Public Multi-Day Tour in Colorado
Grouse Lek Trek
Travel through the Great Plains, mountain forests, sagebrush steppes, and alpine tundra looking for 6 species of grouse!
Price Per Person:
$3,240 double occupancy
$3,840 single occupancy
Tour Features
Availability:
Group Size:
Highlights:
April 21 – 29, 2026
5 – 8 participants
Rare Birds ● Birdwatching ● Photography ● Conservation ● Grassland Birding
Availability: April 21 – 29, 2026
Group Size: 5 – 8 participants
Highlights: Rare Birds ● Birdwatching ● Photography ● Conservation ● Mountain Landscapes
About Grouse Lek Trek
Experience Colorado’s diverse landscapes searching for six species of native grouse, four of which display on leks. This tour will take you from intermountain valleys and high alpine tundra to the Great Plains looking for White-tailed Ptarmigan, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Greater Sage-Grouse, Dusky Grouse, Greater Prairie Chicken, and Lesser Prairie Chicken. Many mornings we will rise before dawn to settle down near breeding leks where we can observe the bizarre, yet magnificent courtship displays of these wonderful birds.
Price
$3,240 double occupancy
$3,840 single occupancy
Availability
April 21 to 29, 2026
Meeting Point
Denver International Airport
Participation Requirements
This tour is designed for intermediate birders and photographers. We consider the difficulty level to be moderate, with most of the birding being close to roadsides and trails with slight uphill’s and downhills. Expect early morning starts and long drives, but we will make sure the trip is broken up with plenty of out-of-vehicle time. Rest and relaxation time will be built in throughout the tour, including free time in Steamboat Springs and Crested Butte.
What’s Included
- 8 nights accommodation at 2- and 3-star hotels
- Transportation
- Professional drivers and guides
- Meals (with the exception of one lunch in Steamboat Springs)
- Snacks
- Non-alcoholic beverages
What’s NOT Included
- Flights
- Alcoholic beverages
- Travel insurance
- Souvenirs
- Personal services (laundry, massages, minibar expenses, phone calls, etc.)
What To Bring
A packing list will be provided for all trip participants.
Altitude
Denver is located at 5,280 ft. above sea level. Highest elevations will be reached at Loveland Pass (11,991 ft above sea level) on Day 2. Please consult with your doctor if you have medical conditions that may be exacerbated at high elevations. You may experience some minor irritations such as a slight headache and mild dizziness, but symptoms should disappear as we descend to lower elevations. You may consider taking Diamox (Acetazolamide) and/or Acetaminophen before traveling to higher elevations, but please consult your doctor. Eat a lighter meal before heading to higher altitude, stay well-hydrated, and try to avoid caffeine and alcohol.
Arrival and Departure Information
Please book a flight that arrives at Denver International Airport between 10 am and 3 pm on Tuesday, April 21st, 2026. Guides will meet the group at Denver Airport at the earliest available time (after all participants have arrived) to start the tour promptly. For departure, please book a flight that departs from Denver International Airport after 9 pm on Wednesday, April 29th, 2026. We will have a full final day together, so getting to the airport before 7 pm will not be an option. Please note, lodging is not provided on the night of April 29th, 2026.
Nature & Wildlife On This Tour
Some of the wildlife living in the areas explored during this tour:
Birds: White-tailed Ptarmigan, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Greater Sage-Grouse, Dusky Grouse, Greater Prairie Chicken, Lesser Prairie Chicken, Thick-billed Longspur, Chestnut-collared Longspur, Mountain Plover, Upland Sandpiper, Burrowing Owl, Lark Bunting, Brown-capped Rosy-Finch, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, Black Rosy-Finch, Pine Grosbeak, American Three-toed Woodpecker, Lewis’s Woodpecker, Williamson’s Sapsucker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Red Crossbill, Mountain Bluebird, Pinyon Jay, Juniper Titmouse, Canyon Wren, Rock Wren, Sandhill Crane, Golden Eagle, Bald Eagle, Ferruginous Hawk, Prairie Falcon, Western Grebe, Clark’s Grebe
Mammals: Bighorn Sheep, Mule Deer, Elk, Pronghorn, Red Squirrel, Abert’s Squirrel, Beaver, Long-tailed Weasel, Coyote, Red Fox
Grouse Lek Trek Tour Reviews
Ryan proved himself to be a well organized and very knowledgeable guide, which resulted in a very successful and enjoyable trip. The bird species and their locations were well scouted, and the trip was nicely orchestrated. My only concern is that I took so many photos it’s take forever to go through and do any post-processing on them.
This was an energetic trip from the start. There are several early morning starts in pursuit of fantastic birds. The scenery is outstanding. We saw all of the major species we set out to observe and, ultimately, almost 100 species. Ryan is a genial, energetic, and considerate guide. All the accommodations were good and reliable. Participants need to be able to pop in and out of the van and to manage both rocky and snowy trails. It was a fantastic trip and we recommend it highly!
I had a great time, personable and knowledgeable guide, learned a lot, saw a lot of birds. Enjoyed the areas we explored. Met my expectations and then some. Sometimes rushed for time but as a birder this is to be expected. Liked the B+B in Wray Colorado. Really enjoyed meeting with the ranchers in both Colorado and Kansas and seeing a slice of American life that I doubt I will ever experience again.
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