Guatemala Birding in the Highlands and Volcanoes

Birdwatching in Guatemala's Highlands and Volcano Areas

This 7-day Guatemala Birding in the Highlands & Volcanoes Tour is moderately paced and available on request. In order that you get the very best opportunities to take photographs and benefit from the experience and insight of our expert guides, each tour is limited to six people.

This Guatemala birding photography tour allows you to explore the Guatemalan Highlands, sitting at an altitude of 1,500-2,000m above sea level, and where the cities of Sololá, Quetzaltenango, Suchitepéquez and Mazatenango are situated. This region is famous for its Montane Evergreen and Pine Oak forests, which serve as a habitat of more than 90 bird species, including the White-belied Chachalaca, Roadside Hawk, Fulvous Owl and Emerald Toucanet.

The Highlands is also famous for its volcanic activity and hot springs. Although the climb is moderate to difficult, you may wish to join us in ascending Volcan Chicabal, which has a lake in its crater where Mayans still hold sacred rituals. Its remoteness makes it the ideal location to photograph the elusive Horned Guan on this Guatemala birding trip. Other bird species making their home around the volcano are the Pink-headed Warbler, Wine-throated Hummingbird, Painted Redstart, Slate-throated Redstart, Unicolored Jay and Black-capped Siskin.

No birding photography tour through the Highlands and volcanoes of Guatemala would be complete without visiting a coffee plantation such as Las Nubes, Los Andes or Finca Filadelfia, where conservation of the environment and agricultural production are respectfully carried out. Las Nubes is a favourite haunt for the Resplendent Quetzal, the national bird of Guatemala.

Throughout this birdwatching tour of the Guatemalan Highlands and volcanoes you will benefit from the experience and insight of our guides, who can offer advice on photo opportunities and professional tips to enhance your pictures for photographers at every level.

Guatemala Birding in the Highlands & Volcanoes Tour highlights include:

The chance to explore the Montane Evergreen and Pine Oak forests of the region, home to more than 90 species of bird
Climb the Volcan Chicabal and discover the hidden lake within, haunt of the rare Horned Guan
Spot some of Guatemala's most vibrant and exotic birds, including a variety of hummingbirds, raptors and the breathtaking Resplendent Quetzal
Relax in the local hot springs and savour fresh coffee at one of the regions many plantations
Benefit from the expertise of our guides in helping you to take the best photographs of your adventure

Do you like the look of this tour but would like to explore other options? Why not check out the Birdwatching in Guatemala Mayan Lowlands Tour

Alternative tour name: Birdwatching and Photography in the Guatemalan Highlands and Volcanoes

Day 1

Day 1 - Guatemala - lake atitlan - panajachel

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.

Day 2

Day 2 - Panajachel - Las Nubes Coffee Plantation or Los Andes Nature Reserve*

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 .

Day 3

Day 3 - Las Nubes Coffee Plantation or Los Andes Nature Reserve*

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

Day 4

Day 4 - Las Nubes or Los Andes* - Fuentes Georginas (Hot Water Springs)- Quetzaltenango

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.

Day 5

Day 5 - Quetzaltenango - Volcano Chicabal - Antigua

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.

Day 6

Day 6 - Antigua - El Pilar - Finca Filadelfia

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.

Day 7

Day 7 - Antigua - Guatemala Airport

At a convenient time transfer to Guatemala City Airport on a shuttle to take your flight home.

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Why book with Anywhere Guatemala Nature?

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.

How many volcanoes can we expect to see?

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.

Why Los Andes or La Nubes?

These are two Natural reserves with almost the same landscape with a harvest of coffee.