Borneo: Enigmatic Wildlife Tour (EWT) Tour Overview: Borneo is a mainstream wildlife-watching destination for good reason. It is probably the very best place in Asia to see rainforest mammals, including many charismatic species such as the red and woolly Orangutan, stunning large-nosed Proboscis Monkey and Pygmy Elephants. However, Borneo also has a stunning array of wildlife that ventures out only at night, and most wildlife watching tours tend to spend a limited amount of time attempting to find them. This tour is different. Completely different. We will be spending 5-8 hours out at night, almost every night, looking for Borneo’s enigmas of darkness. One cannot think of time out at night in Borneo without thinking of rare cats. Undoubtedly a key highlight would be an encounter with a Clouded Leopard, and we will do everything in our power to maximize our chances of that. The down-side to this single-minded focus in that an encounter is not guaranteed, leading to potential major disappointment. So, we intend to make sure we enjoy everything we can see at night, because although a Clouded Leopard would be absolutely incredible, it is not the only incredible beast out there. We have great chances of stunners like Sunda Leopard Cat, Bornean Colugo, the ‘bearcat’ Binturong, Banded Palm Civet and the absolutely amazing Otter Civet as well as an assortment of flying-squirrels. Other rare, but regular critters of the dark are Marbled Cat and Sun Bear, but much luck would be needed for those too. Hold onto your seats because this journey to one of the wildest places remaining in Asia, with some of the finest wildlife, promises to be riveting! Sunda Clouded Leopard Keith Barnes Bornean Pygmy Elephant Keith Barnes Bornean Colugo Keith Barnes Banded Palm-Civet Keith Barnes Bornean Orangutan Keith Barnes Blue-banded Pitta Keith Barnes Malay Civet Keith Barnes Wallace's Flying-Frog Keith Barnes Marbled Cat Keith Barnes Palm Civet Keith Barnes Proboscis-Monkey-for-Borneo-Sidebar-Iain.jpg Red-legged Crake Keith Barnes Ruby-cheeked Sunbird Ken Behrens Sunda Clouded Leopard Mike Gordon Sunda Slow Loris Keith Barnes Sunda Stink Badger Keith Barnes Tree Frog species Keith Barnes Sunda Colugo Keith Barnes Rajah Brooks's Birdwing Keith Barnes Malay Civet Keith Barnes Moonrat Keith Barnes Bornean Leopard Cat Keith Barnes Brown Wood-Owl Keith Barnes File-eared Frog Keith Barnes Diademe Round-leaf Bat Keith Barnes Tour Details: 2026 Main Tour: 23 October - 5 November $6950; single supplement: $1050 Pheasant Extension: 19 - 23 October Extension is run on demand only; please contact us for current price. 2027 Main Tour: 24 October - 6 November Price: TBA Pheasant Extension: 20 - 24 October Extension is run on demand only; please contact us for current price. Length: 14 days (18 days w/extension) Starting City: Sandakan Ending City: Sandakan Pace: Moderate Physical Difficulty: Easy Focus: Rare and Elusive Wildlife Group size: 7 + 1 Leader + 1 Local Guide Ready to Book? Book Here Most Recent Trip Report Borneo Trip Reports View/Write Tour Reviews Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Sepilok We arrive in Sandakan and transfer through to Sepilok. The area hosts one of the finest canopy walkways in the world at the Rainforest Discovery Centre, a 347m-long (1140ft), 25m-high (85ft) steel structure. There are two well placed observation towers on this too, allowing great chances to find canopy birds at eye level, such as Black and Bushy-crested Hornbills, green-pigeons, Blue-crowned Hanging-Parrot, and raptors like Wallace’s Hawk-Eagle and Oriental Honey-Buzzard. There are also easy trails at ground level to explore too, and between birding the forest trails, spending time watching from the observation towers on the walkway and birding the secondary habitats just outside of the forest, a long list of wildlife awaits. A healthy list of woodpeckers occurs, with Asia’s largest, Great Slaty, as well as Orange-backed, Rufous, Gray-and-buff, Buff-necked, and Banded Woodpeckers. The flowering shrubs in the forest, when in bloom, attract spiderhunters and sunbirds, including Coppery-throated and Crimson Sunbirds, and Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker. Black-crowned Pitta, Rufous-collared and Rufous-backed Dwarf-Kingfishers, Rufous-winged Philentoma, are all found along the forest trails. On this night, we’ll undertake a night walk within the reserve to look for mammals like flying squirrels, civets, or if we are lucky a Philippine Loris or Western Tarsier. A single night will be spent in Sepilok. Day 2: Sepilok to Deramakot This morning we have time for a little light walk and adventure before breakfast. Then we transfer the 4 hours to Deramakot Forest Reserve. This is a wild and incredibly exciting new wildlife watching zone, and it includes some of the best chances for encountering the most enigmatic of Borneo’s wildlife. It has become particularly renowned for delivering superb encounters with some of the best nocturnal wildlife in Asia. Of course, it goes without saying, that many of these creatures are rare, but our itinerary spends more time at this incredible location than any of our competitors, and we will be spending most of our nights up late to give us the best chance of seeing these scarce and skulking rainforest denizens. Deramakot produces Bornean Clouded Leopard, and the arboreal Marbled Cat more frequently than anywhere else. Neither are anywhere close to guaranteed, but there is nowhere else on Earth that produces these gems more regularly! Other super-scarce mammals (also low chances but seen on at least one previous tour) that get the juices going include: Sunda Pangolin, Otter Civet, and Sun Bear. More regular species include Banded Palm-Civet, Island and Striped Palm-civets, Malay Civet, Philippine Slow Loris, Bornean Colugo, Binturong, Red Giant Flying-Squirrel, Thomas’ Giant Flying-Squirrel, Hose’s Flying-Squirrel, and stunning herps such as Green Vine Snake, some pit-vipers, Wallace’s Flying-Frog, and many other amphibians. Night trips can also reveal Sunda and Large Frogmouths, Brown Wood Owl and other nightbirds. Nine nights will be spent in Deramakot to give us maximum chances at finding a selection of some of the rarer species. Days 3-10: Deramakot Forest Reserve We have nine magical nights to explore this amazing place. Each day’s activities will differ, depending on what has happened the day/night before and how we are doing with the various enigmas we seek. The basic modus operandi is to eat dinner at around 7 pm, and then we begin our nocturnal forays at around 8 pm. We generally return to the lodge sometime between 1 am and 3 am, depending on the conditions and success we have with the wildlife. We then sleep till 10 or 11 am, do some local birding and activities around the lodge during the afternoon, where we can find Black-crowned Pitta, White-fronted Falconet and some small day-time mammals like treeshrews and squirrels. It promises to be a mammal-and-bird fest of epic proportions! We will spend every waking hour looking for beasts: hairy, feathery, scaly and slimy. If we have good success with the nocturnal mammals, we can spend more time doing diurnal activities, and stake out fruiting trees looking for hornbills, Bornean Orangutans and Bornean Gibbon, all of which are common here, or go birding. There are a few trails here that we can explore for lowland forest birds, including Blue-headed and Bornean Banded Pitta, stunning Black-and-red, Black-and-yellow, and Banded Broadbills, Diard’s, Scarlet-rumped, and Red-naped Trogons, and the forest dwelling Banded Kingfisher. No matter what we do on any given day we can expect it to be phenomenal. Day 11: Deramakot to Kinabatangan River Although we will be sad to say goodbye to this incredible forest, we can look forward to sailing down the tranquil waters of the amazing Kinabatangan. The mighty Kinabatangan River, part of which is an important wildlife sanctuary, and is notable for its diversity of primates. We will thoroughly enjoy the next three nights at this great spot. Days 12-13: Deramakot to Kinabatangan River While here, we might see Proboscis Monkeys frolicking on the banks, groups of abundant Long-tailed Macaques in the mangroves, or Silvered Langurs foraging on forest leaves. We’ll also keep an eye for White-bellied Sea-Eagles or Brahminy Kites as we make our way up the river. There is usually time for a short late afternoon private boat cruise, by canoe fitted with an electric motor that allows close approach to mammals and birds. If there is news of any herds of Bornean Pygmy Elephants in the area at the time (they are not always present as they roam widely), we’ll be sure to head straight there. At night, we will take a night cruise, where we might find sleeping birds like Stork-billed or Blue-eared Kingfishers, although our focus will be to track down a Buffy Fish-Owl hunting from the riverside trees. Mammals include palm-civets, and although rare, sightings of Bornean Clouded Leopard and other felids are possible. The most likely of which is still Leopard Cat, but if the water levels are conducive (we need lower water and exposed banks, which are hard to predict), we have a real shot at the impressive swamp-specialist Flat-headed Cat. By day we may also encounter Bornean Gibbon, and Bornean Orangutan. On the bird front, there is also plenty to look for as this is the richest area in Borneo for hornbills, so we’ll be on the lookout for White-crowned, Rhinoceros, Oriental Pied, Bushy-crested, Wreathed, Wrinkled, and Black Hornbills during our river cruises. The forests lining the banks of the rivers also provide the best chance for the rare and endangered Storm’s Stork, and the giant Lesser Adjutant also frequently features too. While we check the treetops for standing storks, we will also be on the lookout for raptors; Lesser and Gray-headed Fish-Eagles, Jerdon’s Baza, Rufous-bellied, Changeable and Wallace’s Hawk-Eagles, and Crested Serpent-Eagle all occur. Black-and-red Broadbills nest overhanging the rivers, Malaysian Blue-Flycatchers forage along the banks, while electrically colored Western Hooded Pittas stalk the forest floor, as does the very rare Bornean Ground-Cuckoo, for which this is one of the best sites available. On one afternoon, we’ll visit Gomantong Caves, which will give us a chance to stretch our legs off the water, and visit this strange location, where the nests of the swiftlets are sustainably harvested for bird’s nest soup. Edible-nest, Black-nest, Mossy-nest, and Glossy Swiftlets breed in the caves alongside thousands of Wrinkle-lipped Bats. As the first three swiftlet species can only be safely identified by their nests (e.g. Edible-nest Swiftlet has an all-white nest made entirely of its saliva), this will be vital to adding them to our list! While at the caves we’ll linger until dusk to watch the funnel of bats emerge, and their most infamous attendant predator, the Bat Hawk. Day 14: Deramakot to Sandakan After breakfast we return to Sandakan where the tour draws to a close. Pheasants of Borneo Extension This extension has been put together to go after some of the rarest endemic birds in Borneo, namely birds from the pheasant family, like Bornean Peacock-Pheasant, Bulwer’s Pheasant, and Crimson-headed and Red-breasted Partridges, as well as the elusive Bornean Banded Pitta too. There will also be the chance for other endemic birds of Borneo, like Mountain Blackeye, Chestnut-crested Yuhina, and Bornean Treepie, in addition to some other species of interest, like Indigo Flycatcher and Great Argus. Day 1: Arrival in Kota Kinabalu (Sabah, Borneo) After arrival in the capital of the Malaysian state of Sabah, in northern Borneo, you will be transferred to a city hotel in Kota Kinabalu for the night. Day 2: Crocker Range to Bulwer’s Pheasant site In the morning, we will visit the Crocker Range, near Tambunan, for a series of endemic Bornean birds. The prime target here is the superb Bulwer’s Pheasant. If we are lucky, we will see a male that shows off his ivory tail in the dark undergrowth. This bird was virtually unknown for two decades, but things have changed! Now, feeding stations attract females and young males regularly now, and with luck a "big boy" will show. Other possible birds in this area include Golden-naped Barbet, Bornean Barbet, and Bornean Green Magpie. Day 3: Crocker Range blinds to Telupid In the morning, we shall return to the blinds in the Crocker Range, where we can hope for Crimson-headed (also known as Bloodhead) and Red-breasted Partridges, as well as the unforgettable Bornean Banded Pitta. We will transfer to the town of Telupid for the night. Day 4: Bornean Peacock-Pheasant site In the early morning we will transfer to the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant site, spending considerable time at the station in both the morning and afternoon in the hope of seeing this dramatic and rare endemic at the only reliable site for the species on Earth. At some stage we will need to pull the plug and head to Sepilok. Day 5: Rainforest Discovery Centre; start of main tour We will have a morning at the magical Rainforest Discovery Centre, this place can pump with activity and the possibilities are varied. But we will make a special attempt to see Black-crowned Pitta and Sabah Partridge. Both birds that have been ‘tamed’ to a certain degree here. Later in the day, we will hook up with the other clients joining the main EWT tour. Trip Considerations PACE: Moderate. Spending 5-7 hours a night on bumpy roads in a vehicle with bench seats can be tiring itself, even though not much physical exertion is required. A typical “day” starts with a 7 pm dinner, and then heading out at 8 pm on the vehicle. We generally return between 1-3 am depending on what’s happening. We tend to sleep through the early morning and have breakfast at 10 am, and then make a plan for the afternoon’s activities, which is either a short drive and / or a forest walk for 2-3 hours before we return to the accommodation and prepare for the evening session. The middle of the day is hot and humid, and we generally do not do much during the heat of the day. While at Deramakot, all meals will be taken at the field station. The drive from Sepilok to Deramakot is around 4-5 hours on rough, unpaved roads (days 2 and 15). PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate. Most of the night we will be sitting on the back of the trucks specially modified for night drives. There will be a few short, moderate 1 mile or so walks in the forest during the day. Most of the trails are not difficult, but the trails can often be slippery and muddy (a walking stick helps a lot). CLIMATE: Hot and very humid in Sepilok, Deramakot and Kinabatangan, with temperatures typically ranging from about 75°F(24°C) at night to about 90°F(32°C) in the middle of the day. Borneo has a wet tropical climate, with rainfall possible at all sites. Typically, this falls in short, heavy downpours in the afternoons. It is worth noting that once we leave the field station on the truck we will be at the mercy of the elements, and if we get stuck in a downpour, we essentially have to ‘sit it out’, and by that we mean, ‘sit in the rain till it stops’, so come prepared with excellent rain gear for both you and any camera gear you want to carry with you. ACCOMMODATION: Somewhat basic, but clean and comfortable; despite the rustic nature, all rooms do have private, en-suite bathrooms, full-time hot water, and 24-hour electricity. Wi-Fi is now available at Deramakot, but it is unstable and not reliable. You can buy a prepaid sim card at Sandakan, but even that has limited signal at Deramakot. This place is truly wild! WHEN TO GO: The best time of year is generally considered to be June-December. PHOTOGRAPHY: Photography is very tough on the main tour in general. Night photography from a moving vehicle is not easy. In addition, we discourage the use of flash with certain sensitive species on this trip, and therefore chances of getting lots of good photos are slim. If you are happy with record shots of incredibly rare things, then bring a camera. There will also be chances to indulge in macro photography of reptiles and amphibians that we find at night. On the extension, where some specific feeding stations are visited for a small number of rare species, the photography is easier. However, these stations are still in deep, dark forest situations. Other Information TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: A passport is required; the passport must be valid for at least six months past your intended stay. Visas are not currently required for citizens of the US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Visas are currently required only of a few nationalities, mainly in Africa and the Middle East. Travel requirements are subject to change; it’s always a good idea to double check a few weeks before the tour or ask our office for help. WHAT’S INCLUDED?: Tips to drivers, local guides, and lodge staff; accommodation from night of day 1 through to night of day 14; meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 15; lodges will include at least safe drinking water and some include tea/coffee; when eating at restaurants that include no drinks, reasonable non-alcoholic drinks will be provided for that meal; safe drinking water only between meals (usually available at a designated spot in the lodge – if not it will be provided for you); Tropical Birding tour leader with thermal scope and audio gear from the evening of day 1 to the morning of day 14; local dedicated professional spot-lighting guide at Deramakot; one arrival and one departure airport transfer on the specified arrival and departure days respectively, per person (transfers may be shared with other participants of the same tour if they are on the same flight); ground transport for the group to all sites in the itinerary in a suitable vehicle; multiple 5-7 hour night drives at Deramakot for our own dedicated private group; entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the itinerary; a printed and bound checklist to keep track of your sightings (given to you at the start of the tour – only electronic copies can be provided in advance). WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?: Optional tips to the Tropical Birding tour leader; tips for luggage porters in city hotels or Deramakot (if you require their services); flights; snacks; additional drinks apart from those included; alcoholic beverages; travel insurance; excursions not included in the tour itinerary; extras in hotels such as laundry service, minibar, room service, telephone calls, and personal items; medical fees; other items or services not specifically mentioned above. Tour Reviews *Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it! Borneo Enigmatic Review Anchor

Mexico General Information Mexico offers a great combination of endemic birds, world-renowned archaeological sites, and unforgettable food. We currently offer three set-departure Birding tours to this fascinating country, and can organize a wide variety of custom tours as well. Please select a tour The Yucatán Oaxaca Baja California

Mexico: Birding Oaxaca and Chiapas Tour Overview: With nearly 800 species, Oaxaca has the biggest bird list of any Mexican state, and almost 100 of these are regional endemics. With impressive ruins, a bustling capital city rich in commerce and architecture, vibrant native culture, and some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, Oaxaca is hard to beat for a Mexican birding trip. A large number of North American breeding species winter in this area, and we can expect to see numerous migrant warblers, vireos, flycatchers, and other species as well. The optional extension takes in some of the best birding areas of the neighboring state of Chiapas, and targets some truly stunning species such as Rose-bellied Bunting and Pink-headed Warbler. Crescent-chested Warbler Daniel Aldana Bumblebee Hummingbird Nick Athanas Pink-headed Warbler Gray Silky-Flycatcher Sam Woods Slaty Vireo Andrew Spencer Rufous-tailed Jacamar Nick Athanas Red Warbler Nick Athanas Blue Bunting Nick Athanas Rose-bellied Bunting Nick Athanas Collared Towhee Nick Athanas Turquoise-crowned Hummingbird Nick Athanas Spot-breasted Oriole Sam Woods Orange-breasted Bunting Nick Athanas White-eared Hummingbird Nick Athanas Nava's Wren Nick Athanas White-fronted Parrot Nick Athanas Olive Sparrow Nick Athanas Crescent-chested Warbler Daniel Aldana Bumblebee Hummingbird Nick Athanas Pink-headed Warbler Gray Silky-Flycatcher Sam Woods Slaty Vireo Andrew Spencer Rufous-tailed Jacamar Nick Athanas Red Warbler Nick Athanas Blue Bunting Nick Athanas Rose-bellied Bunting Nick Athanas Collared Towhee Nick Athanas Turquoise-crowned Hummingbird Nick Athanas Spot-breasted Oriole Sam Woods Orange-breasted Bunting Nick Athanas White-eared Hummingbird Nick Athanas Nava's Wren Nick Athanas White-fronted Parrot Nick Athanas Olive Sparrow Nick Athanas Tour Details: 2027 Main Tour: 2 - 13 April $5600; single supplement: $730 Extension: 13 - 18 April $2910; single supplement: $280 Length: 12 Days (17 Days w/ Extension) Starting City: Oaxaca Ending City: Huatulco (Tuxtla for Extension) Pace: Moderate Physical Difficulty: Moderate Focus: Birding Group size: 9 + 1 Leader Ready to Book? Book Here Most Recent Trip Report More Trip Reports View/Write Tour Reviews Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Arrival in Oaxaca The tour begins this evening in Oaxaca City. If you arrive early enough, it’s worth taking a walk around the city, for sightseeing or birding. Nearby plazas can be surprisingly birdy with Rufous-backed Robin, Dusky Hummingbird, and wintering North American migrants. Day 2: Teotitlán del Valle and Yagul Birding the oak scrub above the village of Teotitlán del Valle should yield our first endemics. Bridled and Oaxaca Sparrows are our main targets, but we’ll also keep an eye and ear out for Dwarf Vireo, Boucard’s Wren, Ocellated Thrasher, West Mexican Chachalaca, Blue Mockingbird, White-throated Towhee, Golden Vireo, and White-striped Woodcreeper, along with many other more widespread species like Cassin’s and Thick-billed Kingbirds, Bridled Titmouse, Gray Silky-Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Warbler, Painted Redstart, and Black-vented Oriole. Teotitlán is world-renowned for its weavings, and we may a chance to have a look at them during a long and leisurely lunch in the heat of the day. In the afternoon, we’ll visit Yagul, an archaeological site surrounded by cactus, and one of the best sites for Gray-breasted Woodpecker and Beautiful Hummingbird. Day 3: La Cumbre We’ll spend the morning exploring humid pine-oak forest near La Cumbre Ixtepeji, the best place in the world to see the endemic Dwarf Jay, which occurs among noisy flocks of Steller’s Jays and Gray-barred Wrens. We plan to leave early in order to have a chance to see Fulvous Owl before dawn. Numerous other birds are possible here like Collared Towhee, Northern (Mountain) Pygmy-Owl, Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo, White-eared and Rivoli’s Hummingbirds, Red, Golden-browed, and Olive Warblers, Mountain Trogon, Russet Nightingale-Thrush, Strong-billed Woodcreeper, and Rufous-capped Brush-Finch. In the afternoon, we may make some stops along the highway back to Oaxaca to look for anything we missed the previous day. Day 4: North to Tuxtepec We’ll keep our plans flexible this morning, targeting anything we may still need from La Cumbre or other nearby areas. We’ll spend the rest of the day driving north over the mountains, breaking up the journey with numerous birding stops. We’ll have our first chances at Rusty-crowned Ground-Sparrow and Hooded Yellowthroat before crossing the continental divide and descending into humid forest, eventually reaching the lowland city of Tuxtepec, where we spend three nights. Days 5–6: Santa Maria Jacatepec, Valle Nacional, and Tuxtepec We have two days to bird the lowlands and lower mountain slopes south of Tuxtepec. While the forest is quite fragmented, it is still exceptionally diverse and full of birds. Our primary target is the endemic Sumichrast’s Wren, restricted to limestone outcrops in hilly areas, but we’ll see many other species as well during our search. Some of the possibilities include Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Green-breasted Mango, White-bellied and Canivet’s Emeralds, Black-headed and Gartered Trogons, Collared Aracari, Keel-billed Toucan, Golden-fronted and Pale-billed Woodpeckers, Red-lored Parrot, Olive-throated Parakeet, Rufous-breasted Spinetail, Yellow-bellied Tyrannulet, Black-crowned and Masked Tityras, Band-backed and Spot-breasted Wrens, Yellow-winged Tanager, Black-headed Saltator, Red-throated Ant-Tanager, Scrub and Yellow-throated Euphonias, Montezuma Oropendola, and Black-cowled Oriole. Day 7: Gulf slope cloudforest and return to Oaxaca We’ll make our way back south to Oaxaca today, spending much of the morning in lush cloudforest with a different set of birds from the lowlands. Various roadside stops will get us a nice selection of other birds which may include Azure-hooded and Unicolored Jays, Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush, Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer, Collared Trogon, Northern Emerald-Toucanet, Middle American Leaftosser, Spotted Woodcreeper, Ruddy and Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaners, Eye-ringed Flatbill, Gray-collared Becard, Elegant Euphonia, Blue-crowned Chlorophonia, White-naped Brushfinch, and Common Chlorospingus. A great set of hummingbirds is possible, but we’ll need some luck finding flowering trees and bushes. Possibilities include Azure-crowned Hummingbird, Bumblebee Hummingbird, Canivet’s Emerald, Violet Sabrewing, and others. We have a single night in Oaxaca. Day 8: Monte Albán to San José del Pacífico Today we’ll visit some of the most exquisite ruins to be found in all of the Americas, the Zapotec capital of Monte Albán. Before the gates open, we’ll bird the entrance road for two unbelievable vireos: Slaty and Golden, as well as Pileated Flycatcher, Blue Mockingbird, and other species. Once inside the ruins, Rock and Canyon Wrens will keep us company as we search for any other species we may still be looking for in the area (often Ocellated Thrasher). Later, we’ll drive a few hours south into the Sierra de Miahuatlán and spend the night in some nice mountain cabins. Here we’ll search from some difficult species such as Hooded Yellowthroat and White-throated Jay, though will see a number of the more common montane species in the process. Day 9: Sierra de Miahuatlán Several endemic birds inhabit the mountains here, and we’ll devote a morning to seeking them out. If needed, we’ll try again for Hooded Yellowthroat and White-throated Jay before heading downslope to look for Blue-capped Hummingbird, Gray-crowned Woodpecker, “Wagler’s” Northern Emerald-Toucanet, Red-headed Tanager, and Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo, along with other mode widespread species. We’ll spend the night in Pluma Hidalgo, a famous coffee growing region. Day 10: Sierra de Miahuatlán to Huatulco After looking for any other montane species we may have missed, we’ll drive south towards the Pacific. The habitat becomes drier and a new set of species will start to appear including the impressive White-throated Magpie-Jay and Russet-crowned Motmot. We’ll check a stakeout for Pheasant Cuckoo before continuing on to the coastal resort town of Huatulco, where we spend two nights. We’ll stay out late for some nightbirding, where we hope to see Northern Potoo and possibly an owl or two. Day 11: Huatulco Area We’ll spend the cooler early morning and late afternoon hours looking for the endemics and other specialties of the dry thorn forest. Some of the most beautiful and spectacular birds of the trip are found here, and gems like Red-breasted Chat, Orange-breasted Bunting, Citreoline Trogon, and Turquoise-crowned Hummingbird headline a long list of targets. Others include Happy Wren, Rufous-naped Wren, Colima Pygmy-Owl, Golden-cheeked Woodpecker, Flammulated Flycatcher, Cinnamon Hummingbird, Spot-breasted Oriole, Rufous-backed Thrush, Blue Bunting, Yellow-winged Cacique, Streak-backed Oriole, West Mexican Chachalaca, White-fronted Parrot, and “Long-crested” Northern Cardinal. It gets extremely hot in the middle of the day, so a long siesta is in order before heading back out in the afternoon to look anything we’re still missing. Day 12: Departure or begin extension If you are not joining the extension, the tour ends this morning with a transfer to the Huatulco airport. Isthmus and Chiapas Extension This extension targets numerous cool birds found around the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and in the nearby state of Chiapas. We’ll search for Cinnamon-tailed (Sumichrast’s) Sparrow in windswept scrub, Rose-bellied (Rosita’s) Bunting in the arid foothills, Giant Wren in coastal plains, and Nava’s Wren in the karst-strewn Gulf-slope rainforest. A couple of days in the highland forest around San Cristobal will give us a good chance at a number of species not found west of the Isthmus, such as Blue-throated Motmot, Black-throated Jay, and the truly gaudy Pink-headed Warbler. Day 1: Traversing the Isthmus If we still have any dry forest targets, we may look for them before driving east for about 2.5 hours to the Isthmus of Tehantepec, a significant geographic barrier that has encouraged speciation and created a distinct division between avifauna in Mexico. We’ll make various stops in the windswept scrub to search for Cinnamon-tailed Sparrow, Lesser Ground-Cuckoo, and Double-striped Thick-knee among the more common species before continuing on a few more hours, passing seemingly endless wind farms, to the town of Arriaga, where we’ll spend one night. The late afternoon will be spent in the foothills nearby for one of the most striking of all Mexican birds, the unique Rose-bellied (or Rosita’s) Bunting, though we also have chances to see a few other species such as Green-fronted Hummingbird and Banded Wren. Day 2: Puerto Arista to San Cristóbal We’ll begin the morning targeting Giant Wren and White-bellied Chachalaca in wooded ranches north of the beach town of Puerto Arista. Depending on water levels, the area can be pretty good for waterbirds such as White Ibis, Roseate Spoonbill Anhinga, various herons and egrets, and migrant shorebirds. We can also check nearby mangroves for Mangrove Cuckoo. In the afternoon we will drive about four hours to the highland town of San Cristobal, where we spend two nights. Day 3: San Cristóbal Area The mountains around San Cristóbal host a number of superb birds. Pink-headed Warbler is high on our “want” list and we have a very good chance of finding one. Other possibilities include Blue-throated Motmot, Rufous-collared Robin, Black-capped Swallow, Highland Guan, Mountain and Black Thrushes, Elegant Euphonia, Yellow-backed Oriole, Rufous-browed Wren, Garnet-throated Hummingbird, Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem, White-naped Brushfinch, Golden-browed Warbler, Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer, Blue-and-white Mockingbird, Black-throated and Uniform Jays, and Black-headed Siskin. We also plan to do some owling here – Unspotted Saw-whet Owl would be a coup, but requires “mucho” luck! Other possibilities include Bearded Screech-Owl and Northern (Guatemalan) Pygmy-Owl. Day 4: San Cristobal to Tuxtla Guttiériez We’ll spend another morning looking for anything else we still need around San Cristóbal, then head to Tuxtla Guttiérez in the afternoon, where we spend the final two nights of the extension. If time permits, we will have a first visit to Sumidero Canyon. Day 5: Sumidero Canyon and Selva El Ocote Sumidero Canyon is a scenic gorge is very close to Tuxtla and protected as a national park. A mixture of dry scrub, semihumid forest, and bamboo is easily accessible along the road through the park as well as at various lookouts along the way. Some of our targets here include Belted Flycatcher, Singing Quail, Canivet’s Emerald, Azure-crowned Hummingbird, Blue-and-white Mockingbird, Banded Wren, and Buff-bellied Hummingbird. With luck we may even locate a Bar-winged Oriole or Slender Sheartail, though the abundance of both seems to be erratic. In late morning, we will drive to El Ocote and bird an easy dirt road that skirts the edge of the reserve, targeting two birds in particular: "Long-tailed" Wedge-tailed Sabrewing and the limestone-loving Nava’s Wren. This area is also home to a high diversity of other species, and some possibilities include Black-faced Grosbeak, White-bellied Emerald, Olive-throated Parakeet, Stripe-throated Hermit, Smoky-brown Woodpecker, Green Parakeet, White-bellied Wren, Long-billed Gnatwren, Tropical Parula, Gray-headed Tanager, White-winged Tanager, Red-crowned Ant-Tanager, Olive-backed Euphonia, Montezuma Oropendola, Slate-colored Solitaire, and Green Shrike-Vireo. (Note: the tour leader may choose to visit Selva El Ocoto in the morning and Sumidero Canyon in the afternoon ) Day 6: Departure The extension ends this morning with a transfer to the airport in Tuxtla Guttiériez. Trip Considerations PACE: Moderate. Most days will involve a at least a couple of hours of driving (sometimes more), and birding through a good portion of the day. There may be a few chances for a mid-day break, but these will be the exception rather than the norm. On one day of the main tour, and possibly one day on the extension, we will leave the hotel very early to look for owls; most other days have us leaving between 5am and 6am, and reaching the hotel between 5:00-6:00pm. All breakfasts and the occasional lunch will be taken in the field. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY : Mostly easy to moderate, with almost all the walking along flat or slightly inclined roads or easy trails. There will likely be a couple of short, more difficult trails, but these will normally be of limited duration, and typically done to pursue a calling bird that can’t be seen otherwise. On most days you can expect to walk around 3 miles (4.8 km) at a relatively slow pace. CLIMATE: The highest elevations can be around 40°F/5°C early in the morning, and the coastal lowlands can get up to around 95°F/35°C on a hot day, but much of the tour will experience a pleasant climate with temperatures ranging from around 59°-77°F (15°-25°C). Some rain is possible, especially in the Tuxtepec area. ACCOMMODATION: Good to excellent. All of the hotels have typical amenities, including Wi-Fi, though the Wi-Fi sometimes only works in the common areas. PHOTOGRAPHY: This is a birding tour, but there are some good photography opportunities for casual photographers. These tend to be best in the drier forest in the Oaxaca Valley and near the coast. In the taller and more humid forests elsewhere, the photography can be difficult. Bird feeding has not caught on yet in Mexico. Only one or two places have feeders, and they are not good for photography. Other Information TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required; it must be valid for at least six months past your intended stay. Citizens of the US, Canada, EU, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, do not currently require a tourist visa. For other nationalities, please check with the nearest embassy or consulate, or ask our office staff if you are unsure. Travel requirements are subject to change; it is a good idea to double check six weeks before the trip. WHAT’S INCLUDED?: Tips for drivers, local guides, and restaurants; accommodation from the night of day 1 to the night day 11, and to the night of day 6 of the extension if also taking the extension; meals from dinner on day 1 (unless you arrive too late for dinner service) to breakfast on day 12, and to breakfast of day 6 of the extension if also taking the extension (please note that if you have early departing flights you may miss the included breakfast on your departure day); reasonable non-alcoholic beverages with meals; safe drinking water only between meals; Tropical Birding tour leader with scope and audio playback gear from the evening of day 1 to the evening of day 11, and to the evening of day 5 of the extension if also taking the extension; ground transport for the group in a suitable vehicle from the morning of day 2 to the afternoon of day 11, and to the afternoon of day 5 of the extension if also taking the extension; one arrival and one departure airport transfer per person (transfers may be shared with other tour participants if they arrive/depart at the same time - note in some instances the guide guide will give you money to pay for a taxi to the airport); entrance fees to the sites mentioned in the itinerary; a printed and bound checklist to keep track of your sightings (given to you at the start of the tour – only electronic copies can be provided in advance). WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?: Optional tips to the tour leader; tips to baggage carriers if you require their services; flights; snacks; additional drinks apart from those included; alcoholic beverages; travel insurance; excursions not included in the tour itinerary; extras in hotels such as laundry service, minibar, room service, telephone calls, and personal items; medical fees; other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included. Tour Reviews *Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it! Mexico Oaxaca Review Anchor

Colorado: Photo Tour Tour Overview: Imagine a football sized bird, strutting across the prairie with bright orange air sacs inflated, modified neck feathers sticking up like rabbit ears, tail cocked and fanned, while emitting an otherworldly booming noise. Now imagine that same bird only thirty feet in front of your camera lens, lit by the soft glow of the sunrise. If it sounds like bird photography nirvana, that’s because it is! Colorado is THE place to experience these “chickens” in the midst of their surreal displays, and this tour visits leks of four different species. There’s more to photography in Colorado than chickens, though, and everything from sweeping mountain vistas to bighorn sheep and pronghorn to colorful finches in the snow make this one of the meccas for photography in the United States. Greater Prairie-Chicken Sam Woods Black Rosy Finch Dorian Anderson Greater Sage-Grouse Sam Woods Greater Prairie-Chicken Sam Woods Greater Sage-Grouse Sam Woods Greater Sage-Grouse Sam Woods American Dipper Sam Woods Greater Prairie-Chicken Sam Woods Greater Sage-Grouse Sam Woods Greater Sage-Grouse Sam Woods Greater Prairie-Chicken Sam Woods Black Rosy Finch Dorian Anderson Greater Sage-Grouse Sam Woods Greater Prairie-Chicken Sam Woods Greater Sage-Grouse Sam Woods Greater Sage-Grouse Sam Woods American Dipper Sam Woods Greater Prairie-Chicken Sam Woods Greater Sage-Grouse Sam Woods Greater Sage-Grouse Sam Woods Greater Prairie-Chicken Sam Woods Black Rosy Finch Dorian Anderson Greater Sage-Grouse Sam Woods Greater Prairie-Chicken Sam Woods Greater Sage-Grouse Sam Woods Greater Sage-Grouse Sam Woods American Dipper Sam Woods Greater Prairie-Chicken Sam Woods Greater Sage-Grouse Sam Woods Greater Sage-Grouse Sam Woods Tour Details: 2026 12 - 20 April $5400; single s upplement: $680 2027 11 - 19 April $5820; single s upplement: $700 Length: 9 Days Starting City: Denver Ending City: Denver Pace: Moderate/Intense Physical Difficulty: Easy/Moderate Focus: Bird Photography Group size: 6 + 1 leader Looking for more information? Contact Us Most Recent Trip Report More Trip Reports View/Write Tour Reviews Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Denver You arrive in the Mile High City, where we spend the night in a hotel in the airport. The hotel provides a complimentary airport shuttle bus. Day 2: Denver to Craig Heading out of Denver, we will make stops at Loveland Pass and Silverthorne. The snow-draped Loveland Pass is popular among skiers for the great downhill opportunities, but for nature photographers and birders for the chance of the ghostly white White-tailed Ptarmigan, which, if found, can often walk right up to our cameras. Nearby Silverthorne will provide a great finale and photo shoot for the tour, as hundreds of tame birds assault the local feeders, which can include all three species of rosy-finch, Evening and Pine Grosbeaks, Pygmy Nuthatch, Mountain Chickadee, and Clark’s Nutcracker. Later we carry on to Craig, where we spend one night. Day 3: Sharp-tailed Grouse to Walden The displays of the different chickens/grouse are varied and distinct, making them all fascinating, and worthy of individual photo shoots, and perhaps none illustrate this so well as the lek of the Sharp-tailed Grouse. When displaying these acrobatic birds puff out their violet display patches, and the fiery-yellow comb above the eyes of the male is at its most vibrant. However, it is the movements of the birds which will most impress and encourage us to reel of masses of photos. We will be shooting from a specially-erected personal blind for the use of our group alone, and literally be surrounded, on all sides, by excited males partaking in the “ballet” of spring, where in unison many of them pirouette while cocking their namesake tail high in the air, and bowing to an appreciative crowd of gathered photographers. It literally has to be seen to be believed; we wil not only see it, but use our close-range lenses to capture each and every absorbing moment. At times the birds may be testing our minimum focusing distance as they dance right up to the edge of the blind. So be prepared, and bring some close-range gear with you too, to avoid disappointment, at this, one of the best leks in the state; bar none. After these final displays, we will drive to Walden for a two-night stay. Day 4: Greater Sage-Grouse and Walden Nothing cam prepare you for the truly unique, frankly obscene, and undoubtedly comical display of the Greater Sage-Grouse. In addition to the bizarre nature of these which will be our focus for the morning, there is added photogenic value provided by the dramatic landscape in which they do this in: an open, frost-dusted valley, surrounded by the jagged, snow-capped peaks of the Rockies. After using our 400mm/500mm/600mm lenses on the sage-grouse at length, we will move on to some mountain feeders, which will offer excellent opportunities to photograph mountain birds at close range, like deep-pink Pine Grosbeaks, spritely juncos, and achingly blue Steller’s Jays. Day 5: Walden to Wray While it’s a long drive east to Wray, we’ll have time to visit some wetlands to photograph breeding plumage ducks at close quarters, and there is a decent chance to find Moose. Day 6: Greater Prairie-Chickens to Kansas Another chilly, pre-dawn, arrival will see us position ourselves on the open prairie waiting for the coming of dawn, and the procession of male prairie-chickens that comes with it. Once the Greater Prairie-Chickens arrive en-masse we expect to be literally surrounded by tens of displaying males. Two lenses can be useful here: a 500mm for close-ups of displaying individuals, while a 200-300mm can be useful too for the aerial duels between rival males. This latter aspect of their displays-battles between fighting males-makes this species particularly appealing to nature photographers, as they offer superb and absorbing behavioural studies. After enjoying a morning with these prairie-chickens we will move west into Kansas, where we will overnight for another, rarer prairie-chicken, the next day. A single night will be spent in Kansas, at either Oakley or Scott City, depending on which of the private Lesser Prairie-Chicken ranches we will be visiting (these are allocated at a later stage). Day 7: Lesser Prairie Chickens to Denver On this day we will visit a very different private ranch from the one the day before, this time among the different style prairie required for the Lesser Prairie-Chickens, the considerably rarer cousin of the Greater. While similar in appearance the displays of the Lessers are quite different from the Greater Prairie-Chickens , and plentiful dramatic fighting often accompanies these energetic displays. After a morning in Kansas we will head back into Colorado and our Denver hotel for a further two nights. Day 8: Denver Flexible Day This day is left flexible so that we can focus on going to shoot at the myriad sites around Denver, whether this be for Williamson’s Sapsucker and Pygmy Nuthatch amongst the pines west of the city, having another shot at the White-tailed Ptarmigan on the snowbound Loveland Pass, checking in on the attendant rosy-finches at a local feeders site, or visiting one of the plentiful wetland sites for a barrage of ducks and waterbirds like grebes in breeding plumage, there will be plenty to fill this day and more! The final night wil be spent near the airport in Denver. Day 9: Departures from Denver There is no photography planned for this, a hotel shuttle will take you to the airport for flights out. Trip Considerations PACE: Moderate. This tour covers a lot of ground in a short amount of time, but with two days at most of the leks we have a bit of time to relax between moves. Start times vary, but on a couple of mornings can be as early as 4:30 AM, while on others may be as late as 6:30 AM. For those days where we visit a lek, breakfasts are taken AFTER we spend a few hours photographing the “chickens”. On other days we typically have breakfast at the hotel before we depart. Lunches are either eaten en-route between photography spots (we typically pick something that will be reasonably quick), or at a good restaurant near our hotel. All dinners are at good restaurants near the hotel. On those days where we are not moving between lek sites we’ll have some downtime in the middle of the day, when the light for photography is poor. The other days will involve several hours of driving, but there are usually some stops along the way to break them up (and to see some of the great scenery on tap in Colorado!). PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Mostly easy, but depending on where the White-tailed Ptarmigans are there may be some more difficult walking around Loveland Pass. Here we may walk up to a half-mile on hard snowpack at 12,000 ft (3650 m), and anyone who does not want to walk at this altitude can remain with the car. All of the lek photography is from blinds set up near the car, with at most a short walk involved. All other photography is from flat roads or near feeders. The entire tour is spent above 3300 ft (1000 m), with much of it spent above 7500 ft (2300 m). CLIMATE: Potentially extremely variable. A wide range of temperatures are possible this time of year in Colorado. Some years the overnight lows (and thus the temperature when we arrive at the leks early in the morning) can be at 0°F (-18°C) or even lower. Daytime highs on such days often don’t exceed 15°F (-9°C). However, other years the daytime lows don’t dip below 32°F (0°C), and daytime highs can reach into the 70s°F (above 21°C). Occasionally you can get both scenarios on the same trip, so it is important to be prepared for a wide variety of conditions. Rain is very rare on this tour, but snowfall (sometimes heavy) is possible. ACCOMMODATION: Good to excellent. All of the hotels and motels have typical amenities, including Wi-Fi. PHOTO PHILOSOPHY: This tour is centered around photographing displaying grouse and prairie chickens from blinds. This means that we will spend up to several hours every morning stationary, very close to the birds and typically also close to the car. Most days will also involve some other photography along roads, typically near the vehicle, though on day 2 we may also have some walking at high elevation. Colorado is full of other good shooting options, and can include anything from the abundant scenery to various mammal species that we should encounter. GEAR: Photography from the grouse blinds typically has us quite close to the birds, so a long telephoto lens (500 or 600mm) can be a bit overkill, especially on a crop-frame camera, and a 300 or 400mm lens is recommended. At times the Greater Sage-Grouse can be a bit further away from the blinds, and an extender gives you some flexibility if you find you want more reach. For other birds on the tour a longer telephoto is more useful, whereas for scenery a wide-angle lens is recommended. Tripods are highly recommended for use in the blinds, as the light starts out quite low. At other times the light conditions tend to be quite good, and you may not need a tripod, though it can be helpful to hold your heavy gear so you don’t have to. LEK ETIQUETTE: The grouse species we will be targeting on this tour perform some of the most amazing displays in the avian world. We have the privilege of front row seats to the spectacle, but that also imparts a responsibility on our part to minimize our impact to the birds we are observing. This means that in most cases we will be arriving before sunrise so as not to flush the birds, and will not be able to leave until the birds are finished with their morning displays. Depending on the circumstances, this could mean that we will be in our blinds and unable to leave under any circumstances for up to three hours. Please be prepared with sufficient warm clothing if the morning is especially cold, and be careful not to drink too many liquids beforehand – bathrooms will not be available until we leave the leks. We appreciate your cooperation since we would like to ensure that others will be able to enjoy the same shows for years to come. Other Information TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: For US citizens, no special requirements are necessary to visit Colorado. Citizens of Canada may enter the US with a valid passport, and do not need to obtain a visa. For citizens of the 38 countries on the visa waiver list (including the UK, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, and Japan – click here for the full list ), you can enter the US with a valid passport and a completed Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which should be applied for online IN ADVANCE OF THE TOUR. For all passports, the passport must be valid for at least six months past your intended stay. Citizens of all other countries will need to apply for a US visa. Travel requirements are subject to change; please double check with the nearest embassy or consulate, or ask our office staff if you are unsure. WHAT’S INCLUDED?: Accommodation from the night of day 1 to the night day 7; meals from dinner on day 1 (unless you arrive too late for dinner service) to breakfast on day 8; reasonable non-alcoholic beverages with meals; safe drinking water only between meals (tap water is safe to drink in the US, and you are encouraged to fill your water bottles when able); photo tour leader with camera and audio playback gear from the evening of day 1 to the evening of day 7; ground transport for the group in a suitable vehicle driven by the guide from the morning of day 2 to the afternoon of day 7; airport shuttle bus on day 1 and day 8; tips for included meals; entrance fees to the sites mentioned in the itinerary; the use of photo blinds during the tour; a printed and bound checklist to keep track of your sightings (given to you at the start of the tour – only electronic copies can be provided in advance). WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?: Optional tips to the tour leader; tips to baggage carriers if you require their services; flights; snacks; additional drinks apart from those included; alcoholic beverages; travel insurance; excursions not included in the tour itinerary; extras in hotels such as laundry service, minibar, room service, telephone calls, and personal items; medical fees; other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included. Tour Reviews *Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it!

Southern India: Birds and Wildlife of the Western Ghats Tour Overview: This tour focuses on The Western Ghats, an ancient mountain range paralleling the west coast of India that extends more than 990 miles (1600km) from south of Gujarat to the southern tip of India. If you have already travelled to northern India, this tour offers something very different in terms of both birdlife and culture. High diversity of species and habitats in the Western Ghats has led to its classification as one of the top ten biodiversity hotspots on the planet. The tour takes in the drier eastern slopes, moist rainforests of the western slopes, and the montane shola forests near the peaks of the Western Ghats. Human land use in the area includes plantations for rubber, coffee and tea. We will bird in the latter on this tour, as wildlife continues to thrive in tea plantations, and these are often productive areas for seeking some of the specialties on offer. The Western Ghats are home to a plethora of endemic species of birds, mammals, butterflies, reptiles and amphibians. Away from the avian specialties of the Nilgiri Mountains of the Western Ghats, there is a long list of endemics to Southern India, and others shared with only the island of Sri Lanka. Some of the specialty birds we will be seeking include Malabar Trogon, Sri Lankan Frogmouth, White-cheeked Barbet, Nilgiri Sholakili, Black-and-orange Flycatcher, and several species of laughingthrushes. The mammals on this tour should not be overlooked either, with possibilities including Tiger, Leopard, Lion-tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Langur, Sloth Bear, and Gaur. While seeking specialty birds is a clear focus, this is also a good all round natural history destination, with plenty on offer aside from the rich birdlife, as we traverse the three Indian states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. Tiger Iain Campbell Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Black-and-orange Flycatcher Ken Behrens Malabar Whistling Thrush Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Sri Lanka Frogmouth Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Lion-tailed Macaque Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India.jpg Kashmir Flycatcher Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Great Hornbill Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Yellow-throated Bulbul Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Nilgiri Laughingthrush Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Gaur Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Jungle Bush-Quail Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Asian Elephant Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India White-bellied Woodpecker Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Small Indian Civet Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Asian Fairy-Bluebird Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Gray-headed Bulbul Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Dhole Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Black Baza Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Asian Woolly-necked Stork Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Tiger Iain Campbell Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Black-and-orange Flycatcher Ken Behrens Malabar Whistling Thrush Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Sri Lanka Frogmouth Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Lion-tailed Macaque Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India.jpg Kashmir Flycatcher Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Great Hornbill Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Yellow-throated Bulbul Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Nilgiri Laughingthrush Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Gaur Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Jungle Bush-Quail Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Asian Elephant Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India White-bellied Woodpecker Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Small Indian Civet Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Asian Fairy-Bluebird Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Gray-headed Bulbul Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Dhole Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Black Baza Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Asian Woolly-necked Stork Photographic Field Guide Wildlife of South India Tour Details: 2027 26 February - 13 March Price: TBA *This tour links with Sri Lanka Length: 16 Days Starting City: Kochi Ending City: Bangalore Pace: Moderate Physical Difficulty: Moderate Focus: Birding, Wildlife, Culture Group size: 9 + 1 leader + local guides Ready to Book? Book Here Most Recent Trip Report India Trip Reports View/Write Tour Reviews Detailed Itinerary Note: We are planning some minor changes to this itinerary for 2026 Day 1: Arrival in Kochi; transfer to Thattekad Bird Sanctuary After arrival in the Kerala port city of Kochi, we will drive a few hours to Thattekad Bird Sanctuary. Thattekad is one of the most famous birding sites in all of India, a major birding hotspot described by legendary Indian ornithologist, Salim Ali as ” the richest bird habitat on peninsular India”. Although it is small sanctuary, it boasts impressive avian diversity, with more than 300 bird species recorded within the tall, lowland evergreen forests there. Three nights will be spent at a lodge situatated on the banks of the Periyar River, within full view of the verdant jungle. Thattekad is an extraordinary area for nightbirds, with more than 10 species of owl recorded (including Brown Fish-Owl, Brown Boobook, the rufous morph of Oriental Scops-Owl, Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl, and the rare Sri Lanka Bay Owl among them), and is home to several species of nightjars (e.g., Jerdon’s and Great Eared). Sri Lanka Frogmouth is often seen during the daytime too. While on the hunt for nightbirds, we may also come across the rare Slender Loris. Days 2-3: Thattekad Bird Sanctuary These days will be spent in Thattekad, with lunch and a siesta back at our lodge. Thattekad offers some impressive specialties, not least Flame-throated Bulbul, White-bellied Blue-Flycatcher, Malabar Barbet, the spectacular White-bellied Treepie, Malabar Gray Hornbill, Gray-headed Bulbul, and the recently split Malabar Flameback. We will also be on the lookout for Black Baza, Black-rumped Flameback, Heart-spotted Woodpecker, Gray-fronted Green-Pigeon, Malabar Trogon, among many others. We will be using the services of local bird experts, so if there are active day roosts of any nightbirds, like Sri Lanka Bay-Owl or Sri Lanka Frogmouth, they will lead us straight to them. During one afternoon, we plan to visit a bird blind at the forest edge, where feeders have been set up to get some close ups of a wonderful variety of Indian birds. The blinds here have recorded more than 100 species, including species like Blue-throated Flycatcher, Indian Pitta, White-bellied and Rufous Treepies, Red Spurfowl, Malabar Starling, and White-cheeked Barbet. Mammals in Thattekad include India’s smallest deer (Indian Mouse-Deer) and the subcontinent’s largest species, Sambar. Day 4: Thattekad to Munnar After some final early morning birding around Thattekad, we will drive up into the mountainous Munnar region of Kerala, where rolling hills are dotted with tea plantations on the edge of Eravikulam National Park, which is home to Anaimudi, the highest peak in Southern India (8790ft/2680m). We will stay two nights in our near Munnar, and we will welcome the cooler climate after the recent heat and humidity of the lowlands. Afternoon birding on the mountain slopes will give us our first chances at specialties like Nilgiri Flycatcher, Nilgiri Wood-Pigeon, and the handsome Black-and-orange Flycatcher. Day 5: Eravikulam National Park On this day we will ascend higher still, entering Eravikulam National Park, and taking park buses to a trail that leads through native grasslands and sholas (montane forests). This area in rich in endemic species, some of which are confined to these upper elevations, like Palani Laughingthrush, White-bellied Sholakili, Painted Bush-Quail, Indian Yellow Tit, and Nilgiri Pipit. We will return Munnar for lunch, before heading out to a local shola in the afternoon in search of whatever endemics we may have not yet seen. We may also encounter one of the regular herds of Asian Elephants, which frequent the tea plantations and meadows in the area. Day 6: Munnar to Sethumadai via Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary Today we will head north into the state of Tamil Nadu. We will descend down the drier eastern slope of the Western Ghats, where deciduous Sandalwood forests give way to thornscrub and thorn forests on its lower slopes. We will make a special stop within these habitats at Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary to look for the local Yellow-throated Bulbul along with other birds such as Yellow-crowned Woodpecker, Yellow-billed Babbler, and White-browed Bulbul. We may also encounter Grizzled Giant Squirrel in the same area. We will continue our descent from Chinnar into the lowland plains of Tamil Nadu, around the town of Pollachi, an area peppered with coconut groves and tracts of forests in the neighboring foothills. An afternoon walk may give us sightings of birds such as White-bellied Drongo, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, and Blue-faced Malkoha. Two nights will be spent at a boutique nature resort within a coconut plantation, in the foothills of Sethumadai. Day 7: The Valparai Foothills We will make a day trip to the foothills around the high altitude tea town of Valparai. As we ascend into the hills, the steep roadsides will be scoured for Nilgiri Tahr, a stocky goat that is endemic to the Nilgiri Mountains of the Western Ghats that is frequently seen by the roadsides there. During the climb we will traverse dry scrub transitioning into wet montane forests (sholas) higher up, a transition zone that offers another chance at the local Yellow-throated Bulbul should we need it, as well as for Legge’s Hawk-Eagle and Rufous-bellied Eagle. In the sholas, we will be on the lookout for another endemic mammal, the Nilgiri Langur. Specific forest patches on these hillsides are also home to another striking primate, the Lion-tailed Macaque. We may also encounter Great Hornbills within the older growth forests birded during the day too. Days 8-9: Coonoor and Kotagiri We will leave Sethumadai after breakfast on day 8 moving north towards the Nilgiri Massif, an isolated group of hills separated from the main chain of the Western Ghats. We will stay two nights at a wonderful forested resort in Ooty, a hill station located over 6600 ft. (2000 m). Birdwise, our main quarry in this area will be the very local Nilgiri Laughingthrush, along with Nilgiri Sholakili, Nilgiri Thrush, and Black-and-orange Flycatcher. The supporting cast is provided by the likes of Crested Goshawk, Indian Blue Robin, Orange Minivet, and Indian Scimitar-Babbler. However, birds will not be the only focus, and our time around Kotagiri will also be spent searching for mammals, as black Leopards and Sloth Bears also occur in the area, although we still need some good fortune to find them. Day 10: Coonoor to Masinagudi In the morning we will visit a high elevation site close to the highest peak in the region, Doddabetta, at 8530ft (2600m), where it is often good to get photos of some of the high elevation specialties of the Western Ghats. After that we will move north down the ghats, to the Sigur Plateau north of Ooty, where we will take time to bird in bamboo jungle and scrub. This area is home to Malabar Lark, Indian Nuthatch, the scarce White-bellied Minivet, Spot-breasted Fantail, and Jungle Nightjar, as well as two critically endangered birds-of-prey, Indian and White-rumped Vultures. Other species that may feature there include White-rumped Shama and Crested Treeswift. We will have a single night at a wonderful wildlife lodge, where animals like elephants, Wild Boar, Dhole (Asian Wild Dog), or even Leopards can sometimes be seen from the safety of your room or the restaurant! Days 11-13: Nagarahole Tiger Reserve After some final birding around Masinagudi, we will leave the Sigur Plateau behind and head north into the third Indian state of the trip, Karnataka. For the afternoon of day 11 and all of days 12 and 13, we will use jeeps and boats to explore Nagarahole National Park for an Indian safari experience. The park is loaded with birds and mammals. The bird list of more than 300 species includes regional specialties like Gray Junglefowl, Malabar Parakeet, Malabar Starling, Malabar Woodshrike, and Malabar Pied Hornbill. A profusion of other birdlife occurs, including Red Spurfowl, Indian Peafowl, Painted and Asian Woolly-necked Storks, Red-naped Ibis, Indian Pitta, Blue-faced Malkoha, White-bellied Woodpecker, Plum-headed Parakeet, and Vernal-Hanging-Parrot. Of course, we will also be seeking other animals too, like Asian Elephant, Tiger, Leopard, Dhole, Gaur, Sloth Bear, Spotted Deer, Sambar, and several species of mongoose. Day 14: Kabini to Mysore & Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary After some final birding outside of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, we will drive east to Mysore for the penultimate night, a city known for its incredible architecture and culture, it is the gateway to the Deccan Plateau from the Western Ghats. Our morning birding stops will depend on which species we are still looking for, but the highlight of the day will be an afternoon visit to the Cauvery River to explore the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, which is loaded with birds (many of them nesting), like Indian Spot-billed Duck, Great Thick-knee, Painted Stork, Indian Pond-Heron, Oriental Darter, Spot-billed Pelican, Eurasian Spoonbill, Crested Serpent-Eagle, Brahminy Kite, Stork-billed and Pied Kingfishers, Asian Green Bee-eater, Common Iora, Spot-breasted Fantail, Wire-tailed Swallow, and Purple-rumped Sunbird. Day 15: Mysore to Bangalore After breakfast we will begin our journey northeast to Bangalore. Today is very much a "wildcard day", where we target species still needed for the trip, and as such the exact plan will vary from year to year. If there are any active vulture nests, we may make a stop at the Ramanagara Ramadevarabetta Vulture Sanctuary, where Egyptian and Indian Vultures both occur. Regional specialties like White-cheeked Barbet and Yellow-throated Bulbul are there too, along with a host of other birds including Oriental Honey-Buzzard, Coppersmith Barbet, Small Minivet, Rufous Treepie, and Purple Sunbird. By late afternoon, we will arrive in Bangalore, where you can take flights out either late at night or the following day. Day 16: Departure from Bangalore You will be transferred to the airport in Bangalore for international flights out. Trip Considerations PACE: Moderate. Early starts are necessary on most days since birding in South India is almost always best early in the morning, and breakfast will be had in the field or there will be a break to come back to the property for breakfast. On a few days there will be some downtime either after lunch, or after arriving back to the lodge after the day’s birding excursion, but on at least one or two days you may arrive back at the lodge after dark. A lot of the birding and wildlife viewing will include a combination of driving to the spots and short to medium length walks – most flat, some on minor inclines. Safaris in Nagarhole will be on dirt tracks with mild bumps and undulations. At least three lunches will be packed lunches, and at least four breakfasts will likely be a packed breakfast. We stop at almost all destinations for at least two nights (there is only a single one night stay on the tour), to minimise the hassle of packing and unpacking isn’t too much. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Moderate. Most of the birding will be on flat trails or slightly inclined roads or wide tracks. You can expect to walk around 2-3 miles (3.2-4.8 km) per day on average. The altitude will vary from sea level to a maximum of 8700ft (2650m) elevation. CLIMATE: Usually very pleasant (mostly 55°-86°F, 13°-30°C). The higher reaches of the Western Ghats can be towards the colder side during the early mornings. The morning safaris at Nagarahole too can be nippy with the wind chill factor during the early morning hours. The tour runs in the dry season, but some rain is still possible, especially in the higher mountains. ACCOMMODATION: Very good to excellent, all have private, en-suite bathrooms, hot water, and 24h electricity. PHOTOGRAPHY: This is a birding tour, but casual photographers will have great opportunities to photograph birds too, especially in the Nilgiris and the hides at Thattekad. Mammal photography also should be fairly easy except for nocturnal life seen on dusk walks. WHEN TO GO: This tour can be run year round but is ideally suited for the period between early November and mid-March. Birding is better during these times as the temperatures are lower through the day and also, the resident population is augmented with a rich array of migrants. Mammals are seen well throughout the year but we generally avoid the rainy months (June to September) as the weather has been quite unpredictable during the recent years. Other Information TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required; the passport must be valid for at least six months past your intended stay. For citizens of most countries, it is necessary to apply for an online visa in advance of the tour, which allows a 30-day visit. This is usually fairly quick and straightforward, but BEFORE APPLYING FOR AN ONLINE INDIAN VISA PLEASE CONSULT WITH THE TROPICAL BIRDING OFFICE BEFORE DOING SO, AS YOU WILL REQUIRE A LITTLE EXTRA PAPERWORK TO ENSURE THIS IS A FLAWLESS PROCESS. WHAT’S INCLUDED?: Tips to drivers, local guides, and lodge staff; accommodation from night of day 1 through to night of day 15; meals from lunch on day 1 through to breakfast on day 16; Tropical Birding tour leader with scope and audio gear from the afternoon of day 1 to the evening of day 15; one arrival and one departure airport transfer per person; a series of game drives in Nagarhole Tiger Reserve (please note that these may be shared with other tourists in the park-there are no private drives possible in this park); entrance fees to all birding sites mentioned in the itinerary; a printed and bound checklist to keep track of your sightings (given to you at the start of the tour – only electronic copies can be provided in advance). WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?: Optional tips to the TROPICAL BIRDING tour leader; tips for optional luggage porters in any hotels used (it is easier for the participants to pay them directly when they get their bags in their rooms); international flights; visa fees (payable online before entering India); camera fees in Kabini and Ranganathittu (this is charged for lenses over 200mm, and is currently around $20 per camera per safari, with up to 6 safaris possible on this tour); snacks; additional drinks apart from those included; alcoholic beverages; travel insurance; excursions not included in the tour itinerary; extras in hotels such as laundry service, minibar, room service, telephone calls, and personal items; medical fees; other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included. Tour Reviews *Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it! India NE Review Anchor

A superb Birding with a Camera Tour of Costa Rica exploring stunning habitats and gorgeous birds. Costa Rica: Birding with a Camera (BwC) Tour Overview: This unique tour of Costa Rica offers an eclectic mix of both birding sites and bird species. The very best sites for exciting species like Resplendent Quetzal, Turquoise-browed Motmot, Scarlet Macaw, Crested Owl, Three-wattled Bellbird, Turquoise Cotinga, White-crested Coquette, Snowcap, Violet Sabrewing, Spangle-cheeked and Emerald Tanagers, Golden-browed Chlorophonia, and Flame-throated Warbler have all been included on this tour. A delectable series of tanagers, trogons and hummingbirds are all on the agenda, and for many of these sites have been carefully selected to ensure the best photographic opportunities with these species. Throughout the tour, Costa Rica’s trademark top quality birding lodgings will feature, complete with birding on all of the grounds of all of the hotels and lodges used on this tour. If you are looking for a good birding tour, with a long list of specialties on the bird list, which also allows plenty of photography too, with many top-quality species bound to be photographed within a lengthy selection of “keeper” shots, then this is the ideal tour for you. We also expect to see other aspects of natural history too, whether it be sloth dozing in an open cecropia tree, a Strawberry Poison Dart Frog hopping across the damp rainforest leaf litter, a mob of unruly howler monkeys calling from the treetops, or a camp of tiny all-white bats huddled under a large leaf fashioned like a tent, there will be plenty besides birds to entertain us, even if they will be the primary focus. Resplendent Quetzal Sam Woods Talamanca Hummingbird Sam Woods Crimson-collared Tanager Andres Vasquez Black-headed Trogon Pablo Cervantes Daza Strawberry Poison Dart Frog Sam Woods Rufous-winged Woodpecker Andres Vasquez Yellow-throated Toucan Pablo Cervantes Daza Fiery-throated Hummingbird Sam Woods Emerald Tanager Andres Vasquez Flame-colored Tanager Sam Woods Pronge-billed Barbet Andres Vasquez Chestnut-headed Oropendola Sam Woods Black-crested Coquette Andres Vasquez Collared Aracari Pablo Cervantes Daza Mantled Howler Sam Woods Green-fronted Lancebill Sam Woods Crowned Woodnymph Sam Woods Boat-billed Heron Pablo Cervantes Daza Red-Eyed Tree Frog Pablo Cervantes Daza Brown-Throated Three-Toed Sloth Pablo Cervantes Daza Resplendent Quetzal Sam Woods Talamanca Hummingbird Sam Woods Crimson-collared Tanager Andres Vasquez Black-headed Trogon Pablo Cervantes Daza Strawberry Poison Dart Frog Sam Woods Rufous-winged Woodpecker Andres Vasquez Yellow-throated Toucan Pablo Cervantes Daza Fiery-throated Hummingbird Sam Woods Emerald Tanager Andres Vasquez Flame-colored Tanager Sam Woods Pronge-billed Barbet Andres Vasquez Chestnut-headed Oropendola Sam Woods Black-crested Coquette Andres Vasquez Collared Aracari Pablo Cervantes Daza Mantled Howler Sam Woods Green-fronted Lancebill Sam Woods Crowned Woodnymph Sam Woods Boat-billed Heron Pablo Cervantes Daza Red-Eyed Tree Frog Pablo Cervantes Daza Brown-Throated Three-Toed Sloth Pablo Cervantes Daza Tour Details: 2027 22 March - 5 April $7820; single supplement: $900 Length: 15 Days Starting City: San José Ending City: San José Pace: Moderate Physical Difficulty: Moderate Focus: Birding, Wildlife, Photography Group size: 8 + 1 leader Ready to Book? Book Here Most Recent Trip Report More Trip Reports View/Write Tour Reviews Detailed Itinerary Please note: The itinerary is sometimes run in a different order due to lodge availability. Day 1: Arrival in San Jose After arrival in San’s Jose’s international airport, you will be transferred to nearby Alajuela, where we will overnight. If anyone arrives early enough, there will be a short afternoon walk around our hotel property (the meeting time for this would be 3pm at the hotel lobby), in order to look for Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Spot-breasted Oriole or Hoffman’s Woodpecker. The first tour meal will be dinner at 6:30pm in the hotel restaurant. Day 2: San Ramon & San Luis Canopy to Arenal Our first morning will involve an early departure (before dawn), as we target several key species early on, to the north of Costa Rica’s capital. First, we will visit a finca (farm), where early in the morning the striking White-eared Ground-Sparrow comes to visit. The same site may also yield Slate-throated Redstart, White-crowned Parrot, or Brown Jay. After that, we shall move on to our main site of the morning, near San Ramon. Here we will visit a viewpoint for one of Costa Rica’s most wanted birds, the spectacular Three-wattled Bellbird. This tour has been timed for when they are present (they arrive in late February typically), and this bellbird site in particular has been selected as it is considered one of the best to photograph this species, which habitually calls from the canopy. Laughing Falcon is also possible at this site. After that, our morning will continue in some style, by visiting the feeding station at nearby San Luis Canopy where we will be hoping for visitors like Emerald Tanager, Tawny-capped Euphonia and Crimson-collared Tanager, while the surrounding area holds White Hawk and Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush. After lunch, we will travel to Arenal for a two-night stay, where we will stay in view of the dramatic backdrop of Arenal Volcano. Day 3: Arenal This morning, we will focus on the massive grounds of Arenal Observatory Lodge. The feeders can attract species like Montezuma Oropendola, while the extensive beds of Verbena flowers host hummingbirds, sometimes including Black-crested Coquette, Violet-headed Hummingbird, Crowned Woodnymph and Green Thorntail. Great Curassows are also regular on the property, and so we will be on the hunt for them too. Day 4: Bogarin Trail to Braulio Carrillo After a final morning in the La Fortuna/Arenal area, we shall make our way east to the foothills of the Caribbean around Braulio Carrillo National Park. In the morning we will focus on the productive area around Sendero Bogarin, where the feeders can yield species like White-throated Crake, Collared Aracari, Orange-chinned Parakeet, and Green Honeycreeper. The patchy forest nearby can also be extremely worthwhile, holding birds like Keel-billed Motmot, Yellow-throated Toucan, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Rufous-winged Woodpecker, and often too a roosting Black-and-white Owl. This is often also a good place to pick up a three-toed sloth too. In the afternoon, we will arrive at Tapirus Lodge on the edge of Braulio Carrillo National Park. We will take an aerial tram ride through the rainforest canopy, which may yield some stellar birds as well as an incredible way to experience the rainforest too. In the late afternoon, we will check the areas around our accommodation for birds like Black-and-yellow and Speckled Tanagers, the rare Bare-throated Umbrellabird (which is perhaps as regular at this site as anywhere else), and also for Baird’s Tapir, which often gets seen around the lodge in the late afternoon or early morning. A single night will be spent at Tapirus Lodge, in the heart of beautiful, lush, primary rainforest. Day 5: Donde Cope to Hotel Quelitales Early in the morning, we will check for tapirs or umbrellabirds, before we check out of Tapirus Lodge and head over to nearby Donde Cope, a private property with a wonderful set of birds available. The feeders lure in species like Long-billed and Stripe-throated Hermits, and Bronze-tailed Plumeleteers, while a small pond is often home to a pair of Russet-naped Wood-Rails. However, it is Cope’s forest trail that is likely to provide the major highlights of the morning, with chances at seeing roosting pairs of both Spectacled and Crested Owls. Sometimes too, a roosting Great Potoo is available also. The rainforest is also a good place to see and photograph Strawberry Poison Dart Frog and a camp of tiny White Tent Bats too. In the afternoon, we will drive eastwards into Cartago province and stay two nights at Hotel Quelitales, which is one of the best hummingbird sites in the country. In recent years, they have been feeding a family of Scaled Antpittas, with late afternoon often being the best time for this. If they are still coming, we will time our arrival to be on site for that. Day 6: Hotel Quelitales and Ujarras Hotel Quelitales is rightly famed as one of the most important hummingbird sites in the country. The hotel grounds boast a list of more than 30 species recorded over the years. When you consider that the entire country of Costa Rica holds just over 50 species of hummingbirds, this local list is very impressive indeed. However, not all of those 30 species are present at any one time, as many are elevational migrants, or temporary seasonal visitors. However, we will be on the lookout for regular species such as Green-fronted Lancebill, Black-bellied Hummingbird, and White-bellied Mountain-Gem among the other regulars. In the afternoon, we shall visit some drier areas around Ujarras, where Cabanis’s Ground-Sparrow, a Costa Rican endemic, and Cabanis’s Wren can be found. A second night will be spent at the wonderful Hotel Quelitales. Day 7: El Copal to Rancho Naturalista For this day, we will check out very early and head out to El Copal Reserve, about an hour’s drive away, en-route to our next destination, Rancho Naturalista. El Copal is home to one of the most spectacular hummingbirds in all of Costa Rica, the Snowcap. In some years it is easily found on the grounds of Rancho Naturalista, while at other times the banks of Verbena flowers at El Copal are the best place to see and photograph the marvelous bronzy males of this species. On this tour, both sites are included to give us the very best chance at this stunning but very local species that is confined to middle elevations of the mountains of Costa Rica and far western Panama. The forest trails in El Copal are harder work, but hold some great avian prizes, like Broad-billed Motmot, Collared and Gartered Trogons, Rufous-browed Tyrannulet, White-ruffed Manakin, Speckled, Emerald, Black-and-yellow, and Blue-and-gold Tanagers, and five species of euphonia. If a swarm of army ants is encountered, there is also the chance of Bicolored, Spotted or even Ocellated Antbirds too. After a full morning in this area, we will head out towards Rancho Naturalista in the afternoon, where will spend two nights at one of the most highly rated bird lodges in all of Central America. Day 8: Rancho Naturalista, Rio Tuis and Laguna Angostura During the morning, we will explore the grounds right around Rancho Naturalista, where feeders hold species like Gray-headed Chachalaca, Red-billed Pigeon, and Red-throated Ant-Tanager. Sometimes mammals come in to the garden during the early hours, like agoutis, coatis or sometimes too a predatory Tayra. We will also be on the lookout for the well-named Lovely Cotinga, if this rare species should be present at the time, as well as Lesson’s Motmot, White-collared Manakin, Golden-olive Woodpecker, and the very local Tawny-chested Flycatcher. After one of the delicious home-style lunches at the lodge, we will venture out from the lodge in the afternoon, surveying the Tuis River for Sunbittern and Fasciated Tiger-Heron, and visiting a wetland, where a variety of shorebirds and waterbirds are often present, including Ringed and Green Kingfishers, and Little Blue Heron. Day 9: Rancho to “Quetzal Country” After some final time around Rancho, chasing whatever we are still missing, we will head south into the highlands of Costa Rica, and the famed Savegre Valley. The valley is cloaked in Oak-dominated cloud forest, which is home to one of the most revered birds in Costa Rica, the Resplendent Quetzal, which will look for the following day. We will arrive in time to see our first cloud forest birds, which could include Flame-colored Tanager, Sooty Thrush, Sooty-capped Chloropspingus, Slaty Flowerpiercer, and Acorn Woodpecker. The next three nights will be spent in a cloud forest lodge in Savegre or in Cerro de la Muerte (depending on which hotels are available). All of the choices of hotels have wonderful grounds with highland birds right on the doorstep. Day 10: Quetzal Tour & Cerro de la Muerte In the early morning we will make a special tour to go and see a male Resplendent Quetzal. Unlike on a traditional “birding” tour, on this “Birding with a Camera” tour, we will arrange a premium private Quetzal tour with a local quetzal expert, who will prioritize going to whichever site is the best at that specific time for the quetzal. This could be either an active nest site, or a fruiting avocado tree that they are frequenting. Ultimately, the best of the sites will be selected based on getting photos of this must-see bird. The remainder of the day will be spent in and around Cerro de la Muerte, with significant time and lunch spent at Paraiso Quetzal Lodge, which is an excellent bird hotspot, and also superb for getting photos at some of the target species in the area. Among them, we will be seeking Black-and-yellow and Long-tailed Silky Flycatchers, Golden-browed Chlorophonia, and Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush. However, it may well be the hummingbirds that leave the biggest mark, as we will aim to photograph Fiery-throated, Talamanca and Volcano Hummingbirds, and Lesser Violetear. Day 11: Casa Tangara Dowii and Savegre area In the morning, we shall visit a small private reserve below on the Pacific side of the mountains Cerro de la Muerte, which therefore has some birds we will not have seen higher up. Our early departure will be to ensure we are on site for the early feeding time Buffy-crowned Wood-Partridge, a rare and very difficult to see species for which Casa Dowii is rightly famous as the best site in the World. Other visitors to the feeders could include Buff-fronted Quail-Dove, Mountain Thrush, Chestnut-capped Brushfinch and the bird for which the property is named, Spangle-cheeked Tanager (the scientific name is Tangara dowii). The site is also good for Streak-breasted Treehunter and male Purple-throated Mountain-Gem can often be located on the verbena flowers that flank the short driveway. While there we will take a breakfast made by the quirky local landowner, who can also let us know of some of the myriad conservation projects he is involved in within the area. This breakfast is often a trip highlight! In the afternoon, we shall travel down into the Savegre Valley, checking out come feeders for birds like White-throated Mountain-Gem, Scintillant Hummingbird and Silver-throated Tanager. A nearby riverside trail also hosts Ruddy Treerunner, Ruddy-capped Treerunner, Torrent Tyrannulet, Black-faced Solitaire, Yellow-winged Vireo and Flame-throated Warbler. Day 12: Cerro Buenavista to Talari Mountain Lodge In the morning, we shall focus on whatever we are still missing in the cloud forests of the Savegre Valley or the Cerro de la Muerte area. By late morning, we will drive up to the highest point of the tour (3300m/10,900ft), Cerro Buenavista, for the highest living bird species in the country, Volcano Junco, which is restricted to a few peaks in the Talamanca Mountain range of Costa Rica extreme western Panama. After that, we shall drive on down, swiftly shedding clothing as we arrive in the foothills of the Pacific side of the mountains, stopping in the Canton of Perez Zeledon to pick up a bright blue male Turquoise Cotinga before we check into Talari Mountain Lodge for a single night stay. Day 13: Chirripo Valley and Los Cusingos to Carara We have several options on this morning. In some years, a rare, local and spectacular hummingbird, White-crested Coquette, is available at a new site in the Chirripo Valley. If present, we will visit this site and may pick up Garden or White-tailed Emeralds too. If the hummingbird activity is not good at this site during the timing of our visit, we will simply spend mopre time at the next site, Los Cusingos, the former home of famed ornithologist, Alexander Skutch. We will visit a forest trail in the hope of manakins, with Velvety and Red-capped Manakins both possible there, as is Baird’s Trogon. After lunch nearby, we shall travel north along the coast flanking the Pacific Ocean, to a hotel near Carara National Park for a single night stay. Day 14: Tarcoles Boat Cruise and Orotina to Alajuela In the morning, we will take a relaxed morning boat cruise along the Tarcoles River and into a mangrove lined creek in search of a long list of birds, including (but not limited to), Boat-billed Heron, Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Double-striped Thick-Knee, Southern Lapwing, Roseate Spoonbill, Prothonotary Warbler, “Mangrove” Yellow Warbler and Lineated Woodpecker. We sometimes also find Mangrove Vireo or Panama Flycatcher too. One of the undoubted highlights will be seeing the flights of Scarlet Macaws leaving their mangrove-based roosts to fly into the neighboring forested hills for the day. There should be a few hours to explore nearby Carara National Park in the late morning after our three hour boat ride, and we might pick up an Orange-collared Manakin, if the lek is active during our visit. We shall return to our hotel for lunch and to check out. After lunch, we will visit some dry country near the town of Orotina for a few hours, where we blitz the local birds, many of which are often easy to find. We will be on the lookout for Turquoise-browed Motmot, Pacific Screech-Owl, Black-headed Trogon and Stripe-headed Sparrow. If we are lucky, we might also see a Lesser Ground-Cuckoo too. In the evening, we will arrive back at the same Alajuela hotel (near San Jose airport), where we spent the first night of the tour. Day 15: Cinchona and Departure from San Jose We will visit one more fantastic site for the tour, a small restaurant in Cinchona, north of Alajuela, where we will spend about three hours in the morning. This is a very relaxing final morning, before late afternoon/evening departures, when we will be birding right from the balcony of the restaurant and take breakfast there on arrival too. The main birds we will be seeking are Prong-billed Barbet, Northern Emerald-Toucanet, and a host of hummingbirds, including Violet Sabrewing, Coppery-headed Emerald, White-bellied Mountain-Gem, Green Hermit, and Green-crowned Brilliant. We will return to our hotel at lunch time to take lunch and have a late check out in the early afternoon in time to connect with late afternoon or evening flights out (flights should depart no earlier than 5pm). If you would rather spend an extra night at this hotel before flying out the next day, please let us know and we can book that for you. Trip Considerations PACE: Moderate. The days on this tour typically start with optional, pre-breakfast, birding at 6am, followed by a later breakfast at around 6:30-7am. Early breakfasts are not typically provided in Costa Rica. On around 6 days, an earlier start may be needed to arrive at a birding site at an early time, the timing of which is important in order to find certain, key, bird species (e.g. Bellbird, Quetzal, wood-partridges etc.). On these days a departure time of 5:00-5:30am will be required, with breakfast taken later. On only one of these days will a packed breakfast be required. All of the lunches on this tour are sit down lunches in either the lodges/hotels, or local restaurants/cafes. Sometimes these are buffets, and sometimes these are a la carte. In some places (e.g. Talari), they are a fixed menu, although all dietary restrictions are catered for. Drives of more than three hours are necessary on three days of the tour. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Moderate. Some of the birding will be on slightly inclined tracks and trails (e.g. For a limited time only at El Copal, Rancho Naturalista, and Los Cusgingos). Trail walking is expected to be taken for some time (but not the entire day) on around seven days of the tour. You can expect to walk around 2-3 miles (3.2-4.8 km) per day on average, and the walking is done at a rather slow pace. A few hours of one morning will be spent at high elevation (3300m/10,900ft), with the highest of the lodges being for three nights in Quetzal Country where we will stay at one of two lodges in the area, at an elevation of either 7220ft/2200m or 8700ft/2650m (the lodge used will depend on the often-limited availability in this very popular area); all other lodges are much lower in altitude. CLIMATE: Quite variable; in the lowlands, it is quite humid and temperatures usually vary from about 68°-95°F (20°-35°C). At the higher elevations it is much cooler, with temperatures ranging from about 46°-75°F (8°-24°C).This tour is timed for the Costa Rican dry season. However, the Caribbean side of Costa Rica (e.g. El Copal, Rancho Naturalista), does not have a distinct dry season, being wet, year-round. Therefore, some rain is expected, especially in these areas or the highlands (Quetzal Country), which are also prone to sudden influxes of wet weather. ACCOMMODATION: Good to excellent, all have private, en-suite bathrooms, full-time hot water, and 24hr electricity. Wi-Fi is also available in all lodges, though often it only works in the public areas and not the rooms. The simplest accommodation is Talari Mountain Lodge for one night, which is a great location for birds. All of the other accommodations are very good to excellent. PHOTOGRAPHY: As a Birding with a Camera® (BwC) tour, this trip chases the maximum number of species in the given areas, but also offers up good photo opps, as it visits many areas that have feeders (like San Luis Canopy, Arenal Observatory Lodge, Bogarin Trail, Donde Cope, Hotel Quelitales, Rancho Naturalista, Paraiso Quetzal Lodge, Feathers Garden in Savegre, Casa Tangara Dowii, Talari Mountain Lodge, and Cinchona), and photography of birds in Costa Rica, in general, is relatively easy over some other Neotropical countries. GEAR: Binoculars are essential. A 300 mm lens with teleconverter(s) or a 100-400 mm zoom work well in most areas. A mirrorless SLR camera helps in darker situations for being able to shoot at higher ISOs and at very low shutter speeds, but is by no means required. Longer lenses such as 500mm or 600mm are fine if you have them, but they can be tiring to carry on some of the walks. Tripods are generally not used on this tour. Other Information TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required; the passport must be valid for at least six months past your intended stay. Tourist visas are currently not required for citizens of the US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and all Western European countries. Visas are currently only required of nationalities mainly in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. Travel requirements are subject to change; if you are unsure, please check with the nearest embassy or consulate, or ask our office staff for help. WHAT’S INCLUDED?: Tips to drivers, local guides, and lodge/restaurant staff; accommodation from the night of day 1 to the night of day 14; meals from dinner on day 1 (unless you arrive too late for dinner service) to lunch on day 15; safe drinking water and/or juice during meals (if eating at a restaurant that includes no drinks reasonable non-alcoholic beverages will be provided for that meal); Tropical Birding tour leader with scope and audio gear from the afternoon of day 1 to early afternoon on day 15; one arrival and one departure airport transfer per person (transfers may be shared with other participants of the same tour if they are on the same flight, or other guests from the same hotel); if the San José hotel has a free airport shuttle, you will be expected to use this and private transfers will not be provided). Ground transport for the group to all sites in the itinerary from the morning of day 2 to the afternoon of day 15 (for smaller groups the guide will drive and, for larger groups there will be an experienced, local driver); a printed and bound checklist to keep track of your sightings (given to you at the start of the tour – only electronic copies can be provided in advance). WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?: Optional tips to the tour leader; tips for luggage porters if you require their services; flights; airport departure tax; snacks; additional drinks apart from those included; alcoholic beverages; travel insurance; excursions not included in the tour itinerary; extras in hotels such as laundry service, minibar, room service, telephone calls, and personal items; medical fees; other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included. Tour Reviews *Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it! Costa Rica BWC Review Anchor

Borneo: Birding with a Camera (BwC) Tour Overview: This is a Birding with a Camera Tour (BwC). We try to balance seeing as many birds as possible while also trying to take great photos of them. We still target endemics and other specialties. We will also try to see and photograph other animals if any are around. If you are looking for a traditional Birding Tour, you should check out our Borneo: Broadbills and Bristleheads tour . Borneo is a bird photographer’s dream; a large island with steamy jungles and waterways which play host to some of the strangest creatures on Earth. From the “Old Man of the Forest”, or Orangutan, to the portly, bulbous-nosed, Proboscis Monkey, to large flashy hornbills with bright orange casques; Borneo has plenty to offer the intrepid souls that explore the island. This tour visits the Malaysian state of Sabah in northern Borneo, which comes loaded with a circuit of of high quality eco-lodges, and which rightly prides itself on its substantial ecotourism potential and excellent facilities. Golden-naped Barbet Sam Woods Bornean Orangutan Sam Woods Crested Partridge Sam Woods Black-and-Yellow Broadbill Ken Behrens Bornean Green Magpie Ken Behrens Proboscis Monkey Iain Campbell Crimson-headed Partridge Pablo Cervantes Daza White-crowned Hornbill Sam Woods Horsfield's Tarsier Sam Woods Temminck's Sunbird Ken Behrens Bornean Pygmy Elephant Sam Woods Sultan Tit Sam Woods Sabah Partridge Sam Woods Rufous-collared Kingfisher Ken Behrens Bornean Gibbon Ken Behrens Banded Broadbill Ken Behrens Sunda Scimitar-Babbler Sam Woods Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker Ken Behrens Silver-eared Mesia Sam Woods Stork-billed Kingfisher Sam Woods Chestnut-headed Laughingthrush Sam Woods Malayan Partridge Pablo Cervantes Daza Golden-naped Barbet Sam Woods Bornean Orangutan Sam Woods Crested Partridge Sam Woods Black-and-Yellow Broadbill Ken Behrens Bornean Green Magpie Ken Behrens Proboscis Monkey Iain Campbell Crimson-headed Partridge Pablo Cervantes Daza White-crowned Hornbill Sam Woods Horsfield's Tarsier Sam Woods Temminck's Sunbird Ken Behrens Bornean Pygmy Elephant Sam Woods Sultan Tit Sam Woods Sabah Partridge Sam Woods Rufous-collared Kingfisher Ken Behrens Bornean Gibbon Ken Behrens Banded Broadbill Ken Behrens Sunda Scimitar-Babbler Sam Woods Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker Ken Behrens Silver-eared Mesia Sam Woods Stork-billed Kingfisher Sam Woods Chestnut-headed Laughingthrush Sam Woods Malayan Partridge Pablo Cervantes Daza Tour Details: 2027 Main Tour: Dates: TBA Price: TBA (2025: $8300; single supplement: $700) Extension: Dates: TBA Price: TBA (2025: $2950; single supplement: $350) Length: 13 Days (18 Days w/ Extension) Starting City: Kota Kinabalu Ending City: Kota Kinabalu Pace: Moderate Physical Difficulty: Moderate Focus: Birding, Wildlife, Photography Group size: 9 + 1 Leader + 1 Local Guide Ready to Book? Book Here Most Recent Trip Report More Trip Reports View/Write Tour Reviews Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Arrival in Kota Kinabalu (Borneo) After arrival in Sabah’s capital, the sleepy city of Kota Kinabalu, you will be transferred to a local hotel for the night. The tour starts with a welcome dinner on this night. Day 2: Kota Kinabalu to Mount Kinabalu The first destination of the tour will be the distinctively shaped Mount Kinabalu, which can even dominate the skyline of the capital on clear days. Endemic birds are abundant as we walk the misty mountain trails. We hope to encounter some of the many cool birds that are endemic to the Bornean highlands such as the White-head’s trio: trogon, broadbill and spiderhunter, and some of the many other great birds that are present here. This night will be spent close to the park entrance. Days 3-4: Mount Kinabalu These days will be spent on this scenic mountain. Early mornings around the start of the Summit Trail in particular, can be good for large, photogenic birds like treepies, whistling-thrushes and drongos as they feed on insects attracted to the lights during the night. Thereafter we will hit some of the more challenging trails, walking and birding and hoping for some cooperative trogons, wren-babblers, flowerpeckers, or sunbirds. In the afternoon of day 4 we will travel back to Kota Kinabalu for a night, in readiness for our domestic flight out the next morning. Day 5: Kota Kinabalu to Borneo Rainforest Lodge (Danum Valley) On this day we’ll take a flight south in order to visit the Danum Valley Conservation Area, where we will stay 3 nights in one of the best lodges in all of Asia, the famous Borneo Rainforest Lodge, perched on the edge of the Danum River, and surrounded by tall, pristine primary rainforest. We will be hoping that some of the large fig trees are bearing fruit at this time, as they can attract some of Borneo’s most famous residents, notably the Red Ape, or Orangutan, as well as an array of fruit-eating birds, such as the dramatic Rhinoceros Hornbill. Three nights will be spent within this fantastic lodge, giving us plenty of time to shoot a variety of subjects in this large conservation area. Days 6-7: Borneo Rainforest Lodge Early mornings right around the lodge can be good to take in the resident group of Bornean Crested Firebacks (a stunning pheasant), as they patrol the grounds at this time. At night there will be options to take nightwalks and put your macro to use, as a myriad of rainforest bugs and frogs, such as Wallace’s Flying-Frog, can be found by prowling the jungle with our experienced naturalist guide. There will also be opportunities to take part in one of the famous night drives out of the lodge for larger subjects, such as Thomas’s and Red Giant Flying Squirrels, “Flying Lemur” (Malayan Colugo), or Bearded Pig. During the daytime, your local guide will also use playback to attract in some of the flashier rainforest birds like Black-and-yellow and Black-and-red Broadbills, trogons, or one of the attractive blue-and-red flycatchers that occur in the area, to name but a few. These two nights will again be spent at the Borneo Rainforest Lodge. Day 8: Danum to Sepilok From Danum we will travel north, by road, to Sepilok, a tourist center, with great lodges which serve the main tourist attraction nearby, the famous Orangutan rehabilitation center. However, our focus will be the ground-breaking Rainforest Discovery Centre, which comes with wide open trails for easy access to the rainforest for seeing canopy birds and for photography; and a world-class canopy walkway. The latter is the centerpiece of this reserve, which allows eye level views of birds such as hornbills, trogons, kingfishers, woodpeckers, and broadbills. The quality construction of the walkway means that there is plenty of space for enjoying the canopy birds. We will be hoping for some fruiting trees to be present in the area, as these can attract a procession of frugivorous birds, as well as animals like squirrels. The night will be spent in Sepilok, just a few minutes drive from the Rainforest Discovery Centre. Day 9: Sepilok Rainforest Discovery Centre A full day will be spent at the centre so that we have plenty of time to explore the many easy trails, and the canopy walkway, which is the reserve’s most heralded facility. The walls of the restaurant on site are decorated with many fantastic images taken right within the reserve, and illustrates the enormous potential of the place. Another night will be spent in Sepilok. Day 10: Sepilok to Sukau (Kinabatangan River) The finale to the tour is perhaps the best part of all; a visit to the primate and bird-rich Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary. The Kinabantangan River is flanked by lowland rainforest, interspersed with ox-bow lakes, mangroves and swamps, and is home to some of the most desirable photo subjects of the tour: Orangutan, Proboscis Monkeys,and Crab-eating and Pig-tailed Macaques, as well as all 8 species of Bornean hornbills. This is also the best area on the island for the amazing and rare Bornean Pygmy-Elephant. We will be staying at a high-end lodge, right on the banks of this enormous river. The choice of lodge has been made not only for the comfort of the lodge, which has won a number of eco-tourism awards, but also for the transport available. We will be mostly traveling around by motorized canoe to traverse the various waterways in the sanctuary. The canoes crucially though, come equipped with smaller electronic motors to allow a quiet approach when needed, vital when on a photography tour to get those incredible, intimate close-ups of subjects such as Proboscis Monkey families, a Blue-eared Kingfisher fishing along the river bank, or a fish-eagle standing sentry above. At night, there will also be the option to take a night cruise to search for roosting birds such as Stork-billed Kingfishers, and photograph the local Buffy Fish-Owls, which are surprisingly abundant and approachable near the lodge. We will travel into the lodge by speedboat. Days 11-12: Sukau and Gomantong Caves (Kinabatangan River) Two full days will be spent coasting the waterways of within the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, tracking down both the many avian, and mammalian, targets in the area. There will be options to go out at night too for further night cruises (there may be an extra fee for this). On one afternoon we shall visit the Gomantong Caves, home to millions of bats, and thousands of nesting swiftlets, which use echolocation, like bats, in order to navigate within the dark recesses of the caves. We will wait until dusk on this day to ensure we take in the awesome sight of the emerging “funnel” of bats, which often fall prey in these photogenic moments to a handful of waiting Bat Hawks. Day 13: Sukau to Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu Although we will have come in to the Kinabatangan by boat, for the exit from there we shall drive out, passing again by Gomantong Caves, which shall give us another chance for a final session there, so that we can try to connect with the various hornbills, barbets, broadbills, and other birds, as well as animals such as Red Leaf-Monkey and Pig-tailed Macaque. Thereafter we shall pack up and drive to the city of Sandakan, to connect with a short domestic flight west across Borneo back to Kota Kinabalu on the west coast, where you can then connect with international flights out. Malaysian Peninsula Extension Introduction: Running before the main tour, this extension starts and ends in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, on Peninsula Malaysia, which connects directly with Kota Kinabalu in Borneo for the main tour. Being based on the Peninsula and visiting one of the best mountain birding areas in all of Southeast Asia, this extension offers some very different birds to see and photograph, with many of these species only possible on the extension. Similarly, many of the birds and animals on Borneo are only possible or likely on the main tour (e.g. Orang-Utan, Proboscis Monkey, Red Leaf-Monkey, Bornean Crested Fireback), making these sections perfect compliments to one another. Day 1: Arrival in Kuala Lumpur After arrival in Malaysia’s capital, we will transfer you to a hotel outside of Kuala Lumpur located in the cool highlands of Bukit Tinggi. Day 2: Bukit Tinggi to Fraser’s Hill An early morning start will provide a fantastic introduction to the birds of the region. While our main targets will be the famous Mountain Peacock-Pheasants and Ferruginous Partridges that frequent the area, we will also take time to check the impressive botanical gardens for any mixed flocks or fruiting trees. By mid-morning we will depart this popular resort area for the tranquil setting of Fraser’s Hill. This area has been a long-favored hang out for both birders and keen photographers alike. It is common at weekends to meet a handful of Malaysian photographers perusing the area, on the hunt for the latest photo opps; a growing community of which exist within the country. By lunchtime we will check into the wonderful Smokehouse Inn, the most comfortable lodgings on the mountain, which are akin to an old English inn, and which comes equipped with a garden full of blooming shrubs that my just attract some of the birds we are hoping to see shoot. Four nights well be spent on the mountain. Days 3-5: Fraser’s Hill and The Gap A good road network both on the top of the hill itself, and at the bottom around “The Gap” allows easy access to forest birds right from the road. The roads on the hill weave their way past gardens which attract birds like Streaked Spiderhunters, Chestnut-capped Laughingthrushes, and Fire-tufted Barbets. There are plenty of avian subjects to keep us busy on the hill, including exciting possibilities such as Red-headed Trogon, Silver-eared Mesia, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Black-throated Sunbird, Red-bearded Bee-eater, and Golden Babbler. Cruising the road down to The Gap offers us chances of lower elevation species such as hornbills like Rhinoceros and Great, as well as a chance to bump into flocks that could hold exciting birds like Sultan Tit and Long-tailed Sibia. Down at The Gap itself, the nature of the forest changes, as it becomes wetter and more humid and birds like Rufous Piculet, Black-crested Bulbul, and a series of barbets become possible, especially if one of the large figs is in fruit. Day 6: Fraser’s Hill to Kuala Lumpur; fly to Borneo After a final few hours around Fraser's Hill or The Gap, we will drive to Kuala Lumpur and take a mid afternoon flight to Kota Kinabalu in Borneo for the start of the main tour. Trip Considerations PACE: Moderate. Early starts are necessary (typically around 6:00 am) on most days since we need to take advantage of the best light and bird activity, and we also will be active in late afternoons and evenings where possible, however there is almost always some downtime in the middle of the day (when it is often hot, and the birds are less active). There is relatively little travel on this itinerary and only one day of long driving on day 8 of the main tour (about 5.5 hours). There are several packed breakfasts required, one on the main tour, and on the second day of the extension in particular. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Moderate. At Mt. Kinabalu and Danum Valley there is a lot of walking involved, on roads and hilly forest trails – you should be prepared to walk 1-2 miles (1.6-3.2 km) on some days (with your camera gear). Along the Kinabatangan, we will be in boats much of the time which does not require much physical exertion. On the extension it is a bit easier as we will spend a lot of time on flatter open roads or using the vehicle to look for fruiting trees and other good locations. CLIMATE: Hot and humid at Sepilok, Sukau and Danum (mostly 74°-88°F, 23°-31°C) and very humid, but cool on Mount Kinabalu and on the extension at Fraser’s Hill (mostly 50°-68°F, 10°-20°C). Rain is likely, often in the afternoons in the form of thunderstorms, but one can also have tropical systems that create rain for longer periods. ACCOMMODATION: Good to excellent. Sabah is one of the best-developed areas is Asia for eco-tourism. All accommodations have private, en-suite bathrooms, full time hot water, and 24-hour electricity. Air-conditioning is not available for the four nights at Borneo Rainforest Lodge and for the three nights at Sukau, however these are both top-notch lodges and the rooms have good fans. EXPECTATIONS: Sabah is fun province to travel in with easy transport network and great food. We can expect to see nearly 300 species of bird on this trip, and are likely to be able to photograph more than 75 species. For a forested destination there is plenty of wildlife and we can expect to see many mammals, reptiles and insects, some of which are very photogenic. GEAR: Binoculars are essential. Your leader will have a scope. Because the light is low, and we’ll be spending times in forests, a faster lens is best, as is a full-frame camera. Using a prime 300 f2.8 or f4 (with and without teleconverter) works well, and a 100-400 mm zoom can also be great for both birds and mammal photos. There is also a myriad of opportunities to take landscape photos and also there are some opportunities for cultural photography of temples and/or people. Macro photography and nocturnal photography will be limited as there are only a handful of subjects we target. Other Information TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required; the passport must be valid for at least six months past your intended stay. Visas are not currently required for citizens of the US, Canada, the UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Visas are currently required only of a few nationalities, mainly in Africa and the Middle East. Travel requirements are subject to change; it’s always a good idea to double check six weeks before the tour, or ask our office for help WHAT’S INCLUDED?: Tips to drivers and lodge staff; accommodation from the night of day 1 to the night day 12 if taking only the main tour, and through the night of day 5 of the extension if also taking the extension; meals from dinner on day 1 (unless you arrive too late for dinner service) to breakfast on day 13 if taking only the main tour, and to breakfast on day 6 of the extension if also taking the extension (if you have a very early departing flight, you may miss the included breakfast on the last day); safe drinking water and/or juice during meals; safe drinking water as well as tea and coffee are available at mealtimes; Tropical Birding tour leader from the morning of day 1 to the afternoon of day 13 if taking only the main tour, if taking the extension please request more info from our office regarding guiding arrangements; one arrival and one departure airport transfer per person on arrival and departure day respectively (transfers may be shared with other participants of the same tour if they are on the same flight); ground transport for the group to all sites in the itinerary from day 1 to day 13 (and to day 6 of the extension if also taking the extension) in a suitable vehicle; entrance fees to birding sites, parks and reserves mentioned in the itinerary; several boat trips on the Kinabatangan River at Sukau; domestic flights on day 5 and day 13. WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?: Optional tips to the tour leader; tips for luggage porters (if you require their services); international flights; domestic flight between Peninsula Malaysia and Borneo (if you are joining the extension); snacks; additional drinks apart from those included; alcoholic beverages; travel insurance; excursions not included in the tour itinerary; extras in hotels such as laundry service, minibar, room service, telephone calls, and personal items; medical fees; excess baggage charges; other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included. Borneo BWC Review Anchor Tour Reviews *Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it!

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Japan in Winter: Birding on Ice Tour Overview: Japan – the clean-cut, modern economic powerhouse – is also an archipelago that is as variable as it is exciting. From the subtropics of Kyushu to temperate Hokkaido, the stark mountains, jagged coastline, and forests hold several of the world’s must-see birds. This tour runs in winter, when the massive-billed Steller’s Sea-Eagles congregate on impressive ice floes waiting for fishermen’s scraps, and huge numbers of cranes gather at their wintering grounds. Add some great mixed-flock birding in the coniferous forests of the central islands, in addition to gulls and waterbirds galore, and you have a great mix of birding experiences. Another great experience is indulging in some sake (a pungent and strong white spirit) on a cold winter night while waiting for the Blakiston’s Fish-Owl at a floodlit waterhole stake-out. You will leave these enigmatic islands having experienced some of the greatest birding spectacles on earth. On this trip, we spare no expense, including three pelagic outings on our main tour, an important consideration when comparing this to other Japan tours. Blakiston's Fish Owl Sam Woods Steller's Sea-Eagle Keith Barnes Snow Monkey Keith Barnes White-naped Cranes Keith Barnes The sun sets over Hokkaido Keith Barnes Red-crowned Cranes Keith Barnes Steller's Sea-Eagle Keith Barnes Red-crowned Crane Sam Woods Whooper Swan Andres Vasquez Red-crowned Crane Keith Barnes Red-crowned Crane Keith Barnes White-tailed Eagle Keith Barnes White-naped Cranes Keith Barnes Japanese Varied Tit Keith Barnes Whooper Swan Keith Barnes White-naped Cranes Keith Barnes White-naped Crane Keith Barnes Steller's Sea-Eagle Keith Barnes Daurian Redstart Keith Barnes Steller's Sea-Eagle Keith Barnes Snow Monkey Keith Barnes Spectacled Guillemot Keith Barnes Sika Deer Keith Barnes Red Fox Keith Barnes Japanese Green Woodpecker Keith Barnes Tour Details: 2027 Main Tour: 17 January - 30 January $6995; single supplement: $850 Ryukyu Pre-Extension: 11 - 17 January $3380; single supplement: $490 Pelagic Post-Extension: 30 - 31 January $975; singles not available Length: 14 Days (21 Days w/ Both Extensions) Starting City: Tokyo Ending City: Tokyo Pace: Moderate Physical Difficulty: Easy Focus: Birding Group size: 8 + 1 Leader or 9-12 +2 Leaders Ready to Book? Book Here Most Recent Trip Report More Trip Reports View/Write Tour Reviews Check out our Virtual Tour Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Tokyo to Karuizawa The tour starts with a 10:00am meeting at a Narita Tokyo airport Hotel, from where we travel to the Karuizawa area for a two night stay, and where we’ll begin our Japanese birding in earnest. Nestled on the slopes of the impressive Asamayama volcano, we’ll scour the snow-dusted forests for our first birds, including the remarkable Varied and cute Long-tailed Tits, Oriental Greenfinch and maybe our first endemics in the form of Japanese Green and Japanese Pygmy Woodpeckers. If we are lucky we might even see some transient species such as Long-tailed Rosefinch, Pale Thrush, or the striking Meadow Bunting. We spend two nights in Karuizawa. Days 2: Karuizawa The woodlands here support some superb birds, the finest ones being the endemic Copper Pheasant and immaculate Japanese Waxwing. As we search the quiet forest trails and streams looking for these we hope to encounter the mighty Crested Kingfisher, Brown Dipper, Japanese Wagtail, Japanese Grosbeak, and Hawfinch. Day 3: Karuizawa to Nagano We head to the amazing Snow Monkeys first thing this morning, where we enjoy them in the steam baths with icicles forming on their snow-matted fur. Then we head to Komatsu for a two-night stay. Day 4: Western Honshu Wetlands Honshu’s western coastline is a waterfowl paradise and we seek out some great rarities here amongst a swathe of common waterfowl. Katano Kamoike is a small sanctuary that holds Baikal Teal, Bewick’s Swan and both Taiga and Tundra Bean Geese. We may also see Falcated Duck, Greater White-fronted Goose and others today. Day 5: Honshu to Hokkaido On this day we fly via Tokyo to the island of Hokkaido, Japan’s Alaska, where we spend the next five days. Huge tracts of taiga-like mountainous wilderness, covered in snow and ice fields make this the most visually stunning part of Japan. While bird species diversity is low in this barren icy seascape, it supports some of the world’s must-see birds including the spectacular, gargantuan Steller’s Sea-Eagle. We spend two nights in Nemuro. Day 6: Nemuro Peninsula This area provides some of the most exciting and varied winter birding in Japan, with a good diversity of species. This morning we indulge in a pelagic trip off this finger of land where we hope to get great views of alcids like Least Auklet, Spectacled and Pigeon Guillemots and Ancient Murrelet. We’ll go as far as Cape Nosappu where the oceans are sometimes packed with sea ducks and gulls including Common Goldeneye and scoters, and cormorants. Red-throated Loon and Red-necked Grebe are also specialty species in this vicinity. Day 7: Notsuke Peninsula to Rausu Today we scour the coastline and capes looking for sea ducks and alcids, including Black and White-winged Scoters, Harlequin Duck and Long-tailed Duck, and hopefully some rarer species like Spectacled Guillemot, Ancient Murrelet or Crested Auklet. The day should also yield an amazing gull-fest including the likes of Glaucous and Glaucous-winged gulls. We finish off the day in a forested valley where we will wait eagerly near a fishpond for one of the ultimate birds of the tour – the massive Blakiston’s Fish-Owl. We spend two nights in Rausu. Day 8: Rausu sea trip Today’s boat trip is phenomenal. We head out between the ice rafts into a massive ice-sea. While gulls abound, we’ll mostly be on the lookout for eagles. We’ll notice the size difference between the already impressive White-tailed and simply gigantic Steller’s Sea-Eagles. These chocolate-and-white leviathans are crowded on the ice at times, and when our boatman starts throwing out fish scraps, they wheel in and gorge themselves within a few meters of the boat, offering unbelievable photographic opportunities. This evening we will try again for the temperamental Blakiston’s Fish-Owl if last night’s vigil proved luckless. Day 9: Rausu to Akan We will leave the Rausu area, and if we have time, we may stop in at Kiritappu, a great site for seawatching and Asian Rosy Finch, before arriving at Akan for the night. In the afternoon we will visit the Akan Crane Centre which is in easy walking distance of our lodge. We will have chances to photograph dozens of Red-crowned Cranes gather in the white powder snow to dance and bugle in an unforgettable nuptial display. We will overnight in Akan. Day 10: Akan to Izumi We’ll fly back to Tokyo (Haneda) and then on to Kagoshima on the southern island of Kyushu, which is bordering on subtropical. We head to the town of Izumi, home to the most impressive gathering of cranes in the world, for a two night stay. Day 11: Izumi This morning we will be blown away by one of the most awesome birding spectacles on Earth; a gathering of more than 10,000 cranes. The cacophony of bugling crane calls will be heard seemingly right outside our rooms, in darkness before we have even left our beds. Regal White-naped Cranes join the more abundant Hooded Cranes, and by scouring these flocks of extremely elegant birds we may pick out a few Common or Sandhill cranes, or if we are really lucky a vagrant Demoiselle or ghostly Siberian Crane. After this overwhelming experience we’ll tap into a variety of other habitats in the region. The coast may yield Temminck’s Cormorant and the scarce Saunder’s Gull. Fields and meadows should reveal buntings and pipits, and perhaps the verdant Green Pheasant. Rivers will be scoured for one of the world’s toughest shorebirds, Long-billed Plover, while Japanese Bush-warblers skulk in the riparian thickets. Day 12: Izumi to Mi-ike After a final morning at Izumi, we will head to Mi-ike where we will overnight. On clear days we’ll see the impressive volcanic cone looming large in the background, while birds such as Ryuku Minivet, White-bellied Green Pigeon, Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Gray Bunting, White-backed Woodpecker and Japanese Grosbeak may thrill us in the foreground. We’ll also visit a lake where we search for some rare waterbirds, chiefly the incredible Mandarin Duck amongst the many common ducks. We will overnight in Kirishima. Day 13: Mi-ike to Kadogawa We will take a boat trip out to Kadogawa Harbor to search for Japanese Murrelet. While out there, we may also encounter Vega, Black-tailed, and Slaty-backed Gulls, Great Crested Grebe, or Pacific Reef Heron. In the afternoon we will explore the Miyazaki coastline and check an estuary for the endangered Black-faced Spoonbill. We will overnight in Sadowara. Day 14: Kyushu to Tokyo After some final birding in the area, the main tour finishes today with a flight back to Tokyo. If you are not joining the extension, you may connect with international flights home. Those staying for the extension will head for the ferry terminal. Ryukyu Pre-Extension Introduction: We begin in Okinawa, which has a totally different feel than the rest of the country. The Ryukyu islands, were formerly part of an independent Ryukyu Kingdom until 1879, when they were annexed by Japan. But they are both culturally and biologically unique, with about 9 endemic species and 7 additional taxa that could well be endemic species splits. After exploring both the main island plus the unique island of Amami Oshima in search of their many endemics, we will fly to Tokyo to begin the main tour. Day 1: Naha We begin the tour with lunch in Naha, the prefectural capital of Okinawa. Okinawa is the most tropical of Japan’s prefectures and home to some great endemics. On Okinawa’s ‘honto’, or main island, our main targets will be the rare Okinawa Rail and Pryer’s or Okinawa Woodpecker. To search for, these we will head to the north of the island and the Yanbaru area which gives the rail its Japanese name, yanbaru-kuina. We will drive along the idyllic coast line before arriving at our well situated lodge for a two-night stay. Day 2: Okinawa The stunning Okinawa Rail, remarkably only first described to science in 1981, is quite common in northern Okinawa, but still considered endangered due its population size of less than 1000 individuals and threats such as the conversion of habitat to golf courses and predation by feral cats. The other extreme rarity is the maroon Pryer’s Woodpecker, which has a total population in the low hundreds. We will have a full day to explore this fascinating area in search of our target Okinawa Rail and Pryer’s Woodpecker and will also hope for other local specialties including Okinawa Robin and Japanese Paradise Flycatcher. At this time of year we may also pick up one or 2 late migrants that pass through the Ryukyu island chain. At night we will take an ‘owl-prowl’ in search of Northern Boobooks, and Elegant and Japanese Scops-Owls. Day 3: Okinawa to Amami After our final birding here we will drive south to Naha where we will board our flight to Amami-Oshima; one of the most northerly of the Ryukyu Islands which actually lies in Kagoshima prefecture. Amami is a small island but home to 2 endemic bird species: Lidth’s Jay and Amami Woodcock. In addition, endemic races of White-backed Woodpecker and Scaly Thrush are considered by some to be full species: Owston’s Woodpecker and Amami Thrush; the latter is thought to number only 60-100 individuals. Day 4-5: Amami Oshima We have two full days to explore this lush forest laden with enormous tree ferns, in search of our many targets. The maroon-and-sapphire Lidth’s Jay will be a welcome sight, as will the slew of cross-island endemics such as Ryukyu Green-Pigeon, Ryukyu Flycatcher, Ryukyu Minivet, Ryukyu Robin, and Elegant Scops-Owl. We will also be sure to look for the many distinct subspecies that could well be split in the near future. We will spend some time at night on Amami looking for the incredible endemic Amami Woodcock and the weird marsupial-like Amami Black Rabbit. Day 6: Amami to Tokyo After a final spot of birding in search of any remaining targets, we will board our flight to Tokyo where we will spend the night. Day 7: Begin main tour Well depart the hotel after breakfast and head to the airport to meet the people arriving for the main tour. Pelagic Post-Extension Day 1: Tokyo to Miyake-jima From Tokyo, we will take one of the regular ferries that service the Izu Islands. The ferry goes overnight, and we will spend the night on the boat. Day 2: Miyakejima At dawn, we will disembark on the island of Miyake-jima, and spend the morning exploring the forested slopes for Izu Thrush, Japanese Wood-Pigeon and Izu Robin, amongst others. After midday, we will re-board the boat returning from Hachijo-jima and spend the last few hours sea-watching on the most productive stretch of the ferry ride. We hope to see several albatross species which are regular in these waters, especially the rare Short-tailed Albatross. Laysan and Black-footed Albatrosses, Streaked Shearwater, and Black-legged Kittiwakes are all mouth-watering possibilities, and there is always the chance of picking up a serious rarity. After a full afternoon searching for these ocean wanderers, we’ll dock at Tokyo, where we’ll return to Haneda for outward bound flights. If your flight schedule requires an overnight, we can help you book a hotel. Trip Considerations PACE: Moderate. Relatively early starts are necessary on some days (as early as 5:30am), such as when watching the cranes awaken at Tsuruimura & Arasaki. Because there are only about nine hours of daylight in mid-winter, there will not be much downtime during daylight hours, but there is usually plenty of time to relax during the long nights. The driving isn’t too bad on this trip, with drives of four or more hours on about two days of the trip. Most meals will be in restaurants, but several lunches will be bought at convenience stores as this gives us a lot more flexibility and saves valuable daylight birding time. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate. Some of the birding will be from the car. Most of the walking will be on flat or slightly inclined roads or wide tracks although there will be some longer walks along narrower forest trails at Miike & Karuizawa. Due to snowy and icy conditions, suitable footwear is required, and walking sticks and crampons are also recommended. All walks are done at a slow pace. The longest walk is the 2.5 mile (4 km) roundtrip walk to see the Snow Monkeys, which has some inclined sections and some steps, but anyone with a reasonably good level of fitness can handle it. CLIMATE : Cold and possibly snowy for most of the trip, with temperatures ranging from about 7° to 32°F (-14° to 0°C) in the coldest areas. Kyushu is the mildest place we will visit on this tour, with temperatures ranging from about 39° to 56°F (4° to 13°C). Blizzards are possible in some areas, and there is a chance of road closures, possibly causing on-the-spot changes to the itinerary. We try our very best to keep to the schedule and not miss any birds, but travel insurance is always a good idea. ACCOMMODATION: We will stay in two distinctly different types of accommodation on this tour: Typical western style accommodation with private bathrooms, and Japanese style Minshukus (primarily in Hokkaido and usually four nights total). The Minshukus are normally large shared rooms for 2 or 3 people. The bathrooms are large, shared bathrooms. There is some etiquette about the use of such bathrooms, and we will discuss this at the start of the tour. Minshukus do not have single accommodations available, and the single supplement for this tour has been calculated based only on the accommodations where we can provide single rooms. We use the Minshukus because they are located at some of the best birding localities, and some of their owners are birders that supply excellent local information. They also provide a distinct and unique Japanese ‘flavor’ to the tour, and most people really enjoy the experience of staying in them. PHOTOGRAPHY: This is a birding tour, but casual photographers will have great opportunities to photograph birds, Snowy Monkeys, and scenery. Photo opportunities on Hokkaido are particularly good. We should have a cruise from Rausu to see Steller’s Sea-Eagles and White-tailed Eagles on the ice flow (if it has arrived). We should also have great opportunities to photograph Japanese Cranes waking in the Setsuri River and dancing on the snow at the feeding sites. Please bear in mind that all of these are weather dependent. There are feeders at our lodge at Karuizawa and Nemuro although we will watch these through glass. We often get good shots of birds such as ducks and gulls in the harbors of Hokkaido. Serious bird photographers may wish to check out our Japan Photo Tour . Other Information TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required for entry into Japan. It must be valid for at least 6 months past the time of your scheduled return. Currently, visas are not required for citizens of the US, Canada, the UK, Western Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. For other countries, please check your nearest embassy or consulate for current requirements, or ask us for help. Travel requirements are subject to change; it is a good idea to double check several weeks before the tour. WHAT’S INCLUDED?: (Note that this only applies to the main tour – please contact us for inclusions on the extensions) Accommodation from night of day 1 to the night of day 13; meals from lunch on day 1 to lunch on day 14; some drinks (the lodges typically include water or juice and tea or coffee with each meal, and if any meal does not include drinks, Tropical Birding will provide reasonable non-alcoholic beverages for that meal); safe drinking water between meals; Tropical Birding tour leader with scope and playback gear from 10:00am on day 1 to the evening of day 14; ground transport for the group to all sites in the itinerary from 10:00am of day 1 to the evening of day 14 (the tour leader usually is the driver); internal flights as specified in the itinerary; a printed and bound checklist to keep track of your sightings (given to you at the start of the tour – only electronic copies can be provided in advance). WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?: Optional tips to the tour leader; tips for luggage porters if you require their services; international flights; excess luggage charges; snacks; additional drinks apart from those included; alcoholic beverages; travel insurance; excursions not included in the tour itinerary; extras in hotels such as laundry service, minibar, room service, telephone calls, and personal items; medical fees; other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included. Japan Winter Review Anchor Tour Reviews *Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it!

NW Argentina: Birding the Andes, Yungas & Monte Desert Tour Overview: From the lush yungas forest with its distinctive avifauna, to the dramatic cactus-studded Andean deserts, to the high altiplano with its flamingo-studded lakes, this tour offers a fascinating variety of habitats and birds. There is a huge number of different species for birders who have only visited the north Andean countries, with evocative names like earthcreepers, brushrunners, cachalotes, and gallitos. We cover a lot of ground on this tour, but it is quite comfortable thanks to Argentina’s good infrastructure and friendly people. Wine aficionados will enjoy sampling the great local vintages during our evening meals. A very different, (and relaxed pace) extension to the largest waterfalls in the world, Iguazu, in northeastern Argentina, ensures not only that this incredible natural wonder will be seen from a number of angles, but a healthy number of Atlantic Forest birds will be added to the list too. Red-tailed Comet Andres Vasquez Diademed Sandpiper-Plover Andres Vasquez Andean Hillstar Andres Vasquez Rosy-billed Pochard Nick Athanas Black Siskin Andres Vasquez Rufous-throated Dipper Sam Woods Wedge-tailed Hillstar Andres Vasquez Ornate Tinamou Andres Vasquez Iguazu Falls Andres Vasquez Tawny-throated Dotterel Andres Vasquez Andean Avocet Andres Vasquez James's Flamingo Andres Vasquez Mourning Sierra Finch Andres Vasquez Cobalt-rumped Parrotlet Andres Vasquez Puna Teal Andres Vasquez Mitred Parakeet Andres Vasquez Elegant-crested Tinamou Sam Woods Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper Andres Vasquez Plush-crested Jay Andres Vasquez White-tipped Plantcutter Andres Vasquez Olive-crowned Crescentchest Andres Vasquez Giant Coot Andres Vasquez Lark-like Brushrunner Andres Vasquez Chaco Owls Andres Vasquez Black-legged Seriema Andres Vasquez Tour Details: 2026 Main Tour: 5 - 17 November $6990; single supplement: $690 Extension: 17 - 20 November $2890; single supplement: $360 Length: 13 Days (16 Days w/ Extension) Starting City: Tucuman Ending City: Salta (Iguazu for the Extension) Pace: Moderate Physical Difficulty: Easy Focus: Birding Group size: 8 + 1 Leader Ready to Book? Book Here Most Recent Trip Report More Trip Reports View/Write Tour Reviews Check out our Virtual Tour Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Arrival in Tucumán After your arrival in this northern Argentinian city, we will transfer you to a hotel for two nights. Day 2: Trancas area and Tucumán We will start our tour by visiting an area that is not particularly beautiful or pristine, but nonetheless has surprisingly good birding within a mixture of farmland and patches of fragmented forest. This will be a great introduction to some dry Chaco species with good chances to see striking furnariids like Lark-like Bushrunner and Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper, which are not possible on the rest of the tour. We also have a decent chance to see the often difficult and highly sought-after Black-legged Seriema and Olive-crowned Crescentchest. We may also get our first White-tipped Plantcutters, Chaco Earthcreepers, and plenty of widespread Argentine birds. Day 3: Rio Los Sosa Valley and Tafí del Valle In the early morning, we shall drive up into the Andes north of the city. We shall be looking for one of the potential birds of the trip straight off the bat; as we wind through the forested Rio Los Sosa Valley, we will check the river regularly for Rufous-throated Dipper, and Torrent Duck, and the forest is also home to the endemic Yellow-striped Brushfinch. In the afternoon we’ll check a lake on the edge of Tafi del Valle for waterbirds, like Rosy-billed Pochard and Red Shoveler, among the more common waterfowl. Along the shore we may also find Paraguayan Snipe. The first of two nights will be spent in Tafí del Valle. Day 4: El Infiernillo and Rio Los Sosa We’ll bird this high mountain pass at dawn for Buff-breasted Earthcreeper, the handsome Tucuman Mountain-Finch, Andean Tinamou, White-browed Tapaculo, and Hellmayr’s Pipit. Flower patches lower down the valley could hold Andean and White-sided Hillstars, Giant Hummingbird, or Sparkling Violetear. The plan for the afternoon will depend on what we still are looking for; but we may return to the Rio Los Sosa Valley to look for Rufous-throated Dipper, Slaty Elaenia or Tucuman Parrot, among others. A second night will be spent in Tafí del Valle. Day 5: Tafí del Valle to the Calchaquí Valley Many people will enjoy the chance to sample some of the region’s best wines, and by the end of the day, we’ll arrive at the Calchaquí Valley, a world-renowned wine-growing area, where we’ll overnight. Before then we shall visit the “Monte Desert”, where huge stick nests may lead us to one our targets, the noisy White-throated Cachalote. This same tinder dry-habitat is also home to the pallid Sandy Gallito, and we’ll also check thorn scrub en-route where White-tipped Plantcutter, Tufted Tit-Spinetail and Sharp-billed Canastero can be found. Crossing an area of wet grasslands en-route may also yield Spectacled Tyrant or Long-tailed Meadowlark. Closer to Cafayate we may also find groups of White-fronted Woodpeckers clinging to the side of huge, saguaro-like cacti. In the afternoon we can go in search of Chaco Earthcreeper and Burrowing Parakeets near our hotel – if we see our targets quickly, we may take a tour of one of the nearby wineries. A single night will be spent in the Calchaquí Valley. Day 6: Calchaquí Valley to Cachi The highlight of the morning is likely to be the scenery more than the birds, as we drive through dramatic craggy areas of the Andes peppered with burnt red rocks. Eventually, we’ll drive a road that snakes up a steep valley known as the Cuesta del Obispo, where roadside scrub and woodland hold some extremely localized species like Bare-eyed Ground-Dove, Rufous-sided Warbling-Finch, Maquis Canastero, and Rufous-bellied Mountain Tanager, along with more common birds, including Brown-capped Tit-Spinetail, Yellow-billed and Tufted Tit-Tyrants, and Rusty Flowerpiercer. We will also get further chances at the much sought after White-tipped Plantcutter, should we need it. The night will be spent in the wonderful town of Cachi. Day 7: Cardones National Park to Salta We’ll start out the day in the dramatic surroundings of Cardones National Park, a high altitude site, where large saguaro-like cacti punctuate the landscape, which provides our best chance at tracking down the Elegant Crested Tinamou. After spending time with the tinamous, we’ll head to Salta for the night, passing through the same area for Rufous-bellied Mountain Tanager, should we need further time to search for it. If time allows, in the afternoon we’ll bird the markedly different Yungas forest near our hotel, where we might have our first encounters with Dot-fronted and Cream-backed Woodpeckers, Plush-crested Jay, and more. A single night is spent in a quiet and wooded suburb of Salta. Day 8: Salta to Yala This will be a varied day, as we combine various wetlands with some great birding in verdant Yungas cloudforest. Among the waterbirds we hope to find are Coscoroba Swan, Cinnamon and Brazilian Teals, Rosy-billed Pochard, and several coot species. If we are lucky, we may also find the scarce Ringed Teal too. One particular lake will be visited for the chance to see Tawny-headed Swallow, White Monjita, and Yellowish Pipit. We shall then shall work our way through the scrub and Yungas along the Cornisa Road, our best chance to find Red-legged Seriema, Two-banded Warbler, Green-cheeked Parakeet, and Giant Antshrike. In the afternoon, we shall visit Yala, a forest park that offers a good chance to find Red-faced Guan, Yungas Pygmy-Owl and Rust-and-yellow Tanager, among others. It also gives a further opportunity to find both Torrent Duck and Rufous-throated Dipper, should we need to do so. The night will be spent near Yala. Day 9: Yala to Abra Pampa We’ll return to the cloudforest at Yala in the morning to track down anything we’re still missing from the day before, which could include Fulvous-headed Brushfinch, Rusty-browed Warbling-Finch, Slender-tailed Woodstar, Rufous-capped Antshrike, Plumbeous Black-Tyrant, Large-tailed Dove, Buff-banded and Sclater’s Tyrannulets, and White-browed Brushfinch. Later in the morning, we’ll head higher up into the Andes, into the open puna highlands near Abra Pampa. En-route, we’ll check a high Andean lagoon for Giant Coot, White-tufted and Silvery Grebes, and Puna Teal. In the afternoon, we’ll search the arid puna around town for Puna Miner, Gray-bellied Shrike-tyrant, Bright-rumped Yellow-Finch, and Andean Negrito. The night will be spent in a simple hotel in the tiny town of Abra Pampa. Day 10: Laguna de los Pozuelos An early start is necessary today as we drive a long way on dirt roads to the remote Laguna de los Pozuelos. This lake is home to three species of flamingo (Andean, Chilean, and James’s), along with the elegant Andean Avocet, and (in some years) Giant Coots too, and other Andean waterbirds, like Puna Plover and Puna Teal. The water level of this lake fluctuates tremendously from year to year, and we will modify our birding accordingly – in dry years, we can see most of the birds on other lakes. In the last five years or so, water levels have dropped remarkably at this site, and so have the numbers of birds. While it is still a very worthwhile site to visit, we feel the need to warn you that the past numbers of thousands of waterbirds (including flamingos) have reduced to mere dozens in recent tours. This is the result of a long term drought in the region. We have still managed to find most, if not all, of the key species on most tours, just very individuals of them. The dry puna around the lake is good for Golden-spotted Ground-Dove, Gray-breasted Seedsnipe, Short-billed Pipit, and a variety of finches. It is also a good area to see Ornate Tinamous crossing the tracks. Herds of Vicugnas roam the lake edge, and we’ll also keep a lookout for Lesser Rheas. In the afternoon, we’ll drive to La Quiaca, located right on the border with Bolivia, for a two-night stay. Late in the afternoon, there should be time to drive a dirt road nearby which can be good for Least Seedsnipe and Tawny-throated Dotterel, and will give us another shot at finding rheas again of needed. Day 11: Sierra de Santa Victoria and Yavi We’ll need another early start as we drive east to a 14,700 ft (4500 m) pass, the highest elevation we reach on the tour. The scenery here is nothing short of spectacular, and while species numbers are low, what we do see is quite different from previous days. The smartly-dressed Red-backed Sierra-Finch is usually easy to find, and we’ll also look for Ornate Tinamou, Mountain Parakeet, Slender-billed Miner, Straight-billed and Buff-breasted Earthcreepers, Puna Canastero, Cream-winged Cinclodes, Black-fronted, Puna, and Cinereous Ground-Tyrants, Andean Swallow, Brown-backed Mockingbird, Andean Hillstar, and more. If the weather is good, we stand a good chance of seeing Andean Condors on the wing too. Later on, we’ll bird some montane scrub lower down for Puna Yellow-Finch, Rufous-banded Miner, and Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail before driving back west. We’ll spend the afternoon in the historic village of Yavi. A river runs through this village, providing water for small farms and creating an oasis that is amazingly “birdy”. This is the best place in Argentina for Citron-headed Yellow-Finch and Wedge-tailed Hillstar, and while these are the biggest targets, we’ll see plenty of other great birds that may include Black-hooded and Mourning Sierra-Finches, Yellow-billed Tit-Tyrant, Spot-winged Pigeon, Bare-faced and Black-winged Ground-Doves, d’Orbigny’s Chat-Tyrant, Brown-backed Mockingbird, White-winged Black-Tyrant, and Andean Swift. A second night will be spent in La Quiaca. Day 12: La Quiaca to Salta We’ll spend the morning targeting anything else we still need in this area before driving back to Salta, where we spend another night in the same comfortable hotel used on the night of day 6. The drive back south is nothing short of spectacular as we pass through the world famous Humahuaca Valley, with its patchwork of multicolored rock faces. En-route we may check out some wetlands for waterbirds and Southern Martins, and shall take a side trip to a quiet forested road, which plays host to birds like Black-and-chestnut Warbling-Finch, Great Rufous Woodcreeper, and Rufous-capped Antshrike. In the afternoon, we’ll look for foothill species in the Yungas, such as Moss-backed Sparrow, Giant Antshrike, Green-cheeked Parakeet, and Yungas Sparrow. On this night, we may do some nightbirding targeting Montane Forest Screech-owl and Scissor-tailed Nightjar. Day 13: Palomitas to Salta/Start Iguazu Falls Extension Today we drive down into the dry foothills east of Salta. Some superb birds can be found here along an easy dirt road, such as Many-colored Chaco Finch, Spot-backed Puffbird, Ultramarine Grosbeak, Stripe-backed Antbird, Black-capped Warbling-Finch, Checkered and Cream-backed Woodpeckers, Chaco Chachalaca, Little and Rufous-fronted Thornbirds, Chaco Earthcreeper, and Brushland and Tataupa Tinamous. Red-legged Seriema is sometimes easy to see in some open fields farther along the road, but we will need a lot of luck to find the smaller and shier Black-legged Seriema, which also occurs in the area. We’ll return to Salta airport for lunch and departures, or to fly to Iguazu, if joining the Iguazu Falls Extension. Iguazu Falls Extension Introduction: This short, and relaxed pace, extension focuses primarily on seeing the mighty Iguazu Falls, rightly listed as one of the World’s must-see destinations. Iguazu is the largest waterfall system on Earth, spanning two countries (shared with Brazil), rising to nearly 270ft.(over 80m) at their highest point, and consisting of up to 300 different waterfalls in the wettest periods. We will visit a number of other areas to view them, as they are so huge they deserve to be seen from a number of alternative angles to fully appreciate the outstanding magnificence of them. There will, of course, also be plentiful new birds, offered in an entirely new biome, Atlantic Forest, home to many endemic species. Thus, many of the species encountered on the extension will be completely new for the trip. While considerable numbers of new species are on offer, this extension will be operated at a “soft” pace, dictated by national park regulations, which prohibit early morning entry into the park. It compliments the main tour perfectly, and will provide some much-needed downtime and more slow paced birding, compared with the main tour, which has many early mornings, and longer days in the field to get to all the birding sites. Day 1: Salta to Puerto Iguazú We’ll fly this afternoon to Puerto Iguazú, and then transfer to a hotel, where we’ll spend the next three nights. Days 2-3: Iguazu Falls We will have two full days to explore not only the massive waterfalls, for which the area is most famous for, but also the surrounding subtropical rainforests, which are alive with birds, and will offer up a long list of species not possible on the main tour. Many birds just creep into Argentina here, and so we’ll be on the lookout for many highly local Argentinian birds during these days. The park is dissected by many forest trails, and boardwalks, many of the latter of which allow spectacular views of the namesake Falls. We’ll have plenty of time to enjoy both the forest birds and the dramatic waterfalls. The bird list for the park is immense, and we will split our time between walking forest trails into the deeper rainforest, with walking easy forest roads that bisect more open forest, which provides easier birding, and offers up excellent birds. Some of the other many species available in the park include, Black-fronted Piping-Guan, Great Dusky Swift, Surucua Trogon, Rufous-capped Motmot, Toco and Red-breasted Toucans, Chestnut-eared Aracari, Yellow-fronted, Blond-crested and Robust Woodpeckers, Spot-backed and Tufted Antshrikes, Ochre-breasted Foliage-Gleaner, Ochre-collared Piculet, Gray-hooded Flycatcher, Southern Antpipit, Riverbank Warbler, Swallow-tailed Manakin, Red-rumped Cacique, Chestnut-bellied Euphonia, Blue Dacnis and Green-headed Tanager. The possibilities for these days are huge and no two visits are the same in an area this diverse. We will certainly add many standout birds in just two days in this mega-rich birding area, while enjoying what for many is the finest set of waterfalls on Earth, rivaling even Niagra and Angel Falls for their visual impact. We will also visit a hummingbird garden, where up to 8 species visit in this season, often including Black-throated Mango, Gilded Sapphire, Black Jacobin, and Versicolored and Glittering-bellied Emeralds. Other feeders on site also regularly attract the stunning regional endemic Green-headed Tanager. Day 4: Departure from Iguazu In the morning we’ll transfer to Cataratas del Iguazu International Airport to connect with flights to other parts of Argentina (e.g. Buenos Aires), in order to connect with international departures. Trip Considerations PACE: Moderate. This tour will especially target the endemics and other regional specialties of Northwest Argentina. Diversity is not as high as more tropical areas of the continent, so we still have time to find a very high proportion of the more common and widespread species as well. Early starts are sometimes necessary since the best bird activity usually occurs in the early morning hours, and some hotels are a long way from the birding sites – the earliest starts will be 5:00-5:30am. At least two breakfasts and at least two lunches will be taken in the field. There is quite a bit of driving required (five days involve drives of around 4.5-5.5 hours), but most of the roads are quite good, the scenery is often excellent, there are many birding stops to break the drives up. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate. Nearly all of the birding is done from flat or only slightly inclined roads and wide tracks. The only reason this tour merits a “moderate” rating is that three days are spent on the altiplano at elevations entirely above 11,000 ft (3300 m), with a few hours spent as high as 14,400 ft (4,400 m) on one day - please keep this in mind if you have ever experienced altitude sickness in the past, and if you have never spent extended periods at these elevations in the past, you way want to consult with your doctor about possible medication as a precaution. You can expect to walk about 2-3 miles (3.2-4.8 km) per day on average. CLIMATE: Generally quite pleasant, and temperatures in most areas range from about 60°F(16°C) early in the morning to about 85°F(29°C) in the middle of the day. On the altiplano, it can get down to near freezing early in the morning, but quickly warms up to be very pleasant. A bit of rain can be expected, but it usually comes in short downpours that don’t interfere too much with the birding. ACCOMMODATION: Generally good to excellent, though one night is spent in a rather unremarkable hotels with somewhat small rooms, but even they have private bathrooms, hot water, and 24h electricity. Wi-fi is usually available in all the hotels, though it may only be available in public areas, and is sometimes very slow. PHOTOGRAPHY: This is a birding tour, but it’s pretty good for casual bird photography due to the open nature of most of the habitats. It is also very scenic in some areas, and many people like to stop for some quick landscape shots. Other Information TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required; the passport must be valid for at least six months past your intended stay. Tourist visas are currently not required for citizens of the US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, among others. Visas are required for citizens of most countries in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Reciprocity fees are no longer charged. Travel requirements are subject to change; please double check with the nearest embassy or consulate, or ask our office staff if you are unsure. WHAT’S INCLUDED?: Tips to drivers and lodge staff; accommodation from the night of day 1 to the night of day 12; if taking the extension, accommodation from the night of day 1 to the night of day 3 of the extension; meals from dinner on day 1 to lunch on day 13; if taking the extension, meals from dinner of day 1 to lunch on day 4 of the extension; reasonable non-alcoholic drinks during meals; safe drinking water only between meals; one way flight from Salta to Puerto Iguazú (only if taking the extension – no flights are included in the main tour); Tropical Birding tour leader with scope and audio gear from the evening of day 1 to mid-day of day 13 of the main tour, and from the afternoon of day 1 to mid-day of day 4 of the extension, if taking the extension; airport transfer on day 1 of the main tour (this transfer may be shared with other tour participants if they are on the same flight); ground transport for the group to all sites in the itinerary from the morning of day 2 to mid-day of day 13 of the main tour (for smaller groups, the guide will drive, and for larger groups, there will be a driver); if taking the extension, group transport between the airport and hotel and bttween the hotel and the park (while inside the park, transport is by the park tram system, not by vehicle); entrance fees to the sites mentioned in the itinerary; a printed and bound checklist to keep track of your sightings (given to you at the start of the tour – only electronic copies can be provided in advance). WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?: Optional tips to the tour leader; tips for luggage porters if you require their services; flights except for the one way flight from Salta to Puerto Iguazú on the extension; passport/visa fees; excess luggage charges; snacks; additional drinks apart from those included; alcoholic beverages; travel insurance; excursions not included in the tour itinerary; extras in hotels such as laundry service, minibar, room service, telephone calls, and personal items; medical fees; other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included. Tour Reviews *Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it!

Colombia: Photo Tour Tour Overview: Colombia’s has the largest bird list of any country, nearing a staggering 2000 species. In recent years, eco-tourism has started to flourish – it is primed to become the newest bird photography craze. More and more sites are offering feeding stations conducive to photography, not just for the spectacular hummingbirds, but also for tanagers, antpittas, and more. Our photo tour to this amazingly diverse country offers a good mix of feeders, multi-flash set-ups, and opportunistic shooting, and covers a number of “new” areas not widely covered by other photo tours. Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan Sam Woods Multicolored Tanager Pablo Cervantes Daza Andean Cock-of-the-rock Pablo Cervantes Black-billed Mountain-Toucan Pablo Cervantes Crescent-faced Antpitta Sam Woods Collared Trogon Dorian Anderson Andean Motmot Pablo Cervantes White-throated Quail-Dove Sam Woods Tourmaline Sunangel Dorian Anderson Rainbow-bearded Thornbill Ben Knoot Green-and-black Fruiteater Sam Woods Scrub Tanager Pablo Cervantes Golden-breasted Puffleg Pablo Cervantes Collared Inca Pablo Cervantes Mountain Velvet-breast Pablo Cervantes Crimson-backed Tanager Pablo Cervantes Blue-necked Tanager Pablo Cervantes Equatorial Antpitta Dorian Anderson Buff-winged Starfrontlet Pablo Cervantes Black-throated Mango Dorian Anderson Long-tailed Sylph Dorian Anderson Saffron-crowned and Golden Tanager Nick Athanas Chestnut Wood-Quail Nick Athanas Shining Sunbeam Sam Woods Blue-throated Starfrontlet Phil Chaon Tour Details: 2026 12 - 28 November* $8990; single supplement: $1050 *The 2026 tour will start in Medellín and end in Cali Length: 17 Days Starting City: Cali or Medellín Ending City: Medellín or Cali Pace: Moderate/moderate Physical Difficulty: Moderate Focus: Bird photography Group size: 6 + 1 leader Ready to Book? Book Here Most Recent Trip Report More Trip Reports View/Write Tour Reviews Detailed Itinerary Note: In 2026, we will run this tour in reverse order due to availability in the key lodges; it will start in Medellin and end in Cali. Day 1: Arrival in Cali The tour begins this evening in Cali. A transfer will be provided to a nice hotel in the city. There is no photography planned for today. Days 2 - 4: Western Andes based out of Araucana Lodge Araucana is a new and luxurious lodge that makes the perfect base from which to number of superb private reserves. We'll have three full days here, and our exact plan will be based on the latest information about where the best activity is happening. One of the key sites is "Kilometer 18", where the highlight is often the incredible Multicolored Tanager - arguably the most beautiful of a suite of tanagers possible here that also includes Saffron-crowned, Golden, Blue-winged Mountain, Golden-naped, Black-headed, and Flame-rumped. The endemic Chestnut Wood-Quail comes is another great possibility as it often comes into eat corn at a couple of the private reserves at km 18. Another must-visit spot is Doña Dora's rest stop in the Anchicaya Valley. The gaudy Toucan Barbet is the start bird here and it comes in regularly to the banana feeders along with others like Red-headed Barbet, Silver-throated Tanager, and Tricolored and Black-headed Brushfinches. There are several gorgeous hummingbirds here we may not see elsewhere like Empress Brilliant, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, and Velvet-purple Coronet. Araucana Lodge itself boasts excellent feeders for both hummingbirds as well as tanagers, orioles, toucanets, woodpeckers, honeycreepers and more. Day 5: Araucana Lodge to Salento via Parque Nacional de la Uva After some final time in or around Araucana, we will drive northeast towards Salento. However, we will have one very special stop along the way at Parque Nacional de la Uva (Grape National Park). Famous for its wine, we will be in the park for a very special bird instead, the Ruby-topaz Hummingbird, which we will photograph at the flowering blooms in the gardens there. Other possibilities there include Black-throated Mango and Steely-vented Hummingbird, as well as Saffron Finch and Southern Lapwing. We have a single night in Salento. Day 6: La Rivera Reserve We'll begin the day at La Rivera, a sanctuary nestled in the Andean foothills, where rich tropical forests, clear streams, and vibrant biodiversity create an exceptional setting for photography. The reserve is home to an impressive variety of colorful tanagers, hummingbirds, and several endemic species, offering close encounters and outstanding photographic opportunities. Some of our targets here include "stunners" like Red-ruffed Fruitcrow and Golden-headed Quetzal as well as the endemic Cauca Guan and Chestnut Wood-Quail. In the afternoon, we head to Urapanes del Bosque Lodge for a two night stay. We may also have time for a first visit to Retorno de los Colibríes. Day 7: Retorno de los Colibríes This private nature reserve is the result of an amazingly successful restoration project by a local family. The name translates to English roughly as "Return of the Hummingbirds", which is exactly what happened after their previously denuded land was reforested. Now it has garnered international attention as a premier location to see and photograph hummingbirds. They will be our main focus here as we aim to get shots of endemics such as Indigo-capped Hummingbird and Tolima Blossomcrown along with more widespread species including White-tipped Sicklebill, Sparkling Violetear, Andean Emerald, and White-vented Plumeleteer. If we can peel our eyes away from the hummers, fruit feeders attract some interesting birds as well, like Southern Emerald-Toucanet, Andean Motmot, Colombian Chachalaca, and many others - possibly even the endemic Tolima Dove if we are lucky. The rare and once critically endangered Yellow-eared Parrot also occurs here. If the local guide know of any actively fruiting trees during our visit, we'll be sure to spend some time trying to get some shots of this huge, macaw-like endemic parrot. Day 8: Urapanes del Bosque to Manizales Today we head north to the city of Manizales. Our plans are somewhat flexible and may depend on recent sightings, but we'll make some stops along the way. One option is the Don Miguel Nature Reserve - they occasionally get a Scaled Antpitta coming to worms, but not all the time. If the bird is coming during our tour, we'll stop in for a visit. We'll spend four nights in an excellent hotel in Manizales, which we'll use as a base to explore the surrounding area. Day 9: Rio Blanco Natural Reserve Rio Blanco is famous among birders for its antpitta feeders, which have been maintained for many years now. We have good chances at the handsome Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, the duller (but endemic) Brown-banded Antpitta, the very shy Bicolored Antpitta, and the diminutive Slate-crowned Antpitta. Other birds also come into the antpitta feeding sites including Green-and-black Fruiteater and Gray-browed Brushfinch. Hummer feeders by the lodge are good for multi-flash as well as getting clean shots of perched birds, and possibilities include Long-tailed Sylph, Bronzy and Collared Incas, Tourmaline Sunangel, Lesser (Green) Violetear, Sparkling Violetear, Speckled Hummingbird, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Buff-tailed Coronet, White-bellied Woodstar, and White-booted Racket-tail. Day 10: El Color de Mis Reves Today we will visit a wonderful cloud forest reserve, El Color de Mis Reves, accessed by 4x4 up a rough road into the Andes. Our main reason for visiting is their feeders, which have a regular star attract in the form of Black-billed Mountain-Toucan. This is the best place on Earth to photograph this spectacular Andean species. It's also a great place for the scarce Black-collared Jay, colorful Hooded Mountain Tanager, sharp-looking Northern Slaty Brushfinch, as well as swarms of hummingbirds including the dapper Collared Inca. Day 11: Hacienda El Bosque Hacienda El Bosque has become a world hotspot for it's incredible Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucans, which come in daily to feed on grapes. Nowhere else is it so easy to photograph this stunning bird, and sometimes there are up to seven birds present at any one time! Usually one or two antpittas also visit forest feeders including Equatorial and Crescent-chested Antpittas, and there are other nice targets for our lenses too at these feeders such as Andean Guan, White-throated Quail-Dove, and Gray-browed Brushfinch. The hummingbird feeders should not be missed either, which attract Shining Sunbeam, Buff-winged Starfrontlet, Lesser Violetear, Black-thighed Puffleg, and Sword-billed Hummingbird, as well as the deep-blue Masked Flowerpiercer. Day 12: Termales del Ruiz and Los Nevados We'll head high into the montains to Termales del Ruiz, famous for it's natural thermal hot springs that feed right into this scenic resort. They also have hummingbird and fruit feeders on site, and we will get our first taste of these on this afternoon. We will spend one night in this very comfortable resort, with dramatic, high Andean, scenery as a backdrop. Hummingbird photography is the main draw here, and our lodge has a superb garden with numerous feeders, a covered area, and plenty of space for multi-flash setups. At least 12 species are possible to photograph here: Golden-breasted and Black-thighed Pufflegs, Buff-winged Starfrontlet, Shining Sunbeam, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Great Sapphirewing, Tourmaline Sunangel, Mountain Velvetbreast, Viridian Metaltail, Tyrian Metaltail, and Sparkling Violetear. The fruit feeders offer chances to photograph great birds like Lacrimose and Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanagers, and Pale-naped Brush-Finch. We’ll also spend a few hours around the entrance to Los Nevados National Park at 13,800 ft. (4200 m.). Buffy Helmetcrest, an impressive endemic hummingbird, often can be photographed on perches or while feeding on Espeletia flowers. Other possible targets here are Tawny Antpitta, Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant, Sedge Wren, Andean Tit-Spinetail, White-chinned Thistletail, and Andean Siskin. The scenery is also impressive with vast grasslands, otherworldly plants, and ghostly mist that can come and go at any moment. A second night will be spent at Termales del Ruiz. Day 13: Termales del Ruiz to Jardín It's a long drive today, but we'll have a bit of early morning photography before we head out, and the afternoon should prove to be a highlight of the trip. In a ravine right next to the town there is one of the absolute best Andean Cock-of-the-rock display sites in the world. Every afternoon, numerous males scream and dance as they perform their mating rituals at extremely close range. Unlike many other lek sites, they display in broad daylight meaning that getting great shots is a real possibility this afternoon. We'll spend two nights in a hotel in Jardín. Day 14: Mirador El Roble There is good news and bad news today. The bad news first - we have to leave really early and drive up a very rough road. But the rewards should be worth it. Over the last couple of years, a Northern Oncilla has been regularly seen here and even photographed. While this property was originally built as a bird reserve, it is the cat that has been making headlines recently. Let us hope it continues to delight visitors. They also have a worm feeder for the otherwise very difficult Chami Antpitta, and we have good chance to get shots of various other species like Sickle-winged Guan, Masked Flowerpiercer, Rufous-crowned Tody-Flycatcher as well as several tanagers and hummingbirds. Day 15: Jardín area, drive to Medellín Local feeders vary in their levels of activity, but when they are active, they can be tons of fun as they bring in birds like Colombian Chachalaca, Andean Motmot, Yellow-backed Oriole, Red-headed Barbet, and loads of tanagers like Flame-rumped, Scrub, Blue-necked, Black-capped and Bay-headed. Rufous-tailed and Steely-vented Hummingbirds and Green Hermit are all possible too. There is also a new reserve not far from town where nocturnal Oilbirds can be seen, and we'll stop there to try and get some photos before driving to Medellín in the afternoon. We have two nights at a hotel near the airport. Day 16: Finca el Toche One last day to enjoy the amazing birds of central Colombia! A day trip to Finca el Toche should give us plenty of great shots of several new species as well as some "old friends". Perhaps the most wanted bird here is the endemic and beautiful White-mantled Barbet, which has been visiting the feeders lately. Others we hope to get are Bar-crested Antshrike, Rufous Motmot, Plain-colored Tanager (better than it sounds), Striolated Manakin, Collared Aracari, and Chestnut-headed Oropendola. Day 17: Departure from Medellín The tour ends this morning with transfers to the airport. No activities are planned for today. Trip Considerations PACE: Relaxed to moderate. Breakfast times are typically 6:00-6:30am, though on a few occasions it will be necessary to dpart earlier. Most days will have several hours of downtime to relax or download photos – this is often in the late afternoon when the light may be poor and when it is more likely to rain. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate. Much of the main tour will be spent near feeders which are accessed by short walks on slightly inclined tracks or trails with steps. The worm feeders at Rio Blanco are spread out over about half a mile (0.6 km) of inclined dirt roads, but we may be able to use a vehicle to avoid the steepest part. Our hotel on day 12 is located at 11,500 ft. (3500 m.), however only short, easy walks are done at these altitudes. Two sites we visit involve very rough roads accessed by 4x4 - these could be problematic for someone with major back issues (they are day trips, so they could potentially be skipped if you cannot do them); anyone of reasonable fitness level will be able to join this tour, but if you have any mobility issues, please contact us before signing up. CLIMATE: Usually very pleasant (mostly 55°-75°F, 13°-24°C), but colder at the high elevations (possibly down into the 40°sF/single digits°C). Some rain can be expected at cloud forest sites in the Andes, where most of this tour is spent. Therefore, rain gear, including protective covers for photo gear is essential. ACCOMMODATION: Very good to excellent for most of the tour. All accommodations have full time electricity, hot water, and wi-fi (though it can be quite slow and is sometimes only available in the common areas). All accommodations have private, en-suite, bathrooms. GEAR: A good 300mm lens (or high-quality zoom that covers 300mm) and a full-frame camera are ideal for hummingbirds. For other birds, especially smaller birds at fruit feeders, a 500mm with a 1.4x or 600mm is the best option, but a 300mm with 1.4x and 2x teleconverters also usually does a great job. A smaller lens can be nice for scenery shots in the high Andes. A flash (where permitted) is also useful since light can be quite low early in the morning and inside forest. Other Information TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required; the passport must be valid for at least six months past your intended stay. Tourist visas are currently not required for citizens of the US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and EU countries. Visas are currently only required of a few nationalities, mostly in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Travel requirements are subject to change; if you are unsure, please check with the nearest embassy or consulate, or ask our office staff for help. WHAT’S INCLUDED?: Tips to drivers, local guides, and lodge staff; accommodation from the night of day 1 to the night of day 16; meals from dinner on day 1 (unless you arrive too late for dinner service) to breakfast on day 17 (if you have a very early departing flight, you may miss the included breakfast on the last day); safe drinking water and/or juice and tea/coffee during meals; safe drinking water only between meals (though some lodges also offer tea and coffee at any time); one of our photo guides with camera and audio playback gear from the morning of day 2 to the evening of day 16; one arrival and one departure airport transfer per person (transfers may be shared with other tour participants if they are on the same flight); ground transport for the group to all sites in the itinerary from day 2 to day 16 in suitable vehicle(s) with local driver(s); entrance fees to sites mentioned in the itinerary; if requested, a printed and bound checklist to help keep track of what you have photographed (given to you at the start of the tour – only electronic copies can be provided in advance). WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED? : Optional tips to the tour leader; tips for luggage porters in the city hotels (if you require their services); international flights; snacks; additional drinks apart from those included; alcoholic beverages; travel insurance; excursions not included in the tour itinerary; extras in hotels such as laundry service, minibar, room service, telephone calls, and personal items; medical fees; excess luggage charges; other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included. Tour Reviews *Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it!

Taiwan: Birding Formosan Endemics & Migration Tour Overview: This Taiwan tour is like no other on the market. Most bird tour companies enjoy a leisurely 12-14 day tour around mainland Taiwan to see the endemics, but our tour delivers that and much, much more. We start with an optional pre-trip foray to the Matsu archipelago, where we are located right along the mainland Chinese coastline, and we will explore the small islands here for four days for the migrant treasures that pass through at this time of year. We can expect good numbers of buntings, including Little, Black-faced, Chestnut, Yellow-breasted and more. The scrubby hillsides hold potential for Narcissus, Grey-streaked and Asian Brown Flycacthers, and if we are lucky, perhaps a rarer Mugimaki or Yellow-rumped Flycatcher. Shorebirds can also be found, and we will target those and keep our ears and eyes out for other migrants including thrushes and warblers. After returning to mainland Taiwan we spend a day at a famous migrant trap north of the city – Yehliu. The main tour will focus on the late wintering birds, resident species, and endemics. In addition to the stunning landscapes Taiwan boasts friendly people, rich culture and a tasty cuisine, so all visitors, no matter what your particular bent, are in for a great experience. Lying in the South China sea on the tropic of cancer, the coastal lowlands are distinctly warm and muggy, but with over 15 peaks that reach above 3000 m, the interior of the island comprises a series of concentric vegetation bands that terminate in temperate coniferous forest and arctic-like alpine tundra at the highest limits. The Taiwanese bird list now stands at an impressive 550+ species. Although many of these are rartities and a regular tour is likely to yield around 210 species. What few birders know about Taiwan is that it has a host of fascinating endemic birds. The application of the Phylogenetic Species Concept (PSC) has seen what was once considered only 15 endemic species swell to over 29, and the number keeps growing. This means that Taiwan becomes more and more important for listers with a global birding agenda. But Taiwan is a fabulous birding destination in its own right, even for those less focused on listing. Swinhoe's Pheasant Keith Barnes Mikado Pheasant Keith Barnes Vivid Niltava Keith Barnes Taiwan Bamboo-Partridge Dorian Anderson White-tailed Robin Keith Barnes Steere's Liocichla Nick Athanas Golden Parrotbill Ken Behrens Taiwan Rosefinch Nick Athanas Taiwan Barwing Keith Barnes Taiwan Partridge Nick Athanas White-whiskered Laughingthrush Keith Barnes Yellow-breasted Bunting Keith Barnes Taiwan Bush-Warbler Keith Barnes Taiwan Blue Magpie Keith Barnes Taiwan Yuhina Keith Barnes Taiwan Whistling-Thrush Keith Barnes Taiwan Thrush Keith Barnes Maritime Striped Squirrel Keith Barnes Smoking Dragon Keith Barnes Spotted Nutcracker Keith Barnes Red-and-White Giant Flying-Squirrel Keith Barnes Fairy Pitta Keith Barnes Gray-capped Pygmy-Woodpecker Keith Barnes Deity in Sicao Keith Barnes Collared Bush-Robin Keith Barnes Tour Details: 2026 Main Tour: 24 April - 3 May $5580; single supplement: $950 Extension: 19 - 24 April $3550; single supplement: $750 2027 Main Tour: 23 April - 2 May Price: TBA Extension: TBA; starting in 2027, the extension will visit Korea. Length: 10 days (15 days w/ Extension) Starting City: Taipei Ending City: Taipei Pace: Moderate Physical Difficulty: Moderate Focus: Birding Group size: 9 + 1 Leader Ready to Book? Book Here Most Recent Trip Report More Trip Reports View/Write Tour Reviews Detailed Itinerary *This itinerary is often run in a slightly different order than listed below, but all sites will still be visited. Day 1: Arrival The tour begins at Taoyuan International Airport. We’ll spend one night in a nearby hotel. No birding is planned for today. Day 2: Shimen to Tainan We start the day by exploring the lowlands and relatively developed west coast. A stop at Shimen may reveal the electric blue Formosan Whistling-Thrush and the impressive Taiwan Blue Magpie, before we head farther south to the coastal wetlands of Tainan. By this afternoon we will be enjoying the stunning spectacle of wintering shorebirds and waterfowl near Tainan. Our main quarry will be late Black-faced Spoonbills that may still be hanging around. The spoonbill is not the only rare bird here. Other migrants that we will look for include Red-throated Pipit, Oriental Reed Warbler, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, Spot-billed Duck, Northern Shoveler, Green-winged Teal, Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Pintail, Tufted Duck, Hen Harrier, Little Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Lesser and Greater Sand-plovers, Pacific Golden Plover, Black-bellied Plover, Asiatic Dowitcher, Gray-tailed Tattler, Red-necked Stint, Long-toed Stint, Dunlin, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Great and Red Knots, and Common and Spotted Redshanks. The night will be spent in Tainan. Day 3: Tainan to Alishan via Pingtung County After more coastal and wetland birding, we will head north to Alishan County. In the afternoon we go to an incredible blind that regularly delivers both Swinhoe’s Pheasant and Taiwan Partridge. After dark – if the weather is good and energy levels permit – we might do a night-walk for owls and flying-squirrels, as this area is great for both. We have one night in Alishan. Day 4: Alishan to Wushe via Yushan NP We’ll depart early so that we can be at the magical Yushan National Park at the crack of dawn. Although this will be our first time in the mountains, and there will be loads of new birds, our main quarry this morning will be the incredible Mikado Pheasant. Other wanted specialties here include Golden Parrotbill and the distinctive local owstoni form of Gray-headed Bullfinch. After the morning is complete, we will head through to the Chingjing area of Wushe township and visit one of a myriad of sites that should deliver us some mid-altitude birds. Exactly where we go will depend on what we have seen already, but Ao Wan Da or Huisun forest reserves are good options. Day 5: Wushe area Today we have a full day to explore this wonderful area. We will go over the highest road pass in Taiwan, looking for high altitude endemics, including the White-whiskered Laughingthrush and Collared Bush-Robin. The pass also holds Alpine Accentor and Taiwan Rosefinch. We’ll then continue down into the scenic Taroko Gorge to see the endemic Styan’s Bulbul and admire the scenery. After lunch, we’ll bird our way back to Wushe, stopping to look for birds like Taiwan Bush-Warbler, Taiwan Yuhina, the moustached White-eared Sibia, the tail-less Taiwan Wren-Babbler, Steere’s Liocichla, and Taiwan Barwing. Joining the endemics in the mixed species parties are Taiwan Vivid Niltava, Black-throated Tit, and Brown Bullfinch. The newly split endemic Taiwan Thrush, with its snow-white head, will be another target, but it is always a tricky bird to find. Day 6: Wushe to Dashueshan After a final morning exploring the Wushe area, we head to the impressive Dashueshan, which literally means ‘Big Snow Mountain’. This area is also one of the best general birding areas in Taiwan. We will enjoy three nights here. Days 7-8: Dashueshan Local photographers have done an incredible job of making some of Taiwan’s most spectacular yet normally skittish birds remarkably easy to see here. First and foremost among these are the spectacular pheasants. The white-backed Swinhoe’s Pheasant is regular at stakeouts along the road. The pheasants are called “the kings of the mist” in local parlance, a celebration of their elegant plumage and secretive nature. The birds themselves are bold and unafraid, and you will not likely find easier pheasants anywhere in the world to photograph and enjoy at leisure. The common but shy Taiwan Partridge is also frequently heard and often seen along this road. Although the game birds are the stars, we have the opportunity to search more many of the interior forest species including some recently split taxa such as the noisy Taiwan Bamboo Partridge, furtive Taiwan Shortwing, scarce and stunning Taiwan Thrush, dapper little Taiwan Cupwing, inquisitive Taiwan Fulvetta, spectacled Flamecrest, and stunning Steere’s Liochichla, as well as a bevy of tits, babblers, drongos, and other flock species. The mixed broadleaved forests ought to reveal some garrulous laughing-thrushes including hopefully Rufous-crowned and Rusty Laughingthrushes. Night drives here can be interesting, and as well as owls, we will search for Red-and-white Giant Flying Squirrel, Taiwan Serow and maybe even a Hog-nosed Ferret-Badger. Day 9: Dashueshan to Huben On last morning in Dashueshan will give us another shot at any montane endemics we may still be missing; the stunning surroundings of this magnificent area make it a pleasure to explore. The day draws to a close in the western lowlands of Daoliou County. Day 10: Huben to Taoyuan Our main quarry this morning is the spectacular Fairy Pitta. Other species occurring here include the secretive Malayan Night Heron, Rusty Laughingthrush, Black-necklaced Scimitar Babbler, and many more. After a morning in this area, we head back to Taoyuan International Airport, where the tour draws to a close. We’ll arrive by late afternoon, in time for most international connections. Matsu Extension 2026 will be the last year we run the extension to Matsu. Starting in 2027, we are replacing it with an extension to Korea. Day 1: Arrival After arrival in Taipei (arrival at Taoyuan before 5 pm required) we will make our way through to Keelung Port where we will eat dinner and board the ferry for the Matsu archipelago, located along the migrant-laden coast of mainland China. We overnight in comfortable cabins on the ferry, which arrives at the two square km Dongyin Island the following morning (sometimes it makes a stop at another island en route). Migration birding can be fickle, but we hope for good conditions during our stay. Days 2-3: Dongyin With two full days to explore Dongyin we will hit all the main spots hoping for some great birds. The variety of buntings can sometimes be amazing, with Little, Black-faced, Chestnut, Japanese Yellow, Yellow-breasted, and Yellow-browed all possible. The scrubby hillsides hold potential for Narcissus, Gray-streaked, and Asian Brown Flycacthers, Common Rosefinch, Oriental Greenfinch, and if we are lucky, perhaps a rarer Mugimaki or Yellow-rumped Flycatcher. Shorebirds can also be found: Little Whimbrel, Red-necked Stint, and Terek Sandpiper are frequent visitors, and while targeting those, we’ll keep our ears and eyes out for other migrants. We overnight on the tiny islet where we may see the spectacular blue bioluminescence that makes the rocky coastline sparkle by night. Day 4: Dongyin to Nangang Today we take a two hour ferry journey from Dongyin to the larger Nangang island. With additional shorebird habitat and some slightly different habitats we hope to find some different birds. Day 5: Nangang to Taipei After some last minute birding, we transfer from Nangang to Taipei’s Songshan Airport in downtown Taipei via a short flight. We will swing over to the Botanical Gardens where we hope to catch up with the resident Malayan Night-Heron, Light-vented Bulbul, and Japanese White-eye, as well as our first endemic, Taiwan Barbet. The city parks may be holding thrushes or other good passage migrants. We head over the hills north of Taipei for the night, where we enjoy an evening of Dim-sum, and maybe some of the unique Taiwanese dumplings. Day 6: Yehliu to Taoyuan We will spend the morning birding the Yehliu Peninsula which is the best migrant trap on mainland Taiwan. What may be around is impossible to guess, but over the years Yehlui has hosted many unusual birds, and is a regular stopover for for Siberian Rubythroat, Asian Stubtail, and more. We have some other spots to try depending on how our luck holds at Yehliu, before heading to Taoyuan International Airport, where we meet up with those joining our main tour. Trip Considerations PACE: Moderate. For all birding we will need to be up early, around 5-5:30am, and stay out late, around 5:30pm, in order to take advantage of the best birding hours. Where possible we will use the middle of the day to relax, or travel between localities, but many days will be full days in the field. There will be a few optional outings after dark to search for owls, flying squirrels or frogs; these are normally done after dinner and seldom last for more than an hour (typically between about 7 and 8 pm). The ferry from the main island to Matsu (extension only) lasts at least 10 hours (more if there is no direct ferry), but bunk beds are available so that it can pass surprisingly quickly and comfortably. “Convenience store” breakfasts are the norm, which are preferable to the traditional cold rice porridge and pickles served in many of the hotels. We’ll also have a few picnic lunches, but hot water is usually available to have hot beverages and instant noodles. All dinners and some lunches are sit down affairs, and this is where Taiwanese cuisine shines; those who enjoy Asian food are usually delighted with the smorgasbord on offer. The highest altitude is the pass at Wuling, which is around 10,700 ft (3275 m), but we don’t really stay there long and don’t do much walking, so is not likely to be an issue for most people. All accommodation is at much lower elevation. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Mostly easy. There is a fair amount of walking involved, and one should be comfortable birding for 6-7 hours a day and walking around 2 miles (3 km) per day. Almost all the birding is done from roadsides or easy trails, but there are a couple of small exceptions. Reaching the blind at Chiayi Firefly involves walking about 300 ft (100 m) down a steep and slippery trail, and some of the Fairy Pitta stakeouts on the last 2 days may require short walks on more difficult trails – a walking stick can come in handy. CLIMATE: This tour takes place in Taiwan’s spring. The higher altitude sites are cool (usually 40°-70°F, 4°-21°C), and we’ll spend a short amount of time at a pass where the temps can get down to near freezing. The climate in the lowlands is humid and warm (usually 60°-85°F, 16°-29°C). The amount of rainfall varies a lot from tour to tour, but at least some can be expected. ACCOMMODATION: Very good on the main tour: all have private, en-suite bathrooms, full-time hot water, and 24 hour electricity. Internet is widespread, but not available at the remote Dashueshan. At higher altitudes, the interior of the rooms is chilly, but warm blankets are provided. On the extension, the first night is spent on a ferry where bunk beds in shared cabins are available, and bathrooms are also shared; elsewhere on the extension the accommodation is decent to very good with private bathrooms and hot water. PHOTOGRAPHY: If you are a casual photographer, you will enjoy this trip. Nowhere in Asia are birds more cooperative and easier to take pictures of, and because as birders we are visiting many places where once-scare and skittish birds are fed, there is plenty of opportunity to indulge in some shooting without costing us any species. If you are a serious photographer, our Taiwan: Birding with a Camera® Tour (BwC) will likely be a better option. WHEN TO GO: We time our set-departure tour for when wintering birds are departing and many summer birds are arriving. Simultaneously, the residents are breeding, so it makes it a great combo. But if you were planning a custom tour and were only interested in residents and endemics, then anytime from March – September works, and if you fancy the best of the migrants and wintering birds, then October to November and March to early April also work. Other Information TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required; the passport must be valid for at least six months past your intended stay. Tourist visas are currently not required for citizens of the US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and most European countries. For other countries, please check with the nearest embassy or consulate, or ask our office staff for help. Travel requirements are subject to change; it’s a good idea to double check six weeks before you travel. WHAT’S INCLUDED?: Tips to drivers, local guides, and lodge/restaurant staff; accommodation from the night of day 1 to the night day 9; and night of day 1 to day 5 of the extension; meals from dinner on day 1 (unless you arrive too late for dinner service) to lunch on day 10; Dinner on day 1 to lunch on day 6 of the extension; reasonable non-alcoholic drinks with meals; safe drinking water between meals; Tropical Birding full-time bird tour leader with scope and audio playback gear from the evening of day 1 to the afternoon of day 10; one arrival and one departure airport transfer per person specifically on arrival day and departure day respectively (transfers may be shared with other participants of the same tour if they arrive at the same time); ground transport for the group to all sites in the itinerary from the evening of day 1 to the afternoon of day 10 (evening of day 1 to the afternoon of day 6 of the extension) in a suitable vehicle; the extension includes two ferry trips from Keelung to Dongyin (8-hours), and Dongyin to Nangang (2-hours), and a flight back from Nangang to Songshan in Taipei, entrance fees to sites mentioned in the itinerary; a printed and bound checklist to keep track of your sightings (given to you at the start of the tour – only electronic copies can be provided in advance). WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?: Optional tips to the tour leader; tips for luggage porters at hotels (if you require their services); international flights; snacks; additional drinks apart from those included; alcoholic beverages; travel insurance; airport-hotel transfers on days that fall outside the prescribed arrival and departure days; excursions not included in the tour itinerary; extras in hotels such as laundry service, minibar, room service, telephone calls, and personal items; medical fees; excess baggage fees; other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included. Tawain Endemics Review Anchor Tour Reviews *Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it!

South Africa: Birding Kruger NP and the Northeast Tour Overview: South Africa is a spectacularly beautiful country that is rich in wildlife. The richest region is the northeast, which has high-elevation grasslands and montane forests, rugged and rocky escarpments, and the vast lowveld savanna of Kruger National Park. This tour is designed for those who want a short trip: people with limited vacation time, or those who are already in South Africa for other reasons. It’s guided by local experts that know the region intimately and spend most of their time in Kruger and adjacent locations. As the leaders live in the area, this tour is easily done any time of year as a short custom tour. If you’re interested, please write to ask the Tropical Birding office for more information about that option. This itinerary will provide an excellent introduction to Africa for those who have done little or no birding on the continent before. Spectacular species include a host of bee-eaters, hornbills, kingfishers, barbets, and sunbirds, plus some fine endemics like Gurney’s Sugarbird and Buff-streaked Chat. Kruger has a full array of big mammals, including the “Big Five” and other delights such as Hippo, Giraffe, Plains Zebra, and Cheetah. We will enjoy Kruger in a luxurious open-topped land-cruiser, making sure we do not spend unnecessary hours driving in a car, nor having a cramped game-viewing experience in a van like many of our competitors. Leopard Ken Behrens Bokmakeirie Ken Behrens Southern Yellow Hornbill Ken Behrens Gray Go-away-bird Nick Athanas Kurrichane Thrush Nick Athanas Burchells Courser Keith Barnes Helmeted Guineafowl Ken Behrens Gray-headed Bushshrike Ken Behrens Crested Francolin Nick Athanas Natal Francolin Nick Athanas African Mourning Dove Ken Behrens Magpie Shrike Lizard Buzzard Ken Behrens Spotted Hyena Lisle Gwynn Leopard Ken Behrens Bokmakeirie Ken Behrens Southern Yellow Hornbill Ken Behrens Gray Go-away-bird Nick Athanas Kurrichane Thrush Nick Athanas Burchells Courser Keith Barnes Helmeted Guineafowl Ken Behrens Gray-headed Bushshrike Ken Behrens Crested Francolin Nick Athanas Natal Francolin Nick Athanas African Mourning Dove Ken Behrens Magpie Shrike Lizard Buzzard Ken Behrens Spotted Hyena Lisle Gwynn Leopard Ken Behrens Bokmakeirie Ken Behrens Southern Yellow Hornbill Ken Behrens Gray Go-away-bird Nick Athanas Kurrichane Thrush Nick Athanas Burchells Courser Keith Barnes Helmeted Guineafowl Ken Behrens Gray-headed Bushshrike Ken Behrens Crested Francolin Nick Athanas Natal Francolin Nick Athanas African Mourning Dove Ken Behrens Magpie Shrike Lizard Buzzard Ken Behrens Spotted Hyena Lisle Gwynn Tour Details: 2026 2 - 11 October $39 90; single supplement: $650 2027 1 - 10 October Price: TBA Length: 10 Days Starting City: Kruger Mpumalanga Int. Airport Ending City: Kruger Mpumalanga Int. Airport Pace: Moderate Physical Difficulty: Easy Focus: Birds, Wildlife Group size: 8 + 1 Leader Ready to Book? Book Here South Africa Trip Reports View/Write Tour Reviews Detailed Itinerary Note: There are many great lodges and resthouses both inside and adjacent to Kruger National Park. The exact lodges we stay in from year to year often change based on availability, local conditions, recommendations by our local guide, etc. If you would like to know the lodges that we expect to stay in on a particular tour, please send us an email. Day 1: Kaapschehoop Participants fly directly into the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, for the start of this tour. After checking into the lodge, we will head out for an afternoon in a beautiful patch of Afromontane Forest. This habitat holds a completely different and mouth-watering set of birds from Kruger. These include African Emerald Cuckoo, Orange Ground-Thrush, Narina Trogon, and Bush Blackcap. Day 2: Kaapschehoop to Hazyview This morning we explore the high-altitude grasslands and forested valleys of the Kaapsehoop region, a biodiversity-rich area renowned for its striking scenery and unique birdlife. We'll search for a suite of sought-after birds that occur in this habitat mosaic, including Red-winged Francolin, Buff-streaked Chat, Orange-throated Longclaw, and Cape Grassbird. Kaapsehoop is also a reliable site for Gurney’s Sugarbird when aloes are in bloom. The combination of wide-open views, rich bird diversity, and the chance to encounter some real Southern African specials makes this a truly memorable birding destination. At mid-day, we’ll drive to Hazyview and check into our hotel. The afternoon will be spent enjoying the area’s beautiful mountain scenery and searching for birds like Cape Rock-Thrush and Barratt’s Warbler. We have one night in Hazyview. Day 3: Hazyview to Kruger NP This is an exciting day, as it’s the day we enter the legendary Kruger National Park. This park is huge and diverse. Birding here is fantastic, with many species living right in the park’s camps. The staccato calls of the Woodland Kingfisher and ridiculous moans of the Gray Go-away-bird reverberate throughout most lodgings. Elsewhere Saddle-billed Storks and White-crowned Lapwings patrol the river edges, while menacing Nile Crocodiles watch from distant sandbanks. While looking for birds, we will undoubtedly bump into vast numbers of large mammals, including the possibility of Lion, Leopard, African Elephant, African Buffalo, and two species of rhinoceros. Kruger holds the famous “Big Five”, and much much more. This is an area where there is never a dull moment! We'll spend the night at one of several lodges in or near the park. Days 4-9: Kruger NP in-depth Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s greatest natural treasures, and throughout our journey we’ll experience a variety of its most rewarding habitats. We’ll stay at a mix of camps, each offering unique access to the park’s extraordinary diversity — from dry mopane woodlands to moist mixed savannas and lush riverine corridors. Our days will blend relaxed bird walks in the leafy campgrounds with thrilling game drives through some of the richest ecosystems in the southern and central regions of the park. There are a swathe of great camps throughout and adjacent to the park. We intend on visiting a variety of them – as they each have their own character – and make the most of the richest ecosystems within the park in the south and central part of the park. We will explore a mix of riverine habitats and dry woodland ecosystems. The day may include game drives along a scenic river, bird walks around the camp area, and some downtime during the hotter part of the day. The dry surrounding landscapes often concentrate wildlife around the river, providing excellent viewing opportunities. Bird walks inside of the camp may reveal species like African Scops-Owl, and Golden-tailed and Bearded Woodpecker. Species that we might spot on the broad and sandy banks of the river include Hippo, Nile Crocodile, Saddle-billed and Marabou Storks, and Goliath Heron. African Fish Eagles and Pied Kingfishers patrol the skies, and swoop down on unsuspecting fish, which they pluck from the river’s amazingly clear water. On one of the days we drive through a vast and wild section of south / central Kruger. Although there aren’t as many big mammals here as there is further south, the seemingly endless and open nature of this landscape gives it a special, Serengeti-like feel. The sight of a distant herd of Elephants or Giraffe necks littering the horizon is not soon forgotten. Small dams along the way can hold a bounty of waterbirds like Abdim’s Stork, Hamerkop, Water Thick-knee, and African Jacana. We'll spend the night at one of several lodges in or near the park. If we are able to stay at one of the central camps we can expect their spacious grounds to hold Crested Barbet, Bearded and Bennett’s Woodpeckers, Brown-headed Parrot, and Sulphur-breasted Bush-Shrike. Sometimes there are even tame Bushbuck munching on the green lawns! The southern areas though, offer panoramic views over the western lowlands of Kruger combined with one of the very best mammal-watching portions of the park, along the banks of the Sabie River. This is a great area for the rare Nyala, highly threatened White Rhino, and for Lion and Leopard. Careful scans of the sandy riverbanks may reveal the localized White-crowned Lapwing. We will also enjoy several of the dedicated Bird Hides, which gives us a good chance to get out of the vehicle, and perhaps enjoy intimate views of some waterbirds. Then we’ll continue through some beautiful grasslands, looking for marquee birds like Secretarybird, Lappet-faced Vulture, and Lilac-breasted Roller. At mid-day, we’ll have some time off, then head out for an afternoon drive. We’ll be sure to visit the perfectly-situated Lake Panic bird hide, a great spot for waterbirds like African Jacana, Black Crake, African Fish Eagle, Giant and Pied Kingfishers, and Black Heron. Day 10: Skukuza to Kruger Airport After a final drive, we’ll head out of Kruger, and back to the Kruger Mpumalanga airport, to catch outbound flights. Trip Considerations PACE: Moderate. The days here in the summer are long. We will typically be up early, around 5:30 am, and stay out until around 5 pm. When possible we will use the middle of the day to rest up, but on some days we will use this time to travel between localities. All our meals will be at restaurants. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Easy. Almost all the birding is from mostly flat roads or tracks, or from the vehicle. The maximum walking on any day is likely around 2 miles (3 km). CLIMATE : Usually pleasant and warm, though some nights and mornings can be on the cool side. Overall the weather is usually very nice in both September (usually 47°-70°F, 8°-21°C) and January (usually 53°-86°F, 12°-30°C). On the January trip rain is possible. ACCOMMODATION: Very good. All have private, en-suite bathrooms, and full-time hot water. Electricity is available everywhere 24 hours a day. Internet is available in most but not all lodges, though sometimes you need to buy a wifi voucher to access it. PHOTOGRAPHY: If you are a casual photographer, you will love this trip! Birds are cooperative, and mammals are easy to take pictures of, and because as we are visiting many places where birds are common, tame and easily seen, there are plenty of opportunities for the casual photographer to indulge and enjoy shooting. Our open-topped vehicle in Kruger also makes for an excellent photographic experience as everyone will be able to easily use their cameras. It is important to be aware that this is primarily a birding tour, so if you are a serious photographer, you may wish to consider our South Africa Photo Tour . WHEN TO GO: The October spring trip is timed for peak activity of breeding birds. There are fewer migrants around and the overall bird list is shorter, but this time of year is perhaps best for South Africa’s endemics. Also, the bush is drier and it is easier to see mammals. In February, it is mid-summer, and it can be harder to find locally breeding birds. However, there is a wave of late-season migrants that have arrived, and we are likely to see a greater number of species than on October trips, and more of the spectacular male widowbirds and whydahs will be in breeding plumage. The bush thickens after the early summer rains, and we can expect the mammals to be a little harder to find in February than October. Other Information TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required; the passport must be valid for at least six months past your intended stay. Tourist visas are currently not required for citizens of the US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and most European countries. Visas are currently only required of a few nationalities, mostly in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Travel requirements are subject to change; if you are unsure, please check with the nearest embassy or consulate, or ask our office staff for help. WHAT’S INCLUDED?: Tips to lodge/restaurant staff; accommodation from the night of day 1 to the night of day 9; meals from lunch on day 1 to breakfast on day 10; reasonable non-alcoholic drinks during meals; safe drinking water between meals; Tropical Birding tour leader from day 1 to the afternoon of day 10; ground transport for the group to all sites in the itinerary from day 1 to day 10 in a suitable vehicle; an elegant open-topped safari van within Kruger NP. Entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the itinerary; a printed and bound checklist to keep track of your sightings (given to you at the start of the tour – only electronic copies can be provided in advance). WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?: Optional tips to the tour leader; tips for luggage porters (if you require their services); flights; snacks; additional drinks apart from those included; alcoholic beverages; travel insurance; excursions not included in the tour itinerary; extras in hotels such as laundry service, minibar, room service, telephone calls, wifi vouchers, and personal items; medical fees; other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included. Tour Reviews *Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it!

Paraguay: Enigmatic Wildlife Tour (EWT) Tour Overview: Paraguay is a fascinating and under-visited country. Folks from Ohio and Pennsylvania will find some odd familiarity in the hinterlands where Mennonite communities are the chief farmers, and blonde-haired blue-eyed Paraguayans speak a Germanic-lilted-Spanish. Great jams, good beef, and fresh bread follow the people. The semiarid lowland dry forests of the Chaco are home to the highest mammal diversity in Paraguay. The Chaco’s name is derived from the Quechua word chaqu, which translates to “hunting land”. While we will be doing a different type of “hunting”, the name is a testament to the incredible diversity and density of mammals. Although much of the Chaco has been farmed and is fragmented, our hosts have secured access to a variety of very cool private reserves, and located the finest remaining patches harboring the best mammals and birds. The dry and thorny vegetated forests here help reveal a slew of enigmatic species. Throughout the tour we will use several mammal watching techniques which can vary from night drives and walks, hiking local trails, or waiting at mineral deposits and waterholes. There are a lot of mammal species in Paraguay, but we hope to see around 28-35 species. Some of the highlights being the Chaco endemic Southern Three-banded Armadillo, Azaras’s Capuchin, Azara’s Night Monkey, Geoffroy’s Cat, Giant Anteater, Lowland Tapir, Black-and-Gold Howler Monkey (extension), Plains Viscacha, Chocoan Mara, Molina's Hog-nosed Skunk and Pampas Fox. There are several rarities possible, including big cats, but there are only slim chances of these. We will also likely see quite a few bats, including the ‘mega’ Common Vampire Bat. The bird diversity is also attractive with over 450 species recorded, including many Chaco specialties. While our focus will be mammals, birding highlights may include Black-legged Seriema, Greater Rhea, Chaco Owl, Spot-breasted ‘Chaco’ Puffbird, Many-colored Chaco Finch, Crested Gallito, Chaco Earthcreeper, and Chaco Chachalaca. Part of the humid Chaco is very similar to the adjacent Pantanal, replete with flooded wetlands, and we should see a smorgasbord of waterbirds including Southern Screamer, Jabiru, Maguari Stork, and waterfowl galore including the rather local Ringed Teal. For admirers of other types of wildlife there are over 3,000 species of plants, over 200 species of reptiles and amphibians, and countless insects and other invertebrates. White-lipped Peccary Andrey Giljov & Karina Karenina Southern Three-banded Armadillo Andrey Giljov & Karina Karenina Ocelot Pablo Cervantes Daza Giant Anteater Andrey Giljov & Karina Karenina Brazilian White-eared Opossum Keith Barnes Geoffroy's Cat Andrey Giljov & Karina Karenina Toco Toucan Nick Athanas Molina's Hog-nosed Skunk Andrey Giljov & Karina Karenina Puma Andrey Giljov & Karina Karenina Black-and-gold Howler Keith Barnes South American Coati Andrey Giljov & Karina Karenina Southern Three-banded Armadillo Andrey Giljov & Karina Karenina Tayra Andrey Giljov & Karina Karenina Orange-backed Troupial Andrey Giljov & Karina Karenina Surucua Trogon Andrey Giljov & Karina Karenina Tapeti Andrey Giljov & Karina Karenina Lowland Yellow-throated Cavy Andrey Giljov & Karina Karenina Lesser Grison Andrey Giljov & Karina Karenina Lowland Tapir Andrey Giljov & Karina Karenina Crab-eating Fox Sam Woods Six-banded Aramadillo Andrey Giljov & Karina Karenina Giant Wood-Rail Nick Athanas Collared Peccary Andrey Giljov & Karina Karenina Red-crested Finch Andrey Giljov & Karina Karenina Pale-crested Woodpecker Andres Vasquez Tour Details: 2026 Main Tour: 18 - 30 August $5890; single supplement: $600* *Singles may not be available in all locations. Extension: 30 August - 1 September $900; single supplement: $90 Length: 13 days (15 days with extension) Starting City: Asunción Ending City: Asunción Pace: Moderate-i ntense Physical Difficulty: Easy-moderate Focus: Wildlife, Birding Group size: 6 + 1 TB Leader Ready to Book? Book Here More Trip Reports View/Write Tour Reviews Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Arrival in Asunción After arrival in Asunción, you will be transferred to our hotel in the city, where the first group activity will be dinner, when the plan for the following days will be outlined to all. Day 2: Asunción to Monte Lindo Our first full day will start with an early breakfast. Our first wildlife stop will be at a park on the outskirts of the Asunción, where we will search for the beautiful Azaras's Capuchin. This “vulnerable” species has wonderful pale facial markings and can be truly captivating to watch when interacting with their troop. We will also be sure to enjoy some of the local ‘eastern’ wetter forest birds found in the park, like Campo Flicker and Plush-crested Jay. Afterwards, we drive for 100-miles (200 km, 2-3 hours) until we reach Monte Lindo Reserve, located in the transition between wet and dry forest in the Chaco. Here we combine wildlife drives and short walks, including visiting some bat colonies in abandoned buildings, hoping to find Common Vampire Bat and Woolly False Vampire Bat. We will then visit a roost for the Azara’s Night Monkey at sunset to watch them as they awaken for their nocturnal activities. We will continue with a night drive to search for species like Giant Anteater, Southern Tamandua, Crab-eating Raccoon, and Capybara. Birds we hope to encounter (during the daytime), are Southern Screamer, Red-legged Seriema, Giant Wood-Rail, Chestnut-capped Blackbird and Toco Toucan. Night at a nearby hotel. Day 3: Monte Lindo to Estancia Campo’i After breakfast, we begin our 160-mile (260km, 5-6 hours) drive to reach Estancia Campo’i. This delightful estancia is one of the nicest places we stay on the trip. Upon arrival, we will get settled in and have lunch. Afterwards people can rest up for a long night of mammal watching to follow. There are a series of shallow ponds and the waterbirds are remarkable including Jabiru, Maguari Stork, and a slew of Whistling-Ducks and Ringed Teal. Some amazing Furnarids roam the grounds of the property including the smart Lark-like Brushrunner and incredible Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper. In the late afternoon and night we will drive throughout the property and search for species like Southern Tamandua and Six-banded Armadillo, as well as any birds that are frequenting the area, including Chaco Chachalaca, Ultramarine Grosbeak, and Turquoise-fronted Amazon. The property has water holes which are very useful for observing some of the area’s more elusive species. With some luck and patience, we may see the delightful Geoffroy’s Cat, Southern Three-banded Armadillo, and Molina’s Hog-nosed Skunk. We will be at Campo’i for a two-night stay. Day 4: Fortin Toldeo After an early breakfast, we head for Fortin Toledo Reserve for the day. This small nature reserve is located right next to the Chacoan Peccary Breeding Center, a fantastic place in the heart of some unique cactus forests very typical of the Dry Chaco. In this habitat we will see the presence of the mounds of the Conover’s Tuco-tuco, a member of the strange fossorial rodent family Ctenomyidae, but it is very unlikely we will see them. We will also have more opportunities on the night drive and night walk to search for Geoffroy’s Cat, Screaming Hairy Armadillo, Crab-eating Fox and Lowland Tapir. On this day we will also be searching for several key bird targets too, like Black-legged Seriema, Blue-and-yellow Tanager and White-fronted Woodpecker. We return to Campo’I under the cover of dark for a second night. Day 5: Teniente Enciso National Park The day will start out seeking birds like Blue-tufted Starthroat and Pale-crested Woodpecker. Afterwards, we depart for a drive to reach Teniente Enciso National Park. Quite different from the previous locality, it is the driest part of the country and characterized by low spiny shrubs and vegetation. We will check into a local ranger station, our accommodation for the next night. The park has waterholes which have been famously visited by Puma (very rare, and unlikely) and a habituated Lowland Tapir. In the afternoon we will do some birdwatching and then spend the night searching for mammals. We will drive the nearby roads in hopes of seeing bizarre Plains Viscachas and then proceed with a night and morning session around the waterholes. Day 6: Cañada el Carmen Reserve and Aurora Chaqueña We will drive the 75 miles (120 km) to Cañada del Carmen Reserve; an NGO-owned reserve is important as it protects a unique Chaco xeromorphic forest. As we drive, we will be searching for birds and if we are supremely lucky, we may see a Jaguarundi. The landscape is harsh and dry, dominated by cacti and shrubs. The open habitat and water scarcity makes the water holes here productive, with potential for the very difficult Geoffroy’s Cat. In the afternoon we head for Aurora Chaqueña. Another delightful private reserve in the midst of the farming zones that are the Chaco. This place supports a great selection of birds, but perhaps the scarcest amongst them is the Black-bodied Woodpecker. A large waterhole here can be great for mammals coming to drink, including Lowland Tapir and Giant Anteater, and hopefully we will see one of these amongst the more regular quarry such as the Greater Bulldog (Fishing) Bats and occasionally the spectacular Scissor-tailed Nightjars. Day 7: Reserva Selva Serena The Dry Chaco here supports a very similar avifauna to the Chaco Lodge area, and we may encounter more Crested Gallito, but it is the only likely place we will see Olive-crowned Crescentchest, a spectacular member of a small family with only a handful or relatives elsewhere on the continent. Our nocturnal activities will be seeking many of the same mammals we are looking for elsewhere on the trip, perhaps supplemented by a gorgeous Chaco or Striped Owls. Day 8: Estancia Iparoma After breakfast, we begin our drive to reach Estancia Iparoma. Upon arrival, we will get settled in and have lunch. Afterwards people can rest up for a long night of mammal watching to follow. In the late afternoon and night we will drive throughout the property and search for species like Southern Tamandua and Six-banded Armadillo, as well as any birds that are frequenting the area, including Chaco Chachalaca, Great Rufous Woodcreeper, Chaco Puffbird and Ultramarine Grosbeak. After dark and with some luck and patience, we may see the delightful Geoffroy’s Cat, odd almost deer like rodent Chacoan Mara, guinea-pigesque Lowland Yellow-toothed Cavy or Molina’s Hog-nosed Skunk. Days 9 - 10: Laguna Capitan / Choco Lodge We are headed into a part of the country that requires significant flexibility. The flocculating clay soils here make roads that are like concrete when dry, more like oil-covered ice when they are wet. Thus, our plans are very contingent on weather and road conditions. There are a variety of local lagoons and salt-pans nearby where we may see Chilaen Flamingo, Large-billed Terns and perhaps some early arriving shorebirds. The terrestrial cactus-laden dry Chaco supports the funky Crested Gallito and local Chaco Earthcreeper. We will spend two days in this rich area for mammals to increase our chances of seeing at least some of the elusive mammals there. The routines over these days will be the same, our mornings will start with a very early breakfast, before we drive to visit the waterholes. We should also get some close-up views of local birds, such as Many-colored Chaco Finch, Ringed Warbling Finch, and Golden-billed Saltator. Mammals such as Gray Brocket Deer, Tayra and South American Coati are also possible. We will spend the afternoons either driving the area around the dried-up lagoons, depending on the local activity and what we have seen by that stage. At nights we will spotlight the nearby area to search for species like Molina’s Hog-nosed Skunk, Pampas Fox, Lowland Tapir, Crab-eating Fox, and Gray Brocket Deer. Day 11: Return to Monte Lindo Today we make our way back towards Monte Lindo, a reserve we enjoyed on the first couple of days on tour. But because it’s got a lot to offer, we make a return visit so that we can unearth anything we missed the first time round. Day 12: Estancia Playada to Asunción Today we make the long drive back to Paraguay’s capital, Asunción. As we make the drive we will stop for lunch and check an old highway bridge for the potential of seeing several bat species. The Diminutive Serotine Bat is almost always present, but we also have a good chance at seeing the Brown Mastiff Bat. Later, the weather will either make or break the day. Again, we are dealing with potentially sticky soils if it rains, but if it doesn’t we can make our way towards the Estancia Playada area that’s quite different from anything we have explored thus far. We explore the fringes of the Mesopotamian (who knows why it’s called that) Grassland system, more associated with Argentina. A combination of native Papyrus and palm-strewn grasslands delivers a bunch of new species, Greater Thornbird, stunning White-browed Meadowlark, and a bevy of new seedeaters including Double-collared, Tawny-bellied and Rufous-rumped Seedeaters. If we make it all the way to the riparian forest strips near the Paraguay River, if we are very lucky, we may even encounter Black-and-Gold ‘Paraguay’ Howler Monkeys. Afterwards we will check in to our accommodation near the airport for departures the following day. Day 13: Departures from Asunción/START OLIVARES EXTENSION Today is set as a departure day, clients will receive transfer to the airport where our services end. Those embarking on the post tour extension will continue today with the extension (see below). Olivares Reserve - 3 days This 3-day post-tour extension will begin in Asunción and visit the Olivares Private Reserve. Here we will be visiting a section of the “Wet Chaco”, a more humid and tropical section of the Chaco Forest. Our target here is the Black-and-gold Howler Monkey, one of the largest New World primates as well as one of the loudest! These monkeys are regularly encountered, giving us a great chance to see them in their native range. We will also travel by boat along the Manduvira and Paraguay Rivers to enjoy several species of birds like Black Skimmer, Black-capped Donacobius, Gray Monjita and Striped Cuckoo. We will also go night walks to search for Chacoan Gracile Opossum and White-eared Opossum as well as reptiles and amphibians. Extension Itinerary at a Glance: Day 1: Asunción to Olivares Private Reserve/night Olivares Private Reserve cabins Day 2: Olivares Private Reserve to Asunción/night Asunción Day 3: Departures from Asunción Trip Considerations PACE : Moderate-Intense. Early mornings and late nights will offer us the best opportunities for wildlife activity, particularly for mammals. The timing of each day will vary slightly since some days we will prioritize nighttime activities, and other days we will prioritize early morning activities. Most days will allow for mid-day breaks, and we will be checked in to each night’s accommodation prior to nighttime activities, allowing guests to “sit it out” if needed. There are many single night stays on this tour, to cover more ground and increase our chances at getting a diverse list. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY : Easy-Moderate. Most major activities will be based around driving and sitting in near waterholes. Hiking will also be done to watch some mammal species as well as birds. Most birding activities will be done through short hikes on mostly flat terrain. Weather can always impact trail conditions and clients should be prepared with proper sun protection, rain gear, proper footwear for hiking, and hiking poles if needed. The toughest physical challenges on the tour will be long days of driving and sitting near waterholes waiting. The long days can also be physically impactful, so it is important for clients to pace themselves and sit out of certain activities when needed. Most roads we drive will be dirt roads and dusty and so can cause irritation in some cases due to prolonged exposure, this can be managed with over-the-counter antihistamines. CLIMATE : The days can be hot and dry, with the daytime temperatures ranging from 80°F to 99°F (27°C to 37°C), with the possibility of 3–4-day heatwaves bringing up mid-day temperatures to 110°F (44°C). The nights are usually warm, but occasionally the temperature can drop to 41°F to 50°F (5°C to 10°C). Sun exposure is high, and skies are often clear, so sunscreen and protection are essential on this tour. We will be avoiding peak mid-day temperatures by remaining indoors or in vehicles with AC. Most, if not all, activities will be done in the early morning, late afternoon and night. We will not be visiting in the wet season, which is very beneficial to our tour. The vegetation will be less dense, and water will be limited to water holes, which will increase our chances of viewing elusive species seeking water during a dry period. However lighter showers are possible, so pack accordingly. ACCOMMODATION : The localities we will be visiting do not receive many tourists, so accommodation options are sparse and limited. Accommodations vary from larger double rooms to more limited bunk-bed rooms (no one will have to use the top bunks), with occasionally shared bathroom spaces. We will have three meals a day, with almost all meals being prepared in the field by a local cook. The meals will be simple, but plentiful. Hotels typically have full-time electricity, but occasionally power cuts may occur. Many hotels will have WIFI, but it is not always reliable. Therefore, I would not expect a good WIFI signal to be available each day. Hot water and AC will be available in almost all accommodations except for Teniete Enciso NP and Canada el Carmen ranger stations, but fans will be provided during this time. Patience is appreciated but adaptability is required. We will be changing accommodations frequently (on most nights), and so there many one-night stays on this tour. There is no camping done on this tour. PLEASE NOTE: Single supplements may not be available in all locations, and shared bathrooms are fairly standard. PHOTOGRAPHY : This is an Enigmatic Wildlife Tour, meaning photography is not the top priority. Assuring everyone sees the wildlife will take precedence over getting good photos. Most wildlife will be seen from vehicles, waterholes and trails. We will use flashlights to view mammals as they visit waterholes, and these instances will present the best mammal photography opportunities. As we walk trails in the morning and afternoon we will be searching for bird targets as well, which may present good field photography. Clients are welcome to bring camera gear for when any photo opportunities arise. Since we will be focusing on several groups of animals it would be best to bring an array of lenses. The most suitable lens would be a zoom lens with a focal length between 300mm and 500mm, to allow optimal reach for birds and mammals. For reptile, amphibian, invertebrate and plant photography a macro lens is best, between the 60mm and 105mm length. GEAR : Binoculars are the most essential item for wildlife viewing, but photographers are encouraged to bring their cameras and lenses too. Due to the limited need for a scope, the guide will not be bringing a scope on this tour. If you would like to bring your own scope you may do so too. However, scopes will be difficult or impossible to use in the vehicles, so will only be useful occasionally. A tripod is always welcomed but keep in mind that all our photography will be opportunistic which means you will have to be quick and then can get in the way of this. Monopods are often a better, quicker and more portable option. However, neither a monopod nor tripod is necessary for this tour. Proper hiking gear and attire is essential. Long pants are best due to the thorny and sharp nature of the forest. Light gloves are recommended for people on night sessions, especially those planning on spotlighting along with the guides. Sunglasses and wide-brim hats are essential too, for our walks in open areas with high levels of exposure to the sun. Mosquito head nets and insect repellent will not be provided, so if you are concerned about insects, it is good to bring both. Other gear requirements are good footwear (like hiking boots with good traction and ankle support), hiking poles, and a day backpack (something that will be sufficient for carrying camera gear, snacks, enough water, etc.), and sunscreen. Having a way to carry water on hikes is essential in order to avoid any heat exposure aliments, the water itself is provided but the reusable bottles are not. Hiking poles are encouraged (especially if you have any balance issues) due to the varying terrain and trail conditions we will experience. In case of rain, which is low, a waterproof bag and rain jacket are recommended. It’s always best to prepare for the worst conditions! Lastly, many activities will take place at night. A flashlight and/or rechargeable headlamp are essential. If you wish to get recommendations of good flashlights for wildlife observation, please contact Tropical Birding and we will be happy to give some of our guide recommendations. A small power bank is also very useful for recharging headlamps and phones during long periods in the field or longer drives. WHEN TO GO : This is an excellent time to visit the Chaco, as we will be avoiding the wet season, which can cause issues such as adverse weather or washed-out roads, leading to more likely cancelation of activities. July, August and September are the best months since many mammals and birds are very active, the vegetation is also sparser at this time, and the limited water supply in the area can increase visitation of species to the few remaining waterholes. The temperatures are also at their most comfortable during this time. Other Information TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS : A valid passport is required; the passport must be valid for at least six months past your intended stay and should have at least on blank page. For tourist visitors, citizens of most western countries a visa can be obtained on arrival (although, please check this with your local consulate to see if anything has changed on this front! WHAT’S INCLUDED? : Tips to drivers, local guides, and lodge staff; accommodation from the night of day 1 to the night of day 12 on the main tour; accommodation for one night on the extension, if taking part in that too; meals on the main tour from dinner on day 1 (unless you arrive too late for dinner service) to breakfast on day 13 (if you have a very early departing flight, you may miss the included breakfast on the last day); If taking the extension, the included meals are from breakfast on day 1 of this to breakfast on day 2 (unless you leave before breakfasts are served at the hotel); safe drinking water throughout; Tropical Birding tour leader with spotlights, mammal-watching and audio gear from the morning of day 2 to the night of day 12 on the main tour; from day 1 through to the morning of day 3 of the extension if joining that; one arrival and one departure airport transfer per person on designated arrival and departure days (transfers may be shared with other participants of the same tour or other guests at the same hotel); ground transport for the group to all sites in the itinerary from day 2 to day 12 of the main tour in a suitable vehicle with a local driver; and if taking the extension from the morning of day 1 through the morning of day 3 on that part; entrance fees to birding sites mentioned in the itinerary; a printed and bound checklist to keep track of your sightings (given to you at the start of the tour – only electronic copies can be provided in advance). WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED? : Optional tips to the TROPICAL BIRDING tour leader; tips for luggage porters in any city hotels (if you require their services); international flights; snacks; additional drinks apart from those included; alcoholic beverages; travel insurance; excursions not included in the tour itinerary; extras in hotels such as laundry service, minibar, room service, telephone calls, and personal items; medical fees; other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included. Tour Reviews *Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it!

China Photo Tour Tour Overview: Once considered off limits to western travelers the borders of China have opened, and along with it an incredible array of birds and photography opportunities. This tour provides westerners with an epic journey to see and photograph some of China’s most memorable species. Over the last decade the country has changed in many significant ways, allowing ecotourism for western travelers to be easier than ever before! The local communities are filled with friendly faces, the food is diverse and delicious, the highways have been repaved to allow for easier travel, and even the bathrooms at most hotels have been converted to western styled “sit-down” toilets. Most importantly, the visa process for Americans is much easier than it was in past years. Traveling to China has never been easier, so now is the time to see one of the world’s most incredible nations for bird diversity. Reeve's Pheasant Steven An Silver Pheasant Pablo Cervantes Daza Lady Amherst's Pheasant Pablo Cervantes Daza Lady Amherst's Pheasant Pablo Cervantes Daza Moustached Laughingthrush Pablo Cervantes Daza Cabot's Tragopan Steven An Reeve's Pheasant Steven An Silver Pheasant Pablo Cervantes Daza Lady Amherst's Pheasant Pablo Cervantes Daza Lady Amherst's Pheasant Pablo Cervantes Daza Moustached Laughingthrush Pablo Cervantes Daza Cabot's Tragopan Steven An Reeve's Pheasant Steven An Silver Pheasant Pablo Cervantes Daza Lady Amherst's Pheasant Pablo Cervantes Daza Lady Amherst's Pheasant Pablo Cervantes Daza Moustached Laughingthrush Pablo Cervantes Daza Cabot's Tragopan Steven An Reeve's Pheasant Steven An Silver Pheasant Pablo Cervantes Daza Lady Amherst's Pheasant Pablo Cervantes Daza Lady Amherst's Pheasant Pablo Cervantes Daza Moustached Laughingthrush Pablo Cervantes Daza Cabot's Tragopan Steven An Reeve's Pheasant Steven An Silver Pheasant Pablo Cervantes Daza Lady Amherst's Pheasant Pablo Cervantes Daza Lady Amherst's Pheasant Pablo Cervantes Daza Moustached Laughingthrush Pablo Cervantes Daza Cabot's Tragopan Steven An Tour Details: 2026 15 - 31 May $9300; single supplement: $600 2027 *14 - 30 May Price: TBA *The 2027 tour can be linked with a short tour to target Przevalski's Pinktail. While not a Photo Tour (and there are no blinds), the Pinktail Special still offers good photographic opportunities, so could be of interest for anyone wanting to spend another week in China. Length: 17 Days Starting City: Shanghai (or Chengdu; see note below) Ending City: Chengdu (or Shanghai; see note below) Pace: Moderate Physical Difficulty: Easy/moderate Focus: Bird and wildlife photography Group size: 6 + 1 leader + local guide(s)/interpreter(s) Ready to Book? Book Here China Trip Reports View/Write Tour Reviews Detailed Itinerary Please note: In some years we run this itinerary in reverse order due to availability in the key locations - this would mean starting in Chengdu and ending in Shanghai. Day 1: Arrival in Shanghai Flights arrive in Shanghai. After transferring to the hotel, there may be some time in the afternoon to head out into the field to photograph Reed and Vinous-throated Parrotbills. Night in Shanghai. Day 2: Shanghai – Sanming City – Dangzhou Village We take a morning high-speed train from Shanghai to Sanming Bei, then drive for two hours to the mountainous Dangzhou Village. We'll spend time photographing the endemic Elliot’s Pheasant from a hide, with a chance to also find Silver Pheasant. If conditions allow, there may be an evening outing to photograph the elusive and rare White-eared Night Heron. Night in Dangzhou. Day 3: Dangzhou Village We spend another morning at the Elliot’s Pheasant hide, then set out in search of the Blyth’s Kingfisher. Other possible bird sightings include Huet’s Fulvetta, Gray-sided Scimitar Babbler, Rufous-capped Babbler, Rufous-faced Warbler, Fork-tailed Sunbird, Gray Treepie, and Chinese Hwamei, among others. Night in Dangzhou. Day 4: Dangzhou – Jianou City After a few more hours of photography here, if needed, we drive for three hours to Jianou City. We spend the afternoon at Li Mountain at a hide where we hope to shoot Cabot’s Tragopan. Night in Jianou City. Day 5: Li Mountain We spend at least part of the day photographing birds at the tragopan hide. If we have successfully captured good shots of the tragopan, we can spend time searching for species such as Huet’s Fulvetta, Gray-sided Scimitar Babbler, Rufous-capped Babbler, Rufous-faced Warbler, Fork-tailed Sunbird, Gray Treepie, Chinese Hwamei, and more. N ight in Jianou City. Day 6: Jianou City – Wuyuan If needed, we may return to the tragopan hide in the morning, then drive to Wuyuan Village. If time allows, we will search for Scaly-sided Merganser. These birds typically winter here, but some individuals may remain until mid-April. Night in Wuyuan. Day 7: Wuyuan We start the morning at a hide to photograph Pied Falconet, then spend time looking for Short-tailed Parrotbill, Green Shrike Babbler, Moustached Laughingthrush, Spotted Elachura, White-crowned Forktail, Gray-headed Parrotbill, and more. We have a second night in Wuyuan. Day 8: Wuyuan – Dongzhai We take the high-speed train to Xinyang, then drive for one hour to Dongzhai National Nature Reserve. In the afternoon we visit a hide for the endemic Reeves’s Pheasant. Night in Dongzhai. Day 9: Dongzhai Target species today include Reeves’s Pheasant, Crested Ibis, Collared Crow, Yellow-bellied Tit, Silver-throated Tit, Yellow-browed Bunting, Crested Kingfisher, and more. We have another night in Dongzhai. Day 10: Dongzhai – Quan Shui Wan After a final opportunity to photograph Reeves’s Pheasant, we drive to Quanshui Wan in the afternoon (4.5 hours). We'll spend three nights here. Days 11-12: Quan Shui Wan We have two full days of bird photography around Quan Shui Wan. Main targets include the endemic Golden Pheasant and Koklass Pheasant. Other notable species include Chukar, Chinese Thrush, Masked Laughingthrush, and Yellow-throated Bunting. Day 13: Quanshui Wan – Chengdu – Wuzhi Mountain This is a travel day as we drive for two hours to Luoyang Longmen Station, then take a high-speed train to Chengdu (4.5 hours). After arrival, it is another four hours drive to Wuzhi Mountain, where we spend the next two nights. Days 14-15: Wuzhi Mountain Nature Reserve We leave early each morning to reach the best feeding stations for bird photography. Target species include the endemic Sichuan Partridge, Slaty Bunting, Emeishan Liocichla, Chinese Bamboo Partridge, Temminck’s Tragopan, Lady Amherst’s Pheasant, Silver Pheasant, and Red-billed Leiothrix. Other notable species we may find along the trails include Spot-breasted Parrotbill, Ashy-throated Parrotbill, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, and Chinese Babax, among others. Day 16: Wuzhi Mountain – Chengdu After one last morning here, we drive back to Chengdu and spend the night. Day 17: Departure The tour concludes today with transfers to the airport. No photography is planned for today. Trip Considerations PACE: Moderate. Expect early breakfasts in order to reach the birding locations at the ideal time. Lunch will be either at local restaurants or in the field, or at the hides. When possible, there will be optional breaks before or after lunch. Mornings and afternoons provide the best opportunities for wildlife activity. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate. Much time is spent in hides, though when not in hides we will undertake short walks to search out other species. Some of these walks will be on included tracks and trails. CLIMATE: Warm in the lower elevations, cool to chilly in the mountains. ACCOMMODATION: All city accommodations are excellent. In more remote areas, amenities may be limited, but all lodgings provide hot water showers. Western-style (“sit-down”) toilets are available in nearly all hotels, while eastern-style toilets are becoming less common. Most hotels offer Wi-Fi; however, service may be unreliable at times. PHOTOGRAPHY: This is a Photo Tour, meaning photography is the top priority. Approximately 90% of our activities will take place in hides (blinds) or at fruit feeders. The hides we visit have revolutionized Asian bird photography, providing opportunities to capture elusive and secretive species that have become accustomed to these feeding sites—offering once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities. Feeder locations provide the best conditions for photography, as the birds are more accustomed to human presence. For hide photography, lenses ranging from 300mm to 500mm are the most useful. Photographers seeking tightly cropped portraits may prefer a 600mm lens. Other Information TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required; the passport must be valid for at least six months past your intended stay. A visa is required . You must obtain your visa from a Chinese embassy or consulate well in advance of the tour. Our office staff will provide needed support documents for you to get your visa. FOOD: Western-style food is generally not available on this tour. However, the local food is usually superb, and some past tour participants have mentioned the food as being a highlight of the trip. WHAT’S INCLUDED?: Tips to drivers, local guides, and hotel/restaurant staff; accommodation from night of day 1 through to night of day 16; meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 17 (if you have a very early flight, you may miss the included breakfast); safe drinking water throughout; green tea is also typically provided with most dinners and some lunches at restaurants; Tropical Birding tour leader with audio gear from the afternoon of day 1 to evening of day 15; local bilingual Chinese guide(s) throughout; one arrival and one departure airport transfer per person (transfers may be shared with other participants of the same tour if they arrive at the same time); ground transport for the group to all sites in the itinerary in a suitable vehicle with driver; entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the itinerary). WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?: Optional tips to the Tropical Birding tour leader; tips for luggage porters in city hotel; flights; visa and passport fees; snacks; additional drinks apart from those included; alcoholic beverages; travel insurance; excursions not included in the tour itinerary; extras in hotels such as laundry service, minibar, room service, telephone calls, and personal items; medical fees; other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included. Tour Reviews China Sichuan Review Anchor *Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it!