Bhutan Bird Watching Tour
Bhutan is considered as a bird-watchers' paradise. Because of the great number and diversity of endemic species, the eastern Himalayas of which Bhutan is a part, has been designated as one of the world's top 10 biodiversity "hotspots". Wet summers and altitudinal gradation from sub-tropical lowlands to arctic-like mountain peaks provide an array of climatic conditions and a layering of distinct biotic communities from jungles through temperate forests to tundra. Each community has a unique assemblage of wildlife -- with golden langurs and elephants in the lowlands, tigers and red pandas in the midlands, and snow leopards and Takins on alpine meadows.
The diversity of bird life of Bhutan is accentuated by the migrations of hundreds of species between breeding grounds across a vast expanse of Asia to the north of Bhutan and wintering grounds of the subcontinent of India. The best known of these migrants is the black-necked cranes that breed in Tibet and then migrate over the Himalayas to spend the winter in several isolated valleys of Bhutan. Thanks in part to its moist climate and wide altitudinal range; Bhutan supports over 700 bird species, including some of the most exotic and endemic species in the eastern Himalayas.
Over 70% of the country is forested, and unlike other Himalayan countries most of Bhutan's original forest remains intact, and in its untouched condition. The Buddhist philosophy of respect for all living things has resulted in a healthy environment where wildlife flourishes. Ten species of birds that are in danger of extinction reside in Bhutan, including the rare black-necked crane, which traditionally winters in the valleys of Phobjikha and Bomdeling and the Imperial Heron, which is one of the fifty rarest birds in the world
Cultural and Natural History Tour
Our cultural and natural history tours provide a fine balance between either of the "hardcores" and is the most recommended of our trips. In addition we can also add a few days of trekking if you so wish. During these tours we will see, study, and photograph wildflowers, bird life, and scenery. We'll walk in open meadows and in virgin pine, spruce, and hemlock forests with enormous trees. We'll also visit areas little visited by any one as well as walk past charming mountain villages and monasteries. A two-week program is an ideal duration for a program of this kind, but this can either be prolonged or shortened depending upon your time available.
Day 1 Arrive by Druk Air- Paro
Day 2 Excursion to Taktsang, Tiger's Nest Monastery. Afternoon visit Drukgyel Dzong and Kyichu Lhakhang plus birding along the Paro River. Overnight Paro.
Day 3 Morning village tour culminating in a traditional meal at the farmhouse of your local host. Afternoon drive to Thimphu. Overnight Thimphu
Day 4 Thimphu Sightseeing includes visits to the Textile museum, Folk Heritage Museum, School of Arts and Crafts. Overnight Thimphu
Day 5 Drive to Punakha. Experience amazing changes in vegetation types during this 2 hour drive. Stop at Dochula pass and hike through rhododendron forests. At Punakha visit the historic Dzong, one of the most beautiful monuments in Bhutan. Overnight Punakha.
Day 6 Punakha sightseeing with visits to a natural orchid garden and bird watching. This highlight of the day will be the search for the extremely rare white-bellied heron. Overnight Punakha.
Day 7 Drive to Trongsa. Very scenic drive. At Trongsa visit the Dzong. Overnight Trongsa
Day 8 Drive to Kuenga Rabten, the palace of the 2nd King. Fantastic birding along the way including honey guides.
Possibility of sighting the golden langur, a primate endemic to Bhutan. Overnight Trongsa.
Day 9 To Bumthang, the cultural heartland of Bhutan. En route stop to seeing weaving activites. Overnight Bumthang.
Day 10 Bumthang sightseeing. Overnight Bumthang.
Day 11 To Phobjikha, the beautiful valley of the black-necked cranes (the cranes are here from November to March). Overnight Phobjikha.
Day 12 Phobjikha to Wangdi. Overnight Wangdi.
Day 13 To Paro stopping over at Thimphu.
Day 14 Departure by Druk Air.
Walking and Hiking Tour
This package allows our clients to visit cultural and historical places at their own pace. This is designed to bring our tourists much closer to nature and the Bhutanese way of life, which is often missed while traveling in a vehicle. On your way to visiting historical and cultural sights the walking /hiking tour will take you through beautiful valleys, breathing fresh Himalayan air, and bring you closer to the snow caped majestic mountains, the pristine forests and the fresh water that flows through the valleys. Nature lovers can get much closer to the beautiful blooms in the spring and the yellow countryside during the fall. Above all the walking/hiking tour takes you through typical Bhutanese villages where you can feel and see their unique traditional life style. If you are interested in such a trip, just email us and we will suggest an itinerary.
Botanical Tour
Bhutan has been listed as one of the ten hot spots of biological diversity in the world. With over 70% of its total land area under forest cover; Bhutan is home to one-fifth of the world's plant species and two-thirds of the most endangered species of plants and animals. The Bhutanese seasons are reflected in full color by flowers and plants, which cover the mountainside.Research has shown that Bhutan's forest is host to more than 5500 species of plants and 675 species of birds. There are 300 species of medicinal plants and over 600 species of orchids including another 50 species of rhododendron. You can see flowers and plants, but the central attraction of this package is a glimpse of how the Bhutanese society values and respects nature and lives in harmony with it based on the spiritual and religious beliefs.
The entire Jhomolhari or the Adventurous Lingshi/Laya/Gasa Treks or parts of it listed under our trekking section makes an excellent botanical excursion. For a truly botanical experience we would recommend the months of April to mid-June and mid September to November for these treks. For those that are not very keen on trekking we recommend the following Rhododendron Tour during the 1st -3rd week of May.
In order to enhance your experiences, we can easily arrange talks on Nature Conservation by the country's leading conservationists due to our long and strong association with conservation organizations.
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