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'EASY' PHILIPPINES
Sunday 6th February -
Saturday 19th February 2011
(14 days)
Mountains of Mindanao Post-Tour Extension to Wednesday 23rd February (4 days)
Leader:
Simon Harrap
Group Size Limit: 8
Tour Category: Easy to Moderate (main tour); Moderate plus (extension)
The remarkable Philippine (or Monkey-eating!) Eagle is without question one of the world's most impressive creatures (Nigel Voaden)
(Note: This is a summary of the tour. For more information please download the detailed itinerary. The button is at the top right of the page.)
This is a special easier and slightly shorter version of our standard Philippines tour, visiting a selection of the most endemic-rich areas, and designed for those who want to sample the wonderful avifauna of the Philippines, but who want to do so without too much travelling and with less physical effort and not so many very long days. We can expect to see members of the Philippines’ endemic bird family, the Philippine Creepers, as well as a host of other stunning endemic birds (and during the optional extension we even have a very good chance for the impressive Philippine Eagle).
The Philippine archipelago is a cluster of more than 7000 islands extending for nearly 2000 kilometres across the warm tropical waters of the Pacific. Most of the land area of the Philippines is divided amongst the eleven larger islands, with two-thirds accounted for by the two largest, Luzon and Mindanao. In the north, the Batan Islands are little more than 200 kilometres south of Taiwan, while the southernmost islands lie only 50 kilometres off the east coast of Borneo.
Despite their proximity to other parts of Asia, the rugged, mountainous islands of the Philippines have enjoyed a long and complex period of isolation which has resulted in an evolutionary explosion with considerable variation from one island to another. There are almost 4000 species of trees, over 160 species of mammals and over 240 species of reptiles, and all this in a country slightly smaller than the British Isles! The extraordinary degree of endemism in the Philippines is well demonstrated by the country’s avifauna: over 580 species have been recorded, of which around 400 are resident and almost 200 are endemic, many of these restricted to just one island (and with many more endemic subspecies, some of which are highly distinctive, the number of birds treated as endemic species is sure to rise). Sadly, the marvellous but vanishing avifauna of the Philippines is amongst the most threatened on our planet: it is no exaggeration to say that some species will, within a short time, become impossible to find, so delaying a visit to the Philippines is not a good plan.
During our journey we will visit three of the major islands, Luzon, Mindanao and Palawan, which between them hold the majority of the archipelago’s endemics, and we have a very good chance of seeing over 100 of them (which represents around 80% of the number observed on our longer Philippines tour). Sadly, however, in common with so many parts of the world, the rainforest in the Philippines is severely threatened and most has already disappeared. In consequence many bird species are in imminent danger if the destruction continues and in order to see some of the specialities it will be necessary to visit one or two fairly remote areas.
Travel in the Philippines offers some fascinating insights into the history of the islands. This is perhaps the least ‘Oriental’ of all the Far Eastern countries: four hundred years of Spanish colonial rule followed by ‘fifty years of Hollywood’ (as the period of association with the United States is popularly referred to) have inevitably left their mark. The friendly Filipinos are predominantly Catholic and the countryside is adorned with thousands of extravagantly decorated churches. There is little other evidence of Spanish rule, however; the American influence is strong and one of its more endearing aspects is the fleets of gaily decorated ‘jeepneys’ (intricately painted copies of American jeeps, some festooned with chrome-plated accessories, plastic streamers, garlands of flowers and enough lights to decorate a Christmas tree). In complete contrast, ethnic minority groups still exist in the most remote areas of the Philippines whose lives have been little changed over hundreds or even thousands of years. With magnificent scenery, friendly people and an incomparable selection of little-known birds, the Philippines have all the ingredients for a truly memorable tour.
After an overnight stay in Manila, we will begin our journey in earnest on the island of Palawan where we will spend much of our time in the spectacular St Paul’s National Park. This long island, which links Borneo to the rest of the Philippines, has a markedly Malaysian influence in its avifauna. We have a good chance of seeing most of the Palawan endemics during our visit, including the impressive Palawan Hornbill and, with luck, the gorgeous Palawan Peacock-Pheasant.
Returning to Luzon, we will first visit the forests of the former US naval base at Subic Bay in search of Luzon endemics such as Green Racquet-tail and White-lored Oriole. Next we will visit Mount Makiling, a forested mountain to the south of the city where we will see a selection of the Luzon endemics, including the spectacular Spotted Wood Kingfisher and Stripe-headed Rhabdornis (one of the endemic creepers).
We will then move on to the southern island of Mindanao where we will explore the superb lowland forests in the Bislig area where some of the most exciting birds in the Philippines, including Steere’s Pitta, Rufous-lored and Silvery Kingfishers, and Short-crested Monarch, can be found amidst the remains of what was once the tallest rainforest in the world.
With magnificent scenery, friendly people and an incomparable selection of little-known birds, the Philippines have all the ingredients for a truly memorable tour.
During the optional extension we will make a visit to the magnificent Kitanglad Mountains. Many exciting montane birds occur here, some of which are found only on Mindanao, including such enigmatic species as McGregor’s Cuckooshrike and Mount Apo Myna, and we have an excellent chance of seeing the magnificent but endangered Philippine Eagle and the little-known Bukidnon Woodcock (a species discovered as recently as 1993, and by a Birdquest group!).
Birdquest has operated tours to the Philippines since 1990.
Accommodation & Road Transport: The hotels are mostly of normal Birdquest standard. At St Paul’s we will stay in simple chalets with private bathrooms. In the Kitanglad Mountains we will be accommodated in tents (for twin or single occupancy) and a large but basic communal shelter. Road transport is by small coach or minibus and roads are mostly reasonable.
Walking: The walking effort during the main tour is easy to moderate. During the optional extension there will be some harder grade walking at Mount Kitanglad.
Climate: Most days in the lowlands will be hot, dry and sunny, but overcast conditions are fairly frequent and some rain can be expected. In upland areas it will be cool to warm and at the highest altitudes it may be distinctly cold. The humidity can be high at times.
Bird Photography: Opportunities are worthwhile.
Pricing
Pricing is available in £ | $
Tour Price: $3990 Manila/Manila. Post-Tour Extension: $1080. Price includes all transportation (including all flights inside the Philippines), all accommodations, all meals, bottled water, some drinks, all excursions, all entrance fees, all tips for local drivers/guides and for accommodations/restaurants, leader services.
Single Room/Tent Supplement: $312. Post-Tour Extension: $96.
Deposit: $440. Post-Tour Extension: $110. If booking more than 12 months before departure, the initial deposit is only $220.
Air Travel To & From The Tour: Our in-house IATA ticket agency can arrange your air travel in connection with the tour from a departure point anywhere in the world, or you may arrange your own air travel if you prefer. We can tailor-make your itinerary to your personal requirements, so if you would like to travel in advance of the tour (and spend a night in an hotel so you will feel fresh when the tour starts), or return later than the end of the tour, or make a side trip to some other destination, or travel business class rather than economy, we will be happy to assist. Please contact us about your air travel requirements.
Pricing is available in £ | $
Palawan Frogmouth, a stunning bird, affectionately known as 'hairy ears'! (Pete Morris)
Another image of the incredible Philippine Eagle (Nigel Voaden)
The delightful island of Palawan is home to some real treasures including the stunning Palawan Peacock Pheasant (Pete Morris)
... and the Chocolate Hawk-Owl, a recent split from the widespread Brown Hawk-Owl, and endemic to the Philippines (Simon Harrap)
The Philippines are great for nightbirds. The Bukidnon Woodcock, was discovered by Tim Fisher and Simon Harrap during the 1993 Birdquest tour of the Philippines (Simon Harrap)
Others include the Palawan Scops Owl, which has an amazingly low-pitched throaty call (Pete Morris)
Mindanao Wattled Broadbill a rapidly declining stunner that we hope to find in Mindanao's rapidly diminishing lowland forests (Pete Morris)
Blue-capped Wood-Kingfisher, PICOP, Mindanao, one of several stunning endemic kingfishers (Pete Morris)
... and Silvery Kingfisher, another superb endemic kingfisher (Pete Morris)
The Stripe-breasted Rhabdornis is one of three Rhabornises, a family endemic to the Philippines (Simon Harrap)
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