Cheepers! Birding on a Budget LLC
SPECIAL OFFERS! Please see the bottom of this page for details.
Best trips - BEST PRICES!
Established to provide affordable options for international birding during challenging economic times, Cheepers! strives to provide the best birding experiences at the best prices. Since its inception, Cheepers! has been able to offer outstanding birding trips to world-renowned birding sites at a much lower cost than comparable trips offered by major tour companies.
How can we offer similar trips at a substantial savings?
First, we deal directly with local guides whenever possible. In doing so, we have eliminated the profits made by two or three "middle men".
Second, we make every effort to find economical lodging while still maintaining a high standard. Our clients enjoy clean, comfortable, safe accommodations with private baths. We do make exceptions if a lodge offers better birding than a lower-priced competitor, but we don't pay extra for things like fancy furnishings or hot tubs.
Third, we have very little overhead. We pay no salaries for office staff. All of the planning, paperwork, accounting, etc. is done by co-owners Cindy and Jim Beckman.
Last, we mark up the price we negotiate with the guides as little as possible to cover expenses and make a small profit. We are a retired couple working to supplement our income, not a company trying to maximize profits.
Cheepers! is not our livelihood; it is our passion.
How can we offer similar trips at a substantial savings?
First, we deal directly with local guides whenever possible. In doing so, we have eliminated the profits made by two or three "middle men".
Second, we make every effort to find economical lodging while still maintaining a high standard. Our clients enjoy clean, comfortable, safe accommodations with private baths. We do make exceptions if a lodge offers better birding than a lower-priced competitor, but we don't pay extra for things like fancy furnishings or hot tubs.
Third, we have very little overhead. We pay no salaries for office staff. All of the planning, paperwork, accounting, etc. is done by co-owners Cindy and Jim Beckman.
Last, we mark up the price we negotiate with the guides as little as possible to cover expenses and make a small profit. We are a retired couple working to supplement our income, not a company trying to maximize profits.
Cheepers! is not our livelihood; it is our passion.
A little about the owners. . . .
Cindy and Jim Beckman have birded in 10 countries on 5 continents since 1995 and have established contacts with expert guides in many of the world's best birding locations. Both Jim and Cindy are members of the Board of Directors of the Dayton Audubon Society and have been adult supporters of the Ohio Young Birders Club since its inception in 2006.
Cindy Beckman is a retired public school teacher. She has organized and led trips for groups of as many as 70 students and parents, as well as for smaller groups of friends, family, and birders to destinations such as Ecuador, Panama, Olympic National Park, Florida, southeast Arizona, and southern California. Cindy wrote about her experiences with young birders who she mentored during her 35 years as an educator, earning her WildBird Magazine's 2007 "Birder of the Year" award. She is an avid photographer, eager to share images with fellow travelers.
Cindy Beckman is a retired public school teacher. She has organized and led trips for groups of as many as 70 students and parents, as well as for smaller groups of friends, family, and birders to destinations such as Ecuador, Panama, Olympic National Park, Florida, southeast Arizona, and southern California. Cindy wrote about her experiences with young birders who she mentored during her 35 years as an educator, earning her WildBird Magazine's 2007 "Birder of the Year" award. She is an avid photographer, eager to share images with fellow travelers.
Jim Beckman is a retired IT Project Manager who has been an avid birder for 15 years. He has traveled extensively for most of his adult life, and loves to share birding experiences with others.
SPECIAL OFFERS!
REGISTER FOR 2010 COSTA RICA OR BRAZIL OR 2011 EUCADOR OR BELIZE BY MARCH 30 AND RECEIVE A FREE FIELD GUIDE TO THE BIRDS OF YOUR DESTINATION COUNTRY AND AN ENTRY TO WIN A GREEN LASER PEN!
Repeat customers will receive a discount of $100 if they register for a tour at least 4 months prior to departure date.
Repeat customers will receive a discount of $100 if they register for a tour at least 4 months prior to departure date.