Taiwan

14-27 March 2026

Taiwan

14-27 March 2026

Price: 54.900 SEK per person in a double room (excluding airfare)
Single room supplement: 8.500 SEK

Swinhoes & Mikado Pheasant / Rusty- & Rufous-crowned Laughingthrush / Taiwan Yellow Tit / Styan’s Bulbul / Japanese Paradise Flycatcher m. fl.

Taiwan – Forested mountains, handsome pheasants and other unique birds.

Taiwan has become a new hotspot of bird destinations in Asia. All thanks to a unique avifauna with a good bunch of endemic species, a lot of beautiful, pristine habitat and committed, skillful bird guides. The island is positioned in the Pacific sea 180 km off the coast of China and it’s nature is dominated by 5 mountain ranges, with peaks up to 3.275 meters. There’s also agriculture areas and coastal wetlands that attract a lot of birds. The island hosts 28 endemic bird species and another 55 subspecies, several of which are knocking on the door to full species status. On top of that a number of east Asian birds and in winter and during migration some Siberian birds, for instance White´s Thrush. Top attractions are the gorgeous Pheasants; Swinhoes- and Mikado Pheasant, add to that beautiful Fairy Pittas (only from late April/May), Collared Bush Robin, White-eared Sibia, endemics like Chestnut-bellied Tit, Taiwan Hwamei, Formosan Magpie, Taiwan Rosefinch, and many more. We also make a short visit to the island Lanyu with several unique birds, like Ryukyu Scops Owl, Taiwan Whistling Thrush, Black Paradise Flycatcher and Philippine Cuckoo-dove, Lowland Whiteye, etc. On the way out we can see some Seabirds.

Have a look at one of our trip reports!

Species

Swinhoes Pheasant and Mikado Pheasant are 2 of Taiwan’s unique and very attractive ”chickenbirds” that we are going to see on this trip. Alongside we look for Taiwan Partridge, Rusty- and Rufous-crowned Laughingthrush, more endemics like Taiwan Blue Magpie, Taiwan Yellow Tit, Taiwan Rosefinch, Flamecrest, Taiwan Bush Warbler, Chestnut-bellied Tit, Taiwan Shortwing, Taiwan Bush Robin, Styan’s Bulbul, etc. In fact we have good chances to see all the Taiwan endemics on the tour. Add to that several subspecies that well could be considered full species in a near future. On our excursion to the island Lanyu we are looking for Japanese Paradise Flycatcher, Ryukyu (Elegant) Scops Owl, Whistling Green Pigeon, Phillipine Cuckoo-Dove and potentially some seabirds from the ferry, for instance Streaked Shearwater. In coastal wetlands we shall see endangered Black-faced Spoonbills and plenty of Siberian Waders (if in March). Note that the rare Fairy Pitta only arrive from late April-May.

For whom?

For the adventurous global twitcher or just any birdlover (also those with a camera). This is mainly a birdwatching holiday but with some good photo opportunities. Birdwatching in Taiwan is usually quite effortless. We move along winding roads or paths and make some shorter walks, usually on horizontal or lightly graded trails.

Effort

Only shorter walks (nothing strenuous) on roadsides, well kept paths and trails. Taiwan is indeed a very undulated land but still we move practically on just horizontal trails. Having said that we will also visit high elevation in Hehuanshan where we drive up to 3.275 meters. (Wuling/Hehuan Pass) At that height we will feel the thin air and some days weather can be hard with mist, rain and wind. Some people might also feel the elevation.

Habitats

Taiwan is a montaneous island with five mountain chains stretching across the country north -south covering about 2/3 of the island. The hillsides are generally covered with forest of varying sort from lush rainforest-like, evergreen forest to deciduous and even coniferous forest on higher ground. At Hehuanshan we will be above tree level in a more open landscape with bushes and some cops of conifers. The highest peak on the island is Yu Shan (Jade Mountain) with 3.952 meters above sea level, which makes Taiwan the 4.th highest island on the planet. The mountain chains has got more than 200 peaks higher than 3.000 meters. On the west side there is a lowland plain with farmlands and small villages. We also visit that part as well as wetlands, lagoons and coast. 20% of Taiwan is protected and the island has got 9 national parks.

Local guides

Taiwan has become known for dedicated and skilfull birdguides and we will be under their command during the whole tour.

Season and time

Although the rather constant climate of the island makes it possible to see all the endemics anytime of the year, the spring is the most dynamic time to visit. In early spring we also have good chances to see some of the wintering species like White´s Thrush, Arctic Warbler and many of the Siberian/East Asian shorebirds, gulls and terns. Since migration time starts it adds to the birdlife as well.

Climate and weather

Taiwan has got subtropical sea-climate. That means high humidity all year around, warmer to balmy weather in summer and cooler in winter Spring – summer temperatures between 20-30° C and on higher elevation down to +12-13° in daytime and perhaps a bit cooler at night. The rainy season is June-August and July-October is typhoon-season so those periods we avoid.

Traveling and route

On Taiwan you can travel from sea level up to the highest peaks of 3.275 meters during one day. That makes Taiwan unique as a bird watching country with so many eco systems so easily within reach. We visit most parts of the island from north to south with several national parks.

Food and accommodation

We will stay in both 3-4-star hotels (in city environments) and in more basic lodges/ guesthouses or national park head quarters in the countryside. Breakfast is usually served on the accomodation, lunch usually packed for the excursion or in some of the common fast-food stores en route. Dinner is usually served at the accommodation or sometimes we go to a nearby restaurant.

Practical information

When: 14:th – 27:th March 2026

Price: 54.900 SEK per person in a double room (excluding airfare)
Single room supplement: 8.500 SEK

Note: We reserve the right to increase the price if local costs or currency changes justify it. Minor adjustments to the start and end time of the trip may sometimes be necessary.

What’s Included:
Full board accommodation in double rooms at hotels, Swedish tour leader, local guide throughout, all transportation, all entries to nature reserves and parks.

Not Included:
Flight ticket, transfer to the airport in home country, insurance (Note! European Health Insurance Card is not valid here. Participants are required to have travel insurance against accidents and illnesses), alcohol, souvenirs, and other personal expenses, tips for local guides/drivers.

Minimum Number of Participants: 4

Maximum Number of Participants: 8

Registration fee
When you have registered, we will send you an invoice for the registration fee, which is 20% of the total price of the trip. Once it is paid, you are guaranteed a place on the trip.

Day-to-day programe

Day 0. Saturday 14.th March

Arrive TPE airport

Check in at airport hotel and get a good night´s rest before the tour.

Day 1 Sunday 15.th March – Xucuogang IBA-Shihmen Resovoir-Fengyuan (downtown)

After breakfast we will visit the Xucuogang IBA next to the airport, for the common landbirds and some East Asian shorebirds. Later we will visit Shihmen Resovoir to look for the Taiwan Blue Magpie (E), Taiwan Barbet (E), Taiwan Scimitar Babbler (E), Malayan Night Heron and some common birds in lower elevation. In the evening we will head to Fengyuan, Taichung (downtown) to rest. Transfer 1 h 42 min (151 km).

Day 2-3 Monday 16.th – Tuesday 17.th March – Dasyueshan (300-2600m)

Dasyueshan is the best birding birding sites for the endemic birds in Taiwan. Mikado Pheasant (E), Swinhoe’s Pheasant (E), Taiwan Partridge (E), Taiwan Yellow Tit (E), Rusty Laughingthrush (E), Rufous-crowned Laughingthrush (E), Taiwan Liochilia (E), Flamecrest (E), Taiwan Yuhina (E), White-eared Sibia (E)…etc are all the key targets. We will spend 2 full days here trying to see all the endemic birds in Taiwan. Transfer Day 2, Fengyuan – Dasyeshuan: 1 h 26 min (47, 7 km)

Day 4 Wednesday 18.th March – Dasyueshan-Cingjing Farm (1900m)

Today we will head to somewhere to look for the Chestnut-bellied Tit (E) and drive to Puli to look for the Taiwan Hawmei, Black-necklaced Scimitar Babbler and the near endemic Maroon Oriole (ES). In the afternoon if we have time, we can look for the Taiwan Bamboo Partrdige (E) and Brown Bullfinch (ES) around Cingjing Farm. Transfer 2 h 55 min (147 km)

Day 5 Thursday 19.th March – Hehuanshan (3275m)-Chiayi (downtown)

Today we will drive up to the highest road in Taiwan (3275m) to look for the Taiwan Rosefinch (E), Taiwan Bush Warbler (E) Taiwan Bullfinch (E), Flamecrest (E) and the Alpine Accentor (ES). We might visit Cingjing Farm again on the way down if we miss any birds.

Day 6 Friday 20.th March – SW Coast-Chiayi (downtown)

Today is the shorebird day. The endangered Black-faced Spoonbill, Nordmann’s Greenshank are two key targets. Great Knot, Red Knot, Far Eastern Curlew and Chinese Egret might be highlighted as well. We will also try to find all the East Asian shorebirds such as The Long-toed Stint, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Broad-billed Sandpiper, etc.

Day 7 Saturday 21.st March – Chiayi-Kending NP (downtown)

Today we will drive along the coast down south and visit a freshwater wetland looking for the Greater Painted Snipe and Pheasant-tailed Jacana. In the afternoon we will arrive Kending peninsula / National Park then we can see the exclusive Styan’s Bulbul (E).

Transfer 2 h 39 min (205 km)

Day 8 Sunday 22.nd March – Kending-Lanyu (island)

Today we will take the first ferry to Lanyu island. If we are lucky to go to the deck we can try to see some seabirds but it depends on the decision of the captain. In Lanyu the target will be Ryukyu Scops Owl (ES), Taiwan Whistling Thrush (ES), Black Paraside Flycatcher (ES) and Philippine Cuckoo-dove, Lowland Whiteye, etc. The local form of Red-bellied Blue Rock Thrush is also expected.

Day 9 Monday 23.th March – Lanyu-Kending-Tainan (downtown)

After morning birding, we will take the ferry back to Taiwan and head to a place where we can see the Collared Scops Owl (ES) on dayroost. Black-naped Oriole and the Taiwan Hwamei are expected there as well. In the afternoon we will stay next to an open farmland where we can find the native Ring-necked Pheasant (ES) and maybe Barred Buttonquail if we are very lucky. Transfer 2 h 17 min (151 km)

Day 10-11 Tues 24.th – Wednesday 25.th March – Alishan-Yushan NP (up to 2600m)-Alishan (900m)

Today we will drive up the last alpine birding site and stay in one place for two nights in a row. The purpose is to make up for the endemic birds we miss such as Taiwan Shortwing (E), Taiwan Cupwing (E), Taiwan Partridge (E) , even the Mikado Pheasant (E). We will stay in a place where we can use the bird hide for the Swinhoe’s Pheasant (E) and the Taiwan Partridge (E). Transfer 2 h 8 min (115 km)

Day 12 Thursday 26.th March – Alishan-Taipei (downtown)

Today will be the last day of endemic bird birding and then we will head back to Taipei. We would find some birding sites on the way back to Taipei and stay in Taipei downtown or drop you off in the airport, depending on flight hours for respective traveller. Transfer 3 h 15 min (263 km)

Day 13 Friday 27.th March – N Coast-TPE airport

Departure day for those with outbound flight today.