28 Apr 2027 - 04 May 2027 (7 days)
EUR3,295 4 SPACES AVAILABLE
Tour Leader: Yeray Seminario
Tour Price (Per person): EUR3,295 (USD3,804 * GBP2,897)
Single Supplement: EUR360 (USD416 * GBP317)
Flight costs (Linked Tour): EUR170 (USD196 * GBP149)
Pricing notes : Linked flight price is for Barcelona to Tenerife flight
26 Apr 2028 - 02 May 2028 (7 days)
EUR3,400 SPACES AVAILABLE
Tour Leader: Yeray Seminario
Tour Price (Per person): EUR3,400 (USD3,925 * GBP2,990)
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated, and dates may change* Linked flight price is for Barcelona to Tenerife flight
25 Apr 2029 - 01 May 2029 (7 days)
EUR3,600 SPACES AVAILABLE
Tour Leader: Javi Elorriaga
Tour Price (Per person): EUR3,600 (USD4,156 * GBP3,165)
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated, and dates may change* Linked flight price is for Barcelona to Tenerife flight
These sun-drenched islands, belonging to Spain, lie just north of the African coastline and the Tropic of Cancer and were known by the Greeks as the remnants of the lost Kingdom of Atlantis. The earliest settlers were the Gaunches, sturdy people with blue eyes and fair hair, who were eventually displaced by Spanish invaders before finally settling in South America. Called the “Garden of Europe” due to a wonderful climate, it’s a place where flowers and vegetables can be grown in the middle of the European winter.
On this tour, we visit the desert-like landscape of Fuerteventura to the moist forested slopes of Tenerife, a volcanic island with huge tracts of solidified lava. The isolation of these islands has favoured the evolution of endemic forms of species including Laurel and Bolle’s Pigeons, Canary Islands Stonechat, Goldcrest (Canary Island Kinglet), Canary Island Chiffchaff as well as Tenerife Blue Chaffinch. This promises to be a pleasant week with comfortable hotels, excellent cuisine, stunning scenery and a selection of island endemics.
Laurel & Bolle’s Pigeons; Canary Islands Stonechat; Canary Islands & Tenerife Blue Chaffinches; Goldcrest (Canary Island Kinglet); Canary Islands Chiffchaff; Atlantic Canary; Berthelot’s Pipit; Great Grey Shrike; Trumpeter Finch; Barbary Partridge; Cream-colored Courser; Black-bellied Sandgrouse; endemic sub-species or races of African Houbara; Common Buzzard; Greater Spotted Woodpecker; European Robin; African Blue Tit; Egyptian Vulture.
Barbary Ground Squirrel
open ocean, coastline, pine & laurel forest, woodland, reservoirs, gravel plains, lava fields
The weather and temperatures can be variable, ranging from warm to mild, but colder weather to be expected during the evenings.
6 with 1 Tour leader
MODERATE TO CHALLENGING: This tour requires a good level of fitness, stamina, and overall health. It’s best suited for experienced birders who are comfortable with a more active itinerary. Please note that it may not be ideal for avid photographers, new birders, or those with mobility or health concerns.
Suitable for all birding / wildlife interest levels.
Comfortable.
Moderate to easy. Most species provide good visuals in open conditions.
Spectacular volcanic scenery, rarely visited islands, excellent cuisine
Good to very good. Some species may be distant of obscured, landscapes can be harsh/bright depending on time of day.
Note that some of the comments I made regarding the Thailand extension apply to the main Thailand tour. I liked the sequence of sites visited; it ensured the Spoonbill Sandpiper was seen early on and then designed to minimize travel. Staying multiple nights at one site is always appreciated and seemed to be done as much as possible. The guides made special efforts to see bird species sought by the group; we saw more bird species than I expected. The drivers were excellent and also one of them, Jaime, was a good birder who helped the guides track down some species; it was an asset to have internet while in the vehicles. The drivers also produced an excellent video of the trip - a nice touch; they also did an excellent job with mid-morning breaks. I especially enjoyed visiting a hide all morning early on in the trip - it gave us a chance to see some elusive species but also several species very well. One morning was spent looking for a rare duck; I would have rather spent the time looking for a variety of Thai species. Quite a bit of birding was done along roads - it might have been better to bird trails etc. if they are available and afford good views of birds pointed out. Food was excellent (Uthai selected great dishes for the group) and accomodations were good. It was an enjoyable trip with rewarding looks at many of the bird species seen.
Excellent tour. Accommodations were as good as could be expected given the isolated areas we needed to reach to see all the endemics. We saw them all. Dusan and the two local guides were exceptional at finding the birds and getting us on them. The vehicle fit our purpose, the luggage trailer was a great idea, and our driver Jose was very professional.
This tour group was very eclectic but really worked well together. The leaders including the van driver did an exceptional job.
Paul brought in his wealth of experience. He worked well with Ashoka to make sure nothing was lost in translation. One member sustained an injury on day 1, probably because he declined the extra help offered on a slightly slippery walk. Paul and Ashoka took charge of the situation immediately, made sure the rest of the group was comfortable while getting help. It was incredible that the injured person managed to complete the trip with a walker. Ashoka is a highly experienced local guide. He went out of the way to accommodate our birding and non-birding (request to try local food) requests. Both Paul and Ashoka were always calm and very pleasant, paying individual attention to every person and ensured we had a memorable experience.
The Buru extension following the RWPI Cruise was fantastic. I feel sorry for those on the main tour that did not take this extension. The birds were fabulous, Glen was a superb guide, and the scenery great. Glen did a great job trying to get us on all the birds, even the most rare and elusive. Again, flexibility was a key element in the success of the trip. I can't think of anything about the trip that could be done to improve it.