Hey, Adventurer,
Ready for a trip to the Moluccas, the original Spice Islands, for an unforgettable experience in one of Indonesia's last untouched paradises? ? Our travel services open the door to the amazing Moluccas, the legendary Spice Islands. Are you adventurous? Then active volcanoes, deep green and dense jungle, untouched beaches, crystal clear water, friendly people and a fascinating culture await you on the Spice Islands. Dive into the colorful underwater world, explore secret bays or let yourself be seduced by the aromas of Spice Islands' cuisine. Are you an enthusiastic birder and watching exotic birds makes your heart beat faster? Then follow in the footsteps of Alfred Russel Wallace and find the Halmahera Bird of Paradise. However, your holidays in the Moluccas will become an extraordinary journey through a tropical archipelago that has preserved its authentic beauty to this day.
Our tailor-made travel packages are designed to make your dreams of the ultimate Spice Islands adventure come true. So, let's plan your individual Moluccas Islands trip for you! If our example travel tours don't quite fit the bill or if you still have questions, just let us know. Contact us and we will create your individual offer for you.
Moluccas travel offers
Moluccas: Halmahera Bird Watching Tour
Birdwatching tour on Halmahera: In the footsteps of Alfred R. Wallace. Explore the equally impressive and rare endemic bird species in the jungle areas of the largest island of the Moluccas. Some bird species are only found here. Follow Wallace; join us to find the Wallace Standard Wing -the Halmahera Bird of Paradise- and many more.
- Duration:
7 days / 6 nights - Start I End:
Ternate - Departure:
Daily - min. # Travelers:
1 person - Best visit Period:
July to September - Rainy season:
from December to February
Molukken: Halmahera Birding Tour
As a bird lover, animal lover or hobby photographer, do you like to observe exotic birds in their natural habitat and are you prepared to put up with some effort to do so? Then this trip is made for you.
If you are an ornithologist, biologist/zoologist or journalist and therefore travelling in this region for professional reasons, e.g. for a research project, we can also frame this tour for you in a project-specific way. Contact us!
Go on a discovery tour: Our Halmahera Bird Watching Tour takes you to the largest island of the Moluccas, which is still waiting to be explored with its impressive flora and fauna. You can expect a terrain unknown to tourists, where you can explore a whole range of bird species that are exclusively native to this island. The remoteness of the location and the challenges that come with it will make you forget the hustle and bustle of your western world very quickly.
Your fitness level: You should be in good physical condition for this tour. Although birdwatching means sometimes staying in a certain place for a long time until the feathered friend finally appears, you also have to walk a bit to reach the respective areas, which often leads through rough terrain. Tropical temperatures and camera equipment can add to the perceived exertion.
- 7 days individual round trip according to the description.
- All activities take place individually for you and are organised by ...
- ... your personal guide.
- 5 nights with breakfast in simple local accommodation/ guesthouse/ lodge in Sidangoli and Subaim on Halmahera Island, no western sanitary facilities, furnished with Indonesian Mandi.
- 1 night with breakfast in upscale authentic accommodation in Ternate with hot water shower and toilet.
- Meals as per description.
- All transfers (accompanied) from/to Ternate airport.
- Your personal English-speaking guide/guide will accompany you on your entire trip and will be your contact person if you have any questions or requests.
- Travel insurance certificate.
We recommend taking out travel insurance (travel health insurance, travel cancellation insurance).
Book now!
Day 1
- Arrival at Sultan Babullah Ternate Airport, pick-up by your English-speaking tour guide and transfer to the harbour for your birding tour.
- Crossing by speedboat to Halmahera Island and onward journey by private vehicle to the starting point of your birding trip.
You will be ready to start birding in the afternoon and the aim is to see the following birds: Northern Moluccan Pitta, Molluccan Pygmy Kingfisher, Blue and White Kingfisher, Grey Kingfisher and Beach Kingfisher, Molluccan Starling. In addition, we will also observe night birds such as Halmahera boobook, Moluccan Scops Owl and Moluccan Owlet Nightjar. - Lunch & dinner (inculded).
- Overnight stay in simple local accommodation/ Guesthouse in Sidangoli or Sofifi (included).
Day 2
- After breakfast at your accommodation (included) in Sidangoli, it's off to the next birding stop. The following birds are targeted today: Ivory-breasted Pitta, Northern Moluccan Pitta, Blue-capped Fruit Dove, Mollukk Plover, Halmahera Goshawk, Parasol Pepper (White Cucaktoo) and others, if they happen to cross our path.
- Lunch & Dinner (included)
- Overnight (included) in simple local accommodation/ Guesthouse in Sidangoli or Sofifi as before.
Day 3
- In the morning we leave early for the next birding stop in Sidangoli. Today's target birds are: Ivory-breasted Pitta, Northern Moluccan Pitta, Moluccan Golden Plover, Grey-breasted Plover, White-naped Monarch, Umbrella Cuckoo, Azure Dollarbird, Paradise Crow, Paradise Kingfisher and more.
- Breakfast is served on site at your birdwatching point (included).
- Drive back to the guesthouse for lunch (included) and check-out.
- Now it's time for the drive to Subaim, which takes about 3.5 hours. Along the road you can already observe many birds.
- Dinner (included).
- Overnight stay in accommodation/ guesthouse in Subaim (included).
Day 4
- Departure from the guesthouse in Subaim at 4am to Foli, changing to the off-road vehicle en route to drive to the Standardwing observation point to watch Wallace's Standardwing, the Halmahera Bird of Paradise.
- Afterwards there is an hearty jungle breakfast...don't worry: a simple, but quite normal one, just in the forest and under trees :-) (included).
- After breakfast we will look for more birds along the logging road. We will now set our sights on the following birds: Great-billed Parrot, Moluccan Hanging Parrot, Moluccan King Parrot and Eclectus Parrot, Red-flanked Lorikeet, Gadwall and Violet-necked Lorikeet (declining due to trapping), Grey-headed Fruit Dove, Spectacled, Cinnamon and Fritillary Doves, Goliath Cuckoo, Moustached Tree Swift, Blyth's Hornbill, Pied Wagtail, Halmahera White-eye and Flowerpecker, Island Warbler and many more.
- After an exciting morning of extensive birdwatching, you will drive back to your accommodation for lunch (included).
- Afterwards we return to the birding sites in Foli. If you wish, we can try to observe night birds.
- Dinner (included).
- Overnight in Guesthouse in Subaim (included).
Day 5
- Departure from the guesthouse at 4am to Foli, then change to the off-road vehicle to drive to the Standardwing Halmahera Bird of Paradise observation point.
- After breakfast (included) we go bird watching along the logging road. Due to the somewhat open terrain as well as the tree species present there, this place is good for bird watching here.
- Then drive back to the accommodation for lunch (included).
- After a short rest, we go back to the same observatories in Foli. If desired we try to observe night birds.
- Dinner at accommodation/ Guesthouse (included).
- Overnight in guesthouse in Subaim (included).
Day 6
- After breakfast (included) we go bird watching again. This time our territory is the area along the Uni-Uni hill. Here, too, you'll have plenty of time to get one or two feathered friends in front of your camera.
- Then it's back to the accommodation to check out and have lunch (included).
- Afterwards you start your return journey. In a private vehicle you will return to Sidangoli, where you will have a last opportunity for bird watching along the road to Sidangoli before ...
- ...crossing the water to Ternate by speedboat.
- In the late afternoon you will reach your accommodation in Ternate, where you will also have ...
- ... your dinner (included).
- Overnight stay at your hotel in Ternate (included).
Day 7
- Breakfast at the hotel (included).
- Transfer to the Ternate airport or port (included) for your journey home or connecting programme.
- 1.599 EUR per person (based on 2 persons sharing accommodation)
- 2.299 EUR single traveller as per request
This tour is not so suitable for children.
The prices are from/to the starting point of the tour. They include all services according to the respective tour description. Higher prices may apply especially during Indonesian holidays like Ramadan or Idul Fitri. All prices are in Euro and per person based on 2 persons traveling together in a double room. Our terms and conditions apply.
Extend your Trip
...and explore destinations beyond the undiscovered Moluccan island of Halmahera. Extending a trip creates even more unique experiences and breathtaking moments for you and your travel companion. We understand that the focus of your trip to Indonesia is birdwatching. However, combine your birdwatching trip with another experience in Eastern Indonesia. Make your trip a unique experience and expand it to fully experience Indonesia east of the Wallace Line.
Expand your Options
- Discover more of Halmahera!
- Don't just be impressed by the endemic bird species you'll encounter on your Halmahera Birdwatching Tour, but combine your stay in the region with elements of our Halmahera Discovery Tour or our Spices & Species Tour, or combine this tour with another Birdwatching Trip to Obi Island. Our Sulawesi Birdwatching Tour is currently under development. All birdwatching tours can also be combined.
- If you're not only interested in birds but also want to learn more about the historic Spice Islands, then you've come to the right place. Check out what the Moluccas have to offer.
- If you're looking to move on—now or later—and learn more about the country and its people, our Culture and Nature Adventure Tours are always the right choice. In addition to the Moluccas, we'll also take you to Sulawesi, the Lesser Sunda Islands, and the charming Raja Ampat. We can also create a birdwatching tour for you here - we'd be happy to :-)
- Further discoveries of local flora and fauna in Indonesia east of the Wallace Line are available with our Discovery Tours Endemic Species.
- For the ultimate volcanic adventure, try one of our Trekking Adventure Tours.
- And while you're here: take a look at the stunning underwater world. You're in the Coral Triangle. Take time for a Diving & Beach Holiday...
- ...or experience what it's like to have your room just a step away. Go on a Sailing Cruise Tour with us :-)
Design your Trip
The above tour description is intended as a suggestion. The tour can be split or extended according to your wishes. We will be happy to customize your tour to your individual wishes and ideas.
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Moluccas: Wallace Standard Wing (Halmahera Bird of Paradise)
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Moluccas, Indonesia: Halmahera Flowerpecker (Dicaeum schistaceiceps)
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Trommelralle I Invisible rail (Habroptila wallacii)
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Moluccan Scrubfowl, auch Wallace Scrubfowl (Eulipoa wallacei)
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Moluccas: Halmahera White Eye (Zosterops atriceps fuscifrons)
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Papuan Hornbill, also Blyth’s Hornbill (Rhyticeros plicatus)
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Molukkische blaue Fruchttaube I Moluccan blue-capped fruit dove (Ptilinopus monachal)
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Moluccas: Halmahera Golden Bulbul (Hypsipetes chloris)
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Moluccas, Indonesia: Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis hispidoides)
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[Translate to English:] [Translate to English:]
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Example accommodation during birding trip on Halmahera island
Travel to the Moluccas – Untouched Nature and Paradisiacal Beaches
A Moluccas tour takes you to the most beautiful beaches and pristine coral reefs of Southeast Asia. A Moluccas island holiday typically begins in Ambon or Ternate – small but central islands that, thanks to their respective airports, serve as the perfect starting point for discovery tours. After the long journey, the exploration tours start either after a restful night in a comfortable hotel or immediately, as soon as you've picked up your suitcase from the baggage carousel. Either way: We're ready when you are to explore the diverse facets of this unique archipelago on your tour.
Landscape, Culture and Authentic Encounters
The Spice Islands offer ideal conditions for diving and snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, where colourful coral reefs and a species-rich underwater world await your discovery. While traveling across the various islands, you'll experience an impressive variety of exotic landscapes - from white and also dark sandy beaches, through tranquil clove and nutmeg groves along the cone-shaped volcanic mountains, to dense jungle and repeatedly spectacular views of the sea with a picture-perfect island backdrop. Also keep your eyes open for the unique wildlife with its endemic species. Your Moluccas holidays will be enriched by visiting traditional villages and local markets, where you can experience the warm hospitality of the locals. By boat, you'll reach hidden bays and remote islands that few tourists ever get to see. Come and discover this exciting island archipelago!
Experience Indonesia's Spice Islands Up Close: Round Trips in the Moluccas
A Moluccas round trip enables you to experience the historic Spice Islands of Indonesia in all their wonderful facets. Islands such as Ternate, Tidore, Banda Neira and Ambon tell the fascinating story of the spice trade, which once shaped world empires. Even today, you can explore historic fortresses and experience firsthand the colonial past of these once so significant islands. Today, the eastern Indonesian archipelago forms an absolute highlight of any round trip east of the Wallace Line, not least due to its breathtaking landscape as well as its fascinating history and enchanting underwater world.
Off the Beaten Path[1]
While traveling between the islands of this exciting archipelago, you'll be overwhelmed by the attraction and beauty of the Spice Islands. However, be aware: you're visiting a very remote island world. Your familiar comforts such as hotels and regulated transportation are not part of the daily routine here. Therefore, be prepared for spontaneous adjustments to given circumstances. However, we're certain that the unplanned events will also contribute to unforgettable vacation impressions.
Our Moluccas tours not only take you to historically significant sites; they also lead you to hidden lagoons and secluded beaches, where you can explore the pristine underwater world while diving and snorkeling, through remote villages with people who sometimes haven't yet seen a stranger, and even more remote jungle regions where you can observe unique endemic animal and bird species or be very close to active volcanoes. Each visit to the different islands reveals new facets of this tropical paradise that has preserved its authentic culture and nature over centuries.
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Book Individual Tours in the Moluccas
For your perfect vacation in the Moluccas, we offer tailor-made Moluccas tours that are completely tailored to your wishes. Whether you want to…
- dive or snorkel in pristine reefs,
- explore historic sites such as Ternate, Tidore, Ambon or Banda Neira,
- discover the endemic biodiversity of the region,
- experience impressive volcanic mountains and jungle areas,
- or enjoy the paradisiacal tranquility of the Spice Islands
we design your individual Moluccas trip entirely according to your wishes.[2] Your Moluccas vacation is enriched by carefully selected hotels and accommodations as well as professional guides who introduce you to the secrets of this incomparable archipelago. For your exploration tours of the Spice Islands of Indonesia, you'll use – depending on the travel arrangement – a mix of local flights, inter-island connections via boat, and private vehicle[3].
Each visit becomes an unforgettable experience when you discover the authentic culture and untouched nature of the Moluccas along the way. Contact us for your personal Moluccas round trip or let yourself be inspired by our range of individual tours in Indonesia![4]
Button: "Inquire Now!" (Link to: eastofwallace.com/kontakt)