Seven hundred species, one small kingdom
Bhutan packs extraordinary birdlife into its altitude bands, from ibisbill on the Paro rivers to the famous forests of the Yongkala road. Winter brings the black-necked cranes home to Phobjikha.
Arrive Paro. Ibisbill and wallcreeper along the Paro Chhu.
Dawn at Chele La for blood pheasant and Himalayan monal.
To Dochula, birding the Lungchutse trail, overnight Punakha.
Pho Chhu riverbanks: one of the last strongholds of the white-bellied heron.
Nobding forests en route to Phobjikha; black-necked cranes in winter.
Cross Pele La to Trongsa, birding stops through changing altitude bands.
Bumthang to Sengor and the Yongkala road, Bhutan’s most famous birding stretch.
Full day at Yongkala: rufous-necked hornbill, satyr tragopan, beautiful nuthatch.
Return to Bumthang, fly to Paro.
Depart Paro.
Best November to March for cranes, March to May for breeding season along Yongkala.