Trinidad and Tobago

This trip is being conducted for the North Carolina State University’s Fisheries and Wildlife Alumni Association. This trip is not exclusive to the Alumni Association and is open to the public, so if you are interested in joining our adventure in Trinidad & Tobago please contact us.

The Birds & Wildlife of Trinidad and Tobago
13 Days from December 1 through December 13, 2018

Itinerary
Day 1 – Saturday, December 1: Home Cities to Miami and on to Port of Spain, Trinidad

Our journey begins early this morning at our home airports with our flights to Miami, Florida. Please arrive at your home airport no later than two hours prior to your scheduled departure time. Once we arrive in Miami we will transfer to our departure gate for Port of Spain, Trinidad. We should arrive in Trinidad in the early afternoon and, after we clear customs and immigration, we will meet our driver and transfer into the Northern Mountain Range. Today we travel all the way to the secluded far northeast of the island and the quiet seaside village of Grand Riviere. We will arrive in the late afternoon and, time permitting, could have some time to bird, or enjoy the beach, before dinner. We will stay at Mt. Plasier, a cozy guesthouse with comfortable rooms and the restaurant serves fantastic seafood. After dinner we could go for a walk on the beach where a moonlit night, bioluminescent surf and the caress of warm trade winds welcome us to the Caribbean. (D)

Day 2 – Sunday, December 2: Grand Riviere and on to Asa Wright Nature Center

This morning we will be up early to search for one of Trinidad’s rarest birds – the Trinidad Piping-Guan. This spectacular bird is most often seen in this remote area of the island and the best time to see it is early morning as they feed among the nutmeg trees. This area is rich with birds and we could see many other species while searching for the piping-guan. After our early morning birding we will travel to Asa Wright Nature Center and Lodge, our accommodation for the remainder of our time on Trinidad. We will arrive at Asa Wright in the afternoon in time for lunch and will have a full afternoon to explore. Asa Wright is located at an elevation of 1,200 feet in the heart of Trinidad’s Northern Range. Overlooking a lush valley, the Center originated as a coffee, cocoa and citrus plantation and many of these plants are still maintained by the Center. Today the Center is a Sanctuary dedicated to preserving and studying tropical wildlife and is an important breeding area for the rare, fruit-eating, nocturnal Oilbird. The Center is surrounded by an impressive rainforest that is ribboned with trails beckoning both amateur and professional naturalists to explore. Of course the diversity of birds is what Asa Wright is most famous for and some of the birds we could see this afternoon include: Channel-billed Toucan, Guianan Trogon, Great Antshrike, Tufted Coquette, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Chestnut Woodpecker and both Turquoise and Bay-headed Tanagers. After a full day we will enjoy a great dinner before retiring for the night. (B,L,D)

Day 3 – Monday, December 3: Asa Wright and Night Birding

We will awaken this morning to the raucous noise of Crested Oropendolas displaying and a cacophony of other exotic sounds. We will meet on Asa Wright’s world-renowned veranda at dawn. The magic of the veranda is the birds that are drawn to the feeders and first-time visitors could see 20 – 30 life birds before breakfast. The hummingbird feeders are alive with activity as White-necked Jacobin, Blue-chinned Sapphire, White-chested Emerald and Copper-rumped Hummingbirds all compete for feeding space. The fruit feeders are also full of birds including Trinidad Motmot, Bananaquit, Bare-eyed Thrush, White-lined and Silver-beaked Tanagers and all three spectacular species of honeycreeper – Purple, Green and Red-legged. The surrounding canopy could produce Lilac-tailed Parrotlets, Black-tailed Tityra, Orange-winged Parrots and if we are really lucky an Ornate Hawk-Eagle. After breakfast we will begin our exploration of Asa Wright’s trails. We should see Leaf-cutter Ants at work and we could spy Tent-making Bats sleeping inside their leafy roosts. Red-rumped Agoutis and Black-and-gold Tegu lizards are also plentiful in the forests surrounding the Center. There is a White-bearded Manakin lek along the main trail and seeing these little birds do their wing-snapping displays will be a highlight! After a full morning we will have lunch and a little down time. In the late afternoon/early evening we will travel to the Aripo Savannah area and seek out the Moriche Palm groves which provide roosting for Red-bellied Macaws and host some specialized and rare residents including Moriche Oriole, Sulphury Flycatcher and Fork-tailed Palm Swift. Once it is dark we will also do some night birding in hopes of seeing White-tailed Nightjar, Common Pauraque, Common Potoo, Barn Owl and Tropical Screech Owl. (B,L,D)

Day 4 – Tuesday, December 4: Blanchisseuse

Today, after breakfast, we will meet our driver/guide – Dave Ramlal and depart the Center on an all-day excursion over the Northern Range to the seaside village of Blanchisseuse. En route we will stop frequently to look for wildlife. The road over the mountains is great for birds including some that are difficult to see at the center like Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Blue-headed Parrot, Bat Falcon, Green-backed Trogon and both Speckled and Swallow Tanagers. If we are lucky we will locate an army ant swarm and have a chance to see the birds that are specialized to follow them. Once we reach Blanchisseuse we could see Magnificent Frigatebirds above the ocean and perhaps a Green Kingfisher along the many streams coming down from the mountains. We will have a picnic lunch on the beach and have a chance to cool off with a swim in the ocean. In the afternoon we will work our way back along the road to Asa Wright. After a full day we will enjoy a sumptuous dinner and afterwards, if we have enough energy, we could go on a short night hike. (B,L,D)

Day 5 – Wednesday, December 5: Nariva Swamp and Bush Bush Forest

After breakfast we will wind our way out of the Northern Range to Trinidad’s East Coast and the Nariva Swamp. Nariva is the largest freshwater swamp in Trinidad with Moriche Palms and mangroves dominating the plant community. On our way to Nariva will stop at the Arup Agricultural Research Station to look for lowland species like Pearl Kite, Savannah Hawk, White-headed Marsh Tyrant, Ruddy-breasted Seedeater and many more. After the station we will continue to Nariva and check the rice fields for Azure Gallinule, Wattled Jacana, Pinnated Bittern and Red-breasted Blackbirds. We will have a picnic lunch on a nice stretch of beach before continuing our explorations of Nariva. In the late afternoon we will board our boat for a three-hour cruise into the heart of Nariva – Bush Bush Forest. Bush Bush is a swamp forest and is home to both Weeper Capuchin and Red Howler Monkeys. These primates live in Nariva and nowhere else on the island. This trip should also produce some great bird sightings and we hope to spy Bat Falcon, Red-bellied Macaw, Yellow-crowned Parrot, Crimson-crested Woodpecker, American Pygmy Kingfisher, Black-crested Antshrike and Silvered Antbird. This part of Nariva is also the site of a Blue-and-yellow Macaw reintroduction program. At dusk, against the backdrop of a tropical sunset, we will hopefully see the Red-bellied Macaws as they return to their nighttime roosting areas. After a full day we will return to Asa Wright for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 6 – Thursday, December 6: Aripo Savannah and Arena Forest

Today we will journey into the lowlands again as we explore the Aripo Savannah. The Aripo Savannah is an area of extremely acidic soil with poor drainage, and is a remnant of what was once a major habitat type in lowland Trinidad. This area has some unique species and we will be on the lookout for Plumbeous and Gray-headed Kites, Yellow-rumped Cacique, Shiny and Giant Cowbirds, Blue-black Grassquit and Ruddy-breasted Seedeater. This is also our best chance to see both White-tailed Goldenthroat and Ruby-topaz   Hummingbirds. We will also visit some local sewage ponds to look for Least Grebe, Purple Gallinule,Large-billed Tern, various shorebirds, Yellow-chinned Spinetail and Yellow-hooded Blackbird. Spectacled Caiman are also regularly found here. After a picnic lunch we will travel to the Arena Forest, an extensive area of evergreen seasonal forest. Here we will drive and walk the wide forest tracks seeking out Green-backed and Guianan Trogons, Channel-billed Toucan, Plain Antvireo, White-bellied Antbirds and Golden-crowned Warbler. Patience and perseverance can reveal some of Trinidad’s more elusive birds like White-throated Spadebill, Short-tailed Pygmy-Tyrant and Long-billed Gnatwren. After a full day of exploring and birding we will travel back to Asa Wright. (B,L,D)

Day 7 – Friday, December 7: Yerette, Caroni Rice Fields and Caroni Marsh

Early this morning we will continue our exploration of the Asa Wright’s trails and grounds in hopes of spying some of the more secretive forest birds like the Bearded Bellbird, Black-faced Antthrush, Squirrel Cuckoo, Lineated Woodpecker, Gray-throated Leaftosser and Red-crowned Ant-Tanager. After an early morning at Asa we will travel to Yerette for lunch and to observe the huge diversity of hummingbirds that are drawn to the many feeders. Yerette is a private garden that routinely hosts between eleven and thirteen of T&T’s seventeen hummingbird species. After lunch we will travel east to explore the rice fields of Caroni before we head to Caroni Marsh for our boat trip into the extensive mangrove forests. Caroni is a wondrous place full of wildlife – Silky Anteaters, Ruschenberger’s Tree Boa, and an incredible variety of birds. We will be looking for waterbirds and mangrove specialties like Anhinga, Striated Heron, Gray-necked Wood-Rail, Greater Ani, Green-throated Mango, Straight-billed Woodcreeper, Masked Cardinal and BicoloredConebill. Our day will end as we witness the spectacular flocks of the Scarlet Ibis returning to roost in the
mangroves after a day of foraging – a very dramatic moment to be sure! (B,L,D)

Day 8 – Saturday, December 8: The Oilbirds of Dunston Cave and Asa Wright

After breakfast we will hike to Dunston Cave, a beautiful riparian grotto located on the Center grounds. The objective of the visit is to view the breeding colony of Oilbirds. These large endangered birds are rare, nocturnal and use echolocation to find fruit. Viewing these unique birds will be one of the highlights of the trip! We will also look for nesting chestnut-collared swifts along the cave walls. The trail to the cave is also good for birds of the dense forest like Gray-throated Leaftosser and perhaps even a Little Tinamou. After our visit to the cave we will have the rest of the day to explore Asa Wright to look for any species that we are still missing. We also will have some time to back up and prepare for our journey to Tobago. (B,L,D)

Day 9 – Sunday, December 9: Depart for Tobago and Bird Bon Accord and Buccoo Marsh

This morning we will depart for Trinidad’s sister island of Tobago. This island forms the final link in the chain of mountain ranges extending from the Venezuelan Coastal Range. Tobago’s climate and rainfall more closely resembles that of the Lesser Antilles than of Trinidad; being drier and windier. As such Tobago feels much more Caribbean while Trinidad feels much more South American. Upon arrival we will visit the Bon Accord ponds and lagoon and Buccoo marsh to look for Least Grebe, Masked Duck, Little Blue and Tricolored Herons, Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, White-cheeked Pintail, Gray Kingbird and Caribbean Martin. After our visit to the wetland areas we will travel east across the entire island to Speyside and our lovely beachfront accommodations while in Tobago, the Blue Waters Inn. The hotel grounds, and surrounding area, are great for birds including many of Tobago’s specialties such as Rufous-vented Chachalaca, Barred Antshrike, White-fringed Antwren, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Scrub Greenlet and Black-faced Grassquit. Once we arrive, the rest of the afternoon is on our own to explore the grounds, snorkel, swim or just relax in the tropical atmosphere. The food at Blue Waters is outstanding – particularly the seafood, and the sounds of waves lapping the beach will provide a most authentic island experience while dining. After dinner a rum punch, the trade winds off the ocean and a sky full of stars makes for a most relaxing evening! (B,L,D)

Day 10 – Monday, December 10: Grafton Sanctuary and Adventure Farm

Today we will visit two excellent birding areas on Tobago. First, we will travel west to Grafton Sanctuary and hike some of the Sanctuary’s easy woodland trails in search of Rufous-vented Chachalaca, Pale-vented Pigeon, Green-rumped Parrotlet, Ruby-topaz Hummingbird, Trinidad Motmot, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Red-crowned Woodpecker, Olivaceous Woodcreeper, White-fringed Antwren and Fuscous Flycatcher. After our hiking and birding at Grafton we will travel to the Adventure Farm. We will look for birds here as well, but the main attraction is the Farm’s hummingbird feeders which should be busy with Rufous-breasted Hermit, White-necked Jacobin, Black-throated Mango, Ruby-topaz and Copper-rumped Hummingbirds. After a productive day we will return to Blue Waters Inn for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 11 – Tuesday, December 11: The Rainforest Preserve and Gilpin Trace Trail

After breakfast we will travel to Tobago’s interior Rainforest Preserve to hike the Gilpin Trace Trail. Located at around 2,000 feet these forested mountains are home to many species found only on Tobago like the rare White-tailed Sabrewing hummingbird and Blue-backed Manakin. The trail is also home to Great Black Hawk, Collared Trogon, Red-rumped and Golden-olive Woodpeckers, Stripe-breasted Spinetail, White-throated Spadebill, Venezuelan Flycatcher, Yellow-legged Thrush and many species of reptiles and amphibians. Our pace will be slow and deliberate as we search for wildlife. After a full day we will return to the Blue Waters Inn for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 12 – Wednesday, December 12: Little Tobago Island Wildlife Sanctuary and Snorkeling Goat
Island

This morning we will depart by boat for Little Tobago Island, one of T & T’s most important wildlife sanctuaries. As we cross over to the island we will watch for sea turtles and enjoy fantastic views of the coral formations from the comfort of our glass-bottom boat. Once we land we will explore the nesting colonies of seabirds including Red-billed Tropic-birds, Brown and Red-footed Boobies, Sooty Terns and Brown Noddy Terns. Trinidad Motmots are also common on the island as are other terrestrial species. After a full morning of exploring the island we will return to Blue Waters for lunch. After lunch we will take a boat out to snorkel the reefs off of Goat Island. The fauna found among this fringing reef is diverse and abundant, with numerous species of coral and over 65 species of fish including barracuda, angelfish, Blue Tangs, grunts and damselfish. Invertebrates are also abundant on the reef and Spiny Lobster, sea urchins, brittle starfish, Reef Squid and even an octopus may be seen. After a full day we will return to Blue Waters for our farewell dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 13 – Thursday, December 13: Departure for the US

This morning we will depart early for our flight from Tobago back to Trinidad where you will connect to your flight to Miami. After clearing immigration and customs in Miami, you will transfer to your departure gates for your flights home. (B)* Please note that EcoQuest Travel will make every effort to adhere to this itinerary, but dates, times, activities and prices are subject to change depending on scheduling and availability.

Cost:

$5,032.00/person all-inclusive tour package

Airline Ticketing:

International airline tickets are not included in the above costs. EcoQuest Travel is a full service tour operator and we will gladly assist you with your flights for this tour. We do not charge a service fee for this assistance to clients who book a tour with us. We are aware, however, that clients often prefer to use frequent flyer miles, or points, to purchase tickets or to shop online. Regardless of which method you choose EcoQuest Travel will be happy to help you with ticket prices, scheduling and ticket purchase. If you decide to obtain airline tickets on your own please make sure to check with EcoQuest Travel prior to purchasing your ticket to make sure the flights you have chosen will work with the tour itinerary and that the tour has sufficient participation to operate. Please be aware that once purchased, most airline tickets are non-refundable and carry a financial penalty for any changes. Also, it is essential that we receive a copy of your flight itinerary so that we may track you in case of missed connections, flight delays or other mishaps that might impact your arrival. Your domestic airline tickets from Trinidad to Tobago and back to Trinidad are included in the trip pricing.

What’s Included:

• All ground and boat transportation within Trinidad and Tobago and the round trip flights between Trinidad and Tobago
• All accommodations – based upon double occupancy (single supplement is available for an additional cost of $900.00)
• All tours within the scheduled itinerary
• Meals are included throughout the trip, but not in transit.
• Permits, entrance fees and guides
• The leadership services and natural history expertise of EcoQuest Travel professionals

What’s Not Included:

• Round-trip airfare from your home city to Port of Spain, Trinidad
• Gifts and items of a personal nature
• Gratuities (for our local guides)
• Fees associated with obtaining a passport
• Travel insurance (please see the Travel Insurance Section below)
• Costs associated with pre-trip medical planning (such as vaccines)

Travel Documents:

A passport valid for at least 6 months after our arrival is required for travel in Trinidad and Tobago. No visa is required.

Group Size:

The trip cost is based on a minimum number of participants – 10 people. Although 10 people are required in order to make this trip a reality, we are able to accommodate up to a maximum of 12 people. 

Health Requirements:

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago does not require any vaccinations, however, there are several vaccines that would be prudent to consider prior to traveling to the tropical Caribbean. These include: Yellow Fever; Hepatitis A; Hepatitis B; and Typhoid. One should also check to make sure that vaccines against Tetanus/Diphtheria and Polio are up to date. Malaria is not present in Trinidad and Tobago. Information on travel- related diseases and vaccines to prevent them can be found on the Centers for Disease Control website at: www.cdc.gov/travel. We highly recommend discussing all medical issues related to travel with your doctor well in advance of the proposed travel date (at least 6 months prior to departure).

A deposit of $1,000.00 per person is required along with your reservation form in order to reserve space on the trip. This will help insure airline seating space and necessary early deposits during this busy time of year. The reservation form is available on our website: www.ecoquesttravel.net and can be filled out online and submitted via email, or downloaded and mailed. We encourage you to send the deposit well in advance of the date the first payment is due, as paying the deposit is the only way to secure your spot. Personal checks, money orders and credit cards are accepted. If paying by personal check it should be made payable to EcoQuest Travel, Inc. and on the memo line please indicate: For Trinidad & Tobago Trip 2018. If paying by credit card please phone your credit card information in to EcoQuest Travel at: (919) 963-3038. EcoQuest Travel accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover and most bank debit cards. After your initial deposit the remaining balance will be invoiced in two payments according to the schedule below:

• A payment of at least $2,016.00 is required no later than July 20, 2018
• The remainder of the trip expense ($2,016.00) will be due on or before October 5, 2018

Cancellation:

The initial deposit, as well as subsequent payments, will be used to purchase airline tickets and pay deposits for accommodations, travel arrangements, etc. in Trinidad and Tobago. Therefore, if you must withdraw from the trip, irrespective of reason, a refund will not be possible. We strongly suggest that you protect yourself with the purchase of trip cancellation insurance. We will try to retain a wait list for this trip and it is possible that if you end up not being able to participate we will attempt to find a replacement for you; however, it is your responsibility to find a replacement or to have insurance.
*Please note that in the event EcoQuest Travel, Inc. cancels this trip, due to circumstances beyond our control or low trip participant numbers, a refund of the initial deposit and any payments made will be issued.

Travel Insurance

EcoQuest Travel, Inc. partners with Allianz Global Assistance (formerly – Access America) to provide the best possible travel insurance for our clients. They offer trip cancellation and worldwide emergency services (such as emergency evacuation and emergency medical services) as well as a host of other benefits. You can find more information on Allianz’s website (www.allianzassistance.com ) including how to get quotes and sign up. You do not have to use Allianz Global Assistance and may choose to use another company. In either case, EcoQuest Travel, Inc. strongly suggests the purchase of trip cancellation/medical insurance. If you do decide to purchase travel insurance from Allianz Global Assistance please give them the following EcoQuest Travel vendor (or ACCAM) number: F031120. This number identifies that you are working with an Allianz Global Assistance partner. Note: Pre-existing conditions will be waived by Allianz Global Assistance if you purchase travel insurance within 14 calendar days of your initial trip deposit. For more information please see Allianz’s website.

General Information:

Upon receiving your deposit and reservation form you will be sent an information packet containing flight information, baggage requirements, trip cancellation insurance information, hints on what to bring and other useful information. The climate will vary from hot and humid during the day to humid, but cooler at night. We are visiting Trinidad and Tobago during the beginning of the dry season, but rain is possible and should be prepared for. You will want to bring a camera, film and binoculars. Again, a more exhaustive list will be provided after you are registered for the trip.

Trip Leaders:

Dave Davenport: Zoologist and President of EcoQuest Travel, Inc.
Dr. Phil Doerr: Emeritus Professor of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, Departments of Forestry, North Carolina State University