Three people in outdoor camouflage and earth-tone clothing are engaged in wildlife photography in a dense green forest, with one person adjusting his camera with a large telephoto lens.

21-Day Signature Tour

Our main 21-day Birding Tour will cover most of our Signature Birding Sites in Luzon, Palawan, and Mindanao. We will be birding along established birdwatching trails, light roadside birding, bird photography hides with feeding stations, and light hikes for our elusive endemics.

2pax or 6pax Tour Group Recommended

To make the best bird watching and bird photography experience as smooth as possible, we recommend having a Tour Group size of 2 or 6 for our 28 and 21 day trips.

21-Days Sample Itinerary

Day 0 - Luzon

    • International air travel arrival in Manila

    • Pick up at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA Terminal), Manila

    • Land travel to Las Pinas City (15 – 20 mins) for hotel check-in

  • Lunch and dinner at nearby restaurant

    Overnight at  Mella Hotel / Britanny Hotel Global South, Las Pinas City

Day 1 - Luzon

    • Travel to Bangkong Kahoy Valley, Dolores, Quezon (3.5 hrs)

    • Trek to Whiskered Pitta Private Hide (45 mins)

  • Bangkong Kahoy Valley

    Bangkong Kahoy Valley, popularly known as BK Valley or just BK, is a lodge and restaurant are situated at 750masl between the mountains of Mt. Banahaw and Mt. Cristobal. Bangkong Kahoy translates to ‘Wooden Bench’, envisioned to be a comfortable retreat for weekend trekkers, and bird watchers who want to escape to a cool and quiet haven. A collaboration between an ecotourism advocate and a bird photographer has led to the establishment of a private birding hide managed by a local resident turned forest ranger, and birding guides.

    Getting to the hide requires a 45-minute uphill trek. The foot trail gets muddy and slippery during the rainy season. Appropriate hiking shoes with sufficiently treaded rubber soles for traction in soft ground is advised.

    • Whiskered Pitta

    • Bundok Flycatcher,

    • Philippine Shortwing

    • Elegant Tit

    • Yellowish White-eye

    • Metallic-winged Sunbird

    • Blue-headed Fantail

    • Green-backed Whistler

    • Scale-feathered Malkoha

    • Rough-crested Malkoha

  • Packed breakfast from BK restaurant; Lunch and dinner at BK Restaurant

    Overnight at BK Lodge

Day 2 - Luzon

    • Travel to Infanta, Quezon (3 hours)

    • Local travel - hotel to birding site (15 – 30mins)

    • Check-in at hotel

  • Southern Sierra Madre

    The Marilaque Highway connects Marikina City in Metro Manila to the towns of Real and Infanta, Quezon through the provinces of Rizal, Laguna, and Quezon. Also known as Marikina-Infanta Highway or Marilaque Highway, this road traverses excellent forested areas at around 650-750 masl at the southern portion of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. The area became popular with the birdwatching community in the last 10 years with almost 200 bird species being recorded there.

    • Rufous Hornbill

    • Philippine Trogon

    • Philippine Fairy Bluebird

    • Guaiabero

    • Philippine Hanging Parrot

    • White-browed Shama

    • Olive-backed Flowerpecker

    • Flaming Sunbird

    • Elegant Tit

    • Yellowish White-eye

    • Luzon Sunbird

    • Luzon Boobook

    • Philippine Scops Owl

  • Breakfast along the way (Kabsat Restaurant); Lunch and dinner at La View Restaurant, Infanta, Quezon

    Overnight at La View Hotel

Day 3 - Luzon

    • Local travel - hotel to birding site (15 – 30mins)

  • Southern Sierra Madre

    Along the Marilaque Highway are specific spots with fruiting, flowering, roosting or nesting trees where target bird species frequently visit. Some of these sites may require a bit of walking (~100-150 m downhill). Some have established boarded walkways but most are on foot trails which may get muddy and slippery during the rainy season. Appropriate hiking shoes with sufficiently treaded rubber soles for traction in soft ground is advised.

    • Philippine Trogon

    • Flame-breasted Fruit-Dove

    • Cream-breasted Fruit-Dove

    • Yellow-breasted Fruit-Dove

    • Amethyst Brown-Dove

    • White-eared Brown-Dove

    • Guaiabero

    • Philippine Hanging Parrot

    • Sulphur-billed Nuthatch

    • Stripe-headed Rhabdornis

    • Grand Rhabdornis

    • Yellow-wattled Bulbul

    • Short-crested Monarch

    • Black-crowned Babbler

    • Luzon Boobook

    • Philippine Scops Owl

    • Philippine Eagle Owl

  • Packed breakfast from La View Restaurant

    Lunch and dinner at hotel or nearby restaurant

    Overnight at La View Mountain Resort, Infanta, Quezon

Day 4 - Luzon

    • Chekout at hotel

    • Land travel to Palo Alto, Baras, Rizal for birding (1 hour)

    • Land travel to Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo City, Zambales (4 hours)

    • Check-in at hotel

  • Palo Alto Subdivision in Baras, Rizal

    This area is located between Infanta and Metro Manila. About an hour drive from Infanta, the Subdivision sits around 200-300 masl on the lower slopes of southern Sierra Madre Mountain Range. It has been cleared for development into a residential area but there are still patches of second growth lowland forest in the perimeter hosting over 150 bird species.

    • Indigo-banded Kingfisher

    • Spotted Wood Kingfisher

    • Brown-breasted Kingfisher

    • Philippine Pitta

    • Rough-crested Malkoha

    • Scale-feathered Malkoha

    • Spotted Buttonquail

    • Chirruping Nightjar.

  • Lunch The Patio Restaurant, UP hotel, Diliman, QC

    Dinner at Magic Lagoon or Gerry’s Grill Restaurant

    Overnight at Emerald Manor Hotel, Subic

Day 5 - Luzon

    • Land travel to birding sites within the freeport (15-30 mins)

  • Subic Bay Forest Reserve.

    Situated at the northwestern foothills of Mt. Natib and Bataan National Park, the Subic Bay Rainforest is one of the largest remaining lowland tropical rainforests in Luzon. At least 200 species of birds have been recorded in the Subic Bay Rainforest including numerous lowland forest endemics.

    • Green Racket-tail

    • Blue-naped Parrot

    • Luzon Hornbill

    • Coleto

    • Balicassiao

    • Rufous Coucal

    • Rough-crested Malkoha

    • Luzon Flameback

    • Northern Sooty Woodpecker

    • Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker

    • White-bellied Woodpecker

    • Blackish Cuckooshrike

    • Green Imperial Pigeon

    • Philippine Green Pigeon

    • Indigo-banded Kingfisher

    • Spotted Wood Kingfisher

    • Luzon Boobook

    • Chocolate Boobook

    • Philippine Scops Owl

    • Philippine Eagle-owl

    • Great-eared Nightjar

  • Lunch at All Hands Beach Restaurant or Emerald Manor

    Dinner at Magic Lagoon or Gerry’s Grill Restaurant

    Overnight at Emerald Manor Hotel

Day 6 - Luzon

    • Check-out at hotel

    • Land travel to Canarem, Candaba or LMEP, QC

  • Canarem Lake and/or Candaba Swamp are freshwater wetlands that are habitat to numerous resident and some endemic wetland birds.

    La Mesa Ecopark, popularly known as LMEP, the park is located on the edge of a watershed forest reserve and reservoir called La Mesa Dam.  Despite its small size, this small patch of lowland forest holds many surprises for the observant birder.

  • Canarem Lake/Candaba Swamp

    • Philippine Duck

    • Wandering Whistling Duck

    • Philippine Swamphen

    • Common Moorhen

    • Barred Rail

    • White-breasted Waterhen

    • White-browed Crake

    • Pheasant-tailed Jacana

    La Mesa Ecopark

    • Philippine Eagle Owl

    • Ashy Thrush

    • Spotted Wood Kingfisher

    • Indigo-banded Kingfisher

    • Philippine Pitta

    • Western Hooded Pitta

    • Mangrove Blue Flycatcher

    • Grey-backed Tailorbird

  • Lunch along the way or at the Patio Restaturant

    Dinner near hotel

    Overnight at Mella Hotel / Britanny Hotel Global South, Las Pinas City

Day 7 - Mindanao

    • Check-out at hotel

    • Air travel from Manila to Cagayan de Oro

    • Land travel to Malaybalay City, Bukidnon (2.5hrs)

    • Morning birding along the way

    • Check in and rest at hotel

  • San Vicente Trail, Bukidnon

    Northwestern edge of Mt. Kitanglad Range National Park

    • Soaring Philippine Eagles

    • Rufous Hornbills

    • Writhed Hornbills

    • Handsome Sunbird

  • Lunch along the way, dinner near hotel

    Overnight at Loiza’s Pavilion, Malaybalay City

Day 8 - Mindanao

    • Land travel to Sitio Intavas, Sumilao, Bukidnon (1 hr)

    • Whole day birding

  • Intavas Trail, Mt. Kitanglad Range National Park

    Intavas Trail starts at a community settlement named Sitio Intavas. It is a 1.5 km long trek on a rocky unpaved road with a gentle upslope. At the end of this trail is a resting shed and the start of a steep trek up to the peak of Mt. Kitanglad.

    • Philippine Eagle

    • Apo Myna

    • Red-eared Parrotfinch

    • Mindanao Heleia

    • McGregor’s Cuckooshrike

    • Cinnamon Ibon

    • Mindanao Racket-tail

    • Mindanao Lorikeet

    • Black-and-cinnamon Fantail

    • Apo Sunbird

    • Grey-hooded Sunbird

    • Long-tailed Bush Warbler

    • Metallic Pigeon

    • Negros Leaf-warbler

    • Fire-throated Flowerpecker

    • Turquoise Flycatcher

    • Little Pied Flycatcher

  • Lunch along the way, dinner near hotel

    Overnight at Loiza’s Pavilion

Day 9 - Mindanao

    • Land travel to Lantapan, Bukidnon (1 hr)

    • Whole day birding

  • Cinchona Forest Reserve, Mt. Kitanglad

    Cinchona Forest Reserve is a known nesting site for Philippine Eagles in the Southeastern edge of Mt Kitanglad Range.  It was established in the 1920s as a plantation for Cinchona Trees to boost production of anti-malaria ingredient – Quinine. The well-preserved forest here provides habitat several Philippine Eagles and numerous Mindanao endemic wildlife. 

    • Philippine Eagle

    • Pinsker’s Hawk-eagle

    • Philippine Honey-buzzard

    • Mindanao Hornbill

    • Yellow-breasted Fruit Dove

    • Amethyst Brown-dove

    • Cinnamon Ibon

    • Stripe-breasted Rhabdornis

    • Grey-throated Sunbird

    • Flame-crowned Flowerpecker

    • Buzzing Flowerpecker

    • Yellow-bellied Whistler

    • Black-and-cinnamon Fantail

    • Bundok Flycatcher

    • Turquoise Flycatcher

    • Little Pied Flycatcher

    • Long-tailed Bush Warbler

  • Lunch along the way, dinner near hotel

    Overnight at Loiza’s Pavilion

Day 10 - Mindanao

    • Land travel to Impasugong, Bukidnon (1 hr)

    • Whole day birding

  • Center for Ecological Development and Recreation (CEDAR) Park

    CEDAR is a reforestation project in Mindanao co-managed by the Local Government of Impasugong, Bukidnon and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The trail heading towards Dila and Gantungan Falls host several of Mindanao’s most elusive endemic species.

    Maputi Bird Preserve

    Created and maintained by our very own Bird Finder, Ben Maputi. This area houses a photography hide for some of the most secretive Mindanao endemic bird species.

    Alternatives: Intavas Trail and Cinchona Forest Reserve

    • Southern Silvery Kingfisher

    • Blue-capped Kingfisher

    • Bagobo Babbler

    • Cryptic Flycatcher

    • Mindanao Hornbill

    • Black-and-Cinnamon Fantail

    • Red-eared Parrotfinch

    • Grey-hooded Sunbird

    • Bundok Flycatcher

    • Giant Scops Owl

  • Lunch along the way, dinner near hotel

    Overnight at Loiza’s Pavilion

Day 11 - Mindanao

    • Check-out at hotel

    • Land travel to Bislig (6.5 hrs)

    • Birding along the way or afternoon birding (time permitting)

    • Check-in at Paper Country Inn, Bislig City

  • Bislig Lowland Forests

    Bislig Lowland Forests was once a logging concession for one of the largest logging companies in the Philippines. It has since been abandoned and its remnant forests allowed to regenerate. It is one of the most popular birdwatching sites in Mindanao with its lowland forests serving as home to numerous endemic bird species

    • Celestial Monarch

    • Short-crested Monarch

    • Mindanao Wattled Broadbill

    • Rufous Paradise-flycatcher

    • Mindanao Blue Fantail

    • Rufous Hornbill

    • Writhed Hornbill

    • Mindanao Hornbill

    • Mindanao Bleeding-heart

    • Pink-bellied Imperial Pigeon

    • Yellow-breasted Fruit-dove

    • Mindanao Brown-Dove

    • Rufous-lored Kingfisher

    • Azure-breasted Pitta

    • Philippine Trogon

  • Lunch along the way, dinner at the hotel

    Overnight at Paper Country Inn, Bislig City

Days 12-14 - Mindanao

    • Land travel to forest (1 hr)

    • Whole day birding

  • Bislig Lowland Forests

    Bislig Lowland Forests was once a logging concession for one of the largest logging companies in the Philippines. It has since been abandoned and its remnant forests allowed to regenerate. It is one of the most popular birdwatching sites in Mindanao with its lowland forests serving as home to numerous endemic bird species

    • Celestial Monarch

    • Short-crested Monarch

    • Mindanao Wattled Broadbill

    • Rufous Paradise-flycatcher

    • Mindanao Blue Fantail

    • Rufous Hornbill

    • Writhed Hornbill

    • Mindanao Hornbill

    • Mindanao Bleeding-heart

    • Pink-bellied Imperial Pigeon

    • Yellow-breasted Fruit-dove

    • Mindanao Brown-Dove

    • Rufous-lored Kingfisher

    • Azure-breasted Pitta

    • Philippine Trogon

  • Lunch along the way, dinner at the hotel

    Nights at Paper Country Inn, Bislig City

Day 15 - Mindanao

    • Check-out at hotel

    • Land travel to Davao City (5 hrs)

    • Visit to conservation center

    • Check-in and rest at hotel

  • Philippine Eagle Center

    Philippine Eagle Center was initially established for the rescue and rehabilitation of Philippine Eagles. A sanctuary for the giant raptors, the facility has since expanded to cover other Philippine raptors, other threatened birds and wildlife and now serves as to educate the public about threatened species and their habitats.

    • Philippine Eagles

    • Pinsker’s Hawk-eagle

    • Philippine Serpent Eagle

    • Rufous-lored Kingfisher

    • Philippine Pied Fantail

    • Purple-throated Sunbird

    • Other raptors and wildlife

  • Lunch along the way, dinner near hotel

    Overnight at Hotel Tropika, Davao City

Day 16 - Mindanao

    • Check-out at hotel

    • Air travel from Davao City to Puerto Princesa City (via Manila)

    • Check in and rest at hotel

  • Lunch at restaurant along the way, dinner at hotel

    Overnight at Balai Princesa Hotel, Puerto Princesa City

Day 17 - Palawan

    • Whole day birding

  • Napsan Lowland Forests

    Napsan Road is a 30-kilometer stretch of road traversing central Palawan between Puerto Prinsesa City proper and barangay Napsan. The most productive areas are between the 10 – 20 km marks with good forest cover on both sides of the road. In some areas, the road overlooks a river and has sweeping panoramas of the opposite ridgeline providing opportunities to see raptors, Palawan Hornbills, and other birds in flight.

    • Palawan Hornbill

    • Blue-headed Racket-tail

    • Philippine Cockatoo

    • Blue-naped Parrot

    • Red-headed Flameback

    • Spot-throated Flameback

    • Yellow-throated Leafbird

    • Palawan Fairy Bluebird

    • Lovely Sunbird

    • Palawan Sunbird

    • Pin-striped Tit-babbler

    • Palawan Flowerpecker

    • Palawan Drongo

    • Common Hill Myna

    • Among others

  • Lunch at restaurant along the way, dinner at hotel

    Overnight at Balai Princesa Hotel

Day 18 - Palawan

    • Whole day birding

  • Birdwing

    Private birding hide. We visit a private birding hide established by Palawan-based birders and guides to help conserve Palawan’s threated birds and wildlife species and promote birdwatching and bird photography tourism.

    • Palawan Peacock-pheasant

    • Palawan Bulbul

    • Falcated Wren-babbler

    • Melodious Babbler

    • Palawan Blue Flycatcher

    • Among other birds and wildlife

  • Lunch at restaurant along the way, dinner at hotel

    Overnight at Balai Princesa Hotel

Day 19 - Palawan

    • Whole day birding

    • Travel to birding site (1 hour)

  • Irawan Watershed

    Irawan Watershed Forest is a protected area covering around 3,500 hectares of lowland rainforest and is the main water supply of Puerto Princesa City.  The City Environment and Natural Resource Office (CENRO) has established birdwatching hides in the watershed to promote birdwatching tourism in support of the forest conservation efforts.

    • Palawan Flycatcher

    • White-vented Shama

    • Blue-eared Kingfisher

    • Rufous-backed Dwarf-kingfisher

    • Stork-billed Kingfisher

    • Square-tailed Drongo-cuckoo

    • Palawan Bulbul

    • Sulphur-billed Bulbul

    • Black-headed Bulbul

    • Ashy-headed Babbler

  • Lunch at restaurant along the way, dinner at nearby restaurant

    Overnight at Mella Hotel / Britanny Hotel Global South, Las Pinas City

Day 20 - Palawan

    • Morning birding (time permitting)

    • Check-out at hotel

    • Air travel to Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila (1.25 hrs)

    • Land travel to Las Pinas City (15 – 20 mins) for hotel check-in

    • Check-in at hotel

  • Tibor Private Hide

    Established by a local forest warden turned birdwatching guide at his home. This site is a small birding site has attracted numerous bird species from the adjacent mangrove forest.

    • Palawan Flowerpecker

    • Palawan Spiderhunter

    • Brown-throated Sunbird

    • Copper-throated Sunbird

    • Palawan Sunbird

    • Palawan Blue Paradise Flycatcher

    • Asian Glossy Starlings

    • Ashy-fronted Bulbul

    • Black-headed Bulbul

    • Common Emerald Dove

  • Lunch at the resort, dinner at hotel

    Overnight at Mella Hotel / Britanny Hotel Global South

Day 21 - Manila

    • Check-out at hotel

    • Land travel from hotel to airport (15-20 mins)

    • Air travel from Manila to onward destination

Tour Provisions

Inclusions

  • Domestic Flights: MNL-CDO, DVO-MNL-PPS and PPS-MNL

  • All land transportation during the tour (including pick up and drop off).

  • All domestic flights.

  • All overnight stays.

  • All meals, starting with lunch on arrival and ending with lunch on departure.

  • All entrance fees and permits for birding sites.

  • Services of local guides and drivers.

  • Complimentary bottled water for the entire duration of the tour.

Exclusions

  • International air tickets to and from the Philippines.

  • Any additional nights outside the specified tour dates.

  • Porter fee if a porter is requested.

  • Gratuities for tour staff, including tour guide and driver.

  • Passport, visa, vaccination and insurance fees.

  • Expenses for alcoholic drinks and cash bills.

  • Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls and other personal items.

  • Hospitalization and evacuation costs, if necessary.

Booking Policy

Upon Booking

50% Booking Reservation Deposit

45 Days Before Booking

50% Booking Finalization Payment

Travel Reminders

  • Plan to arrive on the earliest available flight to maximize birding time on the first day.

  • Activities are subject to weather conditions and flight schedules (arrival and departure times) and may be adjusted to align with the actual conditions at the birding sites.

  • Pack light clothing suitable for birding, as daytime temperatures typically range around 30°C, while nighttime temperatures drop to approximately 18°C.

  • Bring along hiking shoes with appropriate soles for trekking to ensure comfort and safety during outdoor activities

Signature Birding Tour Inquiry

Contact Us

  • www.birdfinder.ph

  • info@birdfinder.ph

  • FB: @birdfinder.bif

  • +63 9478906422