Indonesia is not only the largest island archipelago globally but home to a staggering 528 endemic bird species which ranks this country number one in the world on this metric. Bird-Photo-Tours Asia’ 23-day bird photography workshop takes in three of the Greater Sunda Islands, namely Sumatra, Java and Bali, offering the chance for close photographic encounters with some fabulous families of birds including Pheasants / Partridges / Pittas / Trogons / Kingfishers / Babblers / Wren Babblers / Flycatchers / Tailorbirds / Shortwings / Bulbuls / Flowerpeckers / Bush Warblers / Thrushes / Mynas / Frogmouths and Owls.
Kingfishers: Banded Kingfisher / Javan Blue-band Kingfisher / Javan Kingfisher / Cerulean Kingfisher / Rufous-backed Dwarf Kingfisher
Pheasants / Partridges: Salvadori’s Pheasant / Bronze-tailed Peacock-Pheasant / Green Peafowl / Green Junglefowl / Chestnut-bellied Partridge / White-faced Partridge
Babblers / Babblers: Rusty-breasted Wren-Babbler / Marbled Wren Babbler / Crescent-chested Babbler / Grey-throated Babbler
Pittas / Trogons: Schneider’s Pitta / Graceful Pitta / Javan Banded Pitta / Sumatran Trogon / Red-headed Trogon
Flycatchers: Pale Blue Flycatcher / Fulvous-chested Jungle Flycatcher / Snowy-browed Flycatcher / Verditer Flycatcher
Frogmouths / Nightjars / Owls: Large Frogmouth / Sumatran Frogmouth / Sunda Frogmouth / Salvadori’s Nightjar / Rajah Scops Owl / Reddish Scops Owl / Oriental Bay Owl
Thrushes / Warblers: Shiny Whistling Thrush / Orange-headed Thrush / Javan Bush Warbler / Sunda Bush Warbler
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, Jakarta, Java Island [1N / 0D / 0S]. Arrive Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta. Evening: Dinner plus Bird-Photo-Tours Asia Presentation.
Days 2-5, Lampung Province, Sumatra Island [3N / 2D / 5S]. Boat trip around Jakarta Bay, drive 6-7 hours, 240-km to Lampung Province. Photographic Targets: Christmas Island Frigatebird / Lesser Frigatebird / Greater Frigatebird / Large Frogmouth / Sunda Frogmouth / Gould’s Frogmouth / Reddish Scops Owl / Bonaparte’s Nightjar / Oriental Bay Owl.
Days 5-6, Jakarta, Java Island [1N / 0D / 0S]. Drive 6-7 hours, 240-km to Jakarta.
Days 6-9, Jambi Province, Sumatra Island [3N / 2D / 5S]. Domestic flight to Sumatra, then drive 8-hours, 200-km to Jambi Province. Photographic Targets: Schneider’s Pitta / Sumatran Cochoa / Salvadori’s Pheasant / Bronze-tailed Peacock-Pheasant / Rusty-breasted Wren-Babbler / Shiny Whistling Thrush / Sumatran Whistling Thrush / Salvadori’s Nightjar / Sumatran Frogmouth / Rajah Scops Owl.
Days 9-13, Jambi Province, Sumatra Island [4N / 3D / 5S]. Drive 2-hours, 50-km to the second location within Jambi Province. Photographic Targets: Graceful Pitta / Sumatran Trogon / Red-headed Trogon / Banded Kingfisher / Marbled Wren Babbler / White-capped Munia / White-rumped Munia / Streaked Weaver / Sumatran Treepie / Sumatran Drongo / Spot-necked Bulbul / Sumatran Bulbul / Cream-striped Bulbul / Long-tailed Broadbill / Sumatran Green Pigeon.
Days 13-15, East Java Province, Java Island [2N / 1D / 3S]. Travel Day: Domestic flight to Jakarta to then another domestic flight to East Java Province. Photographic targets: Javan Blue-band Kingfisher / Javan Kingfisher / White-crowned Forktail.
Days 15-19, East Java Province [4N / 3D / 7S]. Drive 7-hours, 400-km to our second location in East Java Province. Photographic Targets: Green Peafowl / Green Junglefowl / White-faced Partridge / Javan Blue-banded Kingfisher / Banded Kingfisher / Javan Blue Flycatcher / Javan Black-capped Babbler
Days 19-23, Bali Province [4N / 3D / 7S]. Ferry to Bali Province. Photographic Targets: Green Junglefowl / Javan Banded Pitta / Javan Kingfisher / Rufous-backed Dwarf Kingfisher / Cerulean Kingfisher / Scarlet-headed Flowerpecker / Fulvous-chested Jungle Flycatcher / Chestnut-headed Bee-eater / Grey-cheeked Green Pigeon / Bali Myna.
[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'.
: West
