Birding tours - A combination trip

Day 1 (Feb 23^rd). Sai Gon - Cat Tien National Park

This morning we will drive northwards from Saigon to Cat Tien National Park, stop en route at Tan Phu Forest Enterprise Special Use where the rare endemic species, Orange – necked Partridge can be found. Other specialities here are Indochinese Green Magpie, Bar-bellied and Blue-rumped Pittas.
Drive to Cat Tien, commence exploration of this fabulous reserve during the afternoon.
Overnight at Cat Tien National Park HQ (2 nights)

Day 2 (Feb 24^th ) . Cat Tien National Park

One full day birding at the top birding site in Vietnam, we walk along the road, trails in the forest and, visit Grassland and Heaven rapid for a long list of targets such as Germain's Peacock Pheasant, Siamese Fireback, Green Peafowl, Wreathed Hornbill, Lesser Adjutant, Woolly-necked Stork, Blue-rumped and Bar-bellied Pittas, Pale-headed and Black-and-buff Woodpeckers, Black-and-red, Banded, Dusky Broadbill, Blyth’s Frogmouth, Grey-faced Tit Babbler.

Day 3 (Feb 25^th). Cat Tien - Da Lat

After early morning birding at Cat Tien, we will drive northwards through the cultivated lowlands before climbing up onto the Lang Bian Plateau and the charming town of Da Lat. We will make several stops along the way at any patch of interesting-looking habitat, including some very attractive waterfalls. The hill resort of Da Lat, perhaps the most attractive large town in Vietnam, is located at 4,900 feet (ca. 1,475 meters) in a temperate region dotted with lakes and waterfalls and surrounded by evergreen forests, including various native pine woodlands.
Overnight at one Cam Do hotel (2 nights)

Day 4 (Feb 26^th ) Da Lat Plateau Endemic Bird Area

One full day exploring Da Lat plateau, first of our visits is Ta Nung, a small private evergreen forest but is the most accessible site for the rare and endemic species Grey-crowned Crocias. Other goodies endemic such as Orange-breasted, Black-hooded Laughingthrushes, Vietnamese Cutia, Vietnamese Greenfinch may also be found here.
The second visit is Datanla waterfall where we can do both birding and sight seeing.

Other visits: Da Lat market, Chicken church, Da Lat flower garden…

Day 5 (Feb 27^th ) Da Lat – Phan Thiet

The third visit of Da Lat plateau is Tuyen Lam Lake in this morning for Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Burmese Shrike, Slender-billed Oriole, Indochinese Cuckooshrike, Vietnamese Cutia, Red Crossbill. Later the morning, we drive to Phan Thiet for two nights stay.

Overnight at Coco Beach resort (2 nights)

Day 6 (Feb 28^th) Ta Kou

One morning birding at Ta Kou natural reserve then drive back to Phan Thiet for relaxing on the beach in the afternoon.

Day 7 (Mar 1^st) Phan Thiet – Nha Trang

After have breakfast and enjoy the beach, we take driving to Nha Trang for sight-seeing Nha Trang sea city.

Overnight at Yasaka hotel

Day 8 (Mar 2^nd) Birding at Ba Hon

We may do some birding at Ba Hon tourism area before we take a longish driving to Hoi An for two nights stay. On the way, we may arrange to visit MY Son, a world heritage site.

Overnight at Hoi An resort (2 nights)

Day 9 (Mar 3^rd) Hoi An ancient town

Full day visit the ancient town, shopping and enjoy at Cua Dai beach.

Day 10 (Mar 4^th) Hoi An – Bach Ma

This day we will drive to Da Nang city for a sighting then drive to Bach Ma, where the Annamite Mountain Range meets the sea, is home to several Vietnamese and regional endemics including Annam Partridge, Silver Pheasant, Red-vented Barbet, Blyth’s Kingfisher, White-winged Magpie and Indochinese Wren Babbler, formerly known as Short-tailed Scimitar Babbler.
Overnight at Bach Ma village (2 nights)

Day 11 (Mar 5^th) Bach Ma – Hue

Early morning birding then leaving Bach Ma National Park after breakfast, drive to Hue city for a long list destination to visit including Hue citadel, Khai Dinh tomb…

Overnigh at Hoa Hong hotel

Day 12 (Mar 6^th) Hue – Phong Nha Ke Bang

The morning sight seeing the imperial city, later in the morning we drive to Phong Nha –Ke Bang, the world natural heritage to see the beautiful grotto.
Overnight at Sai Gon – Phong Nha hotel (1 night)

Day 13 (Mar 7^th) Phong Nha – Cuc Phuong

A full morning to explore the limestone forest of Phong Nha National Park, the main target here is the Indochinese endemic Sooty Babbler, which lives on the limestone outcrops. Siamese Fireback, Red-collared Woodpecker and Brown Hornbill are among the other specialities of Phong Nha.

After have lunch, we take a longish driving to Cuc Phuong. It is decided on the way to stop and overnight at Hotel in Thanh Hoa city or drive straight to Cuc Phuong NP.

Overnigt at Cuc Phuong (in temporary)

Day 14 (Mar 8^th) Cuc Phuong

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 park HQ (2 nights)

Day 15 (Mar 9^th) Cuc Phuong national park

A full day birding at Cuc Phuong

Day 16 (Mar 10^th) Cuc Phuong – Ha Noi

A full morning of birding at Cuc Phuong before heading to Ha Noi for one night stay. In the early evening enjoy a uniquely Vietnamese form of entertainment, a water puppet performance.

Overnight at Asia hotel

Day 17 (Mar 11^th) Ha Noi - Ha Long bay

Leave Hanoi after breakfast for the two and a half hour drive to Ha Long Bay. Enjoy sight seeing Ha Long bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the natural wonders of the world.

Day 18 (Mar 12^th)

After a morning enjoy Ha Long, we will drive back to Noi Bai airport by the early afternoon for evening flight to Sai Gon around 18:00.

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