ITINERARY:
Day 1 – Fly to Delhi – Guwahati, India – 02nd April
Please plan your flight to Guwahati, India. Most flights will need to go via Delhi, India. On arrival you will be transferred to a hotel. Note today is just an arrival day and no activities are planned. We will all meet for dinner tonight. D

Day 2 – Guwahati and drive to Samdrup Jongkhar – 03rd April
Today we will be met by our local guide and crew who will then drive us to Samdrup Jongkhar. Along the way we will keep an eye out in the fields for the rare Lesser and Greater Adjutants, plus Little cormorant and White-throated Kingfisher. On arrival at the Bhutan gate in Samdrup Jongkhar we will be greeted by our Bhutanese hosts who will take us to our hotel for our first night in Bhutan. After Checking into the hotel, and if time allows we will bird in the surrounding area looking for several commoner birds such as Indian and Chinese Pond Herons, Black-crowned Night Heron, Little and Cattle Egrets, Asian Pied Starling, Common Myna, Rose-ringed and Alexandrine Parakeets, Common Tailorbird, Oriental Magpie Robin, Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Black-hooded Oriole, Common Iora, Green Bee-eater and with a bit of luck we could find the very rarely seen Blyth’s Kingfisher or Dark-rumped Swift and Black-backed Forktail. 

Night. Samdrup Jongkhar  B,L,D

Day 3 – Samdrup Jongkhar – Deothang – 04th April
Today we will spend time exploring the tropical forest between Samdrup Jongkhar and Deothang. Here we will look for species such as Ruby-cheeked Sunbird, Little Spiderhunter, Pied Harrier, Western Hooded Pitta, Golden-fronted Leafbird, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Blue-eared, Coppersmith and Lineated Barbets, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Green-billed Malkoha, Scaly Thrush, Long-tailed Sibia, White-rumped Shama, Thick-billed Warbler and Grey-throated Babblers, Black-naped Monarch, Asian Fairy Bluebird, Oriental Dollarbird, Oriental-pied, Wreathed and Great hornbills, Violet Cuckoo, Slaty Blue and Red-throated Flycatchers, Long-tailed Broadbill and Puff-throated Babbler. We can also try our luck with Collared Scops Owl and Large-tailed Nightjar.
Night. Deothang  B,L,D

Day 4 – Deothang – Trashigang – 05th April
Today We will start early to get to Morong valley where we will bird these superb forests with opportunities to study birds such as Blyth’s Shrike Babbler, Himalayan Cutia, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Long-tailed Sibia and possibly the rare Beautiful Nuthatch at one of its few known sites in Bhutan. There will of course be plenty of other birds such as Red-tailed and Blue-winged Minlas, Hill Partridge, Kalij Pheasant, Bay and Crimson-breasted Woodpeckers, Greater and Lesser Yellownapes, Golden-throated and Great Barbets, Mountain Tailorbird, Red-headed Trogon, Himalayan Swiftlet, Fork-tailed and House swifts, Collared and Asian Barred Owlets, Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Besra, Northern Goshawk, Steppe and Bonelli’s Eagles, Orange-bellied Leafbird and both Long-tailed and Grey-backed Shrikes. After breakfast we will continue our birding whilst enjoying the spectacular views of the surounding hills, isolated farms and tiny hamlets on our way to Trashigang. Species we may encounter with our stops along the way include Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Grey Treepie, Eurasian Jay, Large-billed Crow, Maroon Oriole, Long-tailed Minivet, Yellow-bellied and White-throated Fantails, Ashy and Black Drongos, Blue Whistling Thrush, the rare and difficult Long-billed Thrush, Ultramarine and little Pied Flycatchers, Large and Rufous-bellied Niltavas, Spotted Forktail, Common Stonechat, White-tailed Nuthatch, Fire-capped, Green-backed, Black-throated and Rufous-fronted Tits, Striated, Mountain, Black and Red-vented Bulbuls, Aberrant Bush Warbler, Ashy-throated, Chestnut-crowned and Lemon-rumped Warblers, Striated, White-throated and Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrushes, Rusty-cheeked and Streak-breasted Scimitar Babblers, Rufous-throated Babbler, the rare Maroon Accentor, and Yellow-breasted Greenfinch and Tibetan Siskin.
Night. Trashigang B,L,D

Day 5 – Trashigang – Yongkola – 06th April
Today we will leave Trashigang after and early breakfast as there are no productive birding areas in the immediate vicinity and drive down to Chazam. The journey continues through Sherichhu from where the road climbs by means of 10 hairpin bends, known as the Yadi Loops. From here we continue to the little village of Yadi. The road passes fields of corn and broad-leaf forests where we will stop and bird before our final ascent to Kore La at 2,450m. Here amongst other species we may find Brown Bullfinch, Scarlet Finch, Grey-winged Blackbird, Brown-throated Treecreeper and Grey-sided Laughingthrush. We will then continue crossing the pass and descend through cool broadleaved trees, dripping with exotic orchids and fern-lined forests of Rhododendrons, where again we will stop to bird hoping to see in these pristine environs such species as Maroon Oriole, Common Rosefinch, Hill Prinia, Fire-capped Tit, Bhutan Laughingthrush, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Asian Barred Owlet, Gold-naped Finch and another chance for the delightful Kalij Pheasant. Climbing back into our vehicles, we then continue our descent to the town of Mongar and on to the sub-tropical forests around Lingmethang at 650m. From here superlatives continue to describe the journey as we begin our climb to the broad leaf forests at Yongkola 1,700m where we will stay for the next 3 nights.  

Night. Yongkola B,L,D

Days 6 – 7 – Yongkola Region – 07th – 08th April
As we venture out we can see the warm broadleaf forests that provide the perfect environment for many of Bhutan’s sought-after bird species. We will be spending two full days birding in the upper and lower Yongkola region. In this breath-taking landscape we will bird in a protected area of pristine forests using a paved yet rarely used road, which will provide us with wonderful birding opportunities. It is here in this birding hotspot that we can look for Ward’s Trogon, Slender-billed Scimitar-Babbler and Rufous-throated Wren Babbler, the latter a little known and endangered species. Other species we will look for include Black-headed Shrike Babbler in the only known site for it in Bhutan, the gorgeous Satyr Tragopan, Bar-winged Wren Babbler, Blue-winged Laughingthrush, White-breasted Parrotbill and perhaps the skulking Gould’s Shortwing! After birding the upper elevations above Yongkola, acknowledged to be one of the great birding roads of the world, we will slowly descend to Yongkola at approximately 1700m. Here we can explore the wonderfully rich, subtropical, warm and cool, broad-leaved forests along the lower section of this road where ancient trees are festooned with orchids adding a riot of colour to an already incredible scenery. Trails criss-cross the forests, but few birders venture far into their depth, so exactly what avian delights may be around the corner may be a complete surprise. Here we should encounter Hill, Rufous-throated and Chestnut-breasted Partridges, Rufous-bellied and Crested Serpent Eagles and the rare and impressive Rufous-necked Hornbill which has its stronghold in the forests of Bhutan. Other birds include Speckled Wood-Pigeon, Blue-bearded Bee-eater and two of the Himalayas’ rarest birds, the cobalt Blue-fronted Robin and the elusive and strange Wedge-billed Wren Babbler. Other regularly seen species include Bay Woodpecker and Lesser Yellownape, Golden-throated and Blue-throated Barbets, Large Hawk and Himalayan Cuckoos, Grey Treepie, Gray-chinned, Short-billed and Long-tailed Minivets, Yellow-bellied Fantail, Blue-capped Rock Thrush, Verditer Flycatcher, Large Niltava, Hodgson’s Redstart, Plumbeous Redstart with males seen vigorously defending streamside territories, Slaty-backed Forktail, Rusty-flanked Treecreeper, Sultan, Black-throated, Rufous-fronted, Yellow-browed and Yellow-cheeked Tits, Mountain and Ashy Bulbuls, Hill and Striated Prinias, Chestnut-headed, Slaty-bellied and Gray-bellied Tesias, Gray-sided Bush Warbler, Gray-hooded, White-spectacled, Chestnut-crowned, Broad-billed and Black-faced Warblers, White-crested, Striated, Rufous-necked, Gray-sided and Blue-winged laughingthrushes, Coral-billed Scimitar-Babbler, Rufous-capped and Golden Babblers, Red-billed Leiothrix, White-browed and Black-eared Shrike Babblers, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Chestnut-tailed and Red-tailed Minlas, White-naped, Whiskered, and Black-chinned Yuhinas, and the exquisite Golden-breasted and Yellow-throated Fulvettas. The list goes on with Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Crimson-browed Finch, Spot-winged Grosbeak, and Scarlet Finch, lets hope we see the incredibly beautiful male. One morning we will rise early to drive to Sengor for the early morning birding, where we will look for the stunning Satyr Tragopan as well as Bar-winged Wren Babbler and amongst the commoner species such delights as Mrs Gould’s, Green-tailed and Fire-tailed sunbirds, Gray-crested, Coal, Green-backed, Yellow-browed and Black-browed Tits, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Ashy-throated, Lemon-rumped, Large-billed and Blyth’s Leaf-Warblers, White-browed and Rufous-winged Fulvettas, Stripe-throated Yuhina, White-throated Redstart and Green Shrike Babbler. 
Nights. Yongkola  B,L,D

Day 8 – Yongkola – Thrumshing – Bumthang – 09th April
Today we will bird along the upper Yongkola region before breakfast after which we will drive up to the high pass of Thrumshing La at 3,799m, where we will have breath-taking views of the eastern Himalayas. As we drive up to the pass we will stop at several key locations for birding, looking for Himalayan Buzzard, Mountain Hawk-Eagle; Great and Fulvous Parrotbills, Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush, White-collard Blackbird, Himalayan Bluetail, White-browed Bush Robin, Blue-fronted Redstart, Eurasian and Rusty-flanked Treecreepers, Hume’s Bush Warbler, Black-faced and Spotted Laughingthrushes, Red Crossbill, Red-headed Bullfinch, White-winged Grosbeak, Eye-browed, Dusky and Dark-throated Thrushes. From the pass we will descend through forests of towering hemlocks, spruce, silver fir and larch which are particularly good for species like incredible Himalayan Monal, a bird surely on the top of everyones wanted list. We also get second chances for Satyr Tragopan and another amazing bird the Blood Pheasant. Continuing on, we travel through the picturesque village of Ura to Bumthang and our hotel for the night.   
Night. Bumthang, B, L, D

Day 9 – Bumthang – Yotong – Trongsa – 10th April
After a hot drink we will leave early in order to drive through the pine forests, and cross the Chumey Valley to Gyeltsha. From here we will take a short de-tour to Tharpaling monastery where we look again for Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant and Satyr Tragopan. After our breakfast we will then make our way back to the main road and on to Yotong La at 3,353m. From the pass we will slowly descend down through a mixed rhododendron forest where we will look for, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Rufous-vented Yuhina, Black-faced Laughingthrush, Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker,  Darjeeling Woodpecker, White-winged Grosbeak, Great and Brown Parrotbills, Red-headed Bullfinch, Stripe-throated and Whiskered Yuhinas. Later in the afternoon we will drive towards Shemgang Road for more birding before checking into our hotel in Trongsa. Along this last stretch of road we should encounter, Spotted Forktail; Bhutan Laughingthrush, Spotted Elachura, Himalayan Cutia, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Barred Cuckoo Dove, Greater Yellownape, Tibetan Siskin, Large Niltava and Black-eared Shrike Babbler.

Night. Trongsa  B,L,D

Day 10 – Trongsa – Shemgang Road – Tingtibi – 11th April
Today we will rise early in order to bird the famous Shemgang road making our first stop at Chunjey Pang where we should encounter species such as Pale Blue Flycatcher,  Greater Yellownape, Hill Prinia, Large Niltava and the beautifully plumaged Blue-capped Rock Thrush. After a hot picnic breakfast we then continue our drive to Dangdung, stopping briefly at Kuenga Rubten the former Summer Palace of the Second King. Continuing our descent through the intensely cultivated, terraced fields, we should see Crested Bunting, Striated Prinia and Striated Yuhina. From Dangdung we will climb up to Koshala, where amongst the flowering trees and shrubs, we should encounter, Crimson Sunbird, Tickell’s Leaf Warbler, Lemon-rumped Warbler, Blue-throated Barbet, Rufous Woodpecker, Large Hawk Cuckoo and some good opportunities to see the rare Rufous-necked Hornbill. Approaching Tingtibi in the warm broadleaf forest we should find even more species such as Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, Ashy, White-throated and Black-crested Bulbuls, Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker, Streaked Spiderhunter, Lesser-necklaced Laughingthrush, Pin-tailed and Wedge-tailed Green Pigeons, Common Green Magpie, Emerald Dove and more chances for Rufous-necked Hornbill. Night. Tingtibi B,L,D

Day 11 – Tingtibi – 12th April
Today we will explore in and around Tingtibi and Shemgang as we have lots of target birds to find. The magnificent and very rarely visited Shemgang Road is one of the most beautiful and peaceful roads in the world, with similar elevations to the now famous Lingmethang Road, we can see an amazing variety of rare and special birds as well as a target primate the Golden Langur, which can be found in this its prime habitat. Some of the target birds for the day will include, Rufous-throated and Chestnut-breasted Partridges, Gray Peacock-Pheasant, Barred Cuckoo Dove, an amazing nine species of cuckoos, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, the amazing Great Hornbill, White-browed Piculet, Bay Woodpecker, Long-tailed Broadbill, White-tailed Robin, White-browed Scimitar Babbler, the stunning Himalayan Cutia, Lesser Necklaced, Rufous-vented and Blue-winged laughingthrushes, Rufous-winged and Nepal Fulvettas, White-naped, Black-chinned and White-bellied Yuhinas, Sultan Tit and hopefully Lesser Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Long-billed Wren Babbler, Green Cochoa, Beautiful Nuthatch and White-hooded Babbler at its only known site in Bhutan. 
Night. Tingtibi  B,L,D

Day 12 – Tingtibi – Shemgang – Trongsa – 13th April
Today we will start early to get to the habitat of the Beautiful Nuthatch, allowing ourselves plenty of time to locate and see this amazing bird. It has been regularly recorded by our guides on our past trips and we hope to repeat the sightings. After a hot breakfast eaten in yet another stunning location, we will continue birding along the Shemgang road, stopping at the prime locations to bird. As we drive to Trongsa there are amazing views all along the road with the occasional waterfall gushing its way down the mountain slopes. We will stop for lunch at Kosha La from where we have an amazing view of the valley below. Just before arriving in Trongsa we will pass high cliff-faces where we will stop to look for the Yellow-rumped Honeyguide amongst the cluster of beehives clinging to the rock face and in the nearby waterfall we will look for the regularly seen Little Forktail. 
Night. Trongsa  B,L,D

Day 13 – Trongsa – Chendbji and Pele La Pass – Phobjikha – 14th April
First part of this morning will be spent birding along the Trongsa-Chendibji stretch looking for Brown Dipper, Crested Kingfisher, Fire-tailed Myzornis and Yellow-browed Tit. After a hot picnic breakfast, the road will take us through the village of Chendibji where we will stop near the Nepalese styled Chorten, picturesquely situated alongside the river. After a short break at the stupa, we will continue our journey through Chazam villages before climbing to Pele La at (3,350m) for stunning views of the valleys, hills and mountain ridges leading up to Mt Kangbum and Jichu Drake. After a short break whilst we soak up the view, we will then descend through forests of rhododendron and fir, to the Phobjikha valley.  

Night. Phobjikha

Day 14 – Phobjikha – Nobding Valley – Dzong – Puna Tsang Chhu Valley – Punakha – 15th April
Today we will start early in the morning to reach Pele la Pass for some high-altitude birding. Among the species we may find today include Himalayan Monal, Satyr Tragopan, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Himalayan Vulture, Snow Pigeon, Stripe-throated and Rufous-vented Yuhinas, Dark-breasted Rosefinch, Altai Accentor and more. After breakfast we will descend down to lower Nobding valley where we scan the broadleaved forest looking for special birds such as Ward’s Trogon, Himalayan Cutia, Long-billed Thrush, Himalayan Cuckoo, Spotted Forktail and Striated Laughingthrush among others. Arriving in Punakha we will visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong followed by some birding along the Puna Tsang Chhu River for some waterbirds before calling the day. 
Night. Punakha

Day 15 – Punakha – Dochula Road – Paro – 16th April 
This morning we leave the terraced fields and sub-tropical forests around Punakha and travel to the Royal Botanical Park at Lampelri, which forms one of the critical biological corridors connecting the Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park and the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Park. It has cool broad leaf forests, mixed conifer forests, fir and sub-alpine forests and a temperate rain forest which is home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna. Continuing on to Dochu La, we have an awe-inspiring sight with the road festooned with prayer flags and 108 chortens. From here on a clear day, there are magnificent panoramic views of the high Himalayas, including Masagang, Tsendagang, Terigang, Jejegangphug and Gangkar Puensum – the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m. From the pass we drive down to Thimphu where we will stop by a marshy land near Babesa looking for Black-tailed Crake. 
Night. Paro  B,L,D

Day 16 – Tigers Nest Monastery – 17th April 
Today you will have a fabulous last day in Bhutan with a great mix of birding and some of the Paro Valley’s cultural treasures. The cultural highlight will be the walk up to the famous Tiger’s Nest, Taksang Monastery.  The monastery is perched some 600m up on a cliff overlooking the valley and was said to be where the legendary Indian saint, Guru Padma Sambhava, flew from East Bhutan on the back of a tiger to defeat demons who were opposing the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan. It is a steep uphill walk through woods, of about 1½-2hrs, to reach a tea house where we will take a welcome refreshment. To lookout from one of the principle viewpoints of the monastery you will need to climb a further half hour’s ascent, which allows you to look directly across from the monastery. Finally you go down 100m into the gorge and then back up to reach the monastery. After this we can decend the way we came to where our vehicle will be waiting. Along this hike we will look for Green-backed, Coal and Grey-crested tits, White-tailed Nuthatch, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Spotted Nutcracker, Black-faced, Chestnut-crowned, White-throated and Spotted laughingthrushes. Up at the monastery by the rocky ledges we will scan for flocks of Snow Pigeon and Alpine Accentor while the waterfall next to the monastery often gives us the opportunity to see Little Forktail, White-capped and Plumbeous Water Redstarts. 
Night. Paro  B,L,D

Day 17 – Paro – Depart to Delhi – 18th April 
Today we will make our way to Paro Airport, for our flight back to Delhi where this tour concludes. B