Tracks of WBH

We will be taking an early trip up to the Chelela Pass for our first opportunity to view some of the spectacular Himalayan Monal, Kalij Pheasant and Blood Pheasant and also the good selection of the high-altitude birds like Grosbeaks, Rosefinches, Minivets, Tits, Yuhinas, Accentors and Thrushes etc. Before the fall of evening, we will then drive to the capital city of Bhutan, THIMPHU.

We’ll head east out of Thimphu and up onto the western slopes of the Dochu La, the first of a series of high-altitude road passes that we’ll explore. Entering the pristine mixed forests of hemlock, fir, oak, magnolias, and rhododendrons, we should see a wealth of birds, including some species-rich feeding flocks. Quarrelsome Nutcrackers are common, and past highlights have included a skulking Hill Partridge, a Satyr Tragopan, a Golden Bush Robin, an immaculate Cutia.

From our base at a splendid, traditionally decorated hotel near Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan, we’ll explore the braided channels of the Mo Chhu River and its bird-rich subtropical forests. Our route will take us past the spectacular Punakha Dzong. We hope to be able to go inside Punakha Dzong, a fabulous fortified monastery that’s still home to many hundred monks. Later, we should see an impressive array of species on the way, and on several occasions in the past, these have included a White-bellied Heron, one of Bhutan’s rarest birds.

Today, we have ample time to explore the braided side of the Mochu River and the spectacular Punakha Dzong above the river confluence. Birding through Chir pine and broadleaved forest, along the road, you will see birds like Ruddy Shelduck, River Lapwing, Common Kingfisher, Common Merganser, Common Hoopoe, Siberian Stonechat.

We will embark on an early morning drive to Taksha, where we hope to catch a glimpse of the rare White-bellied Heron in its natural habitat. Following this, we'll visit the White-bellied Heron Conservation Center to meet the dedicated conservationists and their team and learn about their crucial work to protect this endangered species. Later, we will proceed to our campsite at Darachu, immersing ourselves in the serene surroundings. This journey not only offers a chance to see a critically endangered bird but also provides an in-depth understanding of the efforts to preserve it.

In the morning, we will explore the Darachu area, searching for Beautiful Nuthatch, Niltava, and other species. As we proceed to Gelephu, we may encounter Indian Roller, Lesser Adjutant, and Coucals, along with Starlings and Parakeets that inhabit the area. Today’s key species include Wreathed Hornbill, Mountain Imperial and Pin-tailed Green Pigeons, Whistling Hawk-cuckoo, Violet Cuckoo, Long-tailed Broadbill, Sultan Tit, and Rufous-necked Laughingthrush. This journey offers a rich birdwatching experience, highlighting the diverse avian life in these regions.

Birding in sub-tropical broadleaved forest, you see species like Ward’s Trogon, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Beautiful Nuthatch, Great Hornbill, Grey Bushchat, Crested Bunting, Sultan Tit, Yellow-cheeked Tit, Red-vented Bulbul, Black Bulbul, Striated Prinia, Hill Prinia, Mountain Tailorbird, Hume’s Warbler, White-crested Laughingthrush, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler, Striated Laughingthrush, Scaly Laughingthrush, Bhutan Laughingthrush.

Birding from Tingtibi (600m)-Zhemgang (1900m) requires travel of 34km, and it will cover subtropical and warm broadleaf forests. You will do birding in the sub-tropical broadleaved forest towards the north of Tingtibi and return to the campsite in the evening. For the day, you will see birds such as White-browed Scimitar Babblers, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babblers, Great Hornbills, Rufous-necked Hornbills, Beautiful Nuthatch.

Driving and birding along the road through sub-tropical broadleaved forest, one can find birds like Great Hornbill, Long-tailed Sibia, Beautiful Nuthatch, Rufous-necked Hornbill, White-rumped Munia, Spotted Forktail, Slaty-backed Forktail, Grey Bushchat, Crested Bunting, Sultan Tit, Yellow-cheeked Tit.

Driving and birding along the road through sub-tropical broadleaved forest, one can find birds like Great Hornbill, Long-tailed Sibia, Beautiful Nuthatch, Rufous-necked Hornbill, White-rumped Munia, Spotted Forktail, Slaty-backed Forktail, Grey Bushchat, Crested Bunting, Sultan Tit, Yellow-cheeked Tit, Red-vented Bulbul, Black Bulbul, Striated Prinia, Hill Prinia, Mountain Tailorbird, Hume’s Warbler, Sultan Tit.

We will go birding around Marangdooth in the morning and later we will cross by the Pangbang town towards Nganglam. Birding on the spots, and highways.

We’ll spend these days exploring the fabulously lush primary forests near Lingmethang in search of the area’s specialties. We’re sure to see many new birds, and while not all of them are rare, many, such as Slender-billed and Coral-billed Scimitar-Babblers, Scaly and Blue-winged Laughingthrush, Greater Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Broad-billed Warbler, White-napped Yuhina, and Rufous-throated Wren-Babbler are poorly known and unfamiliar to most birders.

Birding around Namling areas, you will see birds such as Mountain Scops Owl, Hill Partridge, Chestnut-breasted Partridge, Ward’s Trogon, Collared Owlet, Asian Barred Owlet, White-throated Laughingthrush, Striated Laughingthrush, Golden Babbler, Rufous-capped Babbler, Black-faced Warbler, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Yellow-vented Warbler.

You will drive towards the north crossing Sengor village and Thrumshing La pass (3700m). From Yongkola to Sengor, you are entering inside the Thrumshing La National Park. On the way, you will come across a beautiful waterfall called Namling waterfall before reaching Sengor. For the day, you can observe species like Snow Pigeon, Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Monal Pheasant, Whiskered Yuhina, Stripe-throated Yuhina, Rufous-vented Yuhina, Dark-rumped Rosefinch.

You will drive towards the north crossing Sengor village and Thrumshing La pass (3700m). From Yongkola to Sengor, you are entering inside the Thrumshing La National Park. On the way, you will come across the amazing Namling waterfall before reaching Sengor. For the day, you can observe species like Snow Pigeon, Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Monal Pheasant, Whiskered Yuhina, Stripe-throated Yuhina, Rufous-vented Yuhina, Dark-rumped Rosefinch.

This morning, we make an early start to be at Tharpaling Monastery in the early hours as we hope to witness the monks feeding the spectacular Himalayan Monal, where the birds have become accustomed to this practice. Other species we will look at in the area include the rarely seen White-bellied Redstart, Alpine Accentor, Himalayan Beautiful Rosefinch, flocks of Red-billed Chough, and Black-billed Magpie (endemic to Bumthang valley in Bhutan).

After a leisurely breakfast, we will visit the BNC information center, we will drive and explore the valley and bit and drive back to Paro. Stop for Birding on spots. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel and rest.

Our representative will accompany you to the airport and ensure a smooth departure, bidding you farewell with warm wishes after your enriching journey through Bhutan.