This 9-day birding tour explores Vietnam’s Central Highlands (Da Lat and Kon Tum plateaus), the hub of Vietnamese endemism such as the Collared, Golden-winged and Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush, and many more across Ngoc Linh, Mang Den, and Da Lat.
A nine-day specialist birding tour focused on the Da Lat and Kon Tum plateaus, two of Vietnam’s most important centres of montane endemism. The route targets distinctive laughingthrushes, Vietnamese Cutia, pittas, nuthatches and other Central Highlands specialties.
Central Highland (Da Lat & Kon Tum plateaus) is the hub of Vietnamese endemism including Collared Laugingthrush, Orange-breasted Launghingthrush, Black-hooded Laughingthrush, Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush, Golden-winged Laughingthrush, White-cheeked Laughingthrush, Vietnamese Cutia, Black-crowned Fulvetta, Indochinese Fulvetta, Black-headed Parrotbill, Grey-crowned Crocias, Black-crowned Barwing, Indochinese Wren Babbler as well as many specialites such as Red-vented and Indochinese Barbets, Blue and Rusty-naped Pittas, Indochinese Green Magpie, White-winged Mangpie, Ratchet-tailed Treepie etc. See more
This tour is designed to cover as many endemic birds as possible during 9 days visiting Vietnam. See our highlight species photos:
Yellow-billed Nuthatch
Red-tailed Laughingthrush
Green-tailed Sunbird
Vietnamese Cutia
Itinerary
Upon arrival at Pleiku Airport (with flight connections available from either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City), transfer overland to Tu Mo Rong for a two-night stay. If time permits in the afternoon, begin birding with an initial outing into the nearby Mang Ri forest.
Overnight at Hoang Gia Trang Hotel
Spend a full day exploring the pristine montane forest of the Ngọc Linh mountain range, targeting two of Vietnam's most coveted regional endemics: the rare Golden-winged Laughingthrush and the local Black-crowned Barwing. Additional high-altitude targets include the Red-tailed Laughingthrush, Indochinese Fulvetta, Coral-billed Scimitar-Babbler, and Indochinese Barbet
Overnight at Hoang Gia Trang Hotel
If required, the early morning can be spent target-cleaning at Ngoc Linh for any missing species before driving to Mang Den for a two-night stay. Two full days of birding in the Mang Canh forest will prioritize locating the endemic Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush and Black-hooded Laughingthrush, followed by searches for Yellow-billed Nuthatch, White-winged Magpie, Indochinese Green Magpie, Indochinese Wren-Babbler, and Rusty-naped Pitta.
Overnight at Hoa Sim Hotel
Full day at Mang Canh forest
Overnight at Hoa Sim Hotel
Following a final early-morning birding session in Mang Den, depart on a full-day overland drive to Da Lat (approximately 11 hours, including rest and meal stops en route).
Overnight at Hoang Anh Dat Xanh Hotel
Three full days will be dedicated to exploring the Da Lat Plateau’s premier birding hotspots, including Ta Nung Valley, Giang Ly, Cong Troi, Tuyen Lam Lake, Bidoup-Nui Ba, and Mt. Langbiang. Guided excursions will target regional endemics and high-elevation specialties that are easily missed elsewhere, such as the Indochinese Wren-Babbler, Red-vented Barbet, Indochinese Green Magpie, Red Crossbill, Black-headed Sibia, Rufous-backed Sibia, and the local subspecies of Black-throated Sunbird, while dedicated night-birding outings will focus on elusive nocturnal species like Hodgson's Frogmouth and Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl.
Overnight at Hoang Anh Dat Xanh Hotel
For travelers departing on afternoon flights, optional morning birding can be arranged before transfer to the airport.
Tour price
| Group size | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| USD/pax | 2,300 | 2,200 | 1,900 | 1,850 | 1,800 | 1,750 | 1,700 |
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More information about birding sites in Vietnam
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