AOS PARTNERSHIP TOUR
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: AOS Meeting Pre- and Post-Tour Options
TOUR FOCUS
BIRDS & WILDLIFE
SCHEDULED TOURS
2022 :: July 8 - July 15
TRIP LEADERS
TOUR COST
From: $3,000 (See details)
Cost is per person, double occupancy from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. (SDQ)
GROUP SIZE
4 - 6 Participants
AVAILABILITY
June Pre-Tour: 6 spaces available
July Post-Tour: 6 spaces available
PRIVATE TOUR OPTION
This tour is available as a private trip for any size group. The tour cost will vary with the number of people and any custom requests.
TESTIMONIALS
Highlights of DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: AOS Meeting Pre- and Post-Tour Options
Description of DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: AOS Meeting Pre- and Post-Tour Options
From montane cloud forests and lush tropical habitats, to the limestone karst and sparkling turquoise waters off the coast, the Dominican Republic hosts 32 avian endemics, including Palmchat, the single representative of the family Dulidae. All this equals some fantastic birding!
As one of the most enticing birding destinations in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of Hispaniola, the second-largest island in the Greater Antilles. The varied landscapes and friendly people provide for ample interest during our week-long birding tour, spanning multiple elevations in several locations.
We’ll focus on the rugged Sierra de Bahoruco National Park, where most of the country’s endemics and specialties can be found. In the high-elevation forests, we’ll look for Eastern Chat-Tanager, White-fronted Quail-Dove and La Selle Thrush. In the broadleaf evergreen forests we find Hispaniolan Spindalis, Green-tailed Ground-Tanager and Narrow-billed Tody. Amongst pine forests we’ll look for Hispaniolan Crossbill, Golden Swallow, and Antillean Siskin.
The expansive Lago Enriquillo basin hosts American Flamingos, and various species of herons, shorebirds, and waterfowl. Endemic Hispaniolan Palm Crow, White-necked Crow and Broad-billed Tody frequent the arid mesquite scrub that ring the lagoon. We’ll spend time on the north shore of the island looking for the rare, critically-endangered Ridgway’s Hawk, confined only to the forested foothills of Los Haities National Park.
Length of Tour
8-Days/7-Nights
Day 1 – Arrival Day
The earliest flight is best as we have a long drive to our first accommodations in Caño Hondo on the edge of the Los Haitises NP. Birding on the way for some endemics. Depending on the arrival at the lodge we may try for the Ridgway’s Hawk. Evening go for Ashy-faced Owl nearby.
NOTE: If you would like to arrive the night before we can help with suggested accommodations near the airport NOT in the city as this will add -hours- to the drive, due to traffic.
Among the endemic birds that are possible in this area are:
Ridgway’s Hawk
Antillean Piculet
Hispaniolan Oriole
Palmchat
Black-crowned Palm Tanager
Ashy-faced Owl
White-necked Crow
Broad-billed Tody
Hispaniolan Woodpecker
HOTEL: Altos de Caño Hondo
Day 2 – Los Haitises NP – Santo Domingo
Ridgway’s Hawk and White-necked Crow on the morning walk. At noon we’ll drive southwest to Santo Domingo Botanical Gardens for the Hispaniolan Parakeet, Hispaniolan Lizard-Cuckoo, Hispaniolan Woodpecker, Palmchat (more!) and West Indian Whistling Duck.
Among the endemic birds that are possible in this area are:
Ridgway’s Hawk
Antillean Piculet
Hispaniolan Oriole
Palmchat
Black-crowned Palm Tanager
Ashy-faced Owl
White-necked Crow
Broad-billed Tody
Hispaniolan Woodpecker
Hispaniolan Lizard-Cuckoo
Hispaniolan Parakeet
HOTEL: Santo Domingo, Hotel W&P Santo Domingo
Day 3 – Santo Domingo – Puerto Escondido
Head west towards Duverge and the north slope of the Sierra de Bahoruco to do mid-elevation birding. We’ll bird the Rabo de Gato road for the White-fronted Quail-Dove, Bay-breasted Cuckoo, Trogon, Oriole, Pewee, Broad-billed Tody, Narrow-billed Tody, Flat-billed Vireo, Antillean Siskin, Antillean Euphonia.
Among the endemic birds that are possible in this area for the next two days are:
Antillean Piculet
Hispaniolan Oriole
Palmchat
Black-crowned Palm Tanager
Ashy-faced Owl
Narrow-billed Tody
Broad-billed Tody
Hispaniolan Woodpecker
Hispaniolan Lizard-Cuckoo
Hispaniolan Parakeet
Antillean Siskin
Flat-billed Vireo
Bay-breasted Cuckoo
La Selle Thrush
Western Chat-Tanager
Green-tailed Warbler
White-winged Warbler
Hispaniolan Emerald
Hispaniolan Trogon
Golden Swallow
Hispaniolan Pewee
Least Pauraque
Hispaniolan Nightjar
White-fronted Quail-Dove
Hispaniolan Crossbill
HOTEL: Villa Barrancolí-Rabo de Gato Trail, Puerto Escondido
Day 4 Zapotén
Early start to get to the highlands at Zapotén on the north slope of the Sierra de Bahoruco, for La Selle Thrush, White-winged Warbler, Western Chat-Tanager, Green-tailed Warbler, Black-crowned Palm Tanager, Hispaniolan Emerald and Hispaniolan Spindalis. Relax evening birding Rabo de Gato and at dusk looking for the Least Pauraque and Hispaniolan Nightjar.
HOTEL: Villa Barrancolí-Rabo de Gato Trail, Puerto Escondido
Day 5 Pedernales
Drive west towards Pedernales. Afternoon birding on the southern slope of the Sierra de Bahoruco, which is where we would spend the remainder of the day, looking for Golden Swallow, Hispaniolan Crossbill, Siskin, Palm Crow, Flat-billed Vireo, Broad-billed Tody, Narrow-billed Tody, Antillean Piculet and Hispaniolan Parrot. At dusk look for Hispaniolan Nightjar followed by Ashy-faced owl (if needed).
HOTEL: Pedernales, Hostal Doña Chava
Day 6 Cabo Rojo – Barahona
After breakfast we go back to southern slope of Sierra de Bahoruco to look for the birds we may have missed the afternoon before then continue on to Casa Bonita and have a relaxing lunch and afternoon at this beautiful lodge. Depends on time we will stop the wetlands at Cabo Rojo for shorebirds, waders, and also the cliffs for pelicans, Brown Boobies and White-tailed Tropicbirds. Will pay attention late in the day for White-collared and Black swifts.
HOTEL: Barahona, Casa Bonita
Day 7 Cachote
Early start to drive nearby into the broadleaf forests of the eastern slope of the Sierra de Bahoruco to look for the last of our endemics, Eastern Chat-Tanager at daybreak. Been an excellent spot for birding will spend some time here looking for better views if needed for some endemics. Return to Casa Bonita for a late breakfast. After lunch drive from Barahona to Santo Domingo.
HOTEL: Quality Hotel Real Aeropuerto Santo Domingo
Day 8 Flight Home or to Puerto Rico
Cost
Cost is $3,000 per person, based upon double occupancy, from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. (Airport code SDQ).
This trip ends in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. (Airport code SDQ).
Single Supplement
If a single room is preferred, or we are unable to find a suitable roommate for you, a single supplement fee of $400 will be assessed.
Deposit Requirements
A $500 deposit per person is required to hold each space on this tour. Deposit may be made online by clicking the "Book Your Trip Now" button and using any credit card. If you prefer, you may call us at 888-875-9453 to pay by phone. You may also mail us a check, however, remember that all space is held on a first come-first served basis as deposits are received.
Minimum Number
If fewer than the minimum number of required participants are registered, we may still be able to run the trip by adding a small-group supplement fee, per person, determined by the number of participants registered.
How to Book
In order to hold your space, click the "Book Your Trip Now" button above and complete the deposit process, including payment of the deposit through our Paypal portal using ANY CREDIT CARD. Upon completion of deposit, please visit our secure, online CLIENT INFORMATION FORM to complete your registration.
Final Payment
For all land-based tours: full payment by check is due 120 days prior to the departure date.
For all boat-based adventure cruises of 7-days or longer: full payment by check is required 180 days prior to departure.
NOTE: If you prefer to use credit card for final payment, a 3% fee may be added to cover the credit card merchant fees we incur.
This trip includes mostly standard hotels. One location will have shared bathrooms for one night to reduce our driving time in the morning by several hours.
Activity Level Rating: 2 (Note: 1 is easy and 5 is difficult)
There are some very rough roads on this tour… all travel will be in SUVs. Walks are not too difficult, but may be muddy or rutted trails and dirt roads.
Purchasing Flights
Do not purchase your flights until the trip has been confirmed to go.
Detailed Trip Information
Upon notification that final payment is due (120 days prior to departure for land based tours / 180 days for boat based tours), you will receive a trip package of detailed information for your tour.
Any additional information about the trip, including lodgings, contacts, participants, meeting locations, etc., will sent about 2 weeks prior to the trip departure, or after final payment is received for late registrants.
Travel Insurance
As with all tours, we highly recommend purchasing Travel Insurance to cover your investment. Please see our section on Travel Insurance.
Passport & Visa
US Citizens may require a visa to enter certain foreign countries. See above for any required visa information.
Participants arriving to the USA from a foreign country may need to get a travel visa to enter the United States. Be sure to check the requirements for your country of origin.
Itinerary Changes
The trip itinerary is developed many months ahead of time. Occasionally, despite our best planning, changes may occur during the trip, or we may be forced to alter our plans. Changes may occur because of weather, road conditions, safety concerns or other circumstances. In these situations, it is the leader(s) responsibility to carefully consider and implement appropriate alternatives. Any additional costs incurred because of changes will be the responsibility of each individual participant. Refunds will not be issued as a result of itinerary changes.
