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Black-necked Crane Festival

18DAYS

FROM $ 5,590

AVAILABILITY

Space Available

GROUP SIZE

Maximum 8 PAX

ACTIVITY LEVEL

Moderate
Tooltip Icon These tours involve a mix of walking, nature exploration, and moderate hiking. Ideal for travelers who enjoy birding in diverse habitats or want a more immersive Bhutanese experience.

DEPARTURE

7–24 Nov, 2025
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WATCHING CRANES

From $ 5,590

Per Person Twin Bed /Double Room

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Trip Overview

Join us this fall for a remarkable birding tour in Bhutan that coincides with the Black-necked Crane Festival held annually in the stunning Phobjekha Valley. Situated at 3,000 meters above sea level and spanning 162 sq. km, Phobjekha is Bhutan’s largest wetland and the country’s most important wintering ground for the endangered Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis).

Known locally as Thrung Thrung Karm, the Black-necked Crane holds deep spiritual and cultural significance in Bhutan. These majestic birds are celebrated in folklore, traditional dances, and sacred texts, symbolizing peace, longevity, and grace. The arrival of the cranes each year marks the end of the harvest season and signals a seasonal migration for local communities to warmer lowland areas. The Crane Festival organized by the people of Phobjekha honors this unique bond between nature and culture, offering visitors a rare glimpse into Bhutanese traditions and conservation efforts.

On this tour, you will have the opportunity to observe 270–300 species of birds, including iconic Himalayan and Eastern Himalayan endemics. In addition to the rich birdlife, the journey includes sightings of 10–15 mammal species, such as the endangered Golden Langur, Himalayan Giant Squirrel, Yellow-throated Marten, and Himalayan Goral.

Tour Highlights:

  • Witness the Black-necked Crane Festival in Phobjekha Valley
  • Visit the iconic Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest), Bhutan’s most revered pilgrimage site
  • Explore the magnificent Punakha Dzong, known for its exquisite architecture and historical significance
  • Enjoy birding across Bhutan’s diverse habitats—from alpine passes to temperate forests and river valleys

Please Note: The itinerary on our website provides only a general overview of the tour. If you are interested in joining or would like a detailed itinerary, kindly click on Request Detailed Itinerary or contact us directly.

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Experts on this Trip

Sherab Dorji

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Upon completing his high school education, Sherab Dorji was chosen to join the Bhutan Olympic Committee as an archer, which allowed him to travel to various countries and represent Bhutan in regional and international archery competitions. Through these experiences, he gained a profound understanding of different cultures.

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Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Paro
Arrive, Paro, meet our representative. Transfer to the hotel. Afternoon visits to the historic Paro Rimpung Dzong (fortress) and the late afternoon birding along the Paro Chu (River): (Overnight: Paro)
Day 2: Paro – Chelila – Local Sightseeing
Very early in the morning, drive to the cool and stunning alpine meadow of Chelila pass (3890m). Drive back to Paro for lunch. After lunch local sightseeing and birding along the Paro Chu (River). Evening visit a typical Bhutanese farmhouse to experience the local hospitality. (Overnight: Paro)
Day 3: Paro – Tiger’s Nest – Thimphu
After the breakfast hike Takshang (or the “Tiger’s Nest”) clings to the side of a steep cliff some 200 meters above the Paro valley. Evening drive to Thimphu. (Overnight: Thimphu)
Day 4: Thimphu – Punakha
Early morning drive to Punakha over the Dochula Pass (3150). Birding in the Lamperi Botanical Gardens. Drive to Punakha with lunch en route and a visit to the Dzong in the late afternoon. (Overnight: Punakha
Day 5: Punakha – Jigme Dorji National Park
we will spend morning birding inside the Jigme Dorji National Park along Mochu Chu River. Afternoon birding along the Pho Chu River and Punatshangchu River. (Overnight: Punakha)
Day 6: Punakha – Phobjikha
Early morning, start driving to the Gangtey Gompa (monastery) to attend the crane festival. After lunch we’ll hike through the Nature trail. (Overnight: Phobjekha)
Day 7: Phobjikha – Trongsa
After early breakfast, we’ll drive to the Pelela pass (4000) and spend the morning hours birding along the old road at Pelela. Continue on to Trongsa. Afternoon: Visit the impressive Trongsa Dzong. This Dzong is the ancestral home for the Royal family of Bhutan
Day 8: Trongsa – Tingitbe
Today on our drive to Zhemgang, with lots of stops at several-forested valleys en route. This is also our best chance for the Golden Langur, a rare monkey near endemic to Bhutan and only discovered in the 1950s. (Overnight: Tingitbe)
Day 9: Tingtibe – Dakphel – Gomphu Road
We’ll explore the entire stretch of Dakphel – Tingtibe road in the morning. Later in the afternoon, we’ll explore the Gomphu road, the road that leads to the Manas National Park. (Overnight: Tingtibe)
Day 10: Zhemgang – Bumthang
After our final morning birding in this wonderful habitat we wind up our way to Bumthang, Basically it is transit day and a fairly long drive, we’ll reach to the Bumthang valley. (Overnight: Bumthang)
Day 11: Bumthang – Sengor
we drive from Bumthang to Sengor going over Phrumshingla (3800m). Later in the evening, we will be birding around Sengor. (Overnight: Sengor)
Day 12: Sengor – Namling – Yongkala
In the morning before we hit our road to Yongkala, we’ll bird around Sengor and Phrumshingla area. Then we will wind up our way to Yongkala en route birding along the forest of Namling and Yongkala. (Overnight: Yongkala)
Day 13 – 14: Yongkala – Namling – Limithang Road
We’ll spend two entire day birding Namling, upper and lower Limithang road, one of the finest birding areas in the Himalayas: (Overnight: Yongkala)
Day 15: Yongkala – Trashigang
We head toward Trashigang en route birding stop at Kori La, then continue drive to Trashigang. (Overnight: Trashigang)
Day 16: Trashigang – Morong – Samdrup Jongkhar
After early breakfast in the hotel we head toward Samdrup Jongkhar. Later in the afternoon we’ll be heading to a lower elevation than we have been able to visit so far on the trip. We’ll target the varieties of Low elevation specialties. (Overnight: Samdrup Jongkhar)
Day 17: Samdrup Jongkhar – Dewathang – Morong
We will spend the morning exploring the foothills surrounding Samdrup Jongkhar. After lunch we will head further north towards through the forested foothills towards the Morong. The remainder of the afternoon will be spent birding a stretch of mossy, mid-altitude broad-leaved forest. Evening return back to Samdrup Jongkhar. (Overnight: SamdrupJongkhar)
Day 18: Departure (Guwahati)
Samdrup Jongkhar – Guwahati: Today you journey take you through the Indian plain of Assam to Guwahati airport to catch your flight back home

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What to Expect

Led by expert guides, you’ll visit prime birding spots while enjoying the country’s serene natural beauty, rich biodiversity, and unspoiled wilderness. Expect immersive days filled with rare bird sightings and breathtaking scenery.
This birding tour will be on selected sites that do not pose any threats such as steep slopes. During these trips, you should expect yourself to walk at least 6-7 kilometers on average per day
Like elsewhere, the best time for watching birds is in the morning. You can expect an early start in the morning most of the time. However, a couple of very early mornings are required to look for high elevation dwelling Pheasant that comes out to the roadside early in the morning.
Accommodation on this tour is generally simple but comfortable. The hotels are generally spacious, clean and comfortable, built-in westernized Bhutanese style, and all rooms have private facilities. However, due to the limited availability of good lodges and hotels in some remote part of the country, you will spend a couple of nights in basic hotels or tented camp.

Inclusion

What is Included?

  • All internal taxes and charges (SDF)
  • Accommodation on twin sharing basis
  • All meals, tea, snack, and bottled water
  • All travel with a licensed local birding guide
  • All surface transfers by a private vehicle
  • Camping equipment and haulage for camping and trekking tours
  • All entry fees to monuments, Museum and National Parks
  • Bhutan Visa Fee

What is not Included?

  • Optional tours/excursions, personal & incidental expenses.
  • Tips, laundry, phone calls, and bars.
  • International and domestic airfare, and insurance.

Testimonials 2025

see what our guests have to say
5.0
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23 Reviews
Read heartfelt testimonials from our satisfied guests, sharing their unforgettable experiences, exceptional service, and cherished memories of their journey.
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Surreal

Mr Norbu is well versed , very patient and takes pains to ensure you have a good bird watching experience.
Easwar S, Singapore – Dec 2024 • Solo

A memorable trip….so much to experience.

We were well looked after, and the guides were unbelievably good at identifying the many birds, both by sight and sound.
George C, Bristol, UK – May 2024 • Friends

Fantastic 3 week small group birding tour in Bhutan

The trip was well organised, with plenty of information given in advance, including a zoom meeting with Norbu the group leader.
sue s – May 2024 • Friends

Top class bird watching tour of Bhutan

The entire trip was a delight. We travelled extensively around the country with excellent accommodation, meals and transport, all of which were organised by Wild Nature Quest.
Paul R, Skipton, UK – May 2024 • Friends

    Trip Extension

    Enhance your trip with an extension to eastern Nepal to spot the elusive Red Panda or visit Kaziranga National Park in Assam, home to one-horned rhinos, tigers, elephants, and vibrant birdlife.

    Contact us for itineraries and pricing!

    Bhutan’s Bird Songs

    Symphony of Bhutan’s Birds

    Bhutan Birdsong Collection
    This collection features 163 recordings capturing the diverse and enchanting bird songs of Bhutan’s rich natural landscapes.

    Norbu

    With the help of his birding friend Tom Stephenson, co author of The Warbler Guide, I have done extensive recording in Bhutan and has a very large library of local songs.
    View Bird Sounds