Hiking and Birding Tour in Sonder, Minahasa Regency, Indonesia

Nestled in the highlands of North Sulawesi, Indonesia, Sonder (Kecamatan Sonder) in Minahasa Regency offers a delightful mix of gentle hiking terrain and rich bird-life — making it an ideal destination for nature lovers, bird-watchers, and those seeking a relaxed outdoor adventure away from the crowded tourist hubs.

Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker

Why Sonder for hiking & birding?

• Sonder is located in the cool highlands of Minahasa, with farmland, paddy-fields, hill slopes and small pockets of forest around the town.
• Hiking here is relatively easy: many trails follow paved or farm roads, gentle slopes, and agricultural landscapes rather than dense jungle.
• Bird-watching is excellent. The mix of edge forest, farmland, water bodies and terraces attracts a wide variety of bird species — many endemic to Sulawesi.
• You’ll combine scenery (rice terraces, hill-forest, farmlands) with wildlife spotting and cultural glimpses of Minahasa farming life.

Sulawesi Hanging Parrot

Key bird species you can spot in Sonder
Here are some of the birds regularly reported in the Sonder area:
Forest & slope birding

• Yellow‑billed Malkoha (Rhamphococcyx calyorhynchus) – occurs at the slopes near Tounelet village. 
• Sulawesi Hanging Parrot (Loriculus stigmatus) – seen near forest edges in Sonder. (ecotoursindonesia.com)
• Black‑crowned White‑eye (Zosterops atrifrons) – a small white-eye bird in the forest near town. 
• Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja) – seen in hill-forest zones. (wildlifepapua.com)
• Grey‑sided Flowerpecker (Dicaeum celebicum) & 
• Yellow‑sided Flowerpecker (Dicaeum aureolimbatum) – small colourful birds of forest edge and farmland trees.
• Sahul Sunbird (Cinnyris frenatus) – found in gardens, roadside trees, and forest edge. 

Farmland, paddy fields & wetlands

• Cattle Egret & Little Egret – frequent in rice-fields and paddies around Sonder.
• Barred Rail (Gallirallus torquatus) – found in paddy-field margins in Sonder.
• Chestnut Munia (Lonchura atricapilla), Scaly‑breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata), 
• Black‑faced Munia (Lonchura molucca) – small finch-type birds seen on farmlands and near houses.
• Zebra Dove (Geopelia striata) – often seen on open fields and around villages.
• Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris) – even inland around ponds, rice fields local to Sonder. 

Sonder town in Minahasa regency

Suggested hiking & birding itinerary
Morning hike & birding

Start early (around 06:00) at the slope forest of Tounelet village (behind Siloam Hospital in Sonder) – walk the paved/untarred road downhill through small forest patches to farmland. This is prime early-morning birding time. Species like Black-crowned White-eye, Grey-sided Flowerpecker, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot are active. 

Midday exploration

After morning birding, continue through farmland roads and paddy-field terraces (for example around Talikuran or Tincep villages). Enjoy the scenery of rice fields, meet local farmers, and watch birds in more open habitat: Egrets, Rails, Munias.

Afternoon walk
In the late afternoon (15:00-18:00) go back to forest edge or hill slopes for forest-edge birds and, if you’re lucky, dusk species. Then relax in a local homestay or small café in Sonder town.
Optional night walk
If you’re staying overnight, a guided night walk might yield nocturnal birds (reports of Sulawesi Scops Owl in Sonder). (birdingsulawesi.com)
Other attractions around Sonder
While birding and hiking are the main draws, Sonder also offers:

1. Agricultural landscapes & terrace rice-fields: walking through these gives scenic views and local culture. (birdingsulawesi.com)
2. Nearby waterfalls: For example, in Tincep village area within Sonder subdistrict there are waterfalls to explore for a short trek. 

Comfortable homestays in Sonder town, and combined with nearby towns (e.g., Tomohon) for wider exploration. 
Travel info & tips
Getting there: Fly into Manado (Sam Ratulangi Airport) and then drive approx. 1 to 1.5 hours to Sonder.

Flight route to Manado city in the Province of North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Car route from Manado city to Kecamatan Sonder in Minahasa of North Sulawesi, Indonesia

When to go: Early morning and late afternoon are best for birding. Farms and rice fields are easier to walk in dry weather.
What to bring: Good hiking shoes, binoculars (8× or 10×42), camera with telephoto if you like photography, water, insect repellent. A torch for any night walk.
Accommodation & food: Stay in Sonder homestays or in Tomohon for more hotel options. Food in Minahasa tends to be spicy—inform your host if you prefer milder dishes. 
Respect nature: Stay on trails, avoid disturbing birds & wildlife, do not collect insects or plants.

Booking,

Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or through whatsapp by pressing the following button: