WATCHING CRANES
Trip Overview
This fall birding tour coincides with the Black-necked Crane festival in Phobjekha valley, Phojekha valley (3000m) with 162sq km area is Bhutan’s largest wetland making it the most favored wintering habitat of the Black-necked Crane in the country. The arrival of cranes in this valley also signals the end of harvesting season and the time for the local communities in Phobjekha to move towards lower altitudes where it is warmer.
The Black-necked Crane commonly known as “ thrung thrung karm” has a sacred identity in Bhutanese culture and is often cited in folklore, dance, and other historical texts. The crane festival annually organized by the local communities in Phobjekha reinforces the importance of cranes in the lives of local people. Historically it is referred to as the heavenly birds because of their beauty and elegance and symbolism of longevity. All in all, we will show you 250 – 270 birds and 10 – 15 species of mammals such as three species of langurs, including the nearly endemic Golden Langur. Himalayan Giant Squirrel, Yellow-throated Marten, and Himalayan Goral,
Other highlights include a visit to Bhutan’s most scenic icon and a most important destination for pilgrimages Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest), the most beautiful and impressive Punakha Dzong, and attending the Crane Festival with the local community of Phobjekha
The Black-necked Crane commonly known as “ thrung thrung karm” has a sacred identity in Bhutanese culture and is often cited in folklore, dance, and other historical texts. The crane festival annually organized by the local communities in Phobjekha reinforces the importance of cranes in the lives of local people. Historically it is referred to as the heavenly birds because of their beauty and elegance and symbolism of longevity. All in all, we will show you 250 – 270 birds and 10 – 15 species of mammals such as three species of langurs, including the nearly endemic Golden Langur. Himalayan Giant Squirrel, Yellow-throated Marten, and Himalayan Goral,
Other highlights include a visit to Bhutan’s most scenic icon and a most important destination for pilgrimages Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest), the most beautiful and impressive Punakha Dzong, and attending the Crane Festival with the local community of Phobjekha
Experts on this Trip
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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
Trip Gallery
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.
Inclusion
Review
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
This collection features 163 recordings capturing the diverse and enchanting bird songs of Bhutan’s rich natural landscapes.
