Full-Day Birding Tour in Bhutan's Royal Botanical Park

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Spot more than 200 rare bird species in Bhutan's first botanical park
• 02 Explore the Royal Botanical Park at Lampelri below Dochula Pass
• 03 See rhododendrons, 115 fern species, and large oak, magnolia, and birch trees
• 04 Photograph the park's rich flora and birdlife throughout the day

Visit the Royal Botanical Park at Lampelri, the first botanical park in Bhutan and the scenic backdrop to Dochula Pass. Beyond its rhododendrons, the park is home to 115 species of ferns as well as large oak, magnolia, and birch trees. Explore this birder's paradise and look out for more than 200 rare bird species amid its rich flora.

Arrive at the botanical park and, with your guide and a bit of luck, look out for the Darjeeling Woodpecker, Brown Parrotbill, Bronzed Drongo, Gould's Sunbird, Redheaded Bullfinch, Maroon-backed Accentor, Chest-tailed Minla, Great Barbet, Wall Creeper, Rufous- and Dark-breasted Rosefinch, Parrotbill, Red-vented Bulbul, Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, Striated Laughingthrush, and Rufous-throated Hill Partridge.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 1 Day

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

City Thimphu

Languages English, French, German

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Birding at Lampelri and the Royal Botanical Park

• Meet your tour guide after an early breakfast and begin the journey from your hotel in Thimphu at 4 a.m. toward Dochula Pass and the village of Lampelri. The route ascends through forests of gigantic firs and various rhododendron trees. From the pass, descend to the botanical park along an ancient trail.
• Arrive at the botanical park and, with your guide and a bit of luck, look out for the Darjeeling Woodpecker, Brown Parrotbill, Bronzed Drongo, Gould's Sunbird, Redheaded Bullfinch, Maroon-backed Accentor, Chest-tailed Minla, Great Barbet, Wall Creeper, Rufous- and Dark-breasted Rosefinch, Parrotbill, Red-vented Bulbul, Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, Striated Laughingthrush, and Rufous-throated Hill Partridge.
• Capture these sightings and return with many scenic photographs.
• Drop-off at your hotel between 6:00 and 6:30 p.m.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Birding tour guide
• Transportation
• Food (all three meals, including a picnic lunch)
• Park fees

What's Not Included

• Beverages
• Tips

What to bring

• Sunblock
• Water bottle
• Sunglasses
• Binoculars
• Camera

Know before you go

• We recommend a dress code of dark colours and camouflage.
• Activities: The itinerary is at a very active pace, with a long day of hiking and bird watching.
• Please note that a professional guide at the botanical park costs 3000 - 100$.
• This tour is also available in Cantonese, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, and Spanish.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Thimphu, Bhutan

Tour start

Thimphu, Bhutan

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.