Complete island-hoping, a

birdwatching Tour in the Philippines

Discover one of the world’s richest avian sanctuaries

A true paradise for birdwatchers, the Philippines is home to over 700 bird species, including more than 240 found nowhere else on Earth. From the cloud forests of Luzon to the mangroves of Palawan and the wetlands of Mindanao, each island offers its own unique and spectacular birdlife.

This tour is designed for experienced birders looking to encounter some of the archipelago’s rarest and most iconic species — including the legendary Philippine Eagle, the striking Philippine Cockatoo, and the dazzling Celestial Monarch. Guided by expert local ornithologists and staying in comfortable lodges near key birding sites, you'll explore pristine habitats and observe birds in their natural environments, with minimal disturbance.

An unforgettable journey into one of Southeast Asia’s last great strongholds of avian diversity.



 Day 1 – Arrival in Manila

(dinner)


Arrival at the airport and transfer to your hotel. In the late afternoon, birding briefing on the program, key species and visited areas. Free day depending on arrival time.

Day 2 – Candaba Marsh - Subic Bay

(breakfast, lunch, dinner)


Departure before dawn to Candaba Marsh. Morning birding in wetlands, rice paddies and dikes. Drive to Subic Bay with lunch stop en route.  

Key species: Philippine Duck, Purple Heron, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Painted Snipe, migratory raptors

  Day 3 – Subic Bay

(breakfast, lunch, dinner)


Birding in coastal forest: primary forest, trails and roadside birding.

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Key species: Luzon Hornbill, Green Racket-tail, Philippine Falconet, Coleto, Guaiabero

  Day 4 – Mont Makiling

(breakfast, lunch, dinner)


Final morning session in Subic. Road transfer to Mount Makiling in southern Manila. Installation and first exploration around the forest edge.

  Day 5 – Mont Makiling

(breakfast, lunch, dinner)


Exploration of forest trails in Makiling, rich in mid-altitude species. Moderate forest hike, understorey and canopy observation.

Key species: Rough-crested Malkoha, Flaming Sunbird, Bleeding-heart Dove, White-browed Shama.

  Day 6 – Flight to Mindanao 

(breakfast, lunch, dinner)


Early domestic flight to Cagayan de Oro. Drive to Malaybalay and hike up to Kitanglad base camp. Installation in montane forest.

  Day 7–8 – Mount Kitanglad

(breakfast, lunch, dinner)


Two full days of high elevation birding. Observation at dawn, throughout the day and at night.

Key species: Philippine Eagle, Apo Myna, Gurney’s Scops Owl, Bukidnon Woodcock, Mindanao Racket-tail.

  Day 9 – flight to Palawan

(breakfast, lunch, dinner)


Hike and drive back to Cagayan de Oro. Connecting flight to Puerto Princesa (Palawan).

  Day 10 – Puerto Princesa → Sabang

(breakfast, lunch, dinner)


Road to Sabang, first forest and coastal birding.

Key species: Palawan Hornbill, Palawan Tit, Palawan Racket-tail.

  Day 11–12 – Primary forest of Palawan

(breakfast, lunch, dinner)


Diurnal and nocturnal birding in old-growth forest.

Key species: Palawan Peacock-Pheasant, Palawan Hornbill, Palawan Tit, Palawan Racket-tail, Palawan Frogmouth.

  Day 13 – Sabang 

(breakfast, lunch, dinner)


More relaxed day. Optional snorkeling, mangrove excursion or focused photo-birding. Ideal to complete coastal or forest specialties.

  Day 14 – flight to Manila 

(breaksfast)

Transfer to airport and return flight to Manila. International connection or overnight stay depending on timing.

See dates and prices for this trip


Candaba Marsh (Pampanga)

Located north of Manila, along the road to Subic, this seasonal wetland spreads across rice fields and fishponds in the central plain. When flooded, it becomes a lively sanctuary for both migratory and endemic waterbirds. 

Target species: Luzon Buttonquail, Chinese Pond Heron, Philippine Duck


 Subic Bay Forest (Zambales)

Just a few hours west of Manila, the forests of Subic Bay roll over low hills covered in tropical trees. Once a military base, this green haven is now a surprisingly well-preserved refuge for many forest species. 

Target species: Luzon Hornbill, Philippine Drongo-Cuckoo, Coleto


Mount Makiling (Laguna)

Just two hours south of Manila, this dormant volcano is cloaked in lush forest crisscrossed by research and interpretive trails. It is a key site for discovering Luzon’s avian diversity. 

Target species: Green Racket-tail, Long-horned Owl, Luzon Jungle-Flycatcher, Philippine Hanging Parrot


​Mount Kitanglad (Bukidnon)

Rising from Bukidnon’s highlands, Mount Kitanglad offers a mosaic of pine stands, grasslands, and montane forest. This is the realm of the national bird, reigning silently over its ancestral domain. 

Target species: Philippine Eagle, Mindanao Racket-tail, Apo Myna


Sabang – Underground River National Park

Where the jungle meets the sea, the karst forest clings to limestone cliffs and coastal caves. This majestic landscape shelters a shy and rare fauna. 

Target species: Palawan Hornbill, Philippine Drongo-Cuckoo, Palawan Leafbird


Tagabinet / Langogan

North of Puerto Princesa, these quiet villages blend farmland, woodland patches, and mangroves. Forest fragments stretch into nearby hills, and birds are everywhere—along paths and in undergrowth. 

Target species: Ashy-headed Babbler, Black Shama, Palawan Leafbird


see the dates and prices for this trip


Dates & prices

next departure  ​ ​ ​ ​ ​Price ​ ​ ​ ​ ​Statut

On request  ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​Guaranteed from 2 participants ​ ​ ​Book ​ ​


​ ​

Our prices include :


  • The services of an English-speaking tour leader,
  • Accommodation on the basis of a double or twin room in the hotels mentioned or equivalent,
  • Full board meals,
  • Transfers and transport on site,
  • Les vols intérieurs 
  • Entrance fees,
  • La prestation des guides.



Our prices do not include :

  • International flights,
  • The single room option if desired and subject to availability. Price upon request, 
  • Non-meals drinks,
  • ​Alcoholic drinks,
  • Tips and other personal expenses.
  • In case of air transport, air surcharges in the event of excess baggage or increased fuel.
  • Multi-risk travel insurance (optional)
  • Expenses related to force majeure (adverse weather conditions, geopolitical issues, etc.)


La meilleure période pour un séjour ornithologique aux Philippines s’étend de mi-novembre à fin avril, avec un optimum entre janvier et mars.  En effet la saison sèche s’étend de novembre à mai, mais de Janvier à mars la météo est plus stable. Le mois de mai est le mois le plus chaud de l’année. Du mois de juin au mois de novembre, c'est la saison des pluies et la période des ouragans.

De plus beaucoup d'espèces endémiques sont plus vocales entre février et avril lors de la période de reproduction, et  les espèces migratoires sont visibles de novembre à mars dans les zones humides comme Candaba.

Nous recommandons donc les mois de février et mars.

Easy. The walks carried out throughout the tour do not present any difficulty. It is hot, between 30 and 34°C (86 to 94°F), and the percentage of humidity is high, between 80-95%.

We walk a few hours a day at the pace of leisurely walking with many breaks for observation. You are in good health and able to walk at a normal pace, with a small backpack containing hydration.

Accommodation is in 3- and 4-star hotels and rustic campsites in Kitanglad.

Information concerning health and administrative formalities may constantly evolve. It is necessary to check for updates with official bodies.

Visa :

Nationals of most countries are issued a free 30-day visa upon arrival. Passport valid for at least 6 months after the return date; return or onward ticket; for a stay of more than 30 days, prior visa or possible extension on site. A travel declaration must be made online within 72 hours prior to travel.

Health

none

​Feel free to contact us for any clarification or special request.

  1. Registration: your request is made through the Booking form. We will prepare a quote for you with all the information related to your trip, which you will receive by email within 2 to 5 days of your request.
  2. Confirmation : Your registration will be final and taken into account by the validation of the quote, our general conditions of sale and the payment of a deposit of 40%. The balance payment must reach us no later than 45 days before the departure date.