Migrate to Trinidad & Tobago with NYC Audubon, and experience the best that these unique tropical islands have to offer! Spend a week at the world-renowned Asa Wright Nature Centre and Lodge, a 200-acre wildlife sanctuary in Trinidad's rain-forested Northern range, and at the lovely Blue Waters Inn in Tobago. Travel with naturalist Gabriel Willow and expert local guides to explore the remarkably diverse biota of these sister islands, whose unique climate and location—at the southernmost tip of the Caribbean, just off the coast of Venezuela—create a unique habitat for thousands of species of flora and fauna. The islands' spectacular beaches, rainforests, and wetlands are home to 419 bird species, 97 native mammals, 55 reptiles, 25 amphibians, and 617 butterflies, as well as over 2,200 species of flowering plants! And the list continues to grow.

Parrots and macaws, dozens of species of hummingbirds, toucans, trogons, kingfishers, tropicbirds and boobies are among the birds likely to be seen—as well as exotic species rarely seen elsewhere, such as the rare cave-dwelling oilbird and the gorgeous scarlet ibis. Explore charming local villages, discover local coral reefs from a glass-bottomed boat, visit a hummingbird sanctuary, and enjoy a sunset picnic before observing nesting sea turtles. Don't miss this incredible journey to a true tropical paradise. Includes double-occupancy lodging, meals, guided walks, and transportation within Trinidad. Limited to 15. $2,695 ($595 single room supplement; no member discount).

Nestled on the slopes of Trinidad's Northern Range, the Asa Wright Nature Center is a world-class destination for birders and eco-tourists. The Centre's main facilities are on the grounds of a former plantation, the Spring Hill Estate. In the 1950s and 60s the plantation owners, Newcombe and Asa Wright, hosted many visiting scientists, including David and Barbara Snow, who made detailed studies of the Centre's resident colony of oilbirds. After Newcombe’s death, a group of naturalists and bird watchers established Asa Wright Nature Centre in 1967 “to create a conservation and study area for the protection of wildlife.” Four decades later, the plantation lands have been reclaimed by secondary forest, while the original climax rainforest grows on the steeper slopes, its canopy towering 150 feet above the forest floor.

On the NYC Audubon tour guests will awaken to the raucous morning calls of the crested oropendola. It’s not uncommon to see 20 to 30 life birds before breakfast. Birding right from the Centre veranda is one of the world's most exciting ornithological experiences, with ruby-topaz hummingbird, tufted coquette, barred antshrike, and green honeycreeper among the many species that can be easily seen. On a visit to Dunstan Cave, birders will view the only easily accessible colony of the fascinating nocturnal oilbird. Participants will look for the nesting colony of oropendolas, observe with ease a nesting pair of ornate hawk-eagles, as well as white-bearded and golden-headed manakins. On gentle trails, the bell-like "bongs" of the bearded bellbird echo in the forest.

Please peruse our tour itinerary, below, for more details.

Call 212-691-7483 or email Tod Winston to register or find out more about this exciting opportunity.

Based at the world-renowned Asa Wright Nature Center and Lodge, a 200-acre wildlife sanctuary in Trinidad's rain forest, and at the charming Blue Waters Inn in Tobago, participants will travel with expert local guides to visit the islands’ unique natural areas.

DAY ONE:  Arrival at Piarco International Airport in Port-of-Spain and transfer to the Asa Wright Nature Centre and Lodge.

DAY TWO:  Awaken this morning to the raucous noise of the crested oropendola and a host of other exotic sounds. A first-time visitor might see 20-30 life birds before breakfast! After a morning spent in the sanctuary getting to know species as violaceous trogon, channel-billed toucan, white-bearded manakin, rufous-browed peppershrike, and turquoise tanager, we depart for Trinidad's east coast. There we'll enjoy a sunset picnic dinner followed by a night-time visit to witness one of the most remarkable sights in the natural world, as leatherback sea turtles come ashore to excavate nest sites and lay their eggs.

DAY THREE:  We embark on an all-day excursion over the Northern Range, to the seaside village of Blanchisseuse. Possible sightings en route include swallow-tailed kite, ornate hawk-eagle, bat falcon, white-tailed trogon, and rufous-tailed jacamar. We will also have an opportunity to examine the fascinating world of leaf-cutter ants, and photograph orchids and other tropical flora. Bring your bathing suit in case we make it down to this Caribbean beach, where we will look for magnificent frigatebird and green kingfisher, and explore tidal pools teeming with marine life.

DAY FOUR:  This morning's journey to the lowland Aripo Savannah and Arena Forest will likely produce several new tropical species, including, plumbeous and grey-headed kite, yellow-rumped cacique, blue-black grassquit, and ruddy-breasted seedeater. You will have the afternoon free, and may choose to explore the trails that meander through the Nature Centre valley, listening for the haunting call of the bearded bellbird and searching for active white-bearded and golden-headed manakin leks. The ornate hawk eagle often swoops in to perch on a low branch, offering a thrilling view of its natural regal splendor.

DAY FIVE:  This morning we will visit Dunstan Cave, a beautiful riparian grotto located right on the sanctuary, to view a breeding colony of the fascinating nocturnal oilbird. Found only in Northern South America and Trinidad, this curious species roosts at night in caves and swamps, and emerges at night to forage for rainforest fruit. In the late morning we then depart for the Maracas Valley to visit Yerreté, "home of the hummingbird." The feeders and flowering plants here are literally abuzz with activity: Twelve of the thirteen hummingbird species common to Trinidad are regularly seen here. Finally, in the late afternoon we travel to the famous Caroni Marsh, a specialized mangrove forest home to a spectacular array of species including neotropical cormorant, anhinga, striated heron, pied water-tyrant, and red-capped cardinal. Our day will end with the spectacular flight of scarlet ibis returning to their mangrove roosts at dusk. Returning to the boat dock we will search the mangrove-lined channels for the mysterious common pootoo!

DAY SIX:  We depart this morning 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, on the very edge of the South American Continental Shelf. There we will visit marshlands in search of shorebirds, herons, egrets, and ducks, such as white-cheeked pintail. Then after a leisurely drive to our lovely beach side hotel, Blue Waters Inn, the afternoon will be free for swimming, snorkeling or diving (Blue Waters Inn has a full dive shop).

DAY SEVEN:  This morning, weather permitting, we depart by boat for Little Tobago Island, one of this nation's most important wildlife sanctuaries. As we cross over we will watch for leatherback and hawksbill Sea Turtles, and enjoy spectacular views of one of the Caribbean's most pristine coral formations from the comfort of our glass-bottomed boat. Once landing we will look for nesting red-billed tropicbird, red-footed and brown boobies, and sooty and noddy terns.

DAY EIGHT:  Today we pass though quiet, charming villages to visit the oldest protected rainforest in the Western Hemisphere, in parts at elevations over 2,000 feet. We will search for white-tailed sabrewing—once thought extinct—as well as the elusive blue-backed manakin, yellow-legged thrush and other Tobago specialties such as red-crowned woodpecker and white-fringed antwren.

DAY NINE:  This exciting learning vacation ends this morning, as we depart for our flights home.

Call 212-691-7483 or email Tod Winston to register or find out more about upcoming NYC Audubon Trips.