We are delighted to be able to offer this exciting itinerary to Bhutan, also known as Druk Yul, or ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’, the remote Himalayan kingdom steeped in tradition, folklore and deep-seated Buddhist beliefs. The country only opened up to foreigners relatively recently and numbers are restricted on a yearly quota, in order to avoid the worst depredations of the mass tourist industry. No one lucky enough to visit this fascinating country can fail to be impressed by the friendliness of the people, the rich culture and the breath-taking natural beauty. Roughly two-thirds of this thinly populated and scenically spectacular land is forest, the remaining fraction is either above the tree line in the high peaks, or under agriculture along the narrow valley bottoms. These protected forests hold a bounty of birdlife, providing some of the best birding in the Himalayas. All these factors combine to make this country one of the most rewarding and thrilling bird tour destinations available today.
Our Bhutan tour will traverse the country, following the winding national highway, set amid stunning mountain scenery. Starting our adventure in Paro, we will seek out riverine species, including the unmistakeable Ibisbill, before heading into the mountains to visit some of the best places to see the splendid Himalayan Monal, not to mention Blood Pheasant, plus a variety of high-altitude species. From the capitol, Thimpu, where we will experience some of the rich culture on offer in Bhutan. Continuing eastwards, we will visit the high pass at Dochula, visiting the Royal Botanic Gardens at Lampelri, adding a host of forest birds to our growing list, possibly including choice species such as Bhutan Laughingthrush, Fire-tailed Myrzornis, Black-throated Parrotbill and Scarlet Finch. Dropping down next to Phobjikha, we will search a pristine stretch of river for the critically endangered White-bellied Heron.
Further east again, we will travel through a range of habitats, including broad-leaved forests rich in orchids, blazes of Rhodedenrons and vast conifer forests. We will experience some of the best birding in Bhutan in Phrumsengla National Park and along the famous ‘Limnethang Road’. Specialities along the route could include Satyr Tragopan, Ward’s Trogon, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Slender-billed Scimitar-Babbler, various Wren-Babblers, Yellow-throated Fulvetta, White-naped Yuhina, Greater Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Blue-fronted Robin, Dark-rumped Swift, Broad-billed Warbler and Beautiful Nuthatch, along with a plethora of other avian jewels. We also visit the fantastic Thrumshing La National Park from a three-day base at the famous Trogon Villa, often a highlight of any visit to Bhutan.
There will be no camping on this tour and the standard of hotels is generally reasonable to good. Drives may be fairly lengthy at times, as the roads are invariably winding, but the fantastic views and frequent birding stops should help compensate! We also guarantee a group size no bigger than eight participants, with two guides at all times, meaning a great chance to see all the birds on offer. You can expect to see around 300 species.
Brief Itinerary:
Day 01: Flight to Delhi
Day 02: Flight to Paro and to Thimphu
Day 03: Punakha
Day 04: Phobjikha
Day 05: Bumthang
Day 06 – 08: Yongkola
Day 09: Trongsa
Day 10 & 11: Tingtibi
Day 12: Phobjikha
Day 13 & 14: Paro
Day 15: Flight to Delhi
Day 16: Arrive back in the UK
Route Map:
DAYS ONE & TWO
Take the day flight from London to New Delhi. Then early morning on day two, we will take the Druk Air flight to Paro, where we can enjoy breathtaking views of the Himalayas, including some of the highest mountains in the world.
From the airport, we will embark on a scenic drive along the Pa Chu (river). As we traverse the glacial stones, keep an eye out for the camouflaged Himalayan riverine species, such as the Ibisbill, as it dips into the snowmelt in search of food. In this area, we are also likely to spot various bird species, including the Wallcreeper (winter visitor), Black-tailed Crake, Eurasian Cuckoo, Common Kestrel, Olive-backed Pipit, Hodgson’s and Plumbeous Redstart, White Wagtail, Blue Whistling Thrush, Rufous-breasted Accentor, Rosy Pipit, Common Pigeon, House Crow, Russet and Eurasian Tree Sparrows,
Once we reach 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.
Overnight: Hotel Park or similar, Thimphu, (2300m).
DAY THREE
Today, we will set out early to witness the awe-inspiring sight of the Himalayas as dawn breaks over Dochu La Pass (3150m). The road leading to the pass is adorned with prayer flags and 108 chortens. From the pass there are panoramic views of the Bhutanese Himalayas. Dochu La and Lampelri Park provide the best opportunity to spot the rare and elusive Red Panda.
In the high elevations of Bhutan, amidst the mixed evergreen and broad-leafed forests, we will encounter a diverse range of birds and flowering plants. Here, we may have the chance to observe species such as the Grey Nightjar, Hill Partridge, Kalij Pheasant, Large Hawk-cuckoo, Wedge-tailed Pigeon, Speckled Wood-pigeon, Rufous-bellied and Darjeeling Woodpeckers, White-collared Blackbird, Maroon-backed Accentor (rare), White-throated Fantail, Brown-flanked and Russet Bush Warblers, Black-winged Cuckoo-shrike, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Tickell’s and Blyth’s Leaf Warbler, Chestnut-crowned Warbler, Pygmy Cupwing, Black-eared Shrike-babbler, Red-tailed Minla, Brown Parrotbill, Grey-sided Laughingthrush, Rusty-flanked and Hodgson’s Treecreepers, Blue-fronted Redstart, Sapphire Flycatcher and Rufous-bellied Niltava.
Upon arriving in Punakha, we will visit the majestic Punakha Dzong, which was bult in 1637. Perched on a promontory at the confluence of the Mo (mother) and Pho (father) Chu (river), Punakha Dzong is famously known as the “Palace of Great Happiness” and is regarded as one of the most beautiful Dzongs in Bhutan.
After the dzong we will bird along the Puna Tshang Chu river valley where we should find, Osprey, Pallas’s Fish-eagle (Endangered), Common Kingfisher, Goosander, Common Shelduck, Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Garganey, Bar-headed Goose, Ruddy Shelduck, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon, Mallard, Eastern Spot-billed Duck, Northern Pintail, Common Teal, Red-crested Pochard, Pied Avocet, Brown Dipper, Pallas’s Gull, Little Ringed Plover, River Lapwing, Richard’s Pipit, Red-vented Bulbul, Spotted Dove, Scaly-breasted Munia, Slender-billed Oriole, White-browed Wagtail, Sand Martin, and Grey Heron.
Overnight: Spirit of Village Lodge or Meri Puensum Resort, Punakha (1242m).
DAY FOUR
Today, we will embark on a scenic journey along the winding mountain road, ascending through oak and rhododendron forests adorned with lichens, leading us towards Lawa La at an elevation of 3350m. Throughout these diverse habitats, we will have excellent birding opportunities, where we can expect to spot species such as the Ward’s Trogon (one of the top five species in Bhutan and range restricted to Eastern Himalayas), Spotted Elachura (monotypic species and a top target for Bhutan), Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush, Asian Emerald and Himalayan Cuckoos, Brown-throated Treecreeper, Black-faced Warbler, Chestnut-bellied Rock-thrush, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Dark breasted Rosefinch, Speckled Piculet, Long-billed Thrush (rare), Rufous-winged Fulvetta, White-browed Shrike-babbler, Himalayan Cutia (top targets), Large Niltava, Rufous-gorgeted and Slaty-blue Flycatchers.
Continuing from Lawa La, our journey will take us to the picturesque Phobjikha Valley, renowned for its Black-necked Crane (Near Threatened). These majestic birds migrate from the Tibetan plateau to over-winter in the valley from late October to March. Phobjikha is one of Bhutan’s few glacial valleys and serves as an important wildlife preserve. Additionally, the valley is home to a variety of bird species, including the Oriental Skylark, Hen Harrier, Northern Lapwing and Himalayan Vulture (Near Threatened).
Overnight: Phobjikha Resort or Gakiling Guesthouse, Phobjikha (3000m).
DAY FIVE
As we make our way back through the Lawa La pass at an elevation of 3350m, we pause once again to admire the breathtaking panoramic views before proceeding to our next birding destination at Pele La pass. Here, in the morning light, we will have our first birding session.
Some of the target bird species in this area include the Satyr Tragopan (one of the top five of Bhutan), Bearded Vulture (Near Threatened), Fire-tailed Myzornis (one of the top birds), Dark-rumped Rosefinch, Brown Bullfinch, Verditer Flycatcher, White-winged Grosbeak, Gold-naped Finch, Solitary Snipe (rare), Hume’s Bush Warbler and Rufous-vented Yuhina.
Continuing our drive towards Chendibji, we will stop to capture photos of the Nepalese-styled Chorten. Situated alongside the river, this picturesque structure was built in the 19th century by Lama Shida and is modeled after the Sambhunath stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal. According to legend, it was constructed to cover the remains of an evil spirit that was vanquished there.
From Chendibji, our journey will lead us through breathtaking landscapes as we make our way to Trongsa. We will then ascend to Yotong La pass, the highest pass of the day at 3450m, before descending into the beautiful Bumthang valley for our overnight stay. Along these routes, we may encounter various bird species, including the Himalayan Buzzard, Short-billed Minivet, Eurasian Jay, Yellow-browed Tit, Grey-sided Bush Warbler, Lemon-rumped Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, White-throated Laughingthrush, Green Shrike-babbler, Bar-throated Siva, Rufous Sibia, Fulvous Parrotbill (rare), Red-throated Thrush, White-browed Bush-robin, Green-tailed Sunbird, Alpine Accentor, White-browed Rosefinch and Red Crossbill.
Overnight: Hotel Ugyenling or similar, Bumthang (2800m).
DAY SIX
This day offers one of the most breathtaking drives in the Himalayas. As we ascend to Selthang La pass at 3600m, weather permitting, we are treated to awe-inspiring views of the magnificent Gangkar Puensum, standing at 7315m, the highest unclimbed peak in the world. Surrounding us are the stunning landscapes of the High Himalayas, adorned with auspicious prayer flags and typical Bhutanese villages. Truly, this is a magical land! Along the way, we will pause and explore the tranquil valley of Ura, the highest of the four valleys in Bumthang. Nestled in the shadow of Thrumshing La (3780m), Ura is a prosperous village. On this section of the journey, we have the opportunity to spot various bird including, Himalayan Monal (top targets for Bhutan), Goldcrest, Greenish Warbler, Beautiful Rosefinch, Collared Grosbeak, Gould’s Sunbird, White-browed Fulvetta, Eurasian Hobby, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Upland Buzzard, Himalayan Owl (a recent split from Tawny Owl), Rufous-vented Tit, Buff-barred Warbler and Black-faced Laughingthrush.
Leaving Ura, we continue our ascent through forests of larch, silver fir, spruce, and towering hemlocks until we reach Thrumshing La (3780m). Along this magnificent stretch of road, we keep our eyes open for Blood Pheasants feeding by the roadside while enjoying breathtaking views of the Eastern Himalayas. From Thrumshing La, we proceed to the picturesque village of Sengor at 3,000m. In Sengor, we will explore the coniferous forests in search of special bird species, including Bar-winged Wren-babbler (rare), White-browed Shortwing, Blanford’s Rosefinch (summer visitor), Asian House Martin, Hoary-throated Barwing, Black-headed Shrike-babbler, Fire-tailed Sunbird (rare and scarce), Crimson-browed Finch, Himalayan Bluetail, Red-headed Bullfinch, Striated Laughingthrush and Rufous-breasted Bush-robin (rare migrant).
Continuing to Yongkola we will stop along Namling valley where we will look for the rare migrant species the Gould’s Shortwing. Finally, we descend to the warmer Yongkola region.
Overnight stay: Trogon Villa, Yongkola (1800m).
DAYS SEVEN & EIGHT
Thrumshing La National Park is renowned as one of the finest birding destinations in Asia. This captivating landscape provides us with an exceptional opportunity to encounter some of Bhutan’s most extraordinary bird species, many of which are rarely found elsewhere. Alongside numerous commoner species, we will look for Chestnut-breasted Partridge (Vulnerable), Ashy Wood-pigeon (rare), Blue-fronted Robin, Green Cochoa, Rufous-necked Hornbill (one of the top five species and Bhutan holds the best place to see this species), Long-billed Wren-babbler (rare), Rufous-throated Wren-babbler (Near Threatened), Himalayan Wedge-billed Babbler (Near Threatened), Beautiful Nuthatch (one of the top five species in Bhutan and range restricted to Eastern Himalayas), Besra, Booted Eagle, Collared Owlet, Lesser Cuckoo, Large-billed Leaf Warbler, Grey-cheeked Warbler, Rufous-capped Babbler, Lesser Shortwing, Scaly Thrush, Fork-tailed Swift, Golden-throated Barbet, Ferruginous Flycatcher, Lesser Yellownape, Yellow-cheeked Tit, Nepal House-martin, Grey-bellied and Slaty-bellied Tesias, Mountain Tailorbird, Black Bulbul, Whistler’s and Broad-billed Warblers, Scaly and Blue-winged Laughingthrushes, Red-faced Liocichla, Yellow-throated Fulvetta, Black-chinned Yuhina, Black-throated and Grey-headed Parrotbills, Alpine Thrush, Golden Bush-robin, Little Forktail, Grey Bushchat, Pygmy Flycatcher, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Common Rosefinch, Scarlet Finch, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Spot-winged Grosbeak, Grey-capped Woodpecker, Grey-chinned Minivet, Grey-backed Shrike, Hair-crested Drongo, Yellow-bellied Fantail, and if luck favors us, the elusive Purple Cochoa (rare).
As night falls, we will look for Brown Wood-owl, Hodgson’s Frogmouth (rare), and Mountain Scops Owl. During the night safari we may also encounter the rare Bhutan Giant Flying Squirrel.
Overnight stay: Trogon Villa, Yongkola (1800m).
DAY NINE
We will begin our morning by exploring the bird-rich areas of Yongkola. After enjoying a hearty breakfast, we will proceed towards Bumthang, making several additional stops at Namling, Sengor, and Thrumshing La. These stops will allow us to discover more birds, enjoy the vibrant display of flowers, and take in breathtaking vistas.
During our birding excursions, we will be on the lookout for a variety of species, including the
Slender-billed Scimitar-babbler (top target for Bhutan), Shikra, Great Parrotbill, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Eurasian Woodcock, Ashy Drongo, Rufous-fronted Tit, Grey-crested Tit, Stripe-throated Yuhina, White-throated Redstart, Streak-breasted Scimitar-babbler and Little Bunting.
In addition to our avian encounters, we might have the opportunity to spot a few mammal species, including the Hoary-bellied Squirrel, Himalayan Five-striped Squirrel, and with a stroke of luck, the rare Red Panda.
Overnight: Tendrel Resort or similar, Trongsa (2170m).
DAY TEN
Today’s journey will take us through a wide range of altitudes, starting from 2,170m and descending to 600m as we reach Tingtibi. As we drive, we will be treated to magnificent views of the Himalayan landscape. In the morning, our focus will be on spotting various bird species, including the
Black Eagle, White-tailed Robin, Crested Kingfisher, Oriental Turtle-dove, Barred Cuckoo-dove, Asian Barred Owlet, Asian Palm-swift, Eurasian Hoopoe, Crimson-breasted and Bay Woodpeckers, Black-throated Prinia, Yellow-breasted Greenfinch, Long-tailed Shrike, Bhutan Laughingthrush, Spot-winged Starling (rare), Orange-headed Thrush, Spotted Forktail, Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher, White-gorgeted and Little Pied Flycatchers, Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, Black-throated Tit, Striated and Mountain Bulbuls, White-bellied Erpornis, Scaly-breasted Cupwing, Tibetan Serin, Crested Bunting, and Grey-headed Bullfinch.
Following a satisfying breakfast around Kuenga Rubten, we will continue our journey towards Tingtibi, making additional birding stops whenever time permits. Some of the species we can expect to encounter in the area include the Peregrine Falcon, Oriental Hobby, Chestnut-winged Cuckoo (summer visitor), Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Mountain Hawk-eagle, Green-billed Malkoha, Great Hornbill (Vulnerable), White-throated Bulbul, Blue Rock-thrush, Common Tailorbird and Yellow-vented Warbler.
Overnight: Hotel Twang or Berti Eco Lodge, Tingtibi (600m).
DAY ELEVEN
Our exploration of the rarely visited Royal Manas National Park in Tingtibi will introduce us to one of the most biodiverse areas in Bhutan, where we can witness an incredible variety of rare and special birds. Throughout the day, our target species will include the White-bellied Heron (Critically Endangered), Pale-billed Parrotbill (a resident species and rarity), White-browed Scimitar Babbler, White-hooded Babbler (a local bamboo specialist and rarity), Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, Plaintive, Banded Bay, Drongo and Grey-bellied Cuckoos, White-browed Piculet, Pale-headed Woodpecker (a bamboo specialist and rarity), Blyth’s Paradise Flycatcher, Northern Goshawk, Sultan Tit, Yellow-bellied, Yellow-vented and Rufous-faced Warblers, and Yellow-browed Warblers, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-babbler, Rufous-necked and Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrushes, Plain Flowerpecker, Silver-eared Mesia, Blue-winged Siva, Common Hill and Common Mynas, Slaty-backed, Snowy-browed, Dark-sided and Pale Blue Flycatchers, Oriental Magpie-robin, Black Redstart, Crimson Sunbird, White-rumped Munia, Forest Wagtail, House Swift, Bronzed and Lesser Racket-tailed Drongos, Grey-throated and Golden Babblers, Striated Yuhina, Blue-capped Rock-thrush, Small Niltava, Blue-naped Pitta (rare), White-throated Kingfisher, Barred Buttonquail, Rufescent Prinia, Plain Martin, Black-crested Bulbul, Great Cormorant, Tawny Fish-owl, Spot-bellied Eagle-owl, White-throated Needletail and Streaked Spiderhunter.
In addition to the avian wonders, Tingtibi valley presents us with the best chance to observe one of Bhutan’s rare primates, the Golden Langur, as they forage along the roadside.
Overnight: Hotel Twang or Berti Eco Lodge, Tingtibi (600m).
DAY TWELVE
After a hot cup of tea, we will drive to Wangduegang valley to explore the region for some temperate forest birding. Here we should find: Emerald Dove, Collared Owlet, Beautiful Nuthatch (rare), Grey Nightjar, Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Lesser Yellownape, Bronzed Drongo, Ashy Woodswallow, Black-winged Cuckoo-shrike, Grey-bellied Cuckoo, Green-billed Malkoha, Pygmy and White-gorgeted flycatchers, Black-throated Prinia, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Grey-headed Parrotbill, Rufescent Prinia, , Grey-cheeked Warbler, Ashy Drongo, Rufous-capped Babbler, Mountain Bulbul, Himalayan Cutia, White-browed Shrike Babble, Common Green Magpie, Chestnut-tailed Starling, White-crested Laughingthrush, Black Redstart, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler, Sultan Tit, and Long-tailed Broadbill.
After breakfast, we will continue to Phobjikha stopping at Trongsa, Koshala valley for birds and stunning landscape views.
Expected Mammals: Assamese Macaque and Golden Langur (rare).
Night: Tendrel Resort or similar Trongsa (2000m).
DAY THIRTEEN
Our first stop for morning birding will be along the Nobding valley. After breakfast we will make our way to Paro stopping as time allows. We visit Puna Tsang Chu river to observe water birds before continuing our journey to Paro.
Expected Birds: Tibetan Siskin, Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Sapphire, Ferruginous and Little Pied Flycatchers, Brown Treecreeper, Spotted Forktail, Red-tailed Minla, Rufous-fronted Tit, Oriental Skylark, Dark-breasted Rosefinch, Solitary Snipe (rare), Himalayan Vulture, Striated Laughingthrush, Black Bulbul, Greater Yellownape, Crimson-breasted Woodpecker, Grey Treepie, Bar-headed Geese, Ruddy Shelduck, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Pochard, Northern Pintail, Gadwall, Mallard, Common and Green Sandpipers, Kentish Plover (rare), Red-wattled Lapwing, Richard’s Pipit, Scaly-breasted Munia, and more.
Expected Mammals: Common Gray Langur, Hoary-bellied Squirrel, and Himalayan Yellow-throated Marten.
Overnight: Spirit of Village or similar, Punakha (1300m).
DAY FOURTEEN
Today marks our final day in Bhutan, and it promises to be a remarkable experience combining birdwatching and cultural exploration in the beautiful Paro valley. The highlight of the day is the hike up to the renowned Tiger’s Nest, also known as Taktsang Monastery. Perched 600m high on a cliff, this monastery holds great significance as it is believed to be the place where Guru Padma Sambhava, an Indian saint, defeated demons on the back of a tiger to spread Buddhism in Bhutan.
The hike to the monastery takes about 1½-2 hours through wooded areas, involving an ascent of 340m. Along the way, we will have opportunities for birdwatching, seeking out species such as
Hume’s Leaf Warbler, Green-backed, Coal Tit, White-tailed Nuthatch, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Spotted Nutcracker and Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush.
As we reach the tea house, a welcome spot for refreshments and one of the best viewpoints of the monastery, we continue the ascent for another half-hour to reach a viewpoint directly across from the monastery. The final stretch involves a steep descent into the gorge separating us from the monastery, followed by a climb back up to reach it.
Upon exploring the rocky ledges near the monastery, we’ll keep our eyes open for flocks of and Altai Accentors. The nearby waterfall often presents opportunities to observe Little Forktail and White-capped Redstart.
As the day comes to an end, we will come together for a delightful farewell dinner. This enchanting evening will provide us with an opportunity to reflect on our journey, share our stories and laughter, and celebrate the remarkable experiences we have had in Bhutan. It will be a heartfelt and memorable occasion as we bid farewell to this enchanting land and the beautiful memories we have created.
Overnight: Hotel Olathang, Paro (2200m).
DAY FIFTEEN
This morning we fly from Paro to New Delhi. Depending on the timing of the flight, we may have time for some birding at Lodhi Gardens, a short drive from the airport. Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Asian Koel, Little Swift, Red-naped Ibis, Shikra, Black Kite, Spotted Owlet, Indian Grey Hornbill, Brown-headed Barbet, Alexandrine and Rose-ringed Parakeets, Rufous Treepie, House Crow, Red-whiskered Bulbul, Rosy and Indian Pied Starlings and Purple Sunbird are amongst the possibilities. After dinner at a nearby hotel we drive to the airport for our overnight flight to London.
DAY SIXTEEN
Arrive back in the UK where the tour will conclude
ACCOMODATIONS
All hotels will be of a reasonable to good standard, as is insisted on by the Bhutanese authorities for foreign visitors. Rooms are all en suite. Unlike many tours to Bhutan, we do not include any camping in our itinerary.
Most breakfasts and all lunches are hot picnic style, taken in the field. Dinners are mostly buffets served at the hotels where we stay, with continental, Indian, Chinese and Bhutanese options usually available.
TOUR CODE
Most of our birding will occur along roads or near the vehicle, although there will be a few moderate walks along good trails, for instance at Lampelri Royal Botanic Park. You can expect to walk 3-4km a day on average, mostly along little-trafficked roads. Days in the field can typically start around 06:00, with breakfast sometimes taken in the field, then a relaxed break for lunch, followed by an afternoon session until dusk. We will need to leave our accommodation at 04:30 on at least one day, in order to maximise our chances of seeing certain pheasant species, which venture onto the roadsides early in the morning. Travel is in a comfortable minibus and the roads are generally good, if tortuous. If you have problems with motion sickness, precautions are advised. Please note, there is only one main road from west to east, so delays are possible should there be roadworks. There are some fairly lengthy drives, in time, if not distance, but we will aim to break these up with birding breaks. Climatic conditions will range from fairly hot at lower altitudes to cool, or even cold, at higher altitudes. We are visiting in the dry season, but rain is possible.
ALTITUDE
Much of the tour will be spent between 2,000 to 3,300m. It is unusual for anyone to experience serious altitude problems at these heights and we will move at a sensible pace, in order to avoid headaches or breathlessness. The highest altitudes we will reach will be approximately 3,700m at Thrumsing La. We are not anticipating any serious problems, but will limit physical exertions at these elevations.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Return flights from London to Paro return, via New Delhi. All accommodation, meals from in-flight food on day one, to in-flight breakfast on the final day, services of the leaders, transport and reserve entrance fees, Bhutan entry visa cost, gratuities (tips to drivers and lodge staff, porters, etc.).
NOT INCLUDED
Transport to/from London airport and any overnight stay that might be involved, compulsory travel insurance, Indian travel visa, alcoholic drinks, tips to the local guide and any items of a purely personal nature.
PASSPORT
Passports must have six months validity beyond the return travel date and several blank pages.
VISAS
Visas are required for both India and Bhutan. We can arrange your Bhutan visa, but you will need to obtain your Indian visa. Our Bhutanese agent will apply for a Bhutan visa on your behalf and this will be issued to you prior to our arrival. The Bhutanese government requires clear, colour copies of the main page of your passport, so please send us a photo or scan of it after booking. Participants should not try to obtain a Bhutanese visa themselves. The cost of the Bhutan visa is included in the tour price. To enter India, you will need an E-visa which is easy to apply for online and normally comes back within a couple of days. We will notify you once the tour is guaranteed with the recommendation of when and how to apply.
CURRENCY
The Bhutanese currency is the ngultrum and there is direct parity with the Indian rupee. Indian rupees are accepted everywhere throughout Bhutan. Please note that Bhutanese ngultrum are not accepted in India so it is important to spend any Bhutanese currency before departing Bhutan. Indian rupees may not be brought into or taken out of the country (except to Bhutan and Sikkim) but there are currency exchange facilities at the airport in Delhi. You will be needed to reconvert any unused Indian rupees back in to western currency at the airport when you finally leave India. In Bhutan, there are currency exchange facilities at Paro international airport. American dollars are readily accepted in Bhutan. As the tour price includes travel, hotel and meal costs you need only bring enough money to cover tips (about £250) and purchases of a purely personal nature.
HEALTH
Standard health and inoculation requirements apply for UK nationals, visit www.masta-travel-health.com to check these and if necessary, download a free health brief to take to a travel appointment at your local medical practice. Proof of yellow fever vaccination will only be required if you have visited a country in the yellow-fever zone within six days prior to entering Bhutan. Malaria is present in southern Bhutan. Although cases are rare and we visit in the dry season, you may wish to take a preventative, please take medical advice. Biting insects are not numerous and insect repellent will provide adequate protection. Tap water is not safe to drink, but bottled water, soft drinks and beer are widely available. On some lowland trails, terrestrial leeches may occur. They are typically quite scarce at this time of year and are not harmful.
