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Prayer flags strung above a roadside viewpoint, Himalayan ridges receding into haze beyond

Birding & culture · 28 Mar – 03 Apr 2026

Seven Days Birding in Bhutan

A short bird watching and cultural tour: Chele La, Dochu La and the Tashithang valley, with the dzongs of Paro and Punakha in between.

Duration
6 Nights / 7 Days
From
US $2,200
Group size
3–11
Dates
28 Mar – 03 Apr 2026
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The journey

Pheasants at dawn, dzongs by afternoon

Bhutan sits high in the Himalaya between India and China, where snow-capped peaks, deep valleys, dense forest and clear rivers meet a living Buddhist culture. This tour visits the major historical and religious sites of Paro and Punakha, watches dawn break over the High Himalaya, and birds in forest that has never been cleared.

The headline birds are the pheasants — Himalayan Monal, Satyr Tragopan and Blood Pheasant — and there is the option of riding a mule up to Taktsang monastery, 740m above the Paro valley floor.

Investment
From US $2,200 pp
Dates
28 Mar – 03 Apr 2026
Duration
6 Nights / 7 Days
Starts & ends
Paro, Bhutan
Max group
3–11 + local leader
Pace
Moderate
Difficulty
Easy
Focus
Birding & culture

Day by day

The itinerary

  1. 1

    Arrival · Paro

    Fly in to Paro, first birds on the Pa Chhu

    Arrive in Paro, meet your guide, and walk the Pa Chhu river for a first set of Himalayan birds — an easy afternoon to let the altitude settle.

    Overnight: Hotel Olathang, Paro (2,300m)

  2. 2

    Chele La · Thimphu

    Dawn on the highest motorable pass

    An early start for Chele La, where the road tops out in fir and rhododendron — the best chance of the trip for Himalayan Monal and Blood Pheasant. Return to Paro, then drive on to Thimphu.

    Himalayan Bluetail perched on a bare branch

    Overnight: Hotel Yak & Yeti, Thimphu (2,300m)

  3. 3

    Dochu La · Lampelri · Punakha

    108 chortens, then down into the warm valley

    Travel to Dochu La, where 108 chortens stand on the ridge against the eastern Himalaya. Work the forest at Lampelri for alpine species, then drop through the cloud forest to Punakha.

    Blood Pheasant on the forest floor

    Overnight: Meri Puensum Resort, Punakha (1,300m)

  4. 4

    Jigme Dorji National Park

    Tashithang valley and Punakha Dzong

    Birding in the Tashithang valley inside Jigme Dorji National Park, then the afternoon at Punakha Dzong where the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu meet — arguably the most beautiful dzong in the country.

    Alpine Thrush feeding on open ground
  5. 5

    Punakha to Paro

    Back over the pass, birding as you go

    Drive back via Dochu La, stopping to bird along the valleys wherever the light and the flocks are good. The evening in Paro is yours.

    Guests watching from the minibus with binoculars, field guides stacked on the seat
  6. 6

    Paro

    The climb to Tiger’s Nest

    Morning hike to Taktshang, clinging to the cliff 740m above the valley. A mule can take you most of the way up. Watch the rock faces for Snow Pigeon and the stream below for Little Forktail.

  7. 7

    Departure

    Transfer to Paro airport

    Transfer to Paro airport for your onward flight.

Route map: Paro, Chele La, Thimphu, Dochu La and Punakha
The route: Paro, Chele La, Thimphu, Dochu La and Punakha.

Cost

Tour cost & flights

Twin sharing, 3–12 guests
US $2,200 pp
Single occupancy (optional)
US $150
Price per guest by group size
Number of guestsPrice per guest
1 guestUS $2,320
2 guestsUS $2,260
3–12 guests (twin sharing)US $2,200
Return flights to Paro — not included in the tour cost
RoutePer guest
Delhi – Paro – DelhiUS $750
Kolkata – Paro – KolkataUS $465
Kathmandu – Paro – KathmanduUS $400
Bangkok – Paro – BangkokUS $972

This itinerary can also run as a private journey for 1 or 2 guests. For details, write to [email protected].

The fine print

What’s included

Included in the Bhutan land cost

  • Bhutan visa and tax
  • An expert tour guide
  • All activities listed in the itinerary
  • All accommodation, twin share
  • All meals
  • Tea, coffee and snacks
  • Bottled water throughout
  • Ground transportation
  • Some non-alcoholic drinks
  • All park entrance fees

Not included

  • Travel insurance (essential)
  • Laundry, phone calls and alcoholic drinks
  • Personal expenses
  • Costs arising from circumstances beyond our control
  • International flights
  • Tips for guide, driver and porters

Before you go

Trip essentials

Walking and terrain
Easy to moderate. Some long drives and short walks at altitudes up to 4,000m. The Tiger’s Nest hike is the one demanding day: uneven forest trails with a 740m ascent. A mule can be arranged for most of the climb.
Climate
Cold mornings and warm days, roughly 0°C to 30°C. Occasional rain, and snow is possible on the higher passes.
Accommodation
Good quality hotels with fine views and good food. No camping on this itinerary.
Transport
An 18-seater minibus for the group, or SUVs for private journeys.
Food
Hot breakfasts, and lunches served picnic-style. Dinners are buffet-style at the hotels, with continental, Indian and Bhutanese dishes.
Health
No mandatory vaccinations. Please consult your GP for the latest recommendations before travelling.
Insurance
Ensure your travel insurance covers medical assistance and helicopter evacuation. We cannot be held responsible for medical expenses incurred.
Passports
Valid for at least six months beyond your stay in Bhutan, with at least three blank pages.
Visa requirements
Both Bhutan and Indian visas are required. The Bhutan visa (US $40) is included in your tour cost. Apply for an Indian multi-entry visa at indianvisaonline.gov.in.
Trip reports
Bhutan birding trip report, April 2012 (PDF)
Endangered birds of Bhutan (PDF)

Travellers

Reviews

Travel with people who live here

Every Langur Eco Travels journey is led by Bhutanese guides. Tell us when you would like to come, and we will build the trip around it.

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