Cave Creek Canyon Birding At Portal

We have wanted to visit this amazing part of SE Arizona "sky islands" for some time and Road Scholar made it happen. We visited so many different environments: desert to mountains, and personally saw over 100 bird species following our knowledgable and encouraging leaders.

A delightful introduction to a remote, beautiful part of Arizona, its birds and culture.

This was a positive experience. I would do something similar again, particularly if these leaders were involved.

The Road Scholar "Cave Creek Canyon Birding at Portal" trip was perfect. Excellent team of leaders (Sharon and Matt), great group of fellow birders ranging from beginners to very experienced and skilled and all interesting and nice people, really good food, very busy days but accommodations for those who needed more time to relax. We watched birds at incredible community feeding stations as well as in the wild and saw more than 150 in 5 days during the time after peak migration. I learned so much about the local environment and how it affects the wildlife and was stunned by the scenery. I would love to go back and do it all over again!

My first Road Scholar trip but definitely not the last. Everything was better than expected. Learned a ton about birding, our guides were knowledgeable and friendly. Organization of each day perfect. All aspects made the program for me.

My first Road Scholar trip and the experience was great. Professional guides and shuttle driver, adequate accommodation, beautiful scenery, friendly people. I saw 155 species, 30 of which are lifers, which is more than I expected.

Southeastern Arizona is a rich environment for birds. The knowledgeable guides plan a rigorous schedule that enables one to see many new birds and enjoy the beautiful area.

Spot on to experience GOD's beauty.

Enjoyed the birding tour in SE AZ. Matt and Sharon were knowledgeable about the birds in the area but their love for birds shows and combined they have a considerable amount of knowledge. They took us to diverse areas and tried really hard to make all group members feel safe and comfortable as well as get as many "lifers" as possible. And we were able to see the Elegant Trogon!! Thanks Matt and Sharon!

Good trip, with really good leaders.

The program is fun and the experience of seeing new birds and a beautiful part of the country is both rewarding and exciting.

I was a complete novice regarding birding. I now have a better understanding and appreciation for my winged friends.

Matt, our group leader on my recent birding trip was exceptional in every sense of the word. His warm and welcoming demeanor created a positive and inclusive atmosphere from the start. Throughout the trip, he made himself readily available to address any questions or concerns. His extensive knowledge of bird species and habitats greatly enriched my experience, providing valuable insights and educational moments that elevated my trip experience to a whole new level. Moreover, I felt that his leadership style fostered cohesion among the other participants, encouraging collaboration and camaraderie. He approached obstacles with a calm and collected manner, swiftly finding solutions that kept the trip running smoothly without causing any disruptions. All this while also driving, spotting birds and animals, doing all the behind the scenes coordination of meals and site visits. wow! Our assistant group leader, and subject matter expert, Sharon also truly impressed me with her exceptional knowledge of birds, reptiles and trees, quality of work, handout materials ( checklists) e- bird lists and high level of understandability.The quality of her work exceeded my expectations. Her attention to detail, knowledge and dedication to delivering the sighting of the birds to us was amazing!It was evident that Sharon has a genuine passion for sharing her expertise. I recommend this trip to anyone interested in birding whether a beginner or life long lister ( I am a moderate) . The location is breathtaking. Take the time to find your pace with this trip as each has their own and remember to enjoy the silence of the highlands, the winds and the bird calls, which, the leaders know many of so be prepared to be awed ! I look forward to going on other birding trips with Road Scholars , and probably this one again. I met so many wonder people on this trip, and laughed a lot which is one of my highest rating measures. Just go and meld into the highlands of Southeast Arizona.

The guides were outstanding; the birds were excellent; the accommodations were rustic but fine, and clean. Food was great. 18 participants was too large a group for everyone to see every bird. A smaller group would be better.

This is a truly amazing part of Arizona and the birding is just unbelievable!

Super trip. The scenery alone is worth the trip but the birding was fantastic and you will do a lot of it! Our group had a nice mix of experienced and novice birders-we were very inexperienced- but the group leaders and other birders made everyone feel comfortable. We saw a crazy number of species. The Portal Lodge is not the Ritz but the location sort of makes you overlook its shortcomings, which aren't severe. I highly recommend.

A wonderful introduction to the ecosystem of Southern Arizona!

I was really pleased that the leaders took the time and effort to help me, a newbie, to find and identify many of the birds.

Cave Creek Canyon birding is for you if you want to see 140 plus species, including the rare Trogan, in the company of congenial folks, with fantastic knowledgeable, helpful, and personable guides.

I give this program an A+

There are an amazing variety of birds to discover in Southeast Arizona and our guides effectively helped us to see a surprising (to me) number of them. Great program which I highly recommend.

Please refer to the initial comments about the guides and overall experience.

My favorite trip! Excellent trip leaders and amazing birding locations! Exceeding my expectations.

Outstanding program for true birders. I am not one but learned a lot because of the attitude of the leaders.

A thoroughly enjoyable week at a wonderful location ; both experts were excellent , very knowledgeable and keen to ensure all participants viewed each species . Matt had been a super leader on a previous Arizona trip (Sierra Vista) and was once again his enthusiasm for the birds was magnificent. He and Sharon made a great team and being provided an e-bird listing from Sharon after each location listed was an added bonus. Highly recommended excursion with many highlights - mine were the numerous hummingbirds, the elegant trogon, tanagers and owls.

We saw a very nice selection of south eastern Arizona's specialty birds! Matt and Sharon go above and beyond.

I added more than 20 birds to my life list and saw more than 120 species on this excursion. A great trip!

This may be the best birding experience in the United States! Unparalleled diversity of species, beautiful settings, and program leadership that could not be more committed to the participant’s success, makes this a superb birding adventure.

As an avid birder, I will say that this was a super fun trip and exceeded my expectations. Matt and Malcolm did a great job assuring that everyone got to see the important birds such as the Elegant Trogon, Olive Warbler and Red-faced Warbler so many more! In all, we tallied 137 species and of these 54 were “Lifers” for me.

Birding in Portal Arizona was such fun! I enjoyed the different altitudes and habitats the location provided. It's a real birding community there and many people welcomed us to their homes which was a delight. Matt Brown is an excellent guide - truly very special!

Wonderful program for new or experienced birders. Matt and Malcomb made this trip exceptional. Some elusive birds were seen by everyone thanks to their efforts.

Care Creek Canyon and Portal is a birding hotspot and you will see birds you can't see elsewhere in the US.

The Cave Creek Canyon program to Portal, Az was outstanding. The leaders were excellent and did everything they could to make sure every member of the group had a fulfilling experience. If you have never birded SE Arizona, this is a great way to enjoy the experience.

The birding experience in Arizona with Road Scholars, was magnificent. I have never seen so many beautiful birds at one time, nor have I been around so many people who were so interesting and informative about birds. Everyone's participation enhanced the expertise of the instructors and leadership to make this trip a trip of a life time.

If you love birding, do not miss this rewarding experience with expert leaders in a very unique habitat in Arizona's Sky Islands and see rare birds!

Cave Creek Canyon Birding at Portal was a wonderful program with a talented birding leader and also an exceptional instructor. Matt and Malcolm shared their enthusiasm for birding throughout the week of field trips to various awe-inspiring habitats. My life list increased by twice the goal I had in mind. I certainly recommend this program for all level of birders.