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This town is on the Himalayas, and it is famous for its Punakha Dzong Fortress, a 17th-century fortress that is located at the junction of the Pho & Mo Chhu rivers. Though the culture, art and architecture of this place in the heart of nature are major attractions, Punakha falls under the area of the Eastern Himalayas biodiversity hotspot, making it an excellent place for bird watching.
The surrounding forests that enclose the town are suitable breeding places for hundreds of variety of rare species of birds. This town is a magnet for birders around the world who are attracted by the diversity of species in the dense forests centered in the breathtaking heavenly beauty of the summits of Himalayas. The river valleys are fertile and flourishing for birds to create their habitats and also attract other migratory and seasonal birds for their sojourns.
The most suitable time in the year for bird watching is during spring season between the months of March to May when the valleys take life with its flora in full glory when it’s neither dry nor showering.
Birdwatchers love to explore in that area where the bird population is dense with breathtaking species such as the Satyr Tragopan, Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Beautiful Nuthatch, Rufous necked Hornbill, Himalayan Cutia, Ward’s Trogon, Black necked Crane and Black-rumped Magpie. This place is home to a huge population and diversity of birds of which many are critically endangered such as the White-rumped Vulture, some are vulnerable like the Greater-spotted Eagle, some are near threatened such as the Rufous-bellied Eagle or the Yellow-rumped Honeyguide and others are too rarely visible to make mathematical conjectures about the position of their population.
This region is an international biodiversity hotspot, one of the most densely populous and highly diverse regions in terms of the variety of life that it harbours. About 300 medicinal plants and 46 different species of Rhododendrons are present here with plants such as magnolias, junipers, orchids, etc. as common sights. A wide range of animals also resides in this region which includes the snow leopards, Bengal tigers, and animals that are found in higher altitudes such as the bears, sambars, the gorals and the red panda among others.
Apart from being an excellent site for birding, Punakha is famous for Paro Dzong and Ta Dzong Watchtower. Other sites that you cannot miss are the National Library, Institute of Zorig Chusum, Textile and Folk Heritage Museum, etc. The colossal fortress of Tashichhodzong is an architectural masterpiece of Bhutan. The pristine Himalayas that is home to this birding adventure is an experience in itself, and the delicious Tibetan food is also something that tourists enjoy. The road journeys, including the short walks that take you to suitable birding spots, are very interesting.
The entry fee for adults is Rs. 500 while Rs. 250 for students.
After taking a flight to the Bhutanese international airport at Paro, hire a taxi or a bus to the Punakha valley.
A train ride to Hasimara which is just 17 km from the Indian-Bhutanese border from where regular buses leave for the Punakha valley.
A drive straight to Hasimara that continues to the Jaigaon -Phuentsholing border leads you to Thimphu where after getting a permit one has to drive to Punakha that is only 85 km away.
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