P.O. Box 16545 Portal, AZ 85632 Phone 520.558.1146/558.7781 Toll free 800.426.7781 Fax 650.471.7667 Email [email protected] [email protected] Caribbean Islands: Puerto Rico Birding & Nature Tour February 25-29, 2016 Explore Puerto Rico’s prime birding locations where you’ll discover America’s only tropical forests. Seek out 17 endemic bird species in this short, 5-day tour. Indulge yourself in exotic birding where you don’t need a passport; Puerto Rico’s excellent road system allows us explore with ease. Spot an array of Caribbean specialty species, and learn from the expertise of the infectiously enthusiastic guide, Gabriel Lugo, President of the Puerto Rican Ornithological Society. Tour Highlights: - Discover the extremely endangered Puerto Rican Parrot and observe efforts to protect it - Walk cobbled streets of a 400-year old city in Old San Juan - Discover lush mountain forests home to Elfin Woods Warbler and other species - Spot very local and endangered species such as the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird - Explore a variety of habitats: Atlantic and southwest coastlines, the ‘haystack hills’ of the west, dry forests along the Caribbean Sea, and a lush central mountain rainforest. - Relax at a seaside eco-lodge on Puerto Rico’s southern coast Book your tour by e-mailing [email protected] or phone us at toll-free 866.900.1146, worldwide: 520.558.1146 Naturalist Journeys, LLC / Caligo Ventures PO Box 16545 Portal, AZ 85632 PH: 520.558.1146 / 800.426.7781 Fax 650.471.7667www.naturalistjourneys.com / www.caligo.com [email protected] / [email protected] ITINERARY Thursday, Feb 25 ARRIVAL in San Juan Arrive in San Juan, the second oldest Capitol City in the Western Hemisphere. Immerse yourself in the old world feel of historic Spanish architecture. History buffs should plan to arrive early to explore at leisure – Old San Juan is a treat to explore! As you must arrive by Noon this day, that is our recommendation! We plan to leave San Juan by Noon today; picking up those that are in Old San Juan first, and making a stop then at the airport. From here, we stop along the way to our first night hotel to search for endemic species and many Caribbean specialties Following a delicious meal, we seek out the endemic Puerto Rican Screech-owl. Accommodations near Rio Abajo (D) Friday, Feb 26 Visit Rio Abajo State Forest / Puerto Rican Nightjar in the Guánica Dry Forest First, enjoy a short walk through Rio Abajo State Forest looking for the extremely endangered Puerto Rican Parrot. Captive parrots are being gradually released into the forest in hopes of establishing a second population. Rio Abajo is also home to the endangered Puerto Rican Broad-winged Hawk and the Puerto Rican Boa. Watch for Puerto Rican Quail-dove along the road. During an easy walk on broad trails of this park, watch for colorful Puerto Rican Woodpecker. Next, we drive to the southern coast and stop at birding sites along the way. On the coast, we spot the very local and endangered Yellow-shouldered Blackbird. Those that wish can venture back out at dusk, to look for the endangered Puerto Rican Nightjar in the Guánica Dry Forest. Then, relax at the Parador Villa Parguera, whose restaurant serves up local and international fair. Fresh fish and lobster are always favorites here. Naturalist Journeys, LLC / Caligo Ventures PO Box 16545 Portal, AZ 85632 PH: 520.558.1146 / 800.426.7781 Fax 650.471.7667www.naturalistjourneys.com / www.caligo.com [email protected] / [email protected] The Parador Villa Parguera also has beautiful seaside gardens and grounds; in mangroves the endangered Yellow-shouldered Blackbird can be found. (B,L) Accommodations at Parador Villa Parguera. Saturday, Feb 27 Maricoa State Forest / Elfin Woods Warbler and Puerto Rican Tanager From our seaside accommodations, we drive up into the scenic mountain ridge to spend the day in elfin forests. We get an early start to explore Maricoa State Forest above Sabana Grande, watching for the endemic Elfin Woods Warbler, Puerto Rican Spindalis, and Puerto Rican Tanager. Expect breathtaking views and some excellent birding! Return to our hotel to enjoy a bit of relaxation and a chance to watch an ocean sunset. Curious Carib Grackles come in to investigate. After dinner, there is an optional night trip to seek out the Puerto Rican Screech Owl. Or, those that wish can book a short boat trip to experience bioluminescence in the sea. Accommodations at Parador Villa Parguera. (B,L) Sunday, Feb 28 Arrive in Fajardo Inn We drive around the east coast of the island today, first, exploring the most important migrating waterfowl and aquatic birds in Puerto – Cartagena Lagoon National Wildlife Refuge. Spot the West Indian Whistling Duck and other localized species. The Refuge’s hills are geologically the oldest in the Caribbean and are home to many endemic plant species. In the Cordillera Central Mountains, search for the endangered Plain Pigeon. Naturalist Journeys, LLC / Caligo Ventures PO Box 16545 Portal, AZ 85632 PH: 520.558.1146 / 800.426.7781 Fax 650.471.7667www.naturalistjourneys.com / www.caligo.com [email protected] / [email protected] Late in the afternoon, we arrive at the elegant Fajardo Inn. The Inn features amazing grounds that almost feel like a botanical gardens - take in the sights, tastes, and smells of Edward Mango, Red Guava, Purple Guava, Durian, Persimmon, Orange, Grapefruit, Red pomegranate, Brazilian berry, Passionfruit, and many others. Celebrate a great birding tour and tally up our impressive bird list over dinner! (B,L,D) Monday, Feb 29 Arrive to San Juan / Departure / Connect to our Dominican Republic Tour After break, we walk through the hotel gardens looking for the Antillean Crested Hummingbird and Green- throated Carib. Next, we return to San Juan, spotting terns, Brown Pelican, and shorebirds along the way. We plan to arrive back at the airport by Noon, please do not book flights out before 2PM. (B) PLAN AHEAD! Protect yourself with Allianz Travel Insurance. Offset your carbon footprint on one of the many online programs. Show us the receipt and we'll take 50% - up to $50.00 - of your carbon offset fee off your final payment. Cost of the Journey Cost of the main journey is $1495 per person, based on double occupancy, from Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, Puerto Rico. This tour cost includes: accommodations for 4 Naturalist Journeys, LLC / Caligo Ventures PO Box 16545 Portal, AZ 85632 PH: 520.558.1146 / 800.426.7781 Fax 650.471.7667www.naturalistjourneys.com / www.caligo.com [email protected] / [email protected] nights, meals as specified in the itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner), airport welcome and transfer or hotel shuttle, land transportation during the journey, professional guide services, park and other entrance fees, and miscellaneous program expenses. Single supplement $295. Costs does not include: round-trip airfare to and from San Juan, Puerto Rico, items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone, drinks from the bar; or gratuities for luggage handling or personal services. Group Size: This tour is planned for a small group of 4-7 persons, plus your guide. The minimum will be four; with fewer you may still be able to go, for a reasonable small group surcharge. This tour is offered in partnership with Wildside Nature Tours. Travel Planning Plan to arrive in San Juan, Puerto Rico (Luis Munoz Marin International Airport) February 25, by Noon, if you cannot make it by then, please plan to arrive early. If you wish to explore Old San Juan (highly recommended!) we urge you to arrive early as well. As it is a Caribbean hub, most major airlines serve Puerto Rico departing from several USA and Canadian hub cities. Departures on February 29 should be after 2PM (we plan to arrive back at the airport by Noon). Naturalist Journeys, LLC is an equal opportunity service provider and committed to the goal of ensuring equal opportunity for all in employment and program delivery. Photo credits: Pg. 1: Bananaquit, Iguana, Group Enjoy Birding, Peg Abbott (PA) Pg. 2: Old San Juan window, Parador Villa Parquera, PA Pg. 3: Yellow-shouldered Blackbird, Puerto Rican Spindalis, Carib Grackle, PA Pg. 4: Hibiscus, Green-throated Carib, PA; Brown Pelican and Zebra Longwing, Mahlon Hale Pg. 5: Puerto Rican Tody, Wildside Nature Tours, Mangrove Cuckoo MH. Naturalist Journeys, LLC / Caligo Ventures PO Box 16545 Portal, AZ 85632 PH: 520.558.1146 / 800.426.7781 Fax 650.471.7667www.naturalistjourneys.com / www.caligo.com [email protected] / [email protected] .