"Bhutan, a Buddhist kingdom on the Himalayas' eastern edge, is known for its monasteries, fortresses (or dzongs) and dramatic landscapes that range from subtropical plains to steep mountains and valleys."

Day 1:  Arrive in Paro
Upon arrival in Paro, meet our representative and transfer to hotel, depending on your arrival time, we can see Rinpung Dzong, National Museum and immediately explore Paro river banks and also visit locale homes and agricultural channel for birding. The birds you may see are fire capped Tits, Spotted Laughing Thrush, Brown Dipper, etc. Overnight in Paro. 

Day 2:  Drive Paro – Punakha  (125 kms / 3-4 Hrs)
Interesting we will be exploring 3 different birding zones today – Temperate, Alpine, and Subtropical, it takes 3 hours drive in actual, but we will stop to scan temperate river channel, take a hike in Docula Pass (alpine) and forest edges in subtropical Punakha. Leaving Paro, we will gradually ascend to Docula Pass (3150 m), it offers a spectacular view of far off mountain peaks on a clear day and 108 chortens. For the endemic avian, we venture off the road into the scenic Lunteygang trail.

In the afternoon, we descend into the bird-rich subtropical valley of Punakha. Along the way or before reaching Punakha, we will make a brief stop to explore the edge of the forest and the agricultural land in the nearby villages. Subtropical species most likely to be seen are Red-headed Trogon; Wedge-tailed Pigeon Fire-capped Tit breeds White-gorget Flycatcher, the rare Yellow-vented Warbler. Magpie Robin, Green Magpie, Osprey. Upon arrival, visit Chhimi Lhakhang.  Overnight in Punakha.

Day 3:  Day sightseeing in Punakha (Tashitang)
Today, following an old trail along the bank of river Mo Chhu, we will explore minutely its bank and surrounding vegetation. This area is renowned for spotting critically endangered white-bellied Heron. Further, this route will take us past impressive Punakha Dzong, which we will visit in the later part of the afternoon. Ahead upstream, we will sidetrack into the cultivation patch of the scattered houses and into the broad leaves forest in the upper Punakha area. Thereby possibilities are immense to spot along with the bank and in village area the birds like Bay Woodpecker, Red-headed Trogon, Wedge-tailed Pigeon and many more. We will also search for a variety of skulkers, including Spotted Elachura and Pygmy Wren-babbler, and two of Bhutan’s three species of Tesia. Overnight hotel in Punakha.

Day 4:  Drive Punakha – Phobjika  (80 kms / 3 Hrs)
After breakfast leaves Punakha, past Wangdi Dzong, along the way there are many birding spots so we will make a series of brief stops. Further, we will make a stop before reaching Phobjika in a large swathe of productive forests, which is home to much avian fauna. You may find scarlet Finch, Black Drongo, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Slaty-backed Forktail, Gorgeted Flycatcher, and many more. We can drive further to Pelala Pass, one more opportunity to see exotic alpine birds such as Satyr Tragopan, Himalayan Monal, Kalig, Ward Togopan, etc. Later visit Gangtey monastery and nature walk. Overnight in Phobjika.

Day 5:  Day sightseeing In Phobjikha
Today, we will do birding whilst having a walk-in quaint & beautiful valley. Also, visit some local homes and villages, interact with them and find out more about birds locally and its relevance in a social and religious context. You may see Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Slaty-backed Forktail, Gorgeted Flycatcher, and many more. Overnight in Phobjika.

Day 6:  Drive Phobjikha – Thimphu (135 kms / 4.5 Hrs)
Today is the longest drive in this entire itinerary – 5 hours approx, however, we will make regular stops along with the ways. There will one more opportunity to discover satyr tragopan, Himalayan monal, Kalig, Blood Pheasant, etc in Docula Pass. Upon arrival in Thimphu, visit Giant Buddha Statue, Centennial farmer’s market, and others as per your interest. Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 7:  Drive Thimphu – Paro  (52 kms / 2 Hrs)
Thimphu being capital there are a lot of interesting sights such as Painting School, Textile Museum, Indigenous hospital etc, or we may do further birding in the forest reserve of upper Motithang and the northern edge of the valley in Jigme Dorji National Park in Begana & Dodema. You may decide this when you are here. The birds you may see are Ibisbill, Common sandpiper, Crested-pie kingfisher, Red-rumped swallow, Long-tailed minivet, Grey wagtail, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Spotted nutcracker, White-bellied yuhina, Red-billed chough, Black-browed tit, Upland Pipit, etc. Later, drive to Paro – 1 hour, upon arrival visit Kichu Lhakhang and along the way to visit ruined Drukyul Dzong, there will be the opportunity to see some birds. Overnight in Paro.

Day 8.  Day sightseeing in Paro
If early, it offers an opportunity to see some birds. It gets crowded as daywear so triggers flight reactions of birds. Transfer to the trailhead, the first viewpoint is 1 hrs plus and a further 1 hour to Taktsang monastery. If you wish to avoid this hike, optionally you can do some birding in Paro Valley. Evening stroll in charming Paro valley. Farewell dinner. Overnight in Paro.

Day 9:  Departure
Transfer to Airport in time for your departure