Sumatra & Java Birding Expedition 17D16N
Tour Overview
This 17-day birding journey combines some of the most important birding areas of Sumatra and Java, beginning in Jakarta and travelling through the montane forests of Kerinci before continuing to the lowland rainforest of Way Kambas. The journey then moves to Java, exploring the highland forests of Ciwidey Kawah Putih and Gunung Gede, before finishing in Carita and returning to Jakarta.
The trip is designed around a wide range of habitats, from high-elevation forests and mountain trails to lowland rainforest, forest edges, and coastal areas. Key targets include the Sumatran Ground Cuckoo around Kaco Trail, a variety of Sumatran lowland and nightbirds at Way Kambas, and a strong selection of Javan montane endemics including Javan Trogon, Javan Cochoa, Javan Hawk-Eagle, Javan Frogmouth, Javan Scops Owl, Javan Shortwing, and Salvadori’s Nightjar.
With dedicated birding days at Mount Kerinci, Tapan Road, Kaco Trail, Way Kambas National Park, Ciwidey Kawah Putih, and Gunung Gede National Park, the itinerary offers opportunities to explore distinctly different bird communities across both islands. The combination of Sumatra and Java also makes this a diverse expedition for birders seeking a broad selection of Sundaic and Indonesian endemic species within a single journey.
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Sumatera Java Birding Expedition
17 Days / 16 Nights
Day 1: Arrival in Jakarta (B)
Arrive in Jakarta, where you will meet your guide and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at Orchards Hotel, located near the airport.
Day 2: Flight to Padang – Transfer to Kersik Tuo (B, L, D)
After arriving at Padang Airport, meet your guide and begin the overland journey to Kersik Tuo. The drive takes approximately 7–8 hours by private vehicle.
Upon arrival, check in and rest at the guest house.
Overnight at a guest house in Kersik Tuo.
Day 3: Kerinci Trail (B, L, D)
Begin an early birding session on the Mount Kerinci Trail, exploring the forest up to approximately 2,000 metres above sea level.
After the birding session, return to the guest house.
Day 4: Kerinci Trail – Sungai Penuh (B, L, D)
Continue birding along the Mount Kerinci Trail, focusing on species that were not recorded during the previous day’s exploration.
Later in the afternoon, drive to Sungai Penuh and check in at your accommodation.
Day 5: Tapan Road – Lempur (B, L, D)
Set out early for Tapan Road and spend the full day birding in the area.
Before evening, return to Lempur Village and your accommodation.
Day 6: Kaco Trail (B, L, D)
After breakfast, spend the morning birding along the Kaco Trail, with the Sumatran Ground Cuckoo as one of the main targets, together with other species in the area.
After the birding session, return to the accommodation in Lempur.
Day 7: Flexible Birding Day (B, L, D)
After breakfast, choose between another birding session at the Kaco Trail or a return to Tapan Road, depending on the species still missing from the trip list.
Day 8: Kerinci – Padang (B, L, D)
After breakfast, begin the drive back to Padang, following the coastal route via Tapan.
Overnight at Pangeran Beach Hotel.
Day 9: Padang – Bandar Lampung via Jakarta
Fly from Padang to Bandar Lampung via Jakarta.
Upon arrival at Lampung Airport, transfer to Way Kambas National Park, approximately a 2.5-hour drive. The afternoon will be dedicated to a birding session, followed by night birding.
Overnight at a homestay.
Day 10: Way Kambas National Park (B, L, D)
Explore Way Kambas National Park and its surrounding areas, which provide some of the most accessible lowland rainforest habitats in Sumatra. Although parts of the area were previously logged, much of the forest has regenerated and continues to support a diverse range of Sundaic bird species.
During the day, explore different forest habitats and areas along the edges of the park. Way Kambas is particularly well known for its selection of nightbirds, so considerable effort will be made to locate as many as possible. Some species can be difficult to see despite being heard clearly in the dense forest, but with patience and persistence, we should have opportunities for several species.
Potential nightbird targets include Oriental Bay Owl, Reddish Scops Owl, Sunda Scops Owl, Buffy Fish Owl, Brown Boobook, Large Frogmouth, Sunda Frogmouth, and Gould’s Frogmouth, among others.
Way Kambas also supports a variety of mammals, although only a selection is normally encountered during a visit. Possible sightings include Southern Red Muntjac, Sambar, Plantain Squirrel, Prevost’s Squirrel, Long-tailed Macaque, and Sunda Silvery Langur. The park still supports small populations of Asiatic Elephant and Tiger, although sightings of these species are considered very unlikely.
Day 11: Short Morning Birding – Flight to Jakarta (B, L, D)
After breakfast, enjoy a short morning birding session before having lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch, transfer to the airport for the flight to Jakarta.
Day 12: Jakarta – Ciwidey Kawah Putih (B, L, D)
Travel from Jakarta to Ciwidey Kawah Putih, with the journey taking approximately three hours.
Depending on the arrival time, there may be an opportunity for an afternoon birding session around Kawah Putih.
Day 13: Ciwidey Kawah Putih (B, L, D)
Spend the full day birding around Ciwidey Kawah Putih, focusing on the area’s montane forest species.
Key Species:
Javan Trogon, Horsfield’s Thrush, Sunda Thrush, Javan Cochoa, Javan Tesia, Volcano Swiftlet, Javan Scops Owl, Javan Hawk-Eagle, White-flanked Sunbird, Pink-headed Fruit Dove, Tawny-breasted Parrotfinch, Crescent-chested Babbler, Javan Flowerpecker, Rufous-tailed Fantail, Javan Frogmouth, Salvadori’s Nightjar, Indonesia Spotted Kestrel, Pied Shrike, Chestnut-fronted Shrike-Babbler, Flame-fronted Barbet, Orange-spotted Bulbul, Javan Grey-throated White-eye, Blue Whistling Thrush, Eyebrowed Wren-Babbler, Mountain White-eye, Mountain Leaf Warbler, Sunda Warbler, Sunda Bush Warbler, Indigo Flycatcher, Javan Whistling Thrush, Little Pied Flycatcher.
Mammals:
Javan Lutung, which is often seen in this area.
Day 14: Ciwidey – Gunung Gede National Park (B)
Begin the morning with birding around Ciwidey before travelling to Gunung Gede National Park. The journey takes approximately three hours.
If time permits, enjoy an afternoon birding session at Cibodas Botanical Garden.
Day 15: Full-Day Birding at Gunung Gede National Park (B)
Spend the full day exploring Gunung Gede National Park and searching for its range of montane bird species.
Key Species:
Javan Hanging Parrot, Yellow-throated Hanging Parrot, Javan Kingfisher, Javan Fulvetta, Javan Cochoa, Chestnut-bellied Partridge, White-flanked Sunbird, Javan Tesia, Pygmy Wren-Babbler, Pygmy Tit, White-bibbed Babbler, Crescent-chested Babbler, Javan Blue Robin, Javan Flowerpecker, Rufous-tailed Fantail, Javan Scops Owl, Javan Frogmouth, Salvadori’s Nightjar, Javan Spotted Kestrel, Chestnut-fronted Shrike-Babbler, White-browed Shrike-Babbler, Javan Hawk-Eagle, Flame-fronted Barbet, Orange-spotted Bulbul, Sunda Thrush, Javan Grey-throated White-eye, Blue Whistling Thrush, Little Spiderhunter, Long-billed Spiderhunter, Tawny-breasted Parrotfinch, Javan Shortwing, Javan Whistling Thrush, Rufous-fronted Laughingthrush.
Day 16: Gunung Gede National Park – Carita (B)
Enjoy a morning birding session at Gunung Gede National Park before beginning the drive to Carita.
Along the way, there may be opportunities for additional roadside birding. Arrive in Carita in the evening.
If conditions and timing permit, an additional night birding session in the Carita Forest may be arranged.
Day 17: Carita – Pulau Dua – Jakarta (B)
After breakfast, begin the approximately five-hour journey to Jakarta.
Continue to the airport for your onward flight.