Eastern Bhutan Birding Expedition
A ten-day private birding circuit from Guwahati into eastern Bhutan, with two full days around Yongkola and Thrumshingla’s broadleaf and highland forests.
About this tour
Enter Bhutan from Guwahati for a ten-day birding journey through the country’s eastern forests. The route begins with wetlands and agricultural habitats on the approach to Samdrup Jongkhar, then climbs through Morong, Trashigang and Mongar to the celebrated birding area around Yongkola and Thrumshingla National Park.
Two full field days around Yongkola provide time across subtropical broadleaf forest, temperate woodland and higher slopes. Species highlighted by the operator include Rufous-necked Hornbill, Beautiful Nuthatch, Wedge-billed Wren-Babbler, Blue-fronted Robin, Satyr Tragopan, Fire-tailed Sunbird and a broad range of barbets, woodpeckers, laughingthrushes, flycatchers and forest passerines. Earlier stages add lowland waterbirds, hornbills and foothill specialties around Samdrup Jongkhar and Deothang.
The published route also includes time in Trashigang and a return journey through the same eastern habitat belt, allowing additional stops for birds missed on the outbound leg. Festival participation appears in the source program but no current festival date is published, so it is not promised on this review page. Current departures, price, group size and availability are confirmed after a BirdWatch inquiry.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to Bhutan.
Birds you can spot
Sitta formosa
target
Cinclidium frontale
target
Aethopyga ignicauda
target
Buceros bicornis
target
Psarisomus dalhousiae
target
Aceros nipalensis
target
Tragopan satyra
target
Rhyticeros undulatus
target
Itinerary
Day 1
Guwahati to Samdrup Jongkhar
Meet the guide at Guwahati Airport and travel about 110 kilometres to Bhutan’s eastern gateway. Birding stops in wetlands, fields and river habitat may produce adjutants, cormorants, kingfishers, herons, egrets and green pigeons.
Day 2
Samdrup Jongkhar and Deothang
Spend a full day in subtropical forest between Samdrup Jongkhar and Deothang. The varied bird community includes sunbirds, spiderhunters, leafbirds, barbets, drongos, broadbills, hornbills and, with luck, Hooded Pitta.
Day 3
Morong road to Trashigang
Climb through Morong, Narphung, Wamrong and Khaling on a roughly seven-hour transfer with repeated forest stops. Search for Beautiful Nuthatch, Cutia, barwings, woodpeckers, trogons and mixed feeding flocks.
Day 4
Trashigang to Yongkola
Travel west through Mongar and Lingmethang, descending into warm broadleaf forest before climbing to Yongkola. Birding possibilities include Bhutan Laughingthrush, Brown Bullfinch, Scarlet Finch, Sikkim Treecreeper and Fire-capped Tit.
Day 5
Yongkola broadleaf forests
Use the first complete field day around Yongkola for lower and middle-elevation forest. Blue-fronted Robin and Rufous-necked Hornbill are prominent possibilities, while patient searching may also reveal Wedge-billed Wren-Babbler among mixed flocks of barbets, woodpeckers, flycatchers and fulvettas.
Day 6
Upper Thrumshingla birding
Continue through cooler woodland and higher slopes around Thrumshingla. Start early for Satyr Tragopan, then work through the forest for Fire-tailed Sunbird, Himalayan leaf warblers, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher and Bar-winged Wren-Babbler.
Day 7
Yongkola to Trashigang
Bird around Yongkola early, then retrace the road through Lingmethang to Trashigang. Additional stops give another opportunity for laughingthrushes, minlas, yuhinas, barbets, shrike-babblers and sunbirds.
Day 8
Trashigang valley birding
Spend the day around Trashigang’s valleys and forested hills, looking for magpies, orioles, minivets, thrushes, laughingthrushes and flycatchers. A local festival visit is possible only when the current departure overlaps confirmed festival dates.
Day 9
Trashigang to Samdrup Jongkhar
Return through Kanglung, Yonphu La, Khaling and Wamrong. Frequent stops revisit productive forest sections and provide a final chance for eastern Bhutan species missed earlier.
Day 10
Samdrup Jongkhar to Guwahati
Cross back into India and transfer about 110 kilometres to Guwahati Airport. Flight timing may allow brief final birding in lowland fields and wetlands.
Locations & map
- Samdrup Jongkhar and Deothang - Samdrup Jongkhar District Bhutan (Subtropical foothill forest and lowland habitat.)
- Morong and Trashigang - Eastern Bhutan Bhutan (A mountain-road corridor crossing several forest zones.)
- Yongkola and Thrumshingla - Mongar District Bhutan (Broadleaf, temperate and higher-elevation forest habitat.)
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request · Season: Departure dates are arranged on request. Bird activity and road conditions vary by season and elevation.
Price: Price on request
Included
- Three-star accommodation - Four- and five-star upgrades can be requested.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner - Meals are provided throughout the confirmed program.
- Private ground transportation - Airport transfers and itinerary travel use a private air-conditioned vehicle.
- Licensed English-speaking Bhutanese guide - Guiding is provided throughout the journey.
- Bhutan Sustainable Development Fee and visa processing - The SDF, visa processing and visa fee are included in the program.
- Entrance fees and bottled water - Included for the activities and transfers described in the confirmed itinerary.
Not included
- International flights - Flights to and from the arrival gateway are not included.
- Travel insurance - Appropriate travel insurance is recommended.
- Personal expenses and alcoholic drinks - Laundry, telephone calls, snacks, shopping, minibar purchases and premium drinks are excluded.
- Guide and driver gratuities - Tips are optional and at the traveler’s discretion.
- Unlisted optional activities - Any additional activities or services are quoted separately.
Transport & stays
- Private road transport A private vehicle links Guwahati with Samdrup Jongkhar, Trashigang and the Yongkola area, with birding stops along the route. | Meet: Guwahati Airport, India | Pickup: Arrival and departure transfers are included for the confirmed flights.
Accommodations
- Three-star hotels and lodges
Policies & FAQ
Cancellation Policy
Payment Terms
Insurance & Safety
Where does the tour begin and end?
The route begins and ends at Guwahati Airport in India, entering Bhutan through Samdrup Jongkhar. Exact flight coordination is confirmed after inquiry.
How much time is spent around Yongkola?
The itinerary provides two complete birding days around Yongkola and Thrumshingla, in addition to birding during the arrival and departure transfers.
Is the Trashigang festival included?
A festival visit is possible only when the confirmed departure matches official festival dates. The partner should verify this before it is treated as part of a booking.
Send inquiry
Ask about this tour before booking. Your preferred date is optional and availability will be confirmed after your inquiry.