Lesser Sunda Indonesia Birds and Wildlife Tour 2026

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Lesser Sunda Indonesia Birds and Wildlife Tour 2026

Endemic Explorer Designs Private Birding Journeys Across the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia

Discover Endemic Birds and Wild Landscapes Across the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia

13 Days

Remote indonesia

21 April- 03 May

2026

$ 3650

Price From

This 13-day birding expedition explores the Lesser Sunda Islands, travelling through West Timor, Rote, Flores, and Komodo. The journey covers a range of habitats—from montane forests and crater lakes to coastal savannahs—each home to unique birdlife found only in this region. Search for endemics such as the Rote Myzomela, Flores Monarch, and Timor Blue Flycatcher, alongside iconic species like the Komodo Dragon. Early mornings maximise sightings, while afternoons allow time to explore remote landscapes under the guidance of experienced birders. The itinerary combines focused birdwatching with cultural context, scenic overland routes, and traditional Indonesian cuisine. This tour is designed for serious birders, nature travellers, and photographers eager to witness rare species in one of the world’s most distinctive ecological zones.

Spot Timor Blue Flycatcher in remote forests of West Timor.

See Rote Myzomela and Jonquil Parrot on wild Rote Island.

Track Flores Monarch and Ornate Pitta in dense Flores highlands.

Encounter the legendary Komodo Dragon on rugged Komodo Island trek.

Watch endemic birds at dawn in Mount Mutis Nature Reserve.

Lesser Sunda: As Endemic Explorer Sees It

Uncover Rare Birds, Remote Islands, and Wild Landscapes on a 13-Day Lesser Sunda Expedition with Endemic Explorer

All our private tours are highly customizable. Share your travel goals, and we’ll create a compelling itinerary together

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Day 1 (21 April 2026): Arrival in Kupang – Birding en route to So’e

Arrival in West Timor

Arrive at el tari aiport

Upon your morning arrival at El Tari Airport in Kupang, the capital of West Timor, you will be warmly greeted by our team. We’ll then proceed for a delicious lunch at a local restaurant in Kupang, offering your first taste of Indonesian cuisine. Afterward, we embark on a scenic drive inland towards So’e, a journey of approximately 2-3 hours. Our birding adventure commences en route with a stop at the Olenasi area, a notable site where we’ll spend the afternoon until dusk searching for our initial set of target species. Anticipate exciting first encounters with specialties like the Black-breasted Myzomela, Timor Friarbird, the vibrant Streak-breasted Honeyeater, Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove, the active Timor Fantail, and as night falls, the elusive Timor Boobook.

Dinner will be at a basic but authentic local restaurant before we settle into the Bahagia II Hotel or similar in So’e for the night.

Day 2 (22 April 2026): Birding in Mount Mutis Nature Reserve

Explore Mount Mutis

Home of highland endemis

An early start today, as we depart from our hotel at 5:00 AM to maximize our birding opportunities. We will drive to the Fatumnasi area within the impressive Mount Mutis Nature Reserve, a renowned haven for montane bird species. The entire day will be dedicated to exploring this exceptional reserve, trekking through its varied habitats in search of Timor’s highland endemics. Key targets for the day include the highly sought-after Mount Mutis Parrotfinch, the colorful Tricolored Parrotfinch, the subtle Timor Leaf Warbler, the striking Iris Lorikeet, and the charming Timor Blue Flycatcher. We will also be on the lookout for the magnificent Timor Imperial Pigeon, Yellow-eared Honeyeater, Island Thrush, Chestnut-backed Thrush, and the distinctive Timor Bushchat.

After a full day of immersive birding, we will return to So’e for dinner and another overnight stay at the Bahagia II Hotel or similar.

Day 3 (23 April 2026): Birding in Timau – Return to Kupang

Birding in Timau Region

Home of timor endemics

Another pre-dawn start awaits us as we depart at 4:00 AM, driving towards the Timau region, specifically targeting the Lelogama area for a full day of birding. This area offers a different suite of species and habitats. We will have a packed lunch of bread and noodles to ensure we maximize our time in the field. Our dedicated birding efforts here will focus on locating species such as the Tricolored Parrotfinch, Timor Blue Flycatcher, the beautiful Olive-headed Lorikeet and Iris Lorikeet, the impressive Timor Imperial Pigeon, and the often-heard Timor Leaf Warbler. We also hope to find the tiny Timor Flowerpecker, the Flame-eared Honeyeater, Timor Heleia, Timor Bushchat, and the skulking Black-banded Flycatcher.

In the late afternoon, we will commence our drive back to Kupang, enjoying dinner at a local restaurant en route before checking into the On The Rock Hotel or smilar for our overnight stay.

Day 4 (24 April 2026): Birding in Bipolo & Camplong

Explore Bipolo Area

Low land birding

We’ll have an early departure from our hotel in Kupang to reach the Bipolo area, a well-known lowland birding site. Our morning will be spent exploring Bipolo’s varied habitats, which can include savanna, light forest, and potentially some wetland areas, searching for its characteristic birdlife until midday. Here, we hope to encounter the Timor Sparrow, the striking Timor (Black-breasted) Myzomela, and the active Streak-breasted Honeyeater. After our morning session, we’ll have lunch at a simple local restaurant. Following lunch, we will shift our focus to the Camplong area for an afternoon of further birding exploration, targeting any species we might have missed or getting better views.

As the day winds down, we’ll drive back to Kupang, have dinner at a local restaurant, and spend the night at the On The Rock Hotel or similar.

Day 5 (25 April 2026): Fast Ferry to Rote Island – Birding Pantai Baro

Rote Island

Quest for rote endemics

This morning we will take a fast ferry from Kupang to Rote Island, a journey that typically takes between 1.5 to 2 hours, offering potential views of seabirds along the way. Upon arrival in Rote, we will check into our hotel in Ba’a, the main town, and then proceed for lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon will be dedicated to our first birding session on Rote, as we drive to Pantai Baro. We will explore this coastal area and its surroundings until dusk, specifically targeting the unique endemics and specialties of Rote Island. Our key species for the afternoon include the recently described Rote Myzomela and Rote Fantail, the beautiful Jonquil Parrot, the distinctive Orange-banded Thrush, and as evening approaches, the Rote Boobook.

Dinner will be enjoyed in town before we settle in for the night at the Ricky Hotel or similar in Ba’a

Day 6 (26 April 2026): Full-Day Birding in Rote (Bolatena & Pantai Baru)

Birding in Rote Island

An early start will see us driving to the Bolatena area on Rote Island. We have the full day planned for birding, with options to either spend the entire day exploring Bolatena’s diverse habitats, or returning to Ba’a for lunch and then heading back to the Pantai Baru area for afternoon birding, depending on recent sightings and conditions. Rote Island is home to several highly sought-after endemic species, and our efforts today will be focused on locating these treasures. Our prime targets include the Rote Fantail and Rote Myzomela, the often conspicuous Green Figbird, the striking Orange-banded Thrush, the beautiful Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove, the vocal Jonquil Parrot, the elusive Timor Blue Flycatcher (also found on Timor), and the impressive Pink-headed Imperial Pigeon.

After a rewarding day of birding, we will have dinner at a local restaurant and stay overnight at the Ricky Hotel or similar.

Day 7 (27 April 2026): Morning Birding Lake Sotimori – Return to Kupang

Last Day in Rote

Fast Boat to kupang

Our final morning on Rote Island will begin with an early drive to Lake Sotimori. This location offers opportunities for different species, particularly waterbirds, and we will spend the morning birding in this area until approximately 10:00 AM. Key species we hope to encounter here include the Rote Myzomela, Jonquil Parrot, Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove, and the diminutive Red-chested Flowerpecker, alongside various waterbirds that frequent the lake. Afterwards, we will return to Ba’a to catch the fast boat back to Kupang. Upon arrival in Kupang, we’ll have dinner at a local restaurant and settle in for the night at the On The Rock Hotel or similar preparing for our flight to Flores the next day.

We might also have a chance for a final encounter with the Timor Boobook if conditions are favourable.

Day 8 (28 April 2026): Flight to Ruteng – Birding Ranamese Lake

Arrival in Flores

Home of Ornate Pitta

Today we transition to the island of Flores. We will take a morning flight from Kupang to Ruteng, a town nestled in the highlands of Flores and a gateway to some of the island’s best birding sites. Upon arrival, we will check into our hotel. Our first birding excursion in Flores will be around a coffee plantation near Ruteng, an interesting agroforest habitat that can hold several key species. After lunch at a local restaurant, we will drive to the scenic Ranamese Lake. This crater lake and its surrounding forest provide excellent opportunities for birding until dark. Here, we will be searching for species such as the Chestnut-backed Thrush, the stunning Ornate Pitta, Five-coloured Munia, the Flores Jungle Flycatcher, and as dusk settles, the distinctive calls of the Flores Scops Owl and Wallace’s Scops Owl.

We will have dinner in Ruteng and stay overnight at the Ara Garden Inn or similar.

Day 9 (29 April 2026): Early Birding Golo Lusang – Afternoon Coffee Plantation

Explore Flores

QUEST FOR flores endemics

A very early start is planned for today, as we depart at 4:00 AM for Golo Lusang, a forested area just a 20-minute drive from Ruteng. Our primary goal this morning is to search for the endemic Flores Scops Owl before dawn. Following our owling attempt, we will continue birding around the Golo Lusang forest and nearby areas until midday, exploring its rich avian diversity. Flores is renowned for its unique endemics, and we’ll be looking for the Bare-throated Whistler, Flores Leaf Warbler, Cream-browed Heleia, Flores Warbling Flycatcher, the elusive Flores Shortwing, Flores Flowerpecker, Scaly-crowned Honeyeater, Flores Minivet, Brown-capped Fantail, Chestnut-backed Thrush, Five-coloured Munia, the White-rumped Kingfisher, Crested Heleia, and hopefully another chance for the Ornate Pitta.

After lunch in town, we will spend the afternoon birding at a coffee plantation until dark, before returning to Ruteng for dinner and our overnight stay at Ara Garden Inn or a similar hotel.

Day 10 (30 April 2026): Birding Pagal – Drive to Labuan Bajo

Day Two in Flores

More flores endemics

Our birding continues this morning with an early drive to the Pagal area. We will spend the morning exploring this location, which offers further chances for Flores endemics and other interesting species until around midday. We will be on the lookout for the stunning Banded Fruit-Dove, the Tenggara Paradise Flycatcher, Flores Green Pigeon, Wallace’s Hanging Parrot, and the White-rumped Kingfisher. There’s also a possibility of spotting the majestic Flores Hawk-Eagle and the Wallace’s Heleia. After our morning birding session and lunch in town, we will embark on a scenic drive towards Labuan Bajo, a coastal town on the western tip of Flores that serves as the jumping-off point for Komodo National Park.

We will check into the Puri Sari Beach Hotel or similar for our overnight stay.

Day 11 (01 May 2026): Komodo Island Excursion – Return to Labuan Bajo

Arrival in Mount Komodo

legend of komodo gragons and more

An exciting day awaits as we take an early morning trip by speedboat to the legendary Komodo Island, the heart of Komodo National Park. Our primary focus here, of course, will be to encounter the mighty Komodo Dragon, the world’s largest lizard, during a guided trek on the island. While trekking, we will also keep an eye out for resident bird species and other wildlife such as the Timor Deer. Birding targets on Komodo include the magnificent Yellow-crested Cockatoo, Tenggara Oriole, Tenggara Whistler, and with luck, the Moluccan Scops Owl or Mees’s Nightjar. We will also search for the Lesser Sunda Goshawk, Pied Imperial Pigeon, Green Imperial Pigeon, Tenggara Friarbird, Flores Spangled Drongo, the ground-dwelling Orange-footed Scrubfowl, and Green Junglefowl. Lunch will be a packed meal enjoyed at the picturesque Pink Beach. Afterwards, we return by boat to Labuan Bajo.

If time permits, we will engage in some late afternoon birding in the southern vicinity of Labuan Bajo before settling in at the Puri Sari Beach Hotel or similar

Day 12 (02 May 2026): Birding Puarlolo & Mamis Area

Explore Komodos

birding in puarlolo and labuan bajo

This morning, we will drive to the Puarlolo area, another promising birding location near Labuan Bajo. We will spend the morning birding around this region, exploring its specific habitats until midday. Our target species here include the Tenggara Hill Myna, the elusive Flores Monarch, and another chance for the impressive Flores Hawk-Eagle. We’ll also be searching for the Flame-breasted Sunbird, Wallace’s Heleia, Crested Heleia, Thick-billed Heleia, White-rumped Kingfisher, Chestnut-caped Thrush, Chestnut-backed Thrush, Variable Goshawk, Ornate Pitta, Leaf Lorikeet (a subspecies of Olive-headed Lorikeet), and the vibrant Rufous-backed Dwarf Kingfisher. Lunch will be enjoyed at a local restaurant in Melo village. T

he afternoon will be spent birding around the Mamis area, offering different perspectives and potentially new sightings before we return to Labuan Bajo for dinner and our overnight stay at the Puri Sari Beach Hotel or similar

Day 13 (03 May 2026): Final Birding in Labuan Bajo – Departure

Departure

pre departure birding

Out On our final day, we will dedicate the morning to some last-minute birding in the southern areas of Labuan Bajo, hoping to catch any remaining target species or enjoy final views of the region’s birdlife. Key species for this final session could include the brilliant Cerulean Kingfisher, another opportunity for the Ornate (Wallace’s elegant) Pitta, and the Chestnut-caped Thrush. After our morning birding, we will return to the hotel to prepare for check-out.

We’ll have lunch in town before transferring to Komodo Airport (Labuan Bajo) for your onward flight, marking the end of this incredible Lesser Sunda endemic explorer tour.

Tour Highlights

Comprehensive List of Birds:

Bird Species (Endemics, Regionals, and Notables):

Black-breasted Myzomela, Timor Friarbird, Streak-breasted Honeyeater, Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove, Timor Fantail, Timor Boobook, Mount Mutis Parrotfinch, Tricolored Parrotfinch, Timor Leaf Warbler, Iris Lorikeet, Timor Blue Flycatcher, Timor Imperial Pigeon, Yellow-eared Honeyeater, Island Thrush, Chestnut-backed Thrush, Timor Bushchat, Olive-headed Lorikeet, Timor Flowerpecker, Flame-eared Honeyeater, Timor Heleia, Black-banded Flycatcher, Timor Sparrow, Rote Myzomela, Rote Fantail, Jonquil Parrot, Orange-banded Thrush, Red-chested Flowerpecker, Pink-headed Imperial Pigeon, Green Figbird, Five-coloured Munia, Flores Jungle Flycatcher, Ornate Pitta, Flores Scops Owl, Wallace’s Scops Owl, Bare-throated Whistler, Flores Leaf Warbler, Cream-browed Heleia, Flores Warbling Flycatcher, Flores Shortwing, Flores Flowerpecker, Scaly-crowned Honeyeater, Flores Minivet, Brown-capped Fantail, White-rumped Kingfisher, Crested Heleia, Banded Fruit-Dove, Tenggara Paradise Flycatcher, Flores Green Pigeon, Wallace’s Hanging Parrot, Flores Hawk-Eagle, Wallace’s Heleia, Yellow-crested Cockatoo, Tenggara Oriole, Tenggara Whistler, Moluccan Scops Owl, Mees’s Nightjar, Lesser Sunda Goshawk, Pied Imperial Pigeon, Green Imperial Pigeon, Tenggara Friarbird, Flores Spangled Drongo, Orange-footed Scrubfowl, Green Junglefowl, Tenggara Hill Myna, Flores Monarch, Flame-breasted Sunbird, Thick-billed Heleia, Chestnut-capped Thrush, Variable Goshawk, Leaf Lorikeet, Rufous-backed Dwarf Kingfisher, Cerulean Kingfisher

Notable Animals:

Komodo Dragon, Timor Deer

Butterflies:

Haliphron Birdwing, Silver Birdwing, Timor Yellow Tiger, Lemoult’s Jezebel, Eileen’s Jezebel, Timor Gull, Ocellated Charaxes, Mark’s Charaxes, Mimetic Commander, Christopher’s Flash, Lesser Sunda Painted Lady, Nepheronides Palmfly, Detani’s Palmfly, Tambora Palmfly, Lesser Sunda Green Swallowtail.

Note: Endemic Explorer or its associates do not guarantee sightings of the birds or animals mentioned here.

Tour Cost

Tour Cost: US$ 3650 Per Person (Twin Sahre)

Single room supplement US$ 475

Tour price is based on double occupancy.
Rates listed are per person, based on two people sharing a room.
Single occupancy supplement is available.
Travellers who prefer a single room may request it for an additional fee.
Solo travellers may be paired with a roommate.
We will attempt to match solo participants with suitable roommates. If no match is found, the single supplement will apply.
Tour dates are subject to minor changes.
Itinerary dates may be adjusted slightly prior to the deposit stage.
Some accommodations are basic.
Due to the remote locations visited, certain lodges and guesthouses may offer only essential facilities.
Meals will feature local Indonesian cuisine.
Food served during the tour will primarily consist of regional dishes using local ingredients.
Please review our booking terms before making payment.
We advise all participants to carefully read our Tour Booking Terms & Conditions and Special Notes prior to confirming participation.

Special Notes

Included & Excluded

Tour Start & End Details

Tour Start Date: 21 April 2026
Arrival Airport: El Tari International Airport, Kupang (KOE), West Timor
Tour End Date: 3 May 2026
Departure Airport: Komodo International Airport, Labuan Bajo (LBJ), Flores

Tour Inclusions

All ground transportation throughout the tour, including private vehicles with drivers
Ferry transfers between Kupang and Rote Island (round trip)
Accommodation for 12 nights in hotels and lodges as specified in the itinerary
All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) from arrival to departure
Professional birding guide(s) and local trackers throughout the tour
All applicable entrance fees to parks and reserves
Local permit and conservation fees
Bottled drinking water during travel and field activities.

Tour Exclusions

International flights to Kupang and from Labuan Bajo
Domestic flight from Kupang (KOE) to Ruteng (RTG), Flores
Additional food, snacks, alcoholic beverages, and soft drinks not included in set meals
Indonesian visa fees (if applicable)
Travel and medical insurance (mandatory)
Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, and souvenirs
Bank or money transfer charges for international payments
Tips

Tour Map

Extras & Tools