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Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Kuala Lumpur

The trip begins at noon in Kuala Lumpur. We spend a leisurely afternoon birding the Old (Ulu) Gomback Road, a forested hilly area near Kuala Lumpur, where spiderhunters, flowerpeckers, shamas, tailorbirds, bulbuls and sunbirds are a fine introduction to Malaysian birds. If time permits, we visit the coastal lowlands of Kuala Selangor Nature Park. This is an important remnant of mangrove and coastal forests on the west coast north of Kuala Lumpur where herons, kingfishers, barbets, whistlers and possibly pitas occur. Night in Kuala Lumpur.

Days 2-3: Fraser’s Hill
We drive the 100 km north to Fraser’s Hill, spending some time birding “The Gap”, a birdy area at the bottom of the hill, perhaps finding Pin-tailed Parrotfinch and Marbled Wren-Babbler. Fraser’s Hill is a wonderful montane region, cool by comparison with Kuala Lumpur and full of birds. At 1,500 meters (5000 feet) in the central highlands, the avifauna differs markedly from that of the lowland rainforests. Mixed feeding flocks move quickly and noisily through the forests - perhaps Chestnut-capped Laughing thrushes with Mountain Leaf-Warbler, babblers including Gray-throated, Golden and Buff-breasted, both wren-babblers and shrike-babblers, Blue-winged Minla, Mountain Fulvetta, Long-tailed Sibia, and Bronzed Drongo accompanied by Black-and-crimson Oriole, the superb Blue Nuthatch, and more. In gullies Lesser Shortwing and Pygmy Wren-Babbler occur, and in the dense woodlands Sultan Tit, Black Laughingthrush, Red-bearded Bee-eater, Fire-tufted Barbet, and Red-headed Trogon. Specialties include some amazing species - two endemics, Mountain Peacock-Pheasant and Malayan Whistling-Thrush, along with Yellow-vented Pigeon, Jambu Fruit-Dove, Mountain Scops-Owl, Orange-bellied Trogon, the extraordinary Fire-tufted Barbet, Long-tailed Broadbill, Rusty-naped Pitta, , and White-headed Babbler.

During the colonial era the British escaped from the heat of the lowlands to Fraser’s Hill, and the atmosphere is still one of relaxation and slow pace of life. Nights at Fraser’s Hill.

Day 4: Transfer from Fraser’s Hill to Taman Negara
We leave Fraser’s Hill this morning, travelling east to Kuala Tembeling and then by boat up the Tembeling River to the headquarters of Taman Negara at Kuala Tahan. We should arrive at our destination before dusk. We travel along the river in outboard-driven canopied longboats, keeping an eye out for kingfishers including Black-capped, the increasingly scarce Straw-headed Bulbul, hawk-eagles and hornbills as they cross the river. Night in Taman Negara.

Days 5 - 7: Taman Negara
Taman Negara, located in the center of peninsular Malaysia, covers 4343 sq km of pristine forest, is Malaysia's largest National Park and contains virtually all bird species found in inland Malaysia, about 360 species. We’ll spend three days working the many trails into the lowland rainforest plus boat rides up the Tahan River. Pheasants reach high diversity in these ancient forests, and we will look for such spectacular goodies as the gorgeous Crested and Crestless Firebacks, the extraordinary Argus Pheasant, the very shy and elusive Malaysian Peacock-Pheasant and the scarce Crested Wood-Partridge. Woodpeckers are also equally diverse – up to a dozen species including Orange-backed, Buff-rumped, Buff-necked, White-bellied and Great Slaty. There are lots of other splendid species to look for - Blue-crowned Hanging-Parrot, three malkohas, two treeswifts, several trogons - Red-naped, Daird’s, Cinnamon-rumped and Scarlet-rumped, many hornbills – Wrinkled, Black, the astonishing Rhinoceros and the quite rare Helmeted, Brown Barbet, Black-and-yellow, Black-and-red and Green Broadbills, up to 15 bulbuls, and the aptly named “jewel thrushes”, the pittas – Banded, Garnet, Blue-winged. Rare and elusive species are here as well - Crested Jay, Masked Finfoot, Gould’s Frogmouth, Blue-banded Kingfisher, Striped Wren-Babbler and Maroon-breasted Philentoma. With good luck we may chance upon a real prize - the outstanding and very elusive Malaysian Rail-Babbler. Fruiting trees in the vicinity of the resort can provided plenty of nonstop entertainment with lots of pigeons, hornbills, barbets, and bulbuls, and added attractions are a variety of rainforest plants and animals including gibbons, mouse-deer, giant flying-squirrels and Slow Loris.Nights in Taman Negara.

Day 8: Transfer from Taman Negara to Kuala Lumpur
This day will be devoted to returning to Kuala Lumpur. Time permitting we’ll make some stops en route. Night in Kuala Lumpur.

Day 9: Departure home or to Kota Kinabalu for start of Borneo tour
After breakfast we’ll depart for Kuala Lumpur International Airport and fly home or to Kota Kinabalu where the Borneo tour begins.

The Malaysia and Borneo segments are separable.

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What to Expect

Be prepared for hot, humid and sunny weather at low altitudes, with showers in the afternoon; we recommend bringing a light rain-jacket or poncho, although we try to avoid birding in any rain worse than a light drizzle. It will likely be cool in the morning at Frazer’s Hill. We usually have early breakfasts and some before-breakfast birding since it is best to begin birding at daybreak. Some lunches will be picnic style to maximize our time in the field.

Walking conditions will be generally easy to moderate. Trails anywhere may be muddy depending on how recently it has rained. Bring mosquito repellent and/or mosquito-proof clothing because bugs can be a problem, especially at low elevations in moist humid conditions. Leeches can be a nuisance, but can usually be deterred with insect repellant. You will need to bring a hat and sunblock. In the evenings we usually eat at the hotel or lodge where we are staying and review the list of birds and other wildlife that we have encountered, as well as discuss the following day’s activities.