VIETNAM BIRD WATCHING TOUR

 Vietnam is a country full of natural diversity, due to its geographical shape as well as its different climate and elevational zones. There are mountainous regions with subtropical cloudforests, river deltas with vast mudflats, coastal mangroves, tropical rainforests and saltpans. More than 800 bird species have been reported from these highly diverse habitats, some of them endemic to small regions. On this trip, we will make an effort to see a comprehensive cross-selection of Vietnam 's natural beauty, comprising some of the most beautiful landscapes on earth. Our main focus will be on birds, but we will also pay attention to flora and other fauna such as reptiles, amphibes, mammals and insects. With some luck and patience, we will see some of the rare species occuring in Vietnam .

Day 1: Arrival - Ha Noi – Tam Dao
Arrive in Ha Noi. Greet at the Airport and transfer directly to Tam Dao hill station. Overnight in Tam Dao.

Day 2: Tam Dao
Full day birdwatching. There are several good trails in the hills above the town, the Water Tank Trail and the Radio Transmitter Trail in particular are normally quite productive. Species to look out for here include the Grey Laughingthrush, Chestnut Bulbul, Black-chinned Yuhina and Fork-tailed Sunbird. Overnight in Tam Dao.

Day 3 : Tam Dao
Another full day to explore the forest above Tam Dao. Winter visitors that are possible here include Black-breasted Thrush, Japanese Thrush and Fujian Niltava. Overnight in Tam Dao.

Day 4: Tam Dao - Ha Noi - Cuc Phuong
Time for some early morning birding before meeting up with the driver and transferring by road to Ha Noi and continuing on to Cuc Phuong National Park , three hours south of the capital. Birding on the trails of Cuc Phuong. The birding is good at Cuc Phuong with over 300 species recorded in the park. Endangered mammals such as Indochinese Tiger, Clouded Leopard and the rare Delacour Langur also inhabit the forests of Cuc Phuong though they are seldom seen. Other possible bird species include Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl, Ruddy Kingfisher, Silver-breasted Broadbill and White-tailed Flycatcher. Overnight at Bong Sub-Station Cuc Phuong

Day 5 : Cuc Phuong
The first national park to be established in Vietnam , Cuc Phuong is an area of limestone hills covered with large tracts of primeval rainforest. Key bird species here include Grey Peacock-Pheasant, Bar-bellied, Blue-rumped and Eared Pitta, White-winged Magpie, Limestone Wren-Babbler, Fujian Niltava and Pied Falconet. Overnight at Bong Sub-Station Cuc Phuong.

Day 6 : Cuc Phuong
Full day birdwatching in Cuc Phuong National Park . Overnight in Bong Sub-Station 20 km inside Cuc Phuong.

Day 7 : Cuc Phuong
Full day birdwatching and overnight in Cuc Phuong National Park .

Day 8: Cuc Phuong – Ha Noi
A final morning of birding before meeting up with the driver and heading back to Ha Noi. Relax or city tour in the afternoon. Overnight in Ha Noi.

Day 9: Ha Noi – Ho Chi Minh City
Morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City . Pick up & transfer directly to Da Lat, 300km from Sai Gon. Overnight in Da Lat.

Day 10: Da Lat
A full day of birding at Mount Lang Bian where the evergreen forests are home to many interesting species including some endemics. Key species to be found at Mount Lang Bian include Silver Pheasant, Indochinese Cuckooshrike, Eurasian Jay, Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Mugimaki Flycatcher, Cutia and Red Crossbill. This is also the place to see two of Vietnam 's sought after endemics, the Collared Laughingthrush and the Vietnamese Greenfinch. Mount Lang Bian is best avoided at weekends and holidays when it is a very popular destination for local tourists. Overnight in Da Lat.

Day 11 : Da Lat
Tuyen Lam Lake , only 3 km from the centre of town, is Da Lat's other hotspot for birders. Take a boat to far side of the lake where a track leads through the pines to areas of remnant tropical evergreen forest. The rare and endemic Grey-crowned Crocias was re-discovered here a few years ago after not being seen for nearly 60 years. Other interesting species possible here include Slender-billed Oriole, Maroon Oriole, Rufous-backed Sibia, Black-hooded and White-cheeked Laughingthrush. Overnight in Da Lat.

Day 12 : Da Lat
The Ta Nung Valley, around 15 km from Da Lat, holds a few pockets of remnant evergreen forest where many of the Da Lat specialities can still be found including Grey-crowned Crocias, Black-hooded and White-cheeked Laughiingthrush, Grey-headed Parrotbill, Blue-winged Minla and Black-throated Sunbird. Overnight in Da Lat.

Day 13: Da Lat – Nam Cat Tien
Birdwatching to Di Linh before driving to Nam Cat Tien National Park, 150 km from Da Lat in Dong Nai Province. Once off Highway One, the road passes through large areas of rubber plantations before branching off to the national park. Check in to park guest house on arrival and the driver and car return to Ho Chi Minh City . An incredible diversity of birds and mammals live in the forest and wetland habitats of Nam Cat Tien, including an estimated 230 species of birds. Endangered birds that can be found here include Germains Peacock-Pheasant, Green Peafowl and the very elusive Orange-necked Partridge. Mammals that can sometimes be seen include wild boar, Samba Deer, the rare Black-shanked Duoc Langur, Yellow-cheeked and Crested Gibbon. The afternoon is free for birding along the road or trails. Overnight at Nam Cat Tien.

Day 14 : Nam Cat Tien
A full day of birding along the road and forest trails of Nam Cat Tien. A jeep can be hired at the park headquarters to visit areas further afield such as Bird Lake to look for visiting waders or Crocodile Lake where Green Peafowl, Lesser Adjutant and Purple Heron may be seen.During the walk through the forest to Crocodile Lake look out for Bar-bellied and Blue-rumped Pitta, Red and Black and Banded Broadbill and Orange-breasted Trogon amongst others. Overnight at Nam Cat Tien.

Day 15 : Nam Cat Tien
Another full day to enjoy the rich bird life of Nam Cat Tien. Species to look out for include Woolly-necked Stork, Siamese Fireback, Scaly-breasted Partridge, Bar-bellied Pitta, Blue-rumped Pitta, Grey-faced Tit-Babbler, Great Slaty Woodpecker, White-bellied Woodpecker and Heart-spotted Woodpecker. Overnight at Nam Cat Tien.

Day 16 : Nam Cat Tien
Full day birdwatching by Jeep & overnight at Nam Cat Tien National Park .

Day 17 : Nam Cat Tien – Ho Chi Minh City
A final morning of birding along the trails or perhaps the headquarters road where Green-eared, Blue-eared, Lineated, and if you are lucky, Red-vented Barbet, can often be seen perched high up in the roadside trees. Drive back to Ho Chi Minh City . Overnight in the City.

Day 18 : Ho Chi Minh City
Full day relax or city tour. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City .

Day 19 : Ho Chi Minh City - Departure
Free time at leisure until transfer to Airport for flight.