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Wildlife & Birding Tours — Bhutan

Wildlife · 9 Days

Wildlife & Birding Tours

Black-necked cranes in Phobjikha, the Yongkola forest road and a naturalist guide who knows every call.

The trip

About this trip

Bhutan keeps more than seventy percent of its land under forest, and it shows: over 700 bird species, unbroken habitat corridors and almost no crowds at the best viewpoints.

This trip pairs a licensed naturalist with our own driver so you can stop whenever something moves in the canopy.

Highlights

  • Black-necked cranes at the Phobjikha roost, in season
  • Yongkola, one of Asia's great birding roads
  • Himalayan monal, satyr tragopan and hornbill habitat
  • Community nature centre and conservation talk
  • Optional night walk for owls and civets
Duration
9 Days
Style
Wildlife
Difficulty
Moderate — early starts, forest trails, long viewing days
Best season
November – February for cranes, March – May for birding

Price depends on the season, room type and group size, and includes the government fee set for all visitors. We send you a written price for your dates.

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Day by day

Day by day

This is a guide only. We can change, add or remove any day.

  1. Day 01

    Arrival in Paro

    Paro

    • Airport welcome
    • Riverside first birding walk

  2. Day 02

    Thimphu and the takin

    Thimphu

    • Takin preserve
    • Forest trail above the city
    • Conservation briefing

  3. Day 03

    Dochula forest

    Dochula, Punakha

    • High-altitude birding
    • Rhododendron forest
    • Descent to Punakha

  4. Day 04

    Punakha river birds

    Punakha

    • Ibisbill and river species
    • Dzong visit
    • Evening list-keeping

  5. Day 05

    Crane valley

    Phobjikha

    • Black-necked crane roost
    • Nature centre
    • Valley trail

  6. Day 06

    East over the passes

    Trongsa

    • Pele La grasslands
    • Trongsa Dzong
    • Forest edge birding

  7. Day 07

    Yongkola descent

    Yongkola

    • Full day on the forest road
    • Multiple altitude bands
    • Night walk option

  8. Day 08

    Return journey

    Bumthang or Punakha

    • Morning birding
    • Long scenic drive

  9. Day 09

    Departure

    Paro

    • Transfer and farewell

Accommodation

  • Lodges and guesthouses closest to the birding sites
  • Simple rooms in Yongkola, chosen for location
  • Comfortable hotels in the western valleys

Inclusions

  • Private licensed English-speaking Bhutanese guide
  • Private vehicle with an experienced driver, every day
  • Rooms as listed in the day-by-day plan
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner every day
  • All monument and museum entrance fees
  • Bhutan visa and Sustainable Development Fee, all handled for you
  • Bottled water, tea and coffee on the road
  • Licensed naturalist guide and shared spotting scope

Exclusions

  • International flights to and from Bhutan
  • Travel insurance (required)
  • Personal spending, laundry and drinks
  • Spa treatments and extra activities
  • Tips for your guide and driver
  • Anything not listed under inclusions

Sustainability

Part of every wildlife trip goes to the community crane fund in Phobjikha, and we keep to marked hides and trails so roosting birds are never disturbed.

Important information

  • Every visitor to Bhutan travels with a licensed operator. We handle your permits, visa and daily government fee paperwork.
  • Tiger's Nest and other high walks mean a steady climb. We build in slow, easy pacing so you can adjust to the altitude.
  • Festival and trek dates follow the Bhutanese lunar calendar and change each year. We check the exact dates before you book.
  • This day-by-day plan is a starting point. We can change it around your interests, pace and travel dates.
  • Crane numbers peak from late November to January. Birding on the eastern road is best from March to May.
  • Some viewing days start before dawn and involve long hours in the vehicle on mountain roads.

Gallery

Photos from this trip

  • Wildlife & Birding Tours — Bhutan photography
  • Wildlife & Birding Tours — Bhutan photography
  • Wildlife & Birding Tours — Bhutan photography
  • Wildlife & Birding Tours — Bhutan photography

Questions

Before you send a message

Is this day-by-day plan fixed?
No. Every trip we publish is just a starting point. We can change the days, stays and pace to match your interests.
What kind of rooms are included?
Each trip lists its usual standard. You can ask to upgrade to one of Bhutan's top luxury lodges, if space allows.
How big is the group?
Trips are private by default: your own guide, driver and vehicle, travelling only with your own group.
What happens after I send a message?
A Beetle Travels team member will ask about your dates and preferences, then send a written day-by-day plan and price.

Get in touch

Ask about Wildlife & Birding Tours

Share your dates and preferences and a Beetle Travels team member will reply with a written plan made for you.

We use your details only to reply to you. This form does not ask for any password or payment details.

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