In this Royal Manas Bhutan bird watching tour you will be almost making a 360 degree Bhutan Tour , covering the major birding sites. The tour will be a treat to nature and bird lovers. As you move you can see the change in vegetation from the Hemlock and cool broadleaf forest in the west to warm broadleaf in the east to subtropical forest in the southern part.
You will be passing through some of the best birding sites in the kingdom. You would also be covering a short stretch of 26 Kilometers found between Sengor to Yongkola which is considered as “ Birding Capital of the world” by birders.
You may see a few endangered bird species like White-bellied-Heron, Baer’s Pochard & few other vulnerable species like Rufous –Necked Hornbill , Black Necked Crane, Satyr Tragopan and so on and so forth.
The Bhutan bird watching tour also includes camping in the jungle camp, day hike through national park, and village visits. We have also included a few of the cultural sightseeing and famous Tiger nest hike to make this tour more wholesome.
Duration : 16 Nights/ 17 Days .
Destination Covered : Thimphu – Phobjikha- Trongsa- Bumthang – Sengor- Yotongla - Yongkola-Nganglam-Panbang- Tingtibi .
Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.
Today we will take an hour and half drive towards the northern end of Thimphu valley and hike through Jigme Dorji National Park. It is a huge park covering 4316KM Sq.feet , the park is a natural jewel with the wealth of biodiversity. However we will be just covering a very tiny part of it. It would be a pleasant hike through the forest of pines . You will be welcomed by variance of Bird . Commonly you may sight Laughing Thrust, Brown Dipper, Spotted Laughing Thrust, Fire capped Tit, Chestnut–crowned Laughing Thrushes, White-throated Laughing Thrushes, Rufous-bellied Woodpeckers, and White-collared Blackbirds. We will have packed lunch in the forest. Evening return to Thimphu . Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.
Overnight at hotel in Thimphu
Overnight At Hotel in Phobjikha
Drive for three hours through dense evergreen forests of oak, rhododendron, horse chestnut, laurel, maple, fir, spruce, larch, hemlock and juniper to the central district of Trongsa crossing Pele La (pass) at 3390m. The species found in this area includes Spotted Laughingthrush, Crested Serpent Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Common Kestrel, Himalayan Griffon, Himalayan Swiftlet, Asian House Martin, Nepal House Martin, Common Rosefinch, Beatiful Rosefinch, White-browed Rosefinch, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Streaked-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Brown Parrotbill, Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler, and Speckled Wood Pigeon
Overnight at hotel in Trongsa
Bumthang is famous for sighting pheasants . We can visit Tharparling monastery for magnificent Himalayan Monal and Satyr Tragopan. You may sight Spot-winged Grosbeak, Daurian Redstart, Olive-backed Pipit, Oriental Skylark, Black-billed Magpie, etc.
Overnight at Hotel in Bumthang
A short stretch of 26Km of broad leaved forest in eastern Bhutan, found between Sengor & Yonkola is considered by birders as "Birding Capital of The World". Sengor to Namling : The hemlock and cool broad leaf forest host of Tragopans, Bar-winged Wren Babbler and the fire tailed Myzornis. Namling to Yonkola: Cool Broad leaf forest hostssing over Thrumsingla pass at 3800m.The species you would encounter are Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Spotted Nutcracker, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Namling to Yongkhala: Cool and warm broad leaf forests host the yellow -rumped Honey Guide, Rufoused -Necked Hornbill,Laughing Thrush, Coral Billed Scimitar Babbler, ad the golden breasted Fulvetta.
Overnight at Hotel in Yongkola
In this area you will sight Rufous-necked Hornbil, Tawny Fish Owl, Ward’s Trogon, Red-headed Trogon, Rufous-throated Wren Babbler, Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler, Pygmy Wren Babbler, Himalayan Cutia, Grey-winged Blackbird, Hoary-throated Barwing, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Steak-breasted Scimitar Babblers, Collar-billed Scimitar Babbler, Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler, Long-tailed Minivet, Short-billed Minivet, Grey-chinned Minivet, Scarlet Minivet, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Black-throated Prinia, Striated Prinia, Gray-throated Babbler, Ashy Bulbull, Mountain Bulbull, Himalayan Bulbull, Grey-throated Babbler, Bhutan Laughingthrush, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Beautiful Nuthatch, White-tailed Nuthatch, Asian-barred Owlet, Short-billed Minivet, Rufous-necked Laughingthrush etc.
Overnight at hotel in Yotongla
Today we will drive from Yotongla-Nganglam-Panbang. On the way we will come across various birds.
Overnight at Marang Jungle Lodge
Today we will raft 13Km from Panbang to Manas.On foot it might take few hours but the boat ride takes only thirty minutes. Many prefer boat rides to enjoy the scenic beauty and watch birds. You can explore the park through various activities like – bird watching, river rafting , picnicking along the river and walking through the Park’s Eco Trail. This place is a treasure house of around 365 bird species among which the Emerald Cuckoo, Spotted Wren-Babbler, White-bellied Heron, Pallas Fish Eagle, Wreathed Hornbill, Pied Hornbill, Great Indian Hornbill and Rufous-necked Hornbill are commonly visible.
Overnight At Marang Jungle camp
We will drive from Panbang to Tingtibi. On the way you can witness a giant waterfall. We will stay at Tingtibi Eco lodge and later visit the village of Berit. Tingtibi is another hotspot for birds. You may spot Explore Tingtibi where you can spot the Great Hornbill, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Wreated Hornbill, Lesser Yellownape, Scarlet minivet, Sultan Tit, Black-eared Shrike-babbler, White-bellied Erpornis, Long-tailed Sibia,Silver-eared Mesia, Red-billed Leiothrix, Bar-throated Siva, Blue-Winged Siva, Red-tailed Minla,Red-faced Liocichla, Rufous-necked Laughingthrush, Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush, Straited Laughingthrush, White-crested Laughingthrush, Jungle Babbler, Golden Babbler, Grey-throated Babbler, Pin-striped Tit Babbler, Long-billed Wren Babbler, Eye-browed Wren Babbler and many more
Overnight at Tingtibi Eco Lodge
The species found in this area includes Spotted Laughingthrush, Crested Serpent Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Common Kestrel, Himalayan Griffon, Himalayan Swiftlet, Asian House Martin, Nepal House Martin, Common Rosefinch, Beautiful Rosefinch, White-browed Rosefinch, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Streaked-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Brown Parrotbill, Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler, and Speckled Wood Pigeon. If time permits we can also visit Trongsa Dzong Today
Overnight at Hotel in Trongsa
We will visit Chimi Lhakhang today and learn the myths of Phallus
Overnight at hotel in Punakha
In the morning we will visit Punakha Dzong before heading to Jigme Dorji National Park
After detouring Punakha Dzong, we will explore Mo Chu Valley & Rimchu to Jigme Dorji National Park. The warm broad leaf forest here are the habitat of the rare White-Bellied Heron, White -gorgetted Flycatcher and Yellow-vented Warbler
Overnight at Hotel
Early morning we will drive to Paro. Later we can do some sightseeing Overnight at Hotel in Paro
Overnight at hotel in Paro
Early in the morning drive to Chelela pass for pheasants: Kalij Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Blood Pheasant and Himalayan Monal. There is also chance of sighting the Fire-tailed Myzornis as well. We can have a picnic lunch today Evening Return to Paro
Overnight at hotel in Paro
Today we will hike to Tiger's Nest. It is a signature spot of Bhutan Tourism. After the hike you can relax by soaking yourself in hot stone bath. And later you can try some Bhutanese Beer at Namgay Artisinary Brewery
Overnight at hotel in Paro
Our guide and driver will drop you to the Airport and bid your farewell
5.0 / 1 Reviews
If you are a bird and wildlife lover, Bhutan is the best place to visit.
Me and my friends spent 21 days on a birding and cultural tour . It was perhaps one of the best vacation we could have. We stayed in Eco Camps next to the river, went on look out for rare white bellied heron on the riverside early in the morning, tried river rafting, local archery game and walked through ancient trails.
Our guide Dorji knew all the birds by sight and sound, and he knew where to find them. Our driver Mr. Chencho was talkative and very well informed on country's politics and above all excellent driver.
Had a wonderful time in Bhutan with our guide and driver .
I would also like to thank Mr.Vivek for having all the patience in customizing the tour for us.