- 14 Nights & 15 Days
- People
- Bird Watching Tour of Bhutan
Bird Watching Tour of Bhutan
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Despite its small size about 770 species of birds have been recorded in Bhutan and the kingdom is recognized as 221 global endemic birds areas. Within country’s borders there is extraordinary range of habitats, from some of the Himalaya’s most extensive and least disturbed tropical forests to cool broad leaved and towering evergreen forests of fir, hemlock and spruce. This itinerary gives you a glimpse of this wonderful world of birds. The entire country is bisected by well maintained paved road and birding especially in mid to late spring (late March to late May) is good virtually anywhere below 3,100 m. Unlike many part of Asia, one is not obliged to seek out a park or reserve or remnant patch of ‘good looking’ habitat, since at any stop even in the midst of farmland, exciting birds are visible. The mixed broadleaf forests are much richer, and therefore more exciting for birding, than the rather slow growing monotypic stands of blue pine and particularly chir pine.
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TOP PLACES
Kolkata | Paro | Thimphu | Punakha and Wangdue Phodrang Valley | Punakha & Wangduephodrang and Gangtey | Trongsa – Bumthang (Jakar) | Bumthang – Ura | Ura – Limithang | Mongar – Trashigang | Samdrup Jongkhar | Guwahati | Kolkata
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HIGHLIGHTS
Birds of different valleys of Bhutan | Cultural attractions such as Ta Dzong (National Museum) | Rinpung Dzong | Kyichu Lhakhang and Taktsang Lhakhang | Dochula Pass | Mongar Dzong and Zangtho Pelri temple
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Day 1-2
Kolkata
Arrive in the eastern gateway of the country. After breakfast, we have an opportunity to enjoy a first taste of India’s remarkable birdlife in the city’s parks and wetlands. Situated within ten kilometers of the bustling city centre, the Satragachi Jheel is a noted wetland site, which plays host to thousands of migratory wildfowl in winter. -
Day 3-4
Paro
Druk Airways flight to Bhutan provides the most fascinating view of Himalayan scenery. Whether flying along the Himalayan range from Kathmandu or over the foothills from Calcutta, each flight is a mesmerizing aeronautical feat and offers exciting descent into the kingdom. -
Day 5
Thimpu
Drive to Thimphu, the modern capital town of Bhutan. Later explore this beautiful upland valley. Relatively dry, Thimphu valley is surrounded by fine stands of Blue Pine and temperate evergreen forests. -
Day 6
Punakha and Wangdue Phodrang Valley
From Thimphu, proceed further to Dochula pass (3,050m), which offers most spectacular view over high peaks of eastern Himalaya. From here the descent to Punakha and Wangduephodrang valley is long at the altitude difference between the pass and the valley is about 1,800 m. -
Day 7-8
Punakha & Wangduephodrang and Gangtey
From Wangduephodrang, the journey continues eastwards through Black Mountain region. The drive is relatively shorter and there are regular stops for birding and photography all along the way. The road finally leads to forest of oak and rhododendron and then broad Phobjikha valley, which is one of the few glacial valleys in Bhutan. -
Day 9
Trongsa – Bumthang (Jakar)
On this trip of 68 km, there is altitude variation from 2,100 m in Trongsa to Yotongla pass at 3,400 m and then descend to Bumthang valley at 2,600 m and the vegetation changes from temperate forests of Trongsa to coniferous and mixed alpine of Bumthang. -
Day 10
Bumthang – Ura
Ura is the last and the highest valleys of Bumthang and to reach here, the road climbs through amazingly open countryside, occasionally running into forests. Large sheep pastures line the road and the route also crosses 3,600 m high Ura la pass and later descending into Ura by long loop across fields and pastures. -
Day 11
Ura – Limithang
Leaving behind the relatively dry Ura valley, the route ascends through forests of gigantic firs, often with an under storey of rhododendron. The road for a few kilometres is precipitous in the extreme, with steep drops that reveal a landscape defying description, until the pass at Thrumshingla (3,750 m) is finally reached. -
Day 12
Mongar – Trashigang
From Limithang, the road reaches to its lowest point of 650 m at the bridge over Kuru Chhu river. The Chhorten at this point, was built in 1800, in Nepalese style of architecture to hold the precious religious objects of Shongar Dzong when the Dzong was abandoned in favour of other place, Mongar. -
Day 13
Samdrup Jongkhar
Trashigang — Samdrup Jongkhar road completed in 1965 and the journey takes about 6 hours. Along the way, pass by Sherubtse College, the only college in country founded in 1978. Also visit the Zangtho Pelri temple built in 1978 by the late Minister of Home Affairs. -
Day 14
Guwahati
After breakfast transfer to Bhutan border where you will be picked up by Indian agent for onward drive to Guwahati. Enjoy visit of the Kamakhya Devi temple. Overnight at the hotel. -
Day 15
Kolkata
After breakfast transfer to the airport and fly to Kolkata, in Kolkata transfer to the international terminal and fly back home.
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