Skip to main content

BIRDING TOUR BHUTAN

Chirping in the clouds

14 DAYS

FROM $ 5,140

AVAILABILITY

Space Available

GROUP SIZE

Maximum 8 PAX

ACTIVITY LEVEL

Moderate

DEPARTURE

6-19 Jun, 2025
HIMALAYAN CUTIA

Trip Overview

Most of the birding tours in Bhutan take place during the peak season months from March through May. While this is the best time to visit Bhutan on a bird-watching tour where we provide you with the best of our services and take you to the best sites without any interference.

We want our fellow bird watchers to have the best experience making the most out of the trip at affordable rates. Therefore, aside from our peak seasonal packages, we also encourage you to take advantage of our lean seasonal tour packages that do not compromise the quality and the experience of the trip.

We have led extensive research and survey during the lean season from June through August and from December through February. From our research and survey from our own bird-watching excursions, we found that the first two-week of June was very productive and proved that majority of the bird species can still be located.

Our birding in June tour was offered for the first time in the year 2015 and had great success, then we were fortunate to run this tour every year both as a private and group tour.

On this tour apart from most of the species you see during the peak season such as four species of Pheasants, Ibisbill, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Ward Trogon, and Beautiful Nuthatch, we have a further good chance of seeing the summer visitor like Flycatchers and Cuckoos.

Experts on this Trip

Tshering Dorji

After graduating from high school, Tshering Dorji traveled in and around Bhutan as far as the countries wideness go. Exploring and studying birds in particular and nature in general.

Join Tshering on other trips


Itinerary

Day 1:Arrive Paro – transfer Thimphu
On your arrival at the Paro international airport, our representative will receive you. Drive to Thimphu the capital city of Bhutan (2hrs) drive. Evening birding around sewage pond and Wang Chu in Thimphu. (Overnight: Thimphu)
Day 2: Thimphu – Dochula – Punakha
Early morning drive to Punakha over the Dochula Pass (3150). En route to Punakha stop at Lamperi Botanical. Afternoon: Visit Punakha Dzong, one of the most beautiful Dzong in the country. (Overnight: Punakha)
Day 3: 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 4: Punakha – Nobding – Phobjekha
Early morning you’ll wind up your way to the Phobjekha Valley. En route, we’ll spend a couple of hours birding the entire stretch of Nobding and continue our journey to Phobjekha. (Overnight: Phobjekha)
Day 5: Phobjekha – Pelela – Bumthang
we’ll spend our morning hours birding along the Pelela pass (3400) old road. Continue your drive to Bumthang with some birding stop along the way: (Overnight: Bumthang)
Day 6: Bumthang – Phrumshingla – Sengor
we drive from Bumthang to Sengor going over Phrumshingla (3800m). Later in the evening, we will be birding around Sengor. (Overnight: Sengor)
Day 7: Sengor – Namling – Yongkala
In the morning, 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 8-9: 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 10: Yongkala – Trongsa
we will be re-tracing our way back. So basically we will be looking and listening to the flocks. Overnight: Trongsa
Day 11: Trongsa – Paro
Drive should take us about 6hrs. Re-tracing journey back; we will stop whenever we run into the flocks. Overnight: Paro
Day 12: Chelela Birding
Very early in the morning, drive to the cool and stunning alpine meadow of Chelila pass (3890m). Drive back to Paro for lunch. Afternoon free time to stroll around Paro town
Day 13: Paro
Paro – Excursion to Taktshang Monastery: In the early morning before breakfast we visit the local sewage pond and along the Wang Chu, back to the hotel for breakfast, then Take two hrs. drives to the parking lot at the base of the Tiger’s Nest monastery, from here you can hike to one of the most beautiful and holiest temples in Bhutan. (Overnight: Paro)

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.
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
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.

Generally, the weather should be mostly fine and sunny during the daytime with temperatures varying from 5-25°C but it can get quite cold and chilly at night and during early morning game drives it can feel bitterly cold until the rising sun warms things up. Please be prepared as it could be cold at night and lodges are not centrally heated.

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.

Review

Henk ter Borg and Barbara Knigh – Netherland

We went with “Off to Bhutan” (Bhutan Birding) to see the birds, and cultural sights, and trek in Bhutan. They are an A+ company! The owner, Mr. Norbu, worked with us to meticulously plan our 12-day trip. The company is locally owned & uses certified, local birds, cultural guides, & drivers. The driver’s skills are as important as the guide’s – given Bhutan’s sometimes challenging roads. The costs were exactly as stated. The tour was planned to give us the maximum number of days to acclimate to the altitude, before doing our trek.

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.