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Indonesia - Sulawesi & Halmahera: Wallacean Endemics (Small Group)

© Scaly-breasted Kingfisher by David Hoddinott
Indonesia - Sulawesi & Halmahera: Wallacean Endemics (Small Group) 2027

15 Jul 2027 - 30 Jul 2027 (16 days)

USD8,495 1 SPACE AVAILABLE

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Tour Leader: Julian Parsons

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Tour Price (Per person): USD8,495 (GBP6,489 * EUR7,598 * AUD12,425)

Single Supplement: USD570 (GBP435 * EUR510 * AUD834)

Flight costs: USD850 (GBP649 * EUR760 * AUD1,243)

Indonesia - Sulawesi & Halmahera: Wallacean Endemics (Small Group) 2028

13 Jul 2028 - 28 Jul 2028 (16 days)

USD8,600 SPACES AVAILABLE

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Tour Leader: Stephan Lorenz

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Tour Price (Per person): USD8,600 (GBP6,569 * EUR7,691 * AUD12,579)

This tour pairs with: Indonesia - Bali Birding Extension 2028

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated, and dates may change*

Indonesia - Sulawesi & Halmahera: Wallacean Endemics (Small Group) 2029

12 Jul 2029 - 27 Jul 2029 (16 days)

USD9,100 SPACES AVAILABLE

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Tour Leader: Julian Parsons

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Tour Price (Per person): USD9,100 (GBP6,951 * EUR8,139 * AUD13,310)

This tour pairs with: Indonesia - Bali Birding Extension 2029

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated, and dates may change*

Nestled within the tropical waters of Wallacea, Sulawesi and Halmahera are among the most distinctive and rewarding birding destinations in the Indonesian archipelago. Their long isolation and position between the Asian and Australasian biogeographic regions have produced an extraordinary concentration of endemic and range-restricted birds, many of which occur nowhere else on Earth.

Our tour begins in the North Moluccan “Spice Islands”, travelling from the spectacular volcanic island of Ternate across to Halmahera. Here, we explore the lowland forests and foothills around Foli, Gunung Uni-uni and Gunung Roni in search of the island’s exceptional endemic avifauna. Foremost among our targets is the remarkable Standardwing, an extraordinary bird-of-paradise that we hope to watch displaying at its traditional lek. Other possibilities include Ivory-breasted and North Moluccan Pittas, Goliath Coucal, Azure Dollarbird, Purple-winged Roller and an impressive variety of parrots, fruit doves and kingfishers.

We then continue west to northern Sulawesi, where the forests of Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park, Tangkoko National Reserve and Gunung Mahawu provide access to a wide range of habitats, from luxuriant lowland rainforest to montane forest. These renowned birding areas support many of Sulawesi’s most sought-after species, including the extraordinary Maleo, Sulawesi Pitta, Purple-bearded Bee-eater, Knobbed and Sulawesi Hornbills, and numerous endemic kingfishers, owls, parrots and passerines.

After crossing to South Sulawesi, we visit the limestone forests of the Karaenta area before flying onward to Central Sulawesi and the highlands of Lore Lindu National Park. The tour concludes among Lore Lindu’s cool montane forests, home to an entirely different suite of endemics, including the monotypic Hylocitrea and several highly localised species restricted to Sulawesi’s central mountains.

Covering Halmahera and the northern, southern and central regions of Sulawesi, this comprehensive itinerary samples an exceptional diversity of landscapes and habitats. In doing so, it maximises our chances of encountering well over one hundred range-restricted species and offers an unforgettable introduction to the remarkable birds, forests, islands and volcanic scenery of Wallacea.

Top Birds

Hylocitrea; Maleo; Geomalia; Malia; Standardwing; Sulawesi & Ivory-breasted Pittas; Knobbed & Sulawesi Hornbills; Moluccan & Sulawesi Scops Owls; Sulawesi Masked Owl; Ochre-bellied, Cinnabar, Halmahera & Speckled Boobooks; Sulawesi & Satanic Nightjars; Purple-bearded Bee-eater; Purple-winged Roller; Moluccan Goshawk; Sulawesi Serpent Eagle; Isabelline Bush-hen; Yellow-flanked Whistler; Black-faced & Pale-headed Munias; Black‐ringed White‐eye; Sulawesi Ground Dove; Grey-headed & Silver-tipped Imperial Pigeons; Sombre Pigeon; Sulawesi Babbler; Fiery-browed Starling; Pale-bellied Myna; Sulawesi Myzomela; Sulawesi & Red-backed Thrushes; Crimson-crowned Flowerpecker; Lilac, Scaly-breasted, Green-backed & Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfishers (amongst 12 species of possible kingfishers); Matinan Blue Flycatcher; Sulawesi Streaked Flycatchers; Ashy Woodpecker; Yellow-breasted & Golden-mantled Racket-tails.

Top Mammals

Celebes Crested, Moor & Tonkean Macaques; Spectral Tarsier; Bear Cuscus; Sulawesi Dwarf Squirrel; Montane & Lowland Long-nosed Squirrels.

Habitats Covered

montane and lowland forests, volcanic mountains, rice paddies, rivers, islands, beaches

Expected Climate

mostly hot to humid with cooler nights and mornings in the highlands

Max Group Size

6 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local birding leader

Tour Pace & Walking

DIFFICULT: This is a high-intensity “mega” tour designed for passionate listers and serious birders who enjoy a fast-paced schedule. Due to its demanding nature, it’s not recommended for avid photographers, inexperienced birders, or anyone with mobility or health limitations.

This is an intensive tour involving several early starts, long birding days, night-birding sessions and some demanding travel days with lengthy drives, boat transfers and domestic flights. Most walking is moderate, although trails may be muddy, uneven or steep in places.

Accommodation

Accommodation is mostly comfortable, although the guesthouses in the Subaim and Lore Lindu areas are simple but functional. Hot running water is not available at every property

Ease of Birding

Moderate to difficult. Much of the birding takes place in forest, where many targets occur at low density or are shy, unobtrusive, canopy-dwelling or most active around dawn and dusk. Finding certain

Number of Species Expected

+-240 (with over 80 possible endemics!)

Photographic Opportunities

Photography can be rewarding, particularly at feeding stations and for larger forest birds, parrots, hornbills and mammals. However, this is not a dedicated photography tour, and many targets occur in

What our clients say about us

David Hoddinott
EL, Indonesia 2022

This was an adventure to be sure. The places we traveled were indeed remote and with the exception of larger cities like Ambon & Sorong inhabited by few people. This was my first trip to Indonesia and was an adventure to even get to Ambon. However, the Indonesian people must be the kindest most helpful people in the world. The boat was lovely and this amazing trip had so many interworking pieces -- moving from the Indo Seamore to the shore for the next adventure, disembarking at various kinds of dock, piers, rocks, etc, meeting up with our vehicles for rides up into the hills -- everything worked like clockwork. We saw so many fabulous birds thanks to our super guides, David Hoddinott and Lev Frid. The two guides were so helpful and informative; I would gladly travel with either of them or both in the future. However, I have to say that this trip was just about at the limit of my ability. I would never have seen the birds I did without the help of David & Lev and our various local guides and drivers. I think only Rockjumper could have pulled this tour off.

Lev Frid
EL, Indonesia 2022

This was an adventure to be sure. The places we traveled were indeed remote and with the exception of larger cities like Ambon & Sorong inhabited by few people. This was my first trip to Indonesia and was an adventure to even get to Ambon. However, the Indonesian people must be the kindest most helpful people in the world. The boat was lovely and this amazing trip had so many interworking pieces -- moving from the Indo Seamore to the shore for the next adventure, disembarking at various kinds of dock, piers, rocks, etc, meeting up with our vehicles for rides up into the hills -- everything worked like clockwork. We saw so many fabulous birds thanks to our super guides, David Hoddinott and Lev Frid. The two guides were so helpful and informative; I would gladly travel with either of them or both in the future. However, I have to say that this trip was just about at the limit of my ability. I would never have seen the birds I did without the help of David & Lev and our various local guides and drivers. I think only Rockjumper could have pulled this tour off.

Glen Valentine
JK - Indonesia: Western Highlights 2019

Glen Valentine our leader really delivered. He was ultra-patient making sure everyone was comfortable and that everyone got on the bird.

Lev Frid
FH, Indonesia 2022

Both my husband and I found Lev to be an excellent guide. He was both personable and knowledgeable. I especially appreciated his calm demeanor when I was unable to immediately get on a bird in the field. His photographic skills also assisted in occasionally clinching an ID of a far-off bird. And, I and others on the Tour appreciated his willingness and ability to digiscope special birds - to be be later airdropped with each other! Lev is a real, and multi-faceted, gem.

Keith Valentine
SL, Remote Indonesian Islands Cruise 2017

The ultimate birding trip: stunning destinations, endemics galore, cruising through the Raja Ampats and Maluku on a lovely wooden boat with wonderful crew and great food, gorgeous sunsets, awesome snorkelling and two of the best Rockjumper guides - Keith and Glen Valentine. And to top it off, Wilson's Bird-of-Paradise!!!!!!!!!

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Route Map

Tour Route Map