Featured Birding Tours

Our featured Bhutan birding tours showcase the very best this remarkable Himalayan kingdom has to offer. Whether you’re searching for spectacular Himalayan pheasants, elusive Eastern Himalayan specialities or unforgettable Buddhist cultural experiences, these carefully crafted itineraries combine Bhutan’s finest birding destinations into exceptional wildlife adventures.

Southeastern Bhutan

Elevation: Approximately 150–1,500 metres, depending on location

The subtropical foothills of southeastern Bhutan provide access to evergreen forest, secondary woodland, rocky streams, agricultural land and forest edge. Important birding areas include Samdrup Jongkhar, Dewathang and the lower slopes leading into the eastern mountains.

This is one of the best parts of Bhutan for low-elevation species. The warm forests support hornbills, broadbills, barbets, woodpeckers, bulbuls, leafbirds and mixed-species feeding flocks that are replaced by a very different bird community at higher elevations.

Specialities to look for include Great Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Red-headed Trogon, Asian Fairy-bluebird, Long-tailed Broadbill, Silver-breasted Broadbill, Pied Falconet, Blyth’s Kingfisher, Black-naped Monarch and Golden-fronted Leafbird.

Birding is usually conducted from quiet roads, forest edges and beside rocky waterways. Conditions can be warm and humid, and rain is possible, but the network of roads provides relatively straightforward access to excellent habitat.

Eastern Bhutan

Elevation: Approximately 600–2,500 metres, depending on location

Eastern Bhutan encompasses the forested mountains, river valleys and traditional settlements around Wamrong, Khaling, Trashigang, Korila and Mongar. The region contains an exceptional transition from subtropical forest to warm and cool broad-leaved woodland.

Long mountain roads pass through areas of mature forest, bamboo, rhododendron, farmland and pine-covered ridges. This variety produces excellent mixed-species flocks and opportunities to encounter several difficult Himalayan birds.

Specialities to look for include Ward’s Trogon, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Beautiful Nuthatch, Brown-throated Fulvetta, Golden-naped Finch, Black-tailed Crake, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-Babbler, Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler and Blue-winged Laughingthrush.

Birding is predominantly from mountain roads with short walks into suitable habitat. Travel can be slow because of the terrain, but regular birding stops transform the journeys between towns into productive birdwatching days.

Yongkala and Phrumsengla National Park

Elevation: Approximately 600–3,750 metres

The forests around Yongkala, Namling, Limithang and Phrumsengla National Park form one of the finest birding regions in Asia. The mountain road passes through subtropical forest, bamboo, warm and cool broad-leaved woodland, conifer forest, rhododendron and alpine meadow.

The extraordinary range of elevations supports a remarkable diversity of birds. Mixed-species flocks can contain dozens of species, while dense gullies and bamboo stands shelter some of the eastern Himalayas’ most elusive birds.

Specialities to look for include Rufous-necked Hornbill, Ward’s Trogon, Beautiful Nuthatch, Himalayan Cutia, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, White-breasted Parrotbill, Black-throated Parrotbill, Rufous-throated Wren-Babbler, Long-billed Wren-Babbler, Sikkim Wedge-billed Babbler and Spotted Elachura.

Birding is mainly undertaken from the mountain road, with stops at forest edges, bamboo stands, waterfalls and productive gullies. Mist and rain can affect the higher sections, so flexibility is essential.

Bumthang and Central Bhutan

Elevation: Approximately 2,200–3,750 metres

Central Bhutan contains beautiful mountain valleys, historic towns, broad-leaved forest, high conifer woodland and rhododendron-covered passes. Important birding locations include Bumthang, Trongsa, Yotong La, Phrumshing La and Pele La.

The high forests and mountain passes provide some of Bhutan’s best opportunities for pheasants and other montane birds. Lower broad-leaved forests around Trongsa also support secretive forest species and several distinctive mammals.

Specialities to look for include Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Spotted Elachura, Bhutan Laughingthrush, Great Parrotbill, Hoary-throated Barwing, Red-headed Bullfinch and Golden Langur.

Most birding takes place along roads, forest clearings and accessible tracks. Conditions can change rapidly, with cold, wind and mist possible at the highest passes.

Phobjikha Valley

Elevation: Approximately 2,900–3,400 metres

Phobjikha is a broad glacial valley surrounded by pine forest, bamboo-covered slopes and high mountain ridges. Its open wetlands, grasslands and forest margins provide a very different birding environment from Bhutan’s densely wooded eastern valleys.

The valley is internationally known as an important wintering area for Black-necked Crane. The cranes usually arrive during late October or November and remain until February or early March.

Other specialities to look for include Himalayan Monal, Satyr Tragopan, Oriental Skylark, Rufous-vented Tit, Grey-crested Tit, White-throated Redstart, Dark-rumped Rosefinch and Brown Parrotbill.

Birding combines gentle valley walks with roadside stops in the surrounding forests and mountain passes. Conditions are generally cool and can become cold or windy, particularly during early mornings.

Punakha and Jigme Dorji National Park

Elevation: Approximately 1,200–2,500 metres, depending on location

The warmer Punakha Valley provides access to broad-leaved forest, agricultural terraces, subtropical river valleys and the southern approaches to Jigme Dorji National Park. The Pho Chhu, Mo Chhu and Punatsangchhu rivers create important habitat for river specialists.

The surrounding forests support barbets, laughingthrushes, woodpeckers, forktails, flycatchers and several secretive understorey birds. Punakha also contains one of Bhutan’s most impressive historic dzongs.

Specialities to look for include Ibisbill, River Lapwing, Brown Dipper, Crested Kingfisher, Red-headed Trogon, Wallcreeper, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Spotted Elachura, Tawny Fish Owl and Pallas’s Fish Eagle.

Birding is conducted along rivers, forest roads and accessible trails. Conditions are generally warmer than in central and western Bhutan, although forest paths can become muddy or slippery following rain.

Western Bhutan

Elevation: Approximately 2,300–3,900 metres

Western Bhutan includes Thimphu, Paro, Dochu La, Chele La and the forested valleys surrounding the country’s principal cultural centres. The region combines conifer forest, rhododendron, alpine meadow, river valleys and high mountain passes.

Chele La is one of Bhutan’s finest accessible high-altitude birding locations. Dochu La and the forests between Punakha and Thimphu add further opportunities for montane forest birds and mixed-species flocks.

Specialities to look for include Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Kalij Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Himalayan Bluetail, White-browed Rosefinch, Orange-flanked Bush-Robin, Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler and Yellow-billed Blue Magpie.

Birding is mainly from mountain roads, forest edges and alpine meadows. High passes can be cold, misty and windy, while lower valleys are usually milder. Western Bhutan is also home to the spectacular Tiger’s Nest Monastery.

Small groups. Expert leadership. Exceptional Himalayan birding.

Our Bhutan tours combine experienced international leadership with knowledgeable Bhutanese birding guides and carefully planned local logistics.

• Small groups – Smaller groups provide greater flexibility and improved opportunities to observe secretive forest birds.

• Expert leadership – Tours are led by experienced specialist birding guides.

• Bhutanese knowledge – Licensed local guides contribute detailed knowledge of the country’s birds, habitats, culture and conditions.

• Carefully planned routes – Our itineraries concentrate on Bhutan’s strongest birding regions and cover a wide range of elevations.

• Time for observation – The pace allows time to watch, photograph and appreciate the birds rather than simply accumulating a list.

• Cultural experiences – Important monasteries, dzongs, villages and cultural sites are incorporated into the journey.

• Personal support – As a small specialist company, we provide direct assistance before and during the tour.

• Responsible tourism – Our tours support Bhutanese guides, drivers, accommodation providers and local communities.