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Bhutan Special Tour

Created with Sketch. Bhutan
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Duration

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

Unlimited

Languages

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Overview

1.Birding Tour: Birding in Bhutan Nestling in the heart of the Himalayas and protected by a complex geography of high mountains and deep valleys, Bhutan is certainly one of the most mysterious countries in the world (Dompnier, 1999). The intriguing yet profound tale of the transformation of this traditional kingdom,... More

1.Birding Tour:

Birding in Bhutan

Nestling in the heart of the Himalayas and protected by a complex

geography of high mountains and deep valleys, Bhutan is certainly

one of the most mysterious countries in the world (Dompnier,

1999). The intriguing yet profound tale of the transformation of

this traditional kingdom, without losing out on its traditional norms

and values while embarking on a modern course of development

Chestnut-tailed Minla

in the last half a century has been both a story of sustainable and

progressive development in harmony with its natural environment.

Small and landlocked, to the north lies the great Tibetan plateau

and to the south, the tropical Indian plains and jungles.

Today, the proportion of land under forest cover is 72.5%, including

shrub forest (2008). The need to live in harmony with rather

than against nature has never been illustrated better. When Global

Warming is now an accepted universal “Inconvenient Truth,”

the need to preserve, conserve and respect the air we breathe,

© Hishey Tshering, Bhutanheritage.

 

Bird watching in Bhutan

Bhutan’s reverence for birds is even exhibited on the Royal Raven

Crown of the Druk Gyalpo. The national bird is the Raven, and it

was once a capital crime in Bhutan to kill one. Ravens are even

know to nest in the walls of the nation’s monasteries and dzongs.

Seeing one is always auspicious.

The Wild Jungle Fowl, a common sight in Bhutan, lives pretty much

the same way as it did hundreds of years ago. While the bird has

been domesticated a long time back, in Bhutan they still live in the

wild. These birds can be spotted dodging vehicles and darting off

into the other brushes. The bird has survived man’s onslaught and

in Bhutan, still remains, the “Wild Jungle Fowl.”

Look out for Violet Cuckoos too. These birds can be heard twittering

and singing their signature tune. Its distinct call can be heard

even in the larger towns like Thimphu where they now go “cuckoo”

even if locating the bird itself calls for a lot of patience. Cuckoos

are common in Bhutan and the Asian Highlands but are difficult to

approach. Just as you think you are near them, their call comes

from another direction. Be patient and move slowly, keep low and

wait. When you actually see one, the feeling of seeing the bird

behind the song is immense.

Plumbeous Redstart Rufous-bellied Niltava

the earth we walk upon, the sun that

nourishes all life and the ever dwindling

environment has never been greater or

urgent, as it is now.

Birds in Bhutan can be found from the

glacial alpine regions of the north to

the sweltering tropics of the south. The

geography and altitude is also the most

diverse of bird habitats ever found in

a single country. Endangered Black

Necked Cranes winter in the temperate

Phobjikha Valley highland marshes

while the Rufous-necked Hornbill hides

out in the lush tropical rain forests

of the south. With an area the same

as Switzerland, Bhutan seems much

bigger because of its remoteness and

extremely rugged terrain.

Rufous-vented Tit

White-browed

Rosefinch

The Great Pied Hornbill is the pride of the Asian Jungle. It is most

unique among birds. At nesting time the male bird uses mud to

seal its lifelong mate inside the trunk of a tree to incubate their

eggs. This male bird then constantly feeds his mate through a

small hole until their eggs hatch, then releases his new family.

The Asian Hoopoe is known for its very amusing walk and call.

Hoopoes bob and weave as they walk and freeze as they search

the ground for worms and insects. Their “Hoo – Poe” call is distinct

and unmistakable.

The Thrung Thrung Karm is the Black Necked Crane. Wintering in

Bhutan’s Phobjikha Valley each year, the Bhutanese celebrate this

endangered graceful craned with their own festival during the winter

(November). The cranes return each spring to Siberia to hatch

their young. To see the Black Necked Crane in its natural habitat is

an experience to cherish. The fact that a festival is observed in its

honour makes the realization even more poignant and urgent: that

we must preserve and protect these beautiful winged creatures.

White-throated Kingfisher

Buddhism and its spiritually rich people are enterprising,

pragmatic and delightfully humorous. They live in harmony

with nature and have evolved a unique identity’ derived

largely from a religious and cultural heritage.

Crimson Sunbird

Spot-winged Grosbeak

Birding areas

 Sengor to Namling (3050m / 2360m):

An area of hemlock and cool broad leaf forests where one can view

Tragopans, Bar-winged Wrens and the fire-tailed Myzornis. Best

times for viewing are April to May.

Namling to Yongkhala (2360m / 1700m):

Cool and warm broad leaf forests host the Yellow-rumped Honey

Guide, Rufoused-Necked Hornbill, Laughing-Thrush, Coral Billed

Scimitar Babbler, and the Golden-breasted Fulvetta. Best view

times are November to early May.

Yongkola to Lingmethang (1700m / 650m):

Warm broad leaf forests towards the south are home to the Rufous-

bellied Hawk Eagle, Collarded Treepie, and the Yellow-vented

Warbler. Best time to visit: November to early May.

Black-necked Crane Kalij Pheasant

Narphung La to Deothang (1700m / 850m):

Warm broad leaf to subtropical forests allows viewing of Rufousnecked

Hornbill, Beautiful Nuthatch, and the Gold-naped Finch.

November to early May.

Deothang to Samdrup Jongkhar (850m / 250m):

Subtropical forests in the southern part of Bhutan are the home of

the Wreathed Hornbill, the rare Violet Cuckoo, Pied Falconet, and

the Greater Rufous-breasted Parrotbill. November to early May.

Mo Chhu Valley and Rimchu to the Jigme Dorji National Park:

Here warm broad leaf forests are the habitat of the rare Whitebellied

Heron, White-gorgoted Flycatcher and the Yellow-vented

Warbler. Best times are November to early May.

Mo Chhu Valley to Wangduephodrang (1300m):

The river just north of Wangduephodrang is an excellent area for

water fowl and migratory birds like the Bar-headed Goose, Eurasian

Wigeon, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, and the rare White Bellied

Heron.

Common Kingfisher

Gasa

Punakha

Thimphu

Wangduephodrang

Paro

Haa

Chukha

Trongsa

Jakar

Zhemgang Mongar

Trashigang

Samdrup Jongkhar

Gelephu

Established birding areas

Namling

Sengor

Yongkola

Narphung

Deothang

Rimchu

Damji

Tashitang

Koina

Jangothang

Dodina

Drugyel

Dzong

Phobjikha

Pelela Pass

Yotongla Pass

Thangbi

Dorokha

Zurphey

Manas

Nganglam

Some of the identified bird watching hotspots

Tashithang to Damji (Jigme Dorji Wangchuk National Park –

6-day trek)

This area’s 1-day trek is ideal for bird watching in April to early May.

View Ward’s Trogan and Lesser Shortwings in these warm broad

leaf forests.

Damji to Gasa (1700m / 2430m – 1-day trek):

A 2-day trek through warm broad leaf forests, home to the Black

tailed Crake and the Grey-sided Laughing Thrush.

Gasa to Koina to Laya (2700m / 3200m – 2-day trek):

Cool broad leaf forest mix with coniferous fir, spruce and juniper.

Birds at home here include the Bush Robin, Firetail Myzornis, Purple

Cochoa and the Gold-naped Finch.

Drugyel Dzong to Jangothang to Jigme Dorji Wangchuck

National Park (2580m / 4090m – 8-day trek)

Alpine area. Ideal for viewing the Tibetan Snowcock, Isisbill, Hima-

Layan Griffon and the Golden Eagle.

Bhutan is home

to one of the most

endangered bird

species in the

world, the Whitebellied

Heron

(Ardea insignis).

The discovery of

the rare Heron’s

nest in Kamichu

(Wangduphodrang)

has uplifted

birdwatchers in the

kingdom

White-bellied Heron

Cattle Egret

The forests above Dodina (2575m) below Cheri Lhakhang on

the trail towards Shodu, Thimphu Valley (Jigme Dorji Wangchuck

National Park)

A 45-minute taxi ride from Thimphu and you have Oak forests

where Spotted Laughing thrush, Fire-capped Tit, and Yellow-bellied

Flower picker thrive.

Phobjikha Valley (3050m)

Home to the endangered Black Necked Crane. The ideal time for

viewing is mid to late November during the Thrung Thrung Karm

festival which honours the revered birds.

Forests on the East-side of Dochu La Pass (3115m) along the

Pack Horse Trail

Fir, Rhododendron, Oak and Bamboo forests prime up in April to

May. It is ideal for viewing Satyr Tragopan, Rufous-breast Bush

Robin, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler.

© Tourism Council of Bhutan

© Tourism Council of Bhutan

Forested Road over the Pele La Pass (3390m)

Habitat Fir, Rhododendron and Bamboo forests come full bloom

in April to May where Brown and Green Parrotbills, Marron-backed

Accentor reside visibly.

Forested Road over the Yotong La Pass (3520m)

Fire-tailed Myzornis, Great Parrotbill and Yellow-bellied Bush Warbler

nestle the Fir, Rhododendron and bamboo forests during April

and May.

Bumthang Valley (2600m)

Isisbills and migrant birds flock home to the broad-fields and riverareas

during March – May and October – November.

Toorsa River, Phuentsholing (150m)

Various migratory birds from Tibet rest here at the banks of the

Toorsa during November to April.

Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush

© Tourism Council of Bhutan

  1. Photography Tour
  2. Biking Tour
  3. Flora and Fauna Tour
  4. Honeymoon Tour

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