Myanmar Birding and Remote Gurney’s Pitta Expedition
Trip Description
Brief Itinerary
We first fly from the capital Yangon (Rangoon) north to historic Mandalay to make an extended visit to the World Heritage site and breathtaking ruins of Bagan (Pagan) where in the dry, bush dotted plains along the banks of Irrawaddy River we will seek the endemic trio of Burmese Bush-Lark, Jerdon’s (White-bellied) Minivet and White-throated Babbler along with a huge supporting cast. The road to Mt Victoria in the Chin Hills is next and we will search for the endemic Hooded Treepie en route. Amongst these forested slopes, are the be found the endemic White-browed Nuthatch as well as other endemics or range restricted species including a large collection of rarely encountered Babblers. We then fly east to Heho and Kalaw and a mosaic of valleys, lakes and forest including legendary Lake Inle, to look for birds such as Jerdon’s Bushchat, Burmese Yuhina, Collared Myna and Spot-winged Stare. Finally we embark on a special expedition to remote Kachin state where the recent opening of Mt Emawbon allows us 4 wheel drive access to the realms of such legendary birds as Sclater’s Monal, Blyth’s Tragopan, Chevron-breasted (formerly Wedge-billed Wren) Babbler and Fire-Tailed Myzornis.
On the pre tour extension, we will fly from Yangon to Mergui on the Tenessarim Peninsula where we will seek the threatened Gurney’s Pitta in its principal breeding area. The avifauna here is largely Malay in character and we will also seek out the ultra elusive and crepuscular Long-billed Partridge and flocks of the range restricted Plain-pouched Hornbill.
Day 1: Arrival in Yangon (Rangoon)
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Day 2: Birding Hlawga National Park
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Day 3: AM Flight to Bagan and Birding Nearby; and PM Birding Irrawaddy River Area
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Day 4: Full Day Birding around Bagan
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Day 5: Birding Transfer to Kanpetlet: Includes Birding through Variety of Habitats and Nagabwet Forest Reserve
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Days 6 to 8: Three Full Days Birding Nat-ma-taung or Mount Victoria National Park
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Day 9: Birding Transfer from Mount Victoria Area to Bagan
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Day 10: AM Flight to Heho and Birding Drive to Kalaw; Birding Kalaw Area Most of the Day
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Day 11: Full Day Birding the Upland Forests around Kalaw and the Yay-ayekan Reservoir and Other Nearby Areas
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Day 12: Full Morning of Birding: Boat Trip on Inle Lake and Other Birding in Area; Post Lunch Return Transfer to Heho and flight to Yangon
Remote Southern Burma Extension: Gurney’s Pitta and Much More Spectacular Birding
Extension Day 1: Evening in Yangon
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Extension Day 2: Early AM Flight to Myeik; Transfer to Yadanarbon Village; Trek to Forest Camp in Ngawun Reserved Forest
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Extension Days 3 to 5: Three Full Days Birding: Gurney’s Pitta and Much More
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Extension Day 6: Final AM Birding and Trek Out of Forest; Most of the Day Drive Back to Myeik
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Extension Day 7: Fly to Yangon and Flights Home
More details about this Trip:
Detailed Itinerary
View our detailed Myanmar itinerary below, or download it here: