Dear Friends,

Welcome to the July edition of the Naturetrek e-news.

This Month's Newsletter Features

NATURETREK FEATURED IN THE SATURDAY TELEGRAPH – TRAVEL

We were delighted when Nick Trend mentioned Naturetrek in his article, ‘Good things can come in packages’ in the Saturday Telegraph Travel supplement on 2nd July 2005 and are proud to be featured as one of the ten best tour companies who offer top-quality package tours for small groups.

LESBOS

The island of Lesbos is one of those dependable destinations that has become synonymous with excellent spring birdwatching. The vagaries of migration mean that some years certain species are unaccountably scarce whilst others occur in unusual numbers but overall there is always plenty to see on this delightful Aegean island and we are fortunate in being able to rely on the services of a superb team of leaders. Three Naturetrek groups visited Lesbos in April/May 2005 and a flavour of what to expect from a spring visit can be derived by Mike Hodgson's tour report when you click here.

GUYANA

Guianian cock of the rock

Colin Crooke led our highly successful inaugural tour to Guyana in March. Here is the first of three excerpts from his tour report.

“As we gained height the agricultural areas were soon replaced by wetlands and forest, and in no time at all we were flying over a vast expanse of uninterrupted rainforest, which stretched to the horizons in an endless sea of green. The meandering rivers and numerous ox-bow lakes highlighted why Guyana is known as the land of many waters, but as we journeyed far inland, the terrain became more undulated, giving way to hills, plateaux and towering tepuis. As we followed the white waters of the Potaro River, which are bordered by 2000ft cliffs, we glimpsed Red and Green Macaws below us, before being confronted by the awesome sight of the magnificent, towering Kaieteur Falls.

With expert skill, our pilots circled the splendour below us, which can only be described as a miracle of nature, with the white water plummeting a massive 750ft in a sheer drop over a precipice of 822ft (5 times the height of Niagara Falls!). As we circled the plateau, a small open area in the forest revealed a tiny landing strip, and with even greater expertise our pilots deftly landed us on the plateau above the falls. As we disembarked, we were overcome with a feeling of complete isolation, and were confronted by almost elphin like forest, and amongst the stunted trees towered the giant terrestrial Tank Bromeliads.

With building excitement, we embarked along a narrow trail conscious of the unique biodiversity. We glimpsed a Red-shouldered Tanager as a pair of raucous Scarlet Macaws flew low over our heads, and as we entered the moss covered trees, we were treated to a true icon of beauty, a stunning male Guianan Cock of the Rock. With patience we experienced superb views of this gorgeous cotinga, with its bright orange plumage and fan-like crest. With one of our target birds of the tour seen down to a few metres, we were able to turn our attentions to the spectacle of the falls themselves. From a series of view points we were able to appreciate the full grandeur and magnitude of Kaieteur, and as we watched the sheer mass of water as it thundered over the precipice into the green semi-circular chasm, the clouds of spray created a permanent rainbow in the bright sunshine.

However, the best was yet to come. As we reluctantly left our vantage point above the falls, we encountered a lek (communal display area) of Guianan Cock of the Rocks in the adjacent forest. At least two adult males were in full display providing superb photographic opportunities and as we watched, an immature male was observed to join the action, and at least one female was drawn, irresistibly, to the display.

As we ate our picnic lunch before re-boarding our planes, we couldn’t believe that our allocated two-hour tour of Kaieteur had stretched to over four!” 

In the next two months we will cover the group's encounter with Giant River Otters and Harpy Eagle!

Just as the title suggests, India is Incredible! With so much to offer; from wildlife watching - birds to tigers; National Parks and Wildlife sanctuaries; hotels, lodges and houseboat overnight cruises and not forgetting the fabulous cuisine.

We still have places on a number of our tours to India.

THE NATIONAL PARKS OF SOUTHERN INDIA

Saturday, 29th October – Wednesday, 16th November 2005

This is a 19-day wildlife holiday to the Nilgiri and Cardamon Hills, and the National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries of Nagarhole, Anaimalai and Periyar …plus an overnight ‘houseboat cruise’ on the backwaters of Kerala.

Click here to view the trip dossier and the full itinerary.

WILD INDIA – IN STYLE!

Friday, 4th November – Tuesday, 15th November 2005
Extensions:  Monday, 14th November – Saturday, 19th November 2005   

The splendour of India's Mogul architecture and the great diversity of the country's wildlife are enjoyed annually by hundreds of Naturetrek clients travelling on our numerous natural history holidays in the subcontinent. Constraints of cost inevitably mean that most of these groups are accommodated in comfortable three star hotels and lodges but as always in life, there are alternative choices that can be made and the novelty of this unusual new series of tours is that we will be sampling a taste of luxury by staying at some of the very best accommodation available at each location. This level of comfort combined with sightseeing and superlative wildlife viewing make this an Indian experience par excellence for connoisseurs of gracious living.

Click here to view the trip dossier and the full itinerary.

INDIA – BIRDING FROM GOA

Friday, 11th November – Saturday, 19th November 2005

Long-tailed Shrike

Goa is a former Portuguese enclave on the west coast of India, about 200 kilometres south of the bustling metropolis of Mumbai (Bombay). Hardly larger than Devon, Goa offers a relaxed, comfortable and bird-filled introduction to India for first time visitors, and a refreshingly ‘easy’ and yet diverse destination for more experienced visitors to the subcontinent. The combination of guaranteed sunshine, good food (Goans invented the Vindaloo and Xacuti dishes!) and great tropical birding makes this a tempting prospect indeed. Our first base near Baga will give us the chance of getting to know the commoner and more widespread species, with a good few specialities, while our exploration of the interior, centred on the Backwoods comfortable permanent camp, offers more difficult and secretive forest species, and the chance of some true rarities. Travel time by road will be kept to a minimum, and many of the sites are accessed only on foot, making this a peaceful and easy-paced holiday, notwithstanding the expected long bird list!

Click here to view the trip dossier and the full itinerary.

INDIA – A Wildlife Photography Tour to Panna Tiger Reserve

Wednesday, 21st December – Friday, 30th December 2005
Bandhavgarh Extension to Wednesday, 4th January 2006

A 10-day photographic holiday focusing on the wildlife of Panna National Park where the mighty Bengal Tiger and a great supporting cast of mammals and birds provides a wealth of subjects, whilst picturesque riverine forest along the River Ken and rural landscapes further guarantee that much film will be expended during this tour!

Click here to view the trip dossier and the full itinerary.

INDIA – Bargain Mammals (Bandhavgarh)

Friday, 11th November – Saturday, 19th November 2005
Friday, 9th December – Saturday, 17th December 2005
Monday, 26th December 2005 – Tuesday, 3rd January 2006

Royal Bengal Tigers (photograph by Chris Gomersall)

A 9-day tour in search of the Tigers and other mammals that inhabit India’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. It is situated amid the airy Vindhya hills of Madhya Pradesh and has established a reputation as one of the best places in India to observe Tigers. Although a relatively small reserve when first established in 1968, it was enlarged twenty years later to include adjacent tracts of Sal forest and this extension has proved very beneficial for the Tiger population.

Click here to view the trip dossier and the full itinerary. 

WILDLIFE & INDIAN CUISINE IN KERALA

Saturday, 12th November – Sunday, 20th November 2005
Saturday, 3rd December – Sunday, 11th December 2005

A leisurely 9-day birdwatching and wildlife holiday, with a difference, visiting the Thattakad (Dr Salim Ali) Bird Sanctuary and the pristine forest haven of Gavi, in the Western Ghats, part of Periyar Tiger Reserve. Other highlights include evening cookery lessons; the sites of Cochin and harbour cruise.

Click here to view the trip dossier and the full itinerary.

If this tour interests you then please reserve your place as soon as possible, as these departures are limited to 6 people.

KERALA’S NATIONAL PARKS & BACKWATERS

Nilgiri Tahr

Saturday, 19th November – Sunday, 27th November 2005

A 9-day wildlife tour to Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Periyar Tiger Reserve, and the Eravikulam National Park near Munnar… plus an overnight ‘houseboat cruise’ on the backwaters of Kerala.

Click here to view the trip dossier and the full itinerary.

Why not combine these last trips to Kerala and save £400?

LATE AVAILABILITY

To view a list of the late availability for Naturetrek tours departing over the next couple of months, please click here. However, as things are constantly changing, we advise you to call our Cheriton Mill office on 01962 733051 to check for any amendments.

We hope you have enjoyed reading this edition of the Naturetrek e-news. If you would like some help planning a future wildlife holiday, please call or e-mail us on info@naturetrek.co.uk and we will be happy to assist you.

We would be interested to hear any of your top travelling tips that you think other Naturetrek clients might benefit from – please contact Victoria on victoria@naturetrek.co.uk

We are continually striving to improve our e-newsletter – any comments and feedback would be gratefully appreciated!

Best wishes from us all,

The Naturetrek Team

If you would prefer not to hear from us in this way, please email remove@naturetrek.co.uk


For more information on any of our holidays please call us on 01962 733051