Loading search...
Tour Itinerary and Reports
Can I help you?
Birding the Philippines
Tour Code: PHL01A 17-day birdwatching holiday in search of the endemic and other special birds of the Philippine regions of Bohol, Negros, Luzon and Palawan.
£6,995
£5,995
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
Can I help you?
Summary
This exciting itinerary explores the very best of the Philippines’ endemic birds and regional specialities across four contrasting islands – Luzon, Bohol, Negros and Palawan – each offering its own unique blend of dramatic scenery and exceptional wildlife.
Our journey begins in bustling Manila, where we enjoy a welcome dinner and overnight stay, allowing time to recover from international flights before the adventure begins in earnest. The following morning, we take a short flight to the island of Bohol, where we will spend three nights in comfortable riverside accommodation. From here, we explore the outstanding Rajah Sikatuna National Park, one of the country’s premier birding sites, home to a rich selection of endemics including Ivory-breasted Pitta, Black-faced Coucal, Visayan Broadbill and the striking Yellow-breasted Tailorbird. We will also visit the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary for close encounters with these remarkable primates, and stop at the iconic Chocolate Hills, with further opportunities to see species such as Samar Hornbill and Rufous-lored Kingfisher.
A scenic ferry journey then takes us to Negros, where we spend two nights exploring a variety of habitats including forest reserves and upland lakes. Here, we search for a range of highly localised species such as Negros Scops Owl, Flame-templed Babbler and Visayan Flowerpecker, with additional birding at sites such as the Twin Lakes and EDC forest enhancing our chances of finding these island specialities.
Returning to Luzon, we enjoy five nights exploring some of the island’s finest birding locations. The forested slopes of Mount Makiling offer a wealth of endemics, including Luzon Hornbill, Scale-feathered Malkoha and Spotted Wood Kingfisher. We then spend time along the famed Infanta Road, a rich forest corridor where highlights may include Whiskered Pitta, Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher and the elusive Luzon Bleeding-heart. Our time on Luzon concludes in the lowland forests of Subic Bay, where species such as Green Racquet-tail, Philippine Falconet and White-fronted Tit provide a fitting finale.
The final stage of the tour takes us to the enchanting island of Palawan for a three-night stay. Renowned for its dramatic limestone landscapes and high level of endemism, Palawan offers some of the most exciting birding in the Philippines. Here, we focus on key species such as the remarkable Palawan Peacock-Pheasant, Palawan Hornbill, Blue-headed Racquet-tail and the endangered Philippine Cockatoo. We also visit the UNESCO-listed Underground River National Park, where additional specialities include Palawan Scops Owl, Mantanani Scops Owl and a host of other island endemics.
Throughout, the tour is carefully paced to balance intensive birdwatching with opportunities to relax and enjoy the surroundings. With expert local guides and a Naturetrek tour leader throughout, this is a thoughtfully designed itinerary for keen birders, offering an ever-changing and rewarding experience, with exciting possibilities each and every day.
- See a fantastic selection of Philippine birdlife including a host of endemics
- Palawan Peacock Pheasant and Philippine Cockatoo on Palawan
- Ivory-breasted Pitta and Visayan Wattled Broadbill on Bohol
- Whiskered Pitta and Luzon Bleeding Heart on Luzon
- Endemic Owls such as Negros Scoops-owl, Palawan Scops-owl and Mantanani Scops-owl
- Hornbills including Samar, Luzon and Palawan
- Ashy Ground Thrush on Mount Makiling
- Led by local guides alongside a Naturetrek tour leader
Outline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
Simple en suite accommodation throughout.
- Food:
All meals starting with dinner on Day 2 and ending with lunch on Day 16.
Dates & Prices
2027
Tour Leader: John Horton
John Horton is the warden of Europe’s best known bird observatories at Cape Clear Island in The Republic of Ireland. Prior to becoming a warden and member of the Bird Observatories Council of Britain & Ireland (BOC) he was a wildlife crime investigator for the Metropolitan police for 15yrs. Discovering Alderney Island and making it his home, he was instrumental in setting up the first bird observatory in the British Channel Islands, his endeavours featured on BBC Countryfile in the spring of 2016. Whilst birdwatching is John's forte, he is a proficient all-rounder, over nine years he added over 100 species of flora of fauna not previously recorded on the various Bailiwick Islands. He maintains close links with The Channel Islands as the Chairman of the Channel Islands Bird Ringing Scheme. He represented the British bird observatories delivering presentations at the 2019 International bird observatories council AGM in Israel, and at the 2025 Global Bird fair. He spent the winter of 2025/26 in South Africa where he compiled the framework and protocols for the launch of South Africa’s first ever bird observatory. He is sponsored by Zeiss optics. John has a world birding list of over 5000 species and his globetrotting working with and seeking wildlife has included several months exploring the wildlife of several Asian countries. John's most memorable wildlife moments are sitting amongst a family of Mountain Gorillas in the African Congo and the world’s first ringing of a Spoon-billed Sandpiper in Southwest India on Valentines Day in 1989. He loves leading our tours and derives great pleasure in sharing his experience and knowledge, playing his part in monitoring and protecting the natural world.
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
Enquire
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
