Bhutan Bird Festival 2026: Tingtibi, Zhemgang Visitor Guide
By Best of Bhutan Research Desk · November 6, 2026 · 9 min read
The Bhutan Bird Festival returns to Tingtibi in Zhemgang district next week. Bhutan's Department of Tourism lists the 2026 edition for 13–14 November 2026 on its Discover Zhemgang page. The festival combines a competitive bird count, guided birding, river trips and two days of Kheng culture, food and crafts in one of the least-visited parts of the country.
In short: if you are in central or southern Bhutan in mid-November, this is the best chance of the year to see Zhemgang's birdlife with local guides and a full cultural programme in one place. The dates match the 2024 and 2025 editions. Zhemgang Dzongkhag had not posted a 2026 programme when we checked, so confirm the final schedule with your tour operator before you travel.
This guide covers the festival's history, what happens on the day, the birds and wildlife of the area, how to get there and how to add it to an itinerary.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | What we know |
|---|---|
| Event | Bhutan Bird Festival |
| First held | 8–10 October 2015 |
| Birds in Zhemgang | 357 species (Department of Tourism) |
| 2026 dates | 13–14 November 2026 (Department of Tourism listing; programme not yet published by the dzongkhag) |
| Venue | Tingtibi, Zhemgang district, central Bhutan |
| Distance | Tingtibi is about 36 km from Zhemgang town (Bhutan Today) |
| Organiser | Zhemgang Dzongkhag Administration, with partners |
| Recent editions | 13–15 Nov 2023; 13–14 Nov 2024; 13–14 Nov 2025 (5th edition) |
| Birds in Bhutan | More than 770 species (Department of Tourism) |
| 2025 theme | "Wings of Harmony: Conserving Birds, Celebrating Kheng Culture" |
A Short History of the Festival
The first Bhutan Bird Festival was held at Tingtibi from 8 to 10 October 2015, as a tribute to the Fourth King's 60th birth anniversary, according to The Bhutanese. It was organised by the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environmental Research (UWICE) and the Department of Forests and Park Services. The first edition had about 50 stalls built from bamboo and banana leaves, a bird-a-thon and a bird photography competition.
The festival later moved to mid-November, close to the Fourth King's birth anniversary on 11 November. BBS reported that the 2019 edition ran from 11 to 13 November with about 60 stalls, a Bird-a-thon and a Cyclothon.
After a break of about three years, caused by the pandemic and budget limits, the festival returned from 13 to 15 November 2023, as reported by ANI via ThePrint. The 2024 edition was held on 13–14 November, and Bhutan Today described the 2025 event on the same dates as the fifth edition.
The Zhemgang Dzongkhag website describes it as an annual community ecotourism event. Its stated aims are to mark the Fourth King's birth anniversary, promote community ecotourism, and raise local incomes.
What Happens at the Festival
The programme changes a little each year, but these activities have featured in recent editions, according to the Department of Tourism, Bhutan Today and the dzongkhag website:
- Birdathon. Teams count as many species as they can in a set time. The Department of Tourism says it is run with the Bhutan Birdlife Society.
- Guided birding and photography trips around Tingtibi and the Mangde Chu valley.
- River activities. Rafting and recreational boating on the Mangde Chu, plus fly-fishing.
- A 21 km half-marathon from Tingtibi to Yebelaptsa, and in earlier years a Cyclothon.
- Traditional sport. Archery and khuru (Bhutanese darts).
- Culture. Kheng songs and dances, mask dances and bird-themed dances.
- Food and craft stalls. Local dishes such as kharang (maize grits), smoked fish and bamboo shoots, and bamboo and cane products. Bjoka gewog is known for its bamboo craft.
- Conservation talks, exhibitions and quizzes. The 2025 edition also added a wildlife night safari, a treasure hunt and art and literary competitions (Bhutan Today).
- Side trips. The dzongkhag has listed an optional trip to Duenmang Tshachu, a hot spring on the Mangde Chu.
The Birds and Wildlife of Zhemgang
Zhemgang sits where three protected areas meet: Royal Manas National Park, Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park and Phrumsengla National Park. Tingtibi is low, at roughly 600 m, so the forest here is subtropical and warm-broadleaf. This is very different from the conifer and alpine habitats most visitors see in Paro, Thimphu and Bumthang.
The Department of Tourism counts 357 bird species in the region. Species it names include:
- White-bellied heron, one of the rarest birds in the world and Critically Endangered
- Pallas's fish eagle
- Satyr tragopan
- Spotted elachura and blue-capped rock thrush
For context, the Royal Society for Protection of Nature counted just 31 white-bellied herons in Bhutan in its March 2026 survey, including captive birds. Our Bhutan biodiversity guide covers the survey and the species in more detail.
Zhemgang is also the main place in Bhutan to see the golden langur, an endangered monkey found only in central-southern Bhutan and a small part of neighbouring Assam. Troops are often seen in trees beside the road between Trongsa and Zhemgang.
Getting There
Tingtibi is on the main road that runs south from Trongsa through Zhemgang towards Gelephu.
- From Thimphu: about six hours by road, according to the Department of Tourism. Most visitors break the journey in Trongsa or Bumthang.
- From Trongsa: drive south through Zhemgang town. Tingtibi is about 36 km beyond the town.
- From Gelephu: drive north. Gelephu is the nearest southern entry point and has a domestic airport. See our Gelephu page.
There are only a few hotels near Tingtibi. Bhutan Today reported that homestays and local services filled the gap in 2025. The village of Buli, near Tingtibi, offers homestays. Book early, because rooms near the festival ground are limited.
The festival has no separate entry fee in any published source. International visitors pay the normal Sustainable Development Fee of USD 100 per night. Our SDF guide explains how it works.
How to Fit It Into a Trip
The festival works well as part of a route through central Bhutan in November, which is one of the driest and clearest months of the year.
- Western and central loop: Paro and Thimphu, then over the passes to Phobjikha, Trongsa and Bumthang, then south to Zhemgang for the festival. You can catch the Black-Necked Crane Festival at Gangtey on 11 November on the way.
- Wildlife trip: our Golden Langur Trail already spends several days in Zhemgang and can be timed to include the festival. Our Bhutan birding tour covers Trongsa and Bumthang and can be extended south to Tingtibi.
- Southern entry: start or finish in Gelephu and combine the festival with Royal Manas National Park.
If you are planning a later trip, the Trans Bhutan Trail birding route in Monggar is another good option for birders in eastern Bhutan.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Bhutan Bird Festival 2026?
The Department of Tourism lists it for 13–14 November 2026 at Tingtibi, Zhemgang. The 2024 and 2025 editions were held on the same dates. Confirm the final programme with your tour operator.
Where is the Bhutan Bird Festival held?
At Tingtibi in Zhemgang district, central Bhutan, about 36 km from Zhemgang town on the road between Trongsa and Gelephu.
Can tourists take part in the birdathon?
Past editions have welcomed visiting birders, and the dzongkhag has run open registration for the Bird-athon and photography trips. Ask your tour operator to register you in advance.
What birds can I see at the Bhutan Bird Festival?
Zhemgang has 357 recorded bird species. Highlights named by the Department of Tourism include the white-bellied heron, Pallas's fish eagle and satyr tragopan. The golden langur, a rare monkey, is also found in the area.
Is there an entry fee for the Bhutan Bird Festival?
No festival entry fee has been published. International visitors pay Bhutan's standard Sustainable Development Fee for each night in the country.
Sources
- Department of Tourism, Bhutan, "Discover Zhemgang: Bhutan's Ecotourism Paradise at the Bhutan Bird Festival 2026" — bhutan.travel
- Bhutan Today, "Bhutan Bird Festival 2025 to Celebrate Birds and Kheng Culture in Zhemgang," Tashi Tshewang — bhutantoday.bt
- Zhemgang Dzongkhag Administration, "Bhutan Bird Festival" — zhemgang.gov.bt
- The Bhutanese, "First bird festival to commemorate 60th birth anniversary," 10 October 2015 — thebhutanese.bt
- BBS, "Bhutan Bird Festival preparations almost complete," 7 November 2019 — bbs.bt/123637
- ThePrint (ANI), "Bhutan bird festivals returns after 3-year hiatus to celebrate nature," 8 November 2023 — theprint.in
- Alvinology, "Explore Bhutan's birdwatching paradise: Bhutan Bird Festival 2024 in Zhemgang," 8 November 2024 — alvinology.com
- The Bhutan Live, "Celebrating Avian Diversity and Cultural Heritage: The Bhutan Bird Festival," 18 June 2023 — thebhutanlive.com
Want to see the Bhutan Bird Festival or plan a birding trip through Zhemgang? Talk to us. We can build a central Bhutan route around the festival dates.