Pitta Nature Tours

Mountain West Most Wanted

What to Expect on Your Tour

On the day our tour beings we will provide pickup from Salt Lake International Airport between 3:00 and 4:00 PM.  If you arrive earlier in the day we can help you arrange a transfer to our hotel located about 25-minutes from the airport. By 5:00 PM we will have gathered everyone to kick the tour off! At the end of the tour, we will drop you off at the airport or nearby hotels no later than 4:00 PM.

Transportation

Throughout the tour, we will travel in our comfortable 12-person Transit Van (aptly named Otus).  Since this tour caps at 7-people, that means each of our 3-rows in the back has just 2-people, with the 7th passenger riding shotgun.  Lots of room to stretch out with your gear and not feel like a sardine in a tin.  Throughout the tour, we'll switch up seating arrangements so everyone gets a different view day-to-day.  

We provide a step stool for easy access in and out of the van and ice-cold water is available whenever you need from the back of the van with a custom tour water bottle provided for you to keep at the beginning of the tour.

Accomodations

Accommodations are typically quite comfortable and often the best available in the vicinity.  This usually means mid to higher-to-mid-end chains, usually Hilton or Choice, and their various sub-brands.

Meals

Breakfasts will usually be boxed and eaten in the field.  Some mornings we may eat at hotels if time permits with our itinerary.  Lunches will include both sit-down restaurants, and sandwiches to go.  On the day we travel from Nevada to Idaho we provide a per diem and stop at a local grocery store to pick out food for the day.  Most dinners are at our favorite local restaurants, with the exception of the night the tour starts, when we'll take a boxed dinner into the field. Water and soft drinks are included with meals, but alcoholic drinks ARE NOT.  They may be purchased on your own with meals.

Pace

The pace of the tour is fast--we cover over 1,000 miles in 6-days and have several early mornings and late nights to pick up our target birds.  We usually reserve afternoons for travel or to relax at the hotel, but with 15-hours of sunlight in July, we often have long days. 

Difficulty

For the most part, the tour is not physically demanding, BUT on the morning we hike for Himalayan Snowcock we must do a 2-mile (each way) hike starting around 9,000' in elevation and gaining about 1,000' feet.  Most of the hike is done in the dark on a well-maintained trail but if you are not in the right physical condition you may not be able to do this portion of the trip.  During the rest of the trip we will do numerous short outings, under 1-mile (usually much shorter), on more even terrain.

Weather and Temperature

This tour provides for interesting days and nights, as we move between high elevation sites in the mountains and low elevations sites in the Great Basin.  It is not uncommon for daytime temperatures at lower elevations to reach into the high 90’s or even low 100’s.  While in the mountains daytime temps range from the 50’s to 70’s.  While owling, and hiking early in the morning temperatures can dip into the low 40’s.  I recommend bring a variety of clothing, that is easily layered.  On our morning hikes in the Ruby Mountains, a jacket and long pants are recommended--by afternoon in the valleys it will be very warm so lighter wear will be preferred. Rain jackets are nice to have, but we don’t see rain often on this tour, and I can provide $2 ponchos in case of an emergency downpour.  Sturdy hiking shoes with good ankle support are highly recommended for the hikes.

Insects, Snakes, and Predators

Oh my!  Mosquitoes can be found at most places we will be visiting, so protective clothing or repellent is highly recommended.  While there are other biting bugs, most are not very active this time of year.  There is one species of rattlesnake in the Great Basin, but we have not encountered them on any tours.  With that being said, please be aware it is possible to encounter them.  And lastly, there are both Black Bear and Cougar in the Mountain West, but in 14 years of guiding I have never encountered either during a tour!

Non-bird Highlights

• Bonneville Salt Flats
• The dramatic Ruby Mountains
• The Snake River Gorge
• Shoshone Falls Park
• Tree of Life Earth Art
• Summer Sunrises & Sunsets
• 10-20 Possible Mammal Species
• Summer Wildflowers & Butterflies
• Some reallly good food!

What's Included

• Professional Guide Service
• Transportation from SLC
• 5-nights Accomodations
• Meals from Dinner Day 1 through Day 6
• Spotting Scope while Birding
• Water for Refreshment
• Birds—we’ll find some birds
• Some Flammtastic Tour Swag
• Delightful Conversation about Birds
• A Thoroughly Enjoyable Time!

We also include SFW dad jokes, witty bird puns, and the occasional commentary on things non-bird related!

What's Not Included

• Alcoholic Drinks
• Binoculars
• Cameras and Lenses
• Personal Flashlights/Headlamps
• Bug Spray
• Jackets or Sweaters
• Shoes and Socks
• Flights or Transportation to Utah

We highly recommend all of the above ;)