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

Experience the magnificent wildlife of Trinidad and Tobago with wildlife enthusiast and artist Ed Rooks. Located just 10° north of the Equator, Trinidad and Tobago are special islands of tropical forests and diverse habitats that sustain unequaled species diversity. May is a most beautiful time of year in Trinidad and Tobago with its more than 400 species of birds. Arrive at the height of the nesting season for the Leatherback Sea Turtle. Visit famous Asa Wright Nature Centre to see the rare cave-dwelling Oilbirds and other wonderful birds and animals. Watch hummingbirds and honeycreepers sip nectar from the profusion of blooms and Bearded Bellbirds feast on ripening fruit. Channel-billed Toucans, along with so many other birds, await you on forest walks. Snorkel in beautiful reefs to see colorful fish up-close or watch through a glass-bottom boat - it's your choice. Photograph the brilliant Scarlet Ibis at Caroni Swamp and get a taste of Indian- and Creole-inspired local cuisine. This trip is for everyone who loves nature.

Leatherback Turtle © Edward Rooks

At a Glance

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

Leader: Edward Rooks, our Trinidadian naturalist and artist.

Group Size: 12, not including leaders and guides.

Conditions: A non-smoking safari for people who are very interested in all wildlife and spending the maximum time in the field.

Update: This itinerary was updated in September 2009. View the plain text version, great for printing!

Synopsis:

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Detailed Itinerary

May 5, Thursday: Arrive for five nights at famous Asa Wright Nature Centre
You will be met by a driver from the Asa Wright Nature Centre upon your arrival in Piarco Airport, Port-of-Spain, on a flight of your choice. Let us know what time your flight arrives so we can arrange your transfer and evening meal, if needed. Review flight details. 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.
Lodging: Asa Wright Nature Centre, Trinidad

Oilbirds in their cave © Edward Rooks

May 6, Friday: Asa Wright Nature Centre verandah and trails, then Oilbird Cave in the evening
The Asa Wright, 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 plants, 32 snakes, 15 lizards, 1 turtle, 15 frogs, 1 land crab, 12 mammals (not including over 40 bats). 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 priviledged 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

Purple Honeycreeper © Bill Page

May 7, Saturday: The Blanchisseuse coast
Today we will get an early start after breakfast for a full day trip. While traveling along the circuitous 22-mile forested mountain road to the coastal village of Blanchisseuse, scout for animal life along the way stopping 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 possible seabirds out at sea.

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

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May 9, Monday: Asa Wright Nature Centre trails and Wallerfield night tour
Today enjoy a full 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 do some nightspotting for nightjars, potoos and owls.
Lodging: Asa Wright Nature Centre, Trinidad

May 10, Tuesday: Fly to Tobago and then to 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 wetter 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.
Lodging: Blue Waters Inn, Tobago

Rufous-tailed Jacamar
© Edward Rooks

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. On a nearby stream search for Yellow-crowned Night-Herons and Green Kingfishers.

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 not always in your size, so consider bringing your own.
Lodging: Blue Waters Inn, Tobago

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May 12, Thursday: Gilpin Trace and Roxborough Rainforest
The Roxborough Rainforest is located at the top of Main Mountain Range. Today 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 be prepared to take motion sickness medication.

After lunch take another pelagic trip, this time on a glass-bottomed boat to Little Tobago island. Here 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, where you might choose to "drift snorkel" along side the boat.
Lodging: Blue Waters Inn, Tobago

May 15, Sunday: Return to Trinidad, travel to Grande Riviere, and witness Leatherback Turtles
Fly back to Trinidad today. Once there, it's a beautiful three-hour drive to Mount Plaisir Estates Hotel. The hotel is on the beach beside a small fishing village, Grande Riviere, 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's 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 rest at the steps of the bunglows! 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 are quite abundant at the forest's edge.
Lodging: Mount Plaisir Estates Hotel, Trinidad

Golden Tegu Lizard © Edward Rooks

May 17, Tuesday: Point Galera and Sharks River
If we were not able to find the Blue-throated Piping Guan yesterday, Edward will lead you on 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 am.

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

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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: Trincity, Waterloo, and Caroni Swamp
We'll drive to Trinidad's west coast to visit the Trincity water treatment ponds, a good location to encounter Jacanas, Large-billed Terns and Yellow-billed Terns. Continue on to Waterloo in the Gulf of Paria to see Black Skimmers, Brown Pelicans and waders on the muddy shoreline. This 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 the 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 our trip.
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 back to the USA. Review the flight details. Meals are on your own today.

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Costs

Costs, Payments and Cancellations: Upon receiving your deposit, we will send complete trip materials. Deposits are refundable before the final payment date, except for $150. The $150 may go toward another tour if a reservation is made within six months of the departure date of this trip. There are no refunds given after the final payment date. Trip cancellation insurance applications are available. Trip options, if any, and singles are extra.

Included:

• All meals from breakfast on May 6 through dinner on May 19.
• All lodging from the night of May 5 through the night of May 19.
• All activities described in the itinerary, unless listed as optional.

Not Included:

• All Airfare - International airfare is approximately $300 from Miami and $500 from San Francisco on American Airlines. We will arrange the flights between Trinidad and Tobago and the cost will be included with the final payment, which should be about $150 round trip (quoted September 2009).
• Gratuities – Tipping is, of course, discretionary, however we suggest budgeting a total of $100 per participant to be distributed among all the resident naturalists and drivers. The gratuity will be collected at the end of the tour. Our leader, Edward Rooks, does not receive a gratuity.
• Any departure or airport tax if not included on the international flight tickets.
• Bottled beverages and items not on the regular menu.
• Personal items such as laundry, art supplies, etc.

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Other Details

Reservations: Please contact us to assure space availability and to let us answer your questions. Then, fill out our reservation form, and mail it to us with your deposit:

Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris
20800 Kittredge Road
Saratoga, CA 95070
Toll Free: (800) 527-5330
Local: (408) 741-5330
Fax: (408) 741-0358
Email: info@cheesemans.com

Edward Rooks

Leader: Edward Rooks, our 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.

Arrival - Arrive at Piarco Airport in Port-of-Spain (POS) sometime on May 5. American Airlines has good flights from many cities. From San Francisco AA departs at approximately 7:30 AM to Miami for a good connection in the mid-afternoon, arriving in Port-of-Spain at approximately 9:15 PM. Flights are also available on other airlines, such as BWIA from Miami.

Departure - Depart Piarco Airport in Port-of-Spain (POS) early on May 20. The American Airlines flight leaves Port-of-Spain at approximately 9:15 AM. Connections from Miami to your home are readily available. The San Francisco flight arrives at approximately 5 PM.

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

Mailing List: If you would like to be on our mailing list or request information, please use our online information request form or send 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. The right is reserved 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 and exchange rates and are subject to adjustment in the event of any change therein. Baggage is at the owner's risk.

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All material © Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris.
All photos © Doug or Ted Cheeseman, unless otherwise credited.
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