Colorado Mountains and Prairies
March 30 - April 4, 2025
THIS TOUR IS FULL
Contact us today if you want to be added to the waiting list or if you are interested in a different tour!
Birding Tour in Colorado
One of the best times to go birding in Colorado is early April. The first Mountain Plovers, Lark Buntings, and longspurs are arriving on the plains. American Dippers may already be nesting and spring shorebird migration will be in full force.
We will explore Colorado's prairies, foothills, and mountains from our comfortable base at the historic Cliff House in Manitou Springs. We’ll enjoy the famous Riverwalk in Canon City and the Royal Gorge. Depending on weather, we’ll drive to the top of Pikes Peak at 14,115ft (4,300m) looking for White-tailed Ptarmigan, Brown-capped Rosy-Finch, Bighorn Sheep, and Mountain Goats. We’ll also spend time in Pinyon/Juniper habitat where Pinyon Jays, Juniper Titmice, Black-throated Gray Warblers, and Gray Flycatchers are found.
Colorado Mountains and Prairies Tour
Dates: March 30-April 4, 2025
Location: The tour departs from Denver International Airport (DEN) and the tour location is in Manitou Springs, Colorado.
Cost: The total per person is $1,950 for a double occupancy room. If you would like a private room, the single supplement is $350.
A $500 nonrefundable deposit to reserve your spot with the balance due on January 1, 2025.
Duration: The tour is six days and five nights.
Guide: Peter Burke
Highlights:
Five nights in the historic Cliff House Hotel
Scenic views from Pikes Peak and the Riverwalk in Canon City
Explore the Pinyon/Juniper habitat for regional specialties with lunch in Salida
Take in the vast Colorado prairies as we search for the elusive Mountain Plover
Rocky Mountain Birding tours are small and fill quickly!
Book today! Please click on the button below and complete the simple form based on your birding interests. We will be in touch to walk you through your birding or wildlife adventure of your choosing!
Learn More:
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Included:
Guided birding for 5 days
Lodging for 5 nights at the Cliff House in Manitou Springs, CO
Airport pickups and drop-offs at DEN
All meals from dinner on March 30 to lunch on April 4
Optics – I will have a Kowa 99mm scope available throughout the tour.
Entrance fees to all state parks
NOT Included:
Flights to and from Denver (DEN)
Lodging before or after the tour dates: March 30-April 4
Personal items such as alcohol with meals, laundry, etc.
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Sunday, Mar. 30 – Arrivals DEN
Night at The Cliff House
Monday, Mar. 31 – Mountain Plover
This morning we’ll explore the prairies, taking in the vast open space in the crisp early spring air. We'll search for the elusive Mountain Plover and other prairie species like Colorado's state bird: Lark Bunting.
After a nice lunch at a local restaurant, we'll have some time off to explore the quaint Manitou Springs shops or relax in our luxurious lodgings.
Night at The Cliff House
Tuesday, Apr. 1 – Riverwalk
We'll enjoy breakfast at the hotel followed by a short drive to Canon City where we'll take in the scenery along the Arkansas River and into the Royal Gorge. The suspension bridge is the highest in the world at nearly 1,000 feet above the river!
In the afternoon we’ll visit Garden of the Gods, a beautiful park with magnificent red rock formations. The birding here can be great too, with Townsend's Solitaire, Bushtit, Prairie Falcon, Canyon Wren and more.
Night at The Cliff House
Wednesday, Apr. 2 – Mountains
After breakfast, we’ll bird our way into the high country, making stops to search for foothills species like Red Crossbill, Red-naped Sapsucker, Green-tailed and Spotted Towhees and more.
Our targets today are the birds that breed in the Pinyon Pine and Juniper forest. We'll stop in the delightful mountain town of Salida for a refreshing lunch.
Thursday, Apr. 3 – Pikes Peak
At 14,115 feet, Pikes Peak towers over the city of Colorado Springs. Depending on conditions, we will drive to the top, or as close as we can, with stops along the way to scan for wildlife and enjoy the spectacular views. Ptarmigan are present here, but finding them can be difficult! Brown-capped Rosy-Finches are sometimes present at the peak. Mountain Goats, Bighorn Sheep, Marmots and Pikas can be seen on the slopes.
Night at The Cliff House
Friday, Apr. 4 – Departures from DEN
Depending on the timing of your flights home, we can drive through the Rocky Mountain Arsenal in the morning on our way to the Denver Airport.
In addition to a resident bison herd, the Arsenal has a surprising diversity of birds and wildlife making for a great way to end a wonderful tour!
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Please read through Rocky Mountain Birding terms and conditions here.
