Summary:

Although many westerners still imagine Vietnam through the lens of war, it is in reality a country filled with captivating natural beauty and tranquil village life. Its highlands and rainforest regions, far from being devastated, continue to yield new species and team with exotic wildlife. Its islands and beaches are among the finest in all of Southeast Asia, and its cuisine is very possibly the most delicious you will ever find. Over two decades have passed since Vietnam was officially united, and in that time it has done a remarkable job of healing its wounds. Today, this gracious and graceful country is an outstanding travel destination.

Through this journey, Wildtour will introduce visitors some of Vietnamese beautiful landscapes as well as amazing wildlife. We will spend about 1 week for wildlife watching and 2 weeks for sight-seeing and relaxing.

Detail itinerary

Day 1. Arrival

Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), transfer to Majestic Hotel. If time permits a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnel, a renowned historic site some 50km from Ho Chi Minh city centre. Here is but part of the huge and complex underground tunnel system used by the Viet Cong in the Vietnam War.

Evening welcome dinner and briefing

Day 2. Mekong delta

After breakfast at Majestic hotel, we drive to Mekong delta, stop en route many sites to see local people’s life, arrive Cao Lanh city in the afternoon.

Overnight Hoa Binh hotel

Day 3. Tram Chim national park – Sarus Crane and waterbirds watching

Visit Tram Chim national park in the early morning for a number threatened large water birds such as Sarus Crane, Lesser Adjutant, Woolly – necked and Painted Storks. Other birds are common and easy to see including Purple Swarmphen, Broze-winged and Pheasant-tailed Jacanas, Yellow and Cinamon Bitterns, Spot-billed Duck…

Drive back to sai Gon in the afternoon.

Overnight Majestic hotel

Day 4. Sai Gon city tour

A full day city tour to Ben Thanh market, War Museum, Cu Chi tunnel (if not visit on the first day) and other option sites.

Overnight Majestic hotel

Day 5. Sai Gon - Cat  Tien national park

After an early start we will drive northwards towards the renowned Cat Tien National Park. We will stop en route to search for the rare endemic Orange-necked Partridge. Other endemic forms here include Indochinese Green Magpie and our first (of several) chances for Bar-bellied and Blue-rumped Pittas. Onward to Cat Tien and our first exploration of this superb National Park in the afternoon.

Overnight at the Cat Tien National Park Headquarter (2 nights)

Day 6. Cat Tien

The premier National Park in South Vietnam, Cat Tien is located in Cochinchina in the Da Lat foothills and boasts an impressive mosaic of forest and seasonal wetlands which largely escaped the defoliants used in the Vietnam War. We will bird by jeep track and forest trails to seek out the endemic Germain’s Peackock-Pheasant, other spectacular birds such as Siamese Fireback, Green Peafowl and Scaly-breasted Partridge, endemic Pittas, the endemic Grey-faced Tit-Babbler and a host of other species also known from Malaysia and Thailand.

The park is host to several primate species with our main targets Buff-cheeked Gibbon and Black-shanked Douc Langur. Other mammals such as the huge Gaur, Sambur, Wild Boar and Pig-tailed Macaque are also possible.

Day 7. Cat Tien – Da Lat

In the morning we will make the relatively short drive from Cat Tien up to the Langbian Plateau and the charming hill resort of Da Lat. We will stop at any interesting patches of habitat en route and also see several charming waterfalls. Da Lat is situated at a delightfully cool 1475 metres asl  in a temperate region dotted with lakes and waterfalls and surrounded by forest including various native pine woodlands.

Overnight Hoang Gia hotel (3 nights)

Day 8 & 9. Da Lat Endemic bird area

Two full days to explore the Da Lat Plateau including the 2169 metre Mt Langbian, cloaked with evergreen forest right up to its peak and accessed by a progressively steeper footpath. Our efforts should be rewarded however as this is the home of the spectacular endemic Collared Laughing-Thrush, as well as Yellow-billed Nuthatch and the Vietnamese forms of  Cutia, Rufous-winged (Black-crowned) Fulvetta and Black-throated (Grey-crowned) Tit which are sure fire bets for splitting before too long. The elusive and handsome Green Cochoa is also here and should be vocal at this time of year and a number of other Asian and wintering birds will also be encountered.

Nearer to Da Lat itself is Ta Nung Valley, famous for the relatively recently re-discovered Grey-crowned Crocias which is regularly encountered here. Other endemics such as Black-hooded and Orange-breasted Laughingthrushes and Vietnamese Greenfinch are also possible.

Day 10. Da Lat – Nha Trang

Leaving Da Lat in the early morning, we visit Bi Doup – Nui Ba national park on the new road to Nha Trang, here is the best site for a rare Blyth’s Kingfisher, near endemic Black-hooded Laughingthrus, Yellow-billed Nuthatch.

Overnight Yasaka hotel (5 nights)

Day 11 – 14. Nha Trang city, the most beautiful beach in Vietnam

4 full day relaxing on the beautiful beach and visiting many islands for diving (optional)

Day 15. Nha Trang – Da Nang – Hoi An

This morning we take flight at 9:45 to Da Nang, visit Cham museum before drive to Hoi An, an ancient town for another 4 days relaxing on the beach and peaceful city.

Overnight Hoi An beach resort (5 nights)

Day 16 – 19. Hoi An – Da Nang – Sai Gon

Day 20.  Fly from Da Nang to Sai Gon, one day in this city to finalise souvenir if needed and prepare for fly home.

Overnight Majestic hotel

Day 21. Fly home, tour conclusion

Tour cost:

There are 2 options, contact us for detail

Option 1: stay in luxury hotels mentioned in itinerary

Option 2: stay in lower hotels which replace as below:

·        Majestic 5-stars = Oscar (3-stars)

·        Hoang Gia 4-stars = Lavi (2-stars)

·        Yasaka 4-stars = Bao Dai (2-stars)

·        Hoi An beach resort 4-stars = Nhi Nhi (2-stars)

Price including:

·        All accommodation

·        A private car with English specking driver from day 1 to day 10.

·        An English speaking bird guide from day 1 to day 10 and general guide for the rest

·        All meals from day 1 – day 10

·        Flights Nha Trang – Da Nang and Da Nang – Sai Gon

·        Local transportation: jeep in the park, boat, airports pick up etc.