2022 California – Complete California – Extension

In the morning we will bird the Tijuana River Valley and nearby reserves for species with a southern, even Mexican flavor. Aquatic species will be numerous. We will depart by mid-afternoon toward the Salton Sea.

Overnight: Brawley

Our birding will begin early at the Salton Sea. It can be quite hot and humid here, so we will bird in the morning, siesta in the afternoon, and venture out again in the evening. We will search for Wood Stork, Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Gambel’s Quail, Yellow-footed Gull, Inca Dove, Vermilion Flycatcher, Abert’s Towhee, Cactus Wren, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Lucy’s Warbler, Verdin, Black-throated Sparrow, and possible rarities. In recent years there were several Blue-footed Boobies and California’s first Ross’s Gull at the Salton Sea.

Overnight: Brawley

We will return to the same area to look for more great birds, with a mid-morning departure northward toward Banning. Our final afternoon is near Banning Park and Morongo Valley.

Overnight: Los Angeles

You may schedule early flights home, as our motel will be near Los Angeles International Airport.

Yes! We have birding planned if time allows and everything is on schedule.

Most participants choose to arrive in Los Angeles one day prior to the beginning of the tour. This helps to eliminate any possible conflict with a delayed or cancelled flight. This night is not included in the tour fee. Please consult about the full details of this arrangement when you begin the tour registration process.

Check the weather for the destination as close to your departure date as possible, and dress accordingly for your comfort level. You can also review our What to Bring page for more information.

There are many items the will be useful to you while on a Bird Treks tour. We have put together our list of recommendations on the What to Bring page.

Our tours are all conducted in English, but we do have some experience working with client that don’t speak English well – Some English would be needed for safety reasons. In locations where another language is predominately spoken, a native guide may accompany the tour.

Yes, we will always try our best to help with anything at all! We’re here to serve you. However, it is usually easier if you book your flight through your own travel agent as we can’t always get the best deals from your particular country. But we will help whenever needed!

While Day 1 is usually a travel (arrival) day, and the last day of the tour is usually also a travel day (departure), many people do like to arrive early and/or leave late. We can indeed book extra nights before and after the trip, and we in fact recommend you let us book them, as it avoids confusion and allows us to book the accommodation that is most convenient for the tour.

NOTE: Most often it is the same hotel or lodge that you use on the first night of the tour, but in some instances, it could be an airport hotel or an accommodation establishment where the guide is staying.

No, we do not. We find that it is better for trip participants to purchase their own medical, trip cancellation, and baggage insurance through their own insurance provider in the country they reside in. We expect all tour participants to have comprehensive insurance, and we encourage everyone to send us a copy of their insurance documents.

For most tours, meals are included in the tour price. This may include a hotel-provided breakfast, or guide-provided box lunches. For dinners, we strive to find interesting and delicious local restaurants – this allows us to give back to the local economy, and find exciting new place to eat.

You may participate in the 5-day extension with the regular 12-day tour, or take either tour separately. Simply tell us your preference: 5 days, 12 days, or the full 17 days.