BIRD WATCHING IN CENTRAL MYANMAR & SHAN STATE (10 DAYS/9 NIGHTS)

Yangon, Bagan, Shan State- Kalaw, Inle, Taunggyi

( By car and by flights )

DAY 01: ARRIVAL YANGON

Arrival at Yangon Airport with a morning flight and after lunch driving to Moeyungyi sanctuary (a vast area of wet land) situated approximately 110 km north to Yangon. Spending the late afternoon birding along the shores of the wetland, looking out for birds like Blue throat, Thick-billed warbler, Wagtails, Pipits, Golden Plovers, Harriers and Kites. Overnight and dinner at the resort in the sanctuary.

DAY 02: MOYINGYI SANCTUARY

With an early boat ride in the sanctuary, looking for Greater spotted Eagle, Woolly necked Stork, Asian Openbill, Sarus Crane, Spot-billed Pelican, Painted Stork, among thousands of waders and shorebirds. This sanctuary is approximately 40 square miles in area and inhabits about 80 species of birds. Spending the whole morning birding in the sanctuary and after a late lunch, drive back to Yangon. Those who have never been to Yangon before, will visit the Shwedagon Pagoda in the evening. Dinner and overnight in Yangon.

DAY 03: YANGON - BAGAN

After breakfast, transfer to airport for flight to Bagan. After checking in the hotel and having lunch those who are tired can have an afternoon siesta. In the evening taking a short boat ride along the Irrawaddy river to look out for Sand Larks, Indian Skimmer, Indian River Tern, Black-bellied Tern, Pied Kingfisher and Little Tren along with some water birds. 
Dinner and overnight in Bagan.

DAY 04: BAGAN

The next day's birding in Bagan will add the endemic Burmese Bush-lark and White - throated Babbler, White-bellied Minivet, Spotted Owlet, Rain Quail, Button Quail, Vinous-breasted Starling and another 20-30 species. Those interested archeology will spend some time visiting famous temples and pagodas built during the Bagan era about 700 - 1000 years ago. Included are- Shwezigon Pagoda built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious shrine, Gubyauk Kyi temple, Kyansittha Umin ( the famous meditation center of Bagan period ), Htilominlo Temple and Shwegugyi Temple. Dinner and overnight in Bagan.

DAY 05: BAGAN - CHAUK

Early morning after breakfast, drive about 45 minutes to Chauk where we will cross the Irrawaddy River with a ferry. After another one hour drive and birding in the dry deciduous forest where the special endemic Hooded Treepie will be found. Those who have missed the White-bellied Minivet in Bagan will have a chance to find it again here together with Alexandrine, Grey - headed, Red - breasted and Blossom - headed Parakeets, White - rumpled Falcon, White-eyed Buzzard, Rufous Treepie, Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker, Puff-throated Babbler and many more. After birding, across the river and drive back to Bagan in the evening. Dinner and overnight in Bagan.

DAY 06: BAGAN - KALAW

Continuing the tour to Shan plateau will take about half a day's drive with some time to spend in the lowland forest to look out for birds like White-browed Scimitar Babbler, White-bellied Woodpecker, Green-billed Malkoha, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, White- rumped Shama, Yellow-footed Pigeon, Doves, Sunbirds and Prinias. Dinner and overnight in Kalaw Hotel.

DAY 07: INLE LAKE

After breakfast, a few minutes drive in the morning and start birding in a near by Montane forest where we will find birds like Silver-eared Mesia, Pin-tailed Pigeon, Hill Prinia, Striated Grassbird, Black Bulbul, Collared Myna, and others. Later in the evening drive about 50 minutes to Inlay Lake to check in a hotel. Dinner and overnight in Inle Lake.

DAY 08: TAUNGGYI

Morning boat ride in the lake will be for the Jerdon's Bushchat and White-tailed Bushchat, which are found only in this area. Those who have missed other water and shore birds earlier in the trip will have a chance to find it here again. It will be also have excellent views of Brown-headed Gull and the Black-Headed Gull following the boat. After lunch, proceed to Taunggyi. Evening birding in Taunggyi will include Black and White Bulbul, Chestnut-vented Nuthatch, Oriental White-eye, and Flavescent Bulbuls.
Dinner and overnight in Inle Lake.

DAY 09: TAUNGGYI - YANGON

In the morning, driving up to Taunggyi crag to look for birds like Giant Nuthatch, White-browed Laughing thrush, White-throated Fantail, Speckled Woodpigeon, Fire-capped Tip, Maroon Oriole, Little Pied Flycatcher and Crested Bunting. After checking out from Taunggyi hotel depart to Heho airport to catch an evening flight to Yangon.
Dinner and overnight in Yangon.

DAY 10: DEPARTURE DAY

The last day morning will be at Hlawgar Wild life Park in the outskirts of Yangon where the specialties are Pale-capped Pigeon, Racket-tailed Treepie, Ruby-cheeked Sunbird, Scarlet- backed Flower pecker, Striped- throated Bulbul with white eye and Olive-backed Sunbird.
After Birding, transfer to Yangon Airport for departure by evening flight.