Birding Holidays - KHENG ZHEMGANG | A L Λ Y Λ @Traveling

Explore the Eastern Himalaya’s best birding destination Bhutan for its small human population and more varieties of primary sustainable nature and quality birdlife including the endemic birds of Eastern Himalaya and Western Himalaya.

Bhutan has been protected by its isolation within the Himalayas and its mountainous terrain. The deep valleys and almost impenetrable jungles have acted as allies in preventing destruction of the forests. Today over 70% of the land is forested and 60% is protected with 10 National Parks, together with great variation in altitudes from 150 m to 4,500m, creates an extremely wide range of habitats from undisturbed tropical jungles, through mixed temperate broadleaved forests to high alpine meadows. In this pristine environment where religion states that all life is sacred, wildlife flourishes, making Bhutan one of the top ten bio-diversity hot spots in the world. To date Bhutan has over 780 species of birds and lies within one of the 221 Global Endemic Bird Areas with 28 species of bird’s endemic to Eastern Himalayas

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Overview

Our Spring birding tour will take you through the most amazingly beautiful landscape, full of birding excellence, where we should encounter some 350 species of birds including the country’s star attractions like Himalayan Monal, Satyr Tragopan, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Beautiful Nuthatch and Ward’s Trogon. In addition to the great number of birds, we should also find over 14 species of mammals and amazing variety of butterflies and flowers.

There will also be time to see the amazing architecture, visit dzong’s and meet the friendly Bhutanese people. Overall, experience the unique culture of Bhutan, expanding your interests but not compromising your main objectives!

Day 1 :

ARRIVE PARO

Landing at Paro International Airport, you will be received by our representative and transfer to hotel for little rest. You will then drive to the riverbank of Paro Chu to the north of Paro to look for ibis bill. In the evening, you can take an exploratory walk in Paro town.

Day 2 :

PARO-THIMPHU

Early morning, you will drive to Chele La Pass (3810m), which is the famous habitat for three different species of Pheasants — colorful Himalayan Monals, Blood Pheasants and Kalij Pheasants. Not only Pheasants, you might also see other birds like Rose Finches, Grosbeaks and Laughing Thrushes. Return to Paro for lunch. After lunch, you will drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. Stroll freely in Thimphu city and absorb the lifestyle of the people.

Day 3 :

THIMPHU

Drive to Dodena north of Thimphu valley, where you may see Laughing Thrust, Brown Dipper, Spotted Laughing Thrust, Fire capped Tit, Chestnut–crowned Laughing Thrushes, White-throated Laughing Thrushes, Rufous-bellied Woodpeckers, and White-collared Blackbirds. Drive back to Thimphu for lunch. Afterwards, do some sightseeing in Thimphu.

Day 4 :

THIMPHU-PUNAKHA

Morning, drive to Punakha across Dochula Pass (3150m). The road passes through forest of hemlock, fir, oak, and rhododendron where many bird species, including Satyr Tragopans, Flycatchers, Rufous-breasted Bush Robins, Black-eared Shrike Babblers, Yellow-billed Blue Magpies, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Rufous-gorgeted can be spotted. Stop in Lobesa for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Punakha Dzong, which is said to be one of the most beautiful Dzongs in Bhutan.

Day 5 :

PUNAKHA

Morning, drive to Tashithang inside the Jigme Dorji National Park for birding. Today, you might see Cute Slaty-bellied, Chestnut-headed Tesias, Red–headed Trogons, Small Niltavas, Black-chinned Yuhinas, Wren Babblers, Woodpeckers, Laughing Thrushes and White-bellied Herons.

Day 6 :

PUNAKHA-GANGTEY/PHOBJIKHA

The journey to Phobjikha is through semi-tropical vegetation and then alpine environment, home to rhododendrons and dwarf bamboo. Stop along the way for possible sighting of Ward’s Trogons and Yellow-rumped Honeyguides. After arrival, walk through Phobjikha Valley which is the winter home (late October to February) of the rare and endangered black-necked cranes that migrate from Tibet to escape harsh winter conditions.

Day 7 :

GANGTEY-TRONGSA

The journey begins by climbing to Lawala pass (3200m) and then Pele La (Pass) at 3300m. Stop at Pele La and go birding along the old and abandoned road. You might see variety of high-altitude bird species. You might also see yaks grazing here. Continue dive to Trongsa. Afternoon, visit massive Tronsgsa Dzong and then stroll through Town.

Day 8 :

TRONGSA-ZHEMGANG

Today, birding along the Trongsa-Zhemgang road will be wonderful with possible sighting of Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babblers, Grey-bellied Tesias, Steak-breasted Scimitar Babblers, White-browed Scimitar Babblers, Rufous-bellied Eagles, Mountain Hawk Eagles, Common Green Magpies, Prinias, Rufous Woodpeckers, Long-tailed Shrikes, Crested Buntings and Common Kestrels. You might also see the Golden Langur.

Day 9 :

ZHEMGANG-TINGTIBI ROAD

The Zhemgang-Tingtibi road stretch is mostly warm broad-leaved forests and it serves as nice habitat for Rufous-necked and Great Hornbills, varieties of Cool Laughing Thrushes, Cutias, Scarlet Minivets, Pin-tailed Green Pigeons, Woodpeckers, Chestnut-headed, Grey-bellied Tesias, Spotted Wren Babblers, etc. Overnight in Camp.

Day 10 :

ZHEMGANG-TRONGSA

You will have another round of birding in the morning and then drive back to Trongsa with birding along the way. Overnight in hotel.

Day 11 :

TRONGSA-THIMPHU

Today, you will return to Paro. En route, visit Royal Botanical Garden and Druk Wangyal Monastery, which is the only of its kind in the country.

Day 12 :

THIMPHU-PARO

Morning, drive to Paro and then hike to the legendary Tiger’s Nest Monastery, clinging on a rock cliff 900 meters above the valley floor.

Day 13 :

DEPART PARO

Today you will bid farewell to this country and take a flight back to onward destination

Expand all

How fit do I need to be to do this trek?

Annapurna Base Camp is a Grade B or a moderately difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will to, you can.

How long do we walk every day when doing Annapurna Base Camp trekking?

On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.

What is the highest altitude reached in this trek?

The highest altitude reached is 4190m. This is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. ABC is the highest we will climb in this trek.

What about battery charging and hot shower facilities?

Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, hot water facility could be free at lower elevation.

Are there ATMs on the way to Annapurna Base Camp?

No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.

What about internet access?

Yes. Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.

Is it necessary to hire Guides/trekking agency for Annapurna Base Camp trekking?

Not really. It depends on you. If you want, ABC trekking can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during off season.

It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.

How much do guides and porters cost?

For Annapurna region, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.