Day 1: Guwahati – Samdrup Jongkhar Entering Bhutan through the Eastern Gateway. Our birding adventure begins with a pickup from Guwahati International Airport, India. We drive towards Samdrup Jongkhar, the eastern border town and one of the principal gateways into Bhutan. After completing the immigration and entry formalities, we enter Bhutan and settle into Samdrup Jongkhar. Depending on our arrival time, we will undertake our first birding session around the low-elevation forests and surrounding habitats. The subtropical forests here provide an excellent introduction to Bhutanese birdlife. Our targets include Black-eared Shrike-Babbler, Rattle-rumped Cuckoo, Blyth's Kingfisher, Ruddy Kingfisher, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush, Little Forktail and Grey-hooded Flycatcher, among numerous other foothill species. An evening birding session may be conducted around the hotel and nearby forest edges.
Overnight: Samdrup Jongkhar
Birding focus: Low-elevation subtropical forest and foothill birds

Day 2: Samdrup Jongkhar – Yongkola/Trashigang Into the Eastern Himalayan Forests. After an early breakfast, we leave Samdrup Jongkhar and begin our journey towards the Yongkola–Trashigang region. As we gradually gain elevation, the vegetation changes from subtropical forests to the magnificent broadleaf and mixed Himalayan forests characteristic of eastern Bhutan. We will make birding stops at suitable locations along the route. Upon reaching the Yongkola area, we begin exploring the surrounding forest. This is one of the most exciting sections of the tour for specialist Himalayan babblers. Our principal targets include Long-billed Wren-Babbler, Sikkim Wren-Babbler, Black-headed Sibia, Chestnut-crowned Warbler, Whistler's Warbler, Mountain Tailorbird and Nepal House Martin. We will also look for Ward's Trogon and Red-headed Laughingthrush, along with the area's diverse tits, minlas, leaf warblers and other forest birds.
Overnight: Yongkola/Trashigang
Accommodation: Hotel Tashigangsel or equivalent
Birding focus: Wren-babblers, warblers, sibias, laughingthrushes and trogons

Day 3: Yongkola – Namling – Yongkola A Full Day in the Babblers' Forest. Today is devoted entirely to the superb forests around Yongkola, Namling and the surrounding Trashigang region. We start early to take advantage of the morning bird activity. The forest trails, roadside forest and forest edges will be explored carefully for some of the Eastern Himalayas' most sought-after birds. The principal targets remain Long-billed Wren-Babbler, Sikkim Wren-Babbler, Black-headed Sibia, Red-headed Laughingthrush, Ward's Trogon, Mountain Tailorbird, Chestnut-crowned Warbler and Whistler's Warbler. The diverse mixed-species flocks should also produce several species of tits, minlas, leaf warblers, flycatchers and other Himalayan passerines. After dark, we will undertake a nocturnal birding session in suitable forest areas, looking for Mountain Scops Owl, Brown Boobook and Himalayan Wood Owl.
Overnight: Yongkola/Trashigang
Accommodation: Hotel Tashigangsel or equivalent
Birding focus: Specialist babblers, mixed-species flocks and owls

Day 4: Trashigang Region Exploring the Eastern Himalayan Birding Belt. We spend another full day exploring the Trashigang–Yongkola–Namling landscape. This additional time gives us the flexibility to revisit productive forest patches and improve our chances of finding the more elusive species that may have remained hidden during the previous days. Particular attention will again be given to the various wren-babblers, laughingthrushes, sibias, warblers and trogons. We will also look for Nepal House Martin, Mountain Tailorbird and the many Himalayan tits and minlas that occur in these forests. Depending on local conditions and bird activity, we may explore different elevations and habitats to maximize the diversity of species encountered.
Overnight: Trashigang
Accommodation: Tragopan Villa / Duk Jeothang or equivalent
Birding focus: Eastern Himalayan forest birds and elusive babblers

Day 5: Trashigang/Yongkola – Kori La – Thrumshingla – Senger Beginning the Tragopan Quest. We leave the Yongkola/Trashigang region and drive towards Senger, passing through the spectacular Kori La and Thrumshingla landscapes. Today marks the beginning of the principal tragopan section of our expedition. At Kori La, we will search for Blyth's Tragopan and Temminck's Tragopan. Finding Blyth's Tragopan may require a hike from the road to reach suitable habitat. We will walk to the appropriate trekking point and carefully search the forest for this magnificent and highly sought-after pheasant. We continue towards Senger, where the habitat becomes particularly suitable for Satyr Tragopan. Along the route and around Senger we will also look for Great Parrotbill, Brown Parrotbill, Fulvous Parrotbill, Black-headed Parrotbill, together with minlas, magpies, choughs and other high-altitude birds.
Overnight: Senger
Accommodation: Basic nomadic hutment
Birding focus: Blyth's Tragopan, Temminck's Tragopan and high-altitude parrotbills

Day 6: Senger – Thrumshingla Satyr Tragopan & Blood Pheasant. Today is dedicated primarily to Satyr Tragopan and Blood Pheasant. The Senger area is one of the most exciting places on this itinerary because Satyr Tragopan can sometimes be encountered surprisingly close to the road and around the surrounding forest habitat. We will spend considerable time carefully scanning suitable slopes, forest edges and feeding areas for the tragopan. Patience is essential, as these birds can remain concealed in dense vegetation. Alongside the pheasants, we will continue searching for Great, Brown, Fulvous and Black-headed Parrotbills, as well as high-altitude seedeaters, minlas, magpies and choughs.
Overnight: Senger
Accommodation: Basic nomadic hutment
Birding focus: Satyr Tragopan and Blood Pheasant

Day 7: Senger – Thrumshingla – Yatong La High-Altitude Birding in the Thrumshingla Landscape. We spend another intensive day exploring the Thrumshingla region, with additional opportunities for Satyr Tragopan and other high-altitude Himalayan birds. We will explore suitable habitats around the pass and surrounding forests, keeping a particular watch for pheasants and mixed-species flocks. The journey also takes us through Yatong La, where we search for species such as Hodgson's Redstart, Plaintive Cuckoo, Brown Parrotbill, Chestnut-tailed Starling, Indian Blue Robin, Yellow-breasted Greenfinch, Himalayan Beautiful Rosefinch, White-winged Grosbeak and Collared Grosbeak. This section offers a completely different bird community from the lower-elevation forests visited earlier in the tour.
Overnight: Senger/Thrumshingla region
Accommodation: Basic accommodation
Birding focus: High-altitude pheasants, rosefinches, grosbeaks and parrotbills

Day 8: Thrumshingla – Trongsa – Tharpaling From the High Himalayas to Central Bhutan. After an early morning birding session, we begin our journey towards Trongsa. The route takes us through spectacular Himalayan landscapes, with opportunities for roadside birding at suitable locations. Upon reaching Trongsa, we settle into our accommodation and, depending on time and weather, visit nearby Tharpaling Monastery in the afternoon. The surrounding higher-elevation habitat provides an opportunity to search for Himalayan Monal, one of Bhutan's most spectacular pheasants. This day also acts as a transition between the high-altitude forests of Thrumshingla and the warmer subtropical forests of Royal Manas National Park.
Overnight: Trongsa
Accommodation: Yangkhola Resort or equivalent
Birding focus: Himalayan Monal and transitional Himalayan habitats

Day 9: Trongsa – TingTibi – Royal Manas National Park Entering the Low-Elevation Forests. We continue our journey towards TingTibi, approaching the forests associated with Royal Manas National Park. As we descend, the vegetation becomes progressively warmer and more tropical. The birdlife changes dramatically, providing us with an opportunity to encounter species not found in the high-elevation forests. Our principal targets include the Beautiful Nuthatch, a globally vulnerable species, and the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron. Other species we will search for include Black-winged Cuckooshrike, Black-throated Greenia, Hill Prinia, Pygmy Woodpecker, Golden-throated Barbet, Fork-tailed Swift, Asian House Martin, Grey-throated Babbler, White-browed Shrike-Babbler and Black-throated Sunbird. We arrive in TingTibi and settle into our accommodation.
Overnight: TingTibi
Accommodation: White-bellied Heron Resort or equivalent
Birding focus: Beautiful Nuthatch, White-bellied Heron and tropical forest birds

Day 10: TingTibi – Royal Manas National Park Full-Day Exploration of Tropical Broadleaf Forest. Today is dedicated entirely to birding around TingTibi and the Royal Manas National Park landscape. The low-elevation tropical broadleaf forest supports a remarkably different bird assemblage from the high-elevation areas visited earlier. We will spend the entire day exploring suitable forest tracks, riverine habitats, forest edges and feeding areas. Our principal targets remain Beautiful Nuthatch and White-bellied Heron, while we also search for Golden-throated Barbet, Pygmy Woodpecker, Black-winged Cuckooshrike, Black-throated Sunbird, White-browed Shrike-Babbler, Grey-throated Babbler and numerous other subtropical species. The diversity of this region makes it one of the most productive birding sections of the entire expedition.
Overnight: TingTibi
Accommodation: White-bellied Heron Resort or equivalent
Birding focus: Tropical forest diversity and globally threatened species

Day 11: TingTibi – Royal Manas National Park A Second Full Day in the Manas Landscape. We have another full day to explore the forests and surrounding habitats of Royal Manas National Park. The additional time allows us to revisit productive areas for species that may have been missed and to explore different habitats. Special attention will again be given to White-bellied Heron and Beautiful Nuthatch, while continuing our search for the area's rich assemblage of babblers, barbets, woodpeckers, sunbirds, cuckooshrikes and other tropical forest birds. The precise birding locations will be selected according to recent sightings, weather and local conditions.
Overnight: TingTibi
Accommodation: White-bellied Heron Resort or equivalent
Birding focus: Royal Manas National Park and tropical Himalayan birds

Day 12: TingTibi – Gelephu Birding the Lower Manas Corridor. We leave TingTibi and gradually descend towards Gelephu, following the lower reaches and surrounding habitats of the Royal Manas landscape. The entire day will be used for birding between TingTibi and Gelephu, with opportunities to explore lower-elevation forest, riverine habitats, open areas and forest edges. The change in altitude should provide opportunities for additional lowland species and will give us a final chance to add new birds to our tour list. By evening, we arrive in Gelephu and check into our hotel.
Overnight: Gelephu
Accommodation: Kuku Grand Hotel or equivalent
Birding focus: Lower-elevation Manas birds and final species additions

Day 13: Gelephu – Departure End of the Eastern Bhutan Birding Expedition. After breakfast, we check out from our hotel in Gelephu. Depending on the participants' onward travel arrangements, we can exit Bhutan through Gelephu into India or make arrangements for onward travel towards Paro. The final route and flight arrangements will depend on the guests' international/domestic flight schedules. Our team will assist in coordinating the onward journey and discuss the most convenient option before departure. This marks the end of our 13-day Eastern Bhutan Specialist Birding Expedition, featuring three spectacular tragopan species, rare Eastern Himalayan babblers, high-altitude pheasants and the extraordinary low-elevation bird diversity of Royal Manas. Tour ends: Gelephu / onward transfer as arranged

This streatch of Bhutan would be best experienced between November to March. The winter & Spring months are best for tropical lowland forests and since we are targetting the Pheasants, they can be well seen in the drier winter vegetation as well in high elevation. Also we may find them in good numbers just beside the road as well.