Indonesia - Sulawesi & Halmahera: Wallacean Endemics (Small Group) 2026

24 Jun 2026 - 09 Jul 2026 (16 days)

USD8,295 - No Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Glen Valentine

Tour price (Per person): USD8,295 * GBP6,374 * EUR7,339 * AUD12,912

Single Supplement: USD530 * GBP407 * EUR469 * AUD825

Flight costs: USD820 * GBP630 * EUR725 * AUD1,276

Indonesia - Sulawesi & Halmahera: Wallacean Endemics (Small Group) 2027

15 Jul 2027 - 30 Jul 2027 (16 days)

USD8,200 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Julian Parsons

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated, and dates may change*

Tour price (Per person): USD8,200 * GBP6,301 * EUR7,255 * AUD12,764

Flight costs: USD990 * GBP761 * EUR876 * AUD1,541

Nestled in the tropical waters of Wallacea, the islands of Sulawesi and Halmahera are seldom-visited parts of the Indonesian archipelago as varied in habitat as they are rich in special and endemic birds. From the highland mountains and luxuriant lowland rainforest of Sulawesi to the Australasian influenced Halmahera in the Moluccan ‘Spice Islands’, our tour covers a comprehensive view of the available habitats, maximising our chance of finding the more than one hundred range-restricted bird species confined to this region. A colourful host of parrots, fruit doves, and an awesome assortment of endemic kingfishers are combined with such sought-after avian gems as Ivory-breasted and Sulawesi Pittas, the incredible Maleo, brilliant Purple-bearded Bee-eater, remarkable Knobbed and Sulawesi Hornbills, Purple-winged Roller, monotypic Hylocitrea and an opportunity to watch an extraordinary bird-of-paradise, the Standardwing at its display site.

The largest island of the Moluccan Archipelago, Halmahera was once a vital part of the historical trade of cloves, nutmeg and mace that gave this region the nickname ‘Spice Islands’. The flight into Ternate is spectacular due to its location on an imposing cone-shaped volcanic island, rising over 1,700m above the surrounding sea.

Top Birds

Hylocitrea; Maleo; Geomalia; Malia; Standardwing; Sulawesi & Ivory-breasted Pittas; Knobbed & Sulawesi Hornbills; Moluccan & Sulawesi Scops Owls; Sulawesi Masked Owl; Ochre-bellied, Cinnabar, Halmahera & Speckled Boobooks; Sulawesi & Satanic Nightjars; Purple-bearded Bee-eater; Purple-winged Roller; Moluccan Goshawk; Sulawesi Serpent Eagle; Isabelline Bush-hen; Yellow-flanked Whistler; Black-faced & Pale-headed Munias; Black‐ringed White‐eye; Sulawesi Ground Dove; Grey-headed & Silver-tipped Imperial Pigeons; Sombre Pigeon; Sulawesi Babbler; Fiery-browed Starling; Pale-bellied Myna; Sulawesi Myzomela; Sulawesi & Red-backed Thrushes; Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker; Lilac, Scaly-breasted, Green-backed & Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfishers (amongst 12 species of possible kingfishers); Matinan Blue Flycatcher; Sulawesi Streaked Flycatchers; Ashy Woodpecker; Yellow-breasted & Golden-mantled Racket-tails.

Top Mammals

Celebes Crested, Moor & Tonkean Macaques; Spectral Tarsier; Bear Cuscus; Sulawesi Dwarf Squirrel; Montane & Lowland Long-nosed Squirrels.

Habitats Covered

montane and lowland forests, volcanic mountains, rice paddies, rivers, islands, beaches

Expected Climate

mostly hot to humid with cooler nights and mornings in the highlands

Max Group Size

6 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local birding leader

Tour Pace & Walking

MODERATE TO CHALLENGING: This tour requires a good level of fitness, stamina, and overall health. It’s best suited for experienced birders who are comfortable with a more active itinerary. Please note that it may not be ideal for avid photographers, new birders, or those with mobility or health concerns.

Moderately difficult forest birding, long days with some long drives & plenty of night birds to find can be tiring. One moderately steep & long hike up the Anaso Track in Lore Lindu.

Accommodation

Most accommodations are reasonable to comfortable, but those at Lore Lindu & Subaim area are simple/basic.

Ease of Birding

Birding can be challenging at some locations with low density of species & several shy, unobtrusive species. Low density of several key species. Many targets require repeat efforts & a lot of time in

Number of Species Expected

+-240 (with over 80 possible endemics!)

Photographic Opportunities

Photography is worthwhile and can be quite rewarding despite the predominant forest birding.

What our clients say about us

Glen Valentine
MG - Lesser Sundas 2022

"Glen Valentine is an amazing guide and really made the trip special. He is personable, patient and unflappable. He did a fantastic job of getting everyone on the birds and this was really challenging in many cases. One of the best I’ve experienced. Our local guide was also very good at leading us to key areas and finding difficult birds. Some of the trip was challenging in Sumba, but well worth the effort. Overall, this was a fascinating and rewarding trip to a little known part of the world with lots of really exciting endemic birds!

Glen Valentine
JA, Remote West Papua 2017

Expert guiding by Keith and Glen Valentine, aided by fabulous local talent, ensured we saw the maximum number of endemics and other birds and mammals. Perhaps more importantly, these two brothers enjoyed their time together and provided a warm, friendly and caring environment in which we all had a good time with lots of laughs, and looked out for each other to ensure everyone got on the birds and did not falter on a tough hike or challenging car ride.

Stephan Lorenz
PG, West Papua 2018

Stephan Lorenz was excellent in all respects, he went out of his way to try and find a way for me to continue with the tour and then helped with my arrangements in getting home.

Glen Valentine
LH & MN - Indonesia: Western Highlights 2019

We really enjoyed this tour, it felt like a holiday as well as a bird watching experience. Glen Valentine was an excellent guide, both in terms of bird spotting/knowledge, and also his affability and management of the group, and we will try to travel with him again.

Lev Frid
MT, Indonesia 2022

This is a fantastic tour and it gave us a rare, unique and unforgettable experience. We are in awe of the complex logistics required to make this tour run so smoothly. Everything ran like clockwork. The leaders, Lev and David, the ship’s crew, the local teams of guides and the lovely drivers were amazing. Everyone was so friendly. The efforts that everyone went to to find the special birds of these remote islands were above and beyond! The food was very good throughout, in summary the experience was amazing!

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Route Map

Tour Route Map