Situated between the temperate Rocky Mountains to the north and the tropical Sierra Madre Occidental to the south lie the Sky Islands of southeastern Arizona. These isolated mountain ranges rise above a sea of grassland and desert scrub, forming montane stepping stones between the Rockies and Mexico. Here, at the northernmost extent of their breeding range, species found nowhere else in the United States make their homes–species like Elegant Trogon, Rose-throated Becard, and Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher. Nearly 500 species of birds have been reported in southeastern Arizona along with a tremendous diversity of herpetofauna and mammals. The varied and unique geography of this region supports some of the richest abundance of both plant and animal life in the country. 

Join us for an “island hopping” adventure across complex geography and elevation changes to experience this region of tremendous biological diversity. Our tour takes advantage of the cooler, wetter summer monsoon season as we travel a loop from Tucson across the Santa Catalina, Santa Rita, Huachuca, and Chiricahua Mountain Ranges, with opportunities to explore both the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts. For 9 days, we’ll explore one of North America’s premier birding destinations, targeting birdlife found nowhere else north of Mexico and seeking rarities that give southeast Arizona its legendary reputation.