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9 Days
Wings of the Himalayas
Western Bhutan birding journey
Duration
9 Days
Difficulty
Easy-Moderate
Destinations
Paro, Chelela Pass, Dochula, Punakha, Thimphu
Best Time
March-May, October-November
Overview
Western Bhutan birding journey covering prime habitats from subtropical river valleys to alpine passes reaching 3,988 meters at Chelela. Target 200+ species including Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, critically endangered White-bellied Heron, and the elusive Ward's Trogon in rhododendron forests. Perfect introduction combining excellent birding with Bhutan's iconic cultural sites.
Journey Highlights
Paro Valley birding
Chelela Pass (3,988m) - highest motorable pass
Dochula Pass birding
Punakha and Mo Chhu valley
Mixed temperate forests
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 targeting 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 and welcome with a smooth welcome and Himalayan valley orientation
- Paro Rinpung Dzong exploration for deeper insight into Bhutanese history, symbolism, and living tradition
- Paro River birding session with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- National Museum (Ta Dzong) visit for deeper insight into Bhutanese history, symbolism, and living tradition
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), Bhutan's highest motorable pass. Target Kalij Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Blood Pheasant, and Himalayan Monal. Stop at Thimphu sewage ponds for Solitary Snipe and Black-tailed Crake. 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 observation with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- High-altitude pheasant searching with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Thimphu sewage pond birding with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Chele La Pass birding with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
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. Picnic lunch at Cheri Monastery base, then hike to 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 and forest edge species with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Wildlife observation with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Forest birding in national park 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) with panoramic Himalayan views. Explore Royal Botanical Park for Ward's Trogon, Parrotbills, and possibly Red Panda. Evening birding along Po Chhu River for critically endangered White-bellied Heron and Pallas's Fish Eagle. Dochula acts as an important transition zone between alpine and subtropical habitats, often rewarding careful scanning across elevations.
Experience Highlights
- Royal Botanical Park exploration as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
- 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
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 targeting Yellow-vented Warbler, Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Maroon Oriole, various Shrike-babblers, Lesser Shortwing, Blue-fronted Robin, and diverse leaf warblers. Also winter habitat for Takin. 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 exploration with serene waterside scenery and excellent photo opportunities
- Photography opportunities as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
- Warbler and babbler searching with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
Hotel in Punakha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
6
Day 6: Punakha to Phobjikha Valley | Montane Specialists
Drive to Phobjikha Valley through warm and cool broadleaf forests. Target Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Himalayan Cutia, Ward's Trogon, Bhutan Laughingthrush. Cross Lawa La Pass with dwarf bamboo habitat for Parrotbills and Laughingthrushes. The vegetation transition into dwarf bamboo and subalpine scrub creates ideal habitat for parrotbills and laughingthrushes.
Experience Highlights
- Montane specialist searching with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Broadleaf forest birding with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Valley arrival birding with a smooth welcome and Himalayan valley orientation
- Lawa La Pass species with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
Hotel in Phobjikha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
7
Day 7: Phobjikha to Paro | High-Altitude Birding at Pele La Pass
Morning birding at Pele La Pass (3,400m) on the quiet old road. Target Satyr Tragopan, Himalayan Monal, Fire-tailed Myzornis, various Rosefinches and Sunbirds. Continue scenic drive back to Paro Valley. Morning coverage on the quieter old road improves chances for pheasants, rosefinches, and other montane specialists before traffic builds.
Experience Highlights
- Alpine specialist observation with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Pheasant and monal searching with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Pele La Pass birding with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Scenic drive to Paro as a richer guest experience with context, story, and place
Hotel in Paro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
8
Day 8: Paro | Tiger's Nest Hike & Forest Birding
Hike to iconic Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest) through Blue Pine forests. Birding along trail for Laughingthrushes, Accentors, Woodpeckers, Spotted Nutcracker, and Sunbirds. Spiritual and natural highlights combined. The trail combines spiritual pilgrimage with excellent forest birding through Blue Pine and mixed conifer habitat.
Experience Highlights
- Alpine species observation with focused spotting across river, forest, and ridge habitats
- Monastery visit for deeper insight into Bhutanese history, symbolism, and living tradition
- 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
9
Day 9: Departure from Paro | Farewell Bhutan
Transfer to Paro International Airport for departure. End of an unforgettable birding journey through Western Bhutan's pristine forests and alpine habitats.
Experience Highlights
- Comfortable transfer to the airport with support for smooth check-in and departure
- Departure with lasting memories of Bhutan's culture, landscapes, and warm hospitality
Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions
- Sustainable Tourism Fee (USD $100 per night)
- All monument and entrance fees
- All transfers and sightseeing
- All meals: Full board (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- Unlimited drinking mineral water
- Accommodation (3-star standard, upgrades available)
- 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 birding tour. Best scheduled during spring (March-May) or autumn (October-November) migration seasons.
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Executive Summary
- Duration
- 9 Days
- Difficulty
- Easy-Moderate
- Destinations
- Paro, Chelela Pass, Dochula, Punakha, Thimphu
- 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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