Zones
Journey along Mangde Chhu River to Tingtibi. Target Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, Hornbills, Trogons, Beautiful Nuthatch, Rufous-headed Parrotbills, and White-bellied Heron. Chance for Golden Langur. As the route descends into subtropical zones, riverine clearings and forest edges support hornbills, trogons, and several conservation-priority species.
Experience Highlights
- Subtropical forest birding with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Hornbill searching with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Mammal observation with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- River valley descent along scenic routes linking culture, nature, and local life
Lodge in Tingtibi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
10
Day 10: 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
Lodge in Tingtibi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
11
Day 11: 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 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
12
Day 12: Explore Bumthang | Temperate Highlands & Endemic Species
Morning drive to Tharpaling Monastery through Blue Pine forests. Target Satyr Tragopan, Himalayan Monal, Beautiful Rosefinch, Snow Pigeon. Optional evening cultural site visits. Morning and evening sessions are prioritized when bird activity is at its peak.
Experience Highlights
- Tharpaling road birding with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Pheasant and monal searching with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Monastery surroundings for deeper insight into Bhutanese history, symbolism, and living tradition
- Cultural sites (optional) as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
Hotel in Bumthang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
13
Day 13: 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. 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
14
Day 14: Sengor to Yongkola | Subtropical Rainforest & Rare Birds
Full-day birding through subtropical rainforest. Target Mrs Gould's Sunbird, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Bar-winged Wren-Babbler, Gold-naped Finch, and Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler. Morning and evening sessions are prioritized when bird activity is at its peak.
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
15
Day 15: 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
16
Day 16: 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
17
Day 17: Yongkala to Trashigang | Semi-Tropical to Chirpine Habitats
Journey eastward through diverse forest habitats. Target Slender-billed Oriole at lower elevations. Stop at Korila Pass for highland species. Explore logging road for Ward's Trogon and Hornbills. The eastward route adds additional broadleaf and subtropical canopy habitats, helping complete a fuller national species profile.
Experience Highlights
- Eastern Bhutan transit as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
- Trashigang arrival with a smooth welcome and Himalayan valley orientation
- Korila Pass birding with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Logging road exploration as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
Hotel in Trashigang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
18
Day 18: Trashigang to Morong | Scenic East Bhutan Drive
Drive through lush forests toward Morong. Target Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Thrushes, Nuthatches, Drongos, Scimitar Babblers, Minivets, and Hornbills along forested ridges and valleys. The eastward route adds additional broadleaf and subtropical canopy habitats, helping complete a fuller national species profile.
Experience Highlights
- Eastern forest birding with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Roadside species with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- River valley habitats with serene waterside scenery and excellent photo opportunities
- Morong camp arrival with a smooth welcome and Himalayan valley orientation
Camp in Morong
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
19
Day 19: Morong to Samdrup Jongkhar | Dense Canopy & Foothill Birding
Key stop for Beautiful Nuthatch along with Himalayan Cutia, Blyth's Shrike-Babbler, Leafbirds, Hornbills. Descend to subtropical foothills for Wreathed and Oriental Pied Hornbills, Pied Falconet, Asian Paradise Flycatcher. Morning and evening sessions are prioritized when bird activity is at its peak.
Experience Highlights
- Dense canopy birding with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Samdrup Jongkhar arrival with a smooth welcome and Himalayan valley orientation
- Subtropical foothill species with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Beautiful Nuthatch site as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
Hotel in Samdrup Jongkhar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
20
Day 20: Samdrup Jongkhar to Guwahati, India | Farewell Bhutan
Drive to Guwahati, India for departure. Final chance for forest edge species. Conclude your Grand Bhutan Birding Expedition covering western, central, southern, and eastern Bhutan.
Experience Highlights
- Border crossing as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
- Guwahati airport transfer with a smooth welcome and Himalayan valley orientation
- Final birding opportunities with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Departure with lasting memories of Bhutan's culture, landscapes, and warm hospitality
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 grand birding expedition. This is our most comprehensive birding tour.
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Executive Summary
- Duration
- 20 Days
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Destinations
- Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha, Trongsa, Bumthang, Mongar, Trashigang, Samdrup Jongkhar
- 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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