This 10-day birding tour offers a unique opportunity to experience Bhutan’s rich avian diversity, spanning from high-altitude passes to lush valleys. The itinerary is specially designed to highlight the majestic Hornbill.
Location of Hornbill
- In Bhutan, apart from TNP, it is found in Gonphu, Buli and Tshaidang in Zhemgang, Trongsa and Mongar, Lhuentse, Trashigang and Samdrupjongkhar in eastern Bhutan.
Habitat of Hornbill
- The great hornbill relies on large tracts of undisturbed forest. They are also found in mature, dense, evergreen and broadleaved forests, mainly in the hills up to altitudes of 1,800 m.It searches for large trees in which to nest.
What is special about Hornbill?
- Hornbills have a two-lobed kidney. They are the only birds in which the first and second neck vertebrae (the atlas and axis respectively) are fused; this probably provides a more stable platform for carrying the bill. The family is omnivorous, feeding on fruit and small animals.
Similar Sightseeing
Itinerary
After guest arrive our guide will receive them and drive to Thimphu. On the way visit Tamcho Lhakhang and if time permit, we shall take guest to visit largest Bhudha statue overlooking thimphu valley followed by memorial chorten. In the evening visit Changyul Park and stall around the river valley. Evening at Hotel.
The day begins with a visit to the Tashi Cho Dzong and Simply Bhutan.Other highlights include a visit to Simtokha Dzong; the oldest Dzong of Bhutan built by Shabdrung in 1627 and finally visit the Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for souvenirs in the shops of Thimphu. Overnight in Hotel.
After breakfast, start your journey towards Tsirang via Dochula. Make a stop at Dochula and take some pictures and continue your journey. Lunch on the way. On arrival, if time permit visit Rigsum Pemai Dhumra followed by Lungsi Gang View Point. Overnight in hotel.
Early in the morning after breakfast, start your journey towards Zhemgang which takes around 7 hours to reach there. Lunch on the way. While travelling, you can stop in between and watch varieties of birds. Since it is a long journey, take rest at hotel.
Hornbill watching starts today. After breakfast, get yourself ready to go to Buli and watch hornbills with the help of your binoculars. After lunch, you can travel to another place called Gonphu and observe different types hornbills like rufous-necked hornbill, Indian grey hornbill and so many other species. Later in the evening, return to your hotel and overnight at hotel.
Continuation of Hornbill watching. After breakfast, head towards Tshaidang village and continue looking for hornbill. After lunch, stall around Zhemgang town and interact with some local people and get to know eachother. Overnight in hotel.
Early in the morning, start your journey towards Gangtey. Lunch on the way. Since it has been a long journey, check in to your hotel on arrival and overnight in hotel.
After breakfast, visit Black necked crane center and Gangtey Goenba. After that start your journey towards Paro. On the way visit Wangdue Phodrang Dzong followed by Punakha Dzong. Overnight in hotel.
After breakfast, we drive to Satsam Chorten for a 2-hour horse ride to the Tiger's Nest viewpoint. The trail passes through pine forests with Spanish moss and prayer flags. We rest at Taktsang Lhakhang (cafeteria) before walking to see the stunning Taktsang monastery, built in 1684 on a cliff 900 meters above the valley. Legend says Guru Padmasambhava flew here on a tiger. After lunch, we visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower now the National Museum, followed by Paro Rimpung Dzong. A short walk leads to a cantilevered bridge. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
With the conclusion of your 10-day Hornbill watching tour, bid farewell to the Land of the Thunder Dragon as you journey back to your hometown.
