Itinerary

300+ Birds Watching Tour to Central Myanmar, Extreme North Myanmar (Mt. Hponkan Razi) and Chin Hills (West Myanmar)

All endemic birds of Myanmar, some near-endemic birds of Myanmar and many specialty birds of Himalayan are to be seen with this tours

Day to day

Day 1: Yangon (Myanmar, formerly Burma) arrival day
Arrive at Yangon (formerly Rangoon) international airport. Transfer and check in the hotel for one night stay. If we have time we will do Yangon  City birds watching tour where Little Grebe, Bronze-winged and Pheasant-tailed Jacanas, Lesser Whistling Duck, Common Moorhen, Oriental Darter, Little Cormorant, Coppersmith Barbet, Mynas, Bee-eaters, Bulbuls, Tailorbird, Prinia and other birds will be seen. Overnight will be at hotel in Yangon.

Day 2: Yangon – Putao
Morning fly to Putao (formally Fort Hertz) and takes about three hours. Putao is a small town surrounded by ranges of snow-capped mountains. It is located at the north part of the Myanmar and at about 440m above sea level. Upon arrival, transfer to the guest house for check in. Then leave for birds watching. Here we can see Large Hawk, Indian and Drongo Cuckoos, Scarlet Minivet, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Grey Treepie, Dark-necked Tailorbird, Grey-backed and Long-tailed Shrikes, Chestnut-tailed Starling, Crimson Sunbird, Oriental White-eye and many other birds. Overnight will be at the guest house in Putao.

Day 3: Putao – Shan Gaung Village
Today we will start expedition to Mount Hponkan Razi which is located on the Himalayan Mountain Ranges in northern part of the country and at an altitude of 3506m. From Shan Gaung to Mt. Hponkan Razi where is land locked with no transportation except by footpath. Vegetation is primary hill evergreen forest. This remote area was visited only a few ornithologists until the early part of this century and remains largely unexplored even today.  Therefore here we can see not only recorded Eastern Himalayan enigmatic speciality birds but also many unseen birds.
In the morning after breakfast we will drive to Shangaung village about 1 hr which is a Rawana village about 15 km north of Putao. There are about 100 houses and at an altitude of 440m. After arrival, we will do birds watching around the village to see Crested Kingfisher, Himalayan Swiftlet, Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, Long-tailed Broadbill, Hodgson’s and White-capped Water Redstarts, Brown Dipper, Rufous-bellied Niltava, Collared Myna, Rufous-necked Laughingthrush, Grey-throated and Buff-breasted Babblers, Nepal Fulvetta, Crimson Sunbird and other birds. Overnight will be in local wooden house at Shan Gaung Village.

Day 4: Shangaung – Hpatek Camp
In the morning climb up to Hpatek Camp. From here we will have a fantastic view towards the snow covered mountains along the Indian border including the summit of Mt. Hponkan Razi. We will do birds watching on the way and around the camp to see Myanmar near-endemic bird Snowy-throated Babbler and Chestnut-backed Laughingthrush, together with rare Blyth’s Kingfisher, Collared Treepie, Little and Spotted Forktails, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Grey-cheeked Warbler, Slaty-bellied Tesia, Coral-billed Scimitar, Black-eared Shrike, Streak Wren and Scaly-breasted Wren Babblers, Greater Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Fire-tailed Sunbird and other birds. Overnight will be in tents at Hpatek Camp.

Altitude – between 450m and 1,400m
Distance – about 11 km

Day 5: Hpatek Camp – Wasadum Village
We will climb down to Wasadum that is a small village and has 20 houses. We will do birds watching on the way and around Wasadum. Today we can see Himalayan speciality Beautiful Nuthatch together with Sliver-breasted Broadbill, Rufous-faced Warbler, Chestnut-headed and Grey-bellied Tesias, Spot-breasted Laughingthrush,  Silver-eared Mesia, Rufous-throated Fulvetta, Long-tailed Sibia, Striated and White-naped Yuhinas, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker and other birds.
Overnight will be in local house at Wasadum Village.
Altitude – between 1,400m and 800m
Distance – about 6 km

Day 6: Wasadum Village – Lonnadam Village
The trek to Lonnadam is relatively flat terrain. This village is a small village. We will do birds watching on the way and around the village to see Crested Kingfisher, Ibisbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, White-gorgetted and Rufous-gorgetted Flycatchers, Black-breasted Thrush, Small Niltava, Grey-bellied Tesia,  Rufous-necked Laughingthrush, Slender-billed Scimitar and Spotted Wren Babblers, Red-billed Leothrix, Yellow-throated Fulvetta, Beautiful Sibia, Lesser Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Common Rosefinch and other birds. Overnight will be in tents at village.
Altitude – between 800m and 950m
Distance – about 9 km

Day 7: Lonnadam Village – Ziadam Village
We will trek to Ziadam village with about 25 houses and the last village on the way. The trek is also relatively flat. We will do birds watching on the way and around the village to see near-endemics Rusty-bellied Shortwing  and Cachar Wedge-billed Wren Babbler (recently split from Wedge-billed Wren Babbler) together with White-cheeked Partridge, Black-tailed Crake, Oriental Hobby, Black-breasted, Rufous-tailed and Eyebrowed Thrushes, White-browed Shortwing, Russet Bush Warbler, Striated and Rufous-chinned Laughingthrushes, Rufous-throated Fulvetta,  Black-throated Parrotbill, Chestnut Bunting and many other birds. Overnight will be in local house at Ziadam village.
Altitude – between 950m and 1,050m
Distance – about 8 km

Day 8: Ziadam Village
We will do birds watching along the Zia River in primary forests to see near-endemic White-bellied Heron, rare Rufous-necked Hornbill, Dusky Thrush, Large Niltava, Orange-flanked Bush Robin, Green-backed Tit, Grey-sided Bush, Brownish-flanked Bush and White-spectacled Warblers, Rufous-breasted Laughingthrush, Red-billed Leiothrix, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Black-chinned Yuhina, Black-headed Greenfinch, Brown Bullfinch and other birds. Overnight will be at Ziadam.

Day 9: Ziadam – Confluence Camp
We will climb up to Confluence Camp and birds watching on the way and around the camp. Today we can see near-endemic White-bellied Heron and rare Blyth’s Kingfisher again, Black-throated and Red-throated Thrushes, Golden Bush Robin, Blue-fronted Redstart, Black-throated Tit, Red-faced Liocichla, Red-billed Scimitar Babbler, White-hooded Babbler, Blue-winged Minla, Rufous-vented Yuhina and other birds. Overnight will be in tents.
Altitude – between 1,050m and 1,300 m
Distance – about 9 km

Day 10: Confluence Camp   
We will do birds watching again at around the camp to see near-endemic White-bellied Heron again, rare Long-billed Wren Babbler, Rufous-throated Partridge, Long-tailed Thrush, Rufous-breasted Bush Robin, Yellow-cheeked and Yellow-browed Tits, Grey-hooded Warbler, Blue-winged Laughingthrush, Slender-billed Scimitar, Pygmy Wren, Golden and Black-headed Shrike Babblers, Cutia, Red-tailed and Chestnut-tailed Minlas, Streak-throated Barwing, Rufous-backed Sibia and other birds. Overnight will be at here again.

Day 11: Confluence Camp – Ziadam
We will back to Ziadam village. We will do birds watching again on the way. Overnight will be at Ziadam.

Day 12: Ziadam – Lonnadam Village   
We will back to Lonnadam village. We will do birds watching again on the way. Overnight will be at Lonnadam.

Day 13: Lonnadam Village – Wasadum 
We will back to Wasadum village. We will do birds watching again on the way. Overnight will be at Wasadum.

Day 14: Wasadum – Hpatek Camp
We will back to Hpatek Camp. We will do birds watching again on the way. Overnight will be at Hpatek Camp.

Day 15: Hpatek Camp – Shangaung
We will back to Shangaung village. We will do birds watching again on the way. Overnight will be at Shangaung.

Day 16: Shangaung Village – Putao – Yangon 
In the morning we will do birds watching again around the village. We will back to Putao before lunch and will
take the flight to Yangon late afternoon. Overnight will be at hotel in Yangon.

Day 17: Mandalay – Bagan – Ayeyarwaddy River
In the morning we will check out from hotel and drive to Mandalay air port for short flight to Bagan. On the way to the Mandalay air port we will do birds watching to see Oriental Darter, Little and Great Cormorants, Greylag Goose, Comb, Spot-billed, Ferruginous and Tufted Ducks, Eurasian Wigeon, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Black-winged Stilt, Grey and Purple Herons, Glossy Ibises and other birds.
Upon arrival in Bagan, we will check in hotel and spend the remainder of the morning exploring the area and we can see our first Myanmar endemic birds White-throated Babbler and Burmese Bushlark.
In the afternoon we will do birds watching by wooden boat along the Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy) River to see White-tailed Stonechat, Sand Lark, Long-billed Pipit, Spot-billed Duck, River Lapwing, Great Thick-knee, Small Pratincole, Pied Kingfisher, thousands of Plain and Sand Martins, Indian Skimmer, River and Black-bellied Terns, Laggar Falcon and other birds. We can also see wintering birds such as Ruddy Shelduck, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Common Teal, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Grey Plover, Spotted Redshank, Common Greenshank, Temminck’s Stint, rare Greater Spotted Eagle, Harriers, Common Kestrel and Peregrine Falcon. Overnight will be at hotel in Bagan.

Day 18: Bagan
We will do birds watching the whole day in and around Bagan. Here we can see another two Myanmar’s endemic birds which are Jerdon’s Minivet (recently split from White-bellied Minivet) and rare Hooded Treepie, together with Myanmar near-endemic birds - Vinous-breasted Starling and Plain-backed Sparrow, Chinese Francolin, Yellow-legged Buttonquail, Rain Quail, Burmese Shrike, Spotted Owlet, Indian Nightjar, House Martin, Red Collared and Eurasian Collared Doves, Yellow-eyed Babbler, Brown Prinia and many more. We can also see wintering bird species such as Eurasian Wryneck, Brown Shrike, Red-throated Flycatcher, Siberian Rubythroat, Daurian Redstart and Yellow-streaked Warbler. Overnight will be at hotel in Bagan.

Day 19: Bagan – Mt. Victoria (Natmataung) National Park
In the early morning, we will drive south and across the Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy) River with by car, before continuing westwards. After crossing the river we will travel throughout hilly semi desert and dry deciduous forests. Birding stops en-route. Here we can see Myanmar near-endemic White-rumped Falcon, White-eyed Buzzard, Collared Falconet, various species of Woodpecker, Blue-throated and Lineated Barbets, Asian Barred Owlet, Alexandrine, Rose-ringed, Blossom-headed, Grey-headed and Red-breasted Parakeets, Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Small, Scarlet and Rosy Minivets, Common and Large Woodshrikes, Asian Paradise-flycatcher, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush and other birds. If we are lucky we can able to see two out of five endemics of Myanmar bird species, which are rare Hooded Treepie and Jerdon’s Minivet (now split from White-bellied Minivet). In the late afternoon we will arrive at Mountain Oasis Resort, on the lower slope of Mt. Victoria where we will stay for four nights.

Days 20 - 22: Mt. Victoria (Natmataung) National Park
We will do birds watching three full days at Mt. Victoria (Natmataung National Park)Natmataung (Mt. Victoria) National Park is a major focal point of the tour. It holds a great variety of eastern Himalayan bird species together with some Myanmar endemic birds and near-endemic birds.
The habitat type of higher altitude of Mt. Victoria is characterized by pine, oak, rhododendron and evergreen forests with shot grassland.
Here we can able to see White- browed Nuthatch, Myanmar’s fifth and most irresistible Myanmar endemic bird which is known only in this site. Other speciality birds that could be seen on this area are Myanmar near-endemic birds - Mount Victoria Babax (recently split from Chinese Babax), Brown-capped Laughingthrush and Whistler’s Warbler, rare and shy Blyth’s Tragopan, Hill Partridge, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush, Slaty-backed and Rufous-gorgetted Flycatchers, White-browed Shortwing, Bar-tailed Treecreeper, Yellow-browned and Black-browned Tits, Striated Bulbul, Brown Bush, Ashy-throated and Black-faced Warblers, Slender-billed Scimitar, Scaly-breasted Wren  Pygmy Wren, and Green Shrike Babblers, White-browed Fulvetta, Spot-breasted Parrotbill, Fire-tailed Sunbird and others.
At mid altitude of Mt. Victoria is covered by pine and evergreen forests. Dwarf bamboo also occurs in the understory and in thickest open area.
Here we can see Myanmar near-endemic bird Black-throated Prinia (recently split from Hill Prinia), rare Mrs Hume’s Pheasant, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Grey-chined, Long-tailed and Short-billed Minivets, Long-tailed and Black-breasted Thrushes, Indian Blue Robin, Spotted Forktail, White-tailed Nuthatch, Black-bibbed Tit, Broad-billed and Aberrant Bush Warblers, Red-faced Liocichla, Cutia, Streak-throated Barwings, Blue-winged and Red-tailed Minlas, Black-throated Parrotbill, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Spot-winged Grosbeak and others.
At the lower altitude of mountain has pine and deciduous forests.
Here we can see Myanmar near-endemic Stripe Laughingthrush, Hodgson’s Frogmouth, Large Hawk Cuckoo, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Scaly Thrush, Yellow-cheeked and Black-throated Tits, Crested Finchbill, Striated Prinia, Brownish-flanked Bush, Russet Bush, Grey-hooded and Grey-crowned Warblers, Blue-winged Laughingthrush, Spot-throated and Spot-breasted Scimitar Babblers, Nepal and Rusty-capped Fulvettas, Silver-eared Mesia, Mrs Gould’s and Green-tailed Sunbirds and many more.
At all altitude zones where we can see Myanmar near-endemic bird species - Chin Hills Wren Babbler (recently split from Long-tailed Wren Babbler) and Assam Laughingthrush (recently split from Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush), Mountain Bamboo Partridge, Crimson-breasted and Darjeeling Woodpeckers, Great and Golden-throated Barbets, Yellow-bellied Fantail, Chestnut-vented Nuthatch, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Green-backed Tit, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler and Grey Sibia
Many raptors such as Black Baza, Oriental Honey and Common Buzzards, Changeable Hawk, Mountain Hawk, Crested Serpent and Black Eagles, Besra, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Kesterl and Oriental Hobby can be also seen.
We can also able to see wintering species such as Chestnut, Grey-sided and Eyebrowed Thrushes, Orange-flanked Bush Robin, Black Redstart, Buff-throated, Hume’s, Radde’s and Tickell’s Leaf Warblers, Common Rosefinch, Chestnut and Little Buntings.

Day 23: Mt. Victoria (Natmataung) National Park – Bagan
Morning, return to Bagan for two night stay. Birding stops en-route. Overnight will be at hotel in Bagan.

Day 24: Bagan 
Morning, we will do birds watching again or if interest the archeology will visit famous pagodas and temples in Bagan. Late afternoon fly back to Yangon. Overnight will be at hotel in Yangon.

Day 25: Departure
City tour or visit to famous Shwedagon Pagoda, the city's primary Landmark, with its magnificent golden stupa. Transfer to Yangon international airport for the departure flight at your flight time.

Inclusions:

- Accommodation with breakfast in each destination
- Transfer & sightseeing with private A/C car & coach.
- Domestic flights Air Fares or Express Bus Fares:
- Boat fee for  Ayeyarwaddy River in Bangan
- Bir dwatching Guide
- Lunch & Dinner  

 Exclusions:

- International airport departure tax
- International flights
- Drinks, tips and personal expenses
- Entrance fee as per program.
- Insurance

Information

Notes

The best time to go is during November to April.

Fitness: The tour does not require a high level of fitness but particularly should be in good general health. Should you have any physical limitations please contact us. Please note we will be traveling in high altitudes.
Accommodation: Twin sharing room. The guest house at Putao is basic.
Usually cool. Raining conditions are unlikely but possible.

Climate: Usually cool. Raining conditions are unlikely but possible.
Equipment: Recommended gear to bring is small hiking backpack for day trips, sleeping bag, tent, own personal drink bottle, sun hat, sun cream, flash light, raincoat, gloves and fleece-jacket.
Group Size: Minimum 2- Maximum 10 Remark:                                
                       
Remark:

This bird watching tour trip is needed to apply the permit. That’s why; you should inform us two months priori to your trip’s target date please.

Book this tour

Book this tour