Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris: Trinidad and Tobago, May 2011

Located ten degrees north of the Equator, Trinidad and Tobago are tropical islands with beautiful forests, ocean bays and marshlands, all within easy reach from three wonderful lodges. A total of 7 nights at Asa Wright Nature Centre puts you in the heart of Trinidad's best natural areas and the great bird photography right off their verandah. May is a lush time of year and the photo ops will be profuse. Our professional naturalist and artist, Edward Rooks, while growing up in Trinidad was a resident guide at Asa Wright. If you have been on our Antarctica expedition, you will know Edward as one of our very experienced Antarctica staff. Edward is equally incredible at guiding in his tropical homeland and his eye for photo ops is amazing! Edward has chosen the best dates possible at the height of the Leatherback females coming in to lay their eggs beside our lodge at Grande Riviere. Snorkel in beautiful reefs right beside Blue Waters Inn or enjoy a glass-bottom boat – it's your choice. You will love the lodging, the local, resident guides and the Indian- and Creole-inspired local cuisine.

At a Glance

Costs: $4,650 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement is $625. Airfare is not included. Review cost details.

Leader: Edward Rooks, an exceptional Trinidadian naturalist and guide, plus resident guides.

Update: This itinerary was updated in July 2010. View the plain text version, great for printing!

May 5 - 9	Arrive in Trinidad for five nights at famous Asa Wright Nature Centre
May 10 - 14	Short flight to Tobago for five nights at the wonderful inn on Blue Waters Bay.
May 15 - 17	Fly back to Trinidad for three nights at Mount Plaisir Estates on the beach at Grande Riviere with nesting Leatherback Turtles.
May 18 - 19	Return to Asa Wright and a grande finale boat trip for Scarlet Ibis in the sunset!
May 20	Depart for home

Detailed Itinerary

May 5, Thursday: Arrive in Trinidad
Upon your arrival in Piarco Airport, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, you will be met by a driver from the Asa Wright Nature Centre. Let us know what time your flight arrives so we can arrange your transfer and evening meal, if needed. See flight suggestions and information at the end of this itinerary. The Asa Wright Nature Center and Lodge is an hour drive from the airport, past the town of Arima and up the forested Arima Valley. Edward will arrive this evening at Asa Wright and would like to have a quick welcome meeting before everyone retires for a good night's sleep. If you have time, walk in the forest or enjoy birds at the feeders on the verandah. The nature center is centrally located for our field trips and offers good accommodations for the next five nights. Please contact us if you choose to arrive a day earlier, so we can make your arrangements. Meals are on your own today, however please contact us for meal arrangements at Asa Wright.
Lodging: Asa Wright Nature Centre, Trinidad

May 6, Friday: Asa Wright Nature Centre verandah and trails, Oilbird Cave in the evening
The Asa Wright Nature Centre, a 90-year-old plantation home that has been beautifully maintained, offers a panoramic view of the lush Arima Valley with wonderful birding and photography. We will find a great diversity of species in the surrounding areas. In addition to the many birds, possibilities include hundreds of species of plants, 32 snakes, 15 lizards, one turtle, 15 frogs, twelve mammals (not including over 40 bats), and one land crab. Avian highlights include Channel-billed Toucans, three trogons, euphonias, and Grey-throated Leaf-scraper.

The gardens around the lodge are planted with flowering and fruiting plants loved by hummingbirds and other birds. We will spend some time on the verandah this morning to watch vibrantly colored tropical birds visit the plants almost within touch: White-necked Jacobins, Copper-rumped Emerald Hummingbirds, Tufted Coquettes, Green Honeycreepers, Purple Honeycreepers, numerous tanagers, and Golden-olive Woodpeckers, to name just a few. From a distance, we hear a chorus of Bearded Bellbirds, toucans, forest frogs, and katydids. The verandah overlooks the forested Arima Valley that is a great place to look for raptors like the Gray-headed Kite, Black Hawk, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, and Zone-tailed Hawk. Bird feeders also attract tanagers, honeycreepers, thrushes, motmots, oropendolas, Red Squirrels, Agoutis, and large ground lizards.

After a couple hours of action at the feeders, walk through the forest to look for such forest-birding treasures as trogons, bellbirds, woodcreepers, manakins, and toucans. Later in the evening, we will be privileged to visit an a real Oilbird cave and hear their strange calls as they leave their roost from the cave, located in a grotto on the property.
Lodging: Asa Wright Nature Centre, Trinidad

May 7, Saturday: The Blanchisseuse coast
Today we will get an early start after breakfast for a full-day trip. Along the circuitous 22-mile forested mountain road to the coastal village of Blanchisseuse, we will scout for animal life and stop to bird and photograph. Look for Golden-headed Manakins, Striped Cuckoos, Blue-headed Parrots, Speckled Tanagers, Swallow Tanagers, Black-tailed Tityra, Blue Dacnis, Gray-headed Kites, and Channel-billed Toucans. After lunch, enjoy the coastline along rocky points, white sand beaches, and tall coconut trees blowing in the North East Trade Winds. Swimming is an option, but if it's rough, caution is advised, since long-shore currents can be a problem.
Lodging: Asa Wright Nature Centre, Trinidad

May 8, Sunday: Wallerfield and Nariva Swamp
On the way to Nariva swamp, stop at Wallerfield, an agricultural area, in search of wetland species, such as White-headed Marsh Tyrants, Yellow-hooded Blackbirds, Southern Lapwings, and open field specialties - Red-breasted Blackbird, Green-rumped Parrotlets, and Savannah Hawks. Our second stop is in the mangrove forest. Unusually large Black Mangrove trees are found in this area where we will be looking for interesting birds like Pygmy Kingfisher, Silvered Antbird, Black-crested Antshrike, and Green-throated Mango. Keep watch for monkeys that may be found high in the trees along the road. While along the coast, we'll have a wonderful lunch on the beautiful Manzanilla beach while watching for seabirds. Finally drive into the herbaceous Nariva Swamp of sedges and grasses. Here we will have our best chance to find several unique birds, including the rare Azure Gallinule, Pinnated Bitterns, and Red-bellied Macaws. The Red-bellied Macaws fly through the swamp at dusk to roost in Royal Palms.
Lodging: Asa Wright Nature Centre, Trinidad

May 9, Monday: Asa Wright Nature Centre trails and Wallerfield night tour
Today enjoy a day at Asa Wright Nature Centre on the many trails. There's always something new to encounter and hidden surprises to be spotted. We hope to find rare species such as Silky Anteater, which was photographed beautifully on our previous tour with Edward. This afternoon, drive to Wallerfield for another chance to encounter Red-bellied Macaws roosting in palms and the endangered Moriche Oriole. Enjoy a picnic dinner here, then nightspotting for nightjars, potoos, and owls.
Lodging: Asa Wright Nature Centre, Trinidad

May 10, Tuesday: Fly to Tobago; Bon Accord, Scarborough, and Blue Waters Inn
Today we return to Piarco Airport, Trinidad, to fly to Crown Point Airport, Tobago. After the 20-minute flight, drive for about an hour from the west to the northeast corner of the island along a scenic coastal road through small towns and villages. The natural vegetation of Tobago is mostly littoral woodlands and secondary growth with some rainforest along the high ridges. Western Tobago is relatively flat, heavily farmed, and moderately developed. The northeast end of the island is more mountainous and wet, supporting luxuriant vegetation and a greater diversity of animals. We'll find birds in both the wetlands and woodlands at Bon Accord. Some of the new birds here include Red-crowned Woodpeckers, Caribbean Martins, and Gray Kingbirds. Stop briefly in Tobago's capital city, Scarborough, then on to the Blue Waters Inn where we will stay five nights.
Lodging: Blue Waters Inn, Tobago

May 11, Wednesday: Blue Waters Bay and Speyside trails
Join Edward for a walk in the gardens and surrounding areas of Blue Waters Inn. The littoral woodlands around Blue Waters Bay include a mixture of evergreen trees, semi-deciduous trees, fan palms, woody shrubs, cacti, and giant anthuriums. It is home to Rufous-vented Chachalacas, Orange-winged Parrots, Rufous-tailed Jacamars, Blue-backed Manakins, Scrub Greenlets, Black-faced Grassquits and Blue-crowned Motmots. Here you'll find beautiful views of Blue Waters Bay, Goat Island, and Little Tobago. Search for Yellow-crowned Night-Herons and Green Kingfishers on a nearby stream.

Our hotel is on Blue Waters Bay, which has a small fringing coral reef on the northeast point. The coral reefs on Tobago have very good snorkeling and after lunch we can swim or snorkel. However, the long-shore currents can be dangerous, so Edward will explain the dangers and precautions. The resident dive shop has masks and snorkels for rent, but consider bringing your own for the best fit.
Lodging: Blue Waters Inn, Tobago

May 12, Thursday: Gilpin Trace and Roxborough Rainforest
The Roxborough Rainforest is located at the top of Main Mountain Range. Drive on the Roxborough-Bloody Bay Road to reach the forest located at the top of Main Mountain Range. This is usually a wet day but the uniquely beautiful forest and bird specialties make it worthwhile. Walk about one mile down the often-muddy Gilpin Trace looking for Red-legged Honeycreepers, Blue-backed Manakin, White-tailed Sabrewing, Stripe-breasted Spinetail, and Great-black Hawk.
Lodging: Blue Waters Inn, Tobago

May 13, Friday: A full day trip to Grafton Estate and the Caribbean coast
Drive the scenic route along the North Coast, birding along the way with picturesque views of turquoise bays and small villages. Our destination is the Grafton Estate on the western side of the island, which was a cocoa plantation and is now a bird sanctuary. The previous owner of the estate began feeding the wild birds after Hurricane Flora destroyed 75% of Tobago's forests in 1963. This is one of the best places to find the Olivaceous Woodcreeper and Blue-backed Manakin.
Lodging: Blue Waters Inn, Tobago

May 14, Saturday: St. Giles Island and Little Tobago
After breakfast take a boat to St. Giles Island, a well-known pelagic bird rookery. Here we will find large numbers of nesting terns, frigatebirds, tropicbirds, and boobies. This is a wonderful experience with dramatic scenery of large waves beating against cliffs. It is usually a rough ride, so you may want to take motion sickness medication ahead of time.

After lunch, take another pelagic trip, this time on a glass-bottomed boat to Little Tobago Island. Walk on shore looking for Red-billed Tropicbirds, Brown Boobies, and Laughing Gulls. The plants are representative of a seasonal, deciduous, littoral forest. On the return, we will drift over a coral reef with many invertebrates that are famous for their beauty. You might even choose to "drift snorkel" along side the boat.
Lodging: Blue Waters Inn, Tobago

May 15, Sunday: Return to Trinidad, travel to Grande Riviere for Leatherback Turtles
Fly back to Trinidad today then enjoy a beautiful three-hour drive to Mount Plaisir Estates Hotel. The hotel is on the beach beside Grande Riviere, a small fishing village on the remote northeastern coast of Trinidad. Pelicans and shorebirds can be seen in the bay but the best birding is in the forest that grows right up to the beach. After lunch, enjoy a swim or explore or rest. Edward will lead a bird walk in the afternoon.

We will be here at the peak of the Leatherback and Hawksbill sea turtle nesting season. See the May 2009 issue of National Geographic for an article all about the Leatherbacks at Grande Riviere. After dinner, a local guide will lead us on a search along the beach for the giant Leatherback females digging nest holes. Sometimes turtles even rest at the steps of the bungalows! Flash photography is prohibited at night.
Lodging: Mount Plaisir Estates Hotel, Trinidad

May 16, Monday: More Leatherbacks, then Grande Riviere forest trails
Wake early at 5:30 a.m. to watch and photograph turtles laying eggs on the beach. This is a unique opportunity to see the turtles in the soft early morning light. After breakfast, if you still feel energetic, take a walk into the rainforest with a local bird guide and Edward, bringing along a packed lunch. Trinidad's forested Northern Range Mountains rise up behind our Caribbean-style hotel and are a great place to look for birds, other wildlife, and rainforest scenery. Bird highlights could include the Double-toothed Kite, Swallow-tailed Kite, and Crimson-crested Woodpecker. Walk through a cocoa plantation into the forest. This is one of the last places on Trinidad where you can find the endangered Blue-throated Piping-Guan. Other birds include Orange-winged Parrots, Buff-throated Woodcreepers, Golden Headed Manakins, Channel-billed Toucans, Yellow-rumped Caciques, and raptors, which are quite abundant at the forest's edge.
Lodging: Mount Plaisir Estates Hotel, Trinidad

May 17, Tuesday: Point Galera and Sharks River
If we were not able to find the Blue-throated Piping Guan yesterday, Edward will lead a before-breakfast search at 5:30 a.m. aimed at finding the elusive guan. Or, if you prefer, you can spend that time with the turtles on the beach. Return for breakfast at 8:30 a.m. After breakfast, visit the Point Galera lighthouse on Trinidad's northeast point, where the Caribbean meets the Atlantic along the dramatic, rocky coast. Drive back along the beautiful north coast road, where the mountains and forests fall steeply to the Caribbean. This is excellent habitat for Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Orange-winged Parrots, and raptors like the Swallow-tailed Kite and Black Hawk. After lunch, drive to Sharks River to enjoy a cool swim and/or a dramatic river scene with deep pools and tropical trees on bedrock.
Lodging: Mount Plaisir Estates Hotel, Trinidad

May 18, Wednesday: Morning drive to Asa Wright for the afternoon
After breakfast, drive three hours back to the Asa Wright Nature Centre where we'll feel right at home after our previous extended stay. Perhaps take this opportunity to swim in the cool water of their river pool. Later this afternoon, explore more amazing forest trails with Edward and the resident Asa Wright guide.
Lodging: Asa Wright Nature Centre Centre, Trinidad

May 19, Thursday: Waterloo in the Gulf of Paria and boat trip in Caroni Swamp for Scarlet Ibis
Today is a big day with two wonderful areas to explore: Waterloo in the Gulf of Paria to see Black Skimmers, Brown Pelicans, and waders alonge the shoreline and to Caroni for a boat trip from 3 to 6 pm for great late afternoon light and some spectacular photography. The Waterloo area is also well known for a Hindu Temple built out in the sea and an 85-foot-tall Hindu sculpture of the monkey god, Hanuman. The nearby city of Chaguanas is the birthplace of the Nobel Prize author, Vidia Naipaul.

Caroni Swamp is a very important feeding ground for wading birds, shorebirds, gulls, and terns. Birds we expect to see include the Wilson's Plovers, Large-billed and Yellow-billed terns, Pied-water Tyrants, Yellow-throated Spinetails, Common Potoo, Red-capped Cardinal, along with other swamp inhabitants like the Cook's Tree-Boa. Some visitors have also been lucky to see the Two-toed Sloth. Caroni Swamp is home to the brilliant spectacle of the Scarlet Ibis. We will view lines and chevrons of ibis as they fly into the swamp during the sunset hours to roost for the night in the mangrove trees. This should prove a wonderful finale to two weeks in Trinidad and Tobago!
Lodging: Asa Wright Nature Centre Centre, Trinidad

May 20, Friday: Depart for Home
Depart the Asa Wright Nature Centre early this morning for your drive to the Piarco Airport in Port-of-Spain to catch the first flights homeward. Review the flight details. You may also catch a later flight if it suits your needs and we will arrange your transfer accordingly. Meals are on your own today. Please contact us for meals at Asa Wright if you are leaving later or if you are interested in extending your stay and would like additional nights.

Costs

Costs, Payments and Cancellations: Upon receiving your deposit, we will send trip materials and travel insurance information. Until the final payment date, payments are refundable except for a cancellation fee of $150 per person. This fee may go toward another tour if reserved within six months of the departure date of the cancelled trip.

Cost per Person, Double Occupancy
Trip cost	$4,650
Single supplement	$625
Payment Schedule
Deposit - to reserve your space	$500
October 1, 2010 - second payment	$500
February 1, 2011 - final payment	remaining balance
For reservations made after the second payment date, the deposit and second payment will be due with registration.

Sign-up

To Make a Reservation: Please contact us to assure space availability and to let us answer your questions. Then, print our reservation form, fill it out, and post it to us in the mail with your deposit:

Other Details

Leader: Edward Rooks, a wonderful Trinidadian naturalist and artist, will have you enjoying everything in nature that Trinidad and Tobago offer. From a very early age he pursued this interest intensely, producing beautiful paintings of birds and other wildlife. Although residing in the San Francisco Bay Area now, Edward will always be an expert on Trinidadian wildlife, as well as being an outstanding member of our Antarctica staff. With his artistic eye he takes you to places that you will love to photograph, as well as to see the birds, mammals and the amazing Leatherback Turtles that come in to nest on Trinidad beaches in May. Edward will be assisted by resident naturalist/guides in each area throughout Trinidad and Tobago.

Flights: Please let us know if you would like help arranging your international flights and we will put you in contact with our excellent ticketing agent. Times listed here are as of July 2010 and subject to change.

Arrival - Arrive at Piarco Airport in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad (POS) any time on May 5, at the latest. American Airlines has good flights from many cities. From San Francisco, current schedules have AA departing at approximately 6:00 a.m. to Miami for a good connection in the mid-afternoon, arriving in Port-of-Spain around 9:30 p.m. Flights are also available on other airlines, such as BWIA from Miami.

Departure - Depart Piarco Airport in Port-of-Spain (POS) any time on May 20. The American Airlines flight leaves Port-of-Spain at approximately 6:30 a.m. Connections from Miami to your home are readily available. We will have an early morning transfer for those departing on this early flight. If you choose to depart later, we can arrange a separate transfer and also arrange any meals at the nature center as they are not included on May 20.

Domestic Flights - The round-trip flights within Trinidad and Tobago will be arranged by Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris. The cost of this round-trip booking ($150, quoted April 2010 and subject to change) will be added to the final trip balance.

Travel Insurance: Emergency Medical Insurance is optional, but encouraged, for this tour. Read about travel insurance and our recommendations and requirements.

Climate: The coast and inland are very tropical in April and May. Bring lightweight hiking boots or walking shoes with good support for trails. It is a good idea to bring an umbrella, as rain is certainly possible.

Non-smoking Policy: We have a strict non-smoking policy - smoking is not permitted at any time or any place during our tours.

Mailing List: If you would like to be on our mailing list or request information, please use our online information request form or contact us to give us your name, address, email address and phone number. Please note we will never share your personal information with anybody!

Responsibility: Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris, Saratoga, California, act only as agents and shall not be responsible or become liable for any delay incurred by any person in connection with any means of transportation, nor for the loss, damage, or injury to person or property by reason of any event beyond the control of the agency or default of such agency suppliers. We reserve the right to cancel the tour prior to departure in which case full refund will constitute full settlement to the passenger. No refund will be made for any unused portion of the tour unless arrangements are made at the time of booking. All rates are based on current tariffs, exchange rates and fuel prices and are subject to adjustment in the event of any change therein. By sending your initial deposit, you agree to accept our payment schedule as a contract. If payments are still outstanding two weeks after the due date, your space may be forfeited. Baggage is at the owner's risk.

Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris is registered as California Seller of Travel #2063050-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris is a participant in the Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation (TCRC). In event of a client canceling where a refund is applicable in accordance with the schedule above, or in the event that CES needs to cancel the trip, all payments for transportation or travel service not provided to the client shall be promptly refunded, unless the client instructs us otherwise in writing. All client payments are deposited into a trust account in accordance with California law. If for any reason a valid refund is not forthcoming, the client may request reimbursement from the TCRC within six months of the scheduled end of the tour. Please feel free to ask us for more information.

Trinidad and Tobago Tropical Island Diversity May 5 to 20, 2011

At a Glance

Detailed Itinerary

Costs

Sign-up

Other Details

Trinidad and Tobago
Tropical Island Diversity
May 5 to 20, 2011