Bird Watching Tour In Bhutan

A birdwatching tour through the mountain kingdom of Bhutan.

Duration
10 days
Group size
12 people
Country
Bhutan

Bird Watching Tour In Bhutan Overview

A birdwatching tour through the mountain kingdom of Bhutan.

A birdwatching tour through the mountain kingdom of Bhutan, one of the best places in the world to see Himalayan birds.

Bhutan, a Buddhist kingdom on the eastern edge of the Himalayas, is known for its monasteries, fortresses and varied landscapes, which range from subtropical plains to steep mountains and valleys. It is also well known for birdwatching.

Bhutan is an excellent destination for birdwatchers and ornithologists. It is home to more than 770 species of bird, and the globally endangered white-winged duck has recently been added to the list. It is an ideal place to see many of the Himalayas' rarest and most elusive species. Himalayan Monal, Satyr Tragopan, White-bellied Heron, Ibisbill, Ward's Trogon, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Beautiful Nuthatch, Sikkim Wedge-billed Babbler and Fire-tailed Myzornis are some of the rare species that are hard to find outside Bhutan.

As well as birdwatching, you learn about Bhutanese culture and traditions as you walk remote trails and visit Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha and Bumthang.

Bhutan is known for its focus on happiness and its well-preserved environment. We can also arrange your Bhutan tour package from Nepal, India or Tibet.

Earthbound Expeditions is recommended by Lonely Planet, TripAdvisor, The New York Times, The Guardian and many other national and international newspapers and magazines. The price of the "Bird Watching Tour in Bhutan" starts from $3,987. For more information on trekking, hiking and travel, please contact us.

Key highlights of the Bird Watching Tour In Bhutan

Itinerary

  1. Fly from Kathmandu to Paro. On a clear day the flight gives panoramic views of the Himalayas, including Everest. The approach through the Bhutanese foothills is notable, with a few steep turns before landing at the small airstrip of Paro International Airport. After immigration formalities, you meet your guide at the exit gate. We begin the tour in Paro, in western Bhutan, and explore the valley and its many cultural and historical monuments. We are particularly keen to see the Ibisbill, which lives on river sandbanks, and the Black-tailed Crake. Other birds to look for include Brown Dipper, Plumbeous and White-capped Water Redstarts, Siberian Stonechat, Grey Bushchat, Blue Whistling Thrush, Himalayan Wagtail, River Lapwing, Oriental Turtle Dove, Eurasian Hoopoe, Himalayan Black Bulbul, Grey-backed Shrike, Red-billed Chough, Large-billed Crow, Green-backed Tit, Russet Sparrow, Green Sandpiper, Rosy Pipit, Rufous-breasted Accentor, Black-throated Thrush and Hodgson's Redstart.

    Altitude
    2,200 m (7,220 ft)
    On foot
    Easy walking, 2–3 hrs
    Night in
    Hotel, Paro
    Meals
    Dinner

  2. Today we start early for the Chelela mountain pass (3,780m). This is a very good place to see the Himalayan Monal, considered one of the world's 10 most beautiful birds. We also search the area for Blood Pheasant and Kalij Pheasant. Other species found here include Long-tailed Thrush, White-collared Blackbird, Mrs Gould's Sunbird, Olive-backed Pipit, the large Collared Grosbeak, White-winged Grosbeak, Himalayan White-browed and Dark-rumped Rosefinches, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Grey Nightjar, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Spotted (or Eurasian) Nutcracker, Long-tailed Minivet, Coal, Grey-crested and Rufous-fronted Tits, Black-faced Laughingthrush, White-browed Fulvetta, Rufous-vented Yuhina, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Buff-barred Warbler, Himalayan Red-flanked Bluetail (split from Northern) and Blue-fronted Redstart. In the evening, we drive to Bhutan's capital, Thimphu (2,350m).

    Altitude
    2,320 m (7,610 ft)+120 m
    On foot
    Easy walking, 2–3 hrs
    Night in
    Hotel, Thimphu
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. In the morning, drive towards Punakha. The road climbs a series of zigzags over the Dochula Pass (3,050m), which, weather permitting, has views of the snow-capped eastern Himalayas. Dochula is the most scenic mountain pass in Bhutan, surrounded by forests of hemlock, fir, rhododendron and evergreen oak. With the peaks of the eastern Himalayas as the backdrop, we look for White-throated, Striated and Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrushes, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Rufous Sibia, Hoary-throated Barwing, Stripe-throated Yuhina, Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Lemon-rumped and Ashy-throated Warblers, Whistler's Warbler, Yellow-browed Tit, Rusty-flanked Treecreeper, Green-tailed Sunbird, Common Crossbill, Dark-breasted Rosefinch and Red-headed Bullfinch. We may also see the Fire-tailed Myzornis here. Towards evening we descend to Punakha (1,350m).

    Altitude
    1,200 m (3,940 ft)−1,120 m
    On foot
    Easy walking, 2–3 hrs
    Night in
    Hotel, Punakha
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. The main landmark of this subtropical valley is Punakha Dzong, the ancient capital, which stands between the male and female rivers, the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu. We hike up the Mo Chhu and through a wide stretch of forest along the riverbank and its tributaries, looking for Crested Kingfisher, Great Cormorant and Slaty-backed Forktail. Among many other species, we especially hope to see Yellow-vented Warbler, Spotted Wren-Babbler and, with luck, the extremely rare White-bellied Heron and Pallas's Fish Eagle. Other species found in this area include Grey-headed Woodpecker, Greater and Lesser Yellownapes, Maroon Oriole, Ashy and Hair-crested Drongos, Common Myna, Grey Treepie, Black-winged Cuckoo-shrike, Mountain Bulbul, Ultramarine, Verditer and Grey-headed Flycatchers, Small Niltava, Slaty-bellied Tesia, Blyth's Leaf, Green-crowned and Grey-hooded Warblers, Black-throated Tit, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Crested Serpent Eagle, Spotted Dove, Himalayan Cuckoo, Himalayan Swiftlet, House Swift, White-throated Kingfisher, Great and Golden-throated Barbets, and Black-throated Sunbird. We also look for babblers, including Rufous-capped Babbler, Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush, Red-tailed and Blue-winged Minlas, Whiskered Yuhina and Nepal Fulvetta.

    Altitude
    1,200 m (3,940 ft)
    On foot
    Easy walking, 3–4 hrs
    Night in
    Hotel, Punakha
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Today we head into the interior, from Wangdue to the Phobjikha valley, the winter home of the black-necked cranes. The route is thickly forested, and we bird along the way through changing vegetation, from subtropical to temperate to alpine. We look out for the elusive Yellow-rumped Honeyguide among the hives of rock bees. Other birds usually found on this stretch include Grey-sided Bush Warbler, Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Fork-tailed Swift, Chestnut-bellied and Blue-capped Rock Thrushes, Yellow-bellied Fantail, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Himalayan Griffon, Lammergeier, Indian Blue Robin and Hume's Bush Warbler.

    Altitude
    2,900 m (9,510 ft)+1,700 m
    On foot
    None, 3–4 hr drive
    Night in
    Hotel, Phobjikha
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. In the morning, drive to Bumthang along what is locally called the lateral highway, crossing two mountain passes, Pele La (3,300m) and Yotong La (3,400m). We look for Himalayan Wood Owl, the rare Wood Snipe, and high-altitude species such as Alpine Accentor, White-browed Bush Robin, Great and Brown Parrotbills, and Fulvous Parrotbill. Other new birds on this stretch may include Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Spotted Forktail and Speckled Wood Pigeon. We then reach the wide, pine-forested Bumthang valley, considered one of the most beautiful in Bhutan.

    Altitude
    2,600 m (8,530 ft)−300 m
    On foot
    None, 5–6 hr drive
    Night in
    Hotel, Bumthang
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. A full day in Bumthang. You can either go birding in the Chumey Valley or do some cultural sightseeing, visiting the dzong, Jambay Lhakhang and Kurjey Lhakhang.

    Altitude
    2,600 m (8,530 ft)
    On foot
    Easy walking, 2–3 hrs
    Night in
    Hotel, Bumthang
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Drive back over the Yotong La and Pele La passes. The drive takes about 7 to 8 hours.

    Altitude
    1,200 m (3,940 ft)−1,400 m
    On foot
    None, 7–8 hr drive
    Night in
    Hotel, Punakha
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  9. The drive to Paro over the Dochula Pass takes about 5 hours. After arriving in Paro, you can spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the town, or visit Paro Dzong and Ta Dzong (the National Museum).

    Altitude
    2,200 m (7,220 ft)+1,000 m
    On foot
    None, 5 hr drive
    Night in
    Hotel, Paro
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  10. Drive to Paro International Airport for your flight.

    Altitude
    2,200 m (7,220 ft)
    On foot
    None, departure day
    Night in
    No overnight
    Meals
    Breakfast

What's included

  • All accommodation in Bhutan.
  • Full-board meals.
  • Private transfers.
  • Professional English-speaking tour guides.
  • All airport pick-ups and transfers.
  • Travel permits.
  • Bhutan visa fees.
  • Entrance fees for major monuments in Bhutan.

Not included

  • Airfare.
  • Personal travel insurance.
  • All personal expenses.
  • A few lunches and dinners.
  • Tips for guides and drivers.
  • Mountain and road rescue.
  • Other emergency evacuations, which are charged if needed.
  • Expenses arising from illness, landslides, political disturbances, re-routing, flight cancellations or any other unforeseen events outside our control.
  • Drinks with meals, telephone bills, laundry, postage and similar costs.

Reviews

Exceptional5.0 out of 5Reviews from Tripadvisor
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Showing 10 reviews from 901 on Tripadvisor

A life changing journey to Kailash Mansarovar

September 2026, Tripadvisor

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Life-Changing Journey Made Possible by an Incredible Team Some journeys are vacations, some are adventures, and then there are journeys like the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra that touch your soul and stay with you forever. For many years, visiting Mount Kailash and Mansarovar was a cherished dream of mine. Like every pilgrim, I knew the journey would be physically demanding and full of uncertainties. What I did not realize was how much the experience would be enriched by the extraordinary people who guided and supported us every step of the way. From the moment our journey began, the entire team treated us not as customers, but as family. Their care, dedication, and attention to every detail allowed us to focus completely on the spiritual aspect of the pilgrimage. Whether it was managing logistics, helping pilgrims cope with the high altitude, offering words of encouragement during difficult moments, or simply checking on everyone's well-being, their commitment was truly remarkable. There were times during the yatra when the physical challenges felt overwhelming, but the team's calm presence, positive attitude, and genuine concern gave us the confidence to keep going. No request was too small, and no challenge seemed too great for them to handle. Their experience and professionalism were evident throughout the journey, yet what touched me most was their compassion and kindness. Seeing Mount Kailash for the first time and taking part in the sacred rituals at Mansarovar were deeply emotional moments that I will treasure for the rest of my life. Thanks to this amazing team, I was able to experience those moments without worry, knowing that every detail had been thoughtfully taken care of. I returned home not only with beautiful memories and photographs, but with a heart full of gratitude and a profound sense of spiritual fulfillment. Completing this sacred pilgrimage was truly one of the most meaningful experiences of my life, and I owe a great deal of that to the exceptional people who made it possible. If you are considering the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, I cannot recommend this company highly enough. They don't simply organize a trip; they help pilgrims fulfill a lifelong dream and create memories that will last forever. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping make this sacred journey so special. 🙏 Om Namah Shivaya 🙏

Poonam BRead on Tripadvisor

Excellent Service from Earthbound!

September 2026, Tripadvisor

Kailash is not a destination. It is a life changing experience beyond words! Our once-in-a-lifetime journey was made seamless and truly memorable by the wonderful team at Earthbound Expeditions. They made us feel at home with their warmth, care, patience, food, and constant support to help us compete the Yatra in difficult circumstances post the Nepal tragedy Special thanks to Arjunji for his immense patience and personal care, Sonamji for his dynamic leadership and ensuring the availability of personal porters, horses, and a horseman and hats off to the tour organizer Rajanji for overseeing everything and making sure we were comfortable and satisfied throughout. Grateful to the entire team for making this sacred journey so smooth, special, and unforgettable. 🙏❤️

Deepa SRead on Tripadvisor

Holy Mt Kailash, Mansarovar and Muktinath Yatra, August 15 - September 1, 2026

August 2026, Tripadvisor

We completed the Holy Mt. Kailash, Manasarovar and Muktinath yatra in August for 15 days in with Earthbound Expeditions, and I recommend them high rating. From the moment we landed in Kathmandu, Rajan ji and his team handled every detail with care. The accommodation was consistently very good throughout our stay. The food was excellent. Arjun ji and the team on the ground were outstanding. They checked on every member of the group daily, and looked after us with genuine personal attention. I appreciate their calmness and the way they handled the unexpected situation with the floods that hit Nepal.Their pacing of the yatra was excellent. It was the pilgrimage of a lifetime, and Earthbound Expeditions made it possible. If you are considering the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, especially travelling from abroad, you can place your trust in Rajan ji and his team with complete confidence. Om Namah Shivaya 🙏 Srinivasa Vanga

Srinivasa Reddi VWashington DC, District of ColumbiaRead on Tripadvisor

Overall the Mount Kailash tour was excellent and Kudos to Earthbound Expeditions team.

August 2026, Tripadvisor

We recently completed a trip to Mount Kailash with Earthbound Expeditions, and we had an excellent experience throughout the journey. Their team took very good care of us from start to finish. We were especially impressed with our excellent guide, Arjunji, who was knowledgeable, supportive, and attentive throughout the trip. The kitchen team also traveled with us and prepared delicious meals every day, which was especially appreciated during the challenging high-altitude journey. The team guided us extremely well and followed an excellent acclimatization process to help us adjust safely to the high altitude. Their experience, organization, and attention to our well-being gave us great confidence throughout the trip. Unfortunately, a natural disaster involving severe flooding in Nepal occurred during our visit. Even during this difficult and unexpected situation, Earthbound Expeditions continued to take excellent care of us. They kept us informed, guided us through the situation, and made the necessary travel arrangements to ensure that we could return safely to Kathmandu. Overall, we are extremely grateful to Earthbound Expeditions and their entire team for making our Mount Kailash journey memorable, safe, and well organized. We truly appreciate their dedication, professionalism, and care, especially during the unexpected challenges we faced.

Nagarjuna KRead on Tripadvisor

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