Bhutan Birding Tour. The country has 745 Bird species and 89 families across Bhutan. Some of the unique birds of Bhutan are the necked Crane and white-bellied Heron. The popular Birding sights are Lamperi Royal Park in Thimphu, Bumdeling National Park in Trashi Yangtse and Zhemgang in Central Bhutan.
Nestling in the heart of the Himalayas and protected by a complex geography of high mountains and deep valleys, Bhutan is certainly one of the most mysterious countries in the world (Dompnier,1999). The intriguing yet profound tale of the transformation of this traditional kingdom, without losing out on its traditional norms and values while embarking on a modern course of development in the last half a century has been both a story of sustainable and progressive development in harmony with its natural environment.
Today, the proportion of land under forest cover is 72.5%, including shrub forest (2008). The need to live in harmony with rather than against nature has never been illustrated better. When Global Warming is now an accepted universal “Inconvenient Truth,” the need to preserve, conserve and respect the air we breathe. The Country is considered a Birding paradise for BIRD Lovers. Bhutan is also a place to go on adventure tours.
Popular Tour sights in Bhutan:
- Bhutan Flora and Fauna
- Bhutan Festival Dates
- Visiting Bhutan in November
- Bhutan Butterfly Tour
- Manas Wildlife Sanctuary
- Jakar Dzong
- Travel to Bhutan in June
- Zhemgang Festival Tour
- 9 Days Bhutan Tour Itinerary
Things to carry for the Birding Tour:
- Binoculars
- Comfortable shoes
- Sun Cap and Glass
- Sunscreen lotion
- Notebook to record the Bird species.
Things to remember for the Bhutan Birding:
- Be quiet always. Birds have extremely acute hearing. Talk softly and as little as possible. Watch your step. Don’t tread on dry branches and do not wear squeaky clothes or clanking equipment.
- Move carefully and regularly. Do not make a sudden move or point at the birds.
- Try to approach the bird casually as though you are not interested in it.
- Wear sombre clothing so that you merge into the background as much as possible.
- Your birdwatching will be most successful on warm, sunny, still days. In general, birds do not like windy, wet, or very hot weather.
Bhutan Birding Tour offers numerous advantages to individuals who engage in this fascinating hobby.
Bhutan Birding Tour Packages
Classic Birding Tour to see Hornbill (10 Days)
- Paro: Explore the lush valleys and spot species like the Himalayan Monal and Blood Pheasant.
- Thimphu: Visit parks and forests to see the Rufous-necked Hornbill and Satyr Tragopan.
- Punakha: Enjoy birding along the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, home to the White-bellied Heron.
- Phobjikha Valley: Witness the majestic Black-necked Cranes in their winter habitat.
- Bumthang: Spot high-altitude species like the Fire-tailed Myzornis and Beautiful Nuthatch.
Join our 10-day Classic Birding Tour in Bhutan and explore the country’s diverse habitats to spot the majestic Hornbill and other exotic bird species of Bhutan. Experience Bhutan’s rich wildlife, pristine forests, and scenic landscapes while enjoying guided birdwatching adventures. Hornbill Tour Itinerary
Short Birding Adventure to Explore White Bellied Heron (5 Days)
- Thimphu: Explore nearby forests and parks for a variety of bird species.
- Punakha: Birding along rivers and lush valleys.
- Phobjikha Valley: Observe Black-necked Cranes and other high-altitude birds.
Check our Itinerary to explore White-bellied Heron
Eastern Bhutan Birding Expedition (15 Days)
Highlights:
- Trashigang and Mongar: Discover the eastern birding hotspots for species like the Ward’s Trogon and Rufous-necked Hornbill.
- Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary: Home to diverse bird species, including the Satyr Tragopan and Blood Pheasant.
- Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary: Spot the elusive White-bellied Heron and other rare birds.
Customizable Birding Tour
- Tailor your itinerary to visit specific birding hotspots of your choice.
- Focus on rare and endemic species based on your interests.
- Option to combine birding with cultural tours for a comprehensive experience.
Best time for Birding in Bhutan
The best time for birding in Bhutan is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) seasons.
Spring (March to May):
- Flora in Bloom: The landscape comes alive with blooming rhododendrons and other flowers, attracting numerous bird species.
- Migratory Birds: Many migratory birds can be spotted during this season, enhancing the variety of species you can observe.
- Mild Weather: The weather is mild and pleasant, making it ideal for outdoor activities.
Autumn (September to November):
- Clear Skies: Crisp, clear skies provide excellent visibility for bird watching and photography.
- Migratory Birds: Another wave of migratory birds passes through Bhutan, offering a rich birding experience.
- Stable Weather: The weather is stable with cooler temperatures, perfect for spending long hours in the field.
These periods offer the best combination of favourable weather, diverse bird species, and beautiful natural landscapes for an enriching birding experience in Bhutan.
ITINERARY OVER VIEW
- Day 1 Arrival to Bhutan at Paro International Airport. Altitude 2300M
- Day 2 Paro to Thimphu. Which Bird to watch in Thimphu?| Distance 60 KM | Driving distance 1 Hour | Altitude 2400M.
- Day 3 Thimphu Birding Tour. Hike to Tango Monastery | Distance 17 KM | Hiking time 4 Hours Via Kabesa Lam | Altitude 2320m above sea level.
- Day 4 Thimphu to Punakha, Which Bird do you see in Punakha? Distance 72.8 KM | Driving time 2 Hours 8 Minutes | Altitude 1200M.
- Day 5 Punakha to Mochhu River Bird watching. Altitude1200 M
- Day 6 Punakha Pho Chu River Bird watching. Altitude 1200M
- Day 7 Punakha to Paro Tour. Distance 114.8 KM | Driving 3 Hours 10 Minutes | Altitude 2300M
- Day 8 Paro Tiger Nest Hike. Distance 15 KM | Hiking time 4 Hours | Altitude 3120M
- Day 9 Departure from Paro airport. Altitude 2300M
Birding Tour Itinerary Cost
- Solo Traveller Cost USD 2840 Per Person
- 2 Pax Birding tour cost would be USD 2440 Per Person
- 3 Pax and above tour cost would be US$ 2200 Per Person
Bhutan Birding Tour Detail Itinerary
Arrive Paro, meet by our representative. Transfer to the hotel. Can you see the bird in Paro? Afternoon visits the historic Paro Rinpung Dzong (fortress) and the late afternoon birding along the Paro Chu (River). Here are some of the rare birds found in Paro Bhutan. Ruddy Shelduck, Greater White-fronted Goose, Ferruginous Duck, Gadwall and many more. Overnight stay in the hotel.
What Bird is found in Thimphu? After breakfast drive to Dodena to see the Birds. Drive to Dodena north of Thimphu valley, where you may see Laughing Thrust, Brown Dipper, Spotted Laughing Thrush, Fire capped Tit, Chestnut-crowned Laughing Thrushes, White-throated Laughing Thrushes, Rufous-bellied Woodpeckers, and White-collared Blackbirds.
Visit Begana for the Birding tour by visiting Takin Center. Hike the Tango Monastery for the beautiful views. Our Guide will take you to the place where you can see the Bird. The bird found in the forest of northern Thimphu is the beautiful Oriental Turtle Dove.
Early morning drive to Punakha over the Dochula Pass (3150). Birding in the Lamperi Botanical Gardens, one of the best birding sites in Bhutan. The park host about 230 species with possibility of recording more in future. Species like the endangered wards Trogon, fire tailed myozenin, satyr Tragopan and many more beautifully species add charm to the bird diversity. In the afternoon drive to Punakha and visit to the Dzong in the late afternoon. Overnight stay in the hotel.
Mo Chhu is a major river in Bhutan. The word "Chhu" means "river" or "water" in Dzongkha, the official national language in Bhutan. The river rises in Gasa Dzongkhag (district) near the border between Bhutan and Tibet. Mo Chu river flows from Glacial lake in the north of Bhutan. Today we will go birding to the warm forests along the banks of the Mo Chu river, where we will be looking to find; White Bellied Herons, Great Barbet, Barred Cuckoo Dove, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Osprey, River Lapwing Ruddy Shelduck, the European Wigeon, Kingfisher, Bulbuls etc. Over Night at Hotel.
Visit Pho chu riverside for Bird Watching. We bird along the Pho Chu valley and if we are lucky we shall try to spot White-bellied Heron. This is one of the most endangered bird species in the world, with only 60 birds remaining. We can also spot Pallas Fish Eagle, White-throated and Crested Kingfisher, Ibisbill, River Lapwing, and a few species of Ducks. Over Night at Hotel.
Paro is a fertile valley and only Country’s International airport. After arrival, visit Drukgyal Dzong, also known as Drukgyel, was a fortress and Buddhist monastery, now in ruins, located in the upper part of the Paro District, Bhutan. The dzong was built by Tenzin Drukdra in 1649 at the behest of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, to commemorate victory over an invasion from Tibet and is 16 Km from Paro city towards North. Visit the popular places like Kyichu Temple and in the evening city walk. Over Night at Hotel.
Which Bird do you see while hiking the Tiger nest Temple? Nature lovers can now rejoice! With support from the World Wildlife Fund, the Bhutan Ecological Society has installed signages of five species of plants and 33 species of birds on the Taktsang trail. Out of the 33 species of birds, 10 are residential while the others are migratory.
9 Days Bhutan Birding Tour ends here. Our team from Tour Bhutan will assist you to the airport and see you off.
