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Day 1: ARRIVE PARO
During the journey, the traveler
will experience from the plane a spectacular view of Mt.
Everest, and other famous Himalayan Mountains including
the sacred Mt. Jhomolhari the second highest peak in
Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport you
will be received by your Bhutanese friend from Makalu
Adventure. Lunch at the Hotel. Discuss the Tour
Programme with the Tour Guide and afternoon visit the Paro Valley which is relatively dry. Blue pines grow on
the slopes, but most of the valley floor is cultivated
with rice paddies, which are utilized for wheat during
winter time. Many finches feed on wheat grains. The main
attraction is the Pachu riverbed north of the town. You
will spot some Ibis bills, Common Kingfisher, Crested
Kingfisher and some accentors among the rocks and
bushes. Then visit the forests near the ruins of
Drukgyal Dzong.
Overnight hotel in Paro.
Day 2: PARO THIMPHU
After breakfast hike to Taktsang
(Tiger's Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan's most famous
monastery. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown on the
back of a tigress from Singye Dzong in Lhuntse to
meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands.
It is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900
meters above Paro Valley. The trail is along the pine
forests and you will come across some birds on the wat
to the monastery. The hike to reach the viewpoint to
the monastery makes for a nice half-day excursion. In
the afternoon you will drive to Thimphu. In the evening
you can explore Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, and
absorb the lifestyle of the people. You can also visit
some interesting handicraft shops.
Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu.
Day 3: THIMPHU SIGHT SEEING
Very few birds are seen in Thimphu,
and the interesting birding sites are found around
Begana and Cheri villages. You will walk up to Tango
Monastery (2700 meters). The vegetation around here
includes upper and lower temperate broadleaf evergreen;
coniferous forests, riversides, subalpine and
shrubberies. Spotted Laughingthrush could be seen here
mainly in spring. Tango is good for general birding,
and Mountain Eagles and Snow Pigeons are common here.
Several wallcreepers will be seen enroute between Begana
and Thimphu. Evening will be spent in visiting the
Babesa Sewerage Pond. Since the construction of the
sewerage pond, the site has become the sanctuary for the
birds. You will see some species of ducks feeding in
the pond.
Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu.
Day 4: THIMPHU PUNAKHA
After breakfast you will drive to
Punakha, with a stop en route for tea at Dochu La (3,100
meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular
views of the Himalayas. From the Docula pass walk along
the traditional route down to the Laborers camp. You
might spot Rufous bellied Bush-Robin, Golden-naped
Finch, Hoary Barwing, and Edwards Rosefinch. Continue
driving to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan, and
visit Punakha Dzong, which is noteworthy both for being
one of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan and also for
having been built by the first Shabdrung in 1637.
Overnight at hotel in Punakha.
Day 5: PUNAKHA BIRDING SIGHT
SEEING
Full day birding in Punakha
region. The best area for birding is between 1300 and
1600 meters along the Mochu River in Jigme Dorji
Wangchuk Wildlife Sanctuary. The forest is relatively
undisturbed, but people collect firewood and cattles can
be seen along the road. Further downstream it is
possible to view the rocky riverbeds from a hanging
bridge, in order to check for the near extinct
White-bellied Heron. Mr Inskipp saw the heron in 1994
along this river. A few common birds, which will be seen
between the riversides and farmlands from Lobesa to
Tashithang includes White-tailed Eagle, Crested
Serpent-Eagle, Golden Eagle, Mountain Eagle, Striated
Laughingthrush, Golden Bush-Robin, and Tibet Serin.
Overnight hotel in Punakha.
Day 6: PUNAKHA GANGTEY
This is a very scenic section of
the road as it leads through bamboo and rhododendron
conifer forests, meadows and river valleys. You will
visit Wangdi Phodrang enroute, which is at 1400 meters,
and you would probably Red-billed Leiothrix together
with a flock of Black-eared Shrike-babblers. On arrival
at Gangtey, which is at 2400 meters you might see Hill
Partridge, Dark-breasted Rosefinches in the bamboo
thickets. Check into the hotel.
Overnight: Guest House in Gangtey
Valley.
Day 7: GANGTEY TRONGSA
Early morning see the Black Necked
Cranes and also the trail and the roosting areas. Also
visit the RSPN (Royal Society of Protection of Nature)
Education Center. After lunch drive to Trongsa across
Pelela Pass (3300 meters). The highlights of the routes
can be a White-browed Bush Robin, Brown Parrotbills, ,
Streaked Laughingthrushes, Stripe-throated
Scimitar-babblers. You will also see birds on the
roadside to Trongsa. On arrival check into the hotel.
Overnight: Hotel in Trongsa.
Day 8: TRONGSA LANGTHEL
Trongsa is a warm and sunny valley
has been cultivated for a long time, and it is
worthwhile to visit some of the cultural sites, such as
Tongsa Dzong, rather than going birding all day. However
in the morning, it is possible to watch a pair of the
Yellow-rumped Honeyguide at nest near the second baileys
bridge at 1800 meters 18 km south of Tongsa. You will
also see Peregrine Falcon hunting domestic rock doves
near the dzong and on other roof tops. After lunch
drive to Langthel birding along the way.
Overnight: Camp at Langthel.
Day 9: LANGTHEL BUMTHANG
Half day birding in Langthel.
Afternoon drive to Bumthang birding along the way. The
Yotungla Pass (3400 meters) is one of the best places
for birding. The habitat at Yotungla Pass consists of
Hemlock and Blue Pines with dense impenetrable dwarf
bamboo thickets. Large flocks of Black-throated and
Red-throated Thrushes together with a few White-winged
Grosbeaks could be seen. You might also see Blood
Pheasants, White-throated Redstarts, Giant Parrotbills
and Chestnut-vented, Coral and Gray-bellied Tits. The
next spot is the Gatsa Valley (2800 meters). The boggy
meadow at Gatsa is one of the 3 sites for the wintering
Black-necked Cranes. If you are lucky you might spot
some Black necked cranes. Check into hotel on arrival
in Bumthang.
Overnight: Guest house at Bumthang.
Day 10: BUMTHANG LINGMETHANG
Early morning you watch birds in
Bumthang (2600 meters). The shrubs and trees in the
riverbed are good for birding. You might locate
Beautiful Rosefinches, Brown Parrotbills, Little
Buntings and Black-throated Thrushes at the river.
After breakfast drive to Lingmethang. On the way you
will do birding at Trumshingla Pass (3800 meters). From
Thrumshingla Pass you will drive down to Lingmithang.
The habitat changes from conifers to subtropical forest
as it covers an altitudinal variation from 3800 meters
to 750 meters. The broadleaf evergreen forest commences
at 2600 meters, and the cliffs drop vertically into the
subtropical valley more than 600 meters below the road.
Most of the birds are seen from the road between 2600
and 1500 meters. Some of the highlights from this area
were Satyr Tragopan, Crimson-breasted Woodpecker,
Darjeeling Woodpecker, Long-billed Thrush, Blue-winged
Laughingthush, Golden-breasted. A good birding site is
found near town at 750 meters from which a bridge
crosses the river. Most of the species are generally
found in dry subtropical ravine forests and near the
rice paddies. The highlights of Lingmithang are Basra,
Ashy Bulbul, Sultan Tit, Blue-throated and
Golden-throated Barbet, Gray-headed Woodpecker, Kalij
Pheasant, Rufous-cheeked Scimitar-babbler, Gray-sided
Bushwarbler, and Little Niltava, Yellow throated
Fulvetta, Red-headed Parrotbill and Crimson Finch. You
will camp near the river side.
Overnight: Camp.
Day 11: LINGMETHANG BUMTHANG
The habitat in Lingmithang area is
fragmented and at best mainly scrubby below 1500
meters. Because of the cold weather, very few birds
could be observed during most days. Drive back to
Bumthang.
Overnight hotel in Bumthang.
Day 12: BUMTHANG WANGDUE
PHODRANG
Drive back to Wangdiphodrang. On
arrival check in to the hotel.
Overnight: Hotel in Wangdiphodrang.
Day 13: WANDUE PHODRANG PARO
In the morning you will drive back
to Paro across Dochu La pass. You will stop in Thimphu
for lunch. After lunch, you will drive to Paro. On
arrival check into the hotel. Evening stroll freely in
the town. You can also visit the farm house to absorb
the lifestyle of rural people. If you wish you can also
have traditional Bhutanese dinner. S
Over night: Hotel in Paro.
Day 14: PARO PARO
INTERNATIONALS AIRPORT for departure
Early morning drive to Paro
International Airport and your Bhutanese friends from
Makalu Adventure will accompany you to bid
farewell as you embark on your onward journey to back
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