Special

Philippine Eagle

Tours

Commencing January 15 to March 2026

Limited Slots Available

Special Philippine Eagle Tour 2026

Beginning January 15, 2026 and running through March 2026, Bird Finder Philippines proudly presents the Special Philippine Eagle Tours — an extraordinary, limited-edition birding experience created for serious birders, photographers, and lovers of wildlife and wilderness.

This exclusive expedition offers a rare and intimate opportunity to see the Great Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) — the largest and rarest eagle in the world, and widely regarded as the most majestic of all eagles — soaring, hunting, and caring for its young in its natural mountain forest home.

A nesting pair is currently brooding an egg, presenting a very high probability of witnessing one of the most awe-inspiring wildlife scenes on Earth: the parent eagles bringing food and feeding their chick. Very few birders in history have seen this moment in the wild. Reaching the nest requires only a 45-minute moderate hike, leading to a well-positioned photography hide less than 70 meters away. This safe, ethical, and unobtrusive setup provides exceptional viewing and photographic opportunities while prioritizing the welfare of the eagles.

5pax Maximum Tour Group Recommended

To make the best bird watching and bird photography experience, and to not disturb the environment around the nesting Philippine Eagles, we recommend having a maximum Tour Group size of 5 people.

Our National Bird

    • Across numerous Filipino cultures, this magnificent eagle is known by the local name “Haring Ibon” meaning “King of Birds.”

    • Just like a King, this bird also dawns a crown, in the form of a shaggy crest that erects when they find something intriguing.

    • When you compare all the raptors of the world, the Philippine Eagle is the only raptor with naturally blue-grey eyes.

    • Blas Tabaranza Jr. and Robert S. Kennedy gave the Philippine Eagle the title of “Largest Eagle in the World” in terms of height and overall wing surface area.

    • At 1.021 meters tall, an adult Philippine Eagle is as tall as a small child!

    • The Philippine Eagle is also the largest Eagle in terms of Bill Gape, Bill Culmen, Bill Height, and Tarsus.

    • In the Philippines, the Philippine Eagle is the largest flying animal in the country!

      • The second largest flying animal in the Philippines is the Golden-crowned Flying Fox, which is one of the Philippine Eagle’s prey items!

    • The Philippine Eagle is only found on four island in the Philippines: Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao.

    • Their preferred habitat is dipterocarp forests and residual gallery forests up to 2000 masl.

    • Due to habitat loss, deforestation, and hunting, an estimated 128-924 mature individuals are left in the wild.

    • Philippine Colugo (Cynocephalus volans)

      • Locally known as “Kagwang,” these endemic mammals are regarded as their favorite!

    • Monkeys (Macaca fascicularis philippensis)

      • When this eagle was first described, the name “Monkey-eating Eagle” was given based on the accounts of Filipinos seeing this massive raptor eating monkeys.

    • Philippine Palm Civet (Paradoxurus philippinensis)

    • Monitor Lizards (Varanus sp.)

    • Philippine Brown Deer (Rusa marianna)

    • Hornbills

    • Owls

    • Hawks

    • Flying Squirrels

    • Snakes

    • Bats

    • Rats

    If you think about it, they can eat pretty much anything smaller than the Philippine Eagle.

    • The DENR National List of Threatened Terrestrial Fauna of the Philippines (DAO 2019-09) lists the Philippine Eagle as a Critically Endangered species.

    • The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species lists the Philippine Eagle as a Critically Endangered species.

Our Tour Offerings for 2026

5-Day Philippine Eagle Encounter

A focused itinerary devoted to observing and photographing the Philippine Eagle at the nesting site, complemented by a visit to the Philippine Eagle Conservation Center for a close encounter and deeper understanding of conservation efforts.

Day 0 - Start

    • 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

  • Lunch along the way, dinner near hotel

    Overnight at Loiza’s Pavilion, Malaybalay City

Day 1 - Mindanao Endemics

    • 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 2 - Philippine Eagle (Hide)

    • 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 3 - Philippine Eagle (Hide)

    • 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 4 - Mindanao Endemics (Hide)

    • 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 5 - Mindanao Endemics & PEC

    • 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 6 - End

    • Check-out at hotel

    • Air travel from Davao City to Manila

    • Check in and rest at hotel

  • Lunch at restaurant along the way, dinner at hotel

Our Tour Offerings for 2026

10-Day Philippine Eagle & Mindanao Endemics Expedition

A full adventure combining the Philippine Eagle encounter with extensive birding across Mindanao’s montane and lowland habitats — targeting sought-after species such as the Apo Myna, Wattled Broadbill, Blue-capped Kingfisher, Bagobo Babbler, Celestial Monarch, Red-eared Parrotfinch, and many others.

Day 0 - Start

    • 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 Pinsa City

Day 1 - Mindanao Endemics

    • 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 2 - Philippine Eagle (Hide)

    • 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 3 - Philippine Eagle (Hide)

    • 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 4 - Mindanao Endemics

    • 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 5 - Mindanao Endemics (Hide)

    • 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 6 - Mindanao Endemics

    • 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 7-8 - Mindanao Endemics

    • 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 9 - Mindanao Endemics

    • Check-out at hotel

    • Land travel to Davao City (5 hrs)

    • Whole day birding

    • Check-in and rest at hotel

  • Malagos Garden Resort

    Malagos Garden Resort is also a great birding site with its surrounding lowland forests hosting Mindanao endemics. Primarily known as one of Davao's leading chocolate producers, the Malagos resort has a patch of preserved lowland forests with easily accessible trails that we will visit.

    • Southern Silvery Kingfisher

    • Orange-tufted Spiderhunter

    • Purple-throated Sunbird (Orange-lined)

    • Garden Sunbird

    • Yellow-wattled Bulbul

    • Brown Tit-babbler

    • Guaiabero

    • Philippine Hanging-parrot

    • Coppersmith Barbet

    • Pygmy Flowerpecker

    • Violet Cuckoo

    • South Philippine Dwarf-kingfisher

    • Everett’s Scops-owl

    • Rufous-crowned Bee-eater

  • Lunch at Malagos Garden Resort

    Dinner near hotel

    Overnight at Hotel Tropika, Davao City

Day 10 - Mindanao Endemics & PEC

    • 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 11 - End

    • Check-out at hotel

    • Air travel from Davao City to Manila

    • Check in and rest at hotel

  • Lunch at restaurant along the way, dinner at hotel

Tour Provisions

Inclusions

  • Domestic Flights: MNL-CDO, DVO-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.

  • Additional US$100.00 per night for single supplement

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

Special Philippine Eagle Tour Inquiry

Contact Us

  • www.birdfinder.ph

  • info@birdfinder.ph

  • FB: @birdfinder.bif

  • +63 9478906422