Honduras Photography Tour focusing on Hummingbirds
This 13-day Photo Tour is perfect for photographers with a special interest in hummers. Because we focus exclusively on these tiny creatures, you have plenty of time to find the best angle and the perfect light. And who knows: take that stunning shot that brings you fame?
The Hummingbird Photo Tour takes you from dry pine-oak to cloud forest and from rainforest to mangrove and beach. Thanks to that variety, you can see and photograph about three-quarters of Honduras' 43 hummer species, from the spectacular Wine-throated Hummingbird to the bee-like Sparkling-tailed Woodstar and the endemic Honduran Emerald.
We limit the spaces on this tour to six people to give you all the time and space you need to focus on creating awesome photos.
Tour Overview
- Day 1 - Pick up at Tegucigalpa airport & photographing near the hotel
- Day 2 - Full day photographing in La Tigra National Park
- Day 3 - Full day photographing in Las Moras & Cerro de Hula
- Day 4 - Transfer to La Esperanza & photographing at El Consejero Hummingbird Garden
- Day 5 - Morning photographing at El Consejero Hummingbird Garden, transfer to Gracias & photographing at Celaque Hummingbird Garden
- Day 6 - Morning photographing in Opalaca National Park & afternoon Photographing at Rio Grande
- Day 7 - Transfer to Panacam Lodge
- Day 8 - Full day photographing at Panacam Lodge
- Day 9 - Full day photographing in the Santa Bárbara mountains
- Day 10 - Transfer to Pico Bonito Lodge
- Day 11 - Full day photographing at Pico Bonito Lodge
- Day 12 - Transfer to Guanaja & photographing on Guanaja
- Day 13 Transfer to San Pedro Sula airport
Refer to the itinerary tab for more details per day.
Would you enjoy a more specialist trip to see birds in Honduras? Then have a look at the Birding Honduras Highlights Tour.
Alternative Tour Name: Honduras Hummingbird Photo Quest
We meet you upon your arrival in Toncontín International Airport in Tegucigalpa. After a short drive towards La Tigra National Park, we reach our hotel for the next few nights. Depending on your time of arrival, we may still have time for some afternoon birding close to the hotel.
Today, we spend the whole day in La Tigra National Park. We look for one of the prettiest hummingbirds of the trip: the spectacular Wine-throated Hummingbird. The extravagant magenta gorget of the male will make your heart race when you hit that button.
La Tigra is not only a hotspot for Wine-throated Hummingbirds. It is also home to beauties such as Green-breasted Mountain-Gem, Mexican Violetear, White-eared Hummingbird, and the uncommon Amethyst- and Garnet-throated Hummingbirds. With those, we will have made a great start to our Hummingbird Photo Tour.
Early this morning, we drive to Cerro de Hula. This area of dry shrub is the preferred habitat of Slender Sheartail and Sparkling-tailed Hummingbird. These rare long-tailed hummingbirds are attracted by the wild salvia and pito blossoms that abound here. Make sure to inspect those flowers closely for our tiny bee-like hummingbirds! Other species that we will photograph here are Azure-crowned Hummingbird, Blue-tailed Hummingbird, Green Violetear, White-eared Hummingbird and Cinnamon Hummingbird.
After breakfast, we drive to La Esperanza. We are still in the pine-covered highlands of Honduras, and in one of the coolest (or coldest) places in the country. Upon arrival, we visit Private Reserve El Consejero in nearby Yamaranguila. The Reserve is run by Julio Bu and his family. Julio is a conservationist and has decided to convert almost the entirety of his land into a nature reserve. Beaks and Peaks has worked with him and his daughter and grandchildren to create a Hummingbird Garden. The garden was a success, and after merely a few months, 7 different types of highland hummers had found their way to the feeders and flowers: Magnificent Hummingbird, Sparkling-tailed Hummingbird, Ruby-throated Hummingbird (during migration), Azure-crowned Hummingbird, White-eared Hummingbird, Amethyst-throated Hummingbird, and Green-throated Mountain-gem. The Hummingbird Garden is a wonderful spot to photograph these hummingbirds and at the same time help this very humble family make a sustainable living in harmony with nature.
We have some more time this morning to photograph at El Consejero before we drive to Gracias, in the western department of Lempira. situated at the foot of Parque Nacional Celaque, which boasts the highest peak of Honduras. Our hotel is located amidst pine forest, woodland and coffee plantations. In Beaks and Peaks’ nearby Hummingbird Garden, we have another chance at photographing Sparkling-tailed Hummingbird, White-eared Hummingbird, Azure-crowned Hummingbird and perhaps Stripe-tailed Hummingbird.
In the morning, we make our way high up into the mountains of Opalaca. This reserve is one of many hidden gems littering the Honduran countryside. It has only recently been discovered by the Honduran birdwatching community but has enormous potential, both for its biodiversity and access. The reserve is now on the list to be recognized as a National Park. Depending on the altitude you will find pine forest, dry shrub and cloud forest in Opalaca. We will be look out for Wine-throated Hummingbird, but other hummers such as Rivoli’s, White-eared, Azure-crowned Hummingbird, Green-throated Mountain-gem, or Mexican Violetear are also to be seen.
After lunch in Gracias, we head to the Rio Grande. The river is bordered by dry forest and is home to Honduras’ only endemic: the Honduran Emerald. This beautiful hummer species feeds mainly on Inga, a native tree that produces white blossoms. The afternoon light over the river should make for some great photo opportunities.
This morning, we drive to Lake Yojoa, Honduras’ only natural freshwater lake. As soon as we are settled in our hotel, we head out to find some more hummingbirds. The deck of the hotel restaurant has several hummingbird feeders and thus offers a great starting point. Among the species we will try to capture on film here are White-bellied Emerald, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Violet Sabrewing etc.!
No long drives today, since Panacam Lodge itself offers wondrous opportunities for hummingbird photography. The hummingbird feeders on the deck and the various flowering trees near the cabins and that attract several hummingbird species to well-lit and open areas, given you the chance to easily work on angles, light and composition. We’ll be taking our time today with species such as Violet Sabrewing, White-bellied Emerald, Green-throated Mountain-gem, and if we’re lucky even the tiny but spectacular Black-crested Coquette!
Very early in the morning we drive up into the mountains of Santa Bárbara, where we will visit another private reserve, run by conservationist Leonel Chávez and his family. The principal aim of his project was to protect the Resplendent Quetzal. To that end, he has maintained and reforested a vast plot of cloud forest. Over time, he has also built various birding trails and constructed a few rustic cabins for overnight visitors. By now, the reserve is an amazing birding hotspot, and Leonel has become a more than excellent guide.
Up in these beautiful mountains, we will look for the Emerald-chinned Hummingbird, a spectacular creature living in the cloud forest and feeding on small insects and the nectar of fresh flowers. There are also good chances to photograph the Long-billed Hermit, Stripe-throated Hermit, Mexican Violetear, Garnet-throated Hummingbird, Green-throated Mountain-gem and Violet Sabrewing. After a full day up in the mountains, with breakfast and lunch provided by the family, we return to the hotel for dinner.
Pico Bonito Lodge combines the adventure of the outdoors, the beauty of the rainforest, and the personal service of a boutique hotel and spa. In this luxurious setting, we enjoy yet another splendid birding day, as the area offers an array of interesting hummingbird species such as the Violet-headed Hummingbird, Purple-crowned Fairy, Stripe-tailed Hummingbird, Brown Violetear, Long-billed Hermit etc. The gardens and trails of the Lodge are well tended and create a beautiful setting for your photography.
Given the big variety of hummingbirds this area hosts, we will spend all of today at the Lodge too. There are several feeders near the restaurant and reception area, even though many of the hummingbird species here readily feed on the many flowering bushes and trees. Great shots guaranteed!
This morning, a small plane will bring us in about 20 minutes from La Ceiba to the island of Guanaja. This beautifully authentic island in the Caribbean Sea is one of the only places—and by far the prettiest and easiest one—to observe and photograph the Canivet’s Emerald, a subspecies of Salvin’s Emerald that cannot be found on the Honduran mainland. Both from Manatí restaurant or the deck at Roland’s Garden Guesthouse, we will have great views of these little guys, coming to the wealth of flowering plants and trees and some strategically placed feeders. And for sure you will appreciate the relaxed Caribbean vibe of this location while taking heaps of gorgeous pictures. Add to that the delicious lunch served at Manatí, and we are convinced you will not want to take the plane back this afternoon. However, it is time to get back to the mainland, and enjoy a final dinner together.
We will bring you to the international airport of San Pedro Sula in time for your flight. We hope you have had a great trip and return home with lots of stunning pictures and wonderful memories.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Violet-headed Hummingbird, Scaly-breasted Hummingbird, Violet Sabrewing, Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer, Crowned Woodnymph, Stripe-tailed Hummingbird, White-bellied Emerald, Azure-crowned Hummingbird, Berylline Hummingbird, Blue-tailed Hummingbird, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Cinnamon Hummingbird and Blue-throated Goldentail, Long-billed Hermit, Stripe-throated Hermit, Green Violetear, Garnet-throated Hummingbird, Green-throated Mountain-Gem, Violet Sabrewing…
What is included?
- 12 hotel nights in double occupancy (for a single room, a 500USD single supplement applies)
- 3 meals per day starting with dinner on day 1 and ending with breakfast on day 13 including non-alcoholic beverages
- In-country transportation throughout the tour in private van/bus and return flight La Ceiba <> Guanaja
- All guiding fees: 1 bilingual ES/EN Beaks and Peaks specialist guide throughout the tour, local guides
- All entrance fees to the parks and reserves mentioned
- All activities as described
- Taxes
What is not included?
- Airfare to/from Honduras
- Travel Insurance
- Tips
- Exit/departure tax (usually included in your airfare)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Additional snacks, souvenirs, laundry, and other personal purchases
Beaks and Peaks offers high-quality, personalized tours for small group to some of the top birding and wildlife destinations in the world. Everything you would expect from the big names in birdwatching tourism, but on a smaller scale, and therefore closer to the birds, the people, and to you! We are also aware of the importance of transparency, so before you book a tour, we will make sure you have all the information you need or want. Detailed tour itineraries, prices (with clear mention of what is included or excluded), practical information etc. And should you still have questions, then we will be more than happy to help you out. Our goal is to give you the best possible experience. Responsible travel is key at Beaks and Peaks, so we work to reduce our footprint on both the environment and the communities we visit, for example by preferring reusable materials, respecting distances to wildlife, limit use of recordings, flashlights and pointers, and educating both locals and visitors about the importance of conservation and sustainable development.
Throughout the tour, we stay in the best hotels and lodges available in the area. We would, however, want to ask you to bear in mind that you are traveling in a developing country and to sometimes remote natural areas, which comes with both its own charm but also its own challenges: Comfort may not be what you are used to at home, there will be sounds and creatures of the jungle, wifi and electricity may not be as readily available as in your home country. During the Hummingbird Photo Tour in Honduras, accommodation in La Tigra will be basic, around Yojoa comfortable and in Gracias and on the north coast comfortable to luxurious.
The vehicles we will travel in ultimately depend on the size of the group, be it a private car or a private van with an experienced driver, with ample space for each passenger, his or her birding/photography gear and luggage.
On mainland Honduras, we will travel by private car or van. To get to Guanaja (on of the so-called Bay Islands in the Caribbean Sea), we will take a small plane (about 24 passengers).
Our tours and prices are based on a minimum of 4 participants. For the Hummingbird Photo Tour in Honduras Birds, the maximum number of participants is limited to 6 so that there is ample space for everyone to find good views, angles and light for their photography.
Yes, we pick you up at Tegucigalpa international airport upon arrival of your flight and will drop you off again at San Pedro Sula international airport in time for your departure.
Yes, all in-country transportation is included in the tour price.
We do not usually change the tour leader, but if it is absolutely necessary, for example because of illness, force majeure or the like, we will inform you as soon as possible. The same goes for changes to the itinerary. We intend to always stick to the itinerary we have agreed upon, but if we receive information on issues such as road closures, natural disasters, safety concerns etc. we will opt for an alternative route to ensure a safe, orderly and pleasant continuation of your trip. Again, we will inform you of any changes as soon as such a situation should arise.
Yes, for the Easy-going Honduras Birds Tour, a single supplement of 310USD applies in case you want a single room. We can usually accommodate three-person or family rooms, but please do contact us to check options, availability and prices.
Yes, all meals starting with dinner on Day 1 and ending with breakfast on Day 13 are included, along with water, soft drinks and natural juices. Alcoholic beverages are not included.
The Hummingbird Photo Tour in Honduras can be taken throughout the year, except mid-May and June.
Mostly, we will photograph from easily accessible locations, but some hummingbirds (in La Tigra and Santa Bárbara) do require more effort: You should be able to walk for a few hours up- and downhill on rather steep and sometimes muddy mountain and forest trails, of course at a slow pace. Your guides will be happy to help you carry your gear if you wish. Should you have any questions or doubts about the feasibility of this trip for you, please don’t hesitate to contact us; we will be happy to give you all the information you could possibly need to help you decide and give you a wonderful experience.
Unfortunately, no. Mostly, we will photograph from easily accessible locations, but some hummingbirds (in La Tigra and Santa Bárbara) do require more effort: You should be able to walk for a few hours up- and downhill on rather steep and sometimes muddy mountain and forest trails, of course at a slow pace. Should you have any questions or doubts about the feasibility of this trip for you, please don’t hesitate to contact us; we will be happy to give you all the information you could possibly need to help you decide and give you a wonderful experience. Also, Honduras is not a “disabled friendly” country, in the sense that you cannot expect ramps or elevators or special wheelchair-accessible features.
No. Apart from a certain level as fitness (see FAQ n° 12 and 13), we put no restrictions on who can join the Easy-going Honduras Birds Tour. Everyone is absolutely welcome, independent of age, gender, skin color, sexual orientation, political orientation, religion etc. We treat everyone respectfully and expect the same from anyone who travels with us.
During this Hummingbird Photography Tour in Honduras, there will be basic WiFi in all hotels, though only in the public spaces such as restaurant or reception, not in your room. It should be sufficient to check social media, send e-mails and even make a voice call. Do not expect the same speed as in the US or Europe though. Uploading photos may take a while or not work at all, and streaming videos will likely not work. There will be no phone signal in our hotel at Lake Yojoa nor on the north coast. All hotels have electricity 24 hours. However, power outages are not uncommon in Honduras, so there is always a possibility that electricity is gone for a few hours. Outlets and plugs in Honduras are the same shape as in the United States.
We always make a point of buying locally, staying in locally run hotels, hiring local guides etc. No international hotel or restaurant chains, but Honduran based and Honduran run businesses. That way, everything you pay for this tour stays in the country and in the communities we visit. And it creates an opportunity to learn a little more about the country apart from its birds too.
Yes, of course, just send us an e-mail mentioning what you need and when, and we will make you a suggestion. We can book for you if you want us to.
No, we do not provide any insurance, and strongly recommend you obtain travel and/or medical and/or health insurance in your home country. It is also a good idea to provide us with a phone number and e-mail address of your insurer and your polis number to speed things up in case we need to contact them urgently for you while on the trip.
Apart from a certain level as fitness (see FAQ n° 12 and 13), we put no restrictions on who can join this Hummingbird Photography Tour. Everyone is absolutely welcome, independent of age, gender, skin color, sexual orientation, political orientation, religion etc. We treat everyone respectfully and expect the same from anyone who travels with us. Do bear in mind that you are traveling to sometimes remote natural areas, which comes with both its own charm but also its own challenges: Comfort may not be what you are used to at home, there will be sounds and creatures of the jungle, wifi and electricity may not be as readily available as in your home country.
You can book and pay for this Hummingbird Photography Tour through Bluesky Wildlife. It is also possible to book it directly through Beaks and Peaks, in which case your payment will be processed through the secure platform WeTravel. Please consult our Terms and Conditions (https://www.beaksandpeaks.com/terms-and-conditions) for detailed information about payment methods and terms.
Contact us as soon as possible about the changes you want or need to make so we can figure out if and how we can accommodate you. For detailed information about cancellations and refunds, please consult our Terms and Conditions (https://www.beaksandpeaks.com/terms-and-conditions).
Please consult our Terms and Conditions ((https://www.beaksandpeaks.com/terms-and-conditions) for detailed information about cancellations and refunds.
Please consult our Terms and Conditions ((https://www.beaksandpeaks.com/terms-and-conditions) for detailed information about cancellations and refunds.
In addition to your regular packing list of clothes and toiletries, don’t forget the following items: light shirts with long sleeves; light long trousers; sweater; raincoat; sun hat or cap; waterproof footwear with good grip; insect repellent; sunscreen; plenty of your personal medicine and products for personal hygiene for the entire tip; camera with all the necessary accessories, lenses, memories and batteries; binoculars; day pack. If you wish to do multiflash photography, you will need to bring your own equipment for that too.
We provide potable water throughout the tour (remember that tap water is not for drinking use!) but it is a good idea to bring your own refillable bottle or camel bag (it helps us keep plastic waste down). We provide all meals throughout the tour, whether as box meals or in hotels/restaurants. It is a good idea to bring a small day pack to carry some of your personal items (your water bottle, maybe some snacks, medicine, guide book, rain jacket etc.) during the walks.
Yes, we can, if we know well in advance. Please inform us of any dietary needs upon booking.
Yes, always bring some cash in local currency (Honduran Lempira) or US dollars (which you can exchange upon arrival at the airport), and a credit card. In theory, the tour includes everything you need, but you might want to buy a souvenir or some extra snacks or a drink. Alcoholic beverages, personal purchases such as souvenirs, laundry, phone calls etc. are not included in the tour. Neither are tips or gratuities for guides and other service providers.
For the Hummingbird Photography Tour in Honduras, we can recommend the following books and apps: Books: Peterson Field Guide to the Birds of Northern Central America by J. Fagan & O. Komar (also available as eBook / pdf) Guide to the Birds of Honduras by R. Gallardo (English and Spanish versions available) Birds of Central America by A. C. Vallely and D. Dale Field Guide to the Hummingbirds by Miles McMullan Apps: Merlin by Cornell Lab of Ornithology (download Honduras package)
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Tours
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