This 16-day April crossing of Bhutan, from Paro in the west to Mongar in the east, is built around Satyr Tragopan, Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Ibisbill, Ward’s Trogon, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Long-billed, Rufous-throated and Bar-winged Wren-Babblers, the near-endemic Bhutan Laughingthrush, Yellow-throated Fulvetta, White-naped Yuhina, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Great, Fulvous and Brown Parrotbill, and Beautiful Nuthatch. Four nights are spent camping in the high forest of Wangdue Phodrang for the pheasants; five nights in Mongar cover the eastern-forest specials.
Pheasants: Satyr Tragopan / Himalayan Monal / Blood Pheasant / Kalij Pheasant
Babblers: Long-billed Wren-Babbler / Rufous-throated Wren-Babbler / Scaly-breasted Cupwing / Spotted Elachura
Others: Black-headed Shrike-Babbler / Himalayan Cutia / Ward’s Trogon / Fire-tailed Myzornis / Beautiful Nuthatch / Fire-tailed Sunbird / Yellow-rumped Honeyguide / Golden-naped Finch
Bhutan charges a Tourism Tax called a "Sustainable Development Tax" of US$100 per night which is uses as part of its policy to protect the environment and to attract "high-value, low impact tourism". This Bhutan Bird-Photo-Tour is US$10,500 net of taxes and US$12,000 gross of taxes.
(i) Guiding Fees (ii) Ground Transportation (iii) Domestic Flights (iv) Accommodation (v) Meals (vi) Entrance Fees (vii) Hide Fees.
(i) International Flights (ii) VISA Fees (iii) Travel Insurance (iv) Tips for Local Guide (v) Items of a Personal Nature.
Pricing is based on 2-4 participants. Solo travellers, i.e. tours with 1-PAX only, are subject to an additional Single Participant Surcharge.
Days 1-3 Paro District (2N, 1D, 3S). Arrive in Bhutan. Photographic Targets: Ibisbill.
Days 15-16 Paro District (1N, 0D, 1S). Drive 4-hours 160-km to Paro District.
[Key: N: Night / D: Full Day / S: Session / Half-Day]
Nick Ludovic Green has spent much of his life travelling and photographing birds across Asia and Oceania, developing a depth of field experience that few bird photographers achieve. Over more than 15 years in the region, Nick has led 150+ bird photography tours in 35 countries, carefully designing each itinerary to give photographers the best possible access to light, behaviour and habitat.
Through extensive long-term travel, Nick has photographed 2,500 bird species across Asia and Oceania, many at portrait-quality standard. In China alone he has documented over 1,200 species, working in every province and returning repeatedly to key locations to refine photographic opportunities, an experience that directly benefits photographers travelling with him.
His longer bird photography expeditions include a four-month journey across Melanesia, a three-month traverse of Xinjiang Autonomous Region in China's western frontier, and a four-month Himalayan journey from Kashmir, Ladakh and Bhutan to Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. These extended field projects have helped build deep regional knowledge and trusted local relationships.
Nick’s images have been published internationally, and his methods reflects a long-term commitment to careful, respectful bird photography. On tour, he is known for his organized, supportive approach and practical in-field guidance, helping bird photographers of all levels improve their work whilst enjoying unhurried time amongst the region’s most sought-after species.
(i) The guesthouses are all in close proximity to the bird photography locations (ii) Walking is at a light pace (iii) There is some requirement to hike (iv) Some of the locations are at altitude at 3000-4000m (v) Two of the locations requires camping. Summary: as some of the locations are at altitude and as two of the locations requires camping, it is for these reasons that this trip has been graded as 'Medium'.
