Birding, Nature & Archaeology

Day 1 • Arrival to Guatemala during the morning – Transfer to Antigua

Birding Guatemala. Arrival to La Aurora Guatemala Airport where we will be welcomed by our friends from Operador Latino, our favorite local ground agent. In the company of our seasoned bird experts and guides Daniel Aldana and Claudio F. Vidal, we will be transferred to the charming colonial town of Antigua. We will enjoy some introductory forest birding around the town and stay one night at the delightful Posada de Don Rodrigo, a centenary mansion formerly know as Casa de Los Leones (the Lion’s House).
Overnight at Posada de Don Rodrigo, Antigua (Dinner)(Guides)

La Antigua Guatemala

With its cobblestone streets, lush Bougainvillea growing from the old ruins and its well-preserved pastel-colored and buildings with characteristic terra-cotta roof tiles, the colonial town of Antigua is one of the oldest cities of Latin America. Located in valley with an overwhelming backdrop of surrounding volcanoes, Antigua was founded on March 10th, 1543 with the original name of the Muy Noble y muy Leal Ciudad de Santiago de los Caballeros de Goathemala. It became the Spanish capital of Guatemala after a significant flood in 1541, destroyed the old capital – nowadays Ciudad Vieja – situated in the foothills of Volcan de Agua (the Water Volcano).

Day 2 • Birding and Nature around Antigua – Transfer to Finca Los Tarrales

Early in the morning, we will explore and bird around the idillic natural setting of Antigua, with the omnipresent presence of Agua, Fuego and Acatenango volcanoes. At noontime we will be transferred eastward into the foothills of the magnificent Atitlan volcano, where we will visit the private Los Tarrales nature reserve. Formed out by over 3,000 acres (1,300 hectares) of pristine forests, this coffee farm is an extraordinary conservation initiative carried out by its committed owners and involving the significant contribution of its local community, involved also in the bean cultivation and production of the world-renowned Los Tarrales coffee. We will be devoted the remaining of the day in exploring the property’s trails, searching its rich birdlife; over 340 bird species have been recorded inside the farm’s habitats. We will spend the night at the finca lodge where we will enjoy the local cuisine and cozy accommodations.
Overnight at Finca Los Tarrales (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)(Guides)

Los Tarrales Nature Reserve

This reserve is located on the southwestern slope of Atitlan Volcano, and from here is possible to fully appreciate the extension of its lush and pristine cloud forests, near the top of the volcano, merging all the way down with the subtropical damp woodlands and coffee-growing areas located in the lowlands.
The reserve has been declared an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International. The reserve possess and great wealth of diversity of bird species and is an interesting case where the coffee-growing activities, native plant nurseries and bird tourism come together to preserve this rich ecosystem.

Day 3 • Birding at Los Tarrales – Coffee tour around the farm – Transfer to Santiago Atitlan

In the company of our experienced bird guides, we will enjoy a full morning birding and exploring along the extensive trail network of woodlands and arching clumps of tarrales (the native giant bamboo after which the finca is named) of this nature reserve. We will see a great array of birds and butterflies, offering great observation and photographic opportunities. At noontime, we will join a concise private tour to learn about the coffee-growing and production process. Los Tarrales is world-renowned by its high-altitude Arabic bean variety. We will visit (and bird) around the shade-grown coffee organic plantations, where the farmers have established a very respectful model in preserving the native plants array. After lunch at Los Tarrales, we will be transferred to the scenic setting of Atitlan Lake basin, surrounded by magnificent volcanoes. The village of Santiago de Atitlán will be our base for the following two nights.
Overnight at Hotel Bambú o similar, Santiago Atitlan. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)(Guides)

Lake Atitlan

Around the massive and scenic Lake Atitlan basin there is a striking combination of lush nature and vibrant living culture, all in one place. The volcanoes Atitlan, Toliman and San Pedro flank the lake on its southern shore. Around the periphery of the lake, three Mayan groups converge — Tz’utujil, Kaquickel y K’iche —, the place of very rich in culture and traditions.

Day 4 • Birding and nature hike on San Pedro Volcano

We will have an early start having breakfast and then taking our boat towards San Pedro La Laguna. This picturesque village, as several others around the lake, is inhabited by Maya descendants of the Tz’utujil tribe; it’s also the gateway of the trail towards San Pedro Volcano, which summit is located nearly at 10,000 ft. (3,020 meters). With the guidance of Daniel and Claudio we will make our way up though coffee plantations and cloud forests where many altitude specialists occur; our main target for the day is one of the most iconic and rare birds of Guatemala, the impressive (and oversized!) Horned Guan (Oreophasis derbianus), indeed a super bird. This outing will be perhaps the most demanding of the whole itinerary, but will allow us to achieve extraordinary views of the lake, its volcanoes and rich biodiversity. We highly recommend to bring quality (and already broken) hiking shoes and trekking poles.
Overnight at Hotel Bambú o similar, Santiago Atitlan. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)(Guides)

Day 5 • Transfer to Antigua Guatemala – Birding around Chichavac – Free afternoon to explore Antigua

We will leave behind the exuberant setting of Lake Atitlan in order to return to Antigua. Half way we will explore Chichavac area and its unusual high and native pine woodlands. The trail is fairly easy and will deliver several specialties of this mid-altitude habitat, including the local and rare Pink Warbler (Cardellina versicolor), among several others. We will have a free afternoon to explore the beautiful colonial town of Antigua.
Overnight at Posada de Don Rodrigo or similar, Antigua (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)(Guides)

Day 6 • Flight to Flores – Transfer to Las Guacamayas Biological Station

We will have an early transfer towards La Aurora Airport at Guatemala City to catch our morning 1-hour flight to Flores. This city is the capital of the Peten district and is the gateway to Tikal and many other remarkable archaeological sites. At our arrival we will notice the drastic change in temperature and humidity as we are in the most tropical region of the country. Our journey towards El Tigre National Park and Las Guacamayas Biological Station starts! The dirt road traverses many wetlands, fields and villages until the very last settlement, the remote village of Paso Caballos. From here we will be transferred by boat towards the station, which is a delightful and secluded group of buildings, offering comfortable, clean and rustic accommodation, with great vistas to the river and jungle; this place will be our base for the following two nights. Accompanied by our local guide, we will visit the canopy tower, from where we will watch lots of colorful species as well as heard and see groups of Howler Monkeys. After dinner, we will have a short presentation about the nature and archaeology of the area and our briefing for tomorrow’s exciting adventure. Birding Guatemala
Overnight at Las Guacamayas Biological Station (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)(Guides)

Las Guacamayas Biological Station

Las Guacamayas is considered a comfortable oasis, and a well kept secret still, fully immersed in the heart of the Mayan Biosphere Reserve. Great quality accommodation, friendly and attentive staff and lot to learn, see and absorb on its surroundings really provide a great experience. We will have outings to explore the tropical rainforests, to discover its rich flora and fauna. We will also have the privilege to visit remote archaeological pre-Columbian Mayan site such as Waka’.

Day 7 • Birding and Archaeological walk to El Peru / Waka’ Mayan site

We will feel quite privileged, as very few people get to visit the remote pre-Columbian Mayan site of Waka’, also known as El Peru. In the company of our experienced guides we will walk for approximately 2-3 hours along a fairly level trail, traversing pristine stretches of the forested Laguna del Tigre National Park.
The bird diversity is overwhelming and we will have lots of activity as we start very early in the morning. At our arrival to the archaeological site, we will learn about the ruins of this ancient settlement, its connection to Tikal and admire the splendid stelae, which graphically narrate the different occupation periods of this city-state ruled by different Mayan lords between 500 B.C. and 800 A.C. The Waka’ ruins were first discovered in the 60’s and the excavation and research process is still ongoing, with many exciting discoveries still hidden covered by the tropical jungle.
Overnight at Las Guacamayas Biological Station (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)(Guides)

Day 8 • Birding and Nature at Las Guacamayas – Drive to Tikal – Birding at Tikal

This morning we will have a short boat excursion to explore the gallery forests, watch caimans and the numerous raptors and waterbirds of this wetland. Right after an early lunch we will drive back to Flores and from there a short distance to Tikal. After check-in at our comfortable lodge located in the periphery of the Mayan site, we will bird around the park’s grounds with many potential species, including special ones such as the Ocellated Turkey. Birding Guatemala
Overnight at Jungle Lodge, Tikal (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)(Guides)

Tikal National Park

Tikal, the majestic capital of the Mayan World, was first re-discovered in 1848 and declared a national park in 1955. It has a total area of 222 sq. miles (576 sq. kms.) and roughly 15 miles (24 kms) long., but just 6 sq. miles (16 sq. kms) are open to the public. The citadel holds ruins from the Middle pre-Classic period until the Late Classic period, comprising over 4,000 buildings and other structures inside the park. The most important building are located within the Great Plaza, with many temples, estellae and buildings including the conspicuous Temple I (or Great Jaguar) and Temple II (the Masks Temple). We will also see the Great Pyramid (or Lost World) temple as well as many other plazas, temples, complex, acropolis, streets and ruins. Tikal is by far, the better expression of the vanished Mayan civilization during the Classic Period with imposing pyramidal building reaching up to 240 feet (70 meters). It is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site.

Day 9 • Visit the Citadel at dawn and sunset – Birding and archaeology at Tikal

We will visit Tikal, the fascinating citadel of the Mayan world, at sunrise, when the impressive temples and buildings catch the first light. The silent jungle with still claims to cover the man-made structures, becomes alive when loud herds of Howler Monkeys starts the cacophony of vocalizations up in the canopy. This is truly a spiritual moment as well walk among the buildings towards an advantage point from where we will get a magnificent and overwhelming vista of the grey buildings, becoming tinged by the warm initial daylight. One of the most iconic birds of the site is the Orange-breasted Falcon, and we will try to see it as we ascend the stairs of Temple II (the Masks Temple). We will have an enjoyable full day to explore Tikal citadel, as well as to bird in one of the finest spots of Central America. Our local guide will provide a comprehensive insight about the archaeology as the natural history of this enigmatic place. We will return to Tikal to contemplate the citadel at sunset as a symbolic farewell to the Mayan World.
Overnight at Jungle Lodge, Tikal (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)(Guides)

Day 10 • Transfer to Flores – Flight to Guatemala City – Connecting flights home

We will start our journey back home, with a morning transfer to Flores to catch our plane back to La Aurora for our connecting flights home. We conclude a comprehensive exploration to the biodiversity and cultural riches of this delightful Central American nation. (Breakfast)(Guides) Birding Guatemala.