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Wildlife & Bird Watching Safaris

Black-Necked Crane & Phobjikha Birding

A 6-day winter birding tour of Phobjikha’s crane roosts, alpine forests and the wetlands of central Bhutan.

  • Duration6 Days / 5 Nights
  • DestinationsThimphu · Punakha · Phobjikha
  • Hotels4★ lodges & valley-view resorts
  • Price₹52,000 per person

Tour Overview

Timed for the winter roosting season, this itinerary pairs early-morning crane observation with birding walks through the forests of Gangtey and the wetlands below the valley floor.

Expect black-necked cranes, rosefinches, brown dipper, lammergeier and, with patience, the elusive satyr tragopan.

Tour Highlights

  • Dawn observation at the crane roosting site
  • Gangtey Goemba and the Phobjikha wetlands
  • Nocturnal owl spotting drive
  • Birding walks in mixed broadleaf forest

Day-by-Day Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Arrive Paro · Thimphu

    Welcome and transfer to Thimphu; evening birding briefing with your naturalist.

  2. Day 2

    Thimphu · Birding the Capital’s Edge

    Morning at the Motithang forests and the riverine belt below the city for laughingthrushes and finches.

  3. Day 3

    Punakha · Subtropical Birding

    Descend to the warmer Punakha valley for paddy-field and riverine species before continuing toward Phobjikha.

  4. Day 4

    Phobjikha · Crane Day

    Dawn at the roosting site with scopes, an afternoon at the crane information centre and a wetland walk.

  5. Day 5

    Gangtey Forests

    Full-day birding in the forests around Gangtey, with a dusk drive for owls and nocturnal mammals.

  6. Day 6

    Return to Paro · Departure

    Morning final birding stop, then transfer to Paro airport.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What's Included

What's Not Included

Speak With a Bhutan Travel Counsellor

Enquire About “Black-Necked Crane & Phobjikha Birding”

Share your preferred travel dates and group size. We will send a confirmed quotation with hotel options, transport details and a flexible day-wise plan within one working day.

  • Exact pricing for your travel dates
  • Hotel upgrades and pace adjustments available
  • Assistance with permits and festival calendars

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