This 5 day / 4 night tour explores California’s unique Mojave and Coloradan desert systems to search for specialized avifauna and other wildlife adapted to thrive in arid conditions plus the wildly scenic and wonderfully eccentric Salton Sea, one of California’s premiere birding destinations.

Winter birds expected include most of the water birds seen at other California refuges and also southern specialties like Gambel’s Quail, Verdin, Abert’s Towhee, and Black-tailed Gnatcatcher. Ducks, Grebes and Shorebirds are abundant. The Salton Sea is typically warmer than Central and Northern California refuges. Raptors, especially falcons are common, the area has one of the highest density of American Kestrels in winter in California. A robust Burrowing Owl population resides in this area, and winter rarities are not uncommon. 

Tour Highlights:

• Travel as a small group in a spacious and comfortable van with desert experienced nature & bird guides to visit:
  • San Andreas fault Geothermal zones
  • High Desert, Joshua Tree habitats
  • Native California Washingtonian Palm Oasis
  • Ultra-rich delta of the Imperial Valley
  • The incomparable Salton Sea:  California’s largest inland water body
  • Anza Borrego: CA’s largest state park

Tour Details:

Click here for the tour brochure (pdf)

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive at Palm Springs, lunch, bird Coachella Valley preserves
• Day 2: Explore Big Morongo and Joshua Tree birding hotspots
• Day 3: Palm Desert Oasis and the below sea level Salton Sea
• Day 4: Imperial Valley, South Salton Sea to Anza Borrego
• Day 5: Anza Borrego and San Jacinto, lunch, depart Palm Springs

Trip Information

Transportation: 15 passenger van with back seat removed for luggage, etc.

 Group size: Minimum 5, maximum of 8 persons.

 Estimated Expedition fees for this 4 night / 5 day trip:
$1,450.00 per person USD based on double occupancy
Single Supplement of $320.00

What’s included?
Expedition fee includes all transportation, guide service, park fees, lodging and meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) from lunch on Day 1 through lunch prior to drop off by 4:00 PM in Palm Springs on Day 5. For those who book through Golden Gate Audubon Society’s Big Trips Committee an administrative fee will be sent to GGAS.

What is not included?
Participants will be responsible for their own air or ground transportation to and from Palm Springs, California. Plan to arrive in time for a group lunch on Day 1. Nature Trip will recommend flights. Departure from Palm Springs area on Day 5 (airport drop-off by 4:00 PM). All meals and beverages are included with the exception of alcoholic beverages. Participants will also be responsible for travel insurance (if desired), personal laundry and any other personal items not included on the “What’s included” list above.

Trip Packet: a complete packet of information for this tour including conditions for participation will be sent to each registrant on receipt of their booking. The information contained herein will give a sense of what to expect if you join this trip.

Lodging: Whenever practical we select lodging that is immediately adjacent to natural features. Otherwise we stay at highly rated standard hotels. All rooms will have ensuite bathrooms with hot water; most have laundry facilities and internet access.

Meals: Breakfasts will be provided throughout the tour by hotels and lodges and vary from basic continental style to more elaborate multi-course meals. Lunches and dinners will be at local restaurants with an emphasis on regional cuisines: Mexican, “California” cuisine, Seafood and Steakhouses. Some lunches will be picnic style.
Guide Service: Your guides for this trip, Eddie Bartley & Noreen Weeden, have been leading Nature Trip tours since 2004 in California and birding the Palm Desert region for over 25 years.

Desert Big Horn