Bird watching in the Thimphu area (2300m)
The capital of Bhutan is about two hours drive, west of Paro. The rice fields of the Thimphu valley are fed by the Thim chu (Thimphu river). The Tashichho Dzong (fortress of auspicious religion), houses the throne room of the king, the monastic body, and some important government ministeries. Some places of touristic interests in Thimphu: - Simtokha Dzong, located at about seven kms south of Thimphu was the first dzong built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1629. It is the oldest Dzong in Bhutan. Today, it houses the Institute of Language & Cultural Studies. - The Memorial Stupa in Thimphu, is a beautiful landmark in the valley. The stupa was built in 1974 in memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Although stupas are normally enclosed and cannot be entered, this one is unique as one can enter into it. This stupa displays three different sects of Buddhism, namely Phurba, Kagyu and Gongdyue.The paintings and statues inside this stupa provide a rare insight into Nyingmapa, Buddhist philosophy. - Changangkha Lhakhang, (temple) is one of the oldes temples in the Thimphu valley. It was built in the 12th century by Nima, the son of the founder of the Drukpa Kagyu School. - Zilukha Nunnery in Thimphu which was founded by one of the Maha Sidhas is popularly known for the dedicated Buddhist women pr actitioners. - The Institute of Traditional Medicine at Kawangjangsa is an alternative to modern medicine. Here you will have the opportunity to see all kinds of herbs used for processing into medicines. If interested a consultation can be arranged. Traditional medici ne is very popular among visitors for its holistic approach to healing. - The National Library, the Painting School and Folk Heritage Mueseum are other sites that provide very enriching insights into Bhutanese way of life. - The weekend farmers market is a must. Every week, large crowds of rural people congregate at this market to sell their vegetables, fruits, crops and rural crafts. Much of the food items sold here are organic products. - The Takin Preservation Center in Thimphu is a center which show cases the national animal of Bhutan.

In the Thimphu valley, in the areas falling between Chuzom and Tango-Cheri, we can sight birds such as Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Ibis bill, Crested Pied Kingfisher, Hoopoe, Rufus-bellied woodpeckers, Nepal House Martin, Long-tailed Minvet, Spotted Nutcracker, Red-billed Chough, Black-browed and Grey-crested tits, Striated and Black-faced laughing thrushes, Chestnut-bellied Rock-thrush, Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird, White-tailed Nuthatch, Black-capped Sibia, Crested Serpent-eagle, Black eagle, Common Merganzer, etc.

In Thimphu, we recommend two days for cultural sightseeing and bird watching.

Bird watching in the Punakha valley (1300 m)
The drive is about three hours. It will take you across the Dochula Pass (3050M) with a spectacular view of the eastern Himalayas. The pass is also marked by 108 stupas dedicated to world peace by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, Queen of Bhutan. The descent will take us through sub tropical vegetation and into Punakha. Some places of touristic interests in Punakha: - The Punakha Dzong was built in 1637 by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel. Punakha was once the old capital of Bhutan and is today the winter residence of the Central Monastic Body. The Dzong occupies an important place in the history of monarchy in Bhutan as the first King of Bhutan, Ugyen Wangchuck was crowned here in 1907. The Dzong also houses Bhutan's most sacred relic, the Ranjung Kharsapani (the self created image of Avolokitesvara). The inner-most sanctum of the temple houses the Marchen Lhakhang, containing the embalmed body of the Shabdrung, the first secular leader of Bhutan. The Punakha Dzong is looked upon as an epitome of Bhutan ese art and architecture. Today the Dzong also serves as the headquarter to the District Administration. - Hike to Khamsumyelung Temple. The hike will take about 45 minutes. Here you will see some of the finest work of Bhutanese art. - Experience traditional hot stone water bath. It can be arranged upon request with the hotel management on payment basis.

Rafting can be organized in the Puna Tsang Chu on payment basis.

Some of the birds that can be sighted in the Punakha valley are: Fire-tailed and Green-tailed sunbirds, Satyr Tragopan, Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Red Crossbills, Flower peckers, Lemon-rumped Leaf-warblers, Blue-bellied Green Shrike-babblers, Olive-backed Pipits, Gold-billed Magpies, Common Hill Partridges, Plain–backed Thrush, etc.

Birds like the Mountain Hawk, Gold-napped Finch, Slender-billed Scimitar-babbler, Northern Tree creeper, Fire-capped Tit, Golden Bush-robin, Little and Slatty-backed fork tails, etc. can be sighted at lower elevations.

In Punakha, we recommend two days for cultural sightseeing and bird watching.

Bird watching in the Tashithang area
Tashithang is about two hours drive upstream, north of Punakha. Although the drive is a little bumpy as it is on a unpaved feeder road, it is worth the while. Some of the birds likely to be seen on this route are: tawny Fish Owl, River Lapwing, Pygmy Blue Flycatcher, Red-headed Trogon, White-bellied Heron, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Little Niltava, all three tesias, Striated Bulbul, Pygmy Wren-Babbler, Red-faced Liocichla, Scarlet Finch, Spotted Wren-Babbler, Rufus-chinned Laughing thrush, Ibis bill, Great-headed Gulls, Bar-headed Geese, and palesfish eagles (rare). can be spotted in this area.

In Tashithang, we recommend one day for bird watching.

Bird watching in Trongsa district (2200 m)
Enroute to Trongsa, you will pass through Wangdue Phodrang district and sight mixed broad-leafed forests and further up towards the Pelela Pass (11,400 ft) you will come across mixed conifers, rhododendrons and magnolias. In the winter and early spring, you will come across yaks grazing along the route. In the Pelela area, some of the birds sighted are: Kalij Pheasants, White-capped Water Redstarts, Blood Pheasants, Black-throated and Brown Parrot bills, Satyr Tragopan, Spotted Fork tail, Gold-napped finch, Crested Kingfisher, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Brown Dippers, Yellow–billed Blue Magpie, etc.

Bird watching in the Mangdue Chu area
Between Trongsa and Zhemgang districts, some of the birds known to have been spotted are: Himalayan Swift let, Yellow-rumped Honey guide, Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Barred Cuckoo-Dove, Fork-tailed Swifts, Rufus-bellied Eagle, Red-billed Leiothrix, Great Hornbills, Crimson-breasted and Darjeeling Woodpeckers, Striated Bulbul, Spotted Bush-Warbler, Long-tailed Minivets, Little Pied Flycatchers, Little and Spotted Fork tails, Blue-bearded Bee-eaters, Scaly Thrushes, Purple Cochoa, Pin-tailed Green Pigeons, Spot-winged Starling, etc

Trongsa is in central Bhutan and it divides Bhutan in two halfs. Trongsa Dzong is the biggest and one of the most spectacular Dzongs in Bhutan. The Dzong is very strategically located and it is believed that in the past toll fees used to be collected for animals and people passing through the Dzong. The Trongsa Dzong houses 25 temples and is considered a record among the Dzongs. The office of the District Governor is also located inside the Dzong. Above the Dzong is Ta Dzong “watchtower” used mainly to keep watch.

“Trongsa” is the ancestral home of our Royal family. The Crown Prince of Bhutan normally holds the position of Trongsa Penlop now known as “Chhoetse Penlop”, prior to ascending the throne and becoming the King of Bhutan.

It is advisable to reserve two days for cultural tour and bird watching in Trongsa.

Bird watching in the Tingtibi area of Zhemgang
Zhemgang is approximately three hours drive south of Trongsa. The drive takes you through lush green vegetation, via Kuenga Rabten, an ancestral royal palace. After a drive of over two hours we will leave behind the Mangdue Chu and then ascend to Zhemgang Dzong located on a hillock. Zhemgang is known for its bamboo products which are now increasingly being marketed as sourvenirs. Descending to the south of Zhemgang is the Tingtibi area.The mighty Mangdue Chu flows below the township of Tingtibi. Between Zhemgang and Tingtibi you will sight the rare and famous Golden Langur (monkey). In this region, the birds that one is likely to come across are; Red-headed Trogon, Pin-tailed Green Pigeons, Sultan Tit, Barred Cuckoo-Dove, Blyth’s Kingfisher (with a bit of Luck), Chestnut-breasted Partridges, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Rufus-necked Hornbill, White-browed Piculet, Bay Woodpecker, nine species of cuckoos, White-tailed Robin, several scimitar-babblers, Black-faced laughing thrush and other thrushes, fulvettas a nd yuhinas, Lesser Short wing, Grey-headed Parrot bill, Rufus-faced Warbler, Pygmy Blue Flycatcher, etc. On a lucky day, one might sight the Beautiful Nuthatch, White-bellied Heron, Collared Tree pie and Lesser Rufus-headed Parrot bill.

We recommend two nights in the Zhemgang area given its rich flaura and fauna.

Bird watching in the Bumthang valley (2700 m)
Bumthang consists of four beautiful valleys – Chummey, Chhokhor, Tang and Ura. It is a land blessed with many "neys" (holy sights) and temples and monasteries built by well known Buddhist saints such as Longchen Rabjampa, Dorji Lingpa, Pema Lingpa, Guru Rimpochey and Chogyel Minjur Tempa. Bumthang also known as Jakar means the valley with the prophecy of the white bird. Kurjay and Jambay Lhakhangs, are two very prominent religious landmarks in the Chhokhor valley. There are many other other temples in the Chummey, Chhokhor, Tang and Ura valley.

“Yatha”(hand woven textile made from sheep wool) is a native product of Bumthang and considered a beautiful souvenir of the valley. Ura is the eastern most valley of Bumthang and is known for the unique cluster of houses that surround the village temple.

On the descent from the Yotong la pass, one may come across birds like the Great Parrot bill, Ashy-throated Warbler, Wall creeper, Broad-billed Parrot bill, Mrs Gould’s sunbird and Green-tailed sunbird, Fire-tailed sunbird, Lemon-rumped Warbler, Khalij Pheasant, Black-faced Laughing thrush, Grey-hooded Warbler, White-throated Laughing thrush, etc. Sometimes, one can also sight the Ibis bill.

One night is recommended for Bumthang.

Bird watching in the Bumthang-Thrumshing la-Sengor area
On the way to the Thrumshing la Pass (3800 meters), the drive will takes you through the villages of Tangsbi and Ura. On a clear day, one can enjoy the breathtaking views of the eastern Himalayas, with rich green forests and meadows in the foreground. Good locations to camp for bird watching in this area are either at Jazam Chu or Sengor. The Thrumshing la area is a national park and very famous for its flora, fauna and avifauna.

Birds that have been sighted in this area are; Satyr Tragopan, Orange-barred, Grey-throated, Grey-hooded and Blyth’s leaf-warblers, Lemon-rumped, White-browed and Rufus-winged Fulvettas,Stripe-throated Yuhina, Mrs. Gould’s and Green-tailed sunbirds, Red Crossbill, Blood Pheasant, Chestnut-bellied Rock-thrush, Plain-backed and Long-billed (rare and elusive) thrushes, Orange-flanked, Green Shrike-babbler,Gold-naped Finch, White-browed Bush-Robins, Blue-fronted Redstart, Orange-gorgeted and Slaty-Blue Flycatchers, Eurasian, Mountain Hawk-eagle, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Rusty-flanked and Brown-throated tree creepers, Rufus-bellied Niltava, Bar-winged Wren-babblers, Grey-sided Bush Warbler, Eurasian Sparrow hawk, Black-faced and chestnut-crowned laughing thrush, Red-headed Bullfinch, White-winged and Collared Grosbeaks, Slender-billed Scimitar-Babbler, etc

Bird watching in the Sengor-Yongkola-Ligmithang valleys
This area is known as the bird lovers paradise in Bhutan. The descent from Sengor to Limithang is very dramatic as it takes you from the high winding roads in the mountains to the bottom of the valley, descending thousands of meters within hours. This area is a bio-divseristy hot spot and very popular with bird lovers.

A large number of bird species have been sighted in this area. Some of these are: Rufus-necked Hornbill, Collared Owlet, Rufus-bellied and Speckled Wood-Pigeon, Ward’s Trogon, Satyr-Tragopan, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Red-headed Trogon, Crimson-breasted, Bay and Lesser Yellow-napped Woodpeckers, Golden-throated and Blue-throated barbets, Himalayan Tree pie, Oriental hawk-cuckoos, Short-billed and Long-tailed mini vets, Yellow and White-bellied fantails, Brown Dipper, Chestnut Serpent-Eagles,White-browed Short wing, Verditer Flycatcher, Large Niltava, Hodgson’s Redstart, Plumbeous Redstart, White-caped Redstart, Slaty-backed Fork tail, Brown-flanked Tree creeper, Red-heade, Chestnut-headed, Rufus-fronted, Yellow-browed and Mountain and Ashy Bulbuls, Slaty-bellied and Grey-bellied tesias, Grey-sided and Brown Bush-warblers, a variety of leaf-warblers, Black-browed, Grey-headed, White-speckled, Yellow-cheeked tits,Chestnut-crowned, Broad-billed, Rufus-faced and Black-faced Flycatcher Warblers, Blue-winged laug hing thrush, Slender-billed scimitar-babblers, Rufus-throated wren-babblers, Rufus-capped and Golden babblers, Red-billed Leiothrix, Cutia, Rufus-bellied, White-browed and Black-eared Shrike-Babblers, Chestnut-tailed and Red-tailed Minlas, White-naped Whiskered, and Black-chinned Yuhinas, Golden-breasted and Yellow-throated fulvettas, Spot-winged Grosbeak, Greater and Rufus-headed Parrot bill, Scarlet Finch, Fire-breasted Flower pecker, Crimson-browed Finch, Yellow-rumped Honey guide, etc.

It is worth spending two days here to enjoy the rich avifauna

With more than 65% of the country under forest cover, Bhutan has been able to protect its rich flora and fauna. Today, Bhutan is home to 770 bird species, including 221 endangered species. Given Bhutan's prestine environment and preservation laws, it is today recognized as one of the top ten bio-diversity hot spots in the world. With more than 26% of the country converted into protected area, Bhutan has become a safe haven for many of the endangered species.

Bhutan is also home to more than 16 globally threatened bird species. They are, namely, Satyr Tragopan, Grey bellied Tragopan, Purple Cochoa, White bellied Heron, Ward’s Trogaon, Pallas's Fish Eagle, Blyth’s King Fisher, Yellow rumped Honey Guide, Rufus throated Wren Babbler, Chestnut breasted Partridge, Blyth's Trogon, Wood Snipe, Red headed Parrot Bill, Dark Rumped Swift, Rufus necked Hornbill, Grey crowned Prinia and Beautiful Nuthatch all of which breed in Bhutan. There are also a few spots in Bhutan where the rare black necked crane spends the winter. Greater spotted Eagle, Hodgson's Bushchat, Baer's Pochard and Imperial Eagle have been sighted in Bhutan.