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MCALLEN, TEXAS

World Class Birding in the Rio Grande Valley: Santa Ana Refuge to the World Birding Center

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 TX

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 Birding

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 $700 - $1000

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Road Scholar
Program #11975RJ

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6 Days | 5 Nights
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderately Challenging
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Love to learn in a small-group setting? This collection of programs has at most 10-24 participants.
See our Small Group programs.
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EasyFor people looking to exercise their minds more than their bodies. There’s minimal walking and not too many stairs.
ModerateThese programs get you on your feet and include activities such as walking up to a mile in a day through a city and standing in a museum for a few hours.
ActiveFor people who enjoy walking as much as two miles a day, perhaps to explore historic neighborhoods or a nature trail.
Moderately ChallengingFor hardy explorers who enjoy a good physical challenge, spending most of their days on the go.
ChallengingGet ready to keep up with our highest-energy group. These demanding — and rewarding — programs are for seasoned outdoor enthusiasts.

Program Details > Daily Schedule

Equipment Requirements
Binoculars 8x42 or 10/50 and a spotting scope if you have one but it is not essential.

Itinerary for Jan 27 — Feb 1, 2013

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Type: Full Service Hotel

 Description: The historic Casa De Palmas Hotel was built in 1918 as a social and business center. The "House of Palms" is named justly for the 92 palm trees on its grounds. The Casa has enjoyed prosperity for many years. In 1979 it was declared a Texas Historic Landmark. Now restored to its original splendor, the Casa de Palmas-Renaissance Hotel, provides its guests with a relaxed, elegant ambiance of a bygone era. The Spanish Room restaurant offers unique Nuevo Latino cuisine created by a talented culinary team. You may also enjoy Patio dining or light snacks and beverages poolside in the Courtyard. Room service is always an option. Guestrooms are spacious and comfortable, with upgraded amenities and special features such as two-line phones, mini-bars, data-port modems and complimentary shoe shine service.

Contact info:
101 North Main Street
McAllen, TX 78503 USA
phone: 956-631-1101
web: www.renaissancemcallen.com/

Room amenities: Pillowtop mattresses and feathered pillows Full size hair dryer Iron and ironing board Free cable, pay per view movies Complimentary coffee and tea service Well-lit work desk High speed wireless

Facility amenities: Covered Parking Gift shop Complimentary safe deposit box Exercise facility Tropical courtyard pool Complimentary airport shuttle Complimentary newspaper delivered to your room, weekdays Concierge Services available Hors d'oeuvres(Sunday-Thursday evenings) Lomax Cantina The Spanish Room

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Additional nights before: Contact Hotel
You must contact the hotel for additional nights.

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day One: Sunday, January 27 - Meet & Greet Reception in hotel meeting room at 4:30 pm 
Note: 5:30 pm Dinner

Arrive To: Check in hotel by 3 pm

Afternoon: Welcome, introductions and orientation at 4:30pm in hotel meeting room.

Dinner: Dinner at hotel

Evening: Presentation and discussion about binoculars, spotting scopes, birding techniques, guides, and "etiquette." and our field trips for the week ahead.

Lodging: Renaissance Casa De Palmas Hotel

Meals Included: Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Full Service Hotel

 Description: The historic Casa De Palmas Hotel was built in 1918 as a social and business center. The "House of Palms" is named justly for the 92 palm trees on its grounds. The Casa has enjoyed prosperity for many years. In 1979 it was declared a Texas Historic Landmark. Now restored to its original splendor, the Casa de Palmas-Renaissance Hotel, provides its guests with a relaxed, elegant ambiance of a bygone era. The Spanish Room restaurant offers unique Nuevo Latino cuisine created by a talented culinary team. You may also enjoy Patio dining or light snacks and beverages poolside in the Courtyard. Room service is always an option. Guestrooms are spacious and comfortable, with upgraded amenities and special features such as two-line phones, mini-bars, data-port modems and complimentary shoe shine service.

Contact info:
101 North Main Street
McAllen, TX 78503 USA
phone: 956-631-1101
web: www.renaissancemcallen.com/

Room amenities: Pillowtop mattresses and feathered pillows Full size hair dryer Iron and ironing board Free cable, pay per view movies Complimentary coffee and tea service Well-lit work desk High speed wireless

Facility amenities: Covered Parking Gift shop Complimentary safe deposit box Exercise facility Tropical courtyard pool Complimentary airport shuttle Complimentary newspaper delivered to your room, weekdays Concierge Services available Hors d'oeuvres(Sunday-Thursday evenings) Lomax Cantina The Spanish Room

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Additional nights before: Contact Hotel
You must contact the hotel for additional nights.

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day Two: Monday, January 28 - Falcon Dam 
Note: Journey to Falcon Dam State Park area looking for the Gray Hawk, Crested Caracara, and possibly spot a Zone-tailed Hawk. North America’s three Kingfishers may also be seen- the Belted, Green and Ringed (Green and Ringed are local specialties). We will also keep a lookout for Orioles- Hooded, Alta-mira, and Audubon’s.

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel

Morning: Board vans and depart for birding field trip to Falcon Dam area (El Rio, Saleneno, or other "hot spots").

Lunch: Picnic Lunch at State Park.

Afternoon: Extend the birding experience as mentioned above.

Dinner: Dinner at local restaurant.

Evening: Discussion on Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge in preparation for next day.

Lodging: Renaissance Casa De Palmas Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Full Service Hotel

 Description: The historic Casa De Palmas Hotel was built in 1918 as a social and business center. The "House of Palms" is named justly for the 92 palm trees on its grounds. The Casa has enjoyed prosperity for many years. In 1979 it was declared a Texas Historic Landmark. Now restored to its original splendor, the Casa de Palmas-Renaissance Hotel, provides its guests with a relaxed, elegant ambiance of a bygone era. The Spanish Room restaurant offers unique Nuevo Latino cuisine created by a talented culinary team. You may also enjoy Patio dining or light snacks and beverages poolside in the Courtyard. Room service is always an option. Guestrooms are spacious and comfortable, with upgraded amenities and special features such as two-line phones, mini-bars, data-port modems and complimentary shoe shine service.

Contact info:
101 North Main Street
McAllen, TX 78503 USA
phone: 956-631-1101
web: www.renaissancemcallen.com/

Room amenities: Pillowtop mattresses and feathered pillows Full size hair dryer Iron and ironing board Free cable, pay per view movies Complimentary coffee and tea service Well-lit work desk High speed wireless

Facility amenities: Covered Parking Gift shop Complimentary safe deposit box Exercise facility Tropical courtyard pool Complimentary airport shuttle Complimentary newspaper delivered to your room, weekdays Concierge Services available Hors d'oeuvres(Sunday-Thursday evenings) Lomax Cantina The Spanish Room

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Additional nights before: Contact Hotel
You must contact the hotel for additional nights.

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day Three: Tuesday, January 29 - Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge 
Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel

Morning: Journey to Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge where over 400 species of birds have been documented. Look for Buff-bellied Hummingbirds, Long-billed Thrashers, Green Jays, Great Kiskadees, and Plain Chachalacas.

Lunch: Picnic Lunch at Park.

Afternoon: Continue birding "hot spots" by visiting Estero Llano Grande State Park where perhaps a Common Pauraque, Tropical Kingbird, Least Grebe, and Green Kingfisher may be seen.

Dinner: Dinner at favorite local restaurant

Evening: Presentation on South Texas Natural History.

Lodging: Renaissance Casa De Palmas Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Full Service Hotel

 Description: The historic Casa De Palmas Hotel was built in 1918 as a social and business center. The "House of Palms" is named justly for the 92 palm trees on its grounds. The Casa has enjoyed prosperity for many years. In 1979 it was declared a Texas Historic Landmark. Now restored to its original splendor, the Casa de Palmas-Renaissance Hotel, provides its guests with a relaxed, elegant ambiance of a bygone era. The Spanish Room restaurant offers unique Nuevo Latino cuisine created by a talented culinary team. You may also enjoy Patio dining or light snacks and beverages poolside in the Courtyard. Room service is always an option. Guestrooms are spacious and comfortable, with upgraded amenities and special features such as two-line phones, mini-bars, data-port modems and complimentary shoe shine service.

Contact info:
101 North Main Street
McAllen, TX 78503 USA
phone: 956-631-1101
web: www.renaissancemcallen.com/

Room amenities: Pillowtop mattresses and feathered pillows Full size hair dryer Iron and ironing board Free cable, pay per view movies Complimentary coffee and tea service Well-lit work desk High speed wireless

Facility amenities: Covered Parking Gift shop Complimentary safe deposit box Exercise facility Tropical courtyard pool Complimentary airport shuttle Complimentary newspaper delivered to your room, weekdays Concierge Services available Hors d'oeuvres(Sunday-Thursday evenings) Lomax Cantina The Spanish Room

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Additional nights before: Contact Hotel
You must contact the hotel for additional nights.

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day Four: Wednesday, January 30 - Rancho Lomitas 
Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel

Morning: Depart to the western valley and visit an unique habitat- Ramaderos, gently sloped arroyos- on the private La Lomitas ranch where there will be a tour led by an ethno –botanist. As for bird possibilities, there can be Pyrroloxia (and Northern Cardinals), and maybe Black-chinned Sparrows, and if we are lucky, Scaled Quail.

Lunch: Picnic Lunch

Afternoon: Continue birding field trip

Dinner: Buffet dinner at local restaurant

Evening: Presenation by Bob Powell

Lodging: Renaissance Casa De Palmas Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Full Service Hotel

 Description: The historic Casa De Palmas Hotel was built in 1918 as a social and business center. The "House of Palms" is named justly for the 92 palm trees on its grounds. The Casa has enjoyed prosperity for many years. In 1979 it was declared a Texas Historic Landmark. Now restored to its original splendor, the Casa de Palmas-Renaissance Hotel, provides its guests with a relaxed, elegant ambiance of a bygone era. The Spanish Room restaurant offers unique Nuevo Latino cuisine created by a talented culinary team. You may also enjoy Patio dining or light snacks and beverages poolside in the Courtyard. Room service is always an option. Guestrooms are spacious and comfortable, with upgraded amenities and special features such as two-line phones, mini-bars, data-port modems and complimentary shoe shine service.

Contact info:
101 North Main Street
McAllen, TX 78503 USA
phone: 956-631-1101
web: www.renaissancemcallen.com/

Room amenities: Pillowtop mattresses and feathered pillows Full size hair dryer Iron and ironing board Free cable, pay per view movies Complimentary coffee and tea service Well-lit work desk High speed wireless

Facility amenities: Covered Parking Gift shop Complimentary safe deposit box Exercise facility Tropical courtyard pool Complimentary airport shuttle Complimentary newspaper delivered to your room, weekdays Concierge Services available Hors d'oeuvres(Sunday-Thursday evenings) Lomax Cantina The Spanish Room

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Additional nights before: Contact Hotel
You must contact the hotel for additional nights.

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day Five: Thursday, January 31 - Birding near the Rio Grande 
Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel

Morning: Board vans and depart for birding field trip to Bentsen State Park/World Birding Center.

Lunch: Picnic Lunch at Anzalduaz County Park along the Rio Grande

Afternoon: Continue birding along the Rio Grande River while looking for Pipits, both American and Spragues. Vermillion flycatchers, and sometimes, Black Phoebes are also seen. Head to the Edinburg Wetlands- another World Birding Site looking for Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, Neo-tropical cormorants, and both Yellow- crowned and Black-crowned Night Herons.

Dinner: Dinner at local restaurant

Evening: Wrap-up, complete bird lists, and final discussion

Lodging: Renaissance Casa De Palmas Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day Six: Friday, February 01 - Birding in the morning/Departure 
Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel

Morning: Spend the last couple of hours looking for Tropical Parula, Clay-colored Thrush, and maybe Red-crowned Parrots at Quinta Mazatlan, a third World Birding Center site.

Brunch: Pick up box lunches in hotel meeting room at 10 am. Program ends. Check out hotel by 12 noon..

Meals Included: Breakfast, Brunch
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Important information about your itinerary:
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date.
Currently selected:Prices Starting At:
Jan 27 — Feb 1, 2013 waitlist only  

Our Value Promise To You

You won't find a better value.

Included
at no additional cost on this date ...
•5 nights of accommodations
•15 meals: 5 breakfasts, 1 brunch, 4 lunches, 5 dinners
•4 Expert-led lectures
•13 Field trips
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Ratings

4.5
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