Myanmar Birding Tour

Arrive in Yangon where you will be welcomed by your local tour guide and transferred to your hotel to drop off you luggage. If you arrived by mid day flight, we may proceed for lunch. After lunch, a walk through “downtown” Yangon, a diverse mix of faded colonial architecture from the British times, and high-rises built by more recent investors; Sule Pagoda, built in the early 3rd century is a landmark in the city centre. Late afternoon visit the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda of Rudyard Kipling fame and one of Myanmar’s most sacred places. The massive bell shaped stupa is plated with gold and the tip of the stupa is set with diamonds and rubies, sapphires and topaz – a stunning sight as the sun sets and a most fitting place to begin our trip in this “Golden Land”. Overnight at the Hotel.
Meals: dinner

In the morning, we will drive to Hlawga Wildlife Park to do birding. Here we will be able to see the rare Pale-capped Pigeon, Racket-tailed Treepie, Red Junglefowl, Green, Blue-tailed and Chestnut-headed Bee-eaters, Green-billed Malkoha, Lesser Racket-tailed and Greater Racket-tailed Drongos, White-rumped Shama, Black-headed, Black-crested, Red-vented, Red-whiskered, Stripe-throated with red eyes which is only found in south Myanmar and near-endemic Streak-eared Bulbuls, White-crested and Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrushes, Puff-throated and Chestnut-capped Babblers, Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker, Ruby-cheeked, Olive-backed and Purple Sunbirds, some waterbird species such as Oriental Darter, Spot-billed and Lesser Whistling Ducks, Cotton Pygmy Goose, Common Moorhen, White-breasted Waterhen, Red-wattled Lapwing, Little Ringed Plover and others. We can also see wintering species such as Osprey, Black-naped Oriole, Spotted Redshank, Painted Stork, Asian Openbill, Black-naped Oriole, Black-winged Cuckooshrike, Oriental Reed, Greenish and Yellow-browed Warblers and Forest Wagtail. Late afternoon, we will drive to Moeyungyi Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary (two hours drive). In the evening we will be birding along the shore of Moeyungyi to see Plaintive Cuckoo, Bluethroat, Striated Grassbird, Thick-billed and Oriental Reed Warblers, Asian Golden Weaver, pipits, shorebirds and others. Overnight will be at resort in the sanctuary. Very simple and basic accommodation.
Meals: breakfast

Day 03. Moeyungyi Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary – Yangon (B) Morning boat rides on Moeyongyi Lake to see hundreds of Purple Swanphen, Pheasant-tailed and Bronz-winged Jacanas, Lesser Whistling Duck, Gadwall, Garganey and Northern Pintail together with Watercock, Oriental Pratincole, Grey Heron, Cinnamon Bittern, Asian Openbill, Woolly-necked and Painted Storks, Glossy and Black-headed Ibises, Greater Spotted Eagle, Harriers, Black Kite, Black-browed Reed Warblers and many more. Late afternoon we will drive back to Yangon. Overnight will be at hotel in Yangon.
Meals: breakfast

This morning we head for the airport to get the early morning flight to Bagan. Check into the hotel and depart for a sightseeing excursion around the Bagan Archaeological Zone World Heritage Area. A comprehensive exploration of Bagan includes Nyaung Oo market; Shwezigon Pagoda, the prototype of later Myanmar stupas; Kyansittha Umin; Wet-kyi-inn Gubyaukgyi Temple with exquisite mural painting of 13th century and Htilominlo Temple. In the afternoon, we will take a boat along the Ayeyarwaddy 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 others. We can also see wintering bird species 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 at the hotel in Bagan.
Meals: breakfast

This moring, we will exploring the area and we can see our first Myanmar endemic birds White-throated Babbler and Burmese Bushlark. We will be birding 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 at the hotel in Bagan.
Meals: breakfast

After breakfast at hotel, drive to Mt. Popa. We will be birding the whole day in Popa. Here we can see Red Junglefowl, Blue-throated Barbet, Green-billed Malkoha, Thick-billed Green, Yellow-footed Green, Wedge-tailed Green and Green Imperial Pigeons, Emerald Dove, Blue-winged Pitta, Red-billed Blue and Black-billed Magpies, Black-hooded Oriole, Grey and Rufous Treepies, White-throated Fantail, Verditer Flycatcher, Daurian Redstart, White-browed Shortwing, Chestnut-flanked and Oriental White-eyes, Lesser Necklaced and Greater Necklaced Laughingthrushes, Puff-throated and Chestnut-capped Babbler, Common Rosefinch, Chestnut Bunting and many other bird species. Return to Bagan.
Meals: breakfast

Mandalay itself, does not have significant birding site. However, since this is the last capital of Myanmar and best place to study the culture of Myanmar. After breakfast at hotel, transfer to Nyaun U airport for flight to Mandalay. When you arrive at Mandalay airport, drive to ancient capital of Amarapura, the city of Immortality for a visit to Bagaya Monastery with a famous collection of Buddha images; weaving industries, two-century old U-Bein teak bridge on the Taungtaman Lake and observe the lunch process of thousand of monks who take their last meal of the day at 10:00 am in total silence. Proceed to Mandalay and check in at the hotel. After refreshment, you will take a sightseeing tour of Mandalay which includes Mahanumi, a life like Buddha image. Mandalay is the last capital of Myanmar and that make her to be the best place to see all the traditional arts and crafts. Start visiting gold leaf making work-place and see how the gold leaf is being made by hand in a traditional way. Continue visit the Old Palace grounds; Kuthodaw Pagoda, known as the world's largest book for its 729 marble slabs inscribed with the Buddha's Doctrine; Golden Palace Monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings and enjoy the panoramic view of the city from Mandalay Hill. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: breakfast

After breakfast, you will be transferred for Jetty for a private boat across the river Ayeywarwaddy to visit Mingun. The dedications of King Bodawpaya such as the unfinished Pathodawgyi Pagoda a brick counterpart of pyramid in Egypt and the Mingun Bell, the second largest bell in the world are the most prominent religious heritages. Then visiting the Myatheintan Pagoda, the best representation of the Universe, will refresh your tiredness and fatigue. Return to Mandalay After lunch, drive to Ava, 30-minute to the south of Mandalay, was known in the west as the Kingdom of Ava. Stop by a tributary and cross it with a ferry. Travel by pony-cart around Ava to Nanmyint leaning tower which gives a birds' eye view of the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River; Bagaya wooden monastery; Aungmyaybonza Monastery made of brick and stucco. Though the Royal Palace has gone, the Pagodas, Temples and Monasteries still remain. Return drive to Mandalay and see the silversmith work place on our way back to hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Mandalay.
Meals: breakfast

After breakfast, depart the hotel for flight to Heho on the Shan plateau. Upon arrival at Heho airport, transfer by car to Kalaw, a former British summer hill resort. We will stop by at some birding spot on the way. Overnight at the hotel in Kalaw.
Meals: breakfast

After breakfast at hotel, drive to evergreen forest area, we will birding the whole day at here. Here we can see Myanmar near-endemic birds - Burmese Yuhina, Dark-backed Sibia and Indochinese Cuckooshrike, White-browed Laughingthrush, Streaked Wren, Golden, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar, White-browed Scimitar, White-browed Shrike and Rufous-fronted Babblers, Silver-eared Mesia, Rusty-capped and Grey-cheeked Fulvettas, Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, Sooty-headed, Mountain, Black, Ashy and Brown-breasted Bulbuls, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Sliver-breasted and Long-tailed Broadbills, Black-breasted Thrush, Vivid Niltava, White-crowned Forktail, White-capped Water Redstart, Bianchi’s and White-tailed Leaf Warblers, Black-throated Sunbird, Black-headed Greenfinch, Crested Bunting and many more. We can also see wintering bird such as Grey-backed Shrike, Daurian Redstart, Chestnut-flanked and Japanese White-eyes, Spotted Bush Warbler and Chestnut Bunting.
Overnight will be at hotel in Kalaw.
Meals: breakfast

After breakfast at hotel, transfer by car to Nyaung Shwe where we will be taking a boat ride to transfer to your hotel in Inle Lake. Upon arrival, check in at hotel. In the afternoon, we plan to spend the day visiting villages and sampling the spectacular array of traditional handicrafts. You will see the unique method locals use to row their boats, fishermen with their own style of fishing, floating farms and gardens and a handloom weaving cottage with its own showroom. You will visit Phaungdawoo Pagoda which houses the five most revered Buddha Images in the southern Shan State. Overnight at the hotel on Inle Lake.
Meals: breakfast

We will do the birding today at Inle Lake Wild life sanctuary. Here we can see rare Jerdon’s Bushchat, very rare Sarus Crane, Collared Myna, Glossy Ibis, Purple Swamphen, Ruddy-breasted and Black-tailed Crakes, Pheasant-tailed and Bronze-winged Jacanas, Black-winged Stilt, Oriental Pratincole, Cinnamon and Yellow Bitterns, Lesser Whistling and Spot-billed Ducks, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Plaintive Cuckoo, Clamorous Reed Warbler, Plain and Yellow-bellied Prinias and Striated Grassbird. We can also see migrant bird species such as very rare Baer’s, Ferruginous, Red-crested and Common Pochards, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Pintail, Common Teal, Common Coot, Grey-headed Lapwing, Marsh Sandpiper, Brown-headed Gull, Harriers, Steppe Eagle, Bluethroat, Dusky and Black-browed Reed Warblers and Yellow-breasted Bunting. And also breeding or roosting colony of Little, Cattle and Intermediate Egrets, Indian Pond, Chinese Pond and Black-crowned Night Herons, Little Cormorant, Vinous-breasted, Chestnut-tailed, Black-collared and Asian Pied Starlings, Common, Jungle, White-vented and Collared Mynas can be seen in the evening. Overnight will be at hotel on Inle Lake.
Meals: breakfast

We are heading back down country today to return to the airport at Heho for our flight to Yangon. Our route takes us back to Heho and down the escarpment to Nyaung-Shwe for a busy local market. Check in at airport and fly back to Yangon. Upon arrival, check in at hotel. In the afternoon, we plan to visit by car to Karaweik, a royal barge for fantastic photo shot along the “pilgrims” causeway across the Royal Lake with stunning views of Schwedagon Pagoda and visit the Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott Market) for souvenir shopping. Overnight at the hotel in Yangon.
Meals: breakfast

After breakfast at hotel, you will be transferred to Yangon International airport for your return international departure flight.
Meals: breakfast