White-bellied heron
White-Bellied Heron Tour
Overview
The tour crosses six districts, six mountain-passes, four regions that speak different languages and goes up to an altitude of 3,800m from 250m at the eastern border town.
Besides offering a first hand opportunity to see the country in all its natural ruggedness the tour also combines visit to ancient monasteries and temples and the interior towns and villages.
The main mode of travel is by road with accommodation in hotels at designated spots and at campsites.
Bhutan recorded 25 critically endangered white-bellied herons (WBH) this year, an increase by one, indicating that the country is rich in biodiversity and its habitat intact.
A nationwide WBH population survey, 2019 conducted from March 2-6 found 16 individuals in Punatsangchhu basin, six in Mangdechhu and its tributaries, one in Kurichhu, and two in Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary.
“The presence of the species in such number is an indication that our biodiversity is rich and the habitat intact, “however, the species is globally rare by nature.”
According to the survey, the river systems harboring major WBH population are Kishona Chhu in Punatsangchhu basin and Tshaidang Chhu, a tributary of the Mangdechu which harbored four individuals each.
Bhutan today has 41.6 percent of WBH global population, which is estimated at 60.
Arrive at Paro and receive by the representative of GET INTO BHUTAN TOURS at the Paro International airport, only airport in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. From here directly we will visit National museum of Bhutan, if it is not closed. Lunch in Paro at hotel.
After lunch we will visit Paro dzong (fortress) and then stroll around Paro town. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel Paro.
Very early in the morning we will drive to Chelela pass with your pack breakfast. The pass is the highest pass, where the car can go in Bhutan. On the way we may see the following birds:
Colourful Himalayan Monal
Flocks of Blood Pheasants
Kalij Pheasants
Grosbreaks
Bullfinches
Cutia
Besides see these birds we can also see the Mountain Jhomolhari & Jichu Drakye beautifully on clear days from the pass. There are lots of prayer flags here at the pass. We will have our breakfast here, near the pass. After enjoying the sight of birds, prayer flags and mountains on clear days, and then we will drive back to Paro, to our hotel. We will take rest in the hotel for about 1hour and then we will hike to Taktshang, Tiger’s Nest Monastery till the viewpoint.
We will have lunch here at the viewpoint, Taktshang cafeteria. Walk back to the car point and then we will drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The drive will take about 1 hour 30minutes from the road point. Evening stroll around the Thimphu town and explore handicraft shops for Authentic Bhutanese Souvenirs and gifts for your friends and loved ones. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel, Thimphu.
We will hike to Cheri Monastery and during the hike we may spot the following birds:
Spotted Laughing Trush
Fire Capped Tit
Golden Breasted Fulvetta
Yellow Backed Flower Packer
Maroon Backed Accentor
Lunch will be served as pack lunch near the riverside. Drive back to Thimphu and doing some sightseeing in Thimphu, like visit to Memorial Chhorten, Buddha Point, Weaving center, Bhutanese paper factory and post office to buy the Famous Bhutanese Stamps. We have bird stamps also-which are very beautiful and can be good souvenirs for your bird lover friends and for your own collections too. Dinner and overnight stay in hotel, Thimphu.
Drive to Punakha over Dochula Pass (3150m). Stop for a while at the pass for a breath taking of eastern Himalayan Mountain Ranges on a clear day and also to see the 108 small chhortens (stupas). The following birds species can be found on our way to Punakha.
Gold-naped Finch
Rufous-breasted Bush Robin
Satyr Tragopan
Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler
Tree Creepers
Lunch will be at Lobesa. Hike to Chhimi Lhakhang, which is located at a hilltop. This temple is also known as ‘the temple of fertility’. The hike will take about 25 minutes from the road end through the farm fields. Then we will drive to Punakha and visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong. Dinner and overnight stay at Punakha, Hotel.
We will see the bird along the Mo chu valley side. The following birds can be found here:
White-bellied Heron
White-gorgeted Flycatcher
Yellow-vented Warbler
Many more water birds which are mostly migratory birds.
Drive to Paro via Thimphu. On reaching Thimphu, we will do some more shopping in Thimphu capital town. Lunch at Thimphu. Continue our journey to Paro. Evening stroll around the Paro town for your last shopping in Bhutan.
Dinner and overnight stay at Paro. Dinner can be arranged at farmhouse, if our guests are interested.
Accommodation: Hotel
Drive to Paro international Airport for your onward flight. Your guide and driver will bid you farewell here at the airport. We wish you a very safe and comfortable flight and we hope to see you again in Bhutan.
What's Included?
- A qualified & licensed English speaking guide
- Visas for Bhutan
- Airport transfers
- Daily 3 meals (B/L/D) at designated restaurants or hotels
- Accommodation at 3 star hotel
- An experienced driver
- A tour vehicle
- Entry fees & road permits
- Government fee, royalty, taxes & surcharges
- Mineral bottled water
- Full service & assistance before, during and after your Bhutan trip.
What's Excluded?
- Flight into Bhutan via Bhutan Airlines & Drukair (can be arranged with us)
- Flight on other airline to catch Bhutan Flight
- Meals at 4-5 stars restaurants
- Hotel stay outside of Bhutan
- Expenditure of personal nature
- Travel Insurance (can be arranged with us)
- Tips for the guide and driver
- Museum or Park fees
- Alcoholic drink.