Eastern Bhutan Birding Circuit
What you'll see
The journey, one day at a time
Arrive Paro
Arrive in Paro, met and transferred to your accommodation. Paro eases you into Bhutan's altitude and rhythm before the journey heads deeper into the mountains.
To Punakha
Transfer to Punakha. Visit Punakha Dzong and walk the rice valley to Chimi Lhakhang. Bird the riverbanks for Pallas's fish eagle and ibisbill, then cross the suspension bridge.
Punakha
Bird the riverbanks for Pallas's fish eagle and ibisbill, then cross the suspension bridge. After Paro's heights, Punakha's warmth and lower elevation make it a restful, productive second valley.
To Phobjikha Valley
Transfer to Phobjikha Valley. Watch the black-necked cranes from the valley hides and visit the crane centre. Walk the Gangtey nature trail and the hilltop monastery above the marsh.
Phobjikha Valley
Walk the Gangtey nature trail and the hilltop monastery above the marsh. Spend the dawn and dusk at the roosts, when the cranes are most active.
To Bumthang Valley
Transfer to Bumthang Valley. Visit Bumthang's ancient temples and Jakar Dzong between the valleys. Walk the buckwheat valleys and bird the pine forest edges.
Bumthang Valley
Walk the buckwheat valleys and bird the pine forest edges. See the Burning Lake and the sacred sites of the spiritual heartland. Bumthang is the last of the easy valleys — beyond it the road drops into the subtropical forests that make Bhutan a birding legend.
To Eastern Bhutan
Transfer to Eastern Bhutan. Bird the Yongkola forest road for hornbills, trogons and nuthatches. Work the high fir and rhododendron of Trumshingla for tragopans and laughingthrushes.
Eastern Bhutan
Work the high fir and rhododendron of Trumshingla for tragopans and laughingthrushes. Descend through Sengor's mist forests, scanning for golden langur. Few places on earth offer this density of rare forest birds — and almost no other travellers to share them with.
Eastern Bhutan
Descend through Sengor's mist forests, scanning for golden langur. Explore the subtropical Zhemgang belt for lowland forest specialities.
Eastern Bhutan
Explore the subtropical Zhemgang belt for lowland forest specialities. Spend a full dawn chorus and dusk on the richest forest stretches.
Eastern Bhutan
Spend a full dawn chorus and dusk on the richest forest stretches. Cover the mid-elevation broadleaf for the circuit's signature rarities.
Eastern Bhutan
Cover the mid-elevation broadleaf for the circuit's signature rarities. A final morning's birding before the long road out.
Eastern Bhutan
A final morning's birding before the long road out.
Departure
A final morning in Eastern Bhutan — a last outing or a slow start as time allows — before the transfer onward and the journey home.
The season changes what you see.
Peak season
Spring blossom, clear views and active birds — ideal for the hike.
Peak season
Crisp autumn skies and festival season; the classic touring window.
Hand-picked camps & lodges
Amankora Bumthang
An Aman lodge beside the royal palace grounds — serene, minimalist and beautifully sited.
Trogon Villa, Yongkola
A dedicated birders' lodge on the Yongkola road — basic comforts at the heart of the action.
COMO Uma Paro
A polished hillside retreat above Paro with valley views and a strong spa — the refined Paro base.
Gangtey Lodge
A beautiful lodge over the crane valley, with hearths, big windows and the marsh below.
&Beyond Punakha River Lodge
Tented luxury on the Mo Chhu, blending river setting with serious comfort.
Mountain Resort Bumthang
A comfortable valley hotel with good views, a reliable Bumthang base.
Make it yours.
Add nights, swap a park, extend to the coast — this route is a starting point, not a fixed menu. Tell us how you travel and we'll route the rest.