Join me for a unique 19-day birding experience covering five islands in East Nusa Tenggara province.

Day 1: Arrival Denpasar on Bali. Stay one night at hotel near the airport.

Day 2: Denpasar-Tambolaka-Waingapu Fly from Denpasar to Tambolaka on the western Sumba. From Tambolaka drive to Waingapu. It normally takes 3-4 hours, however, we will stop on the way for birding and hope to see Sumba Myzomela dan Sumba Green Pigeon. When arrive in Waingapu, we will take the opportunity to search for Sumba Buttonquail in Yumbu grassland. This bird is fairly common in grassland but very difficult to see as it is keeping low to the ground. When the grasses are tall the chance to see them only when they are flying. Night in Waingapu.

Day 3: Waingapu-Billa Forest Early start at 04:00 to Billa the forest area within Manupeu Tanah Daru and Laiwangi Wanggameti (Matalawa ) National Park on Sumba. This area is less visited by birding group due to the lack of accommodation and bad road condition. But birding here is very good. Most of Sumba’s endemics exist here. Night at simple accommodation run by local people or at the national park office.

Day 4: Billa We will explore the forest in Billa and expect to see as many endemic as possible. Night in Billa.

Day 5: Billa Forest-Waingapu We spend half day in Billa and then in the late afternoon we return to Waingapu with birding along the way. Night in Waingapu. Highlights on Sumba: Sumba Buttonquail, Sumba Hornbill, Sumba Green-Pigeon, Great Sumba Boobook, Little Sumba Boobook (Hawk-Owl), Sumba Brown Flycatcher, Sumba Flycatcher, Sumba Warbling Flycatcher (Russet-backed Jungle Flycatcher), Sumba Spangled (Wallacean) Drongo, Sumba Myzomela, Red-naped Fruit Dove, Orange-crested Cockatoo, Marigold (Rainbow) Lorikeet, Elegant Pitta, Apricot-breasted Sunbird, Sumba (Blood-breasted) Flowerpecker, Chestnutbacked Thrush, Wallacean Cuckooshrike, Pale-shouldered Cicardabird, Indonesian Honeyeater, Golden (Rusty-breasted) Whistler, Wallacean (Spectacled) Monarch, Mees’s Nightjar, and Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher.

Day 6: Waingapu-Kupang-Soe Short flight to Kupang on West Timor. Flight from Waingapu to Kupang nowadays is probably not an ideal flight for morning birding around Kupang however we can still try to explore the forest in Camplong, about 45 minutes from Kupang airport. The forest here is one amongst remaining lowland forest in West Timor that holds a number of endemic such as Black-banded Flycatcher, Timor Stubtail, Timor Thicketbird, Timor Heleia, Timor Warbling-flycatcher, Timor Oriole, Timor Friarbird, Orange-banded Thrush and Fawn-breasted Whistler. From Camplong we continue to Soe about 2.5 hours driving. After putting all of the luggage at hotel in Soe, we will go to Oelnasi for night birding for Timor Boobook and Timor Nightjar. Night in Soe.

Days 7-8: Mutis & Fatumnasi We will have two full days to explore the forest in Mount Mutis (2,400 m) and Fatumnasi (1,500 m). On Mutis the endemic and difficult Timor Imperial Pigeon and undescribed species of parrotfinch – ‘Mount Mutis Parrotfinch’ will be amongst our main targets. While in Fatumnasi Iris Lorikeet and Chestnut-backed Thrush are on the list of the targets. For Mount Mutis we will have to leave hotel very early at 04:30. The road from Fatumnasi to Mount Mutis is still in very bad condition. It makes driving very slow. Night in Soe.

Day 9: Soe-Oelnasi-Bipolo-Kupang Leave Soe before sunrise in order to get the chance birding in the morning in Oelnasi. And then continue to Bipolo for the rest of the day. Night in Kupang Hightlights on Timor: Timor Sparrow, Timor Boobook, Timor Nightjar, Pink-headed Imperial Pigeon, Timor GreenPigeon (very difficult), Timor Imperial Pigeon (uncommon in West Timor), Black-backed Fruit Dove, Timor Cuckoo Dove; Black Cuckoo Dove (Timor Black Pigeon); Olive-headed Lorikeet; Jonquil (Olive-shouldered) Parrot; Iris Lorikeet, Timor (Green) Figbird, Timor (Olive-brown) Oriole, Timor (White-shouldered) Bushchat; Timor Stubtail; Timor (Buff-banded) Thicketbird, Black-banded Flycatcher, Timor Blue Flycatcher; Broad-billed Monarch, Orangebanded Thrush, Timor Spangled (Wallacean) Drongo, Timor (Plain) Gerygone, Fawn-breasted Whistler, Tenggara (Golden) Whistler, Cinnamon-banded Kingfisher, Pygmy Cupwing (Wren-babbler), Timor Friarbird, Timor (Blackbreasted) Myzomela, Timor Meliphaga (Streak-breasted Honeyeater), Yellow-eared Honeyeater, Indonesian Honeyeater, Timor Heleia (Spot-breasted White-eye), Black-faced Woodswallow, Timor (Blood-breasted) Flowerpecker, Tenggara (Thick-billed) Flowerpecker, Red-chested (Blue-cheeked) Flowerpecker, Five-coloured Munia; Tri-coloured Parrotfinch, Mount Mutis (Timor) Parrotfinch, Spectacled Monarch, Island Monarch, Short-toed Snake-Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle.

Day 10: Kupang-Rote We will take a ferry to cross to Rote Island. This trip takes about 2.5 hours. Rote Island is located on the southwest of Timor. Both islands share a number of species, but some species are getting difficult to see in Timor now, such as Jonquil (Olive-shouldered) Parrot, Black Cuckoo-dove (Timor Black Pigeon) and Timor (Olive-brown) Oriole. Rote itself holds four endemics; Rote Boobook, Rote Fantail, newly described Rote Myzomela and Rote Leaf Warbler. There is also the record about Timor Green Pigeon on this island. Night in Rote.

Day 11: Rote Full day in Rote. We will spend our time in Rote to cover as many targets as possible. Night in Rotel Highlights on Rote:. Rote Boobook, Rote Myzomela, Rote Leaf Warbler, Rote Fantail, Jonquil (Olive-shouldered) Parrot, Timor Stubtail, Orange-banded Thrush, Pink-headed Imperial Pigeon, Black Cuckoo-dove (Timor Black Pigeon), Timor Figbird, Timor (Olive-brown) Oriole, Timor (Plain) Gerygone, Indonesian Honeyeater, Red-chested Flowerpecker, Timor (White-bellied) Bushchat, Rose-crowned Fruit Dove, and Timor Green Pigeon.

Day 12: Rote-Kupang Return to Kupang by morning ferry. From the harbour we will go to Bipolo or Camplong to cover the targets we missed on the previous day. Night in Kupang.

Day 13: Kupang-Ruteng-Kisol There is only one flight every day from Kupang to Ruteng, at 06:00. When arrive in Ruteng, short birding in the nearby forest and then heading to Borong the place for overnight. Birding location is in Kisol, about 45 Minutes driving from Borong. We will also do night birding in Kisol especially for Wallace’s Scops Owl which is getting more difficult to see somewhere else in Flores in the recent years.

Day 14: Kisol-Ranamese-Ruteng Full morning in Kisol. Amongst the highlights here are Flores Hawk-Eagle, Flores Crow, Flores Green Piegeon, Elegant Pitta, Golden-rumped Flowerpecker, and Brown-capped Fantail. Drive to Ranamese in the afternoon and spend the whole afternoon around Lake Ranamese. We will also do night birding here with the main target on Flores Scops Owl. Night in Ruteng.

Days 15-16: Ruteng We will have two full days to explore the highland area in Pagal and Golo Lusang. Night in Ruteng Highlights in Flores: Flores Hawk-Eagle, Wallace’s Hanging Parrot, Flores Crow, Flores Monarch, Flores Warbling flycatcher (Russet-backed Jungle-Flycatcher), Flores Leaf-Warbler, Flores Minivet, Flores Scops Owl, Flores (Whitebrowed) Shortwing, Flores Spangled (Wallacean) Drongo, Flores (Blood-breasted) Flowerpecker, Wallace’s Scops Owl, Moluccan Scops Owl, Flores Green Pigeon, Bare-throated Whistler, White-rumped Kingfisher, Wallace’s Heleia (Yellow-spectacled White-eye), Eyebrowed Heleia (Yellow-browed Dark-eye), Thick-billed Heleia (Dark-eye), Crested Heleia (Dark-eye), Leaf Lorikeet, Chestnut-capped Thrush, Chestnut-backed Thrush, Pygmy Cupwing (Wren Babbler), Russet-capped Tesia, Scaly-crowned Honeyeater, Golden-rumped Flowerpecker, Black-fronted Flowerpecker, Flamebreasted Sunbird, Pale-headed Munia, Five-coloured Munia, Timor Zebra Finch, Dark-backed Imperial Pigeon, Blackbacked Fruit Dove, Barred Cuckoo Dove, Parzudaki’s (Ruddy) Cuckoo Dove, Black-naped Fruit Dove, Trumpeting (Brown-capped) Fantail, Pale-shouldered Cicadabird, and Wallacean Cuckooshrike.

Day 17: Ruteng-Labuan Bajo Leave Ruteng early. After an hour driving we will stop by the road side to search for Leaf Lorikeet. And then continue driving for about 2.5-3 hours and stop in the place called Puarlolo. Here we will search for Flores Monarch, Chesnut-backed Thrush, Chesnut-capped Thrush, and Elegant Pitta. Night at hotel in Labuan Bajo.

Day 18: Labuan Bajo-Komodo Leave Labuan Bajo early at 05:30 to Komodo Island. Amongst the highlights are; Yellow-crested Cockatoo, Barred Dove, Green Junglefowl, Black-fronted Flowerpecker, Lemon-bellied White-eye, Island Collared-Dove. Return to Labuan Bajo at lunch time. We will spend the afternoon for birding in the location named Potowangka for Wallace’s Hanging Parrot, Flores Flowerpecker, Chesnut-capped Thrush and continue with night birding for Mees’s Nightjar, Moluccan Scops Owl. Night in Labuan Bajo.

Day 19: Labuan Bajo-Denpasar Depend on the flight, if you fly by afternoon flight, you can still spend early morning to AM for birding near Labuan Bajo. This tour ends in Denpasar.

Day 20: Denpasar-Departure

Proposal: minimum 4 pax and maximum 10 pax

• 4 pax: US$ 5,010 per pax
• 5 pax: US$ 4,851 per pax
• 6 pax: US$ 4,364 per pax
• 7 pax: US$ 4,163 per pax
• 8 pax: US$ 4,055 per pax
• 9 pax: US$ 3.845 per pax
• 10 pax: US$ 3.715 per pax

Single-person room supplement: US$ 385

The cost covers:

• Internal flights and checked baggage 20 kg per person (except Labuan Bajo-Denpasar where 20 kg checked baggage is free): Denpasar-Tambolaka, Waingapu-Kupang, Kupang-Ruteng, Labuan Bajo-Denpasar;
• Transport during birding activities;
• Accommodation base on twin share;
• Speedboat boat to Komodo island;
• Full board meals included;
• Entrance fees, donation, permit;
• Bird guide, ranger in Komodo National Park.

The cost does NOT cover:

• Excess baggage on the internal flights, charge for camera and other personal expenditures such as alcoholic beverages, laundry, minibar at hotel room, and telecommunication services;
• All kinds of expenditures incur due to flight cancellations, flight delays, bad weather or due to other causes beyond our control (“force majeure”).

Notes:

Accommodation: Most of accommodation are comfortable, with flushing toilet, cold & hot shower with air conditioned. But when staying in Billa Village on Sumba Island the facilities are very basic, the accommodation will be at the forestry office or local people house. Hotel in Borong (for birding in Kisol) is very simple. Sometimes we offer our clients to stay in Ruteng and drive very early morning to Kisol. It takes about 1.5 hours.

Grade of difficulties: Easy to moderate with short distance walking. Road conditions: mostly in good condition except from Soe to Mutis wherein the road is very bumpy on the last few kilometers. Birding locations mostly along the roadside and sometime along the paths in the forest. No extreme climbing.

Transportation: Land transport using small coach or minibus which still give space for birding and photography gears.

Meals: We normally have our meal at the hotel’s restaurant or outside. Not all hotels can provide early breakfast but by request most of the hotels can provide packed breakfast. When we must leave early, we normally have breakfast in the field. For lunch, when we can find restaurant nearby birding location, we will have lunch there otherwise we will have packed lunch in the field.

Climate: During the daytime in the lowlands will be hot, dry and sunny. However, rain may occur in certain areas. Higher location such as Soe, Fatumnasi and Ruteng, temperature is cold. In Mount Mutis it can be very cold in the morning and windy.

List of accommodations:  The hotel is subject to change, depending of the room availability.

Waingapu: Morinda Villa: Kambaniru, Bendungan, Vaingapu, Kiritana, Kambera, Kabupaten Sumba Timur, Nusa Tenggara Tim. 87111. Phone: +62 812-3795-355

Billa: At forestry office or local people (any available place when the tour is there). This accommodation is very basic, typical of southeast Asian bathtoom; using bucket to pour water to body and squat toilet.

Rote: Fouri Hotel: Jl. Ba’a Pantai Baru, Metina, Lobalain, Kabupaten Rote Ndao, Nusa Tenggara Tim. Phone: +62 821- 4409-3999

Kupang: On The Rock Hotel Jl. Timor Raya No.2, Kelapa. Lima, Kota Kupang, Nusa Tenggara Tim. 85228 Phone: +62 380 8586100.

Soe: Bahagia 2: JL. Gajah Mada, No. 55, Karang Siri, Kota Soe, Kabupaten Timor Tengah Selatan, Nusa Tenggara Tim. 85512. Phone: +6238821095 For small town like Soe, this hotel is comfortable. It has western toilet with cold/hot shower.

Kisol/Borong: Charisma Hotel: Birding location is in Kisol but the accommodation in Borong, about 25 minutes driving to each other. This accommodation is very simple. It as air conditioned, western toilet with shower or Indonesia bathing. No hot water.

Ruteng: Sindha Hotel Jl. Yos Sudarso 24-26, Mbaumuku, Langke Rembong, ruteng, Nusa Tenggara Tim. 86511. Phone: +62 (0385) 21197.  Comfortable accommodation with western toilet and cold/hot shower.

Labuan Bajo: Luwansa Hotel Macang Tanggar, Komodo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Phone: +62 385 2443677