14-Day Birdwatching Journey

Upon your arrival in Paro, Bhutan, you will be warmly welcomed by a tour representative from Trogon Travels in traditional Bhutanese style, offering a ceremonial scarf (Khadhar) as a gesture of goodwill. You will then be escorted to your hotel for a seamless check-in, where the serene ambiance and traditional architecture provide a perfect introduction to Bhutan’s rich culture. After settling in, embark on a leisurely exploration of the riverbanks near Paro, a prime spot for birdwatching. Here, you can search for the striking Ibisbill, a unique wader with its distinct curved bill, along with other fascinating species such as the White-capped Redstart and the Brown Dipper. The tranquil setting, with the gentle flow of the river and the backdrop of lush valleys, sets the tone for an unforgettable birding adventure in the Land of the Thunder Dragon.

We will embark on an early morning excursion to the Chelela Pass, our first opportunity to witness some of Bhutan’s most spectacular bird species, including the vibrant Himalayan Monal, the elegant Kalij Pheasant, and the striking Blood Pheasant. This high-altitude haven also offers a chance to spot a variety of other montane birds, such as Grosbeaks, Rosefinches, Minivets, Tits, Yuhinas, Accentors, and Thrushes. As the day unfolds, we will descend from the pass and drive towards Bhutan’s capital city, Thimphu, where the blend of traditional culture and modern life awaits. This journey promises a perfect mix of birding excitement and cultural immersion, setting the stage for an enriching experience in the heart of the Himalayas.

We’ll depart Thimphu early and head east, ascending the western slopes of the Dochu La, the first of several high-altitude road passes we’ll explore on our journey. As we enter the pristine mixed forests of hemlock, fir, oak, magnolias, and rhododendrons, we’ll be greeted by a wealth of birdlife, including species-rich feeding flocks. The forests are alive with activity, and we’ll keep an eye out for the quarrelsome Nutcrackers, which are common here. Past highlights in this area have included the elusive Hill Partridge, the stunning Satyr Tragopan, the vibrant Golden Bush Robin, the striking Cutia, the unique Brown Parrotbill, and the breathtaking Fire-tailed Myzornis. This enchanting habitat, with its diverse flora and fauna, offers an exceptional birding experience, blending the thrill of discovery with the serene beauty of Bhutan’s natural landscapes.

Continuing east, we’ll pass the smaller Wangdue Phodrang Dzong and make several brief stops to scan the braided river channels, where we’ve previously spotted rare species like Pallas’s Gull and Pallas’s Fish Eagle, as well as other birds that have been added to Bhutan’s avian records. Along the way, we’ll explore forest edges and small patches of cultivation, keeping an eye out for additional species. As we approach the end of our journey, we’ll enter a particularly productive forest area, where we’ll pause to search for specialties such as the Spotted Laughingthrush, Yellowish-bellied Bush-Warbler, Rusty-flanked Treecreeper, White-browed Bush Robin, and the striking Golden-throated Barbet. This diverse and bird-rich region promises a rewarding mix of riverine, forest, and edge habitats, offering ample opportunities to encounter both rare and endemic species in the heart of Bhutan’s stunning landscapes.

Leaving Nobding, we’ll follow the winding road up over the Pele La Pass and into Central Bhutan, spending much of the morning on the pass searching for species such as the Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, and the majestic Himalayan Monal. A stretch of dwarf bamboo extends for about three miles below the pass, where we’ll look for specialties like the Great and Brown Parrotbills and the Golden-breasted Fulvetta, undoubtedly one of the world’s most striking passerines

While birding along the road, you may encounter a variety of species, including the Yellow-browed Tit, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Great Hornbill, Striated Prinia, Striated Laughingthrush, White-throated Laughingthrush, White-crested Laughingthrush, Beautiful Nuthatch, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler, Verditer Flycatcher, Lemon-rumped Warbler, and Hume's Warbler.

We will spend the day exploring and birding in the subtropical broadleaved forests, driving along the road and making stops to observe the rich bird life. In the evening, we will return to Tingtibi for an overnight stay. During the day, you can expect to see species such as the Crested Bunting, White-rumped Munia, Olive-backed Pipit, White Wagtail, Streaked Spiderhunter, and White-browed Scimitar Babbler, Sultan Tit and many more.

Driving and birding along the road through the sub-tropical broadleaved forest, one can encounter a diverse array of bird species, including the 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, and Striated Prinia.

In the morning, we will go birding around Marangdooth before heading towards Nganglam via Pangbang town. Along the way, we will stop at various spots and along the highways birding, exploring the diverse avian life in the region. This journey offers excellent opportunities to observe a variety of species while enjoying the scenic landscapes of the area. The day will be filled with exciting birding experiences and memorable sights.

We’ll spend these days exploring the incredibly lush primary forests near Lingmethang, searching for the area’s unique specialties. While we’re sure to encounter many new birds, not all of them are rare, but several, such as the Slender-billed and Coral-billed Scimitar-Babblers, Scaly and Blue-winged Laughingthrushes, Greater Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Broad-billed Warbler, White-napped Yuhina, and Rufous-throated Wren-Babbler, are poorly known and unfamiliar to most birders, making this an exciting and rewarding birding experience.

Birding around the Namling areas offers the chance to spot a variety of fascinating species, including the 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, and Lemon-rumped Warbler. This diverse array of birds makes the region a rewarding destination for birdwatchers.

You will drive north, crossing Sengor village and the Thrumshing La Pass (3,700m), entering the Thrumshing La National Park as you travel from Yongkola to Sengor. Along the way, you’ll encounter the stunning Namling waterfall before reaching Sengor. During the day, you can observe species such as the Snow Pigeon, Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Monal Pheasant, Whiskered Yuhina, and Stripe-throated Yuhina, making the journey a birding delight.

This morning, we’ll make an early start to reach Tharpaling Monastery in the early hours, hoping to witness the monks feeding the spectacular Himalayan Monal, a practice the birds have grown accustomed to. In the area, we’ll also look for other species, including the rarely seen White-bellied Redstart, Alpine Accentor, Himalayan Beautiful Rosefinch, flocks of Red-billed Chough, Black-billed Magpie (endemic to Bhutan’s Bumthang Valley), Black-faced Laughingthrush, and Plain Mountain Finch.

After a leisurely breakfast, we will visit the BNC Information Center, then drive through the valley to explore and enjoy some birding at selected spots along the way. Later, we’ll drive back to Paro, stopping for birding at various locations. Upon arrival, we’ll check in at the hotel and take some time to rest and unwind.

The Trogon representative gracefully guides you to the airport, their vibrant plumage shimmering in the sunlight. With a warm smile, they extend their hand in a final gesture of goodwill. "Safe travels," they say, their voice soft yet resonant. As you depart, their presence lingers, a serene farewell etched in memory.