Bhutan Bird Watching Retreat

Arrival in Paro International Airport, complete the immigration formalities and exit through only one arrival gate where our dedicated team will welcome with Khaddar and proceed to Thimphu which will take about (1.5 hrs drive, altitude 2400 m). The route will follow Paro River until Chuzom from where we will bend towards Thimphu River taking us to the heart of capital city Thimphu. The entire stretch of drives is very scenic and picturesque as we pass by some of the beautiful villages of Bondey, Shaba, Isina etc until we enter welcome gate in Thimphu. Tachongang Lhakhang - En-route to Thimphu, stopover for little leg stretch walk crossing Paro River or enjoy the views from the roadside depending on your arrival time. Chuzom - Meeting point of two rivers (Thimphu & Paro) this is tri junction of highway leading to Thimphu, Paro and Phuentsholing into three directions. Enjoy the lovely picture of beautiful portrait of our King and Queen placed at chuzom which is so welcoming to all who visits Bhutan. Overnight in Thimphu.

After breakfast at hotel, drive to Phobjikha (5 hrs drive, altitude 2900 m). The valley of black necked cranes and rhododendron and often referred as Asian Switzerland. The natural beauty of the Phobjikha, beautiful home stays and nature adds more value to experience the living style, food habit and culture of the Bhutanese people. The drive also passes through some of the most beautiful forests, waterfall, hills, river and villages and Pelela pass before stepping into Phobjikha.

Enjoy the most scenic and adventurous drive today. Buddha Dordenma - The Buddha Dordenma is located at a top of the hill in Kuenselphodrang Nature Park and overlooks the southern entrance to Thimphu valley. The Buddha Dordenma is a gigantic 51.5 meter tall statue, making it one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world. Dochula Pass - The pass is at a popular location as it offers a stunning 180 degree panoramic view of the Great Himalayan Mountain ranges. The view is especially scenic and very clear on winter days with snowcapped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquility of the 108 chortens gracing the mountain pass.

Birdwatching at Dochula Pass - Out of many birds, some of the birds seen are fire-tailed myzornis, rufous-gorgeted flycatcher, rufous-breasted bush robin, black-eared shrike babblers, grey-winged blackbird, white collared blackbird and gold-billed magpie. Bird watching in Nobding- Some of the birds you can see enroute to Pobjikha are Yellow-rumped Honey guide, Blue-capped Rock Thrush, Scarlet minivet, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Yellow- bellied Fantail, etc. Bird watching in Phobjikha - The birds found here Alpine Accentor, Green-tailed Sunbird, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Rufous-vented Yuhina, Whiskered Yuhina, Scaly Thrush, Tickell’s Thrush, Fire-capped Tit, Amur falcon, Blue Rock Thrush, Black-faced Laughing thrush, Spotted Laughing thrush, Fire-breasted Flower pecker, Black billed magpie, Red billed chough, spotted nutcracker, himalayan griffon etc. Overnight in Phobjikha.

Start the most scenic drive to Punakha (3 hrs drive, altitude 1350 m) from Phobjikha over Pele La pass which takes about three hours. After the break at Pele La Pass, the road descends into Punakha taking us to one of the warmest places of Bhutan. Bird watching at Pele La Pass– The Pele La pass is famous for Pheasants like Satyr Tragopan, Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Yellowish-bellied Bush Warbler, Brown Parrot bill, and Maroon-backed Accentor. Punakha Dzong– Built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo religious head of Bhutan. King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck convened the first National Assembly here in 1952. This is one of the finest and must see Dzongs of Bhutan. The Dzong stands in between meeting point of two rivers, Phochu and Mochu making the most photogenic Dzongs of Bhutan. Punakha Suspension Bridge - Punakha suspension bridge is considered one of the longest of its kind in Bhutan. The bridge connects the dzong with the villages Shengana, Samdingkha and Wangkha on the other bank of the Po Chhu river. In these small villages, locals sell their wares in tiny, traditional shops. Visitors can stop here for a quick and authentic view of true Bhutan. The suspension bridge is only about 15 minutes walk from Punakha Dzong. Overnight in Punakha.

Punakha is often referred as second capital having best Dzongs of Bhutan. Punakha has the perfect place to awaken the nature lover, take in the splendid views of the Himalayas, listen to the sounds of the Mo Chhu and Po Chhu rivers that simply soak up the serene beauty of this gorgeous valley. Bird watching at Tashithang – There are chances you might see great barbet, barred cuckoo dove, magpie robin, palla’s fish eagle, osprey, river lapwing, ruddy shelduck, mallard duck, common merganser, pied kingfisher, white crested kingfisher, red-vented bulbul, kalij pheasant, orange bellied leaf bird, common buzzard, great cormorant, crested bunting, etc. Bird watching at Po Chhu River– You can see White- bellied Heron, Osprey, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, White- throated Fanltail, ruddy shelduck, ibisbill, river lapwing, etc. Overnight in Punakha.

As we proceed to Paro (3 hrs drive, altitude 2200 m), we will retrace the journey crossing over Dochula, up until Chuzom and further to Paro. The entire stretch of drive will refresh your mind and give you second chance to enjoy the great snowcapped mountain views of the Himalayas from Dochula. Bird watching at Lamperi Botanical Garden - The Royal Botanical Park is the country’s first nature recreational park, to preserve the rich natural biodiversity of the area. You will be able to spot some rare Himalayan birds such as Great Parrotbill, Darjeeling woodpecker, streak-breasted scimitar babbler, Eurasian jay, strong-footed bush warbler, chestnut-crowned and spotted laughing thrushes. Birdwatching at Pa Chu - You will be able to find water birds like Ibis bill, Brown Dipper, White-capped Water Redstart, Plumbeous Water Redstart, etc. Overnight in Paro.

This picturesque region in the kingdom is covered in fertile rice fields and has a beautiful, crystalline river meandering down the valley. Paro has more of historical sites, high-end tourist resort and many souvenir shops for shopping including world famous Takstang. Taktsang Gompa/Tiger’s Nest Temple– is Bhutan’s most iconic landmark and religious Buddhist site in the world. The name Taktsang translates to “The Tiger’s Nest”. The temple is one of the holiest sites in Bhutan which clings impossibly to a sheer cliff face 900 meters above the valley. Although good trekkers can make it to the top in two hours, most of the guests take whole day to complete the hike. Some of the birds you can see on the way are snow pigeon, yellow bellied blue magpie, white throated laughing thrush, rufous sibia, etc. Overnight in Paro.

After breakfast check out from hotel and drop at Paro Airport for departure.