In the late afternoon we will drive along the Pho Chhu valley, looking for the critically endangered and probably the rarest bird in Bhutan the White-bellied Heron, as well as Pallas’s Fish-Eagle (globally endangered). When the heat of the day increases, birding lessens so we will drop down to Punakha to visit the majestic 17 th century Punakha Dzong which is spectacularly situated on a promontory at the confluence of the Mo (mother) and Pho (father) Chhu (river) becoming the Puna Tsang Chhu which eventually joins the Brahmaputra. Once we reach the broad-leaved forest, at 1,600m, we hope to see Black, Mountain Hawk and Crested Serpent Eagles, Red-headed Trogon (rare), flocks of Nepal Fulvetta, Spotted Elachura, Greater and Lesser Yellownapes, Bay and Rufous Woodpeckers, Golden-throated, Blue-throated and Great Barbets, Grey-bellied, Slaty-bellied and Chestnut-headed Tesias, Hair-crested Drongo, Slaty-backed, Spotted and Little Forktails, Striated and Bhutan Laughingthrushes and flocks of Scarlet Minivets. Today we will visit the Tashithang Valley – section of the Jigme Dorji National Park. Overnight Meri Puensum Resort or similar, Punakha, 1,300m. Looking around our hotel grounds in Punakha we should find Slender-billed Oriole, Scaly-breasted Munia, and as nightfall’s we can try for Collared Scops Owl. The forests holds many attractive birds such as: Hodgson’s Hawk Cuckoo, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Grey-crested Tit, Buff Barred and Lemon-rumped Warblers, Streak-breasted and Slender-billed Scimitar Babblers, Chestnut-crowned and Grey-sided Laughingthrushes, Rufous Sibia, Fire-tailed Myzornis (one of the top birds in Bhutan), White-collared Blackbird, White-browed Shortwing, Slaty Blue and Ultramarine Flycatchers, Green-tailed and Gould’s Sunbirds and Olive-backed Pipit.Ĭontinuing to Lampelri we will explore the Royal Botanical Park where we may find, Hill Partridge, Ward’s Trogon (globally vulnerable and very range restricted to Eastern Himalayas), Eurasian Jay, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Red-billed Leiothrix, Fire-capped Tit, Blue-fronted Redstart, Verditer Flycatcher, Blue-fronted Robin (very shy and rare), Scarlet Finch, Dark-breasted Rosefinch and Maroon-backed Accentor.

In this high elevation, mixed evergreen broad-leafed forests, there is an incredible wide range of birds, and flowering plants. It is an awe-inspiring sight, with prayer flags fluttering in the breeze and 108 white chortens, celebrating the safe return of the fourth king from a threatened invasion, it is unlike any other pass in the world! Once again on clear days there are panoramic view across the snow-capped mountains. Today we must leave very early in order to see the high Himalayas as dawn breaks over Dochu La at 3,150m. Overnight Hotel Yak & Yeti or similar, Thimphu, 2,300m. Arriving at the pass there are breathtaking views of the high Himalayan peaks of Jhomolhari (7,219m) and down into the Paro and Ha valleys.Ĭhele La gives us the opportunity to ascend above tree line into alpine meadows and dwarf rhododendron scrub where we have the possibility of seeing some of Bhutan’s special high altitude birds such as Himalayan Monal, Blood and Kalij Pheasants, Satyr Tragopan, Himalayan Cuckoo, Snow Pigeon, Coal, Rufous-vented, Rufous-fronted and Yellow-browed Tits, Greenish Warbler, Red-tailed Minla, Hodgson’s Treecreeper, Black-throated and Dusky Thrushes, Spotted and Black-faced Laughingthrushes, Blanford’s and White-browed Rosefinches, Collared and White-winged Grosbeaks, White-throated Redstart, White-browed Bush Robin, Alpine Accentor, Plain Mountain Finch and Red-headed Bullfinch.Īfter breakfast we will continue birding the beautiful areas of Chele La before gradually making our way back to Paro and continue east to Thimphu city. An early morning departure for our journey up through ancient high boreal forests to Chele La pass at 3,780m, the highest point we will reach on this tour.

Himalayan bluetail bird food