Explore one of the world’s premier avian hotspots on this immersive 24-day Philippine bird tour, designed to showcase the extraordinary diversity of an island nation with more than 170 endemic bird species. Traversing multiple islands, the itinerary systematically covers the Philippines’ full range of habitats, including lowland dipterocarp rainforest, montane and cloud forest, limestone karst, mangroves, freshwater wetlands, coastal mudflats, and offshore islands. This habitat-driven approach maximizes species diversity and provides repeated opportunities to observe and photograph many of the country’s most sought-after endemics, from hornbills, kingfishers, and pittas to owls and island-restricted passerines.
The tour is led by an expert bird photographer with deep field experience across Asia, combining high-level bird identification skills with refined photographic expertise. Participants benefit from practical guidance on field craft, light, composition, and ethical wildlife photography, alongside detailed ecological and behavioral insights. With its extended pace, expert leadership, and comprehensive habitat coverage, this tour offers a flagship birding and photography experience in one of the world’s most important centers of avian endemism.
Kingfishers: Spotted Wood Kingfisher / Northern Silvery Kingfisher / Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher / Blue-capped Kingfisher / Rufous-lored Kingfisher / Blue-eared Kingfisher / Rufous-backed Dwarf Kingfisher
Woodpeckers: Luzon Flameback / Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker / Northern Sooty Woodpecker / Buff-spotted Flameback / Spot-throated Flameback
Owls: Chocolate Boobook / Luzon Boobook / Philippine Scops Owl / Luzon Scops Owl / Negros Scops Owl / Everett’s Scops Owl / Mindanao Scops Owl / Giant Scops Owl / Spotted Wood Owl
Sunbirds: Flaming Sunbird / Maroon-naped Sunbird / Magnificent Sunbird / Bohol Sunbird / Apo Sunbird / Grey-hooded Sunbird / Lina’s Sunbird
Hornbills: Rufous Hornbill / Visayan Hornbill / Mindanao Hornbill / Writhed Hornbill / Palawan Hornbill / Samar Hornbill
White-eyes: Yellowish White-eye / Mindanao White-eye / Warbling White-eye / Everett’s White-eye / Lowland White-eye
Flowerpeckers: Whiskered Flowerpecker / Olive-backed Flowerpecker / Orange-bellied Flowerpecker / Fire-throated Flowerpecker / Palawan Flowerpecker
Fantails: Blue-headed Fantail / Visayan Fantail / Visayan Blue Fantail / Black-and-Cinnamon Fantail / Mindanao Blue Fantail
Flycatchers: Rufous Paradise Flycatcher / Cryptic Flycatcher / Blue Paradise Flycatcher / Palawan Blue Flycatcher / Palawan Flycatcher / Mangrove Blue Flycatcher / Little Pied Flycatcher
Pittas: Philippine Pitta / Whiskered Pitta / Steere’s Pitta / Blue-naped Pitta / Western Hooded Pitta
Eagles: Philippine Eagle / Crested Serpent Eagle / Changeable Hawk Eagle / Grey-headed Fish Eagle / White-bellied Sea Eagle
Guiding Fees / Ground Transportation / Accommodation / Meals / Entrance Fees / Tipping for Drivers, Boatsmen, Hotel and Restaurant Staff.
International Flights / VISA Fees / Travel Insurance / Tips for Local Guide / Alcohol / Laundry / Items of a Personal Nature
Days 1-2 Luzon Island, National Capital Region, Manila [1N, 0D, 1S]. Arrive Manila International Airport. Photographic Targets: Ashy Thrush / Philippine Nightjar.
Days 2-4 Luzon Island, Zambales Province [2N, 1D, 3S]. Drive 3-hours to Zambales Province. Photographic Targets: Rufous-crowned Bee-eater / Philippine Hanging Parrot / Buff-banded Rail / Brown-breasted Kingfisher / Luzon Flameback / White-bellied Woodpecker / Luzon Boobook / Luzon Scops Owl.
Day 4-6 Luzon Island, Province of Quezon [2N, 1D, 3S]. Drive 5-hours to the Province of Quezon. Photographic Targets: Cream-breasted Fruit Dove / Yellow-breasted Fruit Dove / Luzon Sunbird / Flaming Sunbird / Handsome Sunbird / Olive-backed Sunbird / White-bellied Sunbird / Tawny Grassbird / Spotted Kingfisher / Yellow-bellied Whistler.
Day 6-7 Luzon Island, Province of Quezon [1N, 0D, 0S]. Drive 2-hours to the second location at the Province of Quezon. Photographic Targets: Whiskered Pitta.
Days 7-9 Negros Island, Province of Negros Oriental [2N, 1D, 3S]. Drive 3-hours to Manila, domestic flight to Negros Island. Photographic Targets: Magnificent Sunbird / Maroon-naped Sunbird / Purple-throated Sunbird / Yellowish White-eye / Pied Triller / Negros Scops Owl / Luzon Boobook.
Days 9-11 Bohol Island, Province of Bohol [2N, 1D, 3S]. Ferry to Bohol Island, Drive 2-hours. Photographic Targets: Nicobar Pigeon / Philippine Duck / Mindanao Bleeding-heart / Beach Thick-knee / Yellow-breasted Tailorbird.
Days 11-14 Mindanao Island, Province of Misamis Oriental [3N, 2D, 5S]. Ferry to Cebu, domestic flight to Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao Island. Photographic Targets: Philippine Dwarf Kingfisher / Rufous Paradise Flycatcher.
Day 14-16 Mindanao Island, Province of Bukidnon [2N, 1D, 3S]. Drive 2-hours to Province of Bukidnon. Photographic Targets: Sulphur-billed Nuthatch / Black-and-Cinnamon Fantail / Warbling White-eye / Philippine Bulbul / Yellow-bellied Whistler.
Day 16-19 Mindanao Island, Province of Surigao del Sur [3N, 2D, 5S]. Drive 6-hours to Province of Serigao del Sur. Photographic Targets: Eastern Grass Owl.
Day 19-20 Mindanao Island, Province of Davao de Oro [1N, 0D, 1S]. Drive 3-hours to Province of Davao de Oro. Photographic Targets: Island Thrush / Short-tailed Drongo / Yellow-vented Bulbul / Negros Leaf Warbler.
Day 20-21 Mindanao Island, Province of Davao de Oro [1N, 0D, 1S]. Drive 3-hours to Davao City. Photographic Targets: Orange-tufted Spiderhunter / Cryptic Flycatcher / Japanese Night Heron.
Day 21-24 Palawan Island, Province of Palawan, Palawan City [3N, 2D, 5S]. Drive 2-hours to Davao Airport, Domestic Flights Davao-Cebu-Palawan. Photographic Targets: Philippine Cockatoo / Spotted Wood Owl.
Day 24 Manila [0N, 0D, 0S]. Domestic Flight Palawan – Manilla – International Departure.
[Key: N: Night / D: Full Day / S: Session / Half-Day]
Nick Ludovic Green has spent much of his life travelling and photographing birds across Asia and Oceania, developing a depth of field experience that few bird photographers achieve. Over more than 15 years in the region, Nick has led 150+ bird photography tours in 35 countries, carefully designing each itinerary to give photographers the best possible access to light, behaviour and habitat.
Through extensive long-term travel, Nick has photographed 2,500 bird species across Asia and Oceania, many at portrait-quality standard. In China alone he has documented over 1,200 species, working in every province and returning repeatedly to key locations to refine photographic opportunities, an experience that directly benefits photographers travelling with him.
His longer bird photography expeditions include a four-month journey across Melanesia, a three-month traverse of Xinjiang Autonomous Region in China's western frontier, and a four-month Himalayan journey from Kashmir, Ladakh and Bhutan to Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. These extended field projects have helped build deep regional knowledge and trusted local relationships.
Nick’s images have been published internationally, and his methods reflects a long-term commitment to careful, respectful bird photography. On tour, he is known for his organized, supportive approach and practical in-field guidance, helping bird photographers of all levels improve their work whilst enjoying unhurried time amongst the region’s most sought-after species.
(i) The guesthouses are all in close proximity to the bird photography locations (ii) Walking is at a light pace (iii) There is no requirement to hike nor climb. (iv) None of the locations are at altitude (v) There is no camping. Summary: for these five reasons this trip has been graded as 'Easy'.
