PRE-TOUR INFORMATION

SELECTING YOUR TOUR

With so many destinations and such a variety of birds, wildlife, cultures, and habitats to experience, we'd like to offer some suggestions in choosing a tour. A good way to begin is by paging through this catalog for ideas of tour destinations, dates, prices, and unique features that each tour has to offer. Our web site provides additional information, including day-by-day itineraries, favorite species and highlights from past tours, photos, and trip reports by leaders and participants. Feel free to contact BIRD TREKS for additional information, recommendations from past participants, or for complete species lists from previous tours. It is often possible for you to participate in a portion of a tour if you would rather not go for the entire time. Please inquire and we will work with you on a special arrangement. And we'd like to warn you that nearly 80% of our first-time participants return for more tours, so be prepared for lots of enjoyable birding.

Once you select a tour, registration is simple. All that we need is a signed and completed registration and release form, which is contained in this catalog and on our web site, and a deposit of 25% of the tour fee. We typically need 3-4 participants in order to run our domestic tours and 3-5 participants for a foreign tour. So, the earlier you register, the sooner we can confirm that your tour will go. Receiving your registration and deposit 6-12 months prior to the tour is excellent, especially when the tour involves a pelagic trip or lodges that are very popular and often require reservations a year or more in advance. We can usually accommodate you if you notify us 2-4 months in advance, but not always. The tour may be full, or we may have already cancelled it due to apparent lack of interest. In extreme situations, people have contacted our office the day before a tour is to begin and we have been able to make all of the necessary arrangements. So it is never too late to contact us, but the earlier you make your reservation, the better it is for everyone. We have a liberal cancellation policy and make recommendations on how to obtain trip and cancellation insurance. Both of these are outlined on the last page of the tour itinerary.

One month prior to your tour we will send you a letter with additional information to help you prepare for your birding experience. We advise you of the weather and conditions, and make suggestions for clothing, accessories, and equipment. We also tell you where we will stay and the names and addresses of the other participants. BIRD TREKS takes care of all your tour accommodations, reservations, and logistics to help give you the most relaxing, worry-free birding experience possible. Upon your request we will also arrange your air travel to the city where your tour originates, such as Tucson for the Southeast Arizona Tour. We utilize the services of Lori Heathcote of Bailey Travel for all of our arrangements. Lori has 21 years of experience in the travel industry and is a veteran birder; thus she understands your needs and concerns. She will obtain the best possible airfare for you, check flights for cost reductions, and take care of many of your pre- and post-tour travel needs. Let us know if you wish Lori to make your arrangements or contact her directly at Bailey Travel: 1-800-224-5399 or by e-mail.

We meet in the city where the tour begins at about noon on the first day. The leader will usually meet you at the curb outside of the baggage claim area of your airline. Some people drive or choose to arrive a day early in case there are any travel delays along the way. Our leaders almost always arrive a day early. In that case we will meet you in a designated motel prior to proceeding to the airport. All of these arrangements are finalized in the pre-tour informational letter. Departure flights at the end of the tour are typically scheduled for early afternoon so that we have birding time on our final morning. Please contact BIRD TREKS if you intend to make your own airline reservations to be certain that all of our schedules are coordinated. Some of our distant destinations such as Kenya and Peru require overnight air travel. Be certain to check with our office so that you know the proper dates that you are to arrive and depart, especially when making your own airline reservations.

ACCOMMODATIONS AND TRANSPORTATION

Tour accommodations are in comfortable lodges, motels, and hotels. On very rare occasions we camp for 1-2 nights on specific tours to increase the variety of birds that we can see. One-night stays are avoided whenever possible. We can usually provide single accommodations (a private room) for an extra charge, upon request. Transportation is by van or small bus unless otherwise specified in the itinerary. We use a local driver for all of our foreign tours, while the leader typically drives on domestic tours. Our tours are limited to 16 or fewer participants for domestic destinations, usually 13 on foreign tours. We add a second leader when the number of participants warrants. A minimum of 3-5 participants is needed for a tour to go, unless otherwise specified. For your convenience, please note that the cost of ALL MEALS is included in the price of the tour. ALL TIPS are also included in the tour fee, except for any tips that you may wish to give to your tour leader(s).

EQUIPMENT

The leader of each tour will have a high-quality spotting scope for the group's use, but you are welcome and encouraged to bring your own scope. Personal binoculars are critical for enjoying the aesthetic rewards of birding and other natural history pursuits. The better the quality and condition of your binoculars, the more you will enjoy the birds that you see. Tours are relatively expensive, so it is a shame to skimp on the quality of your optics. Although our emphasis is on birds, we also enjoy mammals, reptiles, insects, plants, flowers, and natural phenomena of all kinds. Local history and culture are also pursued, especially on select tours. Photography is encouraged. Sound playback is sometimes used to attract birds into the open for viewing. This technique is never abused.

GIFT CERTIFICATES

A gift certificate can be purchased for a specific tour or for any dollar amount. Contact BIRD TREKS to make arrangements. This is a great gift for a friend, relative, or loved one and is a fine way to do your holiday shopping. We have even e-mailed them on Christmas Eve!

Birds are important to you, but you are equally interested in mammals. Try Kenya in November, where 500-600 species of birds and 50 species of mammals are likely, including something as irresistable as this Lion Cub. Steven Easley, our Kenya tour leader, captured its image for all to enjoy.