Welcome to Bhutan! Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, our representative will greet you and assist with your transfer to the hotel. After some rest and refreshments, kick off your Bhutan birdwatching tour with an introductory birding session in the beautiful Paro Valley. The area around the Paro River is one of Bhutan’s most reliable sites to spot the highly sought-after Ibisbill,

Overnight: Paro.

Start your day early with a scenic drive to Chele La Pass, known for its stunning alpine meadows and panoramic Himalayan views. This high-altitude birding hotspot is rich in biodiversity, offering excellent chances to spot Himalayan pheasants, wintering Redstarts, Rosefinches, Thrushes, and Accentors. The cool mountain climate and pristine surroundings make this a highlight of any Bhutan birding tour.

Overnight: Paro.

After breakfast, board a memorable hike to the legendary Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Taktsang), one of Bhutan’s most iconic and spiritually significant sites. This sacred monastery has been a revered pilgrimage destination for over 1,200 years.

The approximately 4-hour round-trip hike takes you through pine forests and scenic viewpoints, with a refreshing stop at a tea house offering breathtaking views of the monastery. After descending, drive to Thimphu, Bhutan’s charming capital city.

Overnight: Thimphu.

Start the day with an early departure for Punakha, ascending to the scenic Dochula Pass. Begin your morning birdwatching session around the pass, where cool temperate forests are. After breakfast at Dochula, continue birding as we descend to Lamperi Botanical Garden excellent birding trails.

In the afternoon, visit the iconic Punakha Dzong, beautifully located at the confluence of the Pho and Mo Chhu rivers.

Key Bird Species: Spotted Laughingthrush, Black-faced Laughingthrush, Great Parrotbill, and a variety of Yuhinas and Tits.

Overnight: Punakha

Today is dedicated to exploring the rich, broadleaf forests of Jigme Dorji National Park, a top birding site in Bhutan. Key species include all three Forktails, Little, Slaty-backed, and Spotted, as well as Chestnut-headed Tesia, Bay Woodpecker, Great and Lesser Yellownapes, alongside colorful Fulvettas, Minlas, and Tits.

Overnight: Punakha

Travel through Bhutan’s mid-elevation temperate forests with birding stops along the way. Key species include Ward’s Trogon, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Wallcreeper, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Minivets, Warblers, and Fulvettas.

Overnight: Phobjikha

We begin with an early departure for Pelela Pass, birding along an old abandoned road that winds through alpine meadows and rhododendron forests, ideal habitats for wintering high-altitude Himalayan species. After the morning birding session, we continue our journey to Trongsa.

Target Species: Himalayan Monal, Black-faced and Spotted Laughingthrushes, White-browed and Dark-rumped Rosefinches, White-browed Fulvetta, Chestnut-tailed and Red-tailed Minlas.

Overnight: Trongsa

Our journey today takes us southward from Trongsa, gradually descending through diverse ecological zones rich in birdlife. Along the way, we’ll explore prime birding areas known for species such as the Crested Bunting, various Barbets, and the eye-catching Blue-bearded Bee-eater. The route also offers opportunities to observe several Woodpecker species, colorful Minivets, and possibly raptors like the Black Eagle and Mountain Hawk-Eagle.

Overnight: Tingtibi

Explore the rich birdlife along the Tingtibi–Dakphel–Gomphu road over two days. Key species include Great and Rufous-necked Hornbills, Pale-billed Parrotbill, Laughingthrushes, and, with luck, rare species like the White-bellied Heron and Beautiful Nuthatch.

Overnight: Tingtibi

Today will primarily be a transit day with some driving involved as we journey from Tingtibe to Bumthang via Trongsa. However, we will make regular stops en route to explore birding opportunities and search for any missed or remarkable species along the way.

Overnight: Bumthang

Today, we continue our journey eastward, crossing Phrumshingla Pass, the second-highest pass on your trip. Along the way, we will make several stops to search for high-altitude specialties.

Key target species include the Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Himalayan Monal, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Great and Fulvous Parrotbills, as well as a different selection of Tits and Bush Robins, among others.

Overnight: Yongkala

We will spend two full days birding along the Yongkala–Namling–Limithang stretch, one of Bhutan’s premier birding regions. This area is renowned for its rich biodiversity and offers excellent opportunities to observe a wide range of sought-after species.

Key targets include the rare and striking Beautiful Nuthatch, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Ward’s Trogon, and Red-headed Trogon. We’ll also look for various species of Parrotbills, Fulvettas, Wren-Babblers, Babblers, and Laughingthrushes. Optional night birding can be arranged in search of nocturnal species.

Overnight: Yongkala

After a morning birding session in the rich habitats around Yongkala, we will continue our journey eastward toward Trashigang. En route, we’ll make birding stops at key locations, including the Korila Pass, to explore highland avifauna

Species of interest may include various Finches, Thrushes, Prinias, and a variety of other forest and scrubland birds.

Overnight: Trashigang

Traveling south from Trashigang, we bird through lush subtropical forests in search of lowland species like Ward’s Trogon, Beautiful Nuthatch, Scarlet Finch, and Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler.

Overnight: Samdrup Jongkhar

Spend the day birding near Samdrup Jongkhar and Dewathang, with chances to see hornbills, broadbills, leafbirds, and the rare Blyth’s Kingfisher.

Overnight: Samdrup Jongkhar

After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to Guwahati Airport. The drive takes approximately three hours, passing through the plains of India.