Habitats Covered : Broadleaved evergreen forest, Wet Land, Rice field, Mountain Forest, Pine Forest, Bamboo Forest., Shoreline, Evergreen forest

Accommodation : Comfortable hotel and Guesthouse at the Parks.

Photographic Opportunities : October – April is excellent

Excellent Month & Climate : October – April / 15-25 C.

Destination : Hanoi - Cuc Phuong – Van Long – Xuan Thuy - Tam Dao – Da Nang - Tu Mo Rong - Mang Den – Da Lat – Di Linh - Cat Tien – Ho Chi Minh

Duration : 22 days

Bird leader : Bui Duc Tien

The cost of the tour: Please contact us

 

Location & Bird Highlight

Cuc Phuong : Bar-bellied Pitta, Blue-rumped pitta, Eared Pitta, Ratchet-tailed Treepie, White-winged Magpie, Pied Falconet, Red-Collared Woodpecker, White-tailed Flycatcher, Limestone Wren Babbler, Silver-breasted Broadbill, Red-vented Barbet, Rufous-throated Fulvetta, Black-browed Fulvetta, Fork-tailed Sunbird and Thrushes as winter visitors.

Van Long:  Delacour langur (Endemic and Critival endangered primate of the World), Pheasant-tailed Jacana, White-browed Crake, Asian Openbill, Yellow Bittern, Cinnamon Bittern, White-throated Kingfisher,

Xuan Thuy Ramsar: Black-faced Spoonbill, Asian Dowitcher, Ducks and shorebirds, Warbler and thrushes as winter visitors

Tam Dao: Blue-naped Pitta, Chestnut Bulbul, Coral – billed Scimitar Babbler, Grey Laughingthrush, Streak-breasted Scimitar-babblers, Short-tailed Parrotbills, Purple Cochoa, Blyth’s Shrike Babbler, Streak Wren Babbler, Eye-browed Wren Babbler, Spot-necked Babbler, Schaeffer’s Fulveta, Chestnut-collared Yuhina

Da Nang (Son Tra Penisular): Red-shanked Douc Langur (The most beautiful primate of the World), Grey-headed Fish Eagle 

Tu Mo Rong:  Golden-winged Luaghingthrush, Red-tailed Laughingthrush, Black-crowned Bar-wing, Green-tailed Sunbird

Mang Den: Black-hooded Laughingthrush, Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush, Ratchet-tailed Treepie, Indochinese Wren Babbler (Short-tailed Scimitar Babbler), Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler, Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Chestnut-crowned Warbler, Rufous-faced Warbler, Back-eared Shrike-Babbler, Chestnut-fronted Shrike-Babbler,  Speckle Piculet, White-browed Piculet, Gey Treepie, Golden-throated Barbet, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Blue-throated Flycatcher, Spot-throated Babbler, Northern Brown Hornbill, Grey-headed Parrotbill.

Da Lat Plateau and Bi Doup National Park: Vietnamese Cutia, Vietnamese Greenfinch, Vietnamese Shrike-babbler, Grey-crowned Crocias, Orange-breasted Laughingthrush, Black-hooded Laughingthrush, Collared Laughingthrush, Hume’s Treecreeper, Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Grey-crowned Tit, Black-crowned Fulvetta, Black-crowned Parrotbill, Indochinese Cuckooshrike, Slender-billed Oriole, Burmese Shrike, Red Crossbill, Indochinese Barbet, White-cheeked Laughingthrush. Spotted and Slaty-backed Forktail, Rufous-browed Flycatcher, Blue Pitta.

Di Linh: Blue Pitta, Black-hooded and Orange-breasted Laughingthrush, Black-crowned Parrotbill, Red-billed Scimitar Babbler, Black-chinned Yuhina, Indochinese Barbet.

Cat Tien: Germain’s Peacock-pheasant, Green Peafowl, Orange-necked Partridge, Blue-rumped Pitta, Bar-bellied Pitta, Siamese Fireback, Scaly-breasted Partridge, Woolly-necked Stork, Lesser Adjutant; Black and red, Banded and Dusky Broadbill; White-bellied, Great Slaty, Pale-headed, Black-and-buff and Heart-spotted Woodpeckers, Great Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Banded Kingfisher and Grey-faced Tit-Babbler.

 

The Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi > Van Long Nature Reserved > Cuc Phuong National Park

6.30 pick you up at hotel in Hanoi or meet you at the Noi Bai Airport then go to Cuc Phuong (2,5 hours). Take a stopping off on the way for Van Long wetland protected area (2 hour maybe more) then continue to Cuc Phuong National Park. Birding inside botanical garden and near Headquarter in the afternoon for White-winged Magpie, Ratchet-tailed Treepie, Bar-bellied and Blue-rumped Pitta

Meals : L/ D.             Accommodation:  Comfortable guesthouse of the Park (air-con., hot shower, free WIFI)

Day 2, 3 : Cuc Phuong

Two full days searching to Cave of Prehistoric Man, Valley trail, Loop trail, along the main road and some feeding spot and water holes for target birds as Eared Pitta, Ratchet-tailed Treepie, White-winged Magpie, Pied Falconet, Red-Collared Woodpecker, White-tailed Flycatcher, Limestone Wren Babbler, Silver-breasted Broadbill, Red-vented Barbet, Rufous-throated Fulvetta, Black-browed Fulvetta, Fork-tailed Sunbird and Thrushes as winter visitors.

Meals: B / L / D.        Accommodation: At the same accommodation

Day 4 : Cuc Phuong > Xuan Thuy Ramsar area

An early morning birding at Cuc Phuong before breakfaast, then go to Xuan Thuy (2,5 hours). Check in and lunch. Birding in the afternoon for Black-faced Spoonbill and shorebirds at Mangrove forest and Shrimp ponds.

Meals : B / L / D.        Accommodation:  Guesthouse of the Park (Air-condition, hot shower, free WIFI at restaurant)

Day 5: Xuan Thuy

Take a boat trip to Con Lu islet for shorebirds in the morning then go to Shrimp pond for Ducks and Waders in the afternoon.

Meals : B / L / D.         Accommodation:  At the same place

Day 6: Xuan Thuy > Tam Dao

An early birding in the wood behind Headquarter before breakfast. Check out and leaving for Tam Dao (4 hours). Birding in the afternoon at Watertank trail for Grey Laughingthrush, Chestnut Bulbul, Scheaffer's Fulvetta, Chestnut-collared and Black-chinned Yuhina.

Meals : B / L / D.         Accommodation:  Good hotel at Tam Dao town

Day 7: Tam Dao

A full day birding at Watertank trail, TV tower trail for target birds as Blue-naped Pitta, Coral – billed Scimitar Babbler, Grey Laughingthrush, Streak-breasted Scimitar-babblers, Short-tailed Parrotbills, Purple Cochoa, Blyth’s Shrike Babbler, Streak Wren Babbler, Eye-browed Wren Babbler, Spot-necked Babbler,

Meals: B / L / D.          Accommodation:  Good hotel at Tam Dao town

Day 8: Tam Dao > Da Nang

Birding at Tam Dao till lunch time, check out then going to Noi Bai airport for a domestic flight to Da Nang city. Arrive on afternoon, transfer directly to Son Tra Peninsular for Red-shanked Douc Langur and some other birds before going to hotel and beach.

Meals: B / L / D.          Accommodation:  Good hotel at Da Nang city

Day 9: Da Nang > Tu Mo Rong

Leave Da nang in early morning for Tu Mo Rong (5 hours), and birding along the way for Golden-winged and Red-tailed Laughingthrush, Black-crowned Bar-wing.

Meals : B / L / D.         Accommodation:  Standard hoel at Tu Mo Rong (A small town)

Day 10: Tu Mo Rong

A full day searching for target birds: Golden-winged and Red-tailed Laughingthrush, Black-crowned Bar-wing, green-tailed Sunbird.

Meals : B / L / D.         Accommodation: At the same place

Day 11: Tu Mo Rong > Mang Den

Some final birding at Tu Mo Rong then leave for Mang Den at noon time. Check in hotel then birding in the afternoon around Mang Den for Black-hooded Laughingthrush, Blue-winged Siva, Grey-chinned Minivet, Streak-breasted Woodpecker, Yellow-cheeked Tit, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Chestnut-fronted Shrike-babbler

Meals : B / L / D.          Accommodation:  Hoa Sim hotel at Mang Den

Day 12, 13: Mang Den

Two full days birding at Pa Sy water fall, Mang Canh, Phong Lan, Dak Ke lake for target birds: Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush, Ratchet-tailed Treepie, Indochinese Wren Babbler (Short-tailed Scimitar Babbler), Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler, Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Chestnut-crowned Warbler, Rufous-faced Warbler, Back-eared Shrike-Babbler, Chestnut-fronted Shrike-Babbler,  Speckle Piculet, White-browed Piculet, Gey Treepie, Golden-throated Barbet, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Blue-throated Flycatcher, Spot-throated Babbler, Northern Brown Hornbill, Grey-headed Parrotbill.

Meals: B / L / D.           Accommodation:  Hoa Sim hotel at Mang Den

Day 14: Mang Den – Da Lat

An early final birding at Mang Den before leaving for Da Lat (7 hours). Check in hotel, dinner.

Meals: B / L / D.           Accommodation:  Dream II hotel at Da Lat city

Day 15, 16, 17 : Da Lat Plateau and Bi Doup National Park

Three full days searching at Ta Nung Valley, Suoi Tia trail, Tuyen Lam Lake, Langbian Mountain and Bi Doup national Park for high light species such as Grey-crowned Crocias, Orange-breasted Laughingthrush, Collared Laughingthrush, Hume’s Treecreeper, Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Gray-crowned Tit, Vietnamese Cutia, Black-crowned Fulvetta, Indochinese Cuckooshrike, Slender-billed Oriole, Burmese Shrike, Red Crossbill and Vietnamese Greenfinch, Da Lat Shrike Babbler, Annam Barbet, Black-hooded Laughingthrush, White-cheeked Laughingthrush.

Meals : B / L / D.           Accommodation: Dream II Hotel

Day 18 : Da Lat > Di Linh

Birding till 10.00 am then leave Da Lat for Di Linh town (1,5 hour). Check in and lunch. Drive 20 km from Di Linh to Suoi Lanh pass, it is a excellence place Blue Pitta, Black-hooded and Orange-breasted Laughingthrush, Black-crowned Parrotbill, Red-billed Scimitar Babbler, Indochinese Cuckooshrike, Indochinese Barbet.

Meals : B / L / D.          Accommodation: Bao Phu  Hotel (The best hotel in small town)

Day 19: Di Linh > Cat Tien

Birding at Suoi Lanh Pass for target birds till 11.00am. Leave Di Linh after lunch for Cat Tien National Park (2,5 hours). Cat Tien contains the largest remaining area of lowland tropical forest in southern Vietnam and an incredible diversity of birds and mammals. Endangered birds found at Cat Tien include Germain’s Peacock-pheasant, Green Peafowl and the very elusive Orange-necked Partridge while the mammal list includes Leopard Cat, Lesser Mousedeer, Sambar, Gaur and two endangered primates, Black-shanked Douc Langur and Buff-cheeked Gibbon. Birding at the trail near Headquarter on late afternoon for Orange-breasted Trogon, Woodpeckers, Pittas

Meals : B / L / D.           Accommodation: Guesthouse of the Park (Air-condition, hot shower, free WIFI at restaurant) 

Day 20, 21 : Cat Tien

Two full days birding at Crocodile Lake trail, along the road to grassland area and to broadleaves green forest, Bamboo forest, feeding spots and some trails near Headquarter for target birds as Germain’s Peacock-pheasant, Green Peafowl, Orange-necked Partridge, Blue-rumped Pitta, Bar-bellied Pitta, Siamese Fireback, Scaly-breasted Partridge, Woolly-necked Stork, Lesser Adjutant; Black and red Broadbill, Banded and Dusky Broadbill; White-bellied and Great Slaty Woodpecker, Black-and-buff and Heart-spotted Woodpeckers, Great Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Banded Kingfisher and Grey-faced Tit-Babbler.

Meals: B / L / D.           Accommodation: Guesthouse of the Park (Air-condition, hot shower, free WIFI at restaurant) 

Day 22 : Cat Tien – Ho Chi Minh City

There is time for some final birding at Cat Tien National Park before driving to Ho Chi Minh City or to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for departure flight.

Meals: B / L

Accommodation: None

Meals: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Included:

- Bird guide with equipments

- Vehicle with fuel and driver,Jeep for pick up at Langbian Mt., Cat Tien National Park

- Domestic Flight from Ha Noi to Da Nang

- Boat trip at Van Long and Xuan Thuy NP

- Park entrance fees

- Local travel insurance (Domestic travel insurance by Petro Vietnam Insurance company for during 22 days you stay in Vietnam)

- Accommodations base share twin bed room for 21 nights

- Food and unlimited water for drink

Excluded :

• Drinks, sightseeing, Souvenirs, other personal need, tips for local services.

Note: This tour can start from Hanoi to the South or Ho Chi Minh City to the North.