Asia's oceans are home to the greatest diversity of marine life on the planet. Snorkelling over stunning tropical reefs is a daily highlight of our cruises here, especially in Indonesia!
We loved watching Sir David Attenborough's recent 'Asia: Beneath the Waves' episode, which showed extraordinary footage of a shoal Moorish Idols trying to escape Grey Reef Sharks! Watching the daily activities between creatures on the reefs is a great joy of our tours; other highlights include Manta Rays, Whale Sharks, turtles and hundreds of dolphins – what's not to love?! See it for yourself on our Bali-to-Komodo or Raja Ampat cruises:
https://www.naturetrek.co.uk/destinations/asia/indonesia
Of all the Hummingbirds (or ‘hummers’ as they are known colloquially), the Sword-billed Hummingbird is without doubt one of the most striking. Blessed with the longest bill relative to body size of any bird in the world, it is simply unmistakable. Catching this species in flight is nothing short of spectacular, as it makes darting forays to long tubular flowers or nectar feeders like a modern-day musketeer. All hummingbirds have the ability to deliberately enter a sleep-like state known as torpor, where metabolism, heart rate and body temperature all drop significantly, allowing them to conserve precious energy and survive low temperatures; a necessity in the chilly cloudforests which they inhabit.
Our 'Ecuador: A Wildlife Photography Tour' offers great opportunities to observe and photograph these (and a variety of other hummingbirds) amongst many other wonderful species up close, with the skilful support and knowledge of an expert local wildlife photographer.
Tour code: ECU19
Dates: Sun 19th Jan – Wed 29th Jan '25
Prices: £5,795 (inc. flights)
Video: Sword-billed Hummingbird & SparklingVioletear
#WildEcuador #Hummingbirds #SwordbilledHummingbird #SparklingVioletear #WildlifePhotography #BirdingSouthAmerica #BirdingEcuador #Ecotourism #WildlifeTourism #WildlifeHolidays #Naturetrek #NaturetrekWilldifeHolidays
It’s #WorldJaguarDay!
With a body size approaching two meters, and a bite force strong enough to pierce the hard skulls of its prey, Jaguars are undoubtably the most formidable predator of Central and South America. With a home range that previously expanded from the Southern United States to Patagonia, The Jaguar is now seriously threatened by way of poaching, deforestation and habitat degradation, and the majority of individuals are now found deep within the tropical wetlands and forests of Brazil.
We’re incredibly proud to offer some of the most comprehensive – and successful- Jaguar-watching holidays available on the market today, where managed, sustainable tourism is promoting the recovery and longevity of this iconic big cat.
View our range of Jaguar watching holidays here: https://www.naturetrek.co.uk/tour-focus/jaguar-watching
News from the Field: Colombia - Birds & History
Our group had an encounter with this amazing bonus while visiting Río Blanco Nature Reserve. The Rusty-faced Parrot is restricted to the central and western Andes, and in this case, visits this oak tree only when the acorns are getting ripe.
The oak tree doesn't produce fruits every year; their success is linked to the patterns of the El Niño and La Niña - so we imagine this parrot was particularly please with this find!
A big thank you to naturalist guide José Castaño for the footage!
Tour code: COL03
Dates: March & November '25
Price: £5,995 (inc. flights)
#VisitLatinAmerica #VisitColombia #ColombiaBirdwatching #ColombiaWildlife #Birdingbreaks #SouthAmerica #Wildlifeholidays #Ecotourism #WildlifePhotography #Naturelovers #Naturetrek #NaturetrekWildlifeHolidays
France - Cranes & Champagne
News from the Field: France - Cranes & Champgane
Tour leaders Jason Mitchell and Tony Williams, alongside 11 Naturetrek guests, have recently returned from a fine week of birding east of Troyes in France’s Champagne wetlands (alongside some excellent wine tasting!). Guests were fortunate to witness an estimated 27,000 cranes depart the Orient Lakes of France’s Champagne wetlands at once, setting off their migration south to wintering grounds. What a spectacle!
Tour info: https://tinyurl.com/59ye4rje
Dates: Sat 1st Nov – Fri 7th Nov '25
Price: £1,895 (inc. rail)
Mammals of the Pantanal
In September, operations manager Tom Mabbett joined ten guests on our ‘Mammals of the Pantanal’ holiday – a departure exclusively focussed to maximise searching for the Pantanal’s iconic mammals. With 7 nights split across three remote lodges, Tom and the group worked hard, and to high rewards, wrapping up excellent sightings of all South America’s Big 5 – Jaguar, Tapir, Giant Anteater, Giant River Otter, and fantastic views of the the elusive Maned Wolf! We’ve highlighted one of Tom’s favourites here – a Jaguar carefully stalking a Tapir!
Due to a high demand, we’ve now added a second departure for 2025. We hope you can join us!
Tour info: https://tinyurl.com/2buz3y3y
Dates: Wed 24th Sep - Fri 3rd Oct '25
Price: £5,995 (inc. flights)
Mammals of the Pantanal
In September, operations manager Tom Mabbett joined ten guests on our ‘Mammals of the Pantanal’ holiday – a departure exclusively focussed to maximise searching for the Pantanal’s iconic mammals. With 7 nights split across three remote lodges, Tom and the group worked hard, and to high rewards, wrapping up excellent sightings of all South America’s Big 5 – Jaguar, Tapir, Giant Anteater, River Otter, and the elusive Maned Wolf! We’ve highlighted one of Tom’s favourites here – a Jaguar carefully stalking a Tapir!
Due to a high demand, we’ve now added a second departure for 2025. We hope you can join us!
Tour info: https://tinyurl.com/2buz3y3y
Dates: Wed 24th Sep - Fri 3rd Oct '25
Price: £5,995 (inc. flights)
Mammals of the Pantanal
In September, operations manager Tom Mabbett joined ten guests on our ‘Mammals of the Pantanal’ holiday – a departure exclusively focussed to maximise searching for the Pantanal’s iconic mammals. With 7 nights split across three remote lodges, Tom and the group worked hard, and to high rewards, wrapping up excellent sightings of all South America’s Big 5 – Jaguar, Tapir, Giant Anteater, River Otter, and the elusive Maned Wolf! We’ve highlighted one of Tom’s favourites here – a Jaguar carefully stalking a Tapir!
Due to a high demand, we’ve now added a second departure for 2025. We hope you can join us!
Tour info: https://tinyurl.com/2buz3y3y
Dates: Wed 24th Sep - Fri 3rd Oct '25
Price: £5,995 (inc. flights)
For those enamoured with the world's oceans, few locations stir up such excitement like Mexico’s Sea of Cortez. In the winter months, the rich upwellings of plankton, combined with the warm waters of the tropics, attract thousands of Humpback and Blue Whales to feed and raise their young. Accompanied by super-pods of dolphins in their thousands, resident Orca, Fin and Sperm Whales, playful sea lions, plus a staggering array of fish and corals rivalling that of the Indo-Pacific, there’s a reason Baja was dubbed ‘the world’s aquarium’ by Jaques Cousteau!
Each year, we exclusively charter the 25-berth MV Searcher and spend 12 nights travelling along the Baja California coastline, in search for Mexico’s Great Whales and dolphins. We still have a couple of cabins left for 2025, so book now to avoid disappointment!
Tour info: https://tinyurl.com/3jskahw3
Dates: Sat 8th - Fri 21st March '25
Price: £8,295 (inc. flights)
#VisitMexico #BajaCalifornia #SeaofCortez #ExpeditionCruising #WildlifeCruise #HumpbackWhale #BlueWhale #GreyWhale #SanIgnacioLagoon #MadgalenaBay #Dolphin #WhaleBreach #WildlifeHolidays #Naturetrek #NaturetrekWildlifeHolidays
News from the Field: Bali to Komodo – In Search of the Dragon!
On Saturday morning, guests onboard our ‘Bali to Komodo’ cruise in Indonesia were treated to a surprise guest at breakfast … a feeding Whale Shark! Guests hopped into the water for the opportunity for a swim with this gentle giant – here is tour leader Sara Frost admiring it.
To learn more about these spectacular creatures (the largest fish in the world), visit www.sharktrust.org/adopt-a-whale-shark where donations help protect critically endangered populations of Whale Sharks.
We still have four spaces remaining on this cruise for 2025, so enquire now to avoid disappointment!
A big thank you to Aaron Sanders for the footage!
Tour info: https://tinyurl.com/3hrnxjky
Dates: Thu 23rd Oct – Tue 4th Nov ’25
Price: £7,295 (inc. flights)
Alderney's Wildlife and History
Despite its small size, Alderney’s rich tapestry of habitats merits close attention from the keen naturalist. In spring, northbound bird migration will be in full swing and the island will be adorned with colourful flowers. As spring transitions to summer, the island's large population of seabirds will have returned to their nesting colonies offshore, and butterflies, moths and dragonflies will be on the wing to enrich the island’s natural history appeal.
We’re pleased to offer a variety of programmes to this charming Channel Island, encompassing both the excellent wildlife and fascinating local history. For those seeking a more active holiday, there is even the opportunity to explore by e-bike!
View our tours to Alderney here: https://tinyurl.com/yvczx4jp
This superb Bornean Sun Bear gave our "Borneo's Mammals" group unforgettable views, feasting on fruits of the Litsea garciae tree. Known as Pengalaban in Borneo, the fruit is said to taste like tangy avocado. This bear certainly approves!
Many thanks to tour leader Henry Sapinggi for the footage!
Tour info: tinyurl.com/2f8nnryw
Dates: Apr — Oct '25
Price: £4,995 (inc. flights)
