Cambodia Extension – Temples and Birds (7 Days)

Explore one of the world’s finest archaeological sites, the magnificent Angkor Wat temples, combined with three bird-filled day trips in this wonderful 7-day Cambodia extension tour. And remember, as with all Vietnam Birding sample tours, this itinerary can be tailored to suit your exact needs.    

Day 1: Arrive Siem Reap
Arrive at Siem Reap International Airport and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 3: Angkor Temples
After breakfast spend the morning on an extensive tour of the magnificent 12th century Angkor Wat. In the afternoon continue to Srah Srang, Banteay Kdei, the fabulous Ta Prohm Temple, embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers and the small twin temples of Chau Say Tevoda and Thommanon. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 4: Tonle Sap
Transfer by minibus at dawn to the shore of Cambodia’s great lake, Tonle Sap. On arrival board a small boat and cruise for an hour across Tonle Sap to the village of Prek Toal situated on the Sangkae River, 4 km from the lake shore. Depending of the weather, breakfast is taken either on the boat or at Prek Toal village. After breakfast the morning is spent birdwatching from a wooden boat and watching towers in the flooded forest with a local guide from the Prek Toal Biospehere Reserve. Prek Toal has one of the largest concentrations of waterbirds in South-East Asia with Spot-billed Pelican, Painted and Milky storks, Asian Openbill, Greater and Lesser adjutants among the species that can be seen. A typical lunch of fresh fish will be served in the middle of the seasonally inundated forest. Return to Siem Reap in the late afternoon after a visit to the small GECKO (Global Environmental Chhong Kneas Office) visitor centre if the water level allows. Note that this itinerary may vary depending on local conditions at Tonle Sap. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 5: Ang Trapeang Thmor
Leave Siem Reap after breakfast for a full day trip to Ang Trapeang Thmor, a nature reserve based around a reservoir dating from the Khmer Rouges era. The reserve now harbours a unique wetland set amongst grasslands, dipterocarp forest and rice fields. Ang Trapeang Thmor is an important wintering site for the endangered Eastern Sarus Crane between February and March. Other highlights of Ang Trapeang Thmor are the breeding colonies of Spot-billed Pelican and Painted Stork and often large numbers of waterfowl including Spot-billed Duck, Cotton Pygmy Goose, Garganey, Black-backed Swamphen, Pheasant-tailed and Bronze-winged Jacanas. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 6: Kompong Thom
Another day trip from Siem Reap, this time to the grasslands of Kompong Thom, to search for the critically-endangered Bengal Florican. Raptors including Eastern Marsh Harrier, Pied Harrier and Greater Spotted Eagle are often seen cruising over the grasslands here. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 7: Depart Siem Reap
The morning is at leisure after breakfast before transferring to Siem Reap International Airport for departure flight.

An 8-day extension tour combining two of Indochina’s classic destinations - Cambodia’s magnificent Angkor Wat temples and the charming former Laotian mountain kingdom of Luang Prabang. Sandwiched in the middle is a day trip to Cambodia’s great late, Tonle Sap, home to the largest concentration of endangered waterbirds in mainland South-East Asia between December and March each year. And remember, as with all Vietnam Birding sample tours, this itinerary can be tailored to suit your exact needs.    

Day 1: Arrive Siem Reap
Arrive at Siem Reap International Airport and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 2: Angkor Temples
Siem Reap is the base for exploring the fabled temples of Angkor, the ancient capital of the Khmer empire. A full day tour of the temples includes the early-Angkor era temples of the Roluos Group - Preah Ko, Ba Kong and Lo Lei. In the afternoon continue to the South Gate of Angkor Thom, the famous Bayon, the Terrace of Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King. Return to hotel after watching the sun set at Phnom Bakheng. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 3: Angkor Temples
After breakfast spend the morning on an extensive tour of the magnificent 12th century Angkor Wat. In the afternoon continue to Srah Srang, Banteay Kdei, the fabulous Ta Prohm Temple, embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers and the small twin temples of Chau Say Tevoda and Thommanon. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 4: Tonle Sap
Transfer by minibus at dawn to the shore of Cambodia’s great lake, Tonle Sap. On arrival board a small boat and cruise for an hour across Tonle Sap to the village of Prek Toal situated on the Sangkae River, 4 km from the lake shore. Depending of the weather, breakfast is taken either on the boat or at Prek Toal village. After breakfast the morning is spent birdwatching from a wooden boat and watching towers in the flooded forest with a local guide from the Prek Toal Biospehere Reserve. Prek Toal has one of the largest concentrations of waterbirds in South-East Asia with Spot-billed Pelican, Painted and Milky storks, Asian Openbill, Greater and Lesser adjutants among the species that can be seen. A typical lunch of fresh fish will be served in the middle of the seasonally inundated forest. Return to Siem Reap in the late afternoon after a visit to the small GECKO (Global Environmental Chhong Kneas Office) visitor centre if the water level allows. Note that this itinerary may vary depending on local conditions at Tonle Sap. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 5: Siem Reap to Luang Prabang
Transfer to Siem Reap International Airport after breakfast for the morning flight to Luang Prabang in northern Laos. On arrival at Luang Prabang International Airport transfer to hotel. This former mountain kingdom is now a UNESCO World Heritage City and is perhaps the best preserved traditional city in South-East Asia. In the afternoon climb the steps up Mount Phousi to its sacred, gilded stupa for panoramic views of this ancient city and the Mekong River. In the evening browse the stalls of Luang Prabang’s night market for local textiles and art. Overnight in Luang Prabang. 

Day 6: Pak Ou Caves
After breakfast enjoy a short tour of the city’s oldest stupa, Wat Visoun, the shrines of Wat Aham, Wat Mai, Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong before cruising on the Mekong to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha images. On the return journey visit the royal temple at Wat Longkhoun and Ban Phanom, a village known for its hand-woven traditional textiles. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 7: Khouangsi Falls
An early start and an opportunity to participate in the daily morning ritual of Buddhist monks as they collect offerings of alms. Laos is one of the few Buddhist countries where this tradition still exists. This is followed by a visit to a local market and a number of villages en route to the beautiful Khouangsi Falls, a series of cascades and waterfalls, 30 km from Luang Prabang. Return to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 8: Depart Luang Prabang
Enjoy a morning at leisure in Luang Prabang before transferring to Luang Prabang International Airport for departure flight.

Thailand Extension – Thailand Birding Highlights (9 Days)

Thailand offers endless opportunities for birding and non-birding extensions including some of Asia’s best national parks, fabulous beaches and wonderful and exotic cultural attractions. This sample tour however concentrates on just two of the great birding sites in the kingdom. Our extremely knowledgeable birding team in Thailand will ensure you have a great Thai birding experience. As always this is just a sample itinerary and Vietnam Birding will design a custom tour based on your requirements.    

Day 1: Arrive Bangkok. Bangkok to Khao Yai National Park
Arrive at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport and transfer directly to Khao Yai National Park, a three-hour drive to the north-east of the capital. Khao Yai National Park is one of Thailand’s premier bird and mammal watching destinations with some of the least disturbed and most accessible forest in the country. Overnight at Khao Yai National Park.

Days 2, 3 & 4: Khao Yai National Park
Three full day to explore Khao Yai’s deciduous and evergreen forests. Specialities at Khao Yai include Silver Pheasant, Siamese Fireback, Oriental Pied, Great, Brown and Wreathed Hornbills, Orange-breasted and Red-headed Trogon, Banded Kingfisher, Eared and Blue Pittas and Silver-breasted Broadbill. Overnight at Khao Yai National Park.

Day 5: Khao Yai National Park to Doi Inthanon National Park via Bangkok and Chiang Mai
Leave Khao Yai after breakfast and head back to Bangkok for the late morning flight to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. On arrival at Chiang Mai International Airport transfer by road to Doi Inthanon National Park. There should be time for some later afternoon birding on arrival at Doi Inthanon. Overnight at Doi Inthanon National Park.

Days 6, 7 & 8: Doi Inthanon National Park
One of the best birding sites in the country, Doi Inthanon has a wide variety of habitats including a unique sphagnum moss bog just below the summit. Birds of special interest at Doi Inthanon are Rufous-throated Partridge, Black-tailed Crake, Purple and Green Cochoas, White-capped and Plumbeous Water Redstarts, Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush, Silver-eared Mesia, Chestnut-tailed Minla and Green-tailed Sunbird as well as wintering thrushes and warblers. Overnight at Doi Inthanon National Park.

Day 9: Doi Inthanon National Park to Bangkok via Chiang Mai
There is time for some final early morning birding at Doi Inthanon before driving back to Chiang Mai to catch the flight back to Bangkok. 

Other Thailand birding sites

Thailand has many great birding sites that can easily be incorporated into your trip, three of which are listed below. As always if there is anywhere in particular in Thailand you are interested in visiting just e-mail us at info@vietnambirding.com

Gulf of Thailand
The extensive mudflats and salt pans in the Gulf Thailand between Samut Sakornand Phetburi provinces support spectacular concentrations of wintering shorebirds. Only a couple of hours from Bangkok by road these sites can easily be visited in a day trip from Bangkok. Some of the most sought after birds in the region can turn up here including Asian Dowitcher, Nordmann’s Greenshank, Spoon-billed Sandpiper and Malaysian Plover.            

Kaeng Krachan National Park
Located near the Burmese border around three hour’s drive from Bangkok, Kaeng Krachan is Thailand’s largest national park. Over 80% of the park is covered with evergreen forest with the remainder made up of mixed deciduous, dry dipterocarp, pine and secondary forest. Kaeng Krachan has an impressive bird list that includes Kalij Pheasant, Grey Peacock Pheasant, Great Barbet, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Brown Hornbill, Blue Pitta, Ratchet-tailed Treepie and seven species of broadbill.

Hala Bala Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in the far south of the country bordering Malaysia, Hala Bala Wildlife Sanctuary has a rich avifauna with many species not found elsewhere in Thailand. This is a great place for hornbill fans with 10 species present – Oriental Pied, Black, Rhinoceros, Great, Helmeted, Bushy-crested, White-crowned, Wrinkled, Wreathed and Plain-pouched. Other Hala Bala specialities are Green Broadbill, Malaysian Rail Babbler, Crested Jay, Chestnut-naped Forktail and Scaly-breasted Bulbul.