Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive Hanoi. Hanoi to Cuc Phuong National Park

Arrive at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport and transfer directly to Cuc Phuong National Park, a three-hour drive south of Hanoi. Stop off at Van Long Nature Reserve 30 km before the entrance to Cuc Phuong in the late afternoon. Here a sampan ride through flooded rice fields leads to the dramatic limestone cliffs that are home to the largest population of one of Vietnam’s critically endangered primates, Delacour’s Langur. There are usually large numbers of waterbirds at Van Long including several species of ducks, waders, bitterns, herons and egrets as well as White-browed Crake and a raptor or two. Overnight at Cuc Phuong National Park HQ.

Days 2 & 3: Cuc Phuong National Park

The first national park to be established in Vietnam, Cuc Phuong is an area of limestone hills covered in primary rainforest. The best birding is in the centre of the park where there are several excellent trails including the Loop Trail and the Valley Trail. The main road through the park can also be very productive especially for over-wintering thrushes early in the morning. There are two full days to search for Cuc Phuong specialities such as Pied Falconet, Bar-bellied, Blue-rumped and Eared Pitta, Silver-breasted Broadbill, White-winged Magpie, White-tailed Flycatcher, Fujian Niltava and Limestone Wren-Babbler. Overnight at Cuc Phuong National Park HQ.

Day 4: Cuc Phuong National Park to Tam Dao   

A full morning of birding at Cuc Phuong before heading back to Hanoi and then on to the hill station of Tam Dao. Overnight at Tam Dao.

Days 5 & 6: Tam Dao

Two full days to explore the trails above Tam Dao town leading through nice montane evergreen and bamboo forest. Specialities at Tam Dao include Purple and Green Cochoas, Chestnut Bulbul, Grey Laughingthrush, Coral-billed and Streak-breasted Scimitar Babblers and Greater Rufous-headed and Short-tailed Parrotbills. Winter visitors that may turn up here between December and March include Black-breasted, Japanese, Eyebrowed and Grey-backed Thrush and Fujian Niltava. Overnight at Tam Dao.

Day 7: Tam Dao to Dalat via Hanoi

An early start from Tam Dao to catch the 07.30 flight from Hanoi Airport to another hill station, Dalat, in the Central Highlands. In the afternoon make the first of several visits to the Ta Nung Valley, a small but bird-filled area of remnant evergreen forest 10 km from Dalat. This is the most accessible site for the rare and endemic Grey-crowned Crocias. Black-hooded, White-cheeked and Orange-breasted Laughingthrush as well as the recently split Black-headed Parrotbill may also be found here. Other possibilities here include the very distinct local sub-species of Blue-winged Minla, Rufous-backed and Black-headed Sibias and Black-throated Sunbird, Jerdon’s Baza, Blue Pitta and the beautiful yellow-breasted form of Indochinese Green Magpie. Overnight at Dalat.

Days 8, 9 & 10: Dalat 

In addition to the wonderful Ta Nung Valley there are two other main birding sites around Dalat - Mount Lang Bian and Ho Tuyen Lam. Mount Lang Bian, is a 2,169 m high peak 20 minutes by road from Dalat. Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Grey-crowned Tit, Vietnamese Cutia, Black-crowned Fulvetta and Vietnamese Greenfinch can be found in the pine and montane evergreen forest here. The most sought-after species at Lang Bian however is the beautiful and skulking endemic Collared Laughingthrush. Ho Tuyen Lam is a man-made lake, just 3 km from the centre of town. At the far end of the lake there are tracks leading through pines to areas of remnant tropical evergreen forest. Burmese Shrike, Slender-billed Oriole, Indochinese Cuckooshrike, Vietnamese Cutia, Red Crossbill and Vietnamese Greenfinch can be found in the pines while the evergreen forest is home to Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Black-hooded, White-cheeked and Orange-breasted Laughingthrush, Grey-crowned Crocias and Black-headed Parrotbill amongst others. Overnight at Dalat.

Day 11: Dalat to Di Linh

Leave Dalat after a final morning of birding and head to a forested mountain pass near to the town of Di Linh a two-hour drive from Dalat. The evergreen forest here is home to several Dalat Plateau specialities including Black-hooded, White-cheeked Laughingthrush and Orange-breasted Laughingthrush as well as the Indochinese endemic Black-headed Parrotbill. Overnight at Di Linh.

Day 12: Di Linh to Cat Tien National Park

An early morning visit to the mountain pass at Di Linh to look for other exciting possibilities such as Blue and Rusty-naped Pitta, Indochinese Green Magpie, Spotted Forktail and Green Cochoa before continuing along Highway 20 towards Cat Tien National Park. Cat Tien contains the largest remaining area of lowland tropical forest in southern Vietnam and an incredible diversity of birds and mammals including over 330 bird species. Endangered birds found here include Germain’s Peacock Pheasant, Green Peafowl and the very elusive Orange-necked Partridge. Mammals that may be seen include Leopard Cat, Eurasian Wild Pig, Lesser Mousedeer, Sambar, Red Muntjac and Gaur as well as two endangered primates, Black-shanked Douc Langur and Buff-cheeked Gibbon. There should be time for late afternoon birding at Cat Tien after checking into the HQ accommodation. Overnight at Cat Tien National Park HQ.

Days 13, 14 & 15: Cat Tien National Park

A full three days of birding along the road and forest trails at Cat Tien National Park. Jeeps are used to visit areas further afield such as Crocodile Lake where Green Peafowl, Grey-headed Fish Eagle and Lesser Adjutant may be seen. The 5 km walk through the forest to Crocodile Lake is one of the best places to look for Blue-rumped and Bar-bellied Pitta as well as Red-and-Black and Banded Broadbill and Orange-breasted Trogon amongst others. Other specialities at Cat Tien include Scaly-breasted Partridge, Siamese Fireback, Germain’s Peacock Pheasant, White-bellied, Great Slaty, Pale-headed and Black-and-Buff Woodpecker, Red-vented Barbet, Woolly-necked Stork, and Grey-faced Tit-Babbler. Overnight at Cat Tien National Park HQ.

Day 16: Cat Tien National Park to Ho Chi Minh City. Depart Ho Chi Minh City

A final morning of birding along the forest trails or the surfaced road through Cat Tien National Park where Green-eared, Blue-eared, Lineated and Red-vented Barbet can often be seen perched high up in the roadside trees. Check out of the park guest house after lunch and drive the 150 km to Ho Chi Minh City to transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

Tour prices includes: Accommodation based on twin share basis with private facilities, meals, land transportation in A/C vehicle, one domestic flight, entrance fees, jeeps, boats, services of a Vietnam Birding tour leader and Vietnam Birding tour checklist.

Tour prices excludes: International flights, Vietnam visa, personal insurance, tips, drinks, phone calls, laundry and other personal expenses.

Note: Tour price based on a minimum of 4 and maximum of 8 persons. Surcharges apply for less than 4 persons.