Return to the River of Raptors: HawkWatch x Hoffman in Veracruz, Mexico

NEW 8-DAY OPTION ADDED!

Difficulty Level: Easy; no more than two miles of hiking per day with very gradual elevation gain
Dates: October 7-18, 2025
Price: $4,600 per person for 12 days OR $3,600 per person for 8 days (double occupancy)
Deposit: $500
Spaces Remaining: 6
Click Here to Register (registration deadline extended to 8/31/25)

Experience the awe-inspiring spectacle of millions of migrating raptors in Veracruz, Mexico, led by HawkWatch International founder Steve Hoffman. This 12-day trip combines world-class birding with cultural exploration, offering an unforgettable adventure through diverse habitats and historical sites.

From the shores of the Gulf to the high desert, explore a variety of habitat types where up to 260 (!) species of birds can be seen. And there’s no need for guesswork. With additional guidance from raptor experts Kashmir Wolf (Senior Biologist, Pronatura Veracruz) and Dave Oleyar (Director of Long-term Monitoring, HawkWatch International), you’ll have the support you need for the trip of a lifetime.

What to Expect
After meeting your guides at the Veracruz airport, you’ll be whisked away in a private bus to your hotel located along the Gulf Coast. Hit the ground running the first morning, looking for species like the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl and the Boat-billed Flycatcher, around the grounds of the hotel.

Each day brings something new, from birding the coastal lowlands of the Gulf of Mexico for the first two days, to discovering what species call a shade-grown coffee plantation home. There will also be plenty of opportunities to see species at higher altitudes, from the mountain foothills of Xalapa to the forests of Xico. There will also be ample time to explore the culture of the region, from visiting ancient ruins to exploring Veracruz City. Click here for a full trip itinerary. Please note: participants who book the 8-day option will be provided transportation to the airport on day 9.

What’s Included

• Expert guiding services from three of the continent’s leading raptor experts
• Accommodations during tour dates
• Daily transportation in a spacious private van
• All meals during the tour (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• A generous donation to Pronatura Veracruz, a local, highly-respected nonprofit bird conservation organization that leads the River of Raptors program

What’s Not Included

• Round trip travel to Veracruz, Mexico
• Passport/visa visas
• Gratuities for guides*
• Alcohol
• Other personal items like souvenirs, laundry, room service, etc.

*All gratuities provided to HawkWatch International are 100% tax-deductible and will support migration research at Veracruz and across HawkWatch International’s network of raptor migration sites*

Your Guides

Steve Hoffman—HawkWatch International Founder and Owner of Merlin Birding & Nature Tours
Steve Hoffman is a pioneering raptor biologist and the founder of HawkWatch International. With over 45 years dedicated to wildlife conservation, Steve has led numerous birding tours across the Americas, sharing his extensive knowledge and passion for raptors. As the co-founder of the Veracruz River of Raptors Project, Steve offers participants unparalleled insights into one of the world’s most spectacular migration events. Currently based in Bozeman, Montana, Steve continues to inspire bird enthusiasts through his company, Merlin Birding & Nature Tours

Kashmir (Kash) Wolf—Senior Biologist and Guide, Pronatura Veracruz
Kash Wolf is a skilled biologist and seasoned birding guide with deep roots in raptor conservation. He joined the Veracruz River of Raptors Project in 2008 and now serves as its Project Coordinator. Since college, Kash has worked across Mexico and the U.S. studying species like the endangered Black-capped Vireo and Golden-cheeked Warbler. A former intern at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, he brings over a decade of field experience and sharp birding instincts to every outing. Kash has been guiding tours for Merlin Birding & Nature Tours since 2017.

Dave Oleyar—Director of Long-term Monitoring & Community Science, HawkWatch International
Dave’s spark bird was the Scissor-tailed Flycatchers he’d see flying around in the open fields surrounding the neighborhood where he grew up in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex in the 1980’s. He matched this bird and others to some Audubon plates that his grandparents had sent, and that was when paying attention to different kinds of birds began for Dave. Decades later, he still loves watching birds and sharing his fascination with them with others in formal and informal settings. Now a broadly trained ecologist with expertise in population ecology, avian conservation, climate change impacts on wildlife, and urban ecology, Dave leads research teams focused on how these issues influence birds of prey. He’s been with HawkWatch International since 2013.

Hold your spot by registering here and placing a $500 deposit.

Terms & Conditions

1. A deposit of $500 is required to reserve your spot and is subject to HWI’s Field Trip and Tour Policies. Final payment is due by September 7, 2025.
2. This tour is limited to 12 people to ensure an intimate, high-quality experience for everyone. The minimum number of participants is 6. In the event the minimum is not reached, we will refund your deposit of $500.
3. In the event of poor weather or other suboptimal conditions at the locations listed in our itinerary, we may opt to continue birding elsewhere. We’ll be flexible, so you see as much as possible during your time with us.
4. Tour costs and itineraries are subject to change. Prices could be affected by changing international currency exchange rates or necessary itinerary adjustments.