THE BEST OF VIETNAM BIRDING 21-DAY TOUR SOUTH, CENTRAL, NORTH

Our jeep driver will transfer us to the Crocodile Lake, which has a long list of target species such as Germain's Peacock Pheasant, Siamese Fireback, Green Peafowl, Wreathed Hornbill, Lesser Adjutant, Woolly-necked Stork, Blue-rumped and Bar-bellied Pittas, and many other widespread species such as Doves, Bulbuls, Purple Swamphen, White-breasted Waterhen, Kingfishers, etc.

We will get to Heaven Rapids by jeep in the morning to search for Pale-headed and Black-and-buff Woodpeckers, Black-and-red, Banded and Dusky Broadbill.

We can either walk or use the jeep to visit grassland habitat for seeing Indochinese Green Peafowl and several widespread species.

What’s more, Cat Tien also offers an important refuge for Black-shanked Douc Langur, one of the most colorful and least known primates in Asia and Yellow-cheeked Gibbon.

We will have the last morning birding in Cat Tien National Park before leaving for the cool climate of Di Linh. It’s a quite short drive from Cat Tien to Di Linh. On the way, you will have chance to take in the stunning beauty of tea and coffee plantations.

Birding at Suoi Lanh Pass - a forested pass along the road from Di Linh to Phan Thiet and look for other interesting species that could include Blue Pitta, Indochinese Green Magpie, Spotted Forktail and handsome Green Cochoa.

It is also a perfect spot for Spotted Forktail, Black-hooded and Orange-breasted Laughingthrush, Black-crowned Parrotbill, Red-billed Scimitar Babbler, Indochinese Cuckooshrike, Annam Barbet and near endemic White-cheeked Laughingthrush as well as Red-vented Barbet.

Stay overnight at Bao Loc Homestay.

Spend another morning in Suoi Lanh Pass searching for the other alluring species such as Necklaced Barbet, Clicking Shrike-Babbler, Yellow-vented Green Pigeon, Indochinese Green Magpie, Silver Pheasant, Rufous-backed Sibia, Maroon Oriole, Red-billed Scimitar Babbler, Red-headed Trogon.

Afterwards, we will head further North to Dalat romance city.

Dalat - with its cool climate and mountainous terrain – is home to several of Vietnam’s endemic bird species as well as many distinctive local subspecies. We will start exploring some of the exciting birding sites around Dalat in the afternoon.

Here in Dalat, you can inhale the fresh air, mingle with the local, enjoy the fascinating vibe of the night market as well as wander around the peaceful town at night.

Four nights in Dalat.

A full three days of birding includes visiting to Langbiang Plateau and Tuyen Lam Lake, a man-made lake outside the town.

With a progressively-steeper footpath, we will easily access the Langbiang peak with 2169m in height – surrounded with evergreen forest and variety of species.

Our goals in Dalat are Dalat Shrike-babbler, Vietnamese Greenfinch, Black-crowned Fulvetta, Orange-breasted & Collared laughingthrushes and Grey-crowned Crocias. Near endemics here include Grey-crowned Tit, Black-crowned Parrotbill, White-cheeked and Black-hooded laughingthrushes, and Vietnamese Cutia. Other target birds in this bird-rich area are the elusive Blue & Rusty-naped pittas, Indochinese Cuckooshrike, Slender-billed Oriole, Hume’s Treecreeper, Yellowbilled Nuthatch and a very distinctive race of Red Crossbill.

Leave for Yok Don National Park after your early breakfast in Dalat.

It is Vietnam’s biggest and most diversified protected area with parts of it sitting along the Cambodian border.

We will arrive in Yok Don in time for lunch before exploring the bank of the Serepok River and the dry deciduous forests.

The bird species here are hardly seen elsewhere in any regions of Vietnam. Grab your camera and take the precious moments Fulvous-breasted, Rufous-bellied & Black-headed woodpeckers, Alexandrine and Blossom-headed parakeets, White-rumped Pygmy-falcon, Rufous Treepie and near-endemic Mekong Wagtail.

Overnight at Buon Ma Thuot with the city vibrant vibe surrounding.

Set off for the marvelous drive to Mang Den.

Stop en route to have lunch. We will reach Mang Den in time for late afternoon birding around Mang Den.

Mang Den is a secret land in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. It has a wild, pure beauty with many unspoilt, neglected landscapes. Everyone usually considers Mang Den as the second Dalat thanks to its cool climate and mountainous terrain. Mang Den is also the name of a mountain peak in the area and is included in some trekking tours.

Stay overnight at Mang Den. (2 nights)

Surrounded by dense forest, cool climate all year round with many scenic lakes, waterfalls that make tourists marvel to step between “paradise” when coming to Mang Den (Kon Tum).

With its height of 1200m above sea level and primeval forest, Mang Den owns an attracting variety of ecosystem.

Here we will seek for the recently-discovered, endemic Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush and several interesting bird species including the scarce Pale-capped Pigeon, Stripe-breasted Woodpecker, Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Black-hooded Laughingthrush and Indochinese Wren-babbler.

We will have time for some early morning birding at Mang Den before heading to Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve.

Ngoc Linh is referred to as “the roof of Southern Vietnam”. This place is really perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in nature, as well as the home to the recently discovered bird species Golden-winged Laughingthrush and Black-crowned Barwing.

Stay overnight at Dak To.

We have to start up quite early in the morning for a full morning of birding at Ngoc Linh National Park.

On this day, we will be on the outlook for Black-crowned Barwing, Indochinese Fulvetta and the very precious Golden-winged Laughingthrush. Here at Ngoc Linh Mountain, there are many other specialities such as Green Shrike-babbler, Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler, Red-tailed Laughingthrush, Red-tailed Minla and Black-throated Parrotbill, Green Cochoa.

We will head up to Bach Ma National Park in the early afternoon and spend 2 nights here – in the Phong Lan Villa, which was built by the French for tourism purposes.

You will be served dinner with BBQ grill indoor.

Our main targets today are the endemic Annam Partridge and near-endemic Indochinese Wren-babbler.

You will continue the tour by exploring Bach Ma peak, which is 1450m above the sea level. After a short trekking, you will reach Hai Vong Dai– the highest peak of Bach Ma,  to have a panoramic view of mountains, lagoons, Hai Van Pass, Chan May Port, …

Other specialities are possible including Indochinese Yuhina, Indochinese Green Magpie, gayeti race of the Sultan Tit, Puff-throated Bulbul, Black-browed Fulvetta, White-gorgetted Flycatcher, Silver Pheasant, Long-tailed Broadbill, Silver-breasted Broadbill and Black-throated Laughingthrush.

Overnight at Phong Lan Villa. Enjoy mouthwatering and tempting BBQ grill for your dinner.

We will leave Bach Ma in the morning and transfer to Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park.

Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park is one of the most breathtaking sites in South East Asia and one of the largest limestone regions in the world. A vast network of dry and underground caves, including Son Doong Cave – the largest nature cave in the world, all belongs to Phong Nha National Park

Along the way, we may stop several times to explore an interesting area of forest where the restricted-range Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrush can be seen.

Relax after our long day at Phong Nha Lake House.

Spend completely a full day at the World Natural Heritage Site exploring the magnificent caves systems and outstanding scenery. This is the perfect combination for anyone who wants take part in exciting sport activities along Chay River as well as bird watching in Phong Nha National Park.

The main targets here are the Indochinese endemic Sooty Babbler, which lives on the limestone outcrops, and the recently-split Limestone Leaf-warbler. Red-collared Woodpecker and Northern Brown Hornbill are among the other specialities at Phong Nha as well as an endangered primate, the Ha Tinh Langur.

Wake up real early for some final morning birding in Phong Nha – Ke Bang.

Head up to Dong Hoi Airport and fly to the North – Hanoi’s Old Quarter. From Noi Bai International Airport, we will transfer you directly to Tam Dao Town – a small town in the cloud. With the average height of 1000 metres, the weather of Tam Dao is always cool and chill around the year.

This town once served as the French-colonial hill station due to its moderate temperature and majestic scenery.

You will have two nights staying at Belvedere Tam Dao Resort.

You will be transferred to the entrance of Tam Dao National Park and start your challenging trek along the jungle to the top of Tam Dao. On the top of the peak, you will have chance to see the overview of Tam Dao Town which was established at the beginning of 20^th century and surrounding areas.

We will make an incredible journey into the cloud forests of the surrounding mountains to seek for Pittas, Cochoas, Parrotbills and many more. Other interesting species including Grey Laughingthrush, Green Cochoa, Chestnut Bulbul, White-gorgeted Flycatcher, Black-chinned Yuhina. If we are lucky enough, we may catch a sight of diminutive Short-tailed Parrotbill and the secretive Blue-naped Pitta.

Seeing several other sought-after species will be the best way to finalise our trip, and here we may see Ashy Bulbul, Black-throated Laughingthrush, Chestnut Bulbul, Fujian Niltava, White-gorgeted Flycatcher, Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler, Spot-necked Babbler, Chestnut-collared Yuhina (split from Striated), Greater Rufous-headed and Short-tailed Parrotbills, and Collared Treepie.

You will have some freetime walking around Tam Dao town to visit French ancient church. We may also pass over Silver Waterfall to have a cup of coffee with majestic mountainous view.

We will reach Ba Be National Park at night. Have dinner and relax at Mr.Linh Homestay – located nearby the Park.

Visiting Ba Be lake, you can take a canoe to make a tour around the whole lake, or you can get on traditional dogouts of Tay people to admire the beauty of immense lake, limitless forests and multi-shaped limestone mountains. You can also try bamboo rafting, trekking, hiking, climbing, and mountaineering at Ba Be Lake.

Ba Be National Park is the perfect location for the keen birder who wants to see very rare birds: it is the White-eared Night-heron. It may be very far but seeing this kind of bird will worth your trip. As well as the White-eared Night-heron, the Pied Falconet, Limestone Warbler, and White-winged Magpie are also sought-after species here.