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Highlights

This Birding tour in the western districts of Thimphu, Punakha and Wangdue offers the opportunity to spot more than 60 different species of birds in the temperate and alpine vegetation of valleys and mountain passes.

The main mode of travel is by road and accommodation is in hotels approved by the Tourism Council at designated stops. The birding package combines short day hikes to sacred sites and visits to historical and cultural monuments.

Itinerary

You will be received and welcomed by our tour guide. Thereafter you will escort from the airport to your hotel.
Afternoon you will visit Rinpung Dzong (fortress on heap of jewels) built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder of Bhutan, and Ta Dzong. Ta Dzong was once a watchtower for the defense of the Paro Rinpung Dzong. It was turned into a museum of natural history in 1967. Evening freely stroll along the Paro river to for birding.

Today after breakfast you will drive to Chele la for birding and evening drive behind the Drugyel Dzong the ruin fortress.
The species found in this area are Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Kalij Pheasant, Ibisbill, Common Sandpiper, Crested Kingfisher, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Hoopoe, Nepal House Martin, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Spotted Nutcracker, Yellow-browed Tit, Grey-crested Tit, Rufous-fronted Tit, Black-throated Tit, Plumbeous Water Redstart,Brown Dipper, White-capped Water Redstart, Crested Serpent Eagle, Black Eagle, Himalayan Buzzard, etc.

You will drive to Punakha, Bhutan’s old capital; you will take through some of the kingdom’s fertile agricultural land and most dramatic river valleys. The first stop at Dochu La (pass) at 3,050 meters. The snow-capped eastern Himalayan range can be seen on a clear day. You could also circumambulate the 108 stupas of the Druk Wangyal Chorten.
The birds found in Punakha and Wangduephodrang valleys are Himalayan Cutia, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Collared Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, White-browed Fulvetta, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Plain Mountain Finch, Mrs Gould’s Sunbird, Green-tailed Sunbird, Black-throated Parrotbill, Himalayan Bluetail, White-browed Bush Robin, Rufous-breasted Bush Robin, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Brown Bullfinch, Red-headed Bullfinch, Chestnut-tailed Minla (Bar-throated Siva), Dark-breasted Rosefinch, Little Bunting, White-bellied Heron, Common Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher, Crested Kingfisher, Grey Treepie, Spotted Nutcracker, Speckled Wood Pigeon, Slaty-backed Forktail, Spotted Forktail, Eurasian Jay, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler, Streaked-breasted Scimitar Babbler, etc.

In this Punakha to Gasa stretch you will sight Jungle Owlet, Asian-barred Owlet, Osprey, White-bellied Heron, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Lesser Fish Eagle, Great Cormorant, Black-throated Sunbird, Green-tailed Sunbird, Black-throated Yuhina, Striped-throated Yuhina, Whiskered Yuhina, Straited Yuhina, Scarlet Minivet, Long-tailed Minivet, Grey-chinned Minivet, Barred Cuckoo Dove, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Bay Woodpecker, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Slaty-bellied Tesia, Grey-bellied Tesia, White-gorgeted Flycatcher, Large Niltava, Small Niltava, Rufous-bellied Niltava, Great Barbet, Blue-throated Barbet, Golden-throated Barbet, Asian Koel, Grey-hooded Warbler, Golden-spectacled Warbler, Tickell’s Leaf Warbler, Lemon-rumped Warbler, Buff-barred Warbler, Yellow-bellied Fantail, White-throated Fantail, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Hoary-throated Barwing, Blue-fronted Robin, Lesser Shortwing, Himalayan Cutia, Green Shrike-babbler, Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Yellow-throated Fulvetta, Black-eared Shrike-babbler, Spotted Wren Babbler, Pygmy Wren Babbler, Speckled Piculet, Orange-bellied Leafbird, White-tailed Nuthatch, Maroon Oriole, Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon.

From Punakha you will drive eastward toward Phobjikha through the black mountain region. The Phobjikha valley is one of the most important wildlife preserves in the country and it serves as the nesting grounds for the endangered Black-necked Crane in winter.
The bird species found in this valley are Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Blue-capped Rock Thrush,Fire-tailed Myzornis, Great Parrotbill, Alpine Accentor, Green-tailed Sunbird, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Rufous-vented Yuhina, Whiskered Yuhina, Scaly Thrush, Tickell’s Thrush, Fire-capped Tit, Amur falcon, Ward’s Trogon, Blue Rock Thrush, Black-faced Laughingthrush, Spotted Laughingthrush, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Red-headed Bullfinch, Scarlet Finch, White-tailed Nuthatch, etc.

Before driving back to Thimphu visit the crane observation and information centre.

Drive to Pelela at 3,300m to spot the Himalayan Monal, Spotted Laughingthrush, Himalayan Griffon, Brown Parrotbill, Great Parrotbill,. Stop at Dochula for lunch. Continue drive to Thimphu. Evening you can stroll freely in Paro.

Early morning you will drive to Paro airport for your onward departure.

General Inclusions

  • Accommodation 3 Star Hotel (Twin sharing basis)
  • All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
  • Dedicated Vehicle
  • Dedicated English speaking guide
  • Visa
  • Royalty fees
  • Airport transfers
  • Monumental fees

General Exclusions

  • Flight tickets
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Shoppings

Payment & Cancellation Policy

Payment Terms

  • The approval of tourists VISA is contingent on the full payment of the tour
  • Flight ticket payment is subject to the Ticketing Time Limit issued by the airlines

Tour Cancellation and Refund Policy

  • 30 to 15 days prior to arrival - 20% of the total tour cost will be levied as cancellation fee.
  • 14 to 7 days prior to arrival - 50% of the tour cost will be levied as cancellation fee.
  • Less than a week prior to arrival - 100% cancellation charge will be levied as cancellation fee.

Flight Ticket Cancellation and Refund Policy

  • Subject to the cancellation terms of the Airlines.

Rescheduling Tour Dates

  • There are no charges for rescheduling your trip. However the package cost may increase, hotel rates, airline charges are subject to change depending on your new travelling dates.

Birding in Western bhutan

  Duration : 6 Nights & 7 Days

  Tour Type : Private

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