Guatemala Highlands & Mayan World Birding Tour invites you to a captivating birdwatching journey across Guatemala’s diverse terrains. Each region offers a unique backdrop for bird enthusiasts, from the central highlands to the serene Pacific coast and the vibrant lowlands. As you traverse these varied landscapes, you’ll encounter a myriad of regional endemics and captivating species. Highlights include the elusive Pink-headed Warbler, majestic Horned Guan, vibrant Azure-rumped Tanager, swift Orange-breasted Falcon, and the striking Crested Eagle. Not to forget, the mesmerizing Ocellated Turkey and the iconic Pale-billed Woodpecker await your discovery. Join us and immerse yourself in the rich avian tapestry of Guatemala’s highlands and the ancient Mayan world.
La Aurora International Airport
Trip may include activities like walks, hikes and boat rides.
Meet and greet at La Aurora International Airport and transfer to the City of Antigua Guatemala, (1 hour).
Lodging in Antigua Guatemala.
Morning bird watching at Finca El Pilar, based 10 minutes from Antigua. Coffee, Pinus, and oaks mainly comprise the plant life within this reserve, settling in an altitudinal range between 1,710 to 9,500 ft above sea level.
One of the significant points of interest in El Pilar farm is around hummingbird feeders, where it is possible to find numerous hummingbird species that reside in the area feeding themselves together, addressing a fantastic chance for birdwatchers.
Lunch break in the local restaurant in Antigua Guatemala
14:00 hrs, you are going to start the exciting cultural excursion of Antigua, discovering beautiful churches, ruins, galleries, and museums that joined with aged stoned paths. Keep the stories and tales of the colonial times that unquestionably please you.
Lodging in Antigua, Guatemala.
Some of the birds that you can spot at this destination are:
Rufous Sabrewing, Green-throated Mountain-Gem, Bushy-crested Jay, Hooded Grosbeak, Elegant Euphonia, Singing Quail, Golden-crowned Warbler, Bar-winged Oriole, among others.
6:00 am. Departure from Antigua Guatemala toward Tecpan area
Breakfast in Tecpan
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 Redstart, Pink-headed, Crescent-chested, and Olive Warbler, as well as Hutton’s Vireo.
Midday transfer to Quetzaltenango and birdwatching in the afternoon at Los Vados area.
Morning birdwatching 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 Horned Guan, Wine-throated and Garnet-throated Hummingbirds, Cinnamon-bellied flower piercing, Mexican-violetear (Former Green-violetear), and Guatemalan Pigmy owls.
After lunch, transfer to Los Tarrales Private Reserve and birdwatching around the lodge in the afternoon
Two nights of lodging at Los Tarrales Private Reserve.
Time for Coffee and transfer to the Vesubio area in the quest of Azure-rumped tanager, Rufous Sabrewing, Emerald-chinned Hummingbird, Tody Motmot, Quails, and doves, among other species of the highlands. Breakfast at the place (boxed breakfast).
Lunch
Afternoon birding tour around La Laguneta, this area offers an excellent opportunity to discover species such as White-bellied Chachalaca, Yellow-naped Parrot, and Rufous-breasted Spinetail, among others.
Dinner and lodging at Los Tarrales Reserve.
It is time for coffee and transfers to the La Rinconada area, where it is possible to find species such as Long-tailed Manakin, Cinnamon Hummingbird, and Rufous-naped Wren, among others.
Breakfast at the place (boxed breakfast).
Midday transfer to Lake Atitlan and afternoon birdwatching around the lodge.
Early boat ride toward San Pedro La Laguna, where we will climb Paquisis Volcano in the quest for Horned Guan and other exciting species such as Prevost’s Ground-sparrow, Amethyst-throated Hummingbird, Slender Sheartail, Rufous Sabrewing Violet Sabrewing, Bushy-crested Jay, Olive-sided Towhee, Chesnut-sided Shrike-vireo, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Mountain Trogon, Bar-winged Oriole and Ocellated Quail among others.
Lunch will be served en route (boxed lunch).
Morning birdwatching around the Lake and El Rey Tepepul Park
After breakfast, transfer to the airport,
17:15 hrs, flight to Flores,
18:00 hrs, meet & greet in Flores and transfer to Flores Island
One night of lodging in Flores
Enjoy this fascinating birding tour in the Scarlet Macaw’s sanctuary and prepare to discover the natural world of more than 260 species of resident birds.
With abundant wildlife such as spider monkeys and howler monkeys (saraguate), occasionally tapirs, crocodiles, and a great variety of birds, among those, we can mention the scarlet macaw, toucans, blue herons, parakeets, and many more…
7:00 am. Leave from Flores to Paso Caballos for approximately 3 hrs. The whole road proposes excellent birding opportunities to watch some birds in open areas, secondary forests, and ponds, such as Flycatchers, Hawks, Herons, and Kingfishers.
Upon arrival at the community of Paso Caballos, we will board a boat that will carry us through the San Pedro River towards Las Guacamayas Biological Station (approximately 20 minutes). Birding on the route, we can find species such as Herons, Kingfishers, Limpkin, Parrots, Grey-necked Wood-rail, Northern Jacana, and many more.
Upon your arrival, the EBG staff will receive you, and they will give an introduction to the station’s activities, solid waste management, research programs, conservation, and social projection.
Lunch at 3:00 pm.. birding tour around the base station ending at Las Guacamayas lookout.
Two nights of lodging at Las Guacamayas Lodge
Some of the birds that you can spot at this destination are:
Agami Heron, Green-backed Sparrow, Wedge-tailed Sabrewing, Yucatan Woodpecker, Yucatan Jay, Red-capped Manakin, Golden-hooded Tanager, Yellow-tailed Oriole, Scarlet Macaw, Brown-hooded Parrot, White-crowned Parrot, Sungrebe, Ruddy Crake, Northern Potoo, Yucatan Poorwill, Scaly-breasted Hummingbird, among others.
5:00 am. Time for a coffee (breakfast on route) We will board our boat for a birding tour through the archaeological site El Peru, where we will visit the most important nesting area of the scarlet macaw (Ara Macaw) in Guatemala and we can find exciting species such as Ocellated Turkey; Bat Falcon; Scarlet Macaw; Black-and-White Owl; Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Lovely Cotinga, Rose-throated Tanager; Green-Backed Sparrow, among others.
Note: You can spot Scarlet Macaws from February to May
Nighttime aquatic excursion: Explores the stream Sacluc. Our experienced guide accompanies us for the nighttime marine tour. With the support of a flashlight, our guide illuminates the nighttime creatures that live here, including the crocodile petenero (Crocodylus moreletii), bats, birds, and more.
Morning birdwatching in San Pedro River
After breakfast, transfer to Tikal National Park. On route, you will stop in Flores to have lunch. Quick stop at El Remate to do some birding
Sunset tour in Tikal National Park
Two nights of lodging in Tikal National Park
Early birdwatching 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 birdwatching where we will find exciting species such as Ocellated Turkey, orange-breasted falcon, Yucatan Jay, Black Catbird, Rose-throated Tanager, Great Curassow, White-fronted Parrot; Mealy Parrot, Crested Eagle, Slaty-tailed Trogon, Keel-billed Toucan, Chestnut-colored Woodpecker, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher; White-bellied Wren, Montezuma Oropendola and many hummingbirds among others.
During the migratory season, warblers, tanagers, and other flocks make this destination a fantastic tropical paradise.
Midday archaeological tour
Tikal’s second-day Birding and Archaeology tour.
Afternoon transfer to the airport.
18:30 hrs, local flight from Flores to Guatemala City.
19:30 Hrs, meet & greet at the airport and transfer to your hotel.
One night of lodging in Guatemala City
