This morning we take the Druk Air/Bhutan Airlines flight to Paro, Bhutan where we should have good views of the Himalayas, including many of the highest mountains in the world. After clearing customs and immigration, you will be met by your Bhutanese hosts.

We will stop by the Pa Chhu, where camouflaged amongst the glacial stones, Himalayan riverine species such as the Ibisbill can be seen as it dips in the snowmelt, searching for food. In this area we should also find: White Wagtail; Blue Whistling Thrush; Plumbeous and White-capped water redstarts; Oriental Turtle Dove; Common Hoopoe; Crested Goshawk; Brown Dipper; White-collared Blackbird; Long-tailed and Gray-backed shrikes; Black-faced and Chestnut-crowned laughingthrushes; Common Kestrel and Russet Sparrow.

Northward migration will be underway and many of the valleys throughout Bhutan act as important conduits; therefore, it is possible that we may see species not yet recorded in Bhutan.

An early morning departure for our journey up through ancient pine and fir forests to Chele La Pass (3,822m), where there are fantastic views of the high Himalayan peaks of Jhomolhari (7,219m), Jichu Drake (6,989m) and down into the Paro and Ha valleys. Chele La gives us the opportunity to ascend above the tree line into alpine meadows and dwarf rhododendron scrub; here we have the possibility of finding the beautiful Himalayan Monal. We should also encounter: Blood Pheasant; Kalij Pheasant; Spotted Laughingthrush; Collard Grosbeak; Blue-fronted Redstart; Fire-tailed Sunbird; Himalayan Bluetail; Altai and Alpine accentors and the beautifully coloured Himalayan White-browed Rosefinch.

After that we will travels towards Thimphu. The route follows the Willow fringed Pa Chhu river and passes through forests of blue pine. Some of the best birding can be found at the sewage treatment plant where we should encounter migrant species such as: Tufted Duck; Ferruginous Pochard; Eurasian Wigeon; Ruddy Shelduck; Northern Pintail; Garganey and Northern Shoveler.

Today we must leave very early in order to see the Himalayas as dawn breaks over Dochu La Pass (3,116m). This is an awe-inspiring sight; the road is festooned with prayer flags and 108 chortens, celebrating the safe return of the fourth king from a threatened invasion.
In Bhutan’s high elevation and the mixed evergreen and broad-leafed forests, there is an incredible wide range of birds, mammals, and flowering plants. Here it is possible to see species such as: Fire-tailed Myzornis; Mrs. Gould’s and Green-tailed sunbirds; Lemon-rumped Warbler; Fire-breasted Flowerpecker and Green Shrike Babbler around the beautiful blossoms of the rhododendron bushes; Olive-backed Pipit; Yellow-billed Blue Magpie and Himalayan Forest Thrush and as we descend from the pass we may encounter: Mountain Hawk Eagle; Eurasian Treecreeper; Golden Bush-Robin; and the rare Ward’s Trogon.

Soon it will be time to continue down through the sub-tropical forests around Punakha where there are cactus, poinsettia and banana plants, then down to the green terraced fields of Punakha.

Punakha Dzong sits on a promontory that juts between the crystal-clear waters of the Mo Chhu (female) and Pho Chhu (male), which merge into the Puna Tsang Chhu. This relatively open habitat is home to the Crested Kingfisher and the rare White-bellied Heron (the world’s second largest and the least known); Pallas’s Fish Eagle and many migrant water birds.

An early morning drive up to the beautiful, pristine forested areas of Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Park, at an elevation of 1,400m. Here we will look for: Collared Scops Owl; River Lapwing; Red-headed Trogon; Gray-headed Woodpecker; Greater Yellownape; Striated Bulbul; the glowing Little Niltava; the three different tesias; Pygmy Blue-Flycatcher; Pygmy and Spotted wren babblers (the later is a constant singer with a beautiful voice!), and the dazzling Scarlet Finch; Nepal Fulvetta and Slaty-backed Forktail.

When the heat of the day increases, birding lessens so we will drop down to Punakha and spend time exploring the magnificent Punakha dzong where we will get a glimpse of Bhutanese religion and culture. The dzong’s position at the confluence of the Mo and Pho Chhu is quite spectacular. In April the front of this majestic building is highlighted by the blossoming of the Jacaranda Trees; their purple flowers softening the giant walls, encouraging your eye to the intricate hand-carved and painted windows.

In the late afternoon, as the heat lessens we will drive along the Pho Chu River, where it is hoped that as well as seeing a number of interesting waterfowl, we will also see: Ibisbill; Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler; Palla’s Fish Eagle and the globally threatened White-bellied Heron.

Today we travel to Trongsa on the western slopes of the Back Mountain National Park, crossing from Western to Central Bhutan. In the forested valley below Pele La we will look for the Grey-sided Laughingthrush; Black-eared Shrike Babbler; Fire-capped Tit; Grey-headed Woodpecker; Speckled Piculet; Crimson-breasted Woodpecker; Greater and Lesser yellownapes. Returning to our vehicles we will climbing up through mixed forests ablaze with flowering rhododendrons and magnolias, to the pass at Pele-La (3,390m). Here prayer flags flutter in the breeze and on clear days the views across to snow topped Jhomolhari (7,314m), marking the border between central and western Bhutan, are quite breath-taking. Birding along the pass we will look for Great Parrotbill; Himalayan White-browed Rosefinch and Himalayan Griffon.
Continuing our journey we descend through more beautiful rhododendron forests and thickets of dwarf bamboo where we will stop to bird, looking for the brilliant Spotted and Black-faced laughingthrushes; Rufous-vented, Whiskered and Stripe-throated yuhinas; Oriental Skylark; Black-tailed Crake and Solitary Snipe (rare).

In Trongsa we will settle in to our hotel from where there are magnificent views of Trongsa Dzong, an imposing structure, situated on a spur above the Mangde Chhu gorge.

We will start early and bird along Chunjey Pang, Dangdung, Koshala and Wangduegang. Bird species we hope to encounter include: Eurasian Jay; Pale Blue and Sapphire flycatchers; Greater Yellownape; Black-throated Prinia; Large Niltava; Blue-capped Rock Thrush (beautifully plumaged); Yellow-rumped Honeyguide; and Little Forktail.

After breakfast we continue our drive to Dangdung, at 740m the lowest elevation for the day, stopping briefly at Kuenga Rubten the former Summer Palace of the Second King. Continuing our descent through the intensely cultivated, terraced fields, we should see Crested Bunting; Striated Prinia; and Striated Yuhina.

From Dangdung we begin climb up to Koshala, where amongst the flowering trees, we should encounter: Tickell’s Leaf Warbler; Lemon-rumped Warbler; Blue-throated Barbet; Rufous Woodpecker; Large Hawk Cuckoo and our first of the many chance to see the rare Rufous-necked Hornbill.

Another early morning rise with our target bird for the day the rare Beautiful Nuthatch. Our bird list for the day is long and includes: Silver-eared Mesia; Blue-winged Minla; Black-chinned Yuhina; White-gorgeted and Pale Blue Flycatchers; Large Niltava; Blyth’s Shrike Babbler; Rufous-chinned and Blue-wingedlaughingthrushes; Collard Owlet; Black-faced Warbler; Eurasian Hobby; Eurasian Sparrowhawk; Yellow-breasted Greenfinch; Himalayan Cutia; Striated Bulbul; Rufous Sibia and Bay Woodpecker.

In and around our hotel in Tingtibi we will look for: Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo; Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl; Brown Hawk Owl; Ashy, White-throated and Black-crested bulbuls; Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker; Streaked Spiderhunter; Lesser-necklaced Laughingthrush; Pin-tailed and Wedge-tailed green pigeons; Rufous-necked Hornbill; Common Green Magpie and Emerald Dove.

Today we will explore the rich bamboo forest of Tingtibi looking for some of the highly prised species the area has to offer. The magnificent and very rarely visited Royal Manas National Park is one of the rich biodiversity areas in Bhutan, with similar elevations to the famous Lingmethang Road, we can see an amazing variety of rare and special birds as well as the Golden Leaf monkey (langur), which can be seen everywhere as it is their prime habitat. Some of the target birds for the day include: Rufous-throated and Chestnut-breasted partridges; Gray Peacock-Pheasant; Barred Cuckoo Dove; nine species of cuckoos; Blue-bearded Bee-eater; the amazing Rufous-necked and Great hornbills; White-browed Piculet; Bay Woodpecker; Long-tailed Broadbill; White-tailed Robin; White-browed Scimitar Babbler; Rufous-necked and Blue-winged laughingthrushes, (a impressive and elusive species); Rufous-winged and Nepal fulvettas; White-naped and Black-chinned yuhinas; Sultan Tit; and hopefully Lesser Rufous-headed Parrotbill; Long-billed Wren Babbler; Green Cochoa; White-hooded Babbler; and the rare Pale-headed Woodpecker.

In our past trips Rufous-necked Hornbills have occasionally flown over our hotel and at one time three perched on a tree nearby giving us lengthy, stunning views of this magnificent bird.

Today we will start early to get to the habitat of the Beautiful Nuthatch, allowing ourselves plenty of time to locate and see this amazing bird.
It has been regularly recorded on our past trips and we hope to repeat our sightings this spring. After a hot breakfast eaten in yet another stunning location we will continue birding along the Shemgang road, stopping at the prime locations to bird habitats we missed on our way down to Tingtibi. As we drive to Trongsa there are amazing views all along the road and the occasional waterfall gushing its way down the mountain slopes. Stopping for our hot picnic lunch will give us a good chance to absorb the beauty of this part of Bhutan.
Just before arriving in Trongsa we will pass high cliff-faces where we will stop to look for the Yellow-rumped Honeyguide amongst the cluster of beehives clinging to the rock face.

This morning we will gradually make our way through cascading waterfalls and more magnificent rhododendron and magnolia forests up to Yotong La Pass (3,425m).
Some of species that are regularly seen here are: Brown Parrotbill; Chestnut-headed Tesia; Rufous-vented Yuhina; Black-faced Laughingthrush; Green Shrike Babbler; Russet Bush Warbler; White-browed Bush Robin; Indian Blue Robin; Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker; Rufous-bellied Woodpecker and White-winged Grosbeak.

Descending through silver fir and spruce forests we come to the upland valleys of Chumey, where in the buckwheat fields we will look for Black-billed Magpie and Red-billed Chough.
In the late afternoon we will drive to Tharpaling Monastery (1 hr) to see the beautifully coloured Himalayan Monal at close range as they are feed by the monks.

This drive is considered to be one of the most spectacular in the Himalayas. From the Shelthang La Pass 3,600m, with clement weather, there are spectacular views of the magnificent Gangkar Puensum at 7,315m the world’s highest unclimbed peak. All around are stunning landscapes of the High Himalayas, auspiciously placed prayer flags, typical Bhutanese villages and spectacular temples – truly a magical land! We will stop and walk through the tranquil valley of Ura, the highest of the four valleys of Bumthang. Lying in the shadow of Thrumshing La, Ura is quite a prosperous village.

In the surrounding fields we may encounter: flocks of Russet Sparrow; Snow Pigeon; Plain Mountain Finch and Red-billed Chough.

Leaving Ura we climb through forests of larch, silver fir, spruce and towering hemlocks, until reach Thrumshing La (3,780m), along this magnificent stretch of road we look for Blood Pheasant feeding by the road side and where once more, we have breathtaking views of the Eastern Himalayas. From here we can also see the village of Sengor at 3,000m.

Species we may encounter between Sengor and our camp at Yongkola are: Coal, Gray-crested, Yellow-browed and Black-browed tits; Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird; Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher; Ashy-throated, Lemon-rumped and Blyth’s leaf warblers; White-browed and Rufous-winged fulvettas; Stripe-throated Yuhina; Satyr Tragopan, (rare); Eurasian Sparrowhawk; Himalayan Buzzard; Mountain Hawk-Eagle; Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush; Eye-browed Thrush; White-collard Blackbird; White-browed Bush Robin; White-throated Redstart; Rufous-bellied Niltava; Hodgson’s Treecreeper; Gray-sided Bush Warbler; Black-faced Laughingthrush; Red Crossbill; Brown Bullfinch; Spot-winged Grosbeak and Crimson-browed Finch.

From Thrumshing La, we will descend through truly pristine forest where Spanish moss literally drips from the pine trees (evidence of the pristine environment), to Yongkola.

One of the top ten birding hot-spots in all of Asia. Two full days are spent birding the upper and lower Yongkola region. In this breathtaking landscape we will bird in a protected area of pristine forests using a paved yet rarely used road, providing the ultimate beneficiary birding opportunities. It is here in this birding hotspot that we can look for some of Bhutan’s most prized bird species and are difficult to find elsewhere: Satyr Tragopan; Hodgson’s Frogmouth (rare); Brown Wood Owl; Fire-tailed Myzornis and Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler.

Other regularly seen species include: Hill and Rufous-throated partridges; Rufous-bellied and Crested Serpent Eagles; The rare Rufous-necked Hornbill (the forests of Bhutan are the stronghold for this impressive species); Speckled Wood Pigeon; Blue-bearded Bee-eater and Ward’s Trogon (the male of the species is truly handsome) and two of the Himalayas’ rarest birds, the cobalt Blue-fronted Robin, and the elusive and strange Sikkim Wedge-billed Wren Babbler; Bay Woodpecker; Lesser Yellownape; Golden-throated Barbet; Large and Common Hawk cuckoos; Collared Owlet; Himalayan Treepie; Gray-chinned, Short-billed and Long-tailed minivets; Lesser Shortwing; Pale-chinned Flycatcher; Hodgson’s Redstart; Plumbeous and White-capped water redstarts; Rusty-flanked Treecreeper; Black-throated and Yellow-cheeked tits; Mountain Bulbul; Chestnut-headed, Slaty-bellied and Gray-bellied tesias; Gray-hooded, White-spectacled, Chestnut-crowned, Broad-billed and Black-faced warblers; White-crested and Gray-sided laughingthrushes; Red-faced Liocichla; Streak-breasted, Coral-billed and Slender-billed scimitar babblers; Long-billed Wren Babbler (rare); Rufous-throated Wren Babbler (a little known and endangered species); Rufous-capped, Grey-throated and Golden babblers; Himalayan Cutia; Black-headed Shrike Babbler; Rusty-fronted Barwing; Red-tailed and Blue-winged minlas; White-naped, Whiskered and Black-chinned yuhinas; and the exquisite Golden-breasted and Yellow-throated fulvettas (virtually unknown elsewhere); Greater Rufous-headed Parrotbill (rarely seen); Fire-breasted Flowerpecker; Spot-winged Grosbeak; and Scarlet Finch.

One of the top ten birding hot-spots in all of Asia. Two full days are spent birding the upper and lower Yongkola region. In this breathtaking landscape we will bird in a protected area of pristine forests using a paved yet rarely used road, providing the ultimate beneficiary birding opportunities. It is here in this birding hotspot that we can look for some of Bhutan’s most prized bird species and are difficult to find elsewhere: Satyr Tragopan; Hodgson’s Frogmouth (rare); Brown Wood Owl; Fire-tailed Myzornis and Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler.

Other regularly seen species include: Hill and Rufous-throated partridges; Rufous-bellied and Crested Serpent Eagles; The rare Rufous-necked Hornbill (the forests of Bhutan are the stronghold for this impressive species); Speckled Wood Pigeon; Blue-bearded Bee-eater and Ward’s Trogon (the male of the species is truly handsome) and two of the Himalayas’ rarest birds, the cobalt Blue-fronted Robin, and the elusive and strange Sikkim Wedge-billed Wren Babbler; Bay Woodpecker; Lesser Yellownape; Golden-throated Barbet; Large and Common Hawk cuckoos; Collared Owlet; Himalayan Treepie; Gray-chinned, Short-billed and Long-tailed minivets; Lesser Shortwing; Pale-chinned Flycatcher; Hodgson’s Redstart; Plumbeous and White-capped water redstarts; Rusty-flanked Treecreeper; Black-throated and Yellow-cheeked tits; Mountain Bulbul; Chestnut-headed, Slaty-bellied and Gray-bellied tesias; Gray-hooded, White-spectacled, Chestnut-crowned, Broad-billed and Black-faced warblers; White-crested and Gray-sided laughingthrushes; Red-faced Liocichla; Streak-breasted, Coral-billed and Slender-billed scimitar babblers; Long-billed Wren Babbler (rare); Rufous-throated Wren Babbler (a little known and endangered species); Rufous-capped, Grey-throated and Golden babblers; Himalayan Cutia; Black-headed Shrike Babbler; Rusty-fronted Barwing; Red-tailed and Blue-winged minlas; White-naped, Whiskered and Black-chinned yuhinas; and the exquisite Golden-breasted and Yellow-throated fulvettas (virtually unknown elsewhere); Greater Rufous-headed Parrotbill (rarely seen); Fire-breasted Flowerpecker; Spot-winged Grosbeak; and Scarlet Finch.

We will rise early and bird along the lower region of Yongkola where the different vegetation supports different bird species such as the Blue-bearded Bee-eater; Streaked Spiderhunter; Blue-throated Barbet; Rufous-necked Laughingthrush; Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler; Slaty-backed Forktail and Crimson Sunbird. We will descend into Lingmethang a small town at 700m before climbing to the Town of Mongar.

Our journey continues east ascending through mixed broad-leaved evergreen forest of Kore La, where we look for species such as: White-crested and Scaly laughingthrushes; Rufous-bellied Niltava; Red-headed Bullfinch and Pygmy Cupwing.
After crossing the Kore La we commence the last section of today’s journey, which takes us through a series of switchbacks as we descend to the Gamri River through Chir pine (Pinus roxburghii) forest, corn fields, and banana groves, to the village of Nagtshang where we will look forEurasian Crag Martin; Himalayan Bulbul; Spot-winged Starling (rare) and Crested Bunting.

As we arrive in Trashigang, we should have a superb view of the Trashigang Dzong, one of Bhutan’s justly famous fortified monasteries. Built in 1659, it is superbly located on a spur overhanging the Gamri Chu and is protected on three sides by rivers or ravines. The dzong commands a fine view over the surrounding countryside.

This is by far the longest settled and most populous region of Bhutan. Consequently, much of the early part of today’s journey meanders through relatively intensively farmed land. Nevertheless, it is a fascinating landscape with plenty of birds to see. We will stop at marshy rice-fields, where we hope to find a pair of rarely observed Black-tailed Crake in residence as we have seen on previous visits.

From Kharung La we drive southwards to Deothang. On this part of the journey, we will pass through the small towns of Womrong, Reserbu, Moshi and Morong. The view all along today’s journey is inspirational, as mountain ridge after ridge covered in pristine forest, stretches to the distant horizon with promise of endless birding opportunities.

Along today’s drive we should encounter species such as: Eurasian Jay; Maroon Oriole; Long-tailed Minivet; Bronzed and Black drongos; Long-billed Thrush (rare); Ultramarine, Slaty-Blue and little Pied flycatchers; Spotted Forktail; Common Stonechat; White-tailed Nuthatch; Fire-capped, Black-throated Tit; Mountain, Black and Red-vented bulbuls; Aberrant Bush Warbler; Mountain Tailorbird; Ashy-throated, Chestnut-crowned and Lemon-rumped warblers; Blyth’s Leaf Warbler; Striated, Streak-breasted scimitar babblers; Spotted Elachura; Red-billed Leiothrix; Maroon Accentor (rare); Yellow-breasted Greenfinch; Tibetan Siskin; Crimson-breasted Woodpecker; Plaintive, Lesser and Asian Emerald cuckoos; Himalayan Swiftlet; Blyth’s Swift; Collard and Asian Barred owlets; Spot-bellied Eagle Owl (rare); Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon; Eurasian Sparrowhawk; Besra; Northern Goshawk; Steppe and Bonelli’s eagles; Orange-bellied Leafbird; Long-tailed and Grey-backed shrikes.

This morning we will drive up to Morong for the rare Beautiful Nuthatch; Red-headed Trogon; Mountain Tailorbird; Gold-napped Finch; White-tailed Robin; Chestnut-breasted Partridge and Long-tailed Sibia. After breakfast we will make our way back to Deothang stopping for birds as we see bird activities.

After lunch we will continue to exploring the sub-tropical forest of Bangtar valley, here we will look for: Pied Falconet; Thick-billed and Pin-tailed green pigeons; Emerald Dove; Banded Bay, Violet, and Plaintive cuckoos; Green-billed Malkoha; Greater Coucal; Chestnut-headed bee-eater; Wreathed and Great hornbills; the spectacular Himalayan Flameback; Asian Fairy-bluebird; Black-naped Monarch; Greater Racket-tailed Drongo; Red-rumped Swallow; Long-tailed Broadbill; Asian Paradise-Flycatcher; Hill Myna; and Crimson Sunbird.

We begin with a short drive out of Samdrup Jongkhar where we will bird in sub tropical forests along the 18km stretch to Deothang. Along this stretch we look for: Black Kite; Large-tailed Nightjar; Collared Scops Owl; Hooded Pitta (rare); Blyth’s Kingfisher (rare); Black-backed and White-crowned forktails; Little Spiderhunter; Pale-headed Woodpecker (rare); Golden-fronted Leafbird; Red-collard Dove; Coppersmith and Lineated barbets; Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker; Rufous Treepie; Lesser and Greater racket-tailed drongos; Jungle Babbler; Red-whiskered Bulbul; Oriental Pied, Great and Wreathed hornbills; House Crow; Hill and Bank mynas; Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush; Plain and Yellow-vented flowerpeckers; Tiaga Flycatcher; Asian Fairy Bluebird; Violet Cuckoo; Dollarbird and Silver-breasted Broadbill (Rare).

Today you exit Bhutan and connect with your onward journey. Our Indian agent will pick you up from the hotel and drive you to Guwahati airport where you connect with your flight to your destination.