Nature Tours by Kenneth
Rain Forest Tour #1 -
Gilpin Trace & Argyle Waterfalls
The Tour: There are a number of trails in the Tobago Main Ridge Reserve, the oldest natural reserve in the western hemisphere, however the Gilpin Trace has the distinction of being the oldest named trail. It is also the most "well traveled" by tour groups, so depending on what we find when we get there, we may opt to hike a less traveled but equally species rich trail nearby.
As we follow the trail we are likely to see several White-tailed Sabrewing, a large hummingbird which was formerly very rare but is now slowly recovering in numbers, though will still be the hikes highlight should we spot one.
Collared Trogons are widespread in the forests and Blue-backed Manakins are often heard, though opportunities to actually see them are rather rare.
Rufous-Tailed Jacamar Image
courtesy of Roger Neckles
Since this is a popular trail we are likely to be sharing it with other birding and nature enthusiasts, but this is often a great way to share stories of what lays ahead or behind on the trail, including the Rufous-breasted Hermit, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Stripe-breasted Spinetail, Buff-throated and Olivaceous Woodcreepers, Yellow-breasted Flycatcher, Fuscous Flycatcher, Plain Ant-Vireo, Redlegged Honeycreeper, Golden-olive Woodpecker and often resident Great Black Hawk.
Once off the trail we will drive a short distance in search of a road side "Roti" stand to pick up this dish for a light lunch as we make our way to Argyle Falls. Tobago has a number of beautiful waterfalls with the Argyle Waterfall being one of the most scenic.
It’s a tiered climb with cool pools of water perfect for a late afternoon dip. The pathways are slippery so we'll take our time on this walk.
Tour Duration: Departure 7:00 a.m. 6 hours approximate
Price: US $100 per person including tax. Minimum of 2 persons.
Includes: Van transfers, guide, Birds of Trinidad and Tobago Checklist, entry fee for Argyle Falls.
Not Included: Optional guide gratuities not included. Lunch is not included, however we will stop by a local stand to purchase Roti or guests can request a quick stop at a supermarket on the way out of the rainforest to buy food/snack and beverages on the way from the Gilpin Trail to the waterfall.
What to Wear: Light weight long pants are best suited for rainforest hikes. Good walking shoes with socks are highly recommended (ones that can take mud). Wellies (Boots can be rented at entrance to Rainforest and are highly recommended during rainy season. A change of clothes to keep in the van is advisable during the rainy season as well (June to December.) You may also want to consider clothing appropriate to take a dip in the natural pool at the Argyle Falls.
Packing Considerations: Light back pack with binoculars, camera, bird book, water bottle, sunscreen, insect repellent, Kleenex or TP (there are no rest rooms available) and a small amount of money (preferably TT) for the purchase of lunch.
Rain Forest Tour #2– Our Guide Kenneth's Favorite "Over the Mountain" Tour: This tour requires a bit more stamina than the flatter Gilpin Trace as you follow guide Kenneth on one of his favorite trails. With a gradual rise your tour takes you in a loop eventually passing over one of the higher ridges in the Reserve. Depending on the season you will either circumvent or traverse bubbling brooks, and squelch through some mud (it all adds to the adventure!) so water hardy shoes are highly recommended.
Red Legged Honeycreeper Image
courtesy of Roger Neckles
Walking through this pristine environment you can not help but give silent thanks to Tobago's colonial governor, who in 1765, declared the central mountain ridge and its surrounding lands a Crown Reserve, making Tobago's the oldest legally-protected forest in the world.
Thriving in this protected forest are a variety of colorful winged inhabitants including the Red-legged Honeycreeper, the larger but equally colorful Blue-backed Manakin, and large (by hummingbird standards) White-tailed Sabrewing as well as the smaller Copper-rumped and Ruby-topaz Hummingbird.
Rufous-vented Chachalaca, Tobago's national bird known locally as "Cocrico" can be sought in the thick undergrowth of the forest as well as the majority of the same species found on the Gilpin Trace Rainforest Tour #1.
While coming out of the forest into the semi-open woodland we'll have a chance to look for the
Yellow-bellied Elaenia, Short-tailed Swift, Broad-winged Hawk and Crested Oropendola as we head back toward the van. We'll also stop at a fresh water spring so you can refill your water bottles with water that tastes the way nature intended!
Tour Duration: Departure 7:00 a.m. 5 hours approximate
Price: US $85 per person including tax. Minimum of 2 persons.
Includes: Van transfers, guide.
Not Included: Optional guide gratuities not included.
What to Wear: Light weight long pants are best suited for rainforest hikes. Good walking shoes with socks are highly recommended (ones that can take mud). Wellies (Boots can be rented at entrance to Rainforest and are highly recommended during rainy season. A change of clothes to keep in the van is advisable during the rainy season as well (June to December.)
Packing Considerations: Light back pack with binoculars, camera,bird book, water bottle, sunscreen, insect repellent, Kleenex or TP (there are no rest rooms available) and a small amount of money (preferably TT) for the purchase of lunch, snacks, etc.
Gilpin Trace & Argyle Waterfalls
The Tour: There are a number of trails in the Tobago Main Ridge Reserve, the oldest natural reserve in the western hemisphere, however the Gilpin Trace has the distinction of being the oldest named trail. It is also the most "well traveled" by tour groups, so depending on what we find when we get there, we may opt to hike a less traveled but equally species rich trail nearby.
As we follow the trail we are likely to see several White-tailed Sabrewing, a large hummingbird which was formerly very rare but is now slowly recovering in numbers, though will still be the hikes highlight should we spot one.
Collared Trogons are widespread in the forests and Blue-backed Manakins are often heard, though opportunities to actually see them are rather rare.
Rufous-Tailed Jacamar Image
courtesy of Roger Neckles
Since this is a popular trail we are likely to be sharing it with other birding and nature enthusiasts, but this is often a great way to share stories of what lays ahead or behind on the trail, including the Rufous-breasted Hermit, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Stripe-breasted Spinetail, Buff-throated and Olivaceous Woodcreepers, Yellow-breasted Flycatcher, Fuscous Flycatcher, Plain Ant-Vireo, Redlegged Honeycreeper, Golden-olive Woodpecker and often resident Great Black Hawk.
Once off the trail we will drive a short distance in search of a road side "Roti" stand to pick up this dish for a light lunch as we make our way to Argyle Falls. Tobago has a number of beautiful waterfalls with the Argyle Waterfall being one of the most scenic.
It’s a tiered climb with cool pools of water perfect for a late afternoon dip. The pathways are slippery so we'll take our time on this walk.
Tour Duration: Departure 7:00 a.m. 6 hours approximate
Price: US $100 per person including tax. Minimum of 2 persons.
Includes: Van transfers, guide, Birds of Trinidad and Tobago Checklist, entry fee for Argyle Falls.
Not Included: Optional guide gratuities not included. Lunch is not included, however we will stop by a local stand to purchase Roti or guests can request a quick stop at a supermarket on the way out of the rainforest to buy food/snack and beverages on the way from the Gilpin Trail to the waterfall.
What to Wear: Light weight long pants are best suited for rainforest hikes. Good walking shoes with socks are highly recommended (ones that can take mud). Wellies (Boots can be rented at entrance to Rainforest and are highly recommended during rainy season. A change of clothes to keep in the van is advisable during the rainy season as well (June to December.) You may also want to consider clothing appropriate to take a dip in the natural pool at the Argyle Falls.
Packing Considerations: Light back pack with binoculars, camera, bird book, water bottle, sunscreen, insect repellent, Kleenex or TP (there are no rest rooms available) and a small amount of money (preferably TT) for the purchase of lunch.
Rain Forest Tour #2– Our Guide Kenneth's Favorite "Over the Mountain" Tour: This tour requires a bit more stamina than the flatter Gilpin Trace as you follow guide Kenneth on one of his favorite trails. With a gradual rise your tour takes you in a loop eventually passing over one of the higher ridges in the Reserve. Depending on the season you will either circumvent or traverse bubbling brooks, and squelch through some mud (it all adds to the adventure!) so water hardy shoes are highly recommended.
Red Legged Honeycreeper Image
courtesy of Roger Neckles
Walking through this pristine environment you can not help but give silent thanks to Tobago's colonial governor, who in 1765, declared the central mountain ridge and its surrounding lands a Crown Reserve, making Tobago's the oldest legally-protected forest in the world.
Thriving in this protected forest are a variety of colorful winged inhabitants including the Red-legged Honeycreeper, the larger but equally colorful Blue-backed Manakin, and large (by hummingbird standards) White-tailed Sabrewing as well as the smaller Copper-rumped and Ruby-topaz Hummingbird.
Rufous-vented Chachalaca, Tobago's national bird known locally as "Cocrico" can be sought in the thick undergrowth of the forest as well as the majority of the same species found on the Gilpin Trace Rainforest Tour #1.
While coming out of the forest into the semi-open woodland we'll have a chance to look for the
Yellow-bellied Elaenia, Short-tailed Swift, Broad-winged Hawk and Crested Oropendola as we head back toward the van. We'll also stop at a fresh water spring so you can refill your water bottles with water that tastes the way nature intended!Tour Duration: Departure 7:00 a.m. 5 hours approximate
Price: US $85 per person including tax. Minimum of 2 persons.
Includes: Van transfers, guide.
Not Included: Optional guide gratuities not included.
What to Wear: Light weight long pants are best suited for rainforest hikes. Good walking shoes with socks are highly recommended (ones that can take mud). Wellies (Boots can be rented at entrance to Rainforest and are highly recommended during rainy season. A change of clothes to keep in the van is advisable during the rainy season as well (June to December.)
Packing Considerations: Light back pack with binoculars, camera,bird book, water bottle, sunscreen, insect repellent, Kleenex or TP (there are no rest rooms available) and a small amount of money (preferably TT) for the purchase of lunch, snacks, etc.
