Day 1: Arrival in Ternate and transfer to Sidangoli

We arrive at the airport in Ternate in the early morning and continue the journey with a quick boat transfer to the neighboring island of Halmahera. We will start to explore the vicinity of Sidangoli. The plantations and forests around the town give a good chance to observe species such as Sombre Kingfisher, Beach Kingfisher, Blue-capped Fruit-Dove, Gray-headed Fruit-Dove, Sahul Brush-Cuckoo, Rufous-bellied Triller, Halmahera Golden Bulbul, Cream-throated White-eye, Metallic Starling, Moluccan Flycatcher, and Moluccan Swiftlet. Another highlight will be the Ivory-breasted Pitta.

We will continue birding in the hill forests outside Sidangoli in the afternoon. Our target species include Blyth's Hornbill and White Cockatoo. Other possible birds are Pygmy Eagle, Drab Whistler, and many more. After sunset, we will search for Moluccan Scops-Owl and Moluccan Owlet-Nightjar.

Night in Sofifi.

Day 2: Sidangoli and the search for the Moluccan Megapode

We will spend the early morning birding in the vicinity of Sidangoli. Our main target birds are Blue-and-white Kingfisher and North-Moluccan Pitta. Additional possible birds include Halmahera Paradise-crow, Spotted Kestrel, Dusky Megapode, Scarlet-breasted Fruit-Dove, Gurney's Eagle, Moluccan Spectacled Monarch, and Moluccan Starling. 

After lunch, we will drive for around 6 hours to reach Tobelo in northern Halmahera. This beach is visited at night by the Moluccan Megapode.

Night in Tobelo.

Day 3: Transfer to the Aketajawe National Park

We will return to central Halmahera and stop for birding along the way. One target bird on the road to the Aketajawe-Lolobata National Park is the striking Common Paradise-Kingfisher. We will reach the local home stay near the entrance to the park in the late afternoon and take a rest.

Night at local home stay.

Day 4: Aketajawe National Park

We need to leave the home stay around 3 am for a short drive to the ranger station at the edge of the Aketajawe National Park. We will then start walking for around 2 hours through the forest in order to reach the display site of the Standardwing Bird-of-Paradise at sunrise. We can observe these unique birds for 1-2 hours from a hide. In addition to the Standardwing Bird-of-Paradise, we will try to see Dusky Megapode, Cinnamon-bellied Imperial-Pigeon, Goliath Coucal, Moluccan Dwarf-Kingfisher, Black-chinned Whistler, Halmahera Oriole, Spangled Drongo, Moluccan Spectacled Monarch, and Shining Flycatcher.

After lunch at the home stay, we will continue our journey towards the west and reach Roni Mountain in the afternoon. We have a chance to spot Metallic Pigeon, Sultan's Cuckoo-Dove, White Cockatoo, Red-cheeked Parrot, Great-billed Parrot, Moluccan Eclectus, Red-flanked Lorikeet, White-bellied Cuckooshrike, Moluccan Cuckooshrike, Halmahera Paradise-crow, and others.

Night in Subaim.

Day 5: Uni-Uni Mountain

We will spend the morning and afternoon birding at the Uni-Uni Mountain with pristine forest habitats. Possible birds include Spectacled Imperial-Pigeon, Great Cuckoo-Dove, Goliath Coucal, Blyth's Hornbill, Moluccan King Parrot, Red-cheeked Parrot, Violet-necked Lory, Moluccan Hanging-Parrot, Moluccan Myzomela, North Moluccan Cicadabird, Moluccan Flycatcher, White-naped Monarch, Long-billed Crow, Halmahera Golden Bulbul, Cream-throated White-eye, Halmahera Flowerpecker, Moluccan Brush Cuckoo, and others. In the evening, we will search for the unique Halmahera Boobook.

Night in Subaim.

Day 6: Subaim - Roni Mountain - Ternate

Today, we will drive back to Sidangoli. On the way, we will pass Roni Mountain again and have the opportunity to stop at a number of interesting birding sites. We will focus on species that we missed in the previous days. We will reach Sidangoli in the afternoon and might be able check a coastal forest for Azure Kingfisher and the occasional saltwater crocodile. We will then continue to the harbour and transfer to Ternate. In the evening, we can check for Blue-eyed Cuscus.

Night in Ternate.

Day 7: Ternate and departure

In the early morning, we can try to see the local subspecies of the North Moluccan Pitta living on Ternate as well as Moluccan Dwarf Kingfisher. After breakfast, we check out from the hotel and go to the airport, where the tour will end.