Day 1: Flight from Calcutta/Delhi/Bangkok to Guwahati and drive to Samdrup Jongkhar (110kms, 3 hrs). 

At the airport, arriving at noon the latest, you will be met by our Indian representatives who will drive you to Samdrup Jongkhar. Along this drive keep an eye out in the fields for the rare Lesser and Greater Adjutants, Little Cormorant, White-throated Kingfisher. The Bhutanese hosts will greet you at the Bhutan gate in Samdrup Jongkhar and take you to our hotel for your first night in Bhutan. After Checking into the hotel, as time allows we will bird in the surrounding area looking for Indian and Chinese Pond Herons, Little Heron, 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 the very rarely seen Blyth’s Kingfisher, Dark-rumped Swift and Black-backed Forktail. 

NIGHT: Hotel Norbu Khangsa, Samdrup Jongkhar (300m).

Day 2: Birding in and around Samdrup Jongkhar for tropical species.

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 Spiderhuntern Pied Harrier, Hooded Pitta (rare), 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, Stripe Tit and Grey-throated Babblers, Black-naped Monarch;, Asian Fairy Bluebird; Dollarbird; Oriental-pied, Wreathed and Great Hornbills, Violet Cuckoo, Collared Scops Owl, Slaty Blue and Red-throated Flycatchers, Large-tailed Nightjar, Long-tailed Broadbill and Puff-throated Babbler.

NIGHT: Dungsam Trashiling Resort, Deothang, (700m).

Day 3: Deothang to Trashigang, 170km. Birding en-route.

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, Beautiful Nuthatch (rare and only few known sites in Bhutan), 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, Long-tailed and Grey-backed Shrikes.
After breakfast, we will continue our birding whilst enjoying the spectacular view of the hills, isolated farms, and tiny hamlets to Trashigang. Species we may encounter includes: 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, Long-billed Thrush (rare), Ultramarine, and Little Pied Flycatchers, Large and Rufous-bellied Niltavas, Spotted Forktai, 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, Maroon Accentor (rare), Yellow-breasted Greenfinch and Tibetan Siskin.

NIGHT: Lingkhar Lodge, Trashigang, (1100m).

Day 4: Trashigang over Kore La (2,450m) to Yongkola, Mongar, birding en-route.

We will leave Trashigang after and early breakfast as there are no productive birding areas in the immediate vicinity and driving down to Chazam. The journey continues through Sherichhu, from where the road climbs using 10 hairpin bends, known as the Yadi Loops, in just 10 km! 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, 2,450m. Here, amongst other species, we may find: Brown Bullfinch, Scarlet Finch, Grey-winged Blackbird, Brown-throated Treecreeper and Grey-sided Laughingthrush.
Crossing the pass, we descend through cool broadleaved trees, dripping with exotic orchids, fern-lined forests of rhododendrons, where again we will stop to bird, hoping to see in these pristine environs: Maroon Oriole, Common Rosefinch, Hill Prinia, Fire-capped Tit, Bhutan Laughingthrush, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Asian Barred Owlet, Gold-naped Finch, Kalij Pheasant, and Barn Swallow.
Climbing back into our vehicles, we continue our descent to the town of Mongar and on 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 broadleaf forests at Yongkola, 1,700m.  

NIGHT: Trogon Villa, Yongkola (1,700m).

Day 5: Explore the birding hotspots of Thrumshing La National Park.

The warm broadleaf forests provide the perfect environment for many avian species including many of Bhutan’s sought-after birds. And so we will spend the full day birding in the upper and lower Yongkola region. In this breathtaking landscape we will bird in a protected area of pristine forests using a paved yet rarely used road, providing the ultimate beneficiary birding opportunities. It is here in this birding hotspot that we can look for: Ward’s Trogon (rare), Slender-billed Scimitar-Babbler and Rufous-throated Wren Babbler (a little known and endangered species), Black-headed Shrike Babbler (rare and the only known site for Bhutan), Satyr Tragopan (rare), Bar-winged Wren Babbler, Blue-winged Laughingthrush, White-breasted Parrotbill, and perhaps Gould’s Shortwing!  After birding the upper elevations above Yongkola, acknowledged being one of the great birding roads of the world, we will slowly descend to Yongkola at approximately 1700m. We have time to 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 this verdant land. Trails criss-cross the forests, but few birders venture far into their depths; consequently, 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, the rare Rufous-necked Hornbill (the forests of Bhutan are the stronghold for this impressive species), Speckled Wood-Pigeon (another rare bird), 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 and Lesser Yellownape, Golden-throated and Blue-throated Barbets, Large Hawk and Himalayan Cuckoos, Collared Owlet, Grey Treepie, Gray-chinned, Short-billed and Long-tailed Minivets, Yellow-bellied Fantail, Blue-capped Rock Thrush, Verditer Flycatcher, Large Niltava, Hodgson’s Redstart (in farmland at the edge of the forest); Plumbeous Redstart (males can be 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 (virtually unknown elsewhere), Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Crimson-browed Finch, Spot-winged Grosbeak, and Scarlet Finch (again, incredibly beautiful males). 

NIGHTS: Trogon Villa, Yongkola (1,700m).

Day 6: Yongkola to Bumthang. Birding along Thrumshing La National Park.

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 have breathtaking views of the eastern Himalayas. As we drive up to the pass, we will stop at 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, and on our 2016 tour, we have seen Kessler’s Thrush (rare and Vagrant to Bhutan). From the pass, we descend through forests of towering hemlocks, spruce, Silver fir, and larch, which are particularly good for species like Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, and Satyr Tragopan. We travel through the picturesque village of Ura to Bumthang and our hotel for the night. NIGHT: Hotel Ugyenling, Bumthang (2,700m).

Day 7: Bumthang to Phobjikha. In Trongsa visit the Tower Museum, Chendibji, and Pele La pass for birding.
(160 kms, 5-hour drive)..

The first part of the morning is spent birding along the Trongsa-Chendibji stretch. After breakfast, the road will take us through the village of Chendibji, where we will stop near the Nepalese-style Chorten, picturesquely situated alongside the river, where we may encounter: Brown Dipper, Crested Kingfisher, Fire-tailed Myzornis, and Yellow-browed Tit. We will take a short break at Chendibji to see the stupa, which is located in a beautiful riverside area before continuing our journey through Chazam villages before climbing to Pele La (3,350m), where with clear skies, there are stunning views of valleys, hills and mountain ridges leading you up to Mt Kangbum and Jichu Drake before heading for the sheltered valley of Phobjikha.

Phobjikha is a high-altitude wetland, above 3,000 m., and forms a biological corridor between Jigme Dorji National Park and Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park. It is one of Bhutan’s few glacial valleys, one of six conservation areas, which is rich in faunal biodiversity and home to many endangered and rare species, including the over-wintering Black-neck Cranes. Species we may see in this beautifully glaciated valley include Hen Harrier, Oriental Skylark, Short-eared Owl, and Winter Wren.

NIGHT: Phobjikha Resort, Phobjikha, (2,700m).  

Day 8:  Phobjikha to Punakha. Birding stops at Pela La pass and along Nobding valley (80 km, 3 hours).

Early morning rise where we climb through pristine, mixed coniferous and evergreen forests with dense rhododendrons to Pele La pass for our first morning birding. Here we will stop for birds such as: Himalayan Monal, Satyr Tragopan, Spotted Laughingthrush, Rufous-vented, Whiskered, and Stripe-throated Yuhinas, Himalayan Griffon, Beautiful Rosefinch, Brown and Red-headed Bullfinches, and Lammergeier. 

Day 9: Visit Punakha Dzong and continue to Paro, stopping at Dochu La pass for birding, and in Thimphu to visit the Buddha Dodernma statue at Kuensel Phodrang park (125 kms, 4-hour drive).

After breakfast at our hotel, we will visit the Dzong, offering a glimpse into Bhutanese religion and culture. Punthang Dechen Phodrang (Punakha Dzong) is an impressive fortress that sits comfortably in its superb setting, referred to as the Palace of Great Bliss. Inside the dzong, intricate frescoes and magnificent carvings showcase the creative skills of our traditional arts. The Kuenrey or Assembly Hall is perhaps the most spectacular building, featuring huge statues of Buddha, Guru Rinpoche, and the Zhabdrung under a truly spectacular ceiling adorned with hundreds of painted dragons.
After visiting the dzong, we will continue to Dochu La, 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 7,158m, Tsendagang 6,960m, Terigang 7,060m, Jejegangphug 7,158m, Kangphugang 7,170m, Zongphugang 7,060m, and Gangkar Puensum – the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m.
Arriving in Thimphu, we will visit the Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park, spanning an area of 943 acres. Here, nestled within the ruins of Kuensel Phodrang, we will find the Buddha Dordenma statue. The park is surrounded by forests and offers a stunning view of the Thimphu Valley from the southern approach. It presents excellent opportunities for capturing magnificent panoramic photographs of the valley below. The statue fulfills an ancient prophecy dating back to the 8th century and is believed to radiate an aura of peace and happiness throughout the world. Made of bronze and gilded in gold, it can house seventeen storeys of different Lhakhang and thousands of statues. Standing at a height of 51 meters, it is one of the largest Buddha statues in the world.
From here, we will continue to Paro for the overnight.
NIGHT: Hotel Olathang, Paro, (2300m).

Day 10: Birding along Chele La pass (3,988m), after breakfast return to Paro, and visit a farm house for authentic Bhutanese experience. Distance: 75 km | Duration: 3 hours.

An early morning departure for our journey up through ancient pine and fir forests to Chele La Pass, where there are fantastic views of the high Himalayan peaks of Jhomolhari (7,219m), Jichu Drake (6,989m) and down into the Paro and Ha valleys. Chele La gives us the opportunity to ascend above the tree line into alpine meadows and dwarf rhododendron scrub, here we have the possibility of finding the beautiful Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Kalij Pheasant, Himalayan Griffon, Kalij Pheasant, Spotted, Black-faced, and Chestnut-crowned laughingthrushes, Brown Parrotbill, Common Kestrel, White-collared Blackbird, Grey-backed Shrike, Blue-fronted Redstart, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Orange-flanked Bush Robin, Rufous-breasted and Alpine accentors, and the beautifully coloured Himalayan White-browed Rosefinch. After breakfast, we will continue birding in this beautiful area before gradually making our way back to Paro. 
Paro valley lies beneath Jhomolhari one of the highest of Bhutan’s Himalayan peaks and has many impressive cultural sites. In Paro, we will stop by the Pa Chhu, where camouflaged amongst the glacial stones, Himalayan riverine species such as the Ibisbill can be seen as it dips in the snowmelt, searching for food. In this area we should also find: Pied Wagtail, Rosy Pipit, White-capped and Plumbeous Water Redstarts, Blue Whistling Thrush, Oriental Turtle Dove, Common Hoopoe, Crested Goshawk, and Brown Dipper.
In the evening, we will visit a farmhouse for some authentic Bhutanese traditional experience. Activities include: Trying out Bhutanese Archery, optional Hotstone Bath, national dress wearing session and cooking (optional). We will have dinner at the farmhouse before heading to our hotel for the night.
NIGHT: Hotel Olathang, Paro, (2300m).

Day 11: Hike up to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Birding en route.
Duration: 5 hours return walk.

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 (an ascent of 340m). After a welcome refreshment at the tea house, one of the principal viewpoints of the monastery you will climb the further half hour’s ascent, which brings you to another viewpoint directly across from the monastery.  The final section of the walk takes you from this viewpoint steeply down 100m into the gorge that separates you from the monastery and then climbs back up again to reach the monastery. You will then descend back to the valley floor by your outward route back to where your vehicle will be waiting. The full walk to the monastery and back involves approximately 740m of ascent.
Along this hike, we may see bird species such as 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 allows us to see Little Forktail and White-capped and Plumbeous Water Redstarts.
NIGHT: Hotel Olathang, Paro, (2300m).

Day 12: Flight from Paro to Delhi, Kolkatta, Kathmandu or Bangkok for your onward connections.

Delhi flight departs Paro at 0940 and arrives in Delhi at 1130.