Bird Watching Tours

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 range 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, Takins and blue sheep in the 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. 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 (Grus nigricollis), which traditionally winters in the valleys of Phobjikha and Bomdeling and the Imperial Heron or the White-bellied heron (Ardea insignis), which is one of the fifty rarest birds in the world. Including these bird species some of the other species that can be seen during the tour are Rufous-necked hornbill (Aceros nipalensis), Satyr tragopan (Tragopan satyra), Wards trogon (Harpactes wardi), Ibissbill (Ibidorhyncha struthersii), Raven (Corvus corax), Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus), Tawny fish owl (Ketupa flavipes), Yellow-billed blue magpie (Urocissa flavirostris), Spotted nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes).

Some of the wild animals that can be seen on the tour are herds of takin, blue sheep, marmot, golden langur and the possibility of seeing red panda, black bear, leopard, wild dog, wild pig, barking deer, sambar deer.

Best Months : Feb, March, April, May, June, September, October, November. Possible year round too except for July and August (monsoons). Timing is also dependent on the species of wildlife and birds one would like to view.

Duration of tour: Bird watching tours are possible within the driving distance and can range from a 6 days tour to 21 days (or more). Wildlife viewing tours will need longer durations from a minimum of 12 days and require trekking.

Email us at bhutangayul@gmail.com to tailor make such a tour for you.