Trip to The Azores, with Birds & Nature
Dates: 3 – 9 th September 2010

We are delighted to be able to announce a trip to the Azores to watch and photograph birds and cetaceans, lead by Birds & Nature in partnership with the local travel agency, Teles.
The Programme Birds & Whales, a trip lasting a week, is designed to let you savour nature in all its diversity, but especially to enjoy birding and whale-watching at its best. The trip has been timed to coincide with that time of year when some Nearctic rarities arrive in the archipelago and when it is possible to see a variety of cetaceans, too. Also, we shall be able to see special resident species like the Azores Bullfinch, as well as to watch some fascinating seabirds at their colonies.
The itinerary includes a visit to three islands in the archipelago, namely Terceira, Pico and São Miguel, and three sea-going trips (two from Pico and one from São Miguel), to observe and photograph cetaceans and seabirds.
This trip to the Azores is a golden opportunity for anyone interested in observing species of birds from the Nearctic, in Europe; the potential species list is staggering and includes American Wigeon, Blue-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Semipalmated Plover, Semipalmated Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, Ring-billed Gull and Laughing Gull. A further bonus is the opportunity to see local specialities (including the Priolo or Azores Bullfinch) and a variety of seabirds.
Where cetaceans are concerned, we expect to see several species, including Common Dolphin, Bottlenose Dolphin, Spotted Dolphin, Striped Dolphin, False Killer Whale, Risso’s Dolphin, Short-finned Pilot Whale, Sperm Whale, Fin Whale, Cuvier’s Beaked Whale and Sowerby’s Beaked Whale.

Programme
3 rd September – Flight to Terceira. First outing to watch birds at the famed Cabo da Praia and Praia da Vitoria. Overnight at the Hotel Beira Mar.
4 th September – Outing to observe birds at sites like Lagoa do Ginjal. Flight to Pico. Overnight at the Hotel Residencial Whale’come ao Pico.
5 th September – Boat trip to observe cetaceans and seabirds, lunch provided. Overnight at the Hotel Residencial Whale’come ao Pico.
6 th September – Three hour boat trip to observe cetaceans and seabirds. Birding at the famed Lajes do Pico. Flight to São Miguel. Overnight at the Hotel Camões.
7 th September – Birding in the area of Lagoa das Furnas and the hilly areas of Serra da Tronqueira. Overnight at the Hotel Camões.
8 th September – Six hour boat trip to observe cetaceans and seabirds, with a stop for refreshments and bathing at Ribeira Quente. Birding at Vila Franca do Campo and Caloura. Overnight at the Hotel Camões.
9 th September – Birding on São Miguel at selected sites like Mosteiros, Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde. Flight to Lisbon.

Price
1.260 euros per person (150 euros single room supplement).
Payment: 25% down payment, another 25% payable up to two months before departure and the remaining 50% up to two weeks before departure.
Price includes your Birds & Nature guide, flights to and from the Azores, internal flights, airport taxes, transfers to and from the airports, transport at all times, three boat trips, accommodation throughout the trip, two meals, multiviagens insurance and VAT.
Not included are meals (other than the ones mentioned above) and any personal expenditure.

Hotels
Hotel Beira Mar – Hotel Site: http://www.hotelbeiramar.com/
Hotel Residencial Whale’come ao Pico – Hotel Site: http://hotel.espacotalassa.com/PT/
Hotel Camões – Hotel Site: http://www.hotelcamoes.com/

Note
On trips organized by Birds & Nature, we try to provide you with excellent birding experiences along with unique opportunities to take that once-in-a-life time photograph.
Please note that the trip needs a minimum of 6 participants and will be limited to a maximum of 16 participants.

Contact us now for reservations or further details.
To contact us (click here)

Birds & Nature Tours is a registered tourism company (RNAAT nº 25/2008 - Turismo de Portugal I.P.)