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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 (GBP6,480 * EUR7,603 * AUD12,374)

Single Supplement: USD570 (GBP435 * EUR510 * AUD830)

Flight costs: USD850 (GBP648 * EUR761 * AUD1,238)

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 (GBP6,560 * EUR7,697 * AUD12,527)

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 (GBP6,941 * EUR8,144 * AUD13,255)

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

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.

Glen Valentine
MM, Remote Indonesian Islands Cruise 2017

My thanks to Keith and Glen Valentine for taking so much time in getting me on the birds. They are so patient and really nice.

Glen Valentine
RB, Remote West Papuan Islands 2017

Glen and Keith Valentine worked seamlessly together to make this one of the best Rockjumper trips! The logistics went well, local guides were great, and the boat was quite comfortable and offered good food and variety. Best of all, the birds were plentiful and everyone got lifers galore. The bros Valentine did everything possible to be sure that everyone got onto the birds and they worked tirelessly doing so. I would travel with either or both of them anywhere, thanks guys!

Glen Valentine
SL - Indonesia: Sumatra & Java 2019

This [was] my second tour with Glen Valentine and he is the most professional guide I have ever traveled with. It goes without saying (but shouldn't) that he knew every single species on the tour including all their calls. He found birds when I saw nothing and then managed to get all guests onto the birds. This was impressive in itself, however there were many secretive birds that made guiding much harder. We had few problems on the tour, but I don't doubt that he would have handled it without problem. He is to be highly commended for his guiding on this very tiring trip, especially considering he was not well. Paul was also a really great training guide and I thoroughly enjoyed his company.

Glen Valentine
AR, Indonesia - Remote West Papuan Islands Cruise II 2025

What an adventure! Glen and Dusan were great guides and made a good team-very knowledgable and good at making sure everyone gets on the birds. Even though most of the clients on this trip were highly experienced birders, I never felt like a second class citizen as a less experienced birder. The BOP displays exceded my expectations. I loved the liveaboard boat and crew. Shita did a great job with complicated ground logistics. My dietary restrictions were very well accommodated. I always felt safe and well cared for.

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Route Map

Tour Route Map