Budget Myanmar Overland Birding 15 Days

Morning: After breakfast, we will transfer to the bus station for your comfortable overland bus journey to Kalaw. This full-day journey offers a great opportunity to observe Myanmar's changing landscapes, from the flat plains to the start of the Shan Hills.

Lunch: A packed lunch or a stop at a local eatery will be arranged along the way.

Late Afternoon: Arrive in Kalaw, a charming hill station with a cooler climate. Transfer to your hotel.

Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Hotel in Kalaw.

Morning: We'll start early for a full day of birding around Kalaw. The area offers a mix of pine forests, open woodlands, and agricultural land, providing diverse birding opportunities.

Key Targets: We'll look for species such as Green Magpie, various babblers (e.g., Puff-throated Babbler, Striped Tit-Babbler), thrushes, yuhinas, white-eyes, minivets, and different woodpeckers. Keep an eye out for raptors soaring above the hills.

Lunch: Packed lunch to maximize time in the field.

Afternoon: Continue exploring different birding trails around Kalaw, perhaps visiting areas with bamboo thickets or stream valleys, which can hold different species.

Evening: Dinner in Kalaw.

Overnight: Hotel in Kalaw.

Morning: After breakfast, we will take a private car from Kalaw to Nyaungshwe, the gateway town to Inle Lake.

Mid-Morning: Upon arrival at Nyaungshwe, we will immediately board a private longtail boat to begin our exploration of the legendary Inle Lake. The lake is a Ramsar site and crucial for waterbirds.

Lunch: Enjoy lunch at a floating restaurant on the lake.

Afternoon Birding: Spend the afternoon birding on the lake. We'll explore floating gardens, marshy edges, and open water, looking for a multitude of waterbirds including various egrets, herons, cormorants (e.g., Little Cormorant, Great Cormorant), ducks (seasonal migrants), and grebes. Our key targets will include the Collared Myna, Jerdon's Bushchat, and most importantly, the endemic Inle Prinia.

Evening: Check into your hotel, either on the lake (if available in your budget) or in Nyaungshwe.

Overnight: Hotel on Inle Lake or in Nyaungshwe.

Morning: Another full day dedicated to birding on Inle Lake. We'll explore different sections of the lake and its surrounding wetlands, focusing on areas known for specific species or those that were less accessible on Day 4.

Key Targets: Renew efforts for the Inle Prinia, Collared Myna, and Jerdon's Bushchat. We'll also look for various rail, crakes, and other elusive wetland birds in the dense vegetation. Opportunities for bird photography will be abundant as we navigate the channels.

Lunch: Packed lunch or at a local floating restaurant.

Afternoon: Continue our exploration, perhaps visiting some of the floating villages or local markets to observe the unique culture of the Intha people, intertwined with our birding.

Evening: Dinner by the lake.

Overnight: Hotel on Inle Lake or in Nyaungshwe.

Morning: After breakfast, transfer by private boat from your lake hotel back to Nyaungshwe, then by private car to the bus station.

Bus Journey: Board your comfortable overland bus for the journey to Bagan, the ancient capital with thousands of temples. This is another full-day travel day, offering more glimpses into Myanmar's rural heartland.

Lunch: A packed lunch or a stop at a local eatery will be arranged.

Late Afternoon: Arrive in Bagan and transfer to your hotel.

Evening: Enjoy dinner with a view of some of Bagan's illuminated pagodas.

Overnight: Hotel in Bagan.

Morning: We'll start early to enjoy the sunrise over Bagan's iconic temples, which often provides fantastic photographic opportunities with birds in the foreground. Our birding today will focus on the dry-zone habitats around the ancient temples and scattered scrubland.

Key Targets: Look for dry-zone specialists such as Burmese Bushlark, Plain-backed Sparrow, Collared Falconet, Burmese Collared-Dove, and various prinias. We'll also watch for raptors like Black-shouldered Kite and Oriental Honey Buzzard soaring above.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant in Bagan.

Afternoon: Continue birding in different sections of the Bagan archaeological zone, perhaps visiting specific temples known to attract certain species. We'll balance our birding with appreciating the historical grandeur of Bagan.

Evening: Dinner in Bagan.

Overnight: Hotel in Bagan.

Morning: Another full day dedicated to exploring Bagan's dry-zone birdlife. We will venture to different parts of the plains, including areas with more dense scrub, agricultural fields, and riverine sections along the Irrawaddy River.

Key Targets: Renew efforts for the dry-zone specialties. Look for Oriental Skylark, Red Avadavat, Streaked Weaver, and various crows and mynas. The riverine areas might yield species like River Tern or different sandpipers.

Lunch: Packed lunch or at a local eatery.

Afternoon: This might involve revisiting productive spots or exploring new areas based on recent sightings. Your guide will ensure you maximize your opportunities for unique dry-zone birds.

Evening: Dinner in Bagan.

Overnight: Hotel in Bagan.

Morning: After breakfast, we will embark on our journey by private car towards the majestic Mt. Victoria (Nat Ma Taung National Park) in the Chin Hills. This is a significant overland drive, transitioning from the hot dry plains to cooler, higher altitudes.

Lunch: Enjoy a packed lunch or a local meal en route.

Late Afternoon: Arrive at our base town for Mt. Victoria, likely Kanpetlet or Mindat. Check into your local guesthouse or simple hotel.

Evening: Dinner at the guesthouse/hotel. Your guide will provide a detailed briefing on the next three days of intensive mountain birding, focusing on the endemic species.

Overnight: Guesthouse/Hotel in Kanpetlet or Mindat.

Morning (Early Start): After an early breakfast, we will depart by 4x4 vehicle into Nat Ma Taung National Park. Our focus today will be on the lower and mid-elevation areas, characterized by pine and oak forests.

Key Targets: We'll look for species like the Green-throated Tit, Spectacled Barwing, various babblers, laughingthrushes (e.g., Spot-breasted Laughingthrush), and different warblers unique to this elevation. We'll also keep an eye out for woodpeckers and potentially elusive pheasants.

Lunch: Packed lunch in the field.

Afternoon: Continue exploring different sections of these forests, paying close attention to mixed-species feeding flocks. Your guide will use their extensive knowledge to locate and identify species.

Evening: Return to our accommodation for dinner and a review of the day's sightings.

Overnight: Guesthouse/Hotel in Kanpetlet or Mindat.

Morning (Pre-dawn Start): Today is a crucial day for our primary targets. We will begin even earlier, heading directly to the higher elevations of Mt. Victoria where the most sought-after endemics reside.

Ultimate Targets: Our absolute priority will be the White-browed Nuthatch, a critically endangered species unique to this region. We'll also dedicate significant effort to finding the Mount Victoria Babax, Chin Hills Wren-babbler, Burmese Bushtit, and Stripe-backed Prinia, all Chin Hills endemics or restricted-range species. The habitat here transitions to more rhododendron and stunted oak forests.

Lunch: Packed lunch in the field.

Afternoon: Continue our intensive search for these special birds, moving between different patches of habitat at the higher altitudes. We'll also keep an eye out for high-altitude warblers, finches, and raptors.

Evening: Return to our accommodation for dinner. This will be a day of exciting discussions about the rare sightings.

Overnight: Guesthouse/Hotel in Kanpetlet or Mindat.

Morning: Our final full day in Nat Ma Taung National Park will be spent consolidating sightings and attempting to find any species that may have eluded us. We might revisit specific areas for better views or explore new trails at various altitudes.

Photography Focus: For photographers, this day can be tailored to spend more time at productive spots for better light or clearer views.

Lunch: Packed lunch will be provided.

Afternoon: Continue exploring the diverse habitats. Your guide will work with the group to ensure everyone has had ample opportunity to see their target birds.

Evening: Enjoy a farewell dinner, celebrating the success of your Mt. Victoria birding expedition.

Overnight: Guesthouse/Hotel in Kanpetlet or Mindat.

Morning: After an early breakfast, we will have one last, short birding session near our accommodation or during the initial part of our descent from the park, if time allows.

Late Morning: We will then begin our journey back to Bagan, descending from the cool mountain air to the warmer plains.

Lunch: Lunch will be at a local restaurant en route.

Afternoon: Continue our drive, reflecting on the unique birding experiences and the stunning landscapes of Mt. Victoria.

Late Afternoon: Arrive back in Bagan and check into your hotel.

Evening: Farewell dinner in Bagan.

Overnight: Hotel in Bagan.

Morning: After breakfast, you will have some free time in Bagan for last-minute souvenir shopping or a final glimpse of a favorite pagoda.

Late Morning: Transfer to the bus station for your return overland bus journey to Yangon. This is another full-day travel segment, allowing for more appreciation of Myanmar's rural scenery.

Lunch: A packed lunch or a stop at a local eatery will be arranged.

Late Afternoon: Arrive back in Yangon and transfer to your hotel.

Evening: Enjoy a final dinner in Yangon, celebrating the conclusion of your comprehensive Myanmar birding adventure.

Overnight: Hotel in Yangon.

Morning: After breakfast, enjoy some leisure time depending on your flight schedule. You might opt for some last-minute souvenir shopping or revisit a favorite spot in Yangon.

Departure: At the appropriate time, you will be transferred to Yangon International Airport (RGN) for your onward international flight, concluding your unforgettable "Budget Myanmar Overland Birding 15 Days" tour with Golden Trail Travel.