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There were the fantastic highlights such as the whale watching but everyday had highlights. I enjoyed the boat trip on Squarm Lake where we saw loons and a Bald Eagle. The red leaves were everything I had imagined and coming from a place of ever green trees was even more exciting. We saw a close up of a woodpecker, chipmunks, squirrels and a quick glance at the back end of a Moose. The trip up Mt Washington was fabulous. We were lucky that we only encountered rain on one day so all of the 'big' events were in perfect weather. A big thank you to Martin for his bird knowledge and an even bigger thank you to Adrian for his general knowledge of the rest of nature to give the balance.
L.S. New Zealand, Sep24
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Autumn Colours of New England
Tour Code: USA05A 13-day holiday to the eastern seaboard of the United States to enjoy the spectacular autumn colours as well as the birds, mammals and sea-life of the region.
13 days
from
£4,895 (Inc flights)
£4,895 (Inc flights)
Land only price
from
£4,295
£4,295
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
This holiday begins with a flight to Boston from where we will drive north, birding en route, along the coast of Maine to the Bristol or St George Peninsula, our base for two nights. We’ll spend a day on the tiny island of Monhegan, an important stopover for migrant birds, before continuing our journey north to Mount Desert Island, the ideal base for exploring Acadia National Park which is home to White-tailed Deer, Racoons and other mammals as well as a wide variety of birdlife including Spruce Grouse and Common Loon. We'll also go out to search for Humpback Whales and other cetaceans as well as seabirds such as shearwaters, petrels and skuas. Next we head inland to the Moosehead Lake region where we will spend three days exploring the boreal forests by boat, minibus and on foot before driving south into New Hampshire to the White Mountains where we will be based for three nights. Finally we will visit Walden Pond, made famous by the author Henry David Thoreau, as we make our leisurely way back to Boston for our flights home, having enjoyed the colours, scenery, wildlife, and pancakes and muffins of New England at this special time of year.
- Enjoy world-famous colours of the New England ‘fall’
- Look for Humpback, Fin & Minke Whales
- Blackburnian, Cape May & Chestnut-sided Warblers among migrants on Monhegan Island
- Eastern Chipmunk, Eastern Coyote & visit to Beaver Pond, Acadia NP
- Bald Eagle possible, Acadia NP
- Evening visit to Beaver Pond, Mount Desert Island
- Look for American Mink, Striped Skunk & Canadian Lynx, Moosehead Lakes
- American Pipit, White-throated Sparrow, Purple Finch & Northern Flicker among birdlife
- Drive along the Kancamagus Highway & visit Walden Pond
- Led by expert naturalist guide
Grading
Grade A. Gentle wildlife walks.
New England, on the north-east coast of the United States, is justifiably famous for its wonderful display of autumn colours that occurs with the onset of ‘fall’. From vivid reds and oranges through to bright yellows and darker shades of purple, the broadleaved forests of northern North America turn a kaleidoscope of colours as the air turns crisp with the change of season. This tour is not only timed for this annual colouring, but will also go in search of the birds, mammals and other wildlife that call the forests home. We hope to encounter some of the region's most famed inhabitants, amongst them Beaver, Moose, White-tailed Deer and, with a little luck, Black Bear. With the southbound passage of migrant birds well under way in September, there will be time to enjoy the challenge of identifying a confusing array of warblers, vireos and sparrows, as well as plenty of less perplexing species such as Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Blue Jay and American Robin.
We begin our holiday with a direct flight to Boston, where we will spend some time in the city before heading to our accommodation to the north. The following morning, we will drive further north along the coast of Maine to either the Bristol or St George Peninsula. En route we may stop at Scarborough Marsh, whose tidal saltwater creeks and freshwater marshes attract a wealth of wildfowl and wading birds, amongst them Baird’s, White-rumped and Stilt Sandpipers.
From our base along the Maine coast, we will spend a day exploring Monhegan Island, lying 11 miles off the coast. Covering barely a square mile, this diminutive island provides an important stopover for migrant birds and, with our visit coinciding with the autumn migration, we can hope to see an interesting variety of warblers, vireos, flycatchers and other passerines such as Blackburnian, Cape May, Wilson’s and Blackpoll Warblers, Philadelphia and Warbling Vireos, Alder Flycatcher and many more, as well as several species of raptor. In addition to the birds, we should also see good numbers of migrant Monarch butterflies, as they begin to make their way south to the mountains of central Mexico.
Continuing our journey north, we next travel to the stunning Acadia National Park, on Mount Desert Island, where we will be based for the next two nights. The park is home to a rich assemblage of mammals and birds and as we explore the trails we may see White-tailed Deer, Eastern Chipmunk, Raccoon and Eastern Coyote, as well as such birds as Gray Jay, Boreal Chickadee and Spruce Grouse. We will also make an evening visit to 'Beaver Pond' and look in adjacent coastal bays for Common Loons (Great Northern Divers) and perhaps a Bald Eagle passing overhead. On another day we will head out to sea on a whale-watching cruise, hoping in particular to see Humpback, Minke and Fin Whales as they feast in these waters before their migration south. Seabirds to look out for include Wilson''s Petrel, Great Shearwater and Puffin.
After spending our first five nights on the coast, we next head inland, travelling north-west to Lake Umbagog, which straddles the state line between Maine and New Hampshire. This area marks the transition from deciduous to evergreen boreal forest and, during our three days here, we will search for Moose by boat and from our vehicle, as well as look for other mammals such as American Mink, Striped Skunk, Raccoon and Eastern Coyote. For the final part of our holiday, we will drive south-west to New Hampshire where we will be based for three nights in the White Mountains, part of the northern Appalachians. During our time here we will travel to the top of the range’s highest summit, Mount Washington (1,917 metres) to enjoy the colourful views and look for American Pipit and White-throated Sparrow. We will also drive along the Kancamagus Highway, famous for spectacular vistas and superb autumn colours.
We end our holiday with a visit to Walden Pond, made famous by Thoreau, who travelled there along quiet back-roads in the mid-19th century. The tranquillity of the Pond offers a last chance to reflect on the excellent New England hospitality (muffins and pancakes galore!), the superb fall colours of the Sugar and Red Maples, Red Oaks and Yellow Birches and, perhaps, as Thoreau did 160 years before us, reflect on a ‘simple life in the woods’ before it is time to return to Boston for our journey home.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
Fly Boston, transfer for overnight
Day 2
Drive to Bristol or St George Peninsula.
Day 3
Boat trip to Monhegan Island.
Day 4/5
Acadia National Park & whale-watching trip.
Day 6/8
Lake Umbagog and Baxter State Park.
Day 9/11
White Mountains, New Hampshire.
Day 12
Walden Pond; then transfer Boston and fly London.
Day 13
Arrive London.
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
We stay in comfortable tourist lodges and hotels, where rooms have private facilities.
- Food:
All breakfasts are included. Lunches and dinners are not included, in order to give you the freedom to sample New England's excellent seafood and other specialities. Allow approximately $50 per day.
Reviews
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It was a nice size group all fitting in one vehicle and we got on well. Loved the whale watching, seeing Beaver and Moose. The autumn colours were amazing and think we were lucky to have caught them at their peak.
I.R. Kent -
We had a particularly good year for the fall colours. Excellent accommodation with welcoming and friendly hosts.
C.F. West Sussex -
The week chosen was just right for the colours. Sharon and Phil were an excellent couple to take us. The accommodation was all very nice.
A.R. West Sussex
Dates & Prices
2025
Departures
Availability
Cost
Wed 24th Sep – Mon 6th Oct
2
£4,895
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£4,295
Room sharing options:
If a customer on this departure has already expressed an interest in sharing a room it will be flagged here. We will identify if there are sharing options for male, female or both.
Male sharing available
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£1,295
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Adrian Langdon
Tour Leader: Adrian Langdon
2026
Departures
Availability
Cost
Wed 23rd Sep – Mon 5th Oct
SPACES
£4,995
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£4,395
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£1,395
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[description] => Whale Watching Cruises – See Whales in their Wild Habitat
Seeing whales in the wild is one of the top 10 things most people want to do during their lifetime. Scanning the water, waiting to hear a blow or see a dorsal fin, is one of the top wildlife experiences in the world, and it can get addictive! A sighting of whales in their natural habitat is consistently rated in the top 10 wildlife experiences in the world. These gentle giants of the ocean hold a special place in our hearts. Our dedicated small group tours offer the thrilling opportunity of an up-close-and-personal encounter in the wild; scanning the water, waiting for the sound of a blow or the sight of a dorsal fin is both thrilling and addictive.
Naturetrek Whale Watching Tours
Our dedicated small group whale-watching holidays encompass a range of destinations all over the world to offer the best chance of sightings on short trips or longer cruises. Whether it’s a day excursion in the UK or an extended 14-day cruise to an exotic far-flung location, we offer the chance to encounter these giant cetaceans in all of the world’s oceans, from the tropics to the Polar regions.
Depending on the location, our itineraries can focus on one or several of the planet’s 86 key species, including Blue and Killer Whales, or form part of a broader wildlife-watching experience to encounter dolphins, birdlife and other marine species. Led by expert biologist or naturalist guides, our tours often allow participants to get thrillingly close to one of the most fascinating animals on Earth. We've been organising specialist wildlife tours for 32 years and our experience, passion and knowledge have earned us a reputation as the best in the business. Our range of whale-watching holidays is so popular that we are rapidly expanding our programme to include some of the most exciting, wildlife-rich places in the world.
Why book a Naturetrek whale & dolphin watching holiday?
- Expert biologist-led & wildlife photographer-led holidays
- Dedicated whale-watching tours focusing on one or a few key species
- Many of our whale-watching tours offer the chance to see dolphins as well (and vice versa)
- A range of tours from day trips out on small boats to week-long liveaboard cruises
- A chance to look for cetaceans in all of the world’s oceans, from polar waters to the tropics
- A wide range of the world’s 86 species are seen on our whale-watching holidays, including Blue Whales & Killer Whales
- A wide range of the world's dolphin species have also been seen, from Bottlenose and Risso’s, to Spinner, Striped and Heaviside’s
Our specialist recommends...
"In the UK I'd recommend our full-day dolphin tours to look for White-beaked dolphins off Lyme Bay. Madeira offers a good variety of dolphins close to shore including Risso's, Atlantic Spotted and Common, while if you fancy warm tropical waters Sri Lanka or the Maldives offer a good range of acrobatic species in sunny conditions!"
Sara Frost - Tour Leader & Marketing Manager
Sara Frost - Tour Leader & Marketing Manager
Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists
The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.
Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:
- Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
- The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
- Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
- Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
- Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
- Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar
Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
Our specialist recommends...
"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
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Mammal Watching Holidays
Many of the world’s mammals are instantly recognisable to us. Animals such as Lions, Tigers, elephants and bears capture our imaginations from an early age. At Naturetrek, we take great pleasure and pride in helping people to fulfil their lifelong dreams of seeing these iconic species in the wild. We also enjoy introducing our clients to some of the world’s more unusual mammals, many of which are just as fascinating.
Naturetrek Mammal Watching Tours
Many of our tours have a primary focus on mammals and we offer the widest choices of mammal-watching holidays across the globe, from the poles to the tropics. Our holidays are guided by at least one professional naturalist tour leader and usually benefit from additional guiding by expert local naturalist guides. We have holidays to see an incredible range of the world’s most sought-after mammals, such as orangutans, lemurs, bats, polar mammals, big cats, and mammals of the African savannah. A significant number of tours also targets some of the planet’s more unusual and elusive species, from pottos and pangolins to slender lorises and obscure cetaceans.
Here’s a selection of our mammal tours:
- India’s Kanha and Pench Tiger Reserves
- A cruise to Spitsbergen in search of Polar Bears
- A chance to see the ‘Big Five’ and much more in South Africa’s Kruger National Park
- Search for Blue, Fin and Sperm Whales in the Azores
- Close-up views of Brown Bear and Wolverine in Finland
- Enjoy the mammals of Kenya’s Masai Mara, while staying in luxury camps
- Search for elusive nocturnal mammals, such as Aardvark, Black-footed Cat and Aardwolf, in the Kalahari Desert
Bargain mammal selection
We offer a range of action-packed bargain holidays for the dedicated mammal enthusiast, which are exceptional value for money, from Belize to Zambia.
Our specialist recommends...
"Africa is perhaps the greatest continent for mammal-watching. I would recommend 'Botswana’s Desert & Delta (Mammals)' for combining stunning scenery and wildlife. We also offer a tour to Uganda which includes a chance to see Mountain Gorillas. And India, along with Tigers, has a superb variety of mammals. Closer to home, short breaks to Spain in search of Wolves and Iberian Lynx are hard to beat.”
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
Enquire
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
