Best of Vietnam & Cambodia 6th to 24th March 2017 (19 days) Central Vietnam Extension 24th to 31st March 2017 (8 days)

Bar-bellied Pitta by Suppalak Klabdee

After being isolated from the birding and travelling world for so long, these two countries have become key destinations on the world birding travel map. Cambodia has emerged as one of South-east Asia’s finest birding and cultural destinations and here we look for the globally threatened Bengal Florican and Giant and White-shouldered Ibises. At the famous Prek Toal water-bird colony, on Tonle Sap Lake (the largest lake in the region), we hope to find Greater and Lesser Adjutants, Black-headed Ibis and both Milky and Painted Storks. Finally, we also devote some time in the country’s capital to search for RBT Cambodia and Vietnam & Extension Itinerary 2 the newly described Cambodian Tailorbird, amazingly only discovered in 2009 right in the capital itself! In Vietnam, we concentrate on the endemic bird areas in the south, and will visit Nam Cat Tien National Park and Da Lat area, with its host of South Vietnamese endemics! A long list of avian highlights includes the likes of Germain’s Peacock-Pheasant, Green Peafowl, Vietnamese Greenfinch, Black-headed Parrotbill, Grey-crowned Crocias, Black-hooded, White-cheeked and Orange-breasted Laughingthrushes and Bar-bellied Pitta. Now that peace reigns over these once troubled lands, we invite those with a taste for the exotic to explore these two fantastic countries with us.

CAMBODIA & VIETNAM ITINERARY Day 1 Arrive in Siem Reap and afternoon visit to Angkor Wat Day 2 Core Bird Reserve of Prek Toal and return to Siem Reap Day 3 Sarus Crane Reserve at Ang Trapeng Thmor (ATT) Day 4 Siem Reap to Tmatboey via the Florican Grasslands Days 5 & 6 Tmatboey Day 7 Tmatboey to Kratie Day 8 Kratie (boat trip on the Mekong River) and transfer to Phnom Penh Day 9 Phnom Penh to Cat Tien National Park via Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Days 10 to 12 Cat Tien National Park Day 13 Cat Tien National Park to Di Linh Day 14 Deo Sui Lanh Pass (Di Linh) Day 15 Di Linh to Da Lat Days 16 to 18 Da Lat Area Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City and depart or continue to Yok Don National Park Day 19 for those on the Central Vietnam Extension

CENTRAL VIETNAM EXTENSION Day 1 Da Lat to Yok Don National Park Day 2 Yok Don National Park to Mang Den Day 3 Mang Den Day 4 Mang Den to Lo Xo/Kham Duc Day 5 Kham Duc/Lo Xo to Bach Ma National Park Day 6 Bach Ma National Park to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park Day 7 Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park Day 8 Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park to Hue and depart

RBT Best of Birding Cambodia &Vietnam & Central Vietnam Extension 3

TOUR MAP

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THE TOUR IN DETAIL…

Day 1: Arrive in Siem Reap and afternoon visit to Angkor Wat. After arrival in Siem Reap, we will make an afternoon excursion to the magnificent and world- renown Angkor Wat. Truly a Wonder of the World, we will spend the afternoon and sunset birding around the temples of this spectacular, historical monument. Interesting species that we may encounter while admiring the temples include Ashy Minivet, Red-breasted and Alexandrine Parakeets, Angkor Wat Temples by Glen Valentine Blue Rock Thrush, Lineated and Coppersmith Barbets, Black-capped Kingfisher, Crested Serpent Eagle, attractive Zebra Dove, Ashy Woodswallow, Olive-backed Sunbird and Brown Shrike, while we keep an eye open for Brown- backed Needletail and Germain’s Swiftlet in flight overhead. In the late afternoon, after enjoying the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat temple spectacle, we will venture into the surrounding woodland where we will search for the secretive White-throated Rock Thrush, Ashy, Hair-crested and extravagant Greater Racket-tailed Drongos, Asian Brown, Taiga and Hainan Blue Flycatchers, Asian Barred Owlet, Plaintive Cuckoo, Black Baza, Forest Wagtail, Pale-legged Leaf and Yellow-browed Warblers, Olive- backed Pipit and Dark-necked Tailorbird. After sunset we will make our way back to our comfortable guest house in Siem Reap where we spend the night.

Day 2: Core Bird Reserve of Prek Toal and return to Siem Reap. The prolific Core Bird Sanctuary is situated on the Tonle Sap Great Lake, close to the Prek Toal floating village, and is home to a number of globally threaten ed birds. This will be our birding destination for the day and promises to showcase a staggering number of water-birds and other exciting species. In particular we will search for the scarce Mekong Wagtails by Glen Valentine Greater Adjutant and Milky Stork, with Lesser Adjutant,

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Painted Stork and Black-headed Ibis occurring in larger numbers. The Tonle Sap is the largest natural lake in south-east Asia, fed by the phenomenal annual backflow of water from the Mekong River. Situated in the north-west corner of the lake, Prek Toal Core Bird Reserve is home to the largest breeding colonies of water-birds in the region. The reserve covers 22,000 hectares of seasonally flooded forest where only the tallest trees break the surface of the lake during the annual flood, providing a habitat for water- birds to roost and nest. The Prek Toal village on Tonle Sap by Glen Valentine village of Prek Toal is situated adjacent to the reserve and floats at the mouth of the Sangke River, where it flows into the lake. Every house here is built on a platform of bamboo and moves according to the water level throughout the year. Schools, local restaurants, a church and even vegetable patches, pig-pens and crocodile farms are amazingly all built upon these floating structures! Throughout Cambodia, and indeed south-east Asia, Prek Toal is unmatched for the number of endangered water-birds it supports during the dry season. This vast wetland system supports a globally significant population of Grey-headed Fish Eagle and other highlights today could include Spot-billed Pelican, Asian Openbill, Little, Indian and Great Cormorants, Indian Spot-billed Duck and Brahminy Kite. The dense thickets and water-side vegetation that lines the numerous waterways are also usually productive and host noteworthy species such as Green-billed Malkoha, the stunning Blue-tailed Bee- eater, Greater Coucal, Rufous Woodpecker, Malaysian Pied Fantail, Dusky Warbler, Pin-striped Tit- Babbler and Olive-backed Sunbird. In the late afternoon we can visit one of Siem Reap’s public parks, which will afford us the opportunity to view roosting Lyle’s and Large Flying Foxes in the massive trees dotted around the grounds.

Day 3: Sarus Crane Reserve at Ang Trapeng Thmor (ATT). ATT is a man- made reservoir that was rebuilt by slave labour during the Khmer Rouge regime in 1976. The reservoir is now a Sarus Crane reserve administered by the WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society), with over 300 of these magnificent birds congregating to feed in the dry season, Sarus Cranes by Markus Lilje along with a number of other species,

RBT Best of Birding Cambodia &Vietnam & Central Vietnam Extension 6 many of which are globally threatened. Our visit coincides with the onset of the dry season and with luck, a few pairs of Black-necked Stork will be frequenting the site, along with many of the water-birds that breed at Prek Toal. These include Black-headed Ibis, Milky and Painted Storks, Spot-billed Pelican, Oriental Darter, Asian Openbill and both Greater and Lesser Adjutants. Rank, weedy vegetation at the reservoir edge could yield Greater Painted- snipe, White-browed Crake and Bronze-winged and Pheasant- tailed Jacanas, as well as Oriental Reed Warbler, Striated Grassbird, Bluethroat and Eastern Yellow Wagtail, while open, muddy areas harbour good numbers of wintering waders like Spotted Redshank, Little Ringed Plover, Green and Wood Sandpipers, Common Greenshank, Marsh Sandpiper and Temminck’s Stint. Waterfowl that are attracted to this vast wetland area include Knob-billed Duck, Lesser Whistling Duck and Cotton Pygmy Goose, while flocks of Oriental Pratincole as well as the odd Pied and Eastern Marsh Harrier often emerge in the afternoon to begin feeding over the adjacent grasslands. The very rare and endangered Eld’s Deer also occurs in the area and herds are sometimes seen near the edge of the reservoir. We will also spend some time birding the surrou nding woodland, thickets and cultivation, which can be particularly Painted Storks by Glen Valentine birdy. White-shouldered and handsome Black-collared Starlings are usually present as are Great Myna, Brown Shrike, Plain-backed Sparrow, Rufous-winged Buzzard, Black Baza, Spotted Owlet, Green Bee-eater, Lineated Barbet, brilliant Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker and Chestnut-flanked White-eye. In the late afternoon we shall return to our now familiar accommodation in Siem Reap.

Day 4: Siem Reap to Tmatboey via the Florican Grasslands. We will depart Siem Reap early this morning for an area of grasslands, rice fields and mixed cultivation near the town of Kampong Thom where we will search for one of Asia’s rarest and most sought-after birds – the critically endangered Bengal Florican. The WCS has worked with local communities to set up Integrated Farming and Biodiversity Areas (IFBAs) here to conserve prime florican habitat. The area is one of the most reliable sites in the world to find Bengal Florican and we will spend the early part of the morning working the extensive grasslands in search of this avian mega-tick amongst many other desirable species. Other exciting birds that may turn up this morning include the rarely-seen King Quail, Barred and Common Buttonquails, scarce an d extremely skulking Manchurian Reed, Lanceolated Bengal Florican by Allan Michaud and Pallas’s Grasshopper Warblers, singing and

RBT Best of Birding Cambodia &Vietnam & Central Vietnam Extension 7 displaying Horsfield’s Bushlark and Oriental Skylark, Stejneger’s Stonechat, gorgeous Red Avadavat, Scaly-breasted and Chestnut Munias, Eastern Marsh and Pied Harriers, Greater Spotted Eagle, Pin- tailed Snipe, and Richard’s, Red-throated and Paddyfield Pipits. In the mid-morning we shall depart the Kampong Thom area and carry on our journey to Tmatboey, our remote destination in northern Cambodia, where we will spend the next three nights. A short stop at the edge of an area of broad-leaved, dipterocarp forest en route to Tmatboey could produce the rare and much desired White-rumped Falcon. We should arrive at our basic accommodation near the edge of the small village of Tmatboey in the mid-afternoon with time to explore the surrounding woodland within the Khulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary, the country’s largest protected area. Tmatboey is one of only two known breeding sites globally for the critically Pied Harrier by Glen Valentine endangered Giant Ibis, which nests in large trees at the edge of small grassy clearings and ponds in the forest away from the village. White- shouldered Ibis is found closer to the village, where they are reliant on grassy clearings in the dipterocarp forest. The dry, broad-leaved, dipterocarp woodlands around Tmatboey can be alive with birds and a short stroll through this beautiful habitat could yield many fabulous species like Oriental Pied Hornbill, Rufous-winged Buzzard, the tiny Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Common Woodshrike, Common Iora, Large and Indochinese Cuckooshrikes, splendid Small Minivet, Burmese Shrike, Black-naped Oriole, White-browed Fantail, shy but mightily impressive Red-billed Blue Magpie, Rufous Treepie, Sooty-headed and Streak-eared Bulbuls, Grey- breasted, Plain and scarce Brown Prinias, localized Burmese Nuthatch and Black-collared Starling. In the late afternoon we will stake out a reliable White-shouldered Ibis roosting site just before dusk and our chance of seeing this very rare species is extremely good.

Days 5 & 6: Tmatboey. Our next two full days in the Tmatboey area should produce a wide array of wonderful birds. Top of the wish-list will be the Giant Ibis, for which we will have to be up very early and may have to put in a fair amount of time and effort in order to see this mega rarity. However our chances of seeing one is very good and we will no doubt encounter many other fabulous species during our “Ibis quest”. Noisy family groups of spectacular Black-headed Woodpeckers roam the beautiful woodlands as do flocks of beautiful Blossom-headed Lesser Adjutant by Markus Lilje and Red-breasted Parakeets.

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We can also expect to encounter the regal Crested Serpent Eagle, Changeable Hawk- Eagle, Crested Honey Buzzard, Crested Treeswift, brilliant Indian Roller, Common Flameback, Eurasian Hoopoe, sensational Scarlet Minivet, Black-hooded Oriole, localized Indochinese Bushlark and Chestnut- tailed Starling during our time in the area. Other target species that we shall search for include Chinese Francolin, the gigantic Great Slaty, miniscule Yellow-crowned and scarce Freckle-breasted and Streak-throated Woodpeckers, Alexandrine Parakeet, Yellow- footed Green Pigeon, Stork-billed and Black- capped Kingfishers, partially diurnal Spotted Owlet, Black-crested Bulbul, Radde’s, Two- Giant Ibis by Glen Valentine barred and Pale-legged Leaf Warblers, noisy, attractive but rather secretive White-crested Laughingthrush, Van Hasselt’s Sunbird, the striking Siberian Rubythroat and the very rare and nomadic Pale-capped Pigeon. We shall also embark on night birding excursions, which could net us several nocturnal specialties such as Oriental and Collared Scops Owls, Spotted Wood Owl, Brown Fish Owl, Brown Hawk-Owl, Asian Barred Owlet and Savanna Nightjar. With luck we may also find Brown Wood Owl, a rare species in this area.

Day 7: Tmatboey to Kratie. We have some more time to bird around Tmatboey before heading south. The remainder of the day is dedicated mostly to travel, as we make our way south and east across the country towards the capital of Pnom Penh, and then onwards to Kratie, a reasonably sized town situated at the edge of the broad Mekong River. We will make birding stop along our route, before arriving in Kratie late this afternoon.

Day 8: Kratie (boat trip on the Mekong River) and transfer to Phnom Penh. This morning we shall embark on an exciting boat trip on the nearby, expansive Mekong River. We will concentrate our efforts on the Kampi Pools where the recently described Mekong Wagtail will be our main target. Irrawaddy Dolphins are also often seen in this area and other possibilities include Indian Spot-billed Duck and Pied Kingfisher. After our boat trip, we shall change tack and search for another major target species, the Cambodian Tailorbird. This extremely localized species was only discovered as recently as 2009 Black Baza by Mike Pope and is currently only known from a small area of lowland thicket habitat near the Mekong River

RBT Best of Birding Cambodia &Vietnam & Central Vietnam Extension 9 floodplain on the outskirts of Phnom Penh. We have an excellent chance of seeing this localized and much prized endemic and will certainly encounter a host of other interesting species during our “Tailorbird quest”. Yellow Bittern skulks in the rank growth at the edges of small water-bodies and Plaintive and Chestnut-winged Cuckoos are also often around. Areas of dense thickets will be our main habitat of focus and this is where we will seek out the Cambodian Tailorbird. Other likely species include the much more abundant, widespread and superficially similar Common Tailorbird, as well as Plain Prinia, Brown Shrike and Pied Bush Chat. We have only a short drive to our lodgings in Phnom Penh, where we can discuss the next leg of our exciting tour over a celebratory dinner.

Day 9: Phnom Penh to Cat Tien National Park via Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Today we will transfer to Phnom Penh International Airport for a morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). From there we will transfer by road to Cat Tien National Park. Cat Tien protects the largest remaining area of Banded Kingfisher by Markus Lilje lowland tropical forest in southern Vietnam, and harbours an incredible diversity of wildlife, including over 330 bird species. Some of the endangered birds found in this impressive reserve include Germain’s Peacock-Pheasant, Green Peafowl and the highly elusive Orange-necked Partridge.

Days 10 to 12: Cat Tien National Park. We will spend the next three days birding along the network of tracks and forest trails in the Cat Tien National Park. Forest trails could yield secretive species such as the superb but shy Bar-bellied and Blue-rumped Pittas, the near-endemic Germain’s Peacock- Pheasant, immaculate Siberian Blue Robin, brilliant Banded, Oriental Dwarf and Blue-eared Kingfishers, superb Orange-breasted and Red-headed Trogons, Siamese Fireback, bamboo-loving Yellow-bellied Warbler, Pale-footed Bush Warbler, Green-legged Partridge, Pale Blue, Tickell’s Blue and Blue-and-white Flycatchers, Scaly-crowned and Buff-breasted Babblers, White-rumped Shama and Purple-naped Sunbird, while tracks through the forest and natural clearings at the forest edge will give us the majority of our sightings in Cat Tien. In this more open habitat we will seek out Black Baza, Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo, impressive Blue-bearded and Chestnut-headed Bee-eaters, Oriental Dollarbird, Great Slaty, White-bellied, Black-and-buff and Laced Woodpeckers, Greater Yellownape, the rare, bamboo-specialist Pale-headed Woodpecker Pygmy Slow Loris by Rich Lindie and Orange-necked Partridge, superb Black-

RBT Best of Birding Cambodia &Vietnam & Central Vietnam Extension 10 and-red, Dusky and Banded Broadbills, Bar-winged Flycatcher-Shrike, Large Woodshrike, Great Iora, Ashy and Scarlet Minivets, Ashy, Bronzed, Hair-crested and Greater Racket-tailed Drongos, Stripe- throated, Ochraceous and Grey-eyed Bulbuls, Racket-tailed Treepie, Rufescent Prinia, Dark-necked Tailorbird, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Plain Flowerpecker, Ruby-cheeked and Olive-backed Sunbirds, Little Spiderhunter, Forest Wagtail and the Indochinese endemic Grey-faced Tit-Babbler. We will also embark on late afternoon drives towards the edge of the reserve. These drives in more open habitat are often very productive and regularly produce excellent views of the incomparable Green Peafowl, as well as Large Hawk-Cuckoo, Asian Emerald and Violet Cuckoos, Green-billed Malkoha, Racket-tailed Treepie, Greater and Lesser Coucals, Lesser Adjutant, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Germain’s Swiftlet, fast-flying Silver-backed Needletail, Vinous-breasted Starling, Red Turtle Dove, White-rumped and Scaly-breasted Munias and Chestnut-capped Babbler. Mammals that are sometimes encountered on these drives include Wild Boar, Gaur, Red Muntjac, Sambar, Lesser Grey-crowned Crocias by Luyen Nguyen Mouse Deer (Chevrotain) and Leopard Cat, while other noteworthy mammals that may be found during our time in Cat Tien include the gorgeous Yellow-cheeked Crested Gibbon, localized and highly-threatened Black-shanked Douc Langur, Long- tailed (Crab-eating) and Northern Pig-tailed Macaques, Crab-eating Mongoose and Northern Slender- tailed Treeshrew. If we are lucky enough to encounter a fruiting tree we may be rewarded with a throng of activity with Thick-billed, Pin-tailed and Ashy-headed Green Pigeons, Green Imperial Pigeon, superb Golden- crested and Common Hill Mynas, Coppersmith, Red-vented, Lineated, Green-eared and Blue-eared Barbets, Vernal Hanging Parrot and Oriental Pied, Great and Wreathed Hornbills all being regular attendants. In the evenings there will be the option to embark on night walks around the camp and along the main track and these outings regularly produce sightings of Collared Scops Owl, Brown Hawk-Owl and the magnificent, harrier-like Great Eared Nightjar, as well as Large-tailed Nightjar. Chances also exist of finding the rarely-seen Spot-bellied Eagle- Owl, elusive Blyth’s Frogmouth, Common Palm Civet and the miniscule Pygmy Slow Loris, a rarely encountered nocturnal Prosimian.

Day 13: Cat Tien National Park to Di Linh. There will be time this morning for some final Black-and-red Broadbills by Glen Valentine birding along the main track through the forest

RBT Best of Birding Cambodia &Vietnam & Central Vietnam Extension 11 in search of any of the specialties that we may not yet have seen. In the mid-morning we will depart the lush forests of Cat Tien for the highlands of Di Linh. We can expect to arrive in Di Linh after lunch in the early afternoon and after checking into our accommodation we will strike out for the nearby, bird-rich, forested mountain pass of Deo Suoi Lanh. Deo Suoi Lanh is home to several of the Da Lat Plateau’s special endemics such as Black-hooded and Orange-breasted Laughingthrushes, as well as the near-endemic Black-headed Parrotbill, Vietnamese Cutia and White-cheeked Laughingthrush. After an afternoon’s birding along the winding road through these verdant higher-altitude forests we will return to our accommodation in Di Linh town.

Day 14: Deo Sui Lanh Pass (Di Linh). Today we will depart early in order to maximise our time in the bird-rich forests that blanket the Deo Suoi Lanh Pass. Here we will have a good chance of seeing Blue Whistling Thrush and Spotted Forktail just after first light. The dawn chorus can be particularly impressive and as soon as first light starts we should encounter some juicy mixed flocks that are likely to harbour many of our target species. These include the scarce Collared Laughingthrush Yellow-billed Nuthatch, furtive Indochinese Green Magpie, by Luyen Nguyen boldly-patterned Vietnamese Cutia, Arctic and Kloss’s Leaf Warblers, Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, Flavescent Bulbul, Mountain Fulvetta, Black-throated Bushtit, Maroon Oriole, often-elusive Red-billed Scimitar Babbler, White-cheeked Laughingthrush, White-bellied Erpornis, Dark-sided, Mugimaki and Verditer Flycatchers, Rufous-capped Babbler, Black-headed Parrotbill, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Crimson Sunbird and Streaked Spiderhunter. While working our way along the road we will also keep our eyes peeled for species like Pin-tailed and Yellow-vented Green Pigeons, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Red-vented and Indochinese Barbets, spectacular Red-headed Trogon, scarce and shy White-throated Rock Thrush and the familiar and ever-present Grey Wagtail. Several short trails head off the road into the forest and working our way slowly along these narrow and sometimes slippery paths will offer us our best chance of finding secretive forest interior species such as Blue Pitta, Bar- backed Partridge and Orange-breasted and Black- hooded Laughingthrushes. The rarely seen and highly prized Green Cochoa even occurs here but we’d be most fortunate to find this rarity.

Day 15: Di Linh to Da Lat. This morning we shall undertake the short drive towards the Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon by Markus Lilje former French colonial hill station of Da Lat.

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This scenic and rather touristy town provides the perfect base from which to explore the Da Lat Plateau’s various habitats and birding localities that are very conveniently situated close to town. This afternoon we will have time to venture out to the Ta Nung Valley, a small but bird-filled area of remnant evergreen forest close to Da Lat. This is the most accessible site for the rare, endemic and once mythical Grey-crowned Crocias. Other possibilities here include the very distinct local subspecies of Blue-winged Minla, Rufous-backed and Black-headed Sibia and Black-throated Sunbird. We will also concentrate our efforts on finding the rare and ultra-shy Orange-breasted Laughingthrush should we have missed it at Deo Suoi Lanh and are also likely to encounter White-cheeked Laughingthrush, Red-vented and Indochinese Barbets, Barred Cuckoo-Dove, Thick-billed Green Pigeon, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo, Greater Yellownape, Bay Woodpecker, Indochinese Cuckooshrike, White-throated Fantail, Grey-headed Canary- Flycatcher, Mountain, Flavescent and Black Bulbuls, Grey- throated Babbler, dazzling Asian Fairy-bluebird, Little Pied Flycatcher, dazzling Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird and Streaked Spiderhunter during our time here. White-rumped Falcon by Glen Valentine Days 16 to 18: Da Lat area. In addition to the wonderful Ta Nung Valley, there are two other main birding sites around Da Lat; namely Mount Lang Bian and Ho Tuyen Lam. Mount Lang Bian is a 2, 169 m (7110ft) high peak situated near the edge of Da Lat and hosts a number of Da Lat endemics and other more widespread but no less desirable species. The short trail that leads through the beautiful, moss-draped, broad-leaved evergreen forest on the upper slope of the mountain will be our main focal point and offers some sensational birding, with highlights including the striking, endemic Collared Laughingthrush, Da Lat and Clicking Shrike-babblers, rare and elusive Green Cochoa, Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Hume’s Treecreeper, Mountain and endemic Black-crowned Fulvettas, Yellow-cheeked Tit, Blyth’s Leaf, White-spectacled, Grey-cheeked and Chestnut-crowned Warblers, Mountain Tailorbird, Lesser Shortwing and Grey-bellied Tesia. Our explorations of the beautiful pine and broad-leaved evergreen forests that surround Ho Tuyen Lam Dam should also reward us with many wonderful species. The pine forests and surrounding grassland and thickets support Vietnamese Cutia, Vietnamese Greenfinch, Slender-billed Oriole, Green- backed Tit, the unique Red Crossbill, Chestnut- vented Nuthatch, Long-tailed and Grey-chinned Minivets, Grey-faced Buzzard, Eurasian Jay, Indochinese Cuckooshrike, Black-collared Starling, Eyebrowed and Japanese Thrushes, Burmese Shrike, Grey Bush Chat, Chestnut- capped Babbler, Hill Prinia and the striking White-browed Scimitar Babbler. In the small Black-throated Sunbird by Luyen Nguyen

RBT Best of Birding Cambodia &Vietnam & Central Vietnam Extension 13 tracts of broadleaved forest we will concentrate on finding Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Collared Owlet, Large Niltava, secretive and exquisite White-tailed Robin, Kloss’s and Eastern Crowned Warblers, incredible Long-tailed Broadbill, Black-hooded Laughingthrush, Grey-crowned Crocias and over-wintering Mugimaki Flycatcher.

Day 19: Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City and depart or continue to Yok Don National Park for those on the Central Vietnam Extension. After breakfast we will make our way to the airport near the outskirts of Da Lat from where those not participating on the Central Vietnam Extension will take a short, internal flight back to Ho Chi Minh City for your international flights home. Those continuing on the Central Vietnam Extension will drive to Yok Don National Park.

Central Vietnam Extension

Black-headed Woodpecker by Markus Lilje

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Our exciting Central Vietnam Extension takes us to some remote and rarely-visited areas of this scenic and fascinating country. We will take in a variety of different and unique habitats from the dry woodlands of Yok Don and the lush montane forests of Mang Den and Nha Ke Bang to the scrubby, secondary forest of Lo Xo and the limestone woodland and forest of Bach Ma. These birding hotspots afford us the chance of seeing some of Vietnam’s most seldom-encountered avian specialties that include near-mythical species like Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush, Black-crowned Barwing and Annam Partridge, as well as localized endemics and global rarities such as Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Short-tailed Scimitar Babbler, Red-tailed Laughingthrush, Pale-capped Pigeon, White-winged Magpie, Red-collared Woodpecker, Mekong Wagtail and Sooty Babbler.

Day 1: Da Lat to Yok Don National Park. After breakfast we depart Da Lat for the scenic drive north to Yok Don National Park, situated in Daklak Province near the border of north-western Cambodia. We will arrive in time for lunch and after checking into our rooms will have the afternoon to explore the banks of the Srepok River, a major tributary of the Mekong River, as well as the surrounding dry deciduous forests of Yok Don. The avifauna here is rather similar to that of north- western Cambodia and specialties that we shall be on the lookout for in the dry dipterocarp forest include Fulvous-breasted, Rufous-bellied and Black-headed Woodpeckers, Alexandrine and Blossom- headed Parakeets, White-rumped Falcon, Rufous Treepie and the recently described and near-endemic Mekong Wagtail.

Day 2: Yok Don National Park to Mang Den. After some final early morning birding at Yok Don we shall embark on the once-again scenic drive north to Mang Den in Kontum Province with a lunch stop en route. We should arrive in the mid-afternoon in time for some initial exploration of Mang Den.

Day 3: Mang Den. Mang Den’s most prized species, the recently-discovered and extremely localized endemic Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush will be our main target species today. Other specialties of the Mang Den area that we may encounter include the scarce and elusive Pale-capped Pigeon, near- endemic Yellow-billed Nuthatch and Short-tailed Scimitar Babbler, Rufous-faced Warbler, Pale Blue Flycatcher, White-throated Rock Thrush, Black-headed Parrotbill and the highly localized Black- hooded Laughingthrush.

Day 4: Mang Den to Lo Xo/Kham Duc. There will be time for some final morning birding at Mang Den before making our way up the Ho Chi Minh Highway to the Lo Xo Pass, near the Cambodian and Loas border. Our main target here will be the extremely localized and endemic Black-crowned Barwing that was only discovered in 1996! The central highlands of Vietnam are still largely forested and undisturbed and are now Vietnam’s last true wilderness. In the late afternoon we will make our way to our accommodation in the nearby town of Kham Duc where we spend the night. Red-tailed Minla by Markus Lilje

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Day 5: Kham Duc/Lo Xo to Bach Ma National Park. There will be time for a return visit to the Lo Xo Pass in the morning to look for the area’s other specialties such as the rare White-winged Magpie and secretive Red-tailed Laughingthrush. While searching for these sought-after species we may also encounter Eastern Jungle Crow, Asian Emerald Cuckoo, Plumbeous Water Redstart, Red-tailed and Blue- winged Minla, Small Niltava, vocal but secretive Spot-throated Babbler and Grey-bellied Tesia, Rufous-backed Sibia and the scarce and richly- coloured Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler. In the mid-morning we will make our White-throated Rock Thrush by Markus Lilje way back to Kham Duc and then continue northwards to Bach Ma National Park, which was established in 1991 and protects both lowland and montane forest between the Anamite Mountains and the South China Sea. We should arrive in time to undertake some initial explorations of this fascinating reserve.

Day 6: Bach Ma National Park to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. This morning we shall search for two very special avian gems, namely the recently recognized Annam Partridge (split from Green-legged Partridge) and the near- endemic Short-tailed Scimitar Babbler, which is actually a kind of ground babbler rather than a scimitar babbler! While searching for these highly range-restricted endemics we may encounter other eye-catching species such as the localized, black-crested race of superb Sultan Tit, Black-browed Fulvetta and Puff-throated Bulbul, while the more open, secondary habitat at the edge of the park supports Masked Laughingthrush, Daurian Redstart, Light-vented Bulbul, Chinese Blackbird, Brown-throated Sunbird and Grey-capped Greenfinch. In the afternoon, after a full morning’s birding we shall leave Bach Ma for the long drive north to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park where we spend the final two nights of this Central Vietnam birding adventure.

Day 7: Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. We will have the whole day to explore the unique, fascinating and Rufous-bellied Woodpecker picturesque limestone forest of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National by Keith Valentine Park. The main targets here are the Indochinese endemic Sooty Babbler, which inhabits limestone outcrops and was only rediscovered in Central Vietnam in 1994 after initially having been discovered in Laos in 1920 and thereafter eluding detection for over 70 years! Another interesting species that we will search for during our time in this beautiful reserve is the recently-split Limestone Leaf-warbler (split from Sulphur-breasted Leaf-warbler).

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The rare and seldom-recorded Red- collared Woodpecker, skulking Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrush and elusive Northern Brown Hornbill are among the other specialties at Phong Nha and while birding in this interesting habitat and landscape we may also encounter the range- restricted and recently-split Indochinese Yuhina (split from Striated Yuhina), immaculate Slaty- backed Forktail, migratory Japanese Thrush, Black-throated Laughingthrush, exquisite Fork- tailed and Crimson Sunbirds and Great Myna. The secretive Blue-rumped Pitta and Chestnut- necklaced Partridge also occur but are difficult to see and if we are equally fortunate we may Daurian Redstart by Markus Lilje encounter the endangered Ha Tinh Langur or Red-shanked Douc Langur, two localized and rarely seen mammals.

Day 8: Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park to Hue and depart. This morning we leave Phong Nha- Ke Bang National Park after breakfast and make our way back south down Highway One to Hue for our international departure flights.

FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS: Tour dates, prices, single supplement rates, approximate flight costs and spaces available for this tour are displayed on our website (for the Best of Birding Vietnam and Cambodia, click here; for the Central Vietnam Extension, click here). Please see under IMPORTANT NOTES below.

This includes:  On selected tours we are able to arrange free transfers to our specified hotel or airport, within 3 days of the beginning or end of the main tour. However, since our capacity to offer this service can vary from tour to tour, details of this option will be sent to you upon confirmation of this tour;  All meals from lunch on day 1 to breakfast on day 19 for those on the main tour; and from lunch on day 1 to breakfast on day 8 of the extension,  Bottled drinking water;  All lodgings as per itinerary;  All activities and excursions mentioned in the itinerary, including boat rides on Tonle Sap Great Lake and the at the Kampi Pools, as well as the use of open-air trucks in Cat Tien National Park;  All ground transportation in an air-conditioned bus;  Reserve entrance fees;  Gratuities for hotel staff, porters, etc; and  All guiding services (including tips for local guides and services).

The tour fee does not include:  Visa fees;

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 ANY flights;  All beverages (including mini-bar charges at hotels);  Special gratuities;  Telephone calls; and  Laundry and other items of a personal nature.

Single Supplement: The single supplement cost for this tour will be charged if you wish to have single accommodation. If RBT cannot provide you with a rooming partner for these nights although you choose to share, the single supplement will become applicable. We will make all reasonable efforts to ensure that a rooming partner is found if you do wish to share.

IMPORTANT NOTES: a) Due to constantly fluctuating exchange rates, we quote our tours in 4 currencies. The tour price is however fixed only in the currency printed in bold, and the actual cost in the other currencies listed will be adjusted according to prevailing exchange rates at the time of final invoicing (usually 4 months before the tour.) The same applies to approximate flight and single supplement rates, which are also quoted in the respective fixed currency. b) Rates are based upon group tariffs; if the tour does not have sufficient registration a small party supplement will have to be charged. c) Furthermore, these costs are subject to unforeseen increases in tour related costs and may have to be adjusted as a result. d) Lastly, we may be forced to change or alter the itinerary and / or the designated Rockjumper leader/s at short or no notice due to unforeseen circumstances; please be aware that we will attempt to adhere as close to the original program as possible.

Tipping: As noted above, gratuities (drivers, hotel staff, restaurants etc.) are included on this tour. However, this does NOT include your Rockjumper leader/s. If, therefore, you feel that he/they have given you excellent service, it is entirely appropriate to tip them.

Special Notes:  Some of our time is spent in vehicles, as we do have to cover fair distances in order to get to the best areas for birds and animals. The more luggage you pack, the less room there is in the vehicle, so it is important for the comfort of your fellow travellers that you do not over-pack. Kindly stick to 20kg (44lb) for check in luggage and 8kg (+-18lb) for hand luggage.  Leeches do occur in some of the reserves and encountering them really depends on how much recent rain there has been. If you do have leach socks, it might therefore be a good idea to bring them along; otherwise, tucking your long pants into your socks is usually sufficient to deter them from latching on.  Cambodia & Vietnam are developing countries with a limited, though rapidly changing infrastructure which, together with the incredible seasonal changes as exemplified most graphically by the Tonle Sap Lake, means that schedules need to have a degree of flexibility. The rapid pace of development means that both countries will change irrevocably over the coming period and the next few years may be the last chance to catch these countries, standing as anomalies in the 21st century.

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 The itinerary takes in the WCS Conservation sites across Cambodia where, because of the partnership with WCS, we have exclusive access to environmentally sensitive areas of special biodiversity. These sites by their very nature are often in remote areas where local communities have limited exposure to other Cambodians, let along foreigners. This cultural gap is bridged by the multi-lingual SVC Guide. Nonetheless, what sometimes seem like the simplest tasks can become very complicated, so please have patience.

ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE DETAILS: This tour does not include any airfares. The tour begins on day 1 with an afternoon visit to Angkor Watt, so it is essential that you arrive before 13:00, or preferably arrive a day in advance. The tour will conclude after breakfast on day 19 at Lien Khuong Airport, Da Lat (IATA: DLI). For those participating on our Central Vietnam extension, the tour will depart Lien Khuong Airport, Da Lat (IATA: DLI) on the morning of day 1 (day 19 of the main tour). The extension will conclude at Phu Bai International Airport, Hue (IATA: HUI) after breakfast on day 8. The above information in respect of arrivals and departures is a guide only. Precise arrival and departure information will be sent to you in your Tour Confirmation package once the tour has been officially confirmed. If you wish to arrive early and/or depart late and would like assistance in this regard, kindly contact the Rockjumper office.

FLIGHTS: Siem Reap International Airport, Siem Reap (IATA: REP) and Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Ho Chi Minh City (IATA: SGN) are the main ports of entry for these tours and are well serviced by all of the world’s major airlines. We have the capacity to advise you on the best route according to your preferences, but your local travel agent will best be able to book these flights for you. We can, however, book the internal flight/s on your behalf. IMPORTANT: please DO NOT book your international flights until you have consulted the Rockjumper office for confirmation on the status of the tour.

Rockjumper Birding Ltd c/o Summit Trust (Mauritius) Limited Labourdonnais Village Mapou Mauritius Tel (USA & Canada) toll free: 1-888-990-5552 Email: [email protected] Alternative email: [email protected] Website: www.rockjumperbirding.com