The Kerinci Seblat National Park has some of the best birdwatching in Sumatra, and all of Indonesia.

 The range of elevations – from 250m to 3805m – means there is a huge diversity of bird species to be found on this Kerinci Bird Tour. Many rare Sumatran endemics, like the Schneider’s Pitta, Sumatran Ground Cuckoo, and Sumatran Trogon, can be found alongside charismatic birds like Rhinocerous Hornbills and colorful barbets. Below you’ll find the three main regions that we operate Sumatra birdwatching tours – on the slopes of Mt. Kerinci for the high altitude endemics, Bukit Tapan for a range of elevations, and Hutan Adat Lempur for a well-protected mixed habitat with some species harder to see elsewhere. Each of the areas are about one hour apart from the next, with Mt. Kerinci furthest north, then Bukit Tapan in the center, and finally Lempur in the southern end of the Kerinci valley.

KEREINCI BIRDING LOCATION :

1. MOUNT KERINCI TRAIL

• A sampling of endemics and other targets:Schneider’s Pitta, Salvadori’s Pheasant, Salvadori’s Nightjar, Sumatran Trogon, Sumatran Cochoa, Sumatran Wren Babbler, Sumatran Whistling Thrush, Sumatran Frogmouth, Shiny Whistling Thrush, Red-billed Partridge, Rufous-vented Niltava, Wreathed Hornbill, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Sunda Bush Warbler, Rajah Scops Owl, and many more.

2. TAPAN ROAD

• A sampling of endemics and other targets: Sumatran Leafbird, Graceful Pitta, Sumatran Green Pigeon, Sumatran Treepie, Sumatran Peacock-Pheasant, Sumatran Drongo, Sumatran Trogon, Red Headed Trogon,  Spot-necked Bulbul, Black-browed Barbet, Long-tailed Broadbill, Temminck’s Sunbird, Fire-tufted Barbet, Sunda Minivet, Marbled Wren Babbler, Sumatran Green Pigeon, Rufous-chested Flycatcher, Black Laughingthrush, Great Hornbill, Rhinoceros Hornbill, and many more.

3. LAKE KACO TRAIL

• A sampling of endemics and other targets: Sumatra Ground-Cuckoo, Sumatran Peacock-Pheasant, Sumatran Leafbird, Graceful Pitta, Sumatran Green Pigeon, Sumatran Treepie, Sumatran Drongo, Sumatran Trogon, Sumatran Bulbul, Cream-striped Bulbul, Grey-cheeked Bulbul, Spot-necked Bulbul, Black-browed Barbet, Long-tailed Broadbill, Temminck’s Sunbird, Fire-tufted Barbet, Sunda Minivet, Marbled Wren Babbler, Sumatran Green Pigeon, Rufous-chested Flycatcher, Black Laughingthrush, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, and many more.

Feel free to focus your time in a single location, just two of them, or go for all three to really see what Kerinci has to offer – the choice is yours.

ITENERARY :

* Day 1

   - Transfer from Padang Airport to Guest House/Hotel, drive around 7/8 Hours by Private Transport. 

* Days 2 & 3

   - start Birding at Mount Kerinci Trail until 2000 Asl.  Back to Gust house /Hotel.

* Day 4

   - Early in the morning check Out Guest House/Hotel (5 Am)  Ddrive to Tapan Road for Birding until afternoon. after Birding at TAPAN Road drive to Cinnamon Guest House Lempur. 

* Day 5

   - After breakfast in the morning, star to Birding At lake kaco trail for looking SUMATRAN GROUND CUCKOO until A afternoon and Back to Cinnamon Guest House Again.. 

*Day 6

 - Tapan Road/Lake Kaco - looking for missed species

* Day 7

   - after Breakfast In the morning,  transfer to Padang and Say Goodbye. 

We are very flexible with the existing itinerary, and you can request according to the day you want for a birding tour in the Kerinci area.

• After breakfast, Visit the sugar processing ‘factory’ (really just some people in a shed pressing and boiling raw sugar cane juice).
• Explore the coffee farms that are switching over to organic Arabica coffee with the help of a local NGO.
• Walk through the endless green tea fields and take a tour of the old Netherland tea factory in village of Bedeng VIII (Delapan).
• Eat lunch in KORINTJI HERITAGE cafe, in the Town of the Pungai Penuh.
• grab a Bendi (horse drawn carriage) through the old neighborhood of  Pondok Tinggi filled with traditional Kerinci longhouses. Head to the nearby Mesjid Agung. Built in the traditional style in 1874, it’s the oldest mosque in town, and still actively used.
• up to Bukit Khayangan or hike up the hill behind Sungai Penuh to get a beautiful view of the Kerinci valley from Mt. Kerinci in the north, to Lake Kerinci in the south.
• In the late afternoon, head to Bukit Sentiong on the edge of town for the grilled corn stands and a nice view of Sungai Penuh and the Kerinci valley at sunset.
• In the evening, visit Pasar Malam, the carnival-like night market, to eat Martabak, Sate, and other lovely street foods.
• Drive up to Bukit Tapan at night for some wildlife spotlighting
• Back to Hotel..

• In the morning Visit the lively Pasar, or wet/dry market, in the center of town. Get some Sarabi and other goodies for breakfast.
• head to the village of  Pulau Tengah on the edge of  Kerinci Lake. Meet up with some fisherman there for some canoe rides and to watch/participate with them as they fish.
• Stop for lunch at one of the restaurants that sits atop or next to the lake, Don’t forget to pick up some Dendeng Batokok, grilled beef strips from heaven native to the area.
• Head further south to the hills around Lempur to see traditional house.
• Explore the village of Lempur and the nearby lake of Danau Lingkat to take a ride on the bamboo rafts, see The Nepenthes and enjoy the scenery.
• Head to the village of Lempur  and meet your host family
• In the evening, follow a local honey hunter as they harvest honey from wild Indonesian honeybees.
• Meet up with your host family in Lempur and turn in for the night.

• Head further south to the hills around Lempur to see cinnamon farmers at work and or Cinnamon Process.
• head to the rice fields to watch the farmers plant and harvest the Lempur heirloom rice Beras Payo. Participate if you want to get your hands dirty!
• lunch at one of the Local restaurants
• Explore the village other highland farms in the area that produce Tomatto, potatoes, chilis, etc.
• Visit the house handicrafts from bamboo and lern how to make.
• Head back to your homestay for dinner together with your family.
• In the evening, visit art galleries of traditional dance, and you can also join and lern for dancing with them..