Arrive Paro/Drive Thimphu

Embark on an early morning flight to Paro, Bhutan’s sole airport, paralleling the Himalayan mountain chain. Weather permitting, catch glimpses of Mount Everest. Drive through an enchanting valley adorned with shingle-roofed houses, aiming to spot Red-billed Choughs and regional specialties like Rufous-fronted Tit. Spend the night in Thimphu, Bhutan’s charming capital.

Thimphu-Punakha

Head east from Thimphu, ascending the western slopes of the Dochu La, the first of many high-altitude road passes. Explore pristine mixed forests teeming with birdlife, from Quarrelsome Nutcrackers to the elusive Fire-tailed Myzornis. Venture off-road onto a trail for a more in-depth forest exploration. Highlights may include Ward’s Trogon, a Bhutanese avian gem.

Punakha

Base near Punakha, the former capital, exploring the Mo Chhu River’s braided channels and subtropical forests. Admire the spectacular Punakha Dzong and seek out species like White-bellied Heron and minivets. Encounter forest dwellers like Bay Woodpecker, Red-headed Trogon, and Wedge-tailed Pigeon. Explore inside Punakha Dzong in the afternoon.

Punakha-Gangtey

Continue east, passing Wangdue Phodrang Dzong. Scan the river channel for Pallas’s Gull and Pallas’s Fish Eagle. Explore forest edges for species such as Spotted Laughingthrush and White-winged Grosbeak.

Gangtey-Trongsa

Ascend the Pele La pass, searching for Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, and Himalayan Monal. Explore bamboo stands below for specialties like Great and Brown Parrotbills.

Trongsa-Bumthang

Continue the journey over Pele La pass, scouring the landscape for avian treasures. Camp near Sengor, anticipating sightings of Rufous-necked Hornbill, Blue-napped Pitta, and Long-billed Wren-Babbler.

We’ll start early today, continuing our circuit east and searching for pheasants, which could include Monal, Satyr Tragopan, and Blood Pheasant. Eventually we’ll cross the Thrumshing La, at 12,465 feet Bhutan’s highest road pass. The road then plunges dramatically into rich semi-tropical rainforest, taking us onto the Lingmethang road, perhaps Asia’s premier birding road. Many of Bhutan’s most sought-after birds can be found here, including Chestnut-breasted Partridge, Ward’s Trogon, the majestic Rufous-necked Hornbill, Blue-napped Pitta, Blue-fronted Robin, and Sikkim Wedge-billed, Long-billed, and Bar-winged Wren-Babblers. Accommodation nearby is spartan, so we’ve opted to camp. Our first night “under canvas” will be near Sengor, in modern, spacious walk-in tents equipped with comfortable camp beds; the tents will be set up for us by our Bhutanese crew.

Sengor-Yongkola

Explore lush primary forests near Lingmethang, encountering poorly known yet captivating species like Coral-billed Scimitar-Babblers and Greater Rufous-headed Parrotbill.

Yongkola.

Birding around the vicinity.

Yongkola – Tsamang-Yongkola

Birding aroung Tsamang area and back to camp

Yongkola-Bumthang

Head back over the Thrumshing La pass, focusing on pheasants like Monal, Satyr Tragopan, and Blood Pheasant.

Bumthang-Tingtibi

Embark on a long drive, observing rare Yellow-rumped Honeyguides and potentially spotting Little Forktail and Large Niltava. Camp near Tingtibi in a rich forest environment.

Explore the surrounding forests, encountering species like Chestnut-breasted Partridge and Rufous-faced Warbler.

Tingtibi

Journey south to Gelephu, passing through picturesque landscapes and making birding stops before reaching the bustling border town.

Tingtibi-Gelephu

Dive into the heart of low-altitude forest around Gelephu, focusing on species like Wreathed Hornbill, Long-tailed Broadbill, and Rufous-necked Laughingthrush.

Gelephu-Guwahati

Leave Bhutan for Assam, India, concluding the tour in Guwahati with brief stops to spot Lesser Adjutants and possibly Greater Adjutants along the way.