Guatemala Birding through Highlands & Volcanoes
Volcanoes and Highlands paint the Guatemalan skyline; everywhere you see a mountain or volcano is always present. During this 7 day tour, you'll visit the Guatemalan Highlands (approx. altitude: 1,500 - 2,000 meters above sea level) - where Sololá, Quetzaltenango, Suchitepéquez and Mazatenango are situated. Located in these departments are Nature Reserves or Coffee Plantations, like Las Nubes, Los Andes or Finca Filadelfia, where conservation of the environment and agricultural production are respectfully carried out.
The highlands are famous for it's Montane Evergreen Forest and Pine Oak-Forest, which allow for a habitat of more than 90 species. On this tour is that you'll be able to explore these places, take gorgeous pictures and find lifers - like the Resplendent Quetzal in Las Nubes or Los Andes. Every site will leave you breathless, either because of its birds or its natural beauty.
Arrive Airport La Aurora at noon and immediate transfer to Panajachel.
Do a quick stop at Rincon Suizo to look for the Pink-headed Warbler and other birds seen in site.
Breakfast and transfer by jeeps 4WD collectible vehicles to the Natural Reserve where the Resplendent Quetzal its seen most of the time. Around noon com back to the main house for lunch and rest or enjoy of a nice Coffee Plantation tour with all the explanation on how coffee is harvest and drink. Afternoon go back to the mountain and try to see the Fulvous Owl .
Early morning but today breakfast will be served on the mountain around 9am to enjoy the good day in the mountain.
Birds that you might see will be as follow:White-belied Chachalaca, Roadside Hawk, Short-tailed Hawk, American Krestel, Crested Guan, Black Chachalaca (Highland Guan),Green Violet-ear, Pauraque, Emerald Toucanet, among others
Visit the Hot springs and enjoy the most spectacular birds in the site like the pink headed warbler, Unicolor Jay, The most colorful Wine-throated Hummingbird. Lunch near the area and afternoon continue to the City where you can relax for the next morning that will be needed more effort at the Volcano Chicabal. Dinner and accommodations at Hotel Pensión Bonifaz.
Volcan Chicabal is one of the most amazing volcanoes. The climb is medium-difficult but when you get at the crater you will find the lake and you might encounter real mayan rituals that take place there. This is a site with lots of birds but the most wanted to see because their normal habitat is a difficult area to reach is the Horned Guan. Other species are:Pink-headed Warbler, Painted Redstart, Slate-throated Redstart, Unicolored Jay, Black-capped Siskin, Gray Silky-flycatcher, Gray Silky-flycatcher, among others. Lodging at Antigua, Guatemala’s colonial capital until 1773 when it was destroyed by an earthquake. Antigua was once the cultural center of Central America, and now with its considerable charm, Spanish colonial architecture, and colorful Maya culture, it is a center for tourism. It is known for its ceramics, and its coffee.
Morning Breakfast at the top of mountain with a marvelous view of the Volcanoes Agua-Fuego and Acatenango and of course lots of birds around to spot. Highland Guan, Pacific Parakeet,Rufous Sabrewing, Green-throated Mountain-Gem, Amethyst-throated, Hummingbird, Blue-throated Mot-mot, “Guatemalan” Northern Flicker, Gray-collared Becard, Black-capped Swallow, Bushy-crested Jay, Rufous-browed Wren, Rufous-collared robins/thrushes, Blue-and-white Mockingbird, Hooded Grosbeak, and Bar-winged Oriole. Birds of a more widespread range that are found here Mountain (Northern) Pygmy-Owl, Azure-crowned Hummingbird, Collared and Mountain trogons, Emerald Toucanet, Band-backed Wren, Brown-backed Solitaire, Gray Silky-flycatcher, Crescent-chested, Red-faced, Chestnut-capped, Golden-browed, and Slate-throated Redstart, Flame-colored and White-winged tanagers, Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer. At noon get down and have lunch at Antigua to enjoy a nice meal. In the afternoon transfer to Natural Reserve of Finca Filadelfia to enjoy more birds. Dinner on your OWN to walk around Antigua the small colonial village. Nice restaurants are open to enjoy a good meal. Accommodations at Hotel.
At a convenient time transfer to Guatemala City Airport on a shuttle to take your flight home.
Among other birds you will be able to look for: Azure-rumped Tanager, Fulvous Owl, Bushy-crested Jay, Buffy-crowned Wood-Partridge, Resplendent Quetzal, Cinnamon Hummingbird, White-eared Hummingbird, Clay-colored Thrush, Social Flycatcher, Blue and White Mockingbird, Pink-headed warbler, Yellow-eye Junco, Mountain Trogon, Blue-throated Motmot -Tody Motmot, Blue-crowned Chlorofonia, Horned Guan, Yellow-throated and Scub Euphonias, Yellow-winged and Blue-gray tanagers, Spot-breasted, Altamira, and Baltimore Orioles, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Rufous-naped Wren, Black-headed Saltator, Summer Tanager, Red-legged Honeycreeper, White-throated Magpie-Jay, Clay-colored Thrush, White-bellied Chachalaca, Blue-crowned Motmot, Melodious Blackbird, White-winged, Western, Yellow-winged), and several nectar feeding birds like Baltimore Orioles, Red-legged Honeycreeper, and several hummingbirds like Blue-tailed and Ruby-throated Hummingbird, White-bellied Chachalaca. Also Highland guan, Resplendent quetzal, Blue throated motmot, Rufous sabrewing, Chestnut-sided Shrike- Vireo, Blue and white mockingbird and White eared ground sparrow.
What is included?
- 6 nights Accommodations: 1 Panajachel 2Las Nubes 1 Quetzaltenango Pension Bonifaz or similar-2 Posada Don Rodrigo or Similar"
- Transportation Vehicle Hiace/Coaster o Similar
- Bird guide escort and Community local guides
- Visit: El Pilar-Las Nubes-Finca Filadelfia-Volcan Chicabal-Fuentes Georginas
- All Meals from Lunch on Day 1 till Lunch Day except Dinner on Day 5 and Day 6 to enjoy the nicest restaurants at Antigua.
- Visit Natural Reserve Las Nubes
- Visit Hot Springs Fuentes Georginas
- Visit Volcan Chicabal
- Visit El Pilar Natural Reserve
- Visit Finca Filadelfia Natural Reserve
What is not included?
- Any personal expense like telephone calls and laundry
- Sodas or alcoholic beverages
- Travel Insurance
- International flights
- Airport Domestic departure tax (Q20/US$3.00 per person)
- Additional charges for Peak Season Holy Week and Christmas Holidays)
- Tips to drivers and guides
- Any expense not describe in the itinerary
Anywhere Guatemala Nature Tours as member of Jett Tours Inc. founded in October 1975 and of Anywhere Inc. since 2014, offers a variety of unique tours designed according to your preferences with quality and good service, backed by years of experience.
Guatemala has around 33 volcanoes and which only 3 of them are active. You will get to see at least 2 of the actives ones and many more of the inactive.
These are two Natural reserves with almost the same landscape with a harvest of coffee.
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