Giant-Skippers and Other Southeast Arizona Specialties

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Overview

Giant-Skippers and Other Southeast Arizona Specialties
Tucson, Arizona
Sep 28 - Oct 4, 2025
Fauna Ventures LLC image
Fauna Ventures LLC
$4,635
Deposit: $464

About your trip

Join us this September for an unforgettable butterfly tour through the breathtaking landscapes of Southeastern Arizona! Known as a biodiversity hotspot, this region is home to an extraordinary variety of butterfly species, including the elusive Giant-Skippers and other regional specialties.

From the rolling grasslands to the sky island mountain ranges, we’ll explore diverse habitats teeming with wildlife. This tour offers the perfect opportunity to observe unique butterflies, learn from expert guides, and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of one of the most biologically rich areas in the United States.

Tour Dates

28 September - 4 October

Plan your arrival for the afternoon of 28 September 2025 and your departure for 4 October 2025

What's included

Guiding services

Entry fees

Entry fees into reserves and parks

Meals

All planned meals and tips at restaurants

Hotel

Hotel nights on the itinerary

Transportation

All transportation during the scheduled itinerary

What's not included

Flights

Travel to San Diego is not included

Alcoholic beverages

Personal Items

Phone calls, laundry or other items of a personal nature

Tips

Tips for guides or at hotels

Day 1

Day 1 image

Arrivals into Tucson

Arrive in Tucson, Arizona, with evening arrivals expected. After checking into our hotel, we may gather for an informal meet and greet, depending on arrival times, to kick off our adventure and connect with fellow travelers.

Day 2

Day 2 image

Madera Canyon and Montosa Canyon

We'll explore Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Mountains and nearby Montosa Canyon in search of the Arizona Giant-Skipper and the striking Red-bordered Satyr, along with a variety of other fascinating butterfly species that thrive in these rich habitats.

Day 3

Day 3 image

Gisela and Mt. Ord

We'll depart Tucson for a 2.5-hour drive to Gisela, where we'll search for Bauer's Giant-Skipper and Mormon Metalmark. Around lunchtime, we'll make our way back toward Tucson with a stop at Mt. Ord, where we’ll look for Canyonland Satyr and Mead's Wood Nymph, adding more exciting finds to our journey.

Day 4

Day 4 image

Garden Canyon

We'll venture into Garden Canyon in the Huachuca Mountains to search for the elusive Huachuca Giant-Skipper and the striking Red-bordered Satyr, along with other exciting butterfly species that call this scenic area home.

Day 4

Day 4 image

Molino Basin

We'll explore Molino Basin in search of Poling’s Giant-Skipper and Arizona Giant-Skipper. Along the way, we'll also keep an eye out for the Xami Hairstreak, Black Checkerspot, and Colorado Hairstreak, adding to the excitement of our butterfly discoveries in this diverse habitat.

Day 6

Day 6 image

Patagonia or a Revisit to a Favorite Spot

On Day 6, we’ve set aside time to search for any missed species or revisit a favorite spot from our journey. One potential destination is the Patagonia area, where we may have the chance to spot the Arachne Checkerspot, Tropical Least Skipper, and Sunrise Skipper. This flexible day allows for deeper exploration and new discoveries!

Day 7

Day 7 image

Farewell to the Southwest

As our journey comes to an end, it's time to bid farewell to the incredible landscapes and butterflies we've encountered. Departures from Tucson mark the conclusion of our adventure, but the memories and discoveries will stay with us long after we return home. Safe travels! ✈️🦋

About your organizer

Fauna Ventures is a small tour operator focused on creating premium wildlife adventures. We specialize in butterflies and moths but can create customized itineraries to suit differing interests. At Fauna Ventures, conservation is at the core of all we do, and working to help preserve the biologically diverse habitats that we visit is our top priority. We partner with local agencies to contribute a minimum of 10% of proceeds from each trip to help protect the precious places we visit and the amazing creatures we encounter.

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