Vietnam Northern Extension 20th February to 1st March 2021 (10 days) Southern and Central Specialities 1st March to 15th March 2021 (15 days)
Bar-bellied Pitta by Suppalak Klabdee
After being isolated from the birding and travelling world for so long, Vietnam has become one of the key destinations on the world birding travel map. Our series of tours take in all the essential sites, giving us an excellent chance of locating all of Vietnams’ viable endemic and near endemic species.
Our Northern extension starts in Hanoi, taking in the best of Tam Dao, Cuc Phuong, Bach Ma and Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Parks, targeting Short-tailed, Coral-billed and Red-billed Scimitar Babblers, Annam Partridge, Rufous-headed and Short-tailed Parrotbills, Collared Babbler, Limestone Leaf RBL Vietnam & Extension Itinerary 2
Warbler, Eared Pitta, Sooty Babbler, White-tailed Flycatcher, Fujian Niltava, Red-collared Woodpecker, Austen’s Brown Hornbill and Limestone Wren-Babbler among many others.
Our main tour departs from Hue, covering another large variety of unique habitats in central Vietnam from the dry woodlands of Yok Don and the lush montane forests of Mang Den to the scrubby, secondary forest of Lo Xo Pass. These birding hotspots afford us the chance of seeing some of Vietnam’s most seldom-encountered avian specialties that include the near-mythical Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush, recently discovered Black-crowned Barwing, 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.
A scenic drive from Yok Don will take us to Da Lat, a former French hill station at the southern extreme of the Central Highlands. From Da Lat we will make day trips to the nearby Mount Lang Bian, the Ta Nung Valley and Ho Tuyen Lam for Collared Laughingthrush, Grey-crowned Bushtit, Vietnamese Cutia, Vietnamese Greenfinch and Black-crowned Fulvetta, as well as the once mythical Grey-crowned Crocias, a species thought to have been extinct for over 50 years! Di Linh offers up some mouth-watering specialities including Black-hooded, White-cheeked and Orange-breasted Laughingthrushes as well as the near-endemic Black-crowned Parrotbill.
We finish our tour in the magnificent lowland tropical forests of Cat Tien National Park. Numerous specialities, both avian and mammalian occur here, and we hope to find Blue-rumped and Bar-bellied Pittas, Germain’s Peacock-Pheasant, Green Peafowl, the elusive Orange-necked Partridge, Great Slaty, Pale-headed and Black-and-buff Woodpeckers, Lesser Adjutant and Grey-faced Tit-Babbler. Significant mammals could include Leopard Cat, Lesser Oriental Chevrotain, Gaur and three beautiful primates, Black-shanked Douc Langur, Silvered Lutung and Northern Yellow-cheeked Crested Gibbon. Now that peace reigns over the once troubled land of Vietnam, we invite those with a taste for the exotic to explore this incredible country.
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THE TOUR AT A GLANCE…
NORTH VIETNAM EXTENSION ITINERARY Day 1 Hanoi to Tam Dao Days 2 & 3 Tam Dao Day 4 Tam Dao to Cuc Phuong National Park Days 5 & 6 Cuc Phuong National Park Day 7 Cuc Phuong National Park to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park Day 8 Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park Day 9 Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park to Bach Ma National Park Day 10 Bach Ma National Park to Hue and depart, or continue with Main Tour
SOUTH & CENTRAL SPECIALITIES ITINERARY Day 1 Arrive in Hue Day 2 Hue to Mang Den via Kham Duc/Lo Xo Days 3 & 4 Mang Den Day 5 Mang Den to Yok Don National Park Day 6 Yok Don National Park to Da Lat Days 7 to 9 Da Lat area Day 10 Da Lat to Di Linh Day 11 Di Linh to Cat Tien National Park Days 12 to 14 Cat Tien National Park Day 15 Cat Tien National Park to Ho Chi Minh City and depart
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TOUR MAP
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Northern Extension
Day 1: Hanoi to Tam Dao. This morning we will all meet up at our hotel in Hanoi from where we begin our birding adventure through Vietnam. Tam Dao is an old French hill station where the residents of Hanoi would vacation in the hot summer months. Located in the forested hills to the north-west of Vietnam’s capital city, the beautiful, lush forests surrounding this small town are home to a number of exciting species of a typically Himalayan flare as they reach the eastern most limit of their range in these forested hills. This afternoon we will have time for some introductory birding in the forest surrounding the village where a number of new and exciting species await us.
Days 2 & 3: Tam Dao. We have two full days to explore the various trails that wind their way Orange-bellied Leafbird by Rich Lindie through the forested hills surrounding the town of Tam Dao. A number of very special species occur here and these will be our focus for the next two days. This is a wonderful area to begin our birding through Vietnam with an array of colourful, vibrant and showy species on offer that includes Orange- bellied Leafbird, Blyth’s Shrike-Babbler, the impressive Red-billed Blue Magpie, Golden Babbler, Black-chinned Yuhina, Ashy Bulbul and Red-headed Trogon. Black-winged Cuckooshrike and the range-restricted Chestnut Bulbul sometimes join mixed species flocks along with Pallas’s Leaf Warbler, Streak-breasted and Red-billed Scimitar Babblers and the recently split David’s Fulvetta (split from Grey-cheeked Fulvetta).
Small family parties of shy and rather unobtrusive Collared Babblers skulk about in areas of dense bamboo clusters, which is also the habitat of the retiring White-gorgeted Flycatcher. The elusive Grey Laughingthrush and busy flocks of Rufous-headed Parrotbills can sometimes be found associating with understory flocks, especially when there are scimitar babblers present. Dense scrub and thickets at the forest edge and in clearings support further skulkers like Russet, Pale-footed and Brown- flanked Bush Warblers, while Grey- backed Shrike also favours openings Golden Babbler by Markus Lilje
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and edge habitat. If we are very fortunate we may encounter a few of Tam Dao’s rare and particularly elusive species such as the always evasive and seldom-seen Green and Purple Cochoas, the smart Coral- billed Scimitar Babbler, Collared Treepie and the ultra-localized Short-tailed Parrotbill.
Day 4: Tam Dao to Cuc Phuong National Park. We have the early morning to search for any of the Tam Dao specialties that we may still require before departing for Cuc Mandarin Duck by Rich Lindie Phuong National Park, our base for the next three nights. We will be able to embark on a short, nocturnal foray this evening that may produce Collared Scops Owl and Brown Wood Owl in the forest surrounding our accommodation.
Days 5 & 6: Cuc Phuong National Park. We have an exciting two full days to explore this beautiful, unique and fascinating area with its forested valleys and extensive limestone rock formations. Our explorations of the various trails through the national park will provide chances of some very exciting and special birds indeed. Highlights and target species are many and include the range and habitat- restricted Limestone Wren-Babbler, the localized and rather furtive Rufous-throated Fulvetta, the scarce and under-recorded White-tailed Flycatcher, the attractive Silver-breasted Broadbill, brilliant but shy Common Green Magpie, the bizarre and localized Ratchet-tailed Treepie, the impressive Large Scimitar Babbler, gorgeous White-tailed Robin, Fujian Niltava and Buff-breasted Babbler. In the early mornings and late afternoons we’ll watch carefully along the tracks and trails for Silver Pheasants, while flocks of White-bellied Green Pigeons may also be seen perched up at the tops of tall, emergent bare trees. Mixed species flocks are likely to harbour species like Rufous and Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpeckers, the immaculate Sultan Tit, Plain Flowerpecker, Grey-crowned and Bianchi’s Warblers and Japanese Tit.
Two highly sought-after but often elusive and tough-to-see specialties that we will try our best to see during our time in the reserve are the gorgeous Blue-rumped and Eared Pittas, while forest streams support the boldly-patterned White-crowned Forktail. We will also keep a vigil skywards for Black Eagle and Brown- backed Needletails in flight over the forest canopy. Besides the beautiful but shy and secretive pittas, we will also be searching the Pied Falconet by Rich Lindie
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forest undergrowth for skulking denizens like the rarely seen and migratory Rufous-tailed Robin, miniscule Asian Stubtail, Black-breasted, Japanese, Grey-backed and White’s Thrushes, Red-flanked Bluetail and Manchurian Bush Warbler.
Day 7: Cuc Phuong National Park to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. After some final early morning birding at Cuc Phuong we will depart on the drive to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park where we spend the next two nights.
Day 8: Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. We have the entire day to explore the interesting and picturesque limestone forest of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. One of the main targets here is 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 Black-throated Laughinthrush interesting species that we will search for during our by Keith Valentine time in this beautiful reserve is the recently-split Limestone Leaf Warbler (split from Sulphur-breasted Warbler).
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-Ke Bang. While birding in this interesting habitat and landscape we may also encounter the range-restricted and recently-split Indochinese Yuhina (split from Striated Yuhina), the immaculate Slaty-backed Forktail, migratory Japanese Thrush, the secretive but beautifully musical 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 encounter the endangered Ha Tinh Langur or Red-shanked Douc Langur, two localized and rarely seen mammals.
Day 9: Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park to Bach Ma National Park. This morning we depart Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park on the long drive south to Bach Ma National Park that was established in 1991 and protects both lowland and montane forest between the Anamite Mountains and the South China Sea. We hope to arrive in time Sultan Tit by Keith Valentine
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for some initial birding around the edge of the national park before settling into our accommodation for a night’s stay.
Day 10: Bach Ma National Park to Hue and depart, or continue with Main Tour. 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 the 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.
Black-headed Woodpecker by Markus Lilje After lunch we shall return to Hue where the extension will conclude. For those continuing onwards with the Main Tour, we shall have some time to rest this afternoon before meeting up with any new guests at dinner this evening.
Southern and Central Specialities
Day 1: Arrive in Hue. Today is set aside as arrival day for guests joining us for the main tour. For those guests on the Northern Extension, we shall arrive in Hue early this afternoon.
Day 2: Hue to Mang Den via Kham Duc/Lo Xo. This morning we shall head south towards Kham Duc and the Lo Xo area near the Cambodian and Laos borders. The central highlands of Vietnam are still largely forested and undisturbed, and are now Vietnam’s last true wilderness.
We will concentrate our efforts around the Lo Xo Pass in search of the area’s many specialties. Our main target here will be the extremely localized and endemic Black- crowned Barwing that was only discovered in 1996! Other sought-after target species that we will be looking for during our morning on the pass include the rare White-winged Magpie Red-tailed Minla by Markus Lilje
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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, the 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 afternoon we shall depart Lo Xo Pass and continue the drive south down the Ho Chi Minh Highway towards Mang Den. We can expect to arrive at our accommodation at Mang Den in the late afternoon where we’re based for the next three nights.
Days 3 & 4: Mang Den. We have two full days to explore the riches of Mang Den and enjoy the area’s fabulous birds. Mang Den’s most prized species, the recently-discovered and extremely localized endemic Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush will be our main target species here but many other eye-catching specialties also occur in these forests and we will be on the lookout for them over the White-rumped Falcon by Glen Valentine course of the next two days. These target species 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 among many more widespread Asian species.
Day 5: Mang Den to Yok Don National Park. After breakfast we depart Mang Den for the scenic drive south 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 that covers much of the reserve 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 6: Yok Don National Park to Da Lat. We will have the early part of the morning for some final birding around Yok Don before embarking on the once again scenic drive towards the former French colonial hill station of Da Lat. This well-appointed and rather touristy town provides the perfect base from Rufous-faced Warbler by Clayton Burne
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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, as well as Rufous- backed and Black-headed Sibia and Black- throated Sunbird. We will also concentrate our efforts on finding the rare and ultra-shy Black-throated Sunbird by Luyen Nguyen Orange-breasted Laughingthrush and we 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, the dazzling Asian Fairy-bluebird, Little Pied Flycatcher, the resplendent Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird and Streaked Spiderhunter during our time here.
Days 7 to 9: 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 (7,110ft) 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, Dalat and Clicking Shrike-Babblers, the 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, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker Eyebrowed and Japanese Thrushes, Burmese Shrike, Grey Bush by Keith Valentine
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Chat, Chestnut-capped Babbler, Hill Prinia and the striking White-browed Scimitar Babbler. In the small tracts of broadleaved forest we will concentrate on finding Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Collared Owlet, Large Niltava, the secretive but exquisite White-tailed Robin, the incredible Long-tailed Broadbill, Eastern Crowned and Kloss’s Leaf Warblers and over-wintering Mugimaki Flycatcher. The forest patches here are also a back-up site for two of Da Lat’s toughest endemics, namely the furtive Black-hooded Laughingthrush and mega Grey-crowned Crocias.
Day 10: Da Lat to Di Linh. There will be time this morning for some final birding in the Da Lat area in search of any endemics that we may still need or require better looks at before departing this beautiful area and heading south-west towards the highland town of Di Linh.
We can expect to arrive in Di Linh after lunch in the Collared Laughingthrush by Luyen Nguyen early afternoon and after checking into our accommodation we will strike out for the nearby, bird- rich, forested mountain pass of Deo Nui San. Deo Nui San 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 and also harbours a wealth of other mouth-watering specialties. 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 11: Di Linh to Cat Tien National Park. Today we will depart early in order to maximise our time in the bird-rich forests that blanket the Deo Nui San 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 begins we should encounter some juicy mixed flocks that are likely to support many of our target species. These include the scarce Yellow-billed Nuthatch, furtive Indochinese Green Magpie, boldly-patterned Vietnamese Cutia, Arctic and Kloss’s Leaf Warblers, Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, Flavescent Bulbul, Mountain Fulvetta, Black-throated Bushtit, Maroon Oriole, the often-elusive Red-billed Scimitar Babbler, White-cheeked Laughingthrush, White-bellied Erpornis, Dark-sided, Mugimaki and Verditer Grey-crowned Crocias by Luyen Nguyen
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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, the scarce and shy White-throated Rock Thrush and the familiar and ever-present Grey Wagtail.
Several short trails head off the road into the Pygmy Slow Loris by Rich Lindie 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.
After a no doubt productive and enthralling morning’s birding on the pass we will depart Deo Nui San and Di Linh and begin the drive towards Cat Tien National Park. Cat Tien protects the largest remaining area of 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 and incredibly localized Orange- necked Partridge.
Days 12 to 14: 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, the 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 drivable tracks through the forest and natural clearings at the forest edge provide us with easy access to a range of different habitats and birding along these roads will be particularly rewarding. Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon by Markus Lilje
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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, scarce Black- and-buff and Laced Woodpeckers, Greater Yellownape, the rare, bamboo-specialist Pale-headed Woodpecker and Orange-necked Partridge, superb Black-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.
Green Peafowl by Glen Valentine 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, Northern Red Muntjac, Sambar, Lesser Mouse Deer (Chevrotain) and Leopard Cat, while other noteworthy mammals that may be found during our time in Cat Tien include the gorgeous Northern 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 Black-and-red Broadbills by Glen Valentine
RBL Vietnam & Extension Itinerary 14 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 15: Cat Tien National Park to Ho Chi Minh City and depart. This morning we will have some time to venture out along the main track through the forest in search of any of the specialties that we may not yet have seen or to simply enjoy the rich and varied avifauna of this beautiful forest reserve. In the mid-morning we will depart the lush forests of Cat Tien and begin the drive to Ho Chi Minh City where our tour of the endemic-rich country of Vietnam will conclude.
FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS: Tour dates, prices, single supplement rates, approximate flight costs and spaces available for this tour are displayed on our website. Please see under IMPORTANT NOTES below.
This includes: • All meals from lunch on day 1 to lunch on day 10 of the Northern Extension, and from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 15 of the Main tour; • Bottled drinking water; • All lodgings as per itinerary; • All activities and excursions mentioned in the itinerary; • 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; • 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 RBL 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.
RBL Vietnam & Extension Itinerary 15 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: • A fair amount 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. • Vietnam is a developing country with a limited, though rapidly changing infrastructure which, together with the incredible seasonal changes, means that schedules need to have a degree of flexibility. The rapid pace of development means that the country will change irrevocably over the coming period and the next few years may be the last chance to catch Vietnam, standing as anomalies in the 21st century.
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE DETAILS: This tour does not include any airfares. The Northern Extension begins with a transfer from Hanoi to Tam Dao on day 1. Please arrive in Hanoi the day before the tour starts. The extension concludes in Hue after lunch on day 10.
The Main Tour will begin in Hue. As day 1 is scheduled as an arrival day, you can arrive at any time. The tour will conclude in Ho Chi Minh City in the mid-morning of day 15.
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: Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Ho Chi Minh City (IATA: SGN), Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi (IATA: HAN) and Phu Bai International Airport, Hue (IATA: HUI) are the main ports of entry and departure for these tours and are well serviced by all of the world’s major airlines. Please DO NOT book any flights until you have consulted the Rockjumper office for confirmation on the status of the tour.