Majestic Bird Photo Tour

Upon arrival in Phuentsholing, you will rest after your journey. If time allows, we will go birding on the hillside, where we may spot species such as the Crimson Sunbird, Little Egret, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Black Kite, and more.

We will depart early for Thimphu, making birdwatching stops along the way. Species to expect include the Crested Goshawk, Speckled Piculet, Green Magpie, Black-throated Parrotbill, Golden Babbler, Blue-winged Minla, Blue-winged Laughingthrush, Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Rusty-bellied Shortwing, and Scarlet Minivet. We will stay overnight in Thimphu.

After an early departure, we will head to Punakha via Dochula Pass. During the journey, we may spot the Fire-tailed Myzornis, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird, Ashy-throated Warbler, Great Parrotbill, Maroon-backed Accentor, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, and Rufous-vented Yuhina. As we descend into Punakha, we will explore riverine forests in search of the endangered White-bellied Heron, Crested Kingfisher, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, and Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler.

We will travel through broadleaf forests and river valleys, looking for the Rufous Woodpecker, Small Niltava, Striated Yuhina, Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Common Buzzard, Red-headed Trogon, Himalayan Cutia, White-browed Scimitar Babbler, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Scarlet Finch, Long-tailed Broadbill, and Velvet-fronted Nuthatch.

As we journey into Gelephu’s dense subtropical forests, we will search for the Beautiful Nuthatch, Treecreepers, Blue-throated Barbet, Large Niltava, Collared Treepie, Steppe Eagle, Green Cochoa, Black-backed Forktail, Scaly-breasted Cupwing, Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, and Spotted Elachura.

As we ascend, we will watch for the Greater Yellownape, Silver-eared Mesia, Red-faced Liocichla, Bronzed and Hair-crested Drongo, Black-headed Shrike Babbler, Long-tailed Sibia, Red-tailed Minla, Bhutan Laughingthrush, Grey-hooded Warbler, Yellow-bellied Fantail, Red-headed Trogon, and various hornbills, including Great, Wreathed, and Silver-breasted. We will also search for the Blue-naped Pitta.

While birdwatching on the journey, we may spot the White-hooded Babbler, Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Rufous-faced Warbler, Crested Serpent Eagle, Orange-headed Thrush, various Flycatchers, Great Barbet, Pale-headed Woodpecker, Chestnut-winged Cuckoo, Black-throated Parrotbill, and the striking Rufous-necked Hornbill.

This full day of exploration will give us the chance to look for Blyth’s Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Collared Falconet, White-bellied Erpornis, Jerdon’s Baza, Spot-winged Grosbeak, Eyebrowed Wren-babbler, Golden-throated Barbet, Yellow-throated Fulvetta, Scaly Laughingthrush, Asian Emerald cuckoo, Greater and Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush, Scarlet Minivet, and Tawny Fish Eagle.

On this scenic drive, we will stop in prime birding areas, where we have the chance to spot the Sultan Tit, Common Emerald Dove, Common Green Magpie, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush, Blue-eared Barbet, and Golden-fronted Leafbird.

As we transition from subtropical to mid-elevation forests, we will search for the Himalayan Cutia, various Barbets, Cochoa, Black-eared Shrike-Babbler, White-collared Blackbird, Fulvous Parrotbill, and Spotted Laughingthrush.

Spending a full day in one of Bhutan’s best birding hotspots, we will look for species such as the Rufous-throated Wren-Babbler, Hodgson’s Frogmouth, Yellow-cheeked Tit, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Rufous-necked Laughingthrush, Black-throated Parrotbill, Golden Babbler, and Golden-breasted Fulvetta.

Along the journey, we will encounter a variety of avifauna, from highland species like the Spotted Laughingthrush and White-browed Bush Robin to lowland birds such as the Blue-throated Barbet and Chestnut-headed Tesia. We may also spot the Great Parrotbill, Red-headed Bullfinch, Himalayan Monal, and Blood Pheasant, with the possibility of a Red Panda sighting.

We will travel to the valley of Phobjikha to observe the Black-necked Crane. Other species to look for include the Blood Pheasant, Oriental Skylark, Blak-billed Magpie, Beautiful Rosefinch, Spot-winged Grosbeak, Alpine Accentor, White-throated Redstart, and Rufous-breasted Bush Robin.

Along the way, we will stop for high-altitude birding, searching for the Himalayan Monal, Red-headed Bullfinch, Crimson-browed Finch, Golden-naped Finch, Black-billed Magpie, and Yellow-billed Blue Magpie. The scenic mountain landscapes provide excellent photo opportunities.

We will embark on a breathtaking hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, where we will have birding opportunities to see Peregrine Falcon, Brown Parrotbill, Buff-barred Warbler, Grey-crested Yuhina, Altai Accentor, Rufous-vented Yuhina, and Fire-tailed Sunbird. Along the trail, we may also spot various warblers, nutcrackers, and laughingthrushes.

This marks the end of the tour, and you will depart from Bhutan.