This 11-day expedition covers three Lao provinces. Seven days across seven locations in Vientiane Province target Jerdon’s Bushchat, Red Avadavat, Violet Cuckoo, Yellow-breasted Bunting, Black Baza, River Lapwing, Small Pratincole and Small Buttonquail. Khammouan Province is for the endemic Bare-faced Bulbul and near-endemic Sooty Babbler; Champasak Province closes the trip with Mekong Wagtail, Cinnamon Bittern, Banded Kingfisher and Blue-bearded Bee-eater.
Endemics, Near Endemic: Bare-faced Bulbul / Sooty Babbler / Mekong Wagtail
Waterbirds: Watercock / Indian Spot-billed Duck / Asian Openbill
(i) Guiding Fees (ii) Ground Transportation (iii) Domestic Flights (iv) Accommodation (v) Meals (vi) Entrance Fees (vii) Hide Fees.
(i) International Flights (ii) VISA Fees (iii) Travel Insurance (iv) Tips for Local Guide (v) Items of a Personal Nature.
Pricing is based on 2-4 participants. Solo travellers, i.e. tours with 1-PAX only, are subject to an additional Single Participant Surcharge.
Days 1-2, Vientiane, Chanthabuly District (1N / 0D / 0S). Arrive in Vientiane, transfer to Hotel [Overnight downtown Vientiane].
Days 2-4, Vientaine, Sangthong District (2N / 3D / 7S). Drive 2-hours, 90-km to Sangthong District. Photographic Targets: Jerdon’s Bushchat, Red Avadavat, River Lapwing, Small Pratincole, Crested Serpent Eagle, Shikra, Black Baza, Plaintive Cuckoo, Violet Cuckoo, Great Iora, Great Myna, Black-collared Starling, Streak-eared Bulbul, Stripe-throated Bulbul, Sand Martin, Black-naped Monarch, Grey-headed Lapwing, Common Greenshank, Little Cormorant, Indian Spot-billed Duck.
Days 4-6, Vientiane, Hatsaythong District (2N / 1D / 3S). Drive 2-hours, 100-km to Hatsaythong District. Photographic Targets: Yellow-breasted Bunting, Asian Golden Weaver, Baya Weaver, Red Avadavat, Small Buttonquail, Golden-headed Cisticola, Brown-throated Sunbird, Pied Harrier, Asian Openbill, Chestnut Munia, Richard's Pipit, Oriental Pratincole, Small Pratincole, Spotted Redshank, Common Greenshank, Temminck’s Stint, Long-toed Stint, Red-necked Stint, Kentish Plover, Wood Sandpiper.
Days 6-8, Khammouan Province 1, Kham District (2N / 1D / 3S). Drive 5-hours, 260-km to Kham District. Photographic Targets: Bare-faced Bulbul, Sooty Babbler, Blue-winged Leafbird, Green-eared Barbet, Banded Bay Cuckoo, Grey-eyed Bulbul, Wreathed Hornbill, Cook’s Swift, Red-headed Trogon.
Days 8-10, Champasak Province, Pathoumpone District (2N / 1D / 2S). Drive 6-hours, 270-km to Pathoumpone District. Photographic Targets: Mekong Wagtail, Indian Spot-billed Duck, Asian Golden Weaver, Purple Swamphen, Little Ringed Plover, Lesser Whistling Duck, Asian Openbill, White-browed Crake, Cotton Pygmy Goose, Cinnamon Bittern, Banded Kingfisher, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Black-and-Buff Woodpecker, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Bronze-winged Jacana, Crested Serpent Eagle, Pied Harrier, Shikra.
Days 10-11, Vientiane (1N / 0D / 0S). Internal Flight to Vientiane for International Departures [END].
[Key: N: Night / D: Full Day / S: Session / Half-Day]
Nick Ludovic Green has spent much of his life travelling and photographing birds across Asia and Oceania, developing a depth of field experience that few bird photographers achieve. Over more than 15 years in the region, Nick has led 150+ bird photography tours in 35 countries, carefully designing each itinerary to give photographers the best possible access to light, behaviour and habitat.
Through extensive long-term travel, Nick has photographed 2,500 bird species across Asia and Oceania, many at portrait-quality standard. In China alone he has documented over 1,200 species, working in every province and returning repeatedly to key locations to refine photographic opportunities, an experience that directly benefits photographers travelling with him.
His longer bird photography expeditions include a four-month journey across Melanesia, a three-month traverse of Xinjiang Autonomous Region in China's western frontier, and a four-month Himalayan journey from Kashmir, Ladakh and Bhutan to Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. These extended field projects have helped build deep regional knowledge and trusted local relationships.
Nick’s images have been published internationally, and his methods reflects a long-term commitment to careful, respectful bird photography. On tour, he is known for his organized, supportive approach and practical in-field guidance, helping bird photographers of all levels improve their work whilst enjoying unhurried time amongst the region’s most sought-after species.
(i) The guesthouses are all in close proximity to the bird photography locations (ii) Walking is at a light pace (iii) There is no requirement to hike nor climb. (iv) None of the locations are at altitude (v) There is no camping.
