THE NATURE AND BIRDS OF JAMAICA

Although Jamaica is best known for its beaches and coffee, this island has much more to offer naturalists: it ranks fifth in biodiversity among the world’s islands, and many of its animal and plant species are found nowhere else in the world. Since 1990 Jamaica has increased the number and quality of its national parks, recognizing the global importance of its rare species.

Our goal is to see all 27 of the island’s endemic bird species, including the Jamaican Owl, Jamaican Mango, Jamaican Becard, Jamaican Tody and more. In addition to time on the Caribbean coast, we explore a variety of habitats, including montane and rainforest, quiet rivers and lush valleys

In addition to its unique bird species, discover Jamaica’s flora including a variety of ferns, butterflies, orchids (66 endemic species) bromeliads and other unusual flora. Enjoy walks on mountain trails, local culture and time to relax on the beach or go snorkeling. This journey is a great opportunity to combine tropical pleasures of a Caribbean vacation with exploration of an exceptional island.

YOUR ITINENARY

Day 1 Arrival in Kingston
Our journey begins in Kingston, where we will arrange transfers for you upon arrival to your hotel for the first night. This afternoon, rest up from your travels. Relax upon arrival, take a dip in the pool.

Day 2 Hope Gardens / Blue Mountains / Forres Park Lodge
This morning you are accompanied by a local guide for birding at Hope Botanical Gardens and Zoo, the largest botanical gardens in the West Indies. Established in 1881, Hope Gardens lies adjacent to the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies, and offers quiet respite away from the bustle of Kingston. Several of Jamaica’s endemic birds occur here, such as Yellow-billed and Olive-throated Parakeets, the tiny Vervain Hummingbird and White-chinned Thrush, locally known as ‘Hopping Dick’. We may also find lingering North American wintering warblers such as Northern Parula, American Redstart, Cape May and Black-and-White.

Enjoy a delightful lunch at nearby Lilian’s Restaurant, a sure bet for a good meals as it’s the official restaurant of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, located at adjacent to the Caribbean Sculpture Park at the University of Technology, Jamaica.
After lunch, we travel into the mountains to accommodations at the Forres Park Lodge, near the town of Mavis Bank in the heart of the mountainous coffee growing region of Jamaica. At an elevation of 2,500 feet, the lodge’s Swiss chalet style fits with the cooler climate. The lodge is part of a working shade-grown coffee plantation, and its grounds and trails are replete with birds. Here we watch for Jamaica’s National Bird, the Doctorbird, as well as Red-billed Streamertail, the tiny Vervain Hummingbird, remarkably beautiful Stripe-headed Tanager, White-chinned Thrush, Jamaican Oriole and other species. (B,L,D)

Day 3 Blue Mountains - Cinchona Botanical Gardens
Enjoy a wonderful breakfast with homemade plantain porridge and delicious Blue Mountain coffee, before venturing off the higher reaches of the mountains. Here, we walk through small farm lands, forests with tree-ferns, Caribbean pine, bromeliads, and a wide variety of orchids – of Jamaica’s 820 endemic flowering plant species, 66 are orchids!
You can enjoy the views overlooking the Mountain range and landscaped gardens with a range of lilies, roses and old man’s beard trailing from the trees.
After a delicious picnic lunch return to the hotel, to relax, or walk the garden trails, lined with various flowering shrubs. (B,L,D)

Day 4 Montane Rainforest Birding
Next Morning : Leave early this morning -- picnic breakfast in tow -- to drive to another fabled birding and hiking spot at Hardware Gap, nestled at 5,000 feet between Blue Mountain (7,405 feet). In this lush forested area, listen to the beautiful dawn chorus -- especially the flute-like call of the often elusive Rufous-throated Solitaire. This is the scenic realm of the endangered Jamaican Blackbird, which feeds on insects associated with the abundant bromeliads. On the way stop to do some birding on private gardens of a coffee estate house near Newcastle, the military training camp then at Hardware Gap, then lunch at the Gap Café with lovely views overlooking Kingston. Look for high-elevation bird species such as Jamaican Woodpecker, Rufous-tailed Flycatcher, the endangered Ring-tailed Pigeon, Chestnut-billed Cuckoo, Rufous-throated Solitaire, and the beautiful Crested Quail-Dove. At Hardware gap birding is possible along the way, often at the edge of coffee plantations, where fruiting shade trees, particularly figs, can be magnets for birds.

With an annual rainfall of more than 100 inches, the forest hosts an array of fascinating ferns; some of the giant Tree Ferns reach a height of 30 feet! Amid this lush vegetation we look for Arrow-headed Warbler, White-eyed Thrush, Jamaican Becard, Blue Mountain Vireo, Sad Flycatcher, and more. Native trees include huge Mahogany, Cedar, Blue Mahoe, and Broadleaf. Agile White-collared Swift fly high above the canopy. We can also look for mixed flocks of tanagers and warblers and listen for the noisy Jamaican Woodpecker. The Jamaican Tody is also to be found here, and you may find this bright green jewel.

We then walk down from Hardware Gap enjoying the landscape to some waterfalls near the village of Cascade, where your transportation will meet you again and continue the journey to the lovely accommodations at The Tamarind Great House, nestled on a hill in a citrus growing area that dates from the 18th century. (B,L,D)

Day 5 Sun Valley Plantation / Coastal Hike from Green Castle/Robins Bay, St Mary
This morning after breakfast we first visit a working fruit and coconut plantation farm. The owner of the family run business generally show you around their grounds personally and acquaint you with the various tropical fruits and herbs. They demonstrate how the coconuts are harvested and what a wealth of products can be derived from the coconut. Continue to the coast near Robins Bay and enjoy a nice hike along the coast with time to enjoy your picnic lunch.
Afterwards, travel along the coastal road to the lovely Hotel Mockingbird Hill, your home for the next four nights. In the afternoon, you can either relax by the pool or traverse the trails of the hotel grounds for some late-afternoon birding. Watch for other fascinating birds such as Caribbean Dove, Chestnut-bellied Cuckoo, and Jamaican Lizard Cuckoo.

This remarkable hotel is set high on a hill with fantastic views of Port Antonio and the Caribbean Sea. From the charming swimming pool, you can watch hummingbirds such as the Black-billed Streamertail and the Jamaican Mango. Have dinner at the hotel’s first-class terraced restaurant acclaimed by Gourmet magazine -- a fantastic culinary experience! Enjoy the scent of Night Jasmine and the cool tropical breeze from your room’s balcony. (B,L,D).

Day 6
Begin with an early start this morning. You are driven to Ecclesdown at the foothills of the John Crow Mountains with a packed breakfast. Spend the morning walking along a forested road where a number of . of endemic birds can be seen including Black-billed and Yellow-billed Parrots, Jamaican Becard, Jamaican Oriole, and Jamaican Crow.
Refresh yourself with a dip at Reach Falls, some lovely secluded falls surrounded by lush forest, where you can take a swim to cool off if you like before having lunch on the beach. A lovely stop to experience the Caribbean Sea and take a dip in the waves. You can also walk along the longest beach in this area.
Back at the hotel in the afternoon your guide will lead you around the hotel’s lushly vegetated grounds. Here as many as 40 species can be found, including Ring-tailed Pigeon, the impressively beautiful Black-billed Streamertail, Chestnut-bellied Cuckoo, and Rufous-tailed Flycatcher.
At day’s end, enjoy another engaging evening of dinner and conversation at this beautifully situated hotel, with your hosts. (B,L,D)

Day 7 Scenic Rio Grande River Rafting / Sightseeing
Enjoy a change of pace today! After a delightful breakfast, take off for a scenic rafting adventure on the Rio Grande. Originally these rafts were used to transport bananas; then Port Antonio’s most famous resident, the movie star Errol Flynn, made raft rides popular by challenging visitors to race down the Rio Grande. Take a relaxing trip on these two-seater bamboo rafts, lazily floating down this mostly quiet, scenic river to get close looks at herons, egrets, kingfishers and possibly some shorebirds. Stop on the river for lunch at Miss Betty's, another chance for authentic Jamaican food. Return to Mockingbird Hill for the afternoon. You can then end the day relaxing at Frenchman’s Cove, a lush cove with lovely sand beach and a stream flowing through the gardens. (B,L,D)

Day 8 Caribbean Culture / Free Afternoon with Optional Snorkeling
This morning visit Port Antonio to discover a bit of local flavor. Visit the market and enjoy the colourful hustle and bustle of a little town. You will then be taken by boat from the Marina to Pelu Island to relax for the rest of the day and discover the underwater world. A picnic lunch will be provided so that you can relax and enjoy the reefs for snorkeling and swimming from “your own “ island

For those who prefer to stay at the hotel, this is possible and lunch will be served at the hotel after which you can be taken to Frenchman’s Cove for an afternoon at Jamaica’s prettiest white sand beach; or simply relax and enjoy the streamertails from your balcony. Lounging by the pool is also a very enticing option for many! Then enjoy a final, marvelous dinner at the Hotel Mockingbird Hill, overlooking the blue Caribbean. (B,D)

Day 9 Departure from Kingston
Following breakfast, you are driven back via a scenic route to the Kingston airport.

The prices are per person in a double room. The price does not include airfare.

20 Dec 2005 - 30 April 2006	US$ 2,398.50
01 May - 19 Dec 2006	US$ 2,225.00

Tour Duration: 9 days with 8 nights including accommodation and meals as outlined in the itinerary, guides, transportation, Sun Valley Plantation Tour, Rafting, Boat trip to Pelus Island.
Not included: Entrance prices to attractions such as Reach Falls beverages and private incidentals. It does not include items of a personal nature such as beverages from the bar, porterage, phone calls, or gift items or entrance to attractions such as Reach Falls. We also recommend a gratuity for our local drivers and guides, which is left to your discretion

ALL PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE

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