Wild Flowers and Wildlife: Tailormade Tours to Bhutan

Bhutan is a remote Himalayan country, known as the Land of the Dragon to its inhabitants. Separated from India — and thus the British Empire — by the steep ascent of the Himalayan foothills at its south, Bhutan has a long history of peaceful isolation and cultural independence that continues to this day. It is also the finest place in the eastern Himalayas to see wild flowers and wildlife. Tailormade tours to Bhutan’s Paro Valley and Bumthang Valley take botanists and wildlife enthusiasts to a range of altitudes (from approximately 2,000 to 4,000 metres) and habitats, as well as to the beautiful Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery and Rimpung Dzong. More so than the wildlife, tailormade tours’ main focus in Bhutan is the botany, exploring meadows, river valleys and forests with an expert guide who will ensure the group sees as many wild species as possible.

Paro Valley

Before reaching Bumthang Valley, groups have the opportunity to explore the Paro Valley and its wild flowers and wildlife. Tailormade tours often provide several days in this historic valley. The Paro River is fed by Chomolhari, one of the highest peaks in Bhutan and a sacred site, home to one of the Five Tsheringma Sisters of Tibetan Buddhism. The forests of the Paro Valley are rich and diverse and are an excellent introduction to Bhutan. Travelling through the forests up to Chele La, a high pass in the west, groups will see a range of rhododendrons — growing here in their natural habitat — and primulas, as well as a good showing of bird life. Species to be sighted may include Blood Pheasant and Kalij.

Paro Valley is also the site of the famous Taktsang Monastery, known as the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, a beautiful complex built on the side of a cliff. Many legends are associated with it, including one in which Padmasambhava (a Guru) flew to its location on the back of a tigress. At the Paro River is a second fascinating temple, the Rimpung Dzong, which contains many beautiful examples of Buddhist art. The temples are an excellent addition to the itinerary - allowing visitors to appreciate both the culture and the natural wonders of Bhutan.

Bumthang Valley

Starting from Jakar, a town named for the white bird that roosted in the town’s location to signal an auspicious site to begin building, groups can trek into the hills to see the valley’s array of wild flowers and wildlife. Tailormade tours take a leisurely pace of 6 to 10 kilometres each day, following trails through the forests and stopping frequently to examine the flora: rhododendron forests, scented evergreens, buddleias and elaeagnuses, primulas, cotoneasters, pieris and daphnes. Along the trails are temples and dzongs, clear trout-filled streams, and stunning vistas over the valley. As in the Paro Valley, the combination of cultural and natural sights ensures a magnificent experience, especially when seen on foot.

Marissa Ellis-Snow is a freelance nature writer. If you’re passionate about wildlife, tailormade tours with Naturetrek include expert-led natural history and wildlife tours worldwide. Naturetrek brings over 25 years of experience to polar expeditions and tours to other spectacular regions on Earth.

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