Guide to Travel24’s Itinerary
Our itinerary is generally longer and has more activities listed on each day. We have initially done so to cater to our Travelers who are fast walkers/climbers or generally can complete each of them quickly. If you would like to linger or have a slower pace, please do so. You should discuss your itinerary with your guide and prioritize the attractions which you prefer the most. The wider options is also meant to provide you with potential options if you a change of mind during your trip. If you have enough of fortresses and Dzongs, you may want to go for a trek. If you are feeling unwell, you may want to go for slower pace such as visiting the museum.
We suggest that you use your itinerary as a guide rather than a fixed schedule. Unexpected stuffs always happen in Bhutan. As Bhutan has just opened up to the world, do not expect their service to be in the same standard as visiting a Museum in London. However, they are one of the friendliest and jolly people you would ever meet.
Yours is an exclusive holiday, not to be combined with other groups at any point of stay. This explains the freedom to be flexible on this trip of a lifetime – time and weather permitting, and to the final professional discretion of your guide.
Guides
Traditional Clothes
We advise to avoid wearing traditional gear to official places & dzongs – as entry requires additional scarves, and knee-high socks for men. Still, these are available for purchase locally.
Hotels, Itinerary, Tips
Do share your preferred hotel(s) during discussions with our agents prior to payment. If not indicated, selections are made based on the best options as shared by our guests’ reviews. Certain hotels may charge additional fees on top of the standard normal rate. Accommodations are typically confirmed within 2 weeks of down payment (please allow buffer for peak seasons).
Requests
Indicate meal restrictions, allergies, special specifications for guides etc (if any).
Travel Package Details
Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you’ll find our guide and driver holding signboard with your name(s) on it and a big smile on their faces, all the way till your last day at the departure hall. Lookout for your Visa approval email five days prior to departure, which includes: Visa, flight E- ticket, finalized hotel list and trip itinerary.
Your Bhutanese Journey
| INCLUDES | EXCLUDES: |
| 1) A qualified & licensed English speaking guide | 1) Flight |
| 2) Monument fee | 2) Visas for Bhutan |
| 3) An experienced driver | 3) Hotel Stay outside Bhutan (e.g. to catch a flightto Bhutan) |
| 4) A tour vehicle | 4) Travel Insurance |
| 5) All meals on tour | 5) Lunch & Dinner outside selected restaurants(e.g. 5-star resorts) |
| 6) Accommodation at 3 star hotels (subject toavailability) | 6) Tips for guide and driver |
| 7) Taxes, surcharges, government contribution | 7) Alcoholic drinks |
| 8) Mineral water(500 ml) for the duration of thestay | 8) Expenditure of personal nature (e.g. shopping, laundry, spa and hot stone bath) |
We handle the entire booking process for our guests, including Drukair and Bhutan Airlines flights and visa applications (included in the package) – but it is advisable to book well in advance to secure preferred accommodation and flight tickets few months ahead and plan your trip to Bhutan.
Tour Facts
Duration: 14 Days in Bhutan
Altitudes: 1400m/4593ft – 3,300m/10,826ft.
Number of species expected: 250 – 300
Tour Pace and Walking: Moderate pace and undemanding walks.
ROUTE MAP
Detail Itinerary
| Day No | Outline itinerary |
| Day 01 | Birding along Pa Chhu (if time permits) and drive to Thimphu. Target birds: Brown Dipper, Ibisbill, Plumbeous and White-capped Redstarts, Blue Whistling Thrush, Wallcreeper, Common Hoopoe, Siberian Stonechat, Rufous-breasted Accentor, Hodgson’s Redstart, Rosy Pipit, Grey-backed Shrike, Oriental Turtle Dove and Russet Sparrow and more. |
| Day 02 | Thimphu to Punakha, birding stops at Dochu la and Lampelri Park. Further stop at Punakha to visit its magnificent dzong. Target birds: Spotted Nutcracker, Brown-flanked Treecreeper, White-tailed Nuthatch, Eurasian Jay, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Green-tailed Sunbird, Speckled Wood Pigeon, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Spotted Laughingthrush, Bar-throated Siva, Red-vented Bulbul, Common Myna, Spotted Dove, Common and Green Sandpipers, Common Kingfisher, Bar-headed Geese, Ruddy Shelduck and Tufted Duck. |
| Day 03 | Punakha to Phobjikha, birding along Khelekha, Nobding and Lawa la pass. Enjoy the afternoon, watching the Black-necked Cranes at Phobjikha Valley. Target birds: Spot-winged Grossbeak, Himalayan Cutia, Brown-throated Treecreeper, Alpine Thrush, Ward’s Trogon, Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush, Black-necked Crane, Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush, Little Pied Flycatcher, Speckled Piculet, Fire-capped Tit, Himalayan Cuckoo and more. |
| Day 04 | Birding at Pele la pass and continue to Trongsa, (80 kms, 3-hour). In Trongsa visit the historic Trongsa Dzong. Target birds: Himalayan White-browed Rosefinch, Solitary Snipe, Himalayan Monal, Bhutan Laughingthrush, Crimson-browed Finch, Rufous-vented Yuhina, Snow Pigeon, Himalayan Vulture, Short-billed Minivet, Oriental Skylark, Northern Lapwing, Ruddy Shelduck, Hen Harrier, Rufous-capped Babbler and more. |
| Day 05 | Early morning birding along the famous Zhemgang road, after breakfast return to Trongsa and continue to Bumthang (80 kms, 3 hours). Birding stops along Dorji Goenpa and Yotong La pass. Target Birds: Mountain Hawk Eagle, Barred Cuckoo Dove, Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Black Eagle, Spotted Forktail, Bar-throated Siva, Black-eared Shrike Babbler, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Rufous-bellied and Large Niltavas, Lesser Yellownape, Rufous-breasted Accentor, Sapphire Flycatcher, Black-winged Cuckoo Shrike and more. |
| Day 06 | Bumthang to Yongkola. Birding along Selthang La, Ura and Thrumshing La pass at 3822m, (150 kms, 6-hours). Target birds: Satyr Tragopan, Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Red Crossbill, Himalayan Beautiful Rosefinch, Slaty-blue Flycatcher, Little Bunting, Coal, rufous-vented and Grey-crested Tits, White-throated Fantail, Hoary-throated Barwing, Altai Accentor, White-throated Redstart, White-browed Bush Robin, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Great Parrotbill and more. |
| Day 07 – 09 | Explore the bird rich Thrumshing La National Park, one of the top birding hotspots in all of Asia. Target birds: Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Scarlet Finch, Black-throated Parrotbill, Himalayan Cutia, Maroon Oriole, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Rufous-throated Wren Babbler, Great Barbet, Scaly Laughingthrush, Whistler’s Warbler, Mountain Tailorbird, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Beautiful Nuthatch, Himalayan Prinia, Grey-cheeked Warbler, Grey-headed Parrotbill, Red-faced Liocichla, Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush, Blue-capped Rock Thrush, Grey Bushchat, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Tickell’s Leaf Warbler, Rufous Sibia, Brown-flanked Bush Warbler, Nepal Fulvetta, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Golden-throated Barbet, Asian Barred Owlet, Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, White-gorgeted Flycatcher, White-naped Yuhina, Black-throated Tit, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Mountain Bulbul, Rufous-throated Partridge, Scarlet Minivet, Grey Treepie, Common Green Magpie, Collared Owlet, Rufous-necked Laughingthrush, and Speckled Piculet. |
| Day 10 | Yongkola to Bumthang, stopping for birds along Namling, Sengor valley and Thrumshing La pass, (150 kms, 4-hour drive). Target birds: Golden Babbler, Broad-billed Warbler, Hoary-throated Barwing, White-throated Fantail, Red-tailed Minla, Himalayan Bluetail, Rufous-breasted Bush Robin, and more. |
| Day 11 | Bumthang to Punakha, stopping for birds at Tharpaling monastery and continue to Trongsa with further stops along Yotong La, Bjizam and Chendibji valley. (150 kms, 6-hour drive). Target Birds: Snow Pigeon, Himalayan Monal, Himalayan Beautiful Rosefinch, Black-throated Thrush, White-collared Blackbird, Winter Wren, Altai and Alpine Accentors, Blue-fronted and White-throated Redstarts, Yellow-bellied Fantail, Long-tailed Shrike, Bar-winged Flycatcher Shrike, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Grey-chinned Minivet and more. |
| Day 12 | Early morning birding along Tashithang (Jigme Dorji NP). After breakfast return to Punakha and continue to Paro with stops along Menchuna village for birds, 130 kms, 5-hour. Target birds: Grey-sided Bush Warbler, Spotted Forktail, Green Shrike Babbler, Whiskered Yuhina, Grey Wagtail, Large-billed Crow, Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Crimson-breasted Woodpecker, Nepal House Martin, Tickell’s Leaf Warbler, Northern Goshawk and more. |
| Day 13 | Chelela Pass is the highest motorable point in Bhutan, sitting 3,988 metres (13,083 ft) above sea level, between the Haa and Paro valleys.The pass is located 35 km from on the Bondey-Haa Highway and takes approximately one hour and forty-five minutes drive. Target birds: Pheasants, long-crested monal, white-winged grosbeak, White-bowed rose finch, laughing thrushes, mountain finches, nutcrackers, and many more. |
| Day 14 | Today we will bid fond farewell to this beautiful Himalayan country. We hope by now you would have made some friends and also kept many photos and beautiful memories of Bhutan! And we look forward to seeing you again in this beautiful land of endless Enchantments! Tashi Delek! |