Bhutan: Birding the Himalayas April 17 May 2, 2018 with Elissa Landre

Transcription

1 Bhutan: Birding the Himalayas April 17 May 2, 2018 with Elissa Landre Tiger s Nest, by Azkin Bhutan maintains a forest cover of 72% of its total area as one of the four pillars of Gross National Happiness: measures of environmental and spiritual health and well-being. This dedication to environmental conservation has made Bhutan a paradise for birds and birders. Bhutan is home to many critically endangered birds, such as the White-bellied Heron and the Black- Necked Crane. Bhutan has over 721 recorded bird species, and that number grows each year through the efforts of local and international birders. We ll journey to the heartland of Bhutan remote, off-the-beaten-track locations to experience the best birding opportunities this mountain kingdom has to offer. The tour concludes with a hike to the Tiger s Nest Monastery, a site sacred to millions of Buddhists around the world. Mass Audubon Travel massaudubon.org/travel travel@massaudubon.org

2 Detailed Itinerary White-capped Water-redstart by Ajith U DAY 1 APRIL 17: ARRIVE IN PARO, BHUTAN Flying into Paro, weather permitting, you ll get your first views of the spectacular Everest and Kanchenjunga mountains. We ll stay at Bhutan s first five-star lodging, the Zhiwa Ling, which has been chosen as a National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World. Today s target birds include the Ibisbill, Brown Dipper, White-capped and Plumbeous Water-redstart, Speckled Wood Pigeon, River Lapwing, White-capped Water-Redstart, Hodgson s Redstart, and Blacktailed Crake. In the evening, we ll gather to review the birds seen that day and the rest of the itinerary. Overnight: Zhiwa Ling Hotel ( (L,D) DAY 2 APRIL 18: BIRDING THE CHELE LA REGION We begin the day early and head to the Chele La Pass: a hotspot for birders. Amidst the varying elevation and forest cover, we ll search for members of the pheasant family (the highly-endangered Himalayan Monal, Blood and Kalij Pheasants, and the Satyr Tragopan); six species of tits (Grey Crested, Coal, Rufous-vented, Green-backed, Yellow-browed, and Black-throated); three laughingthrushes (Spotted, Black-faced, and Chestnut-crowned); White-winged and Collared Grosbeaks; Himalayan White-browed and Dark-rumped Rosefinches; Himalayan Bluetail; White-browed Bush Robin; Snow Pigeon; Alpine Accentor; and Darjeeling and Rufous-bellied Woodpeckers.

3 Himalayan Griffons, by Gail Hampshire Besides birds, wildlife in these area include the Himalayan Black Bear, deer, wild boar, Muntjacs, and mountain goats. Himalayan Griffons can sometimes be seen circling the skies. Our meals on all the trips will be catered and picnic tables will be set up to help us conserve time and maximize our birding opportunities. Overnight: Zhiwa Ling Hotel (B,L,D) DAY 3 APRIL 19: DRIVE TO PUNAKHA Ibisbill, by Francesco Veronesi In the morning, we ll drive to Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan. After crossing Thimphu, we ll go through beautiful Dochula Pass at 10,000 feet. The view is especially scenic on clear, days with snowcapped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the charming chortens gracing the mountain pass. We ll visit the temple dedicated to the Divine Madman Drukpa Kunley. The hike to the monastery, Chimi Lhakhang, takes about an hour up and about 40 minutes back down. The trail is relatively easy, through rolling fields. After lunch, we ll head to the Pho Chu river basin in pursuit of the critically endangered White-bellied Heron. Birding around the valley of Punakha, our target birds for the next two days will be the Tawny Fish Owl, Slender-billed Oriole, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler, Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush, Greysided Laughingthrush, River Lapwing, Ibisbill, Bay Woodpecker, and Pallas s Fish Eagle. Overnight: Meri Puensum Hotel ( (B,L,D)

4 DAY 4 APRIL 20: BIRDING IN PUNAKHA This morning we ll hike to the Khamsum Yueley Chorten built and dedicated to the current king of Bhutan by his mother. We ll bird our way up and back, anticipating an approximate two hours round-trip. Then we ll head to the Tashithang area to bird before visiting the magnificent Punakha Dzong. We may return to the Pho Chu River if yesterday we did not successfully locate and observe the White-bellied Heron. Overnight: Meri Puensum Hotel (B,L,D) DAY 5 APRIL 21: DRIVE TO TRONGSA Today s drive will take us to the central district of Bhutan. The Black Mountain Range divides the country into two parts. Along the way we ll look for the Great Parrotbill, Golden Bush Robin, Whitewinged and Collared Grosbeaks, as well as pheasants. Mrs. Gould s Sunbird, by Jason Thompson We ll arrive in Trongsa just in time for dinner and to check into our hotel, which provides great views of the rushing Mangde Chhu River and the Trongsa Dzong fortress, the largest in the country. Overnight: Yangkhil Hotel ( (B,L,D) DAY 6 APRIL 22: DRIVE TO BUMTHANG We ll visit the Trongsa Museum this morning dedicated to the monarchy of Bhutan. Five kings have ruled this kingdom the current heir to the throne was born in We ll bird along on the way in the Yutongla Pass and Chumey area, looking for the Brown Parrotbill, Himalayan Beautiful Rosefinch, Slender billed Scimitar Babbler, Brown Parrotbill, Great Parrotbill, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Mrs. Gould's Sunbird, Green-tailed Sunbird, White-browed Fulvetta, Bar-throated (or Chestnuttailed) Minia, Rufous-vented Yuhina. Very rarely, Red Panda have been spotted in this area, so we ll keep our fingers crossed. Overnight: Rinchenling Lodge ( (B,L,D)

5 DAY 7 APRIL 23: DRIVE TO YONGKALA Today will be the longest drive of our trip with limited opportunities for birding. The long journey will, however, have a wondrous pay-off as Yongkala is a birder s dream. We re likely to spot more birds per hour here than anywhere else. We ll arrive at camp around nightfall. Our camp will be set in a meadow and will have basic amenities including showers. Tents will be walk-in tents with cots, and sleeping bags will be provided. Electricity is not guaranteed as it is provided by local houses. We recommend you charge appliances the previous night. Overnight: a meadow (B,L,D) Meadow camp, by Karen O Neill DAYS 8 TO 9 APRIL 24 TO 25: BIRDING THE LIMITHANG UPPER AND LOWER ROAD AT YONGKALA Our quest will begin in the early morning from camp to the nearby hotspots. Target birds in the area include the rare Ward s Tragopan, the endangered Rufous-necked Hornbill, Golden-breasted and Yellowthroated Fulvettas, Rufous-throated Wren-Babbler, Lesser Yellownape, Crimson-breasted Woodpecker, Asian Emerald Cuckoo, Grey-cheeked Warbler, Greater Rufous-headed and Black-throated Parrotbill, Long-tailed Broadbill, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Pygmy Wren-babbler, Long-billed Wrenbabbler, Sikkim Wedge-billed Babbler, Slaty-bellied Tesia, Grey-bellied Tesia, White-browed Shortwing, Pygmy Flycatcher, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Himalayan Cutia, and the highly prized Beautiful Nuthatch. Overnight: a meadow (B,L,D)

6 DAYS 10 TO 11 APRIL 26 TO 27: DRIVE TO SENGOR AND BIRDING Heading to higher altitudes, we ll search for a different group of birds including Black-faced, Chestnutcrowned and Spotted Laughingthrushes, Rusty-flanked Treecreeper, Red Crossbill, Plain-backed Thrush, Green Shrike-Babbler, Spotted Nutcracker, Golden-naped Finch, Scaly-breasted Wren-babbler and Whitebrowed Shortwing, Chestnut-headed Tesia and the Bar-winged Wren-babbler, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, and notably, Satyr Tragopan. The Bhutan government chose to keep the roads narrow in this area to protect the habitat of the special birds here. Our camp crew will bring us our meals if needed so we can maximize our birding time. Overnight: a meadow (B,L,D) DAY 12 APRIL 28: DRIVE TO URA AND ATTEND URA FESTIVAL Plumbeous Water-redstart, by G. Cushman Today, we ll join hundreds of Bhutanese at a community festival in Ura. The focal point of the festival is a series of prayers and dances inspired by religious themes. Dancers in spectacular costumes perform tightly choreographed moves accompanied by drums, horns and cymbals. In the background, chanting rises and falls. If we are lucky we ll witness the yak dance, dedicated to the deities that protect the cattle. The festival is a beloved celebration for the Bhutanese to dress up in their finery, eat, drink, and make merry. The overall atmosphere is a rarified blend of devotion, conviviality and slight bawdiness. We ll take our leave in the evening to drive to our hotel in the Chamkhar Valley. Overnight: Rinchenling Lodge (B,L,D)

7 DAY 13 APRIL 29: DAY DRIVE TO TANG VALLEY AND BIRDING Tang Valley is known as a region for growing buckwheat: unsurprisingly, buckwheat noodles are a local delicacy here. The palace of Ogyen sits on a hill that resembles an elephant. Its descendants were religious nobilities who played significant role in medieval Bhutan. Currently the manor house is a private museum. Our target birds in the valley today include Brown Dipper, Plumbeous Water Redstart, White-capped Water Redstart, Blue-fronted Redstart and Snow Pigeon, Blue Whistling Thrush, White-throated Laughingthrush, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Large-billed Magpie, and Red-billed Chough, In the afternoon, we ll have the option to visit a local school. In Bhutanese schools, all students are taught in English, so it s always a thrill to interact with native English speakers. Overnight: Rinchenling Lodge (B,L,D) DAY 14: APRIL 30TH - MOUNTAIN FLIGHT TO PARO Today we ll fly back to Paro. Weather permitting, we should be able to see the eastern Himalaya range with views of Mt. Gangkar Puensum, the highest unclimbed mountain in Bhutan (24,800 ft), Mt. Jichu Drake (22,273 ft), and Mt. Jumolhari (24,035 ft), among others. Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, by Lip Kee Yap We ll spend the afternoon looking for any target birds missed at the beginning of the trip. If the group prefers, we can discuss alternate activities such as visiting museums or other places of interest. Overnight: Zhiwa Ling Hotel (B,L,D) DAY 15: MAY 1ST TAKTSANG/TIGER S NEST EXCURSION After breakfast, we ll start our hike to Tiger's Nest. This serene monastery clings to a steep granite cliff about 700 meters above the valley floor. Legend has it that the Guru Padmasambhava flew to this rocky crag on the back of a tiger in the 8th century to meditate. This is one of the most revered Buddhist sites thousands of pilgrims travel here each year from all over the world. Our hike will be about 4 hours at a leisurely pace, taking our time to enjoy our last day in this magical Himalayan kingdom. In the afternoon, you are free to pursue your own interests, including experiencing the hotel s hot stone baths and spa, or heading into town to buy some final gifts for family and friends back home. Overnight Zhiwa Ling Hotel (B,L,D)

8 DAY 16: MAY 2ND DEPART BHUTAN We ll depart this morning to catch our flights home, filled with a lifetime of memories. Bhutan bumper sticker, by Karen O Neill PHOTO CREDITS: All photos, other than those by Karen O Neill and G. Cushman, are CC by 2.0 licensed, via Flickr. Each of these photos has been modified for basic lighting/contrast levels as well as cropped for formatting needs. About Your Mass Audubon Guide Elissa Landre is Sanctuary Director of Mass Audubon s Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary. She has led tours in Belize, Hawaii, Trinidad, and Tobago, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Ecuador, and Mexico. She has consulted on interpretation, guide training, and marketing for ecotourism at national parks in Bolivia and Poland, holds a master s degree in biology, runs a birdbanding station at Broadmoor, and is a past president of the Association of Field Ornithologists. On tours, she likes to explore how protected conservation land is managed for birds and native plants.

9 Price, Terms and Conditions Tour Price UPDATE: US$8900 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement, US$2995 (there is only 1 single room available). Minimum number of travelers for this pricing: 8. Maximum group size is 14. (If the minimum group size is not met, there may be a small surcharge added.) Price includes: All meals and accommodations as shown in the itinerary Services of Mass Audubon naturalist leader, Elissa Landre Services of Bhutanese trip leader, drivers, local guides, trackers, camp staff All sightseeing, events, and visits as noted in the itinerary All entrance fees, service charges, and standard taxes Bottled water at included meals and while sightseeing Bhutan visa authorization fees Extensive trip preparation notes and bird checklist Emergency evacuation services up to $300,000, secondary medical expense insurance up to $50K (restrictions apply and a description is available upon request). All ground transportation within Bhutan (not including flights) All tips and gratuities for drivers, porters, and guides (with minimum of 8 travelers) Price excludes: Round trip International airfare Flights within Bhutan (Our operator will book flights from Bangkok* to Paro, Paro to Bumthang, and then Paro back to Bangkok for $1050). *Other gateway cities are also available Passport and visa fees (except for Bhutan as noted above) Travel insurance Airport taxes; excess baggage charges, VAT charges Items of a personal nature, including alcoholic beverages, laundry, and telephone calls; other items not specifically mentioned as included. Changes incurred as a result of delays beyond the control of Mass Audubon or GeoEx APPLICATIONS, RESERVATIONS, DEPOSITS: Early applications are strongly encouraged. Trip rosters usually must be finalized 4 months before departure. All applications must be accompanied by a completed reservation form and $1000 deposit. Deposits can be by check or credit card (Visa or MasterCard). We reserve the right to decline your application. In the case of questionable health, we reserve the right to require a physician s certification to affirm you are capable of the activities. Final payment is due 90 days before the departure date. Final payment must be by check or money order. RATES: All tour prices are based on double occupancy. If you would like us to find you a roommate, we will do our best, but cannot guarantee a share. If we cannot find a share, you will need to pay the single supplement. All forms and fares are accurate at the time of publication (June 2017) but are subject to change at any time prior to departure. It is our policy to only pass on the actual amount of any increases in airfares or land costs such as those increases due to the devaluation of the dollar. Rarely, a price increase may be called for if the group falls below the minimum, as listed in the itinerary. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: A U.S. passport valid for at least six months beyond the trip s departure date is required as well as a Bhutan visa FLIGHTS: You, the traveler, are responsible for booking and paying for your own international flights. Once we reach the minimum of 8 travelers, we will provide you with suggested flights. (Our operator will book flights from Bangkok* to Paro, Paro to Bumthang, and then Paro back to Bangkok for $1050). *Other gateway cities are also available.

10 TRIP INSURANCE: A brochure and application for optional trip cancellation, illness and baggage insurance will be sent to you upon registration. We strongly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself. See PHOTOS: Mass Audubon reserves the right to make use of any photographs taken on the tour. We guarantee that no photos of a compromising nature will be used. If you have questions or concerns, please contact us. CANCELLATION POLICY: If you need to change your booking, you must inform us immediately in writing. All cancellations must be done in writing and are effective upon receipt in the Massachusetts Audubon Travel Office. Cancellations received up to 121 days prior to departure will be refunded deposits less a $300 per person fee. Cancellations between 120 and 90 days prior to departure, all deposits are forfeit, but any balance paid beyond that is refundable. There are no refunds of any kind for cancellations 90 days or less from departure. YOUR RESPONSIBILITY: Although every precaution is taken to safeguard you and your belongings, group travel trips by their nature involve a certain amount of risk. Trip participants should understand that the domestic and international trips sponsored/operated by Massachusetts Audubon Society (Mass Audubon Tours) - hereafter collectively M.A.S. - involve known and unknown risks. M.A.S. assumes no responsibility for injuries, death, financial losses or damage to clients property caused by or occurring during participation in any of the travel trips sponsored/operated by M.A.S. Trip participants must assume responsibility for having sufficient skill and fitness to participate in the trips and activities offered or sponsored by M.A.S. Trip participants must also certify that they have no medical, mental or physical conditions which could interfere with their abilities to participate in the activities and/or trips they are participating in and they must assume and bear the cost of all risks that may be created, directly or indirectly, by any such condition. It is the responsibility of trip participants to have in place adequate insurance to cover any injury, damage or emergency transportation costs related to their travel and/or participation in trip activities and/or to bear the costs of such injury, damage or emergency transportation costs. Because of the risks associated with the travel trips sponsored by M.A.S. we urge all trip participants to supplement their own insurance with travel or vacation or emergency response types of insurance. M.A.S. requires that all trip participants acknowledge and assume these risks by reading and signing an M.A.S. Release and Waiver and Assumption of Risk contract prior to departure. CONDITIONS OF TRAVEL: Travelers will be provided with an itinerary and trip preparation information. It is expected that travelers will read this information prior to trip departure. Travelers will be responsible for completing an application reservation form, including the personal information and a release of liability (see attached). Travelers will be expected to abide by the terms set forth in the invoice. During the tour, travelers are asked to respect and follow the directions of their guide and leader.

11 Mass Audubon Natural History Travel Trip Application Form Name (1) Nickname, if any, for name tag: Date of Birth: Name (2) Nickname, if any, for name tag: Date of Birth: Address: City: State Zip Primary phone: Secondary phone: address: Room Preferences I request single accommodations where available and will pay the single supplement. I would like to be assigned a roommate. If one is not available, I will pay the single supplement. Deposit of $1000 per person Please find my enclosed check (payable to Massachusetts Audubon Society ) Please charge my credit card for the deposit of $1000 pp MasterCard Visa Card #: Exp.: CVV/CVC: Signature: Passport Yes, I/we have attached a color copy of our passport identification page. travel@massaudubon.org Mass Audubon Travel, 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773

12 RELEASE AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK Name: I would like to participate in the birding and nature tour named above (the Tour ) organized by Massachusetts Audubon Society, Inc. ( Mass Audubon ). I am aware that participation in a Mass Audubon tour involves risk, including, but not limited to, the hazards of living in and traveling over unpredictable terrain often in remote areas without adequate medical facilities, exposure to disease and infection, being subject to the forces of nature, and travel by airplane and motor vehicle. In addition, I understand and acknowledge that, if I participate in the Tour, one or more of the risks described above or set forth below could result in or cause bodily injury or death to me or damage to personal property of mine: physical exertion; travel by foot, plane, train, auto, vans, bus, boat or other conveyance; consumption of food and beverages; civil unrest, terrorism, banditry, or criminal activity; high altitude; inadequate medical facilities or service. I acknowledge that I have received and read carefully information describing the Tour, including, but not limited to, the Terms and Conditions and the paragraph in the Terms and Conditions entitled Your Responsibility. I acknowledge that the enjoyment and excitement of touring is derived, at least in part, from the inherent risks incurred by travel and activity beyond the accepted safety and routine of life at home or work, and that part of the reason I have decided to participate in the Tour is to experience this enjoyment and excitement. I further acknowledge that I have had the opportunity to discuss with my medical provider the medical risks involved in the Tour. I have also had the opportunity to research the Tour and to understand fully the risks involved. Therefore, notwithstanding the risks of participating in the Tour set forth and as described above, and in consideration of Mass Audubon permitting me to participate in the Tour: (1) I AGREE TO ASSUME AND ACCEPT ALL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TOUR; AND (2) I HEREBY RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE AND COVENANT AND AGREE NOT TO SUE, AND AGREE TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS, MASS AUDUBON AND ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS (COLLECTIVELY, THE RELEASEES ), AND EACH OF THE RELEASEES, FROM AND AGAINST AND IN REGARD TO ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, ACTIONS, SUITS, LOSSES, COSTS, DAMAGES, AND EXPENSES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ATTORNEYS FEES), AND ANY AND ALL LIABILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF EVERY KIND AND DESCRIPTION, WHICH I SHALL OR MAY HAVE AGAINST THE RELEASEES OR ANY ONE OR MORE OF THEM ARISING OUT OF, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, MY PARTICIPATION IN THE TOUR. I agree that this Release and Assumption of Risk shall be (a) binding upon me and my heirs, executors, legal representatives, successors, and assigns, and (b) deemed a contract made under seal under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the internal laws of said Commonwealth without regard to its principles of conflict of laws. I HAVE CAREFULLY READ, UNDERSTAND, AND VOLUNTARILY SIGN THIS RELEASE AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK. Signed (1) Date: Signed (2) Date: Name(s) (please print)