Trogon Photo Tours

THAILAND BIRDS, WILDLIFE, WHALES AND MORE 

November 4-17, 2018

Photo Tour:  This tour focuses on photographing the birds of Thailand as well as whales, elephants and other wildlife.  We will spend 6 nights at the premier bird photography lodge in Thailand which is near Keang Krachan National Park.  There are blinds on the property and several other sets of blinds outside the property which attract a large variety of birds which can be photographed at close range.  We will have 2 full days photographing Bryde's Whales and seabirds in the Gulf of Thaiand as well as 2 afternoons of elephant and large mammal safari at Kuiburi National Park.

Tour Leader: Charles and Jerrine Gangas. Chuck is a full time nature photographer based out of Stowe, Vermont who has traveled extensively throughout Southeast Asia.  His images have been used by the popular IBird Pro app. He is known for his sense of humor and enthusiasm.  Jerrine loves working with non photographer spouses.  We will also be working with the local guides who have co led all of our previous Thailand photo tours.

Number of Participants: Maximum of 6 photographers with a maximum of 10 total participants (including nonphotographer spouses and companions). 

Cost: $4,500 per photographer, $3,900 per nonphotographer spouse/companion, $400 single supplement includes all meals, lodging, drinking water, transportation within Thailand, guiding, instruction, park fees.  It does not include airfare to get to Thailand, drinks other than water, tips and items of a personal nature such as phone calls or laundry. 



Itinerary:

November 4th - Arrive to Bangkok International Airport.  Transfer to a nice hotel in downtown Bangkok.  Chuck and Jerrine will be there on the 1st and anyone who wants to visit a few temples and so forth in Bangkok can do so with them between the 2nd and 4th.  They will arrange some cultural day tours with the hotel.  

November 5th  - Transfer from Bangkok down to the Phetchaburi coast on the Gulf of Thailand.  This afternoon we will photograph shorebirds and waterbirds in the salt pans of the area.  The prize bird is the highly endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper, but there are numerous other species often including Painted Stork.  Hotel: A nice hotel on the beach

November 6th and 7th -We will spend 2 full days on a good sized boat photographing Bryde's Whales and seabirds on the Gulf of Thailand.  The whales regularly bubble feed on schooling small fish making for spectacular photo opportunities.  Numerous gulls and terns swarm around the feeding whales.  We will also be on the lookout for Irrawaddy Dolphins and seabirds such as Swinhoe's Storm Petrel are possible. Hotel: A nice hotel on the beach

November 8th - Morning shorebird photography followed by transfer to our lodge near Keang Krachan National Park.  The lodge has wetlands and gardens which attract a large variety of birds.  There are numerous Pied Hornbills on the property and there are a couple of photography hides as well as feeders.  Lodge:  The premier birding lodge in Thailand, it's very comfortable and well run. 

November 9th to 13th - Based out of our lodge we will spend each of these 5 days either in Keang Krachan National Park or photographing from hides which are near the park.  White-handed Gibbons are one of the highlights of the park, while the hides attract a huge variety of birds including Kalij Pheasant, Red Junglefowl, Green Mapgie, Crakes, Laughingthrushes, Flycatchers and many others.  In addition they attract quite a few small mammals including Lesser Mouse Deer and several species of squirrel. Lodge: The premier birding lodge in Thailand, it's very comfortable and well run.  

November 14th  - We check out of BaanMaka and head to a local reserve that is excellent for a couple of species of diurnal owls.  In the afternoon we check into our next hotel and head to Kuiburi National Park.  Here we will have an afternoon safari in an open vehicle.  We have an excellent chance of photographing Asian Elephants and a reasonable chance at other scare mammals such as Gaur.  The open woodland is good for raptors and hornbills.  Hotel: A nice hotel in the area.

November 15th - This morning we will visit a local reserve that is excellent for Bee eaters, Rollers and other open country birds.  In the afternoon we will have another elephant safari at Kuiburi National Park.  Hotel: A nice hotel in the area.

November 16th - We visit the open country reserve again this morning, stop by the owl location and then head back to Bangkok in the afternoon.  Hotel: A nice hotel close to the Bangkok International Airport

November 17th - Fly home with great images and memories.