NORTHWEST BURMA (MYANMAR) EXPLORATORY EXPEDITION
NAGA HILLS
3-29 JANUARY

The Naga Hills of northwestern Burma have rarely been visited by foreigners due to the hostility of the Naga tribesmen. Further, the post World War II Burmese government strictly prohibited visits to much of the country, including the Naga Hills. However, in the last few years, the Myanmar (Burma) government has relaxed somewhat the restrictions against traveling into the hinterlands of Myanmar. Initially, the Naga Hills remained closed. But recently, a handful of tourists has been allowed to visit there, so we asked our Burmese agent to scout the area for us. While some of the tribes are still quite hostile toward outsiders, he found others that wished to encourage tourism in their lands. We will visit those places where we are assured of a welcome.

The Naga Hills are very poorly known ornithologically as few ornithologists have worked there. Thus the expedition is truly exploratory and it is likely that we will find new species for both the Naga Hills and Burma. Close to Tamanthi is a reserve forest where we may be able to find the White-winged Duck, as well as other lowland forest species at about 200 meters (660 feet) elevation. Our ultimate goal on the trip is a fine forested ridge at nearly 2,400 meters (8,400 feet) elevation. The local folks are familiar with the Blyth's Tragopan and say it lives on this ridge. With luck, we might be able to see it. Other pheasant possibilities are Kalij Pheasant, Hume's Pheasant, Grey Peacock-Pheasant, and Green Peafowl. En route to and from this ridge, we'll walk through forested areas at various intervening elevations to give us a good sampling of the birds of the area. Our closest approach to Nagaland State in India will be about 10 km. (6 miles), which will give us a chance for some of the southern NE India specialties such as Striped and Brown-capped Laughingthrushes. Wedge-billed Wren-Babbler and Yellow-throated Laughingthrush are also possibilities. Our drive from Mandalay to Tamanthi will take us through some excellent birding areas, including some good forest. We'll see parakeets, hornbills and a good variety of birds on this journey.

Birds which have been previously recorded in the Upper Chindwin area (which includes the Naga Hills) and are likely, include: Black Baza, Oriental Honey-Kite, Pied Harrier, Rufous-winged Buzzard, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Collared Falconet, Chinese Francolin, Hill, Rufous-throated, White-cheeked, and Scaly-breasted Partridges, Chestnut-winged Cuckoo, Red-headed Trogon, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Rufous-necked, Wreathed, and Great Hornbills, Speckled and Rufous Piculets, Fulvous-breasted, White-bellied, Streak-throated, Pale-headed, Bay, and Great Slaty Woodpeckers, Silver-breasted and Long-tailed Broadbills, Nepal House-Martin, Rosy Minivet, Crested Finchbill, Burmese Shrike, 5 forktails, Orange-headed and Dark-sided Thrushes, Grey-winged Blackbird, Black-breasted and Chestnut Thrushes, Large, Streak-breasted and Red-billed Scimitar-Babblers, Chestnut-backed, Rufous-vented, Rufous-chinned, Rufous-necked and Spot-breasted Laughingthrushes, Red-faced Liocichla, Silver-eared Mesia, White-hooded Babbler, Rusty-fronted and Streak-throated Barwings, Nepal Fulvetta, Rufous-headed and Blue-spectacled Parrotbills, Thick-billed, Yellow-vented and Rufous-faced Warblers, Ferruginous and White-gorgetted Flycatchers, Small Niltava, White-tailed Flycatcher, Sultan Tit, Crested Bunting, Red Avadavat, Plain-backed Sparrow, Vinous-breasted Starling, Collared Myna, Maroon Oriole, Blue and Green Magpies, and Collared Treepie.

To give you some idea of just how little known the Naga Hills are, Smythies (in the distribution list of the second edition of his Birds of Burma) listed 120 species which are likely to occur but which have yet to be found. Those are only the obvious ones. The Naga Hills remain one of the least known areas ornithologically on the Eurasian Continent and it will be great fun to see what new distributional data we can turn up.

This is not an ordinary tour, but an expedition involving trekking and camping in a very remote area far from the amenities of civilization. There are approximately eight days of trekking, covering distances from 6-17 km. (4-10 miles)/day. All trekking days involve inclines up and down, at altitudes ranging from 200-2,400m. (660-8,000 ft.). The trails will be mostly very good, while a few (especially on the forested ridge at 2,400 m.) may be new ones built for our trip and less well developed. You'll need to bring your own tent, sleeping bag and air mattress. We'll have porters to carry all our gear, so you'll only need to carry what you need for the day, such as snacks, a field guide, raincoat, etc. All food will be supplied by our local agent. Our expedition will be contingent on the good will of the Naga tribesmen and our trip route could be affected by local conditions. We have a superb Burmese agent who works very well with the local folks and we anticipate no problems.

THE LEADER

BEN KING, president of KingBird Tours, has led 128 tours in Asia and is one of the most experienced bird-tour leaders on that continent. He has observed 2,064 species of birds in Asia. He has written A Field Guide to the Birds of South-East Asia, Checklist of the Birds of Eurasia, and is now researching A Field Guide to the Birds of China. He has seen more of Burma's bird species than any other ornithologist (all but 2 of the 1,000+ species--over 99% of the fauna). He has spent over 5 months birding in many parts of Burma (including leading 7 tours to various parts of Burma), and is thoroughly familiar with its avifauna. His knowledge of the birds, their habits and where they are found, assures you of the best possible birding experience in Burma.

THE ITINERARY

TOUR PRICE & CONDITIONS

*AIR FARE: Based on Northwest Airlines APEX fare. NW's West Coast to Bangkok fares are currently about $965. Call the airline for rates from specific cities. You'll probably get a better price if you fly all the way from your home city to Bangkok on the same airline. We strongly recommend that you get your air tickets as far ahead of tour time as possible, as January is a particularly heavy time for travel to Bangkok and you may have to pay much more if you try to get tickets 1 or 2 months before departure. You may pay less if you purchase 6-10 months before departure.

LAND PRICE/NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: Land price is based on 6 participants. If there are fewer than 6, a small-party supplement will be charged. The maximum number of participants will be 10.

LAND PRICE INCLUDES: Land price includes all ground transportation, transfers, double occupancy hotel rooms, all meals, guides, tips, fees, and airport taxes in Burma. NOT INCLUDED are airport taxes outside Burma, passports, visas, excess baggage charges, forwarding of baggage, souvenirs, laundry, personal tips, alcoholic beverages, room service charges, items not on menu of included meals, personal items, fees for vaccinations, sightseeing not included on itinerary, insurance of any kind, telephone calls, cable or telex charges, medical examinations or treatment, and meal or other charges incurred which are not part of the itinerary (caused by any unforeseen delay beyond our control).

LAND RATES: All prices are based on tariffs in effect for this trip and are likely to remain the same (except for any necessary small-party supplement). If there are price changes, they will be passed along to tour members.
KingBird Tours' planning, promotional and operating costs are included in all tour rates.

TRANSPORTATION: Air transportation from USA to Bangkok and return, based on rates in effect on 1 Dec. 2004. Any change will be passed along to the participants. Surface transportation will be via minibus and 4-wheel drive vehicle.

ACCOMMODATION: Based on two persons sharing a twin-bedded room. Single rooms will not be available everywhere. We'll supply roommates if possible, but if none is available, the single supplement will be charged. Excellent hotel with private bath will be supplied in Bangkok. Accommodation in Yangon and Bagan will be basic and pleasant. Accommodation will be rustic to basic elsewhere.

ITINERARY: KingBird Tours reserves the right to make any necessary changes in the itinerary. Note that our Burmese hosts may make alterations in the itinerary that are beyond the control of KingBird Tours.
MEALS: All meals will be provided, i.e., breakfast, table d'hote lunch and dinner.

TOUR ESCORT: Ben King will be with you from the time you arrive in Yangon until you depart from Bangkok.

MEDICAL AND HEALTH: All applicants should be in good health and in good physical condition. If in doubt about your ability to mange the trip, consult your physician. The trip leader has the right to disqualify anyone at any time during the trip if he believes it is medically necessary. Refunds are not given under such circumstances.

BAGGAGE: International flight baggage allowance from USA to Bangkok is two pieces with a maximum total dimension (length, width, height of both pieces added up) of 106 inches. Each bag may weigh up to 32 kilograms (70 pounds). However, internal flights in Burma allow a maximum of 20 kg. (44 lbs.). They are likely to weigh your luggage carefully but are less zealous with groups and hand baggage. You will be responsible for any excess baggage charges. The rates are inexpensive, so don't worry about it. There is currently no problem with 2 hand-carries in Burma. Air carrier's liability for baggage loss is limited and therefore baggage insurance is recommended and available at nominal rates. N.B. Checked luggage is now X-rayed at most airports in Burma. Keep film either in a lead-lined bag or in your hand-carry bag and take it out to avoid X-rays.

SMOKING RULES:
(1) NO smoking in vehicles.
(2) NO smoking at meal tables.
(3) NO smoking in bedrooms if your roommate does not smoke.
(4) The smoker is expected to see that his smoke does not move toward other tour members at all times.
(5) Anyone smoking will be last in line on single file paths or trails.

KingBird Tours

P.O. Box 196

Planetarium Station

New York, NY 10024

Telephone: 1 (212) 866-7923

FAX: 1 (212) 866-4225

Email:kingbirdtours@earthlink.net