Birding in Guatemala and Mayan History
Tour Date:
21st March 2022 – 25th March 2022
Tour Price (Per Person):
USD 1999
Tour Type:
Easy birding and culture
Description
Horned Guan and Pink-headed Warbler are two Central American top target birds that can either be seen at the classical Triunfo site in Chiapas. Mexico, or traditionally a rather tough climb up the a volcano in Guatemala. However, in this program a new site is presented which gets both species with minimal necessary walk on the same day.
A trip to Guatemala would not be complete without a visit to the famous Maya ruins of Tikal, which incidentally is one of the best birding spots in the world within an archaeological compound, with top targets like Great Curassow, Ocellated Turkey and Orange-breasted Falcon relatively easy. You shall have plenty of time to both see the birds and the ruins well with expert guiding in both birds and archeology.
Itinerary:
Arrive Guatemala City one day before tour start date. We can arrange transfer to Antigua (1 hour) and arrange for your hotel.
Day 1: Tecpan / Todos Santos Cuchumatanes
Early departure from Antigua Guatemala toward Tecpan area.
Breakfast and bird-watching tour in Tecpan Reserve where you will find interesting endemic species of the north Central American highlands like Pink-headed Warbler, Blue-throated Motmot and Rufous-browed Wren.
During migratory (winter) season you will find Townsend’s, Wilson’s, Black-and-White and Red-faced Warblers together with the resident Slate-throated Whitestart, Pink-headed, Crescent-chested and Olive Warbler, as well as Hutton’s Vireo.
We continue after lunch to Quetzaltenango and shall bird the rest of the afternoon around Fuentes Georginas
2 nights of lodging at Las Cumbres Hotel
Day 2: Zunil Quetzaltenango
Full day birding around Zunil Volcano in the quest of Horned Guan and other specialties like Guatemalan Pygmy-owl, Black-throated Jay, Golden-browed Warbler, Pink-headed Warbler, Yellow-eyed Junco, among others.
Day 3: Fuentes Georginas / Guatemala Airport / Tikal National Park
Morning bird-watching in the very humid sub-tropical forest at Fuentes Georginas, in addition to being a great birding destination Fuentes Georginas is a hot spring with developed pools. Here we hope to spot Wine-throated and Garnet-throated Hummingbird, Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer, Mexican Violetear (Formerly Green violetear) and Guatemalan Pygmy Owl.
In the late afternoon we fly to Flores and stay at very comfortable Jungle Lodge Tikal.
Day 4: Tikal National Park.
Full day bird watching Tour within Tikal National Park, Tikal is part of the nucleus areas of the Maya Biosphere Reserve, with a high level of conservation activities and research.
The monuments, remnants of the ancient Maya culture located in the middle of luscious jungles, are ideal places for bird watching where we will find interesting species such as: Ocellated turkey, Great Curassow, Orange-breasted Falcon, Yucatan Jay, Rose-throated Tanager, Great Curassow, White-fronted Parrot; Mealy Parrot, Slaty-tailed Trogon, Keel-billed Toucan, Chestnut-colored Woodpecker, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Montezuma Oropendola, Royal Flycatcher and many hummingbirds among others.
During migratory season flocks of warblers, tanagers and others makes this destination a fantastic tropical paradise.
We shall make an archeological tour when the bird activity settles. Tikal reached its peak during the Classic Period, c. 200 to 900 AD. During this time, the city dominated much of the Maya region politically, economically, and militarily. It is one of the most amazing of the Maya sites covering over 16 square kilometers and containing over 3000 buildings. It is estimated that a population around 100 000 people lived here.
Day 5: Tikal National Park / Guatemala City
An additional morning with birdwatching in species rich Tikal National Park before we fly back to Guatemala City. Please ask us about extensions for additional birdwatching or cultural experiences.
The tour includes:
- 4 nights of lodging as per itinerary sharing room with en-suite facilities
- Meals
- Ground transportation mentioned in the itinerary
- Specialized bird watching tour guide
- Guide
- Reserve and parks entrance fees
- Round trip airline ticket to Flores via TAG Airline
- Cooler with purified water during the whole trip
- Checklist
- Hotel taxes
The tour does not include:
- International flights
- Travel Insurance
- Airport departure tax (Q20 per person each way, about US$3.00)
- Telephone calls, laundry or any other items of personal nature
- Tips to drivers and guides
- Non specified services