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[7 Days] Birding Tour From Cat Tien National Park to Dalat – The best sale tour
Nam Cat Tien National Park , Vietnam
The Price : 1.440 $
Total Seats : 10/10
Duration : 7 Days
Max People : 8
Start Location: HCMc
Are you ready for an exceptional birding tour experience in Vietnam? Join us on a meticulously designed 7-day Birding Tour From Cat Tien National Park to Dalat, unveiling over 60% of Vietnam’s target bird species. We’ve handpicked the finest avian hotspots, Cat Tien National Park and Dalat, to ensure an unforgettable journey through the avian wonders of South Annam.
Tour overview
Cat Tien National Park: Located 150 km from Saigon, this park is a haven for bird enthusiasts, boasting a remarkable 320 recorded bird species. Notably, it’s the most accessible site in Vietnam to encounter the elusive Orange-necked Partridge and houses sought-after species like Siamese Fireback, Germain’s Peacock Pheasant, and many more.
Check out Partridges and Pheasants in Vietnam.
Dalat Plateau: Situated 150 km from Cat Tien, Dalat is a birdwatcher’s paradise with its natural evergreen and coniferous forests. Home to six endemic bird species and numerous subspecies, Dalat promises an array of avian wonders.
Dalat presents a distinct ecosystem known as an Endemic Bird Area (EBA), where a natural leapfrog pattern occurs. This phenomenon is characterized by the presence of Southeast Asian montane birds in Dalat, sharing unique traits with distant populations, often in Peninsular Malaysia. This fascinating biogeographic pattern is a must-see for bird enthusiasts.
Bird highlights in Cat Tien National Park and Dalat
Cat Tien National Park
Orange-necked Partridge; Germain’s Peacock-Pheasant; Green Peafowl; Great Slaty, Pale-headed, Black-and-buff, Heart-spotted and White-bellied Woodpecker; Wreathed Hornbill; Great Hornbill; Orange-breasted Trogon; Blue-bearded Bee-eater; Stork-billed Kingfisher; Banded Kingfisher; Blyth’s Frogmouth; Great-eared Nightjar; Grey-headed Fish-eagle; Lesser Fish-eagle; Collared Falconet; Woolly-necked Stork; Lesser Adjutant; Blue-rumped, Bar-bellied and Blue-winged Pitta; Black-and-red, Dusky and Banded Broadbill; Golden-crested Myna; Grey-faced Tit-babbler.
Dalat
Black-hooded, White-cheeked, Orange-breasted, and Collared Laughingthrush; Bar-backed Partridge; Silver Pheasant; Red-vented Barbet; Black-browed Barbet; Red-headed Trogon; Long-tailed Broadbill; Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon; Mountain Imperial Pigeon; Black Eagle; Rufous-bellied Eagle; Jerdon’s Baza; Rusty-naped and Blue Pitta; Burmese Shrike; Indochinese Green Magpie; Eurasian Jay; Slender-billed and Maroon Oriole; White-throated Rock Thrush; Green Cochoa; Rufous-browed, Blue-and-White, Mugimaki , Snowy-browed and Little Pied Flycatcher; Large Niltava; Lesser Shortwing; White-tailed Robin; Spotted Forktail; Yellow-billed Nuthatch; Yellow-cheeked and Grey-crowned Tit, Grey-bellied Tesia; White-spectacled, Chestnut-crowned Warbler; White-browed Scimitar Babbler; Streaked , Eye-browed, Pygmy Wren-Babbler; Rufous-capped Babbler; Vietnamese Cutia; Clicking shrike-babbler; Blue-winged Minla; Black-crowned, Indochinese Fulvetta; Grey-crowned Crocias; Rufous-backed, Black-headed Sibia, Black-headed Parrotbill; Gould’s Sunbird; Streaked Spiderhunter; Vietnamese Greenfinch; Red Crossbill.
List of potential birds in Cat Tien and Dalat (ebird.org)
Itinerary: 7 days
Day 1: Arrival in Saigon – Cat Tien National Park (L, D)
Begin your adventure with a warm welcome as we pick you up at Saigon Airport in the early morning. Embark on a scenic 3.5-hour drive northwards to the renowned Cat Tien National Park. In the afternoon, dive into the heart of this fabulous reserve, setting the stage for an unforgettable birdwatching experience.
Day 2: Cat Tien National Park (B, L, D)
Today, we explore Cat Tien National Park in style, using comfortable jeeps. Our destination: Crocodile trail, a birding hotspot where you can tick off target species like Germain’s Peacock Pheasant, Siamese Fireback, and Green Peafowl. The diversity doesn’t stop there. Be prepared to encounter a multitude of other bird species, including Doves, Bulbuls, and Kingfishers. In the afternoon, we’ll continue birding at the park headquarters for Grey-faced Tit Babbler, Woodpeckers, Green Pigeons, and Nightjars.
Day 3: Cat Tien National Park (B, L, D)
Rise early for a morning jeep ride to Heaven Rapids, a prime location to spot Pale-headed and Black-and-buff Woodpeckers. Continue your exploration as you search for the Black-and-red, Banded, and Dusky Broadbills. In the afternoon, choose between a leisurely walk or a jeep ride to the grassland habitat, home to captivating species like the Indochinese Green Peafowl.
Day 4: Cat Tien to Dalat (B, L, D)
Start your day early with birding in Cat Tien before embarking on a scenic drive northwards. Pass through lowlands teeming with agricultural activity before ascending to the LangBian Plateau. Arrive in the charming town of Dalat, surrounded by picturesque waterfalls and lush evergreen forests. Your comfortable overnight stay in one of our selected hotels awaits, ensuring you’re well-rested for the adventures ahead.
Day 5 & 6: Dalat Plateau Endemic Bird Area (B, L, D)
Enjoy two full days exploring the captivating Dalat Plateau. Our first stop is Ta Nung, a private evergreen forest known for its rare and endemic species like the Grey-crowned Crocias, Orange-breasted Laughingthrushes, Vietnamese Cutia, and the Vietnamese Greenfinch. On the second day, we venture to Langbian Mountain, where the elusive Collared Laughingthrush resides. Encounter the Black-crowned Fulvetta, a common endemic species, alongside other treasures like the Mugimaki Flycatcher and Yellow-cheeked Tit.
Day 7: Dalat to Ho Chi Minh (B, L)
Our final visit in the Dalat Plateau tour takes us to Tuyen Lam Lake. Seek out species like the Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Burmese Shrike, and Vietnamese Cutia. After a morning filled with birding, we return to Saigon, concluding this remarkable journey.
This itinerary is designed for the search of endemic species and offers a hardcore birding experience, expecting to spot 200 bird species in South Vietnam. However, it can be modified to fit your preferences. Please contact us directly (WANEE) for a detailed customized itinerary that will best suit your needs
Price list for groups:
| Group size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6-10 |
| $US/Pax | 2,690 | 1,640 | 1,440 | 1,330 | 1,250 | 1,200 |
Single supplement: $185
To Booking the tour, please fill up the form
Places You’ll See :
Dalat Plateau
1Dalat Plateau
Biodiversity values
Cat Tien National Park supports a variety of habitat types, including primary and secondary lowland evergreen forests dominated by species in the Dipterocarpaceae; primary and secondary lowland semi-evergreen forest, dominated by Lagerstroemia spp; freshwater wetlands with open lakes and seasonally inundated grasslands, containing Saccharum spontaneum, S. arundinaceum and Neyraudia arundinacea; flooded forest, dominated by Hydnocarpus anthelmintica mixed with Ficus benjamina; and a range of secondary habitat types, including grassland and areas dominated by bamboo.To date, 76 mammals, 320 birds, 74 reptiles, 35 amphibians, 99 fish, and 435 butterfly species have been confirmed to occur at the national park; and there are unconfirmed records of an additional 32 mammals, 19 birds, nine reptiles, four amphibian, 31 fish and four butterfly species. The species confirmed to occur include 16 mammals, 15 birds, and eight reptiles that are globally threatened.Cat Tien is one of the most important sites in Vietnam for the conservation of large mammals. Among the large mammal species that have been confirmed to occur at the national park are Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus), Lesser One-horned Rhinoceros, Eurasian Wild Pig (Sus scrofa), Sambar (Cervus unicolor) and Gaur (Bos gaurus), of which the later three species reportedly occur at high densities relative to other areas in Vietnam. Of the large mammal populations at Cat Tien National Park, the most globally significant one is that of Lesser One-horned Rhinoceros. This is the only known population of the species in mainland South-East Asia and the only known population of the sub-species R. s. annamiticus in the world. However, the population size and range of this species at the national park has declined over the last two decades, and current estimates put the population size at seven or eight individuals and the range at 6,500 ha.Cat Tien National Park is also a nationally important site for primate conservation, supporting populations of several primates of conservation concern, including Black-shanked Douc (Pygathrix nigripes), Northern Pig-tailed Macaque (Macaca leonina) and Yellow-cheeked Crested Gibbon (Hylobates gabriellae).Bird fauna - BirdingCat Tien National Park is situated in the South Vietnamese Lowlands Endemic Bird Area (EBA), and supports populations of all three bird species that characterised this EBA: Orange-necked Partridge (Arborophila davidi), Germain's Peacock Pheasant (Polyplectron germaini) and Grey-faced Tit Babbler (Macronous kelleyi).Most highlightsOrange-necked Partridge, Germain's Peacock Pheasant, Siamese Fireback, Green Peafowl, Wreathed Hornbill, Lesser Adjutant, Woolly-necked Stork, Blue-rumped and Bar-bellied Pittas, Pale-headed and Black-and-buff Woodpeckers, Black-and-red, Banded, Dusky Broadbill, Blyth’s Frogmouth, Grey-faced Tit Babbler.Birding routesThe Lagerstroemia and Ecological Trails, which begin near the park headquarters are good places to search for Germain’s Peacock Pheasant and pittas. The Dak Lua road may provide easier birding, especially early in the day when broadbills and Siamese Fireback can be seen.Haven rapid trail is one of good places for broadbills, woodpeckers, barbets.Jeeps can be rented to the turn off to Bau Sau (Crocodile Lake) and Bau Chim (Bird Lake). Green Peafowl and waterbirds can be seen around these lakes, as well as Siamese Crocodile and, for the fortunate visitor, large mammals such as Gaur. The 5 km trail from the Dak Lua road to Bau Sau is also a good place for Germain’s Peacock Pheasant and pitas.TransportationCat Tien is about 3.5 to 4 hours (depends on trafic) by car from Ho Chi Minh City (150 km) and 3.5 hours from Da Lat city. The site is situated off National Highway 20 between Ho Chi Minh City and Da Lat.AccommodationsA range of standard accommodation is available at the park headquarters, and it is also possible to stay at Bau Sau, a ranger station in the heart of the park.Forest Floor Lodge is more fancy, it locates at Ben Cu rapid where people can enjoy the view however for most birders they don't need to stay here
Cat Tien National Park supports a variety of habitat types, including primary and secondary lowland evergreen forests dominated by species in the Dipterocarpaceae; primary and secondary lowland semi-evergreen forest, dominated by Lagerstroemia spp; freshwater wetlands with open lakes and seasonally inundated grasslands, containing Saccharum spontaneum, S. arundinaceum and Neyraudia arundinacea; flooded forest, dominated by Hydnocarpus anthelmintica mixed with Ficus benjamina; and a range of secondary habitat types, including grassland and areas dominated by bamboo.To date, 76 mammals, 320 birds, 74 reptiles, 35 amphibians, 99 fish, and 435 butterfly species have been confirmed to occur at the national park; and there are unconfirmed records of an additional 32 mammals, 19 birds, nine reptiles, four amphibian, 31 fish and four butterfly species. The species confirmed to occur include 16 mammals, 15 birds, and eight reptiles that are globally threatened.Cat Tien is one of the most important sites in Vietnam for the conservation of large mammals. Among the large mammal species that have been confirmed to occur at the national park are Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus), Lesser One-horned Rhinoceros, Eurasian Wild Pig (Sus scrofa), Sambar (Cervus unicolor) and Gaur (Bos gaurus), of which the later three species reportedly occur at high densities relative to other areas in Vietnam. Of the large mammal populations at Cat Tien National Park, the most globally significant one is that of Lesser One-horned Rhinoceros. This is the only known population of the species in mainland South-East Asia and the only known population of the sub-species R. s. annamiticus in the world. However, the population size and range of this species at the national park has declined over the last two decades, and current estimates put the population size at seven or eight individuals and the range at 6,500 ha.Cat Tien National Park is also a nationally important site for primate conservation, supporting populations of several primates of conservation concern, including Black-shanked Douc (Pygathrix nigripes), Northern Pig-tailed Macaque (Macaca leonina) and Yellow-cheeked Crested Gibbon (Hylobates gabriellae).Bird fauna - BirdingCat Tien National Park is situated in the South Vietnamese Lowlands Endemic Bird Area (EBA), and supports populations of all three bird species that characterised this EBA: Orange-necked Partridge (Arborophila davidi), Germain's Peacock Pheasant (Polyplectron germaini) and Grey-faced Tit Babbler (Macronous kelleyi).Most highlightsOrange-necked Partridge, Germain's Peacock Pheasant, Siamese Fireback, Green Peafowl, Wreathed Hornbill, Lesser Adjutant, Woolly-necked Stork, Blue-rumped and Bar-bellied Pittas, Pale-headed and Black-and-buff Woodpeckers, Black-and-red, Banded, Dusky Broadbill, Blyth’s Frogmouth, Grey-faced Tit Babbler.Birding routesThe Lagerstroemia and Ecological Trails, which begin near the park headquarters are good places to search for Germain’s Peacock Pheasant and pittas. The Dak Lua road may provide easier birding, especially early in the day when broadbills and Siamese Fireback can be seen.Haven rapid trail is one of good places for broadbills, woodpeckers, barbets.Jeeps can be rented to the turn off to Bau Sau (Crocodile Lake) and Bau Chim (Bird Lake). Green Peafowl and waterbirds can be seen around these lakes, as well as Siamese Crocodile and, for the fortunate visitor, large mammals such as Gaur. The 5 km trail from the Dak Lua road to Bau Sau is also a good place for Germain’s Peacock Pheasant and pitas.TransportationCat Tien is about 3.5 to 4 hours (depends on trafic) by car from Ho Chi Minh City (150 km) and 3.5 hours from Da Lat city. The site is situated off National Highway 20 between Ho Chi Minh City and Da Lat.AccommodationsA range of standard accommodation is available at the park headquarters, and it is also possible to stay at Bau Sau, a ranger station in the heart of the park.Forest Floor Lodge is more fancy, it locates at Ben Cu rapid where people can enjoy the view however for most birders they don't need to stay here