Java + Bali Endemic Indonesia Birding Tour
Endemic Explorer: Designing Birding Journeys Across Wild and Endemic Landscapes in Indonesia
The forested highlands of Java and Bali hold rare endemics and provide superb birding across varied habitats.
15 Days
SUGGESTED LENGTH
ENDEMICS
Birds + bUtterflies
$ TBA
Price From
Java and Bali offer far more than temples and beaches. For those drawn to birds and nature, these two Indonesian islands unveil a remarkable world of endemism. From coastal wetlands and volcanic highlands to rainforest trails and savanna landscapes, the habitats are varied and vibrant. This 15-day itinerary focuses on serious birding with excellent photographic opportunities throughout. Highlights include the critically endangered Bali myna, Javan blue-banded kingfisher, and a variety of pittas, broadbills, and woodpeckers. Well-positioned hides, jungle lodges, and forest-edge retreats bring travellers close to rare species, while ferry crossings and scenic drives reveal the cultural and natural contrasts between Java and Bali. The tour blends steady birding pace with field-based exploration in one of Asia’s richest avian zones.
Spot the critically endangered Bali myna in its last natural stronghold.
Photograph Javan blue-banded kingfisher near secluded riverbanks in East Java forest
Explore Bromo Highlands hides for pittas, broadbills, and chestnut-bellied partridge.
Watch Christmas Island frigatebirds soaring over coastal waters near Jakarta Bay.
Discover savanna birding and wild banteng herds in Baluran National Park.
Discover savanna birding and wild banteng herds in Baluran National Park.
Birds and Wildlife: As Endemic Explorer Sees It
This customised birding tour offers flexibility in pace, accommodation, and locations. Add experiences or extend your journey to explore more habitats across Indonesia.
All our private tours are highly customizable. Share your travel goals, and we’ll create a compelling itinerary together
Day 0: Arrival in Jakarta
Arrival in Jakarta
You will be welcomed at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta and transferred to your hotel. After check-in and some rest, there will be a short briefing about the tour. Depending on the arrival time, optional evening birding may be arranged in nearby wetlands for common herons and early chances of spotting black-crowned night heron, striated heron, and pied fantail.
Accommodation: 3-4 star hotel in Jakarta
Day 1: Jakarta Bay and Mangroves
Birding in Jakarta
Christmas Island frigatebird and more
We begin with a morning boat ride in Jakarta Bay to spot seabirds including the critically endangered Christmas Island frigatebird, lesser and great frigatebirds, and possible sightings of oriental darter, Javan coucal, Javan plover, Sunda teal, milky stork, and cerulean kingfisher . In the afternoon, we explore urban mangrove habitats within the city limits. Species such as red-breasted parakeet, collared kingfisher and racket-tailed treepie.
Accommodation: 3-4 star hotel in Jakarta
Day 2: Jakarta to Yogyakarta (Train Journey)
To Yogyakarta
a train journey through the Indonesian countryside
After breakfast, we board the executive-class train to Yogyakarta. The journey across central Java offers glimpses of paddy fields, wetlands, and rural villages. While today is primarily a travel day, keep your binoculars ready near open stretches for chances of spotting Javan pond herons en route. Upon arrival, transfer to our hotel in Yogyakarta. An optional short birding session in the city outskirts, depending on light conditions.
Accommodation: 4-5 star hotel
Day 3: Yogyakarta – Conservation Hides
Yogyakarta – Conservation Hides and Local Projects
Hide Photography
Today is dedicated to two important bird conservation projects just outside Yogyakarta. These sites also host excellent hides designed for photography. Key species include Javan sunbird, ruby-throated bulbul, Javan kingfisher, and black-banded barbet. The hides offer opportunities for close shots of spiderhunters, flowerpeckers, and the elusive Javan blue flycatcher.
Accommodation: 4-5 star hotel
Day 4: A day for Seabirds
Seabirds or Cultural Blend
White -tailed tropicbird and more
This morning we head towards the coast near Yogyakarta for seabird viewing. White-tailed tropicbirds soaring over the turqouise water cliffs and may be spotted along the shoreline. Alternatively, travellers may choose to visit the majestic Prambanan Temple complex, and even there we can see some birds like Java sparrow, coppersmith barbet and scarlet-headed flowerpecker
Accommodation: Basic 3-star hotel
Day 5: East Java
East Java – Javan Blue-banded Kingfisher
See and photograph a rare kingfisher
We travel eastwards today in search of one of the rarest kingfishers in the world. The Javan blue-banded kingfisher inhabits a narrow forested stretch near a secluded riverbank. With patience and local expertise, we aim to photograph this critically endangered species from very close by. Other birds here include Sunda forktail, white crowned forktail and blue- whistling thrush.
Accommodation: basic 3-star hotel
Day 6: Transfer to Bromo Highland
Journey to Bromo Highlands
After an early breakfast, we drive to the cool highlands of the Bromo volcano region. The route passes forest edges and farmlands leading us to the national park area.
Accommodation: Basic 3-star hotel
Day 7: Bromo Highland
Bromo Highlands – Forest Hides and Open Trails
A Day for highland birds
We begin before sunrise to visit dedicated bird hides inside and outside the national park area. These hides attract species such as Javan banded pitta, Javan broadbill and the Chestnut-bellied partridge. Outside the park boundary, we explore semi-wild areas for zebra woodpecker, banded kingfisher and with some luck maybe even a Javan hawk-eagle!
Accommodation: basic 3-star hotel
Day 8: East to Baluran
Javan Savanna
We continue our journey east to Baluran, a national park often referred to as the African savanna of Java.
Accommodation: Basic 3-star hotel
Day 9: Baluran National Park
Baluran National Park – Savanna Birding and Mammals
Primates of java
Baluran offers a different birding experience with dry forest and open plains. Key species include black-winged myna, lesser adjutant, and oriental pied hornbill. In the savanna, green peafowl, monkeys like langur and macaque, and banteng may be encountered at close range.
Accommodation: 4-star hotel
Day 10: Ijen Highlands
Explore Ijen Highlands
White faced patridge
We ascend into the highlands of Ijen National Park, one of the last known habitats of the increasingly endangered white-faced partridge. After lunch, we take the ferry to Bali and settle in our luxurious resort next to the mangroves where the flocks of blue- tailed bee eaters fly over our heads.
Accommodation: 5-star hotel in Bali
Day 11: West Bali National park
Explore the Only National Park in Bali
We arrive in Bali’s only national park. The star of the show is the critically endangered Bali myna. Other likely birds include laced woodpecker, common iora, rufous-backed kingfisher and Eurasian whimbrel.
Accommodation: An Eco lodge in the middle of the jungle
Day 12: West Bali National Park
Day 2 at the National Park
Jungle Lodge and Balcony Birding Today is a slower-paced day at a jungle eco lodge in the heart of north Bali. The lodge’s balconies overlook forest canopies where you can spot the black-headed bulbul, fulvous- chested jungle flycatcher, black-naped oriole, little spiderhunter, chestnut-breasted malkoha and the endangered grey-cheeked bulbul.
Accommodation: An Eco lodge in the middle of the jungle
Day 13: Hide Photography
Hide Photography
We visit a bird hide set near a freshwater spring that attracts species difficult to photograph elsewhere. Likely birds include the orange-headed thrush, Javan banded pitta, Oriental magpie-robin, and emerald dove.
Accommodation: Hotel in Denpasar.
Day 14: Birding Near the Aiport
Last Day in Bali
Final Day of Birding
Our final birding session takes place at a water purification site near the airport. The wetlands attract high bird activity including purple heron, Brahminy kite, little pied cormorant, and the endemic small blue kingfisher.
Tour Highlights
Comprehensive List of Birds:
Bali myna, black-crowned night heron, striated heron, pied fantail, Christmas Island frigatebird, lesser frigatebird, great frigatebird, oriental darter, Javan coucal, Javan plover, Sunda teal, milky stork, cerulean kingfisher, red-breasted parakeet, collared kingfisher, racket-tailed treepie, Javan pond heron, Javan sunbird, ruby-throated bulbul, Javan kingfisher, black-banded barbet, flowerpecker, Javan blue flycatcher, white-tailed tropicbird, Java sparrow, coppersmith barbet, scarlet-headed flowerpecker, Javan blue- banded kingfisher, Sunda forktail, white-crowned forktail, blue-whistling thrush, Javan banded pitta, Javan broadbill, chestnut-bellied partridge, zebra woodpecker, banded kingfisher, Javan hawk-eagle, black-winged myna, lesser adjutant, oriental pied hornbill, green peafowl, white-faced partridge, blue-tailed bee-eater, laced woodpecker, common iora, rufous-backed kingfisher, Eurasian whimbrel, black-headed bulbul, fulvous-chested jungle flycatcher, black-naped oriole, little spiderhunter, chestnut-breasted malkoha, grey-cheeked bulbul, orange-headed thrush, oriental magpie robin, emerald dove, purple heron, Brahminy kite, little pied cormorant, small blue kingfisher.
Tour Cost
Tour Cost Breakdown
Contact us to receive your customised tour quote.
Special Notes
Highlights
Duration: 15 Days / 14 Nights
Starting Point: Jakarta
Ending Point: Denpasar, Bali
Accommodation: Comfortable mix of 3-star to 5-star hotels, eco-lodges, and forest retreats
Meals: Daily breakfast with a variety of local Indonesian and continental options
Key Locations: Jakarta Bay, Yogyakarta, Bromo Highlands, Baluran National Park, Ijen Highlands, West Bali National Park
Focus: Endemic and critically endangered birds, hide photography, and diverse natural habitats
Pace: Moderate birding with optional cultural visits and short transfers
Transport: Private vehicle, train ride across Java, and ferry to Bali
Tour Map
Extras & Tools
Read, Watch, or Listen About the Tour
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