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13 Days 12 Nights
Daily Tour
Unlimited
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Bhutan is one of the finest birding destinations in the Eastern Himalayas, blessed with rich forests, deep river valleys, high mountain passes, wetlands, and protected natural habitats. From subtropical foothills to alpine regions, the country offers exceptional opportunities to observe a wide variety of Himalayan bird species in peaceful and scenic surroundings.
This 13-day Birding in Bhutan tour is designed for nature lovers, birdwatchers, photographers, and travelers who wish to explore Bhutan beyond the usual cultural route. The journey takes you through some of the country’s most rewarding birding areas, including Thimphu, Punakha, Trongsa, Zhemgang, Tingtibi, Phobjikha Valley, and Paro.
Along the way, you may encounter remarkable species such as the Black-necked Crane, White-bellied Heron, Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, hornbills, trogons, laughingthrushes, woodpeckers, yuhinas, minivets, babblers, and many other forest and mountain birds. The tour also includes beautiful drives, short walks, cultural sightseeing, visits to monasteries and dzongs, and the famous hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
With Happy Trips, your birding journey is carefully planned with experienced local guides, comfortable transport, selected accommodations, and flexible stops along the route. Whether you are a serious birder or simply a nature enthusiast, this tour offers a memorable way to experience Bhutan’s wildlife, landscapes, and culture.
Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be welcomed by the Happy Trips team. If the weather is clear, your flight into Bhutan offers breathtaking views of the Himalayan mountain ranges, including sacred peaks such as Mt. Jomolhari and Jichu Drake.
After completing arrival formalities, begin your scenic drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The journey takes about one hour and follows the beautiful Paro and Thimphu river valleys.
On the way, you may stop at Tachogang Lhakhang Bridge, associated with the great bridge builder Thangtong Gyalpo, and at Chuzom, the confluence of the Paro and Thimphu rivers. After reaching Thimphu, enjoy a relaxed walk around town or visit the local market, depending on your arrival time.
Overnight stay in Thimphu.
After breakfast, drive towards the northern side of Thimphu Valley for your first birding experience. The forested areas around Dodena and nearby valleys are good places to look for species such as Laughingthrushes, Brown Dipper, Fire-capped Tit, White-collared Blackbird, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, and other Himalayan forest birds.
After the morning birding session, return to Thimphu for lunch. In the afternoon, visit some of the capital’s important cultural sites, which may include Buddha Dordenma, the Takin Preserve, the Traditional Handmade Paper Factory, the Institute for Zorig Chusum, and the local farmers’ market.
Overnight stay in Thimphu.
Today, drive from Thimphu to Punakha across Dochula Pass, located at about 3,100 meters. On a clear day, the pass offers beautiful views of the snow-capped Himalayan range.
The forests around Dochula are rich in birdlife. During short stops along the route, you may look for species such as Satyr Tragopan, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Fire-tailed Myzornis, shrike-babblers, bush robins, and other high-altitude birds.
Continue descending into the warmer Punakha Valley. After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong, one of the most beautiful and historically important fortresses in Bhutan, located at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers.
Overnight stay in Punakha.
Spend the day exploring the birding areas around Punakha and nearby forested valleys. Depending on conditions, you may drive towards Tashithang and areas near Jigme Dorji National Park.
This region offers excellent chances to spot species such as Red-headed Trogon, Small Niltava, Black-chinned Yuhina, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Slaty-bellied Tesia, wren-babblers, woodpeckers, laughingthrushes, and other subtropical and warm broadleaf forest birds.
If conditions are favorable, there may also be a chance to look for the rare White-bellied Heron along suitable river habitats.
Overnight stay in Punakha.
After breakfast, begin the journey towards Trongsa in central Bhutan. The drive passes through changing vegetation zones, from warm valleys to cool forests of rhododendron, dwarf bamboo, fir, oak, and hemlock.
Along the way, there will be birding stops at suitable places. The areas around Pele La Pass and nearby old road sections may offer opportunities to see high-altitude species, including possible sightings of Ward’s Trogon, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, laughingthrushes, and other mountain birds.
Continue to Trongsa, one of Bhutan’s most historic towns. In the afternoon, visit Trongsa Dzong, an impressive fortress with deep importance in Bhutanese history, or enjoy a short walk through the town.
Overnight stay in Trongsa.
Today’s route from Trongsa to Zhemgang is one of the rewarding birding stretches of the tour. The road passes through forests, valleys, and varied habitats that are home to many bird species.
During the journey, you may look for Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler, White-browed Scimitar Babbler, Grey-bellied Tesia, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Common Green Magpie, Rufous Woodpecker, Long-tailed Shrike, Crested Bunting, and other forest birds.
This region is also known for the Golden Langur, one of Bhutan’s special wildlife species, so keep your eyes open along the forested slopes.
Overnight stay in Zhemgang.
This day is dedicated to birding along the Zhemgang–Tingtibi road, one of Bhutan’s well-known birding areas. The warm broadleaf forests and subtropical habitats here support a rich variety of birdlife.
Possible sightings may include Rufous-necked Hornbill, Great Hornbill, Cutia, Scarlet Minivet, Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, woodpeckers, tesias, wren-babblers, laughingthrushes, and many other forest species.
The route offers a peaceful birding experience away from the busy tourist trail, with beautiful forests, river valleys, and quiet natural surroundings.
Overnight stay in Zhemgang or camp, depending on the arrangement.
Enjoy another early morning birding session around Zhemgang or along the Tingtibi road, depending on local conditions and recent sightings.
After breakfast, drive back towards Trongsa with birding stops along the way. This gives another opportunity to look for species that may have been missed on the previous day.
Arrive in Trongsa and relax after the journey.
Overnight stay in Trongsa.
After breakfast, drive towards Phobjikha Valley, one of Bhutan’s most beautiful glacial valleys. The journey takes you through forests, mountain passes, and open landscapes.
There will be opportunities for birding stops along the route, especially in forested sections where pheasants, honeyguides, laughingthrushes, and other Himalayan species may be found.
Upon arrival in Phobjikha, enjoy a walk through the valley. Phobjikha is famous as the winter home of the endangered Black-necked Crane, which usually migrates here from late autumn to winter.
Overnight stay in Phobjikha.
This morning, you may enjoy a short nature walk or visit the Black-necked Crane information area, depending on the season and your interests.
Afterwards, begin the long but scenic drive back to Paro. En route, you may stop at places such as the Royal Botanical Garden in Lamperi and Dochula Pass. The journey offers beautiful forest scenery, mountain views, and opportunities for photography.
Arrive in Paro and relax in the evening.
Overnight stay in Paro.
Early in the morning, drive to Chele La Pass, one of the highest motorable passes in Bhutan. The forests and alpine areas around Chele La are good habitats for high-altitude bird species.
Here, you may look for Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Kalij Pheasant, rosefinches, grosbeaks, laughingthrushes, and other mountain birds. The area also offers wonderful views of the surrounding peaks and valleys on clear days.
Return to Paro for lunch. In the afternoon, visit cultural sites such as Rinpung Dzong, the National Museum, or Kyichu Lhakhang, depending on time and interest.
Overnight stay in Paro.
After breakfast, drive to the trailhead and begin your hike to Taktsang Monastery, popularly known as Tiger’s Nest. This sacred monastery is dramatically built on a cliffside about 900 meters above the Paro Valley.
The hike takes you through pine forests, prayer flags, viewpoints, and peaceful mountain scenery. Along the trail, you may also see common forest birds and enjoy beautiful views of the valley.
After visiting the monastery, hike back down and return to Paro. In the evening, you may enjoy free time for rest, shopping, or a farewell dinner.
Overnight stay in Paro.
After breakfast, the Happy Trips team will transfer you to Paro International Airport for your onward flight.
You will leave Bhutan with wonderful memories of its birds, forests, valleys, monasteries, mountain landscapes, and warm hospitality.
Tashi Delek, and we hope to welcome you again to Bhutan.
You can apply online for a visa here, or if you’re travelling with a tour operator, they may apply on your behalf. Read more about the visa here. Visitors from Bangladesh and the Maldives requiring a visa can apply either online before travelling or in person upon arrival in Bhutan.
A correctly input visa application can take up to five days to process.
The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) is a daily levy paid by visitors to support Bhutan’s development. Since the kingdom first opened its doors in 1974, guests have played a critical role in our country’s growth. The SDF is collected by the national exchequer and funds are allocated to various projects that create long-term, sustainable opportunities for the Bhutanese people, through free healthcare, education and training, upskilling the tourism and hospitality industry, improved infrastructure, environmental preservation and conservation, cultural preservation programmes and initiatives that support local businesses and economies. The SDF is also a vital means of maintaining the exceptional forest cover and carbon-neutrality for which our small nation is world-renowned and globally critical. The SDF also helps us to ensure that we can continue to offer guests tranquillity and an intimate experience. A correctly input visa application can take up to five days to process.
The SDF is USD 100 per night for adults from all countries except for India. Children aged between 6 years and who have not yet turned 12 are eligible to pay USD 50 per night. Children who have not yet turned 6 years old do not have to pay any SDF. The SDF for Indian nationals (showing a valid Indian passport or Voter ID card) is Nu. 1,200 (or the equivalent amount in Indian rupees) per person, per night. Children aged between 6 years and who have not yet turned 12 are eligible to pay Nu./INR 600 per night. Children who have not yet turned 6 years old do not have to pay any SDF.
