Bhutan Himalayan Monal Quest Tour - 8 Days

After reaching the Paro Airport, you’ll be warmly greeted by the hosts and the guides there. After a brief orientation about the trip and checking into the hotel room, you’ll be given some time to relax and rest for the upcoming days. After you get enough rest, in the evening, you can take a walk towards your first birding place, which is the Paro Chu river bank, where you can spot Ibisbill, Brown Dipper, and Plumbeous Water Redstart. After seeing that, you can also visit some cultural heritages such as the Rinpung Dzong or simply enjoy the view of the surrounding peaks. For dinner, you need to return to the hotel where you are staying. There you will be served with warm dishes. 

On day two, after eating your breakfast, you can begin your journey from Paro to Thimphu. Thimphu is the capital city of Bhutan. You’ll pass through many green forests and see the clear blue sky on the way. As you leave early this morning day you might have an opportunity to spot Black Bulbul, Long-tailed Minivet, and Red-vented Bulbul. Stop at riverside thickets to spot species such as the White-capped Redstart and Crested Kingfisher. You will arrive at Thimphu in the afternoon. After checking into your room, you can leave for bird sightseeing near the Wang Chhu River or explore the Royal Botanical Park, which is home to the elusive Yellow-billed Blue Magpie and Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher. You can also visit the Takin Reserve, where you might spot the national animal of Bhutan, which is the Takin. After this, you’ll return to your hotel, have a warm dinner, and take a rest. 

Today, your journey will begin early. Today, you are driving from Thimpu to Dochula Pass, which is 3,100 meters high. It is famous for 108 small chortens and beautiful Himalayan views. The alpine environment of Dochula Pass (3,100m) is one of the key habitats for the Monal. Early morning hikes here provide a strong chance of sighting the Himalayan Monal, especially near forest edges and open ridgelines. Here, there is high-altitude forest, so you can search for Fire-tailed Myzornis, Spotted Laughingthrush, Stripe-throated Yuhina, and Rufous-vented Tit. The Himalayan Monal can also be sighted here, but only during the early morning near the feeding area. After this, you can take a short tea break and hike towards the rhododendron forest. In the rhododendron forest also you can also spot animals such as the Chestnut-crowned Warbler and the Darjeeling Woodpecker. This offers you very beautiful scenery, which could be suitable for your bird photography. Later in the evening, you can take a short walk near the forest's edge, and for dinner, you can return to the hotel to have a warm and cozy dinner.  

Today, you’ll leave from Dochula to Phobjikha Valley. The road from Dochula to Phobjikha is also very pleasant and beautiful. It is full of nature, and you’ll enjoy taking a ride here. After reaching Phobjikha Valley, you can check into the hotel where you are staying. After this, you can take a short and gentle walk nearby to familiarise yourself with the landscapes of Phobjikha Valley. You can get a view of yak grazing and traditional homes in a peaceful setting. Phobjikha Valley is also a famous home for the Black Necked Crane, you can also spot this rare sight of this bird, depending on the season you visit. Forested slopes between Lawala Pass and Phobjikha are particularly known for Monal sightings. So, you will have the opportunity to see the Monal here too. In the afternoon, you can visit the Gangtey Monastery, which is a cultural site famous in this region.

Participate in birdwatching, which will be most lively for birds early in the morning. This specific visit to Phobjikha Valley will be devoted to looking for the elusive Himalayan Monal. To make sure not to miss colourful birds like the Satyr Tragopan and Blood Pheasant, you will take a stroll on the hills and woodlands leading to the valley. Your guide will teach you some of the interesting things about their voice diversity, nesting habit, and their nesting sites. Observe the open fields and bamboo groves that smaller birds, including minlas and sunbirds, inhabit. You have the option of having lunch outdoors or in the lodge. After having lunch, you should also stroll in the valley. The valley’s beauty at sunset is breathtaking. Incredible photographs can be taken of lovely birds and nature during the entire day. Have warm meals, then rest at the lodge to end your day.

Today you will travel from  Phobjikha to the Punakha Valley. You can start the morning by watching birds and walking around the roads of Phobjikha. As you move more towards Punakha, you can get to see many more different birds on the way. You can make a stop in the forest to see birds like Treecreepers and Laughingthrushes if you have missed them before. This area is also home to many different birds in the valley. After lunch, you can visit the famous Punakha Dzong at the confluence of two rivers. The places near the dzong, like gardens and the riverbank, will let you see birds like Kingfishers and Wagtails. Punakha is a very quiet place filled with different birds and beautiful nature. Later at night, you can have dinner at your lodge near the river and share your experience.

After breakfast, you will leave Punakha and begin your journey back to Paro. On the way, you can stop at places where you may have missed birds before. You might see new birds such as Ashy Drongo or Yellow-rumped Honeyguide. In the afternoon, you will reach Paro. After reaching Paro, you will check into your hotel and relax. If you feel like walking, visit the nearby temple Kyichu Lhakhang. You can also roam around the hotel's garden. In the evening, you can enjoy a special farewell dinner with your guide and other participants. Talk about your experience,  favorite birds, and share memories. 

On your final day, you can enjoy your last breakfast in Bhutan. You can enjoy your breakfast with beautiful scenery and mountain winds. The Paro Chu River can give you some last species of birds that you have missed in the last few days. After that, your guide will assist you to go to the airport and bid you farewell with traditional Bhutanese blessings for a safe journey ahead. As you take off from Paro International Airport, you will carry home all the beautiful memories you got from the last 8 days and enjoy your memories fully.