Orog Birding is one of the most highly regarded birding and nature tour companies in Bhutan. The packages provided are carefully researched and tested birding trips to chosen hot spots in Bhutan, dedicated to arranging hassle free birding holidays.
Through exceptional experiences, we strive to share our knowledge and provide quality experiences that foster a deep respect for nature, inspire wildlife conservation, and enrich and renew lives through shared exploration.
We offer you birding tours with experienced leaders that will cater to birders of all abilities. We would love to have you along
On the arrival at the Paro international airport, representative from Orog Birding will receive you with and transfer to hotel.
Your evening birding starts here, exploring Paro river bank specifically looking for Ibisbill, Brown Dipper and Wallcreeper. While looking for above mentioned targeted species, you will also have good catch of other commoner species. To mention few, River Lapwing, Olive-backed Pipit, White-capped and Plumbeous Water Redstart, White Wagtail, Rufous-breasted Accentor, Green and Common Sandpiper and others.
Overnight: Paro
Before you move to further eastern Bhutan, today you will hike tiger nest monastery which is a prominent Buddhist scared site. This splendid monastery is the landmark of this Himalayan kingdom and counted as one of the fascinating sights in the world. It takes more than 2 hours to reach the monastery from the last road point and its nonstop uphill hike. It is a thrill climbing the ladders towards heaven layered with Blue pine and mixed conifer forest. This vegetation hosts several species of birds, to highlight few, Spotted, Chestnut-crowned, Black-faced and white-throated Laughingthrushes, Altai, alpine and Rufous-breasted Accentor, Darjeeling and Rufuos-bellied Woodpekers, Spotted Nutcracker, Yellow-billed Magpie, RufousSibia, Tits, warblers and Sunbirds.
Overnight: Paro.
Early morning drive to chelela, 1hr drive (appox. 4000masl) highest motor road entrance birding sites. Today's targeted species will be Pheasants and other high altitude birds. While starting from the base, you will be amaze by frequent sighting of Kalij Pheasants. Later at mid-way point to the pass, you will be entering into the Satyr Tragopan's habitat and finally you will see Blood Pheasant and Himalyan Monals within the vicinity of pass.
Other species on the way and around the pass includes Spotted, Black-faced and Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrushes, Varieties of Tits, Collared and White-winged Grosbeak, Spotted Nutcracker, Green-tailed and Mrs Gould's Sunbirds, Red-headed Bullfinch, White-browed, Dark-rumped and Dark-breasted Rosefinch, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Hodgson's Treecreeper,Magpie, Fulvettas, Yuhinas and other alpine specialist species.
After birding at pass, you will head back towards capital city of Bhutan, Thimphu. Our final stop for the day will be next to Thimphu city, sewage pond area for Solitary Snipe and Black-tailed Crake, Ibisbill and Wallcreeper incase if you missed at Paro.
Break for the day, shopping if necessary.
Overnight: Thimphu
After breakfast in Hotels, you will drive to north of Thimphu towards the National Park Jurisdiction. Before Park you will make few stops looking for Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Little Forktail, Brown Dipper and other commoners.
Moment you enter the Park Jurisdiction, there is drastically changes in the vegetation, you will be switch from Blue pine forest to Cool broadleaf forest then to mixed conifer forest. Different vegetation host different species, here you have to carefully look for Himalayan Monal, Satyr Tragopan, Great Parrotbill, Fulvettas, Finches, Grosbeak, Wookpeckers, Robins, Laughthrushes, Thrushs , varieties of Tits, different species of Warbler and Eurasian wren.
After birding for few hours you will return back for picnic lunch at Cheri monastery base. Later in afternoon you will hike to Cheri monastery, apart from finding several bird species, you will be rewarded by sighting Himalaya Ghoral and Gray langur along the hike trail.
Overnight: Thimphu
¬¬¬¬¬¬Early morning drive towards Punakha (2 hr 30 min drive), en route Dochula (3150 masl). Around the Dochula pass you look for Fire-tailed Myzornis, Finches, Yuhinas, Eurasian Jay and other alpine birds. Later while descending, we will explore Royal Botanical Park. The park has amazing broad leaf forest composition providing good habitat for wildlife. Here you may see illusive Red Panda if you are lucky. Apart from the common birds, you will explore nature trail inside the Park for Ward's Trogon, Brown and Black-throated Parrotbill, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Slender-billed and Streaked-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Grey-sided Laughing thrush and many others..
Continue your drive to Punakha valley, along with the drive you’ll look for the species like Scarlet and Long-tailed Minivet, Great and Golden-throated Barbet and other residential birds.
Evening drive along Po Chhu River for critically endangered White-bellied Heron and vulnerable Pallas's Fish Eagle. other species include here are migratory water birds, sometime there is sighting of vagrant Mandarin Duck, Ibisbill, Red-wattled and Lapwing, Common and Crested Kingfisher and few raptors.
Overnight: Punakha.
You will be birding day long inside the JigmeDorji National Park. Despite of having good diversity of avifauna, this particular area is a winter habitat for our National animal, Bhutan Takin. Here inside the Park you will be looking for rare Yellow-vented Warbler and other warblers, Nepal and Rufous-winged Fulvetta, few species of Woodpeckers, Barbets, Laughingthrushes, Robins, Flycatchers, large, Rufous-bellied and Small Niltava, Thrushes, varieties of raptors and among all you will be looking for Spotted Elachura formerly known as Spotted Wren Babbler, Rufous-throated Wren Babbler and all Tesias.
With luck you may see our National animal Bhutan Takin. (Our several clients has seen during their day excursion)
Overnight: Punakha
Early morning drive to Phobjikha Valley (4hrs) along the warm and cool broad leaf forest. You will make several stop on the way as you are inside the different vegetation. Here you will be rewarded with sighting of Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, HimalyanCutia, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Ward's Trogon, Hoary-throated Barwing, Blyth's Shrike-babbler, Bhutan and Rufous-chinned laughingthrush, Himalayan Bluetail, Grey-bellied Tesia, Rufou-capped and Golden Babbler, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker and others..
Before reaching Pelela pass we’ll take the road to Phobjikha valley, crossing Lawala pass the vegetation changes into dwarf bamboo, here you’ll searching for the species like Spotted, Chestnut-crowned and Black-faced Laughingthrushes, Spotted Nutcracker, Great and Brown Parrotbills, Oriental Skylark, White-browed Shortwing, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Red-billed Chough, Large-billed and Whistler’s Warbler, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler and Oriental Skylark.
Overnight: Phobjikha
After early breakfast, You ’ll drive to the Pelela pass(3400 masl) and spend the morning hours birding along the old road especially for Satyr Trogopan and other high altitude species like Spotted Laughingthrush, Himalayan Griffon, Great and Brown Parrotbill, Plain Mountain Finch, White- winged and collared Grosbeak, Spotted Nutcracker, Slaty-blue, and Dark-sided Flycatcher, Grey-sided Bush Warbler and varieties of Tits, Some of the key birds you’ll looking her include Himalayan Monal, Fire-taliedMyzornis Dark-rumped, Dark-breasted and White-browed Rosefinch, Fire-tailed and Green-tailed Sunbirds, Gold-napped and Crimson-browed Finch and Darjeeling Woodpecker..Etc.While drive to Trongsa, you will also be looking for the species like Speckled Wood Pigeon, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Golden-breasted and White-browed and Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Streak-breasted and Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler. Black-winged Cuckoo Shrike, Nepal House Martin, Blyth’s Swift and White-throated Needletail, Black Eagle and many more..
Today you drive to Zhemgang and to Tingtibi (6 hrs. drive) following the MangdeChhu River. Species found in this area are Pin-tailed Green Pigeons, Red-Headed Trogon, , Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Rufous-throated Partridge, Hill Partridge, Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Great Hornbill, White-browed Piculet, Speckled Piculet, Bay woodpecker, White-tailed Robin, White-browed Scimitar Babbler, Black-faced laughing thrush, Grey-headed Parrotbill, White-throated Needletail, Mountain Scops Owl, Collard Scops Owl, Collared Treepie, Pygmy-blue flycatcher. There is a chance of spotting the critically endangered White bellied Heron and rare Collared Treepie, Beautiful Nuthatch and Lesser Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Greater Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Lesser-necklacedLaughingthrush, Greater NecklacedLaughingthrush.
To high light few on mammals sighting, you will see Golden langur, AsameseMacque, Malayan Giant squirrel and others.
Overnight: Tingtibee.
Today you’ll explore wide varieties of habitats on the Zhemgang – Tingtibe roads. Habitats vary from mossy forests to streamside lowland forest. This is another chance to see Golden Langur, which is fairly common here. We’ll also be searching for Rufous-necked and Great Hornbill, Pin-tailed and Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Cutia, Scarlet Minivet, varieties of beautiful Laughingthrushes, Spotted Wren Babblers and very rare and sought after Beautiful Nuthatch.
In the afternoon we’ll be exploring the Gomphu Road, the road that goes to Manas National Park, here we’ll be searching for the species like Lesser Rufous-headed Parrotbill, White-hooded Babbler, Grey-throated and Rufous-capped Babbler, Lesser Yellownape, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Lesser NecklacedLaughingthrush, Blue-throated Flycatcher, Striated and Black-chinned Yuhinas, Chestnut-winged and Drongo Cuckoo, Common Green Magpie, Emerald Dove, White-throated Bulbul and with the little bit of luck Pale -headed Woodpecker.
Overnight: Tingtibee
After your final morning birding, you will work our way to central Bhutan, on the way you will find Gray-headed Parrotbill, Speckled Piculet, Red-headed Trogon, Rufous, Bay, Slaty-headed Woodpeckers, Blyth’s Shrike Babbler, Blue-caped,Chestnut-bellied and Blue Rock Thrush, varieties of Laughingthrushes including Bhutan Laughingthrush, Prinias, Minivits and many more..
After Trongsa it is another 3hrs drive take you through the Yotongla pass. Here we will search for Chestnut-tailed Minla, Brown and Great Parrotbill, Chestnut-crown, Black-faced and Spotted Laughingthrush, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Red-headed Bullfinch, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Grey-crested, Coal, Rufous-vented and Rufous-fronted Tits, Rufous-breasted Accentor and Plain Mountain Finch.
The Moment you enter the first valley of Bumthang after Yotongla pass, you will find Eurasian Magpies. This species was, once upon a time only found in this locality in Bhutan But later few were recorded at Phobjikha and one time record from Zhemgang and Yongkala.
Overnight: Bumthang
Morning drive back to Tharpaling monastery road, before monastery while driving along pristine bluepine forests, we may see satyr Tragopan. Later at monastery we can see co-operative Himalayan Monal feeding nearby, Beautiful Rosefinch, Snow Pigeon, Eurasian Magpie and other commoners.
Overnight in Bumthang
You will drive from Bumthang to Yongkala going over Thrumshingla. Thrumshingla is the prime habitat for Blood Pheasants and also hold other high altitude species like, Snow Pigeons, Orange-flanked Bush Robin, Golden and White-browed Bush Robin, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Spotted Nutcracker, Red-billed Chough, Fire-tailed Sunbirds, Greats Parrotbills, Stripe-throated and Rufous-vented Yuhinas, Grey-crested, coals, Rufous-vented Tits, White-browed Fulvata, Dark-rumpedRosefinch, Plain-backed Thrush, White-collared and Grey-winged Blackbird, Rusty-flanked Treecreeper Buff-barred and Ashy-throated Warbler.
Later we will be birding around Sengor looking for Satyr Tragopan. Sengor is known as the hotspot for Satyr Tragopan. Other birds you’ll be looking out here include Bar-winged and Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler, Gold-naped Finch, Hoary-throated Barwing, Bar-throated and Red-tailed Minlas, Whistler’s and Grey-hooded Warbler and Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler.
Among the entire birding site, the Yonkala is considered as top birding site (Birding Paradise) in Bhutan. You will spend the two days birding the upper and lower Limithang road. Some of the species you’ll be searching here include flocks of busy Greater Rufous-headed and Black-throated Parrotbills, Golden-breasted and Yellow-throated Fulvettas; Rufous-throated, Long-billed, Pygmy and Sikkim Wedge-billed Wren Babbler, Grey-bellied, Slaty-bellied and Chestnut-headed Tesia, Red-headed and Ward's Trogon, Hoary-throated Barwing, Great and Golden-throated Barbet, Himalayan Cutia, Black-faced, Whistler’s and Grey-cheeked Warblers, White-tailed and Beautiful Nuthatch, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Grey-chinned Minivet, Babblers and Tit, Coral-billed, Slender-billed and Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Varieties of laugher species, Birds of Prey, Flycatchers, Robins, Tits, Leafbirds, woodpecker and...Many more species
Today you will be traveling through series of vegetation, when you reached chirpine Forest explore for Slender-billed Oriole and other species. Later after crossing Mongar valley you will be birding at Korila pass looking for Thrushes, Gold-napped Finch, Laughingthrushes, Fire-tailed Myzornis and many more.
Visit logging road for Ward’s Trogon, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Grey-sided Laughingthrush and other laughers and many more..
Continue drive to Tshigang making several stop if necessary.
Overnight: Tashigang
Finding additional species would be difficult along this road but you will still enjoy your journey watching close up Yellow-rumpedHoneyguide and to mention few highlight Thrushes, Nuthatchs, Drongos, Scimitar Babblers, Minivits, Hornbills and other commoners.
Overnight: Camp at Morong
After passing by many good birding site and missed Beautiful Nuthatch, you have one more chance here; this particular site has always rewarded birders with great sighting of Beautiful Nuthatch always. Not to have limit on single species, here you will also look for Himalayan Cutia, Blyth’s Shrike Babbler, Leafbirds, Varieties of Drongos, Silver-eared Mesia, Laughingthrushes, Rufous-necked and Great Hornbill, Treecreepers, Black-faced Warbler, Tits, Woodpeckers and many other species.
As you descend further down the Sub-tropical foothill, you should able to spot the Wreathed and Oriental Pied Hornbills, Violet Cuckoo, Dark-rumped Swift, Pied Falconet, Asian Paradise flycatcher, Flycatchers, Orange-headed Thrush, Puff-throated Babbler and other babblers, Laughingthrushes and Green Pigeons.
Overnight: SamdrupJongkhar
The team from Orog Travel will bid you farewell and safe journeys until we meet again. Visit us again…
