Overview

Our Thailand Highlights tour is designed around the very best birding sites in Northern and Central Thailand, offering a superb selection of spectacular and sought-after Southeast Asian specials, along with a huge array of migrants from the north, which spend the frigid winters in these warmer climates. Time will be spent exploring the wetlands near Bangkok where we stand excellent chances of finding the critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordmann’s Greenshank and Chinese Egret. Major reserves visited include Kaeng Krachan, Khao Yai and Doi Lang where targets include the stunning Green Peafowl, Siamese Fireback, Silver Pheasant, gorgeous Silver-breasted Broadbill, Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo, Blue Pitta, White-rumped Falcon, Ratchet-tailed Treepie, Green Cochoa – and much more! In addition, culturally Thailand has few equals, and you will have opportunities to visit some of the many spectacular pagodas and shrines that adorn this friendly, varied and spectacular land.

This is a short yet comprehensive alternative to our longer Northern & Central: Asian Birding at its Best tourand is suitable for both birders and non-birding spouses alike.

*2024 Prices are estimated and dates may change*

Tour Facts Top Birds
Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Green Peafowl, Silver Pheasant, Siamese Fireback, Great & Tickell’s Brown Hornbills, Banded Kingfisher, Silver-breasted & Dusky Broadbills, Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo, Blue & Eared Pittas, White-rumped Falcon, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Ratchet-tailed Treepie, Grey Peacock-Pheasant, Green Cochoa, Nordmann’s Greenshank, Asian Dowitcher, Chinese Egret, Malaysian Plover, Black-backed Forktail, Slaty-bellied Tesia, Red-bearded Bee-eater, Asian Stubtail, Dark-sided Thrush
Top Mammals
White-handed and Pileated Gibbons, Giant Squirrel, Asian Elephant
Habitats Covered
lowland and montane rainforests, mangroves, wetlands, coastal mudflats
Expected Climate
cool but generally comfortable in the higher areas, warmer and more humid lower down. Rain and mist is possible
Max Group Size
12 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local birding leader
Tour Pace & Walking
moderate pace, undemanding walking on forest trails and along forest roads, mostly in national parks
Accommodation
comfortable hotels and resorts
Ease of Birding
moderate with a few challenging rainforest species
Number of Species Expected
350+
Other Attractions
pagodas and temples, great food, rainforests, friendly people
Photographic Opportunities
very good
Tour Route Map Route Map Client Testimonials

Andre was great as a guide and trip leader. He did an excellent job of spotting birds and getting us on them quickly, kept us informed on logistics and made the trip so much fun with his humor. I definitely want to travel with him again.

As for the Tour itself, it was excellent – Andre Bernon is a super leader, not just an excellent birder but very good with all the trip details, dealing with problems, staff etc. nothing was too much trouble. He is a thoroughly good bloke into the bargain. A great asset.

The guides, Rob Williams and Uthai Treesucon, were top notch and helped us to see many species of birds. We were allowed time to view or photograph them. They worked well together. Uthai was very good to the drivers, an important part of the trip. Rob was passionate, funny, very sociable and somehow managed to locate a frogmouth in a banana grove. It was a great privilege to be with Uthai. He taught me a lot about Thai customs, and was patient with everyone in the group. He helped me when I got sick, and he noticed if someone hadn't seen a bird, and tried to get them on it. The trip was beautifully planned and somehow we were wheels up at 6 am every day. It was a very well planned trip.

My Rockjumper guide, Andre Bernon, is the best guide I have birded with. I continue to be amazed at his impressive birding skills and he will do whatever it takes to make sure that his guests see the birds. I saw so many awesome birds on this tour because Andre would sometimes physically place me in the right spot so I could see the bird. How many guides have that much dedication to their guests? His excellent guiding skills ensured that all logistics of the birding tour went smoothly. Andre can read his guests and he knows when breaks are needed to avoid fatigue and frustration. His time management skills enabled his guests to arrive at their accommodations on time so that they could enjoy the check list, dinner and relaxation each evening. And Andre's wit and sense of humor made this a very fun birding tour.

"Andre and our local guide were a terrific team. Travelling with the author of the Birds of Thailand was quite a treat. Andre catered to the needs of each participant. He was kind enough to lend me his extension cord which was quite helpful in hotels with few electric outlets. At the end of the tour he helped with transportation and overnight hotel prior to our flight out. Both guides were fantastic, skilled and capable birders. The food was plentiful and good. Overall this was a terrific trip with lots of beautiful sightings and many birds. We look forward to travelling with Rockjumper again."

Dates, Leaders and Pricing
2024 DEPARTURES
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