Eastern Bhutan Birding

Arrive at Guwahati Airport, where you will be met by your guide before driving to Samdrup Jongkhar, Bhutan's eastern gateway. En route, scan the wetlands, rice fields, and riverine habitats for an excellent selection of lowland birds.

Likely sightings include Lesser Adjutant, Greater Adjutant, Little Cormorant, White-throated Kingfisher, Indian Pond Heron, Little Egret, Asian Pied Starling, Common Myna, Green Bee-eater, and Yellow-footed Green Pigeon. If time permits after check-in, enjoy an introductory birding excursion around Samdrup Jongkhar.

Spend the day exploring the rich subtropical forests between Samdrup Jongkhar and Deothang, one of eastern Bhutan's finest birding destinations. These forests support an exceptional diversity of resident and migratory birds.

Target species include Ruby-cheeked Sunbird, Little Spiderhunter, Golden-fronted Leafbird, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Blue-eared Barbet, Lineated Barbet, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Green-billed Malkoha, Asian Fairy-bluebird, White-rumped Shama, Long-tailed Broadbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Great Hornbill, Collared Scops Owl, and, with luck, the elusive Hooded Pitta.

Depart early for Trashigang, birding along the spectacular mountain road through Morong, Narphung, Wamrong, and Khaling. Frequent stops will be made to explore a variety of forest habitats ranging from subtropical to temperate broadleaf forests.

Highlights include Beautiful Nuthatch, White-browed Shrike-Babbler, Cutia, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Hill Partridge, Kalij Pheasant, Red-headed Trogon, Golden-throated Barbet, Greater Yellownape, Long-tailed Sibia, Red-tailed Minla, Blue Whistling Thrush, Spotted Forktail, and a rich variety of flycatchers, laughingthrushes, warblers, bulbuls, sunbirds, and scimitar-babblers.

Travel west toward Yongkola via Mongar, descending into the warm broadleaf forests of Lingmethang before climbing into the renowned birding area around Yongkola.

The day's birding may produce Bhutan Laughingthrush, Brown Bullfinch, Scarlet Finch, Grey-winged Blackbird, Sikkim Treecreeper, Asian Barred Owlet, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Fire-capped Tit, Gold-naped Finch, and Kalij Pheasant.

Spend two full days exploring the exceptional birding habitats of Thrumshingla National Park, one of Bhutan's premier birdwatching destinations. From subtropical broadleaf forests to cool temperate woodlands, the park supports an extraordinary diversity of Himalayan birds.

Target species include the magnificent Rufous-necked Hornbill, Blue-fronted Robin, Wedge-billed Wren-Babbler, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Speckled Wood Pigeon, Bay Woodpecker, Greater Yellownape, Golden-throated Barbet, Blue-throated Barbet, Collared Owlet, Verditer Flycatcher, Large Niltava, Slaty-backed Forktail, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Yellow-throated Fulvetta, Scarlet Finch, and Spot-winged Grosbeak.

An early morning excursion to higher elevations offers opportunities to search for Satyr Tragopan, Bar-winged Wren-Babbler, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, and several Himalayan leaf warblers.

After an early morning birding session around Yongkola, retrace your route to Trashigang via Lingmethang. The return journey provides opportunities to revisit productive birding sites and search for species missed earlier in the tour.

Expect additional sightings of laughingthrushes, minlas, yuhinas, barbets, woodpeckers, flycatchers, shrike-babblers, and sunbirds, together with spectacular mountain scenery throughout the drive.

Experience the vibrant Trashigang Tshechu, one of eastern Bhutan's most colorful annual religious festivals. Witness sacred masked dances, traditional music, and the rich cultural heritage of eastern Bhutan.

Outside festival hours, enjoy relaxed birding around the valleys and forested hills surrounding Trashigang, where species such as Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Maroon Oriole, Long-tailed Minivet, Blue Whistling Thrush, Grey Treepie, and several laughingthrushes and flycatchers are regularly encountered.

Return to Samdrup Jongkhar, birding en route through Kanglung, Yonphu La, Khaling, and Wamrong. Stops will be made in productive forest patches and scenic viewpoints to maximize birding opportunities.

This is an excellent day to search once more for species that may have been missed earlier, while enjoying the diverse habitats of eastern Bhutan.

After breakfast, depart Samdrup Jongkhar and drive to Guwahati Airport for your onward flight. Depending on departure time, there may be opportunities for final birding stops along the wetlands and agricultural fields before concluding your birding adventure through eastern Bhutan.