CYNDI ROUTLEDGE GROUP

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC [PRIVATE GROUP]: Hispaniola Endemic Birding

TOUR FOCUS
BIRDS & WILDLIFE

SCHEDULED TOURS

Group Size: 3 - 6

TRIP LEADERS

Gabriel Lugo

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

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Highlights of DOMINICAN REPUBLIC [PRIVATE GROUP]: Hispaniola Endemic Birding

33 endemic bird species & many other Caribbean specialties!

Critically endangered Ridgway’s Hawk!

Palmchat is the sole representative of the family Dulidae!

Description of DOMINICAN REPUBLIC [PRIVATE GROUP]: Hispaniola Endemic 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 endemic birdlife, varied landscapes, and friendly people provide for ample interest during our week-long birding tour, spanning multiple elevations in several locations around the island. From montane cloud forests and lush, tropical habitats to the limestone karst hills, and sparkling turquoise waters off the coast, the Dominican Republic hosts 33 avian endemics including the cheerful Palmchat which is the sole representative of the family Dulidae!

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. And in towering pine forests we’ll look for Hispaniolan Crossbill, Golden Swallow, Hispaniolan Trogon, and Antillean Siskin. The rare Bicknell’s Thrush, which only breeds above the treeline in a few isolated locations in northeastern US and Canada, migrates to the Dominican Republic to spend the winter in the island’s mountains! Along the way, we may encounter Hispaniolan Piculet, Bay-breasted Cuckoo, Hispaniolan Lizard-Cuckoo, and both Hispaniolan Mango and Hispaniolan Emerald hummingbirds! After dark, we will search for Ashy-Faced Owl, Least Pauraque, and Hispaniolan Nightjar!

The expansive Lago Enriquillo Basin hosts American Flamingos and various species of herons, shorebirds, and waterfowl. Hispaniolan Palm Crow, White-necked Crow, Hispaniolan Parrot, Vervain Hummingbird, and Broad-billed Tody are endemics of the lowland’s arid mesquite scrub surrounding the lagoon. We’ll spend time on the north shore of the island looking for the critically-endangered Ridgway’s Hawk, a relative of the Red-shouldered Hawk, which is confined to just a small area of the forested foothills at Los Haities National Park.

Itinerary

Length of Tour

8-Days/7-Nights

Brief Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive in Santo Domingo.

Day 2 – Drive west towards Barahona.

Day 3 – Zapotén, Sierra de Bahoruco.

Day 4 – La Placa, Sierra de Bahoruco and Lago Enriquillo.

Day 5 – Cachote, Sierra de Bahoruco (Eastern slope).

Day 6 – Drive north east to Altos de Caño Hondo on the edge of the Los Haities NP.

Day 7 – Los Haitises.

Day 8 – Flights home.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive in Santo Domingo.

Hampton by Hilton Santo Domingo Airport

Day 2 – Drive West Towards Barahona.

We’ll go for the Hispaniolan Palm Crows near Lago Enriquillo. Evening birding for Hispaniola Oriole, Antillean Siskin, White-necked Crow, Hispaniola Parrot and more.

Day 3 – Zapotén, Sierra de Bahoruco.

Early start to get to the highlands at Zapotén on the north slope of the Sierra de Baroruco, for La Selle Thrush, White-winged Warbler, Western Chat-Tanager, Green-tailed Warbler, Hispaniolan Crossbill, Emerald and Spindalis and more.

Lunch in the mountains.

We’ll bird near Rabo de Gato road for the Oriole, Pewee, Broad-billed Tody, Narrow-billed Tody, Antillean Siskin, Hispaniola Euphonia.

Day 4 – La Placa, Sierra de Bahoruco and Lago Enriquillo.

Before leaving we’ll be looking for the Bay-breasted Cuckoo and Flat-billed Vireo. If still needed, we’ll go back for the Palm Crows near Lago Enriquillo.

Day 5 – Cachote, Sierra de Bahoruco (Eastern slope).

Early start to drive nearby into the broadleaf forest of the eastern slope of the Sierra de Baroruco to look for Eastern Chat-Tanager at daybreak. Return to the hotel for a late breakfast, relax and enjoy the view before a late morning checkout.

Then drive from Barahona to Santo Domingo with stops along Salinas de Bani.

W&P Hotel, Santo Domingo

Day 6 – Drive north east to Altos de Caño Hondo on the edge of the Los Haities NP.

We’ll visit the Botanical Gardens where we can enjoy more endemics and the Caribbean specialty West Indian Whistling Duck. Evening birding around the property looking for our last endemics. Including the Ridgway’s Hawk. After dinner go for Ashy-faced Owl nearby if still needed.

Altos de Caño Hondo, Sabana de la Mar

Day 7 – Los Haitises.

Ridgway’s Hawk and White-necked Crow on the morning walk. At noon we’ll drive south west back to Santo Domingo.

Hampton by Hilton Santo Domingo Airport

Day 8 – Flights home.

Depart at anytime to return home or continue on to our Jamaica tour.

Full list of the Dominican Republic’s endemic bird species:

White-fronted Quail-Dove
Least Poowill
Hispaniolan Nightjar
Hispaniolan Mango
Hispaniolan Emerald
Bay-breasted Cuckoo
Hispaniolan Lizard-Cuckoo
Ashy-faced Owl
Ridgway’s Hawk
Hispaniolan Trogon
Narrow-billed Tody
Broad-billed Tody
Antillean Piculet
Hispaniolan Woodpecker
Hispaniolan Amazon
Hispaniolan Parakeet
Hispaniolan Elaenia
Hispaniolan Pewee
Flat-billed Vireo
White-necked Crow
Hispaniolan Palm Crow
Golden Swallow
La Selle Thrush
Palmchat
Hispaniolan Euphonia
Hispaniolan Crossbill
Black-crowned Palm-Tanager
Grey-crowned Palm-Tanager
White-winged Warbler
Green-tailed Warbler
Hispaniolan Spindalis
Western Chat-Tanager
Eastern Chat-Tanager

Cost Details

Cost

Cost is $3,450 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 $500 will be assessed.

Deposit Requirements

A $750 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.

Accommodations

Activity Level

Additional Information

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 recommend purchasing Travel Insurance to help cover your investment, for covered reasons. 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.