Straddling the divide between Eastern Europe and Western Asia is the Caucasus; an area steeped in history and rich in natural wonders. On this birding and wildlife tour tour we explore Georgia and Armenia to give you comprehensive coverage of this less-visited part of the world. Forests are home to the smart Black and Syrian Woodpeckers and the special Krüper’s Nuthatch, while in the foothills and mountains we hope to see Caucasian Grouse displaying, the stately Bearded Vulture, Great Rosefinch and East Caucasian Turs (a mountain dwelling goat). In Armenia, we traverse endless steppes and high country in search of Bezoar Ibex, a goat species with truly remarkable horns, Caspian Snowcock, and Syrian Brown Bear, and at the famed Armash Fish Ponds we have a chance to see the rare Marbled Duck and White-tailed Lapwing. Cultural highlights include the 14th century Gergeti Trinity Church set in breathtaking mountain scenery, and the incredible rock-hewn David Gareji Monastery. We compliment this adventure with a Central Asian extension into Uzbekistan where we explore historic towns on the famed Silk Road, search for fabulous tulips, and one of Central Asia’s most iconic birds – Turkestan Ground-Jay. Join us on this spring exploration of the natural and historical wonders of the Caucuses and Uzbekistan! 

Ecuador’s biodiversity is truly immense, and while several countries can boast such a claim, Ecuador stands apart. Packed into this small nation, a fantastic diversity of habitats from grasslands in the high Andes to steamy rainforests of the Amazon, supports a staggering 1600+ bird species, and over 300 mammals. The vastly different assemblages of species that occur on the western and eastern side of the Andes, and at different altitudes, are showcased in this comprehensive 15-day birding and wildlife tour of Ecuador. We explore cloud forest on the eastern slopes at Mindo, the misty high altitude paramo habitats at Pappallacta and Antisana, the foothill forests at San Isidro on the western slopes, and of course, the lush forests of the mighty Amazon! Highlights are too many to list but include the chance to see the incandescent Andean Cock-of-the-rock, several species of antpitta, a stunning array of hummingbirds and tanangers, Toucan Barbet, Torrent Duck, the quirky Hoatzin, Zigzag Heron, Three-toed Sloth, the beautiful Golden-mantled Tamarin, Night Monkey, and the amazing Red Howler Monkey. You’ll also get the chance to experience the fascinating cultures of the peoples of the Andes and the Amazon. Join us on this incredible tour of exquisite Ecuador!

Inala’s contributions to help prevent the extinction of Malawi’s national tree, the Mulanje Cedar, have prompted us to craft this fabulous birding and wildlife tour of Malawi. On this tour we include game viewing and birding in Liwonde - the nation’s finest national park, and an excellent place to see herds of Elephant, Lion and other big game, and a range of quality bird species such as Brown-breasted Barbet, Lilian’s Lovebird, Böhm's Bee-eater, Collared Palm-Thrush, and Pel’s Fishing-Owl. We search the highlands for species like Malawi Batis, Livingstone’s Turaco and Malawi’s only endemic bird – Yellow-throated Apalis - and we explore some excellent Miombo woodland, a uniquely African experience with a range of special species including Arnot’s Chat, Stierling’s Woodpecker, Souza’s Shrike, and Boulder Chat. Join us on this wonderful exploration of the natural wonders of the warm heart of Africa!

Madagascar, the world’s 4 largest island, is widely considered the eighth continent, and it’s no wonder: although only ~400 km from the African continent, most of the natural wonders found here occur nowhere else on earth. Millions of years of isolation from the African continent have resulted in Madagascar’s staggering levels of biological endemism, making this a must-see destination for naturalists. Incredibly, over half of the country’s bird species, including four families, are endemic, and all the island’s native terrestrial mammals are found only here. These species are as stunning as they are unique, and on our birding and wildlife tour of this amazing nation we have the chance to see species such as striking Long-tailed Ground-Roller, Sickle-billed and Nuthatch Vangas, White-breasted Mesite, Red-capped Coua, Velvet Asity, the rare Madagascar Fish Eagle, endearing mouse-lemurs, Coquerel’s Sifaka, the cute Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec, and the incredible Indri – arguably the planet’s most striking primate. Add to these highlights, the world’s largest and smallest chameleons, the bizarre plant life of the spiny deserts, baobab species (baobabs originated in Madagascar!), and the exquisite rainforests of the eastern escarpment, and you’ll understand why Madagascar is an essential destination. Our tour is perfectly crafted to give you the ultimate experience in this country of extraordinary natural wonders, join us as we unravel the mysteries of Madagascar!

A small group tour through the Qinghai province of China showcases the breathtaking ecological diversity and rugged beauty of the Tibetan Plateau: from the coniferous forests of Dongxia, to the stark deserts of Chaka and alpine meadows of Ela Mountain.

Birding highlights are rare and highly localised species such as Przevalski’s Nuthatch, Tibetan Rosefinch, Crested Tit Warbler, Tarim Babbler, Ground Tit and Przevalski's (Ala Shan) Redstart. The wetlands of Qinghai Lake provide vital habitat for a range of waterbirds, as well as the endangered Przevalski's Gazelle. Meanwhile, sweeping grasslands and deserts are home to larks, snowfinches, and wheatears, including the Tibetan Lark and Blandford’s Snowfinch, as well as Pallas’s Sandgrouse and the range-restricted Rusty-necklaced (Przevalski’s) Partridge. This high-altitude tour blends rich birdlife with dramatic landscapes, perfect for birders seeking both endemics and scenic adventure.

On this small group nature tour we will be focusing on the foothills of the Tibetan Plateau in the Sichuan Province of China, which is world-renowned for its birds and wildlife, particularly game birds - pheasants, partridges, tragopan and grouse; many of these are range-restricted species and spectacularly beautifully coloured.

Much of this Inala Nature Tour will be in the sparsely populated areas at altitude in the western part of Sichuan, including the Tibetan Steppes, which is teeming with wildlife and birds. During this tour we will also learn of the conservation initiatives for two threatened mammal species, the Giant Panda and Golden-snub-nosed Monkey, which are both restricted to a small area of south-western China and almost exclusively in Sichuan. Other mammals we will have a good chance of seeing are Tibetan Fox, Himalayan Marmot, Pikas, Takin, Tibetan Macaque, Reeves’ Muntjac and Chinese Goral. Hog Badger, Grey Wolf, Yellow-throated Marten, Asian Black Bear Chinese Serow and Tufted Deer are also possibilities. The province is famous for its wildflowers, boasting several hundred different species of rhododendron and myriad orchids as well as countless alpine species. Ginkgo biloba is a sacred tree and commonly seen around Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan.

The tour includes some cultural activities, such as visits to ancient Buddhist monasteries and Tibetan temples, and a dinosaur museum for which China has recently become famous due to the sheer number of fossils being uncovered. Inala Nature Tours have designed the Sichuan. We have designed our Sichuan itinerary as a well-rounded tour, with something for everyone.

This celebration of the natural wonders of the eastern Himalayan region offers you the chance to explore incredible Bhutan, with the option of including Nepal for a more comprehensive experience. Protected by its isolated and rugged location in the Himalayas, Bhutan has over 70% of its native forest remaining, ranging from steamy sub-tropical forest at 150 m to crisp subalpine coniferous forest at 4000 m. These forests support a colourful and varied birdlife, a spectacular flora and an assemblage of very special fauna. On this thorough exploration of Bhutan, you have the chance to see a range of species restricted to the Himalayas or difficult to see elsewhere, including the incredible Satyr Tragopan, Himalayan Monal, Ibisbill, Blood Pheasant, the extremely rare White-bellied Heron, Ward’s Trogon, Rufous-necked and Great Hornbills, Beautiful Nuthatch, and Fire-tailed Myzornis. Additionally, some great mammal species are possible, including Bhutan Giant Flying Squirrel, Himalayan Black Bear, Golden Langur and the elusive Red Panda! Bhutan also boasts low levels of tourism and a rich Buddhist culture so we conclude our adventure with a visit to the spectacular Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Paro Taktsang) perched high above the Paro Valley. Join us on this quest for southern Asia’s natural wonders the mountain Kingdom of Bhutan! If you decide on the extension to explore Nepal, we will search for the country’s only endemic bird, Spiny Babbler, and some fantastic mammals including Greater One-horned Rhino and Bengal Tiger!

Borneo contains some of the world's most wildlife-rich and oldest equatorial rainforests, incredible landscapes and rich indigenous culture. The jungles of Borneo are estimated to be around 140 million years old and this area is the centre of evolution and distribution of many endemic species of plants and animals. The rainforest is also one of the few remaining natural habitats for the endangered Bornean Orangutan and an important refuge for around 15,000 species of flowering plants, 3,000 species of trees (267 species of which belong to the family Dipterocarpaceae which have their greatest diversity here), 221 species of terrestrial mammals, 650 species of birds and 440 species of freshwater fish.

Since 2007, 220,000km² of ‘Asia’s last great rainforest’ has been protected under a World Wide Fund for Nature agreement and since that time, hundreds of new species have been recorded here.

This itinerary has been tailored to maximise our wildlife and birding opportunities, including a chance to see rarely encountered wild mammals such as Clouded Leopard, other cat species, Orangutans and birds such as pittas, Bornean Ground Cuckoo, owls and all 8 species of hornbill. This tour also provides a unique opportunity to experience authentic traditional culture and food and a visit here also contributes to the local economy and to the protection of key species of wildlife including Bornean Orangutan, Proboscis Monkey and Bornean Sun Bear.

Nestled between the Pacific and the Caribbean, at the junction of North and South America, Costa Rica boasts diverse habitats and exceptional wildlife. Quite remarkably, given its relatively small size, it is home to 5% of the world’s plant and animal species, including more than 900 species of birds. On this tour we search for Central American endemic bird species such as the incredible Resplendent Quetzal, Snowy Cotinga, Volcano Hummingbird, and Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher and other highlights such as Scarlet and Great Green Macaws, Yellow-throated Toucan, Emerald Toucanet, Fiery-billed Aracari, and the delightful Snowcap.

Costa Rica is also rich in other fauna such as monkeys, sloths, caimans, and impossibly bright tree-frogs. Some of the mammals we aim to see include both Brown-throated Three-toed and Hoffman’s Two-toed Sloths, Northern Tamandua, White-nose Coati, Mantled Howler Monkey, Variegated Squirrel and the very cute Honduran White Bat. A further benefit of visiting Costa Rica is that around 25% of the country is protected for conservation, and on this tour, we visit a range of protected habitats including mangrove swamps and meandering rivers on the Pacific coast, rich forest in the mountains, tropical dry forest, and teeming wetlands. Join us on this comprehensive tour of the very best of Costa Rica!

Highlights: mangrove cruise, exploring the Talamanca Mountains to look for the Chiriquí Endemics, Costa Rican páramo, a visit to La Selva Tropical Biological Station, wetlands of Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. 

The island of Papua New Guinea (PNG) is home to one of the planet’s richest and most spectacular avifauna assemblages. None are more magnificent than the members of the Bird-of-Paradise (BOP) family, with 38 of the 43 known species occurring in PNG. We provide a fantastic experience that simplifies logistics, maximizes safety and comfort, and exposes you to the incredible natural wonders of this bird-rich nation. On this tour we have selected two prime locations, Rondon Ridge in the highlands, and Karawari in the lowlands, giving you the chance to see an impressive 12 species of Bird-of-Paradise, as well as many other iconic PNG species.  Members of the BOP family possible on this tour are King-of-Saxony, Twelve-wired, King, Blue and Raggiana Bird-of-Paradise, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Greater Lophorina, Brown and Black Sicklebills, Stephanie's and Ribbon-tailed Astrapias and Short-tailed Paradigalla. Add to this the chance to see endemic families such as the Satinbirds, and the monotypic Wattled Ploughbill and Blue-capped Ifrita, and a colourful diversity of passerines that include cuckoo-shrikes and trillers, logrunners, babblers, pitohuis, and bowerbirds, and you are bound for an unforgettable experience in this must-see birding destination. While this is predominantly a birding trip, we will be sure to look for mammals and interesting flora, including orchids. Join us in eastern PNG for the birding adventure of a lifetime!