Itinerary:
Day 1: Manado – Tangkoko Park
From our meeting point at Novotel Hotel Manado, after breakfast, we will drive directly to Tangkoko by car. We shall do birding along the road. Upon arrival in Tangkoko, we will check in first and after that we continue to do birding in Tangkoko Park. Night at Tangkoko Cottage. Meals (Breakfast, lunch and dinner) are included during a stay in Tangkoko.
Days 2 – 4: Tangkoko Nature Reserve Birding
This reserve on the eastern tip of the Minahassa Peninsula is one of Sulawesi’s flagship parks, the excellent lowland jungle and mangrove forest providing superb birding site, The reserve is especially famous for kingfishers, having no less than eight resident species, of which four are endemic but remember that Tangkoko also has much more to offer than its kingfisher though and with the assistance of the skilled our local team, we will be search for Lilac cheeked kingfisher, Green-backed kingfisher, Sulawesi-dwarf kingfisher, Sulawesi Pitta, Rudy kingfisher, Common kingfisher, Blue-eared kingfisher, collared kingfisher, Red-Knobbed Hornbill, Sulawesi dwarf Hornbill, Ochre-bellied boobook, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Bay Coucal, Lesser coucal, Sulawesi-Hawk eagle, Sulawesi serpent eagle, Black eagle, Black kite, Sulawesi cicada bird, Rusty-breasted cuckko, Sulawesi triller, Purple-winged roller, Ashy woodpecker, Sulawesi pygmy woodpecker, Sulawesi hanging parrot, Ornate lorikeet, Golden-mantled Racquetail, Blue-backed parrot, Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon, Black-naped Fruit dove, Green Imperial Pigeon, Grey-headed Imperial Pigeon, White-bellied Imperial Pigeon, Silver-tipped Imperial Pigeon, Sulawesi Black Pigeon, Stephan’s Dove, Brown-cuckoo dove, PhilipineScrubfowl, Barred rail, Isabeline Bush hen. During our boat trip to the mangrove we may find other species; White-rumped Cuckoo-shrike, Common kingfisher, Great-billed kingfisher, Pink-necked green Pigeon, Osprey, Great Frigatebirds, Lesser frigatebirds, Pacific reef egret, common dollar bird, Striated heron, Little tern, Sacred and Collared Kingfisher, White-bellied Sea eagle, Brahminy kite and Purple heron. After spending much of the day birding we have time also to see interesting mammals such as Black-Macacanigra, Tarsier spectrum, and bear cuscus in Tangkoko Park. Three nights will be spent in a simple lodge just outside the park. On day 4 – morning or late afternoon we will drive to Tomohon for an overnight stay. During your stay in Tomohon, meals only breakfast and lunch are included. Dinner excluded.
Day 5: Gunung Mahawu
Gunung Mahawu is a forested Volcano (1490 meters above sea level), inside the crater is a steaming, emerald-green lake ringed with yellow sulfur deposits. From the summit, you can see neighboring Mount Lokon with its ever-present plume of smoke. On a clear day, you can also see both the Sulawesi Sea on the west and to the Maluku sea to the east, Gunung Mahawu is located near the village of Rurukan where Sir Alfred Wallace lived for a while. Now Gunung Mahawu is one of the Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) in Asia by BirdLife International. In this birding place, we have some interesting Sulawesi endemic species, it is one of the easiest and most reliable sites in Sulawesi for the Scaly-breasted kingfisher- Actenoidesprinceps but please note this star bird of Sulawesi is very skittish and always hide so to spot them still need luck. Bird species at Gunung Mahawu and Tomohon; Scaly-breasted kingfisher, Lilac-cheeked kingfisher, Green-backed Kingfisher, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Collared Kingfisher, Sulawesi scops owl, Speckled boobook, Ochre-bellied boobook, Sulawesi babbler, Chestnut-backed Bush-Warbler, Sulawesi Blue-Flycatcher (split from Mangrove Blue-Flycatcher), the ultra rareRufous-throated Flycatcher, Pale-blue Monarch (split from Black-naped Monarch), Isabelline-bush hen, Barred rail, White-browed Crake, Sulawesi Myzomela, Island Flycatcher, Citrine Flycatcher, Grey-sided Flowerpecker, Yellow-sided Flowerpecker, Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker, Black-fronted White-eye, Mountain white-eye, Streak-headed Dark-eye, Mountain Tailorbird, Purple-winged Roller, Yellow-vented Whistler, Crimson Sunbird, Black Sunbird, Olive-back sunbird, Sooty-headed bulbul, Hair crested drongo, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Ashy Woodpecker, Sulawesi pygmy Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Chestnut Munia, Scaly-breasted munia, Rusty-breasted Cuckoo, Brown-cuckoo dove, superb-fruit dove, Sulawesi black-Pigeon, Sulawesi-hanging parrot, Black Eagle, Black Kite, Osprey, Spotted Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon. Meals (Breakfast and Lunch) are included. Dinner excluded.
Day 6: Tomohon – Kotamobagu
On the way to Kotamobagu, we have a great chance birding on Lake Tondano to see Purple swamphen, White-browed crake, White-breasted waterhen, Common Moorhen, Javan pond heron. Lunch en-route and late afternoon we reached Kotamobagu, Check-in a hotel. Meals (Breakfast and lunch) are included. Dinner excluded.
Days 7: Dumoga Nani Wartabone National Park
Full day morning and afternoon we will explore the Maleo breeding Center, the most handsome of all megapodes is the endemic MacrocephalonMaleo of Sulawesi. Its black-and-pink plumage, erect tail and grotesque helmet or cephalon (hence its scientific name) and characteristic rolling call make the Maleo a must for bird-watchers visiting Sulawesi. and on the same days, it is possible to help with the release of chicks back into the wild. After spending some time searching for Maleos, we will walk in this small forest patch, searching for a local endemic, Sulawesi crested Myna, White-necked Myna, Maroon-chinned Fruit-Dove, Yellow-billed Malkoha, the strange white-eyed race of Hair-crested Drongo, Black-billed Koel, Bay Coucal, Black-naped Fruit Dove, Sulawesi hanging Parrot, White-breasted Woodswallow and Sulawesi Hawk-Eagle. These forests also hold Sulawesi black Pigeon and perhaps get further chances at Sulawesi Pitta. Meals (Breakfast and Lunch) are included. Dinner excluded.
Day 8: Dumoga Nani Wartabone National Park
Fullday morning birding in Toraut, another forested section of the park, where we hope to find the regularly roosting Speckled Boobook within the park buildings, and we might see other species; Pied Cuckooshrike, Sulawesi Dwarf-Kingfisher, Lilac cheeked Kingfisher, Green-backed Kingfisher, Maroon chinned Fruit Dove, Superb fruit Dove, Grey-headed Imperial Pigeon, Red Knobbed Hornbill, Sulawesi dwarf Hornbill, Grey-headed Fish eagle, this area also good for the endemic Ivory-backed Woodswallow, and is great for mynas, with Finch-billed, White-vented and Sulawesi (Crested) Mynas, Barred (Sulawesi) Honey-Buzzard. In the afternoon we will move onto another area of the park checking the roadside paddies and wet areas for Barred and Buff-banded Rails, and Wandering Whistling-Ducks on the way. Meals (Breakfast and Lunch) are included. Dinner excluded.
Day 9: Gunung Ambang to Manado
This morning we will start very early and explore some of the surviving montane forests in GunungAmbang Nature Reserve. Here we try to find the Matinan flycatcher and we will also be hoping to encounter the beautiful the Scaly-breasted Kingfisher and if we are in luck we will spot the purple-bearded Bee-eater, Red-eared Fruit Dove, Sulawesi blue flycatcher, Sulawesi leaf warbler, Superb Fruit-dove, Ornate lorikeet, yellow and green lorikeet, Black-billed Koel, Sulawesi Pitta, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker, Ashy Woodpecker, Malia, yellow sided flowerpecker, Sulawesi Myzomela. After a morning here we will Lunch near Gunung Ambang than after that we will drive 4 hours to reach Manado. Meals (Breakfast and lunch) are included. Dinner excluded.
Day 10: Manado – Palu Via Makassar
After your arrival in the capital Town of Central Sulawesi, From Palu, we will travel by car to Lore Lindu National Park, our base for exploring the montane forests of Lore Lindu National Park and we will stay three nights in a simple guesthouse in Wuasa, near to the national park. During your stay in Lore Lindu, meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) are included.
Days 11, 12, 13: Lore Lindu National Park
There is probably nowhere better to see Sulawesi’s unique avifauna, with 80% of the island’s endemic species, this park has a well-deserved reputation for montane specialties. our main targets here are the magnificent Sulawesi endemic of the Purple-Beared Bee-Eater, Great Shortwing, Malia, Geomalia, Chestnut-backed Bush Warbler, noisy Caerulean cuckoo shrikes, Sulawesi Cicadabirds, Black-fronted White-eye, black Sunbird, Black-naped Monarch, and the Citrine Flycatcher, Island Flycatcher, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Mountain serin, Sulawesi Myzomela, Ivory-backed wood-swallow, Ornate lorikeet, Small-sparrow hawk, Maroon-backed Whistler, Heinrich nightjar, Speckled boobook, CinabarBoobook, Sulawesi scops owl, Sulawesi pygmy woodpecker, Spot-tailed Goshawk, Spotted Kestrel, lemon-bellied white-eye, Sulawesi Triller, Sulawesi cicada bird, Sulawesi serpent eagle and many more with luck! On at least one of the days we will make the climb up the infamous Anaso Track, which allows access to higher altitudes, and the possibility of Sulawesi’s sole endemic bird family – Hylocitrea (yellow flanked whistler); the strange and rare Geomalia (recently found to be an odd zoo their thrush); along with Golden-mantled and Yellow-breasted Racquet-tails, Red-eared Fruit-Dove, Maroon-backed Whistler, White-eared Myza, and Streak-headed Dark-eye. These ascents will also give us a chance at the rare Mountain Serin, Sombre Pigeon, and with luck, we might see the Purple-bearded Bee-eater known as the world’s most interesting bee-eater. There is also often the chance to find Diabolical Nightjars roosting during the day. On day 13 – late afternoon we will drive back to Palu for an overnight stay. In Palu, only breakfast and lunch are included. Dinner excluded.
Day 14: Palu – Makassar
Breakfast at the hotel afterward transfers to Palu Airport a flight to Makassar. Afternoon trips can be taken to Makassar and ricefield and fishponds for Pale-headed Munia, Black-faced Munia, ChesnutMunia, White-shouldered triller, Javan Pond Heron, White-headed Stilt, Sacred Kingfisher, lesser coucal. During stay in Makassar, meals (breakfast and lunch) are included. Dinner excluded.
Day 15: Karaenta forest – Makassar – Next destination
Karaenta to Lore Lindu National Park. Early morning breakfast at the hotel then we will travel up into the forested limestone hills north of Makassar city. Karaenta Nature Reserve is a good place to spot an endemic that is confined to South Sulawesi the local Black-ringed White-eye, This forest also provides a good chance to see the Sulawesi Dwarf Hornbill, Yellow-billed Malkoha, Red Knobbed Hornbill, Sulawesi crested Myna, Piping Crow, Sulawesi Goshawk and with luck the White-necked Myna. In this forest, we might also find the Sulawesi Streaked Flycatcher (recently described in 2015. after this trip, we will transfer you to Makassar airport for your next destination. End of the trip. Breakfast included.
PLEASE NOTE:
TYPE OF LAND TRANSPORTATION & ROAD
We will use a minibus or cars. The road is some parts in good condition and some parts in bad condition. While for the mangrove boat trip we will use a small boat.
FLIGHT
We will have 2 flights during this trip, first from Manado to Palu Via Makassar by Lion Air and then from Palu to Makassar by Lion Air.
MEETING SERVICE AND DEPARTURE TIME
Meeting Service: 15 June 2025 at 04.00 pm, Novotel Hotel Manado. Trip Begin: 16 – 30 June 2025
Meeting Service: 07 July 2025 at 04.00 pm, Novotel Hotel Manado. Trip Begin: 08 – 22 July 2025
Meeting Service: 08 August 2025 at 04.00 pm, Novotel Hotel Manado. Trip Begin: 09 – 23 August 2025
Meeting Service: 08 September 2025 at 04.00 pm, Novotel Hotel Manado. Trip Begin: 09 – 23 September 2025
Meeting Service: 16 October 2025 at 04.00 pm, Novotel Hotel Manado. Trip Begin: 17 – 31 October 2025
Meeting Service: 01 November 2025 at 04.00 pm, Novotel Hotel Manado. Trip Begin: 02 – 16 November 2025
TOUR GUIDE, This trip will be provided with English speaking guide during the whole trip and a local guide (who owns/guard the land) for each place in Sulawesi
WALKING CONDITION, The walking ranges from easy to moderate, but there will be one harder days in Lore Lindu, Gunung Ambang and Tangkoko.
CLIMATE, Most days in the lowlands will be hot and humid for much of Sulawesi, with a chance of heavy, tropical, some rains at any time. Cool in the mountains in Lore Lindu, Gunung Ambang & Gunung Mahawu in Tomohon.
INFO TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS , A valid passport is required; the passport must be valid for at least six months past your intended stay. Visas on arrival in Indonesia can be obtained for tourists from the US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and EU countries for stays of under 30 days. There is a fee for this, payable in cash (in US Dollars). Travel requirements are subject change; we recommend double-checking entry requirements six weeks prior to the tour or ask our office staff for help.
WHAT TO BRING?
- Waterproof binoculars of about 8-power are best for maximum light-gathering in the shades of the forest.
- A tripod-mounted spotting scope (telescope) is valuable in open habitats along roadsides, especially for birds in the canopy.
- A lightweight digital sound recorder, with a speaker suitable for playback and a directional microphone, greatly aids in learning vocalizations and luring shy vocal species into view.
- Loose-fitting, lightweight clothing and a hat with some sort of visor to shield the eyes from sun or rain.
- It is often very cool at dawn but hot at midday, wearing layers that can be easily removed.
- Loose long pants and lightweight, good quality walking boots are often the most comfortable combination. Conditions in the mountains are much cooler, so prepare to keep warm.
- Insect repellent is required in some localities.
- A lightweight poncho or rain jacket. It is sometimes useful to carry a larger umbrella.
