Sweet, Sweet T&T!

Islands we will visit on this trip: Trinidad & Tobago and Little Tobago

Overview

A golden opportunity to delight in the sights and sounds of an astonishing variety of South American species at the northern limit of their range in one of the most popular birding destinations in the Western Hemisphere. On this trip, we spend 6 nights on Trinidad and 3 nights on her sister island, Tobago.

Upcoming Tour Dates

2026

June 19th - 28th 2026: To express your interest in this tour, please click here.

If you would like us to arrange a private Sweet Sweet T&T trip, please contact us by clicking here.

Tour Price

From USD$3990 per person - for detailed pricing please scroll to the bottom of this page.

Past Trip Reports

• June 2022 (private 7-day trip): please click here

Want to know what others have said about our tours? Click here.

Daily Itinerary

 Day 1: Touchdown in Trinidad - the land of the hummingbird

Afternoon arrival into Piarco International Airport where you are met by pre-arranged transport and transferred to the newly refurbished and internationally renowned 5-star Asa Wright Lodge - our base for your first four nights on spectacular Trinidad - an unquestionable birder’s paradise!

Day 2: Asa Wright Lodge- a birder’s delight!

Walking out onto the verandah of the main lodge at Asa Wright, we are in the perfect setting for what is surely one of the most incredible birding experiences in the Western Hemisphere. With its stunning backdrop of hundreds of acres of lush, rich tropical rainforest, we are immediately surrounded by dozens of hummingbirds (of up to 13 different species) feeding on lantana sage, vervain shrubs and numerous strategically placed feeders. Photo opportunities abound as skittish Long-billed Starthroats, pugnacious White-necked Jacobins, robust Black-throated Mangoes, dazzling Copper-rumped Hummingbirds, White-chested Emeralds, Blue-Chinned Sapphires and many others all hover almost within touching distance of our fingertips!

The vast expanse of forest stretching out before us is home to a host of birds, the colours of which you truly have to see to believe, and today, we explore the grounds of this magnificent lodge. After quality time with the hummingbirds, we are led by knowledgeable guides onto the trails that traverse the lodge environs. Within the lush expanse of forest reside a host of specialist species - some of which you have a better chance of seeing here than anywhere else on the island.

We pay a visit to leks tucked away in the forest where Golden-headed and White-bearded Manakins entertain us with territorial displays, and scan the trees for Orange-winged Amazons and Boat-billed Kiskadees, before a final stroll along the Discovery Trail in an effort to unearth some treasured gems such as Gray-throated Leaftosser and Black-faced Antthrush. Our walk culminates at a reliable spot for up-close sightings of the remarkable Bearded Bellbird - an unforgettable encounter. 

After a delicious buffet lunch, the rest of the afternoon is yours to wander the easily navigable and well demarcated trails in the company of other avian wonders such as the ever-vocal Barred Antshrike, Rufous-tailed Hermit, White-bellied Antbird, Green-backed Trogon and Great Antshrike. Keep an eye out also for splendid Blue Morpho butterflies and Giant Tree Frogs. 

We wind down an enthralling first day with afternoon tea enjoyed in the company of the feeding hummingbirds on the balcony, and later, convene in the large dining room for a sumptuous dinner.

Day 3: High-elevation specialists in the Northern Range

Today begins with a scenic drive deep into Trinidad’s mountainous Northern Range along the famous birding “highway” of Blanchisseuse Road. Birding stops allow us the possibility of prime views of species which favor high elevations such as: Speckled Tanager, Streaked Xenops, White Hawk, Ornate Hawk Eagle, Guianan Trogon, Channel-billed Toucan, White-necked Thrush, Yellow Oriole, Cocoa Woodcreeper, Little Hermit, and Lilac-tailed Parrotlet.

A local lunch in the picturesque rural village of Brasso Seco will be followed by a cacao demonstration (featuring chocolate samples) from one of the local farmers belonging to a community initiative in the area. Here, surrounded by mature cacao plants, we may also be joined by Turquoise Tanager, Lineated and Chestnut Woodpeckers, and Green Hermit. 

In the afternoon, we continue through the mountains getting closer to the remote village of Morne la Croix, and an idyllic spot known for Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Yellow-rumped Cacique, Yellow-headed Caracara, Crested Oropendola and Long-billed Gnatwren. Settling down with tea and cakes (or a home-brewed rum punch should you prefer), we should have the pleasure of watching dazzlingly colorful Blue-headed Parrots fly into their roosts - before making our way back to our accommodation for dinner.

Following our delicious three course meal those who are interested can don their head torches and join a knowledgeable guide for a night walk along the centre’s long winding driveway. Lined by lush forest on both sides, a stroll along this well-paved road offers an  incredible opportunity for encounters with a wonderful selection of nocturnal species. Trinidad Chevron Tarantulas, Coral Snakes, Spectacled Owls, Tailless Whip Scorpions and many more are possible…

Day 4: Trinidad - where the spectacles are spectacular!

After another enthralling morning in the company of hummingbirds, tanagers and honeycreepers, and a lavish breakfast, we make the descent into one of the most marvellous attractions on the Asa Wright property - the deep fissure that is Dunston Cave. On our way down along the gradually descending trail, we are sure to keep a lookout for two of the most abundant and popular non-avian species at the Lodge - the Red-rumped Agouti and impressive Golden Tegu. Upon arrival at the entrance to the cave, the eerie noises emanating from its interior ensure we immediately shift our focus to the darkness before us and prepare for an encounter with one of the most bizarre species to be encountered on the entire trip. 

The primary reason why the World Wildlife Fund made a large contribution to the establishment of the Asa Wright Center in the 1960s, was in order to protect one of the most accessible colonies of Oilbirds in the world, and we are about to come face to face with it. An encounter with this unique and bizarre bird - lone species in the genus Steatornis - is not to be missed!

The afternoon promises to provide yet more unforgettable memories, as we make for the world-renowned Caroni Swamp - a vast wetland home to an abundance of wildlife. Once here, we travel on a private flat-bottomed boat and begin our exploration of the mangroves that dominate this spectacular natural wonder. To delve deep into the very heart of an established mangrove swamp is something akin to journeying into a prehistoric ecosystem where everything appears to remain frozen in time. Mangroves have been on the planet for 250 million years and with their pattern of elaborate, interlaced aerial roots and entwined branches, appear determined to shield and protect the inhabitants of the swamp from the encroaching threats of the modern world.

Unsurprisingly, the tranquility of this magical place attracts an astonishing variety of birds and other wildlife. Herons of every possible description, the probing pencil-thin necks of Tricolored Herons looking positively dainty when seen in proximity to those of their rather heavy-set neighbors, the Boat-billed Herons; Gray-cowled Wood-Rails walk cautiously and silently through the tangled mangroves; American Pygmy Kingfishers and Green Kingfishers flit across our bowhead; while Bicolored Conebills and Black-crested Antshrikes alight in the upper canopy; and spectacular Masked Cardinals flit frantically from one bank of a tributary to another; as all the while roosting Tropical Screech-Owls patiently await the setting of the sun. Others known to the swamp include Green-throated Mango, White-tailed Goldenthroat, Greater Ani, Straight-billed Woodcreeper, Olivaceous Saltator, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Yellow-breasted Flycatcher, and Pied Water-Tyrant. In the skies above, we may be treated to a selection of Trinidad's extensive variety of raptors including Short-tailed Hawks, Long-winged Harriers, Plumbeous Kites, Gray-lined Hawks, and Bat Falcons. 

The swamp's inhabitants are, however, not restricted to birds alone; its banks are ideal basking sites for Spectacled Caiman, the mangroves' branches offer prime hunting for Cook's Tree Boa, and although Silky Anteaters share the Screech-Owl's penchant for nocturnal foraging, they too can be seen on occasion during the day, securely curled up in the mangrove's embrace.

As the sun dips lower in the sky, and we emerge out into an open expanse of water, we are greeted by the sight of dozens of American Flamingos feeding. Cattle, Great and Snowy Egrets, along with Tricolored and Little Blue Herons arrive and proceed to decorate the emerald-colored mangrove islands. 

However, all of this is but a precursor to the arrival of the Scarlet Ibis, and our bearing witness to a sight sure to make bird lovers the world over envious. As we sit in our boat enjoying a sumptuous 3-course meal, accompanied by a glass of wine if you wish, the sky slowly begins to be patterned by the first few bright-red arrivals making their way towards us out of the west. But ones and twos soon give way to flocks of dozens of these resplendent birds, shifting and contorting as they negotiate the best approach to their roosts before nightfall.

Day 5: from the miniscule to the mammoth!

Following a leisurely breakfast, we bid farewell to Asa Wright and make for the quaint fishing village of Grande Riviere on Trinidad’s rugged and dramatic north coast.

Trinidad is a melting pot of cultures and humanity. Perhaps the most famous event in Trinidad is Carnival, where participants dress in every imaginable colour of costume. Many of the costumes gain inspiration from the islands birds, and as we make our way north to the coast, we visit a secluded site where hummingbirds such as the Copper-rumped, minuscule and stunningly coiffured Tufted Coquette and almost impossibly coloured Ruby Topaz - often feeding right before our eyes - envelop us in a whirlwind of splendid and varied colours. This site is an absolute delight for photographers. Following our time in these idyllic surroundings, we enjoy a picnic lunch before continuing  our wonderfully scenic journey. 

Upon arrival in Grand Riviere (light-dependent), we will seek out an encounter with the critically endangered Trinidad Piping-Guan as small flocks settle into roost. This is the most reliable site remaining on Earth for encounters with a bird that once numbered many thousands of individuals, but that has been hunted relentlessly and now teeters on the verge of extinction - with less than 150 remaining! We then check into our accommodation - a luxury beachfront and recently renovated 5-star hotel. Dinner will be served in the beachfront restaurant. 

Later tonight, we have the opportunity to enjoy an unforgettable wildlife spectacle as gargantuan leatherback turtles haul themselves onto the beach, and within a metre of where we are standing, lay hundreds of eggs. Under the guidance of an experienced local guide, clients are allowed to respectfully touch these prehistoric behemoths as they enter into a trance-like state for egg-laying. Very few people on Earth are fortunate enough to experience these treasured and special moments.

Day 6: an encounter with the exotic

Less than 10 minutes’ drive from the hotel, we are (once again) in the lush forests that are home to the endemic Trinidad Piping-Guan, known locally as the Pawi. Even if the birds were sighted on the first evening, we have this morning arranged exclusive access to the private viewing platform, where every opportunity will be provided for capturing ideal views. The early morning is also when the birds are most likely to be actively feeding in the Wild Nutmeg Trees that surround the Platform, suggesting that we may be in for a very memorable and close encounter with a species that is truly teetering on the very brink of existence.

Surrounding the private guan site is a large cacao estate with a paved and largely unused road running through it. We take full advantage of being in the field at dawn to walk along the forest lined road in search of a host of other birdlife, including: the extremely difficult Little Tinamou, Smooth-billed Ani, White-tipped Dove, White-flanked Antwren, Purple, Red-legged and Green Honeycreepers, Pale-breasted Spinetail, Silvered Antbird, along with a medley of hummingbirds.

With the morning’s birding over, we return to our beachfront hotel for lunch, after which the afternoon is yours to stroll along the 1km length rugged black-sand beach and environs, or even take a dip in the sea if the tide is favourable. Be sure to also be on the lookout along the banks of the river for feeding Green Kingfishers and Southern Lapwing, and overhead for Magnificent Frigatebirds, Southern Rough-winged Swallows, Crested Oropendolas, Black Vultures and White-winged Swallows.

As last night, a delicious dinner is enjoyed in the beautifully decorated restaurant with the sound of waves gently lapping at the beach outside. 

Day 7: Tobago calling…

As only red light can be used to observe the nesting turtles at night, it is recommended that those trying for a photograph or video of these gargantuan marine behemoths join the leader in stepping out onto the beach at dawn for potential encounters with females who were late to arrive to the beach, and who are still covering nests as the sun rises. It is these 1000lb females which provide prime photography opportunities while on the beach and also during their long laborious return to the sea. After breakfast, and with bags packed into our pre-arranged and comfortable transport, we enjoy a relaxed drive to the airport (with stops for roadside birding along the way) in order to catch our 20-minute flight to the charming, quintessentially Caribbean island of Tobago. 

Geologically, culturally and ornithologically, Tobago is rather different from its larger sister island of Trinidad, and the stark contrast is made immediately apparent upon touching town at Tobago’s ANR Robinson International Airport. Given their close proximity, there is considerable species overlap, but there are also a number of birds which are either found only on Tobago, or are far easier to see here.

From the airport, we make the short drive to a small mangrove wetland in order to target two specialist species: the White-fringed Antwren and recently split Tobago Greenlet. Also possible here are aquatic specialists such as Black Skimmer, Laughing Gull, Common Gallinule, Caribaea morph of Caribbean Coot, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, and several others. en route to our accommodation - a locally-owned ecolodge nestled in the lush and remote Runnemede Valley on the edge of the historic Main Ridge Forest Reserve. The lodge is surrounded by forested mountains, and while there, you can even enjoy a refreshing swim in its remarkable raised-deck saltwater swimming pool.

We finish the day by indulging in a delicious dinner of immaculately prepared and presented local cuisine, served in the open-air dining room, as the eerie calls of nocturnal dwellers gradually begin to pierce the cool night air. 

Day 8: A visit to the oldest protected forest reserve in the world

After breakfast, we drive high into the mountains of the Main Ridge Forest Reserve, the oldest legally protected forest reserve in the western hemisphere. This ancient and pristine primary forest draped in mosses and lianas teems with the notes of myriad deep-forest dwellers. We visit a lek for the spectacular Blue-backed Manakin and delight in the acrobatic antics of this stunning little species.

Another treasured encounter will surely be with the highly coveted Yellow-legged Thrush, a typically secretive high elevation forest species - but one that along bird-rich Gilpin Trace will often perch and bathe in quiet streams - providing unparalleled views. We spend the entire morning walking the trails of this special place and do so in the company of Red-crowned Woodpecker, the intricately patterned Collared Trogon, and the truly glorious near-endemic White-tailed Sabrewing (known only to Tobago and an ever-decreasing swathe in Venezuela). For many birders the primary reason for coming to Tobago is to have almost ridiculously close views of the spectacularly beautiful Trinidad Motmot. This species is far more approachable and prevalent on tiny Tobago, than her larger neighbor. This morning promises to produce our best views of this signature species. 

Following a relaxed lunch of locally-sourced and lovingly-prepared local dishes, we have time to enjoy the amenities and serene environs of our peaceful ecolodge. The soft afternoon light falls on feeders and bathes a bevvy of tropical plants and flowering trees. These hours are yours to stroll the grounds and surrounding trails (in the company of our guide should you wish), or select a favorite perch either on the front or rear balcony from which to view an incredible array of hummingbirds - including the aforementioned sabrewing and Rufous-breasted Hermit. 

Over 100 species of birds have been spotted in this haven of serenity - including Golden-olive Woodpecker, Red-crowned Woodpecker, Barred Antshrike, Great Black-Hawk, and Collared Trogon. As sunset approaches flocks of parrots, parrotlets, and noisy chachalacas break the silence as they return to their evening roosts.

Preceded by a delicious rum punch should you so desire, we then enjoy another distinctly Caribbean dinner before taking less than 30 steps down the driveway for a remarkable encounter with the minuscule near-endemic White-tailed Nightjar. This bird will be close! Sightings of Common Potoo and Common Pauraque are also distinct possibilities.

Day 9: A jaunt to Little Tobago, where seabirds abound!

Following a relaxed breakfast, we drive along scenic bays and through colorful villages on our way to the blissful seaside town of Speyside, where we board a glass-bottomed boat for a pleasant cruise across calm, azure waters to Little Tobago Island. 

The island, one of the country’s most significant wildlife sanctuaries, boasts one of the largest seabird colonies in the entire Caribbean and upon approach from the boat numerous seabirds should already be visible wheeling and cavorting over the waves. Disembarking onto the jetty we begin a gradual ascent into the dry tropical forest.

The burrows of Audubon Shearwaters are dotted throughout this island and we may be fortunate enough to see this wonderful seabird out of its element and on land. Reaching the spectacular lookout perched high atop one of countless towering cliffs that dominate this landscape, we are soon enjoying unbelievably close views of Red-billed Tropicbirds, White-tailed Tropicbirds, Red-footed and Brown Boobies and Magnificent Frigatebirds all cruising by at eye-level. These encounters are interspersed with regular sightings of elegant Bridled, Sooty, Roseate and Royal Terns together with Brown Noddies and Laughing Gulls. This is an experience quite unlike any other on the tour and is highly recommended. 

During the ascent we will have sightings of the strikingly patterned T&T endemic Ocellated Gecko and other small inhabitants that make this tiny island home.

Leaving the island, the captain pauses (if sea conditions are favourable) to look for vibrantly-coloured tropical fish, and possibly Hawksbill Turtles. Upon reaching the dock, we take the opportunity to sample a delicious local lunch and as we wait for our food, which is freshly made to order, we have some time here to enjoy the tranquility of this coastline. 

After lunch, we make our way back to our lodge, where we have a final opportunity to observe the frenzy at the lodge’s feeders, and sit back and relax in the unparalleled serenity of this remote lodge. After dinner this evening, you may wish to take a night walk, where you may chance upon some of the nocturnal createures that inhabit the forest around the lodge. One such is the Nine-banded Armadillo, known locally as the ‘Tatu’ (among the most ancient of species found on this tiny island), which forgaes for unsuspecting insects under the cover of darkness.

Day 10: Departures

After breakfast, we board our pre-arranged transfer to the airport for to check in for our flights back home.

Pricing

2026

Tour Price: US$3990 per person (based on double occupancy rates and 10 participants). Single Supplement, i.e. if you would prefer to have a single room for the duration of your tour, there is an additional charge of US$575.

Included in Price: All scheduled and stated flights between islands and internal boat charges between islands; local taxes; airport departure taxes; all accommodations; pre-arranged food; drinking water with meals and on birding outings; transport to and from destinations on all islands; park admission fees; guide fees; gratuities; and hotel and restaurant service charges.

Not Included in Price: Your international flights; any regional flights after the tour has finished - should you wish to return home from a different island to that on which the tour finishes; extra charges incurred for overweight or additional pieces of luggage on international or regional flights; VAT; travel insurance; laundering services; drinks.

Tour Info

Number of Species that will possibly be seen on tour: 300+

Group Size: Maximum of 10 clients plus guide.

Terrain and Pace: We cover a diverse range of terrain on this trip. Trails are primarily well maintained and relatively level. Any light to moderate ascents are conducted at a slow, steady pace with plenty of opportunities to rest along the way. A walking stick is recommended if you would usually use one for walking off-road.

Please note that the above itinerary and pricing is subject to change.