Travel Adventures
Nature's Spectacles - Costa Rica with Bill Turner - October 9 - 24, 2008
Birding South Texas and Northern Mexico - February 20 to March 2, 2009
The Columbia and Snake Rivers: A Small-ship Experience - April 17 - 24, 2009
Bird Southeast Arizona - April 25 - May 1 - or - May 1 - May 7, 2009
Nature's Spectacles - Costa Rica with Bill Turner - October 9-24. 2008
Join Bill Turner on a Costa Rica Wildlife Tour: Nature's Spectacles, featuring the nesting of olive ridleys (the most abundant sea turtle) and the migration of raptors. Watch as hundreds or even thousands of these turtles lay their eggs on the beach at Ostinal on the Pacific Coast. Marvel as thousands of raptors migrate in a day past our observation platform on their southward journey along the Caribbean. The trip is timed to be at these locations at the peak of the raptor migration and the most likely period of the largest arribadas (arrivals) of nesting turtles. We'll also visit Tortuguero, famous for Archie Carr's studies of the green turtle. The geothermal RIncon de la Vieja National Park in the dry, tropical forest provides a contrast to the lush rainforests of the Caribbean.
Hawk species will include broad-winged hawks, Swainson's hawks, peregrine falcons, merlins, ospreys, and turkey vultures. We may encounter crested and yellow-headed caracaras, bat falcon, zone-tailed hawk, mangrove black-hawk, roadside hawk, and white hawk. Coatis, sloths, three species of monkeys, collared anteaters, and a panoply of tropical birds.
A knowledgeable, bilingual, Costa Rican naturalist guide will accompany us throughout along with our own coach and driver with specialist guides at each destination. Enjoy charming accommodations in lovely natural settings and delicious cuisine.
Maximum group size is 16. The land cost for this unique 16 day tour is $3995 which includes all meals, lodging, guiding, and national park fees. The tour price includes a $300 donation to ASGD for all members, friends and relatives that go. International airfare (currently around $650 roundtrip) is not included.
For a detailed itinerary, please e-mail Bill Turner at toursbyturner@aol.com, call 303.795.5128, or mail a request to 7395 S. Downing Circle, Centennial, Colorado, 80122.
This unique tour will provide memorable experiences for anyone who likes nature in the Neotropics.
Birding South Texas and Northern Mexico
February 20 - March 2, 2009 (10 nights)
Wonderful opportunity to bird the Texas Valley and northern Mexico's El Cielo Biosphere Reserve lead by local experts. World renowned birding area with riparian woodlands, brush land, coastal areas. Mexico's protected El Cielo Biosphere includes tropical jungle, gallery forest, pine-oak forest and cloud forest. Add as many as 120 species to your Texas Valley list.
Cost is $2,295 for double and $2,595 for single, includes transportation from McAllen Texas to El Cielo and back, 6 nights lodging in McAllen and 4 nights in Gomez Garias, all park entrance fees, most meals, bottled water and snacks, boat ride at Bocatoma and full time birding guide.
For a complete intinerary, call Becky Beckers, Travel For the Birds, 303.766.5266, send an e-mail to AgentBecky@aol.com or go to www.TravelForTheBirds.com.
The Columbia and Snake Rivers: A Small-Ship Experience
April 17 - 24, 2009
Roundtrip from Portland OR on the Spirit of '98 (96 guests)
Step back into history as we follow in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark on the Columbia and Snake Rivers on this Cruise West expedition.
Many scenic parks dot the shoreline with a mixture of orchards, farmland and rangeland where beef cattle and deer graze. You'll disembark to visit Ft. Clatsop along with several other excursions designed to help you recapture the past. New wonders await around every bend, dramatic waterfalls, and ancient petroglyphs. See how the rivers were tamed in the 1930'sw as you transit almost 1,000 miles and navigate eight major sets of locks and dams. The trip offers an exquisite balance of discovery, adventure, relaxation and personal exploration.
Group pricing per person, double-occupancy cabins start at $3,069 for Quyana Members and $3,235 per person for first time Cruise West passengers; add $50 for non-ASGD friends members. Cruise includes meals, gratuities and selected shore excursions. Save up to $330 per person off of brochure rates. Single share roommate match available in some cabins. Trip will be led by ASGD Second VP Ann Bonnell. For complete itinerary or additional information, contact Becky Beckers, 303.766.5266, AgentBecky@aol.com or go to www.TravelForTheBirds.com.
Bird Southeast Arizona
April 25 - May 1 or May1 - May 7, 2009
Southeast Arizona is one of the most biologically diverse areas in the United States. Habitats include the Sonoran Desert with its dramatic columnar cacti, the Chihuahuan desert with its grasslands and desert scub. We'll visit many of the birding and wildlife hotspots - Madera Canyon, the Patagonia area, Ramsey and Garden Canyons in the Huachuca Mountains, and the San Pedro River. We'll also spend time learning about the general ecology.
Our gide will be Mark Pretti who formerly was the naturalist at Ramsey Canyon. Mark is thoroughly knowledgeable about all aspects of this area's natural history as well as expert in finding the regional bird species.
The discounted price for ASGD members is $1595 ($1645 for non-members) with the trip starting from Tucson. Assistance with travel arrangements to Tucson is available. The land costs include meals, accommodations in attractive bed and breakfasts and hotels, van transportation during the tour, guiding and park entrance fees. The tours are essentially the same. Maximum group size for each tour is 9.
For a detailed itinerary and additional information, please contact Bill Turner, the ASGD representative accompanying these trips, at 303.795.5128 or by e-mail at toursbyturner@aol.com.
