Central Western Myanmar Birding 10 Days

Morning: After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to Yangon Domestic Airport for your short internal flight to Bagan. Enjoy scenic aerial views as you head towards Myanmar's ancient capital.

Mid-Morning: Upon arrival at Nyaung-U Airport (Bagan), you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, we'll head out for our first birding session in Bagan.

Lunch: Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Bagan.

Afternoon Birding: Begin your exploration of Bagan's unique dry-zone birdlife. We'll focus on the areas around the ancient temples and the surrounding scrubland, looking for species like Burmese Bushlark, Plain-backed Sparrow, Burmese Collared-Dove, and various prinias and larks. Keep an eye out for Collared Falconet perched on temple spires and raptors soaring overhead.

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

Overnight: Hotel in Bagan.

Morning (Pre-dawn to Noon): Today is a full day dedicated to exploring the rich dry-zone birdlife of Bagan. We'll start early to catch the dawn chorus and the best light for photography. We will explore different sections of the vast archaeological zone, including areas with more dense scrub, agricultural fields, and riverine sections along the Irrawaddy River.

Key Targets: Renew efforts for the specialties found yesterday, and search for additional species like Oriental Skylark, Red Avadavat, Streaked Weaver, and various crows and mynas. The riverine areas might yield species like River Tern, Small Pratincole, or different sandpipers.

Lunch: A packed lunch will be provided to maximize time in the field, or we will stop at a local eatery.

Afternoon Birding: Continue our exploration, revisiting productive spots or venturing into new areas based on recent sightings. Your guide will ensure you maximize your opportunities for unique dry-zone bird species.

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 (approximately 7-8 hours), transitioning from the hot dry plains to cooler, higher altitudes and lush montane forests.

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

Late Afternoon: Arrive at our base town for the Mt. Victoria expedition, typically Kanpetlet or Mindat, located near the entrance of Nat Ma Taung National Park. Check into your local guesthouse or simple hotel.

Evening: Enjoy dinner at the guesthouse/hotel. Your guide will provide a detailed briefing on the next four days of intensive mountain birding, focusing on the endemic species found here.

Overnight: Guesthouse/Hotel in Kanpetlet or Mindat.

Morning (Early Start): After an early breakfast, we will depart by 4x4 vehicle (essential for navigating the mountain roads within the park) and head into Nat Ma Taung National Park. Our focus today will be on the lower and mid-elevation areas (around 1,500m - 2,500m), characterized by pine and oak forests.

Key Targets: We'll explore various trails and forest edges, looking for species like the vibrant Green-throated Tit, the distinctive Spectacled Barwing, various babblers (e.g., White-browed, Chestnut-capped), laughingthrushes (e.g., Spot-breasted Laughingthrush), and different warblers unique to this elevation. Keep an eye out for woodpeckers and potentially elusive pheasants (like Kalij Pheasant).

Lunch: A packed lunch will be enjoyed in the field to maximize birding time.

Afternoon Birding: Continue exploring different sections of these forests, paying close attention to mixed-species feeding flocks, which are common and incredibly active, offering a flurry of activity and diverse sightings. Our guide will use their extensive knowledge to locate and identify species by both sight and call.

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 (above 2,500m) where the most sought-after endemics reside. This often involves driving close to the summit or specific high-altitude trails.

Ultimate Targets: Our absolute priority will be the White-browed Nuthatch (Sitta victoriae), a critically endangered species unique to this region. We'll also dedicate significant effort to finding the Mount Victoria Babax (Pterorhinus woodi), the elusive Chin Hills Wren-babbler (Napothera danjoui), the distinctive Burmese Bushtit (Aegithalos sharpei), and the localized Stripe-backed Prinia (Prinia crinigera striata), all Chin Hills endemics or restricted-range species. The habitat here transitions to more rhododendron and stunted oak forests.

Lunch: Packed lunch will be served in the field.

Afternoon Birding: 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 soaring above the peaks. The stunning mountain scenery provides a magnificent backdrop.

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. Depending on the success of the previous days, we might revisit specific areas where we had partial views, or explore new trails and altitudes (perhaps a different lower-elevation zone or a specific valley) that promise fresh opportunities.

Photography Focus: For photographers, this day can be tailored to spend more time at productive spots for better light or clearer views. We might focus on specific bird waves or known feeding areas.

Lunch: Packed lunch will be provided.

Afternoon Birding: 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. This is a final opportunity to enjoy the mountain birds.

Late Morning: We will then begin our journey back to Bagan by private car, 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: 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 comfortable overland bus journey back to Yangon. This is a full-day travel segment (approximately 9-10 hours), allowing for more appreciation of Myanmar's rural scenery and an alternative perspective compared to the flight.

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

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

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

Overnight: Hotel in Yangon

Morning (Early Start): After breakfast, we will embark on our final birding excursion to Hlawga National Park, located just north of Yangon. This park offers a convenient opportunity to add a few more species to your list before departure.

Hlawga Birding: Spend the morning exploring Hlawga's mixed habitats of secondary forest, open grasslands, and a large lake. We'll search for species like Asian Openbill, various kingfishers, cormorants, egrets, and common woodland birds and raptors. This visit provides a nice contrast to the delta and mountain birding.

Lunch: Lunch will be at a local restaurant or a packed lunch.

Afternoon: Depending on your international flight schedule, you will be transferred directly from Hlawga National Park or your hotel to Yangon International Airport (RGN) for your onward departure, concluding your unforgettable "Central Western Myanmar Birding 10 Days" tour.