Seven days tracking takin, monal and musk deer from Thimphu to Phobjikha
The takin is the national animal and almost nobody sees one properly, because the herd at Motithang is behind a fence and the wild animals live above the treeline. We walk the forest tracks at Jigme Dorji National Park with a park guide who reads fresh droppings and knows which slope the herd used yesterday, and we keep the group small enough to stay quiet. Evenings are spent at Phobjikha where the cranes come in and the light goes gold.
Wildlife watchers, birders and walkers who are happy with a four hour forest trail
Meet your guide, stop at the iron chain bridge at Tachog Lhakhang, and reach Thimphu by lunch. The afternoon is for the motithang takin enclosure, which is useful preparation for reading their shape and movement.
Drive north to Dodena and walk the forest trail towards Cheri with a park guide, looking for takin sign, monal calls and musk deer tracks. Afternoon free in town.
Cross Dochula early and stop on the pass for the range view, then continue through Wangdue and climb into the Phobjikha bowl. Arrive in time for the late afternoon at the crane observation point.
Walk the Gangtey nature trail at a slow birding pace, then take a quieter side trail towards the forest edge with the guide. Evening back at the marsh for the crane return.
Descend into the warm valley and spend the afternoon on the riverbanks below Punakha Dzong watching for river lapwing, kingfisher and the occasional ibisbill.
A last early walk near the confluence, then the drive back to Paro with an afternoon at the national museum. Dinner together on the final night.
Breakfast and transfer to the terminal.
Travel insurance strongly recommended: cover mountain medical care, altitude evacuation, and Paro weather flight delays. Read the travel insurance note
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