ARRIVE PARO

The trip includes a flight to Mount Everest and other famous Himalayan mountains, including Mount Jhomolhari. Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be greeted by a Bhutanese friend. Lunch at the hotel followed by a visit to the Paro Valley, an arid region with blue pines and paddy fields for wheat.

PARO – THIMPHU

The trip to Taktsang Monastery, Bhutan's most famous, is half a day. The monastery, believed to have been built by Guru Rinpoche, is located on a steep cliff, 900 meters above the Paro Valley. The trip includes a visit to a monastery viewpoint and a transfer to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan.

THIMPHU – SIGHTSEEING

Thimphu is a birdwatcher's paradise with places of interest such as the Tango Monastery and the Babesa Sewage Pond. The area features temperate broadleaf evergreen trees, coniferous forests, riverbanks and scrub with common bird species such as mountain eagles and snowy doves. Bricklayers can be seen along the way. Overnight at Thimphu Hotel.

THIMPHU – PUNAKHA

After breakfast, transfer to Punakha, stop for tea at Dochu La, from where there is a wonderful view of the Himalayas. Walk into Laborer's Camp and watch for Rufous-bellied Bush-Robin, Gold-headed Finch, Hoary Barwing and Edwards Rosefinch. Visit Punakha Dzong, a beautiful dzong built by the first Shabdrung in 1637.

PUNAKHA – BIRDING – SIGHTSEEING

Birding in the Punakha area is best at Jigme Dorji Wangchuk Nature Reserve, where the Mochu River is undisturbed and people collect firewood. By observing the rocky riverbeds from the suspension bridge, it is possible to spot the almost extinct white-bellied heron. Common birds include the osprey, crested eagle, golden eagle, golden eagle, striped thrush, golden bush, and Tibetan serine.

PUNAKHA – GANGTEY

The scenic route leads through bamboo and rhododendron forests, meadows and river valleys. Visit Wangdi Phodrang for Red-billed Leiothrix and Black-eared Woodpeckers. Arrive at Gangtey, 2400 meters and check into hotel.

GANGTEY – TRONGSA

Visit the RSPN Education Center and the cranes. Drive to Trongsa via the Pelela Pass where you will see Bald-headed, Parrot, Striped Thrush and Striped Buzzard bushes. Hotel accommodation and overnight stay in Trongse.

TRONGSA – LANGTHEL

Trongsa, a cultivated valley, offers cultural sites like Tongsa Dzong for bird watching. In the morning watch the nests of the Yellow-bellied Honeyeater near Baileys Bridge and the Peregrine Falcon. Drive to Langthel for a bird watching lunch.

LANGTHEL – BUMTHANG

Half day bird watching at Langthel followed by transfer to Bumthang. Visit the Yotungla Pass (3,400 meters) for hemlock and blue pines, thick bamboo thickets, black-throated and red-throated thrushes, blood pheasants, white-necked warblers, giant parrots and chestnut tit, coral warblers and gray-bellied warblers. Visit the Gatsa Valley (2800 meters) for wintering black-necked cranes.

BUMTHANG – LINGMETHANG

At Bumthang (2600 m) there are opportunities for bird watching such as beautiful pink, brown parrots, buntings and black-throated thrushes. After breakfast, transfer to Lingmethang, passing the Trumshingla pass (3800 meters). From there, drive to Lingmithang, where the habitat changes from conifers to subtropical forest. Among the most notable are the satyr tragopan, crimson woodpecker, Darjeeling woodpecker, long-billed thrush, blue-winged thrush and golden-breasted woodpecker. Basra, ash bulbul, sultan's tit, blue-throated baron, grey-headed woodpecker, calian pheasant, yellow-billed warbler, grey-headed bush warbler, lesser niltava, yellow-throated fulveta, red-headed parrot and crimson finch are found in Lingmithang.

LINGMETHANG – BUMTHANG

Lingmithang's habitat is fragmented and mostly bushy, with few bird sightings due to the cold weather. Transfer back to Bumtang and overnight at the hotel.

BUMTHANG – WANGDUE PHODRANG

The way back to Wangdiphodrang. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel. Overnight: Hotel in Wangdiphodrang.

WANDUE PHODRANG – PARO

In the morning, drive to Paro via the Dochu La Pass, stopping in Thimphu for lunch. After lunch, check into the hotel, explore the city, visit the farms and enjoy a traditional Bhutanese dinner.

PARO – PARO INTERNATIONALS AIRPORT for departure

An early morning drive to Paro International Airport and your Bhutanese friends from Makalu Adventure will see you off on your way back home.