Thailand - Tour Destination

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Thailand is, simply put, the quintessential birding destination in Southeast Asia. From mountain peaks draped with Rhododendron forests to the dense tropical lowlands resounding with birdsong, you will constantly be refreshed by the wealth of this delightful destination. These treasures extend beyond Thailand’s natural world into the cultural realm, and spectacular pagodas and holy shrines adorn this tropical nation.

Our main tour covers the major sites of Central & Northern Thailand. Setting out from the ostentatious capital of Bangkok, we will first explore the forested hillsides of Khao Yai National Park where we will be overwhelmed by a vast array of broadbills, hornbills, bulbuls, babblers and barbets. After scanning the mudflats near Samuth Sakhon for migrant waders (including one of the world’s most sought-after and endangered, the Spoon-billed Sandpiper), we will continue to Kaeng Krachan. This park offering unbroken rainforest scenery, supports one of the richest bird species lists in Southeast Asia. We will be kept enthralled sifting through an assortment of bee-eaters, pigeons, broadbills, laughingthrushes and leafbirds among many others. We will then fly north to Chang Mai where we explore the mountain forests of Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s most famous birding site where a whole collection of uniquely Asian groups such as ioras, barwings, mesias, minlas, sibias, and niltavas will dazzle us with brilliant color and patterning. Hereafter we will bird through the mountains of Doi Angkhang on the border of Myanmar where we will continue finding representatives of unique groups including parrotbills, liocichlas, finchbills, bushchats and dazzling minivets. Other sites visited on our tour include Sab Sadou, Thaton and Doi Lang.

Our tour is designed to take advantage of the incredible influx of migrants from the north, and an amazing compilation of resident Asian bird species. We will target a host of localized and range restricted species that might include such gems as Siamese Fireback, Great Hornbill, Banded Kingfisher, Silver-breasted and the huge Dusky Broadbill, the spectacular Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo, Blue and Eared Pitta, White-rumped Falcon, the stunning Black-headed and Great Slaty Woodpecker, Ratchet-tailed Treepie, Grey Peacock-Pheasant, Green Cochoa, Black-throated and Spot-breasted Parrotbill, Red-faced Liocichla, Giant Nuthatch and unbelievable Green Peafowl.

Our Southern Thailand extension takes us to the remnant lowland forests on the Malay Peninsula which support some of the world’s most sought-after and endangered bird species. At the top of our list is the critically endangered Gurney’s Pitta. We stand a chance of finding this and five other pitta species, true jewels of the forest understorey. The surrounding forest still rings out in song each morning, alive with the activity of trogons, kingfishers and broadbills. We will explore nearby mangroves by boat, searching for specialties including Brown-winged Kingfisher and Mangrove Pitta. Mudflats in the vicinity support wintering Chinese Egrets and waders including Nordmann’s Greenshank. We also venture to the idyllic Similan Islands for the outrageous Nicobar Pigeon, dazzling Pied Imperial Pigeon and unequalled snorkeling opportunities.

Culturally, Thailand has few equals, and we will have opportunities to visit some of the many spectacular pagodas and shrines that adorn the landscape. From mountains and rivers to mudflats and tropical forest, time and time again, birding through the riches, Thailand proves to be the Highlight of Southeast Asia.

Please contact the Rockjumper Office should you have any queries about this tour.

tour name & dates 2011	Classic Thailand I: 15 Feb - 4 March (18 days) Southern Specials Ext I: 5 - 10 March (6 days) Classic Thailand II: 11 - 28 Apr (18 days) Southern Specials Ext II: 29 Apr - 4 May (6 days)
tour costs for 2011	TBA
max group size	8 & 1 Rockjumper leader
tour leader	Uthai Treesucon
habitats covered	lowland and montane rainforests, mangroves, wetlands, coastal mudflats
climate	generally hot and humid, cooler in highlands
tour pace & walking	moderate pace, undemanding walking on forest trails
accomodation	comfortable to luxurious hotels and resorts, more basic on Southern extension
ease of birding	moderate with many challenging rainforest species
no. of species expected	Classic Thailand: 400 - 450; Southern Specials Ext: 200 - 250
top mammals	Indian Elephant, Leopard, White-handed Gibbon, Stump-tailed Macaque, Black Giant Squirrel
other attractions	Pagodas and temples, great food, rainforests, Similan islands and coral reef snorkelling, friendly people
photographic opportunities	good

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