8-Day Himalayan Birding Expedition in Bhutan

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Early morning, we'll leave Paro behind and drive to go to the Chelela Pass where you'll go out on your first birding expedition and then back to Paro via the Takin Reserve before you go for lunch and some relaxation before we drive to Thimphu along the Pachhu River, stopping to do some bird watching intermittently. When you arrive in Thimphu, you'll visit some of the most fascinating religious sites before relaxing for the rest of the evening.

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In the morning, we will go bird watching at the buffer zone of the Jigme Dorji National Park as well as inside the park itself, where there are not just birds to be seen! In the afternoon you will visit historical and cultural sites such as Tashicho Dzong, which is the Head Quarters of the Royal Government of Bhutan, Folk Heritage Museum, and the Institute of Traditional Arts and Crafts where you'll learn about the patterns and artistry of the country.

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En-route stop at the Dochula Pass once more, but this time to observe the 360-degree panoramic view of the Himalayan mountains and the 108 Chortens before doing a little more birdwatching at this site. Little further from Dochula, we will visit Royal Botanical Park for birding as well as to see the environmental education activities of Bhutan. We will also visit cultural sites like Chimi Lhakhang and the nunnery in Punakha.

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Morning, we will do bird watching at the buffer of the Jigme Dorji National Park. During birdwatching, there is the possibility of seeing the globally threatened white-bellied heron. The afternoon will be spent visiting the historical, cultural and monumental site, Punakha Dzong. The dzong has been built between two rivers: Phochu (Male River) and Mochu (Female river). Later on, visit the largest suspension bridge of Bhutan.

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Drive from Punakha through pine forests, broad-leaved forest and then through the alpine region to reach the beautiful glacial valley of Phobjikha. Phobjikha is famous for being the winter habitat of the globally threatened black-necked crane which comes here from late October to early March. While here, you'll go out birding through the valley, passing small villages and the well-known Gangtey Monastery.

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Today, you'll spend the majority of the day in the car on your way back to Paro. Drive back through Wangdi Phodrang District, Punakha District, Thimphu District with a stop for lunch along the way. You'll finally arrive in Paro where you'll visit the national museum and one of the oldest monasteries in the country to conclude your tour of Bhutan.