Warm, blue waters, beaches of white sand, and palm trees… and, of course, lots of birds! Lying just six miles off the coast of South America, with a lush, tropical climate, the twin island country of Trinidad & Tobago boasts the greatest avian diversity of any island country in the Caribbean. The continental influence has endowed Trinidad & Tobago with over 400 bird species. During this two-island tour we’ll find our share of them, including such species as the Blue-gray Tanager, Scarlet Ibis, and the endemic Trinidad Motmot. On Trinidad we'll visit the Asa Wright Nature Center, where we hope to find birds like Chestnut-colored woodpeckers, White-bearded Manakins, and the fascinating Oilbird. We will also see many hummingbirds on this tour. Possible species are the Blue-chinned Sapphire, the Long-billed Starthroat, and the enchanting Tufted Coquette. We’ll bird a number of little-known hotspots with our local Tridadian guide, hoping to see the endemic Trinidad Piping Guan. And the Caroni Bird Sanctuary is not to be missed, as it is the island’s stronghold for the stunning Scarlet Ibis, deservedly the country’s national bird.

Before leaving the island of Trinidad, we'll spend two nights at a beach where Leatherback Sea Turtles come up to nest, and we should be there at the perfect time to witness this ancient event.

After seven nights on Trinidad we’ll change the pace and travel to Tobago, known for its truly Caribbean, laid back vibe. We’ll bird the hills and the coast of this lovely little island, then have time in the afternoons to swim, snorkel or just relax on the beach. This trip is designed to satisfy the avid birder and provide a tropical escape during the winter.

Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1

Arrive in Trinidad and make our way to our first hotel, where there may be time to do a little birding before enjoying our first dinner together.

Day 2

We’ll bird the mixed habitat grounds of our hotel in the morning. In the afternoon, we’ll drive to Caroni Swamp, where we’ll take a boat through the mangrove channels, enjoying the abundant wildlife, especially the vibrant Scarlet Ibis.

Day 3

More local birding in the morning before heading to the world-famous Asa Wright Nature Centre, where we’ll spend the next three nights.

Days 4-5

We’ll explore the many trails of Asa Wright, while also visiting some lesser-known birding hotspots nearby. There will be plenty of time to relax and enjoy the lodge’s spectacular bird feeder setup from the comfortable veranda.

Day 6

One last morning at Asa Wright before traveling to the northeast coast of Trinidad, along the shores of the Caribbean Sea. We’ll go out to the beaches at night in the hope of seeing Leatherback Turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs.

Day 7

We’ll spend the day birding the area, with a particular focus on finding the Trinidad Piping-Guan, the only bird species that is endemic to this island.

Day 8

Today we’ll head back to the airport, where we’ll make the short flight over to Tobago. We’ll make our way to the far eastern corner of the island and settle in to our seaside inn, where we’ll be for the final three days of the tour.

Days 9-10

We’ll spend time in the mornings birding on Tobago, as well as taking a short boat ride to the small island of Little Tobago. We will also have time to snorkel in the cove in front of our hotel. Afternoons will be free for relaxation, where you can choose to rest by the pool, swim in the cove, bird the hotel grounds, etc.

Day 11

We’ll say farewell to Tobago and head back to Trinidad, where we’ll catch our departing flights and head home.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $1,145

START DATE: Feb 17, 2025

DURATION: 11 days

GROUP SIZE: Up to 12

TRIP FOCUS: Birding

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Guiding services
• Double-occupancy lodging
• Ground and water transportation
• Breakfasts and lunches
• Excursions and park fees

Company

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• A detailed itinerary
• Tour Map
• Bird Species Checklist
• Registration Info
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YOUR GUIDES

Chris Payne grew up in rural Pennsylvania with two naturalists for parents, so he has been immersed in the natural world his entire life. Once he discovered the world of birds, he was hooked. After graduating with a degree in biology, he pieced together bird-related field work for several years before returning to school to work on an M.S. in biology. Leading nature tours is the best of both worlds for Chris: getting to work in nature surrounded by birds, but more importantly, getting to share that passion with others.

Rebecca Payne has always been avidly curious about the natural world. What started out as exploring the backyard of her childhood home led to an interest in exotic animals. While completing her B.A. in Zoo and Wildlife Biology, she was surrounded by teachers and mentors who nurtured her love for all things birds and birding. For several years, Rebecca worked in zoos across the country as an aviculturist, participating in breeding programs for endangered species, bird shows, and public outreach. Through these experiences, she discovered that her true passion lies in teaching others and fostering meaningful connections between people and wildlife. Rebecca has enjoyed many fulfilling teaching roles, from New Jersey Audubon’s Cape May Bird Observatory, to the Vermont Institute of Natural Science, to Pennsylvania State Parks. All the while, she has had her binoculars in hand, using birds and avian ecology to bring people closer to nature.

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