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The Philippines - Endangered Endemics

© Philippine Eagle by Forrest Rowland
The Philippines - Endangered Endemics 2027

14 Mar 2027 - 04 Apr 2027 (22 days)

USD7,100 4 SPACES AVAILABLE

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Tour Leader: André Bernon

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Tour Leader: Local Leader

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Tour Price (Per person): USD7,100 (GBP5,369 * EUR6,196 * AUD10,090)

Flight costs: USD460 (GBP348 * EUR401 * AUD654)

This tour pairs with: The Philippines - Visayan Islands Extension 2027

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

The Philippines - Endangered Endemics 2028

12 Mar 2028 - 02 Apr 2028 (22 days)

USD7,300 SPACES AVAILABLE

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Tour Leader: Lisle Gwynn

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL
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Tour Price (Per person): USD7,300 (GBP5,520 * EUR6,371 * AUD10,374)

This tour pairs with: The Philippines - Visayan Islands Extension 2028

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

The Philippines - Endangered Endemics 2029

11 Mar 2029 - 01 Apr 2029 (22 days)

USD7,700 SPACES AVAILABLE

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Tour Leader: Lev Frid

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL
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Tour Price (Per person): USD7,700 (GBP5,823 * EUR6,720 * AUD10,943)

This tour pairs with: The Philippines - Visayan Islands Extension 2029

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

Composed of more than 7,000 islands scattered across a vast expanse of tropical sea, the Philippines harbour one of the highest numbers of birds facing imminent extinction. Many of these critically endangered yet spectacular species survive only in rapidly shrinking fragments of habitat. Combined with the extension, we can expect to encounter around 180 Philippine endemic and near-endemic birds, along with many other striking but more widespread species.

Our Endangered Endemics tour explores the Philippines’ three largest islands. On Luzon, we visit montane, foothill and lowland forest localities for specials such as Stripe-headed Rhabdornis, Rough-crested and Scale-feathered Malkoha, Rufous Coucal, Coleto, the sensational Yellow-breasted Fruit Dove, Flaming Sunbird and the recently described Chocolate Boobook, among many other superb endemics.

Mindanao supports some of the largest remaining tracts of lowland forest, where highlights include the secretive Wattled Broadbill, Azure-breasted Pitta, Mindanao Boobook, Rufous and Writhed Hornbills and the beautiful Philippine Trogon. The forested slopes of Mount Kitanglad offer the most reliable site for the magnificent Philippine Eagle, a giant raptor often regarded as one of the world’s most sought-after birds. Here we will also search for another recently described endemic, the Bukidnon Woodcock, as well as Apo Myna, Stripe-breasted Rhabdornis, Red-eared Parrotfinch, Mindanao Racket-tail, Cinnamon Ibon and Giant Scops Owl.

On Palawan, white sandy beaches, extensive coral reefs and an underground river provide a spectacular backdrop for several key species. Highlights include Philippine Pitta, the stunning Blue Paradise Flycatcher, Spot-throated and Red-headed Flamebacks, Palawan Scops Owl, Palawan Frogmouth and Palawan Hornbill, among nearly 30 endemic species inhabiting the island.

Top Birds

Philippine Eagle; Philippine Serpent Eagle; Philippine & Pinsker’s Hawk-Eagles; Philippine Honey Buzzard; Philippine & Palawan Frogmouths; Philippine Nightjar; Eastern Grass Owl; 3 endemic Boobooks; 6 endemic Scops Owls including Giant; Philippine Hawk-Cuckoo; Stripe-headed & Stripe-breasted Rhabdornis; Scale-feathered & Rough-crested Malkohas; Rufous & Black-faced Coucals; Yellow-breasted Fruit Dove; chance of Luzon & Mindanao Bleeding-hearts; Celestial & Short-crested Monarchs; 6 endemic Kingfishers including Spotted Wood, Hombron’s, Winchell’s & Southern Silvery; Wattled Broadbill; Azure-breasted & Philippine Pittas; Philippine Trogon; Philippine Megapode; Bukidnon Woodcock; 5 endemic Racket-tails; 5 endemic Hornbills including Rufous & Writhed; Palawan Hornbill; Philippine Falconet; Red-vented Cockatoo; 4 endemic Fantails; Rufous & Blue Paradise Flycatchers; 5 endemic Tailorbirds; Falcated & Striated Wren-Babblers; Philippine & Palawan Fairy-bluebirds; White-browed & White-vented Shamas; Philippine & Yellow-throated Leafbirds; 11 endemic Flowerpeckers including Whiskered; 10 endemic Sunbirds including Apo & Lina’s; 3 endemic Spiderhunters; Red-eared Parrotfinch; Cinnamon Ibon; White-cheeked Bullfinch; Ashy Thrush; 6 endemic Woodpeckers including Northern Sooty & 4 Flamebacks; Coleto; Apo Myna; Elegant & Palawan Tits; Sulphur-billed Nuthatch; Guaiabero; fair chance of Chinese Crested Tern. One of the highest endemic bird counts of any country on Earth, with 160–190 endemics and near-endemics expected.

Top Mammals

Philippine Colugo; Long-tailed Macaque; Philippine Pygmy, North Palawan & Finlayson’s Squirrels; Palawan Treeshrew; North Luzon Giant Cloud Rat; Large, Golden-capped, Little Golden-mantled & Island Flying Foxes; several bats; Philippine Palm Civet; Spinner & Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins.

Habitats Covered

lowland, foothill and montane rainforest, bamboo forest, woodlands, rivers and wetlands, mudflats

Expected Climate

hot and humid in the lowlands, cool at night but warm during the day in the highlands, some rain expected

Max Group Size

10 with 1 Rockjumper leader & 1 local leader

Tour Pace & Walking

DIFFICULT: This is a high-intensity “mega” tour designed for passionate listers and serious birders who enjoy a fast-paced schedule. Due to its demanding nature, it’s not recommended for avid photographers, inexperienced birders, or anyone with mobility or health limitations.

This is an intense, demanding & highly focused birding tour targeting the many endemic species of the Philippines, with the aim of seeing as many as possible within the available timeframe. A very good level of fitness, stamina & general health is essential. This tour is not suitable for dedicated photographers, inexperienced birders, or anyone with mobility or significant health concerns. Expect many very long days with early starts & late finishes, driven by the high number of nocturnal species & some lengthy transfers between sites.

Accommodation

Mostly very good throughout. However, a few nights at Mount Kitanglad are basic, spent in small hiking-style tents with shared facilities & no electricity. Further details are provided later in the it

Ease of Birding

Bird densities can be low, but birding can also be highly rewarding & productive at many sites, and we consistently record a large proportion of the available endemics. Several species are rare, shy &

Other Attractions

around 160 Philippines endemics & near-endemics expected, 180 endemics if you combine the extension, St Paul’s underground river, highly threatened forests & endemic birds, Palawan Monitor Lizards

Photographic Opportunities

Variable but often worthwhile, though frequently challenging. Low light, potential rain, dense forest habitat & high canopy, combined with skittish & low-density species, can make photography difficul

What our clients say about us

Erik Forsyth
JT, The Philippines 2018

The guides were knowledgeable, energetic, and very personable. I would go with Erik Forsyth anytime, anywhere. He made sure we were comfortable, well fed, and saw the birds, not an easy feat with the constant rainy conditions. I also appreciated his sense of humour. Yes, I would go with Rockjumper again, and I am planning on a 2019 trip already. They have become my favourite bird tour company for many reasons.

Erik Forsyth
MY, The Philippines 2018

It was amazing that the guides could make the tour so enjoyable despite having rain 8 days out of 10! Guides were excellent. Erik Forsyth was very knowledgeable and personable.

Erik Forsyth
RW & SW, The Philippines 2018

We saw some good birds and are happy about that. Erik Forsyth is an excellent guide and companion. We would certainly travel with him again. He was most helpful for those of us whose eyes are not as sharp as they once were. Erik managed the group well and group dynamics were excellent. Local guides, such as at PICOP, were very friendly and most helpful. The Philippine ground agent/bird guide, Mark Villa, was certainly knowledgeable about the local birds and a good source of information. We have enjoyed Rockjumper tours in the past and hope to again.

Glen Valentine
TB, The Philippines 2023

The Philippines endangered endemics and the Visayan Extension were spectacular. Lots of good and rare birds, despite a number of problems and pressure on the birds and their habitats. Glen, our main tour leader is top = knowledgable, super well organized, considerate etc. He was very well supported by Ivan, Yu and others. I personally liked the sites Mt. Kintanglad, Palawan, Twin Lakes and Bohl, where the habitat is still mainly intact. Id recommend the tour to other birding enthusiasts !

Erik Forsyth
JV, The Philippines 2018

Although we had plenty of rain the trip turned out to be very rewarding. Erik Forsyth did an excellent job in trying to accommodate my strange request for knowledge on the vegetation of the Philippines. Although both Mark and he had no idea on how to respond to this request, they were able to get a tree book for my use. After losing the use of my cell phone which was used to take photos of the vegetation for future identification, Mark followed up by taking photos for me.

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Route Map

Tour Route Map