Veracruz Explorer - River of Raptors (Sat, Oct 3 – Sat, Oct 10, 2015)

Home , Alvarado (municipality), Catemaco, Catemaco (municipality), Los Tuxtlas Region, Veracruz, Veracruz (city)

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REEFS TO ROCKIES PRESENTS

Veracruz State, on Mexico’s central Gulf coast, is one of the most naturally diverse regions in the country. Varied habitats lead to a variety of species. It’s estimated that more than 700 species of birds reside in Veracruz or pass through during migration, making it one of only three states in Mexico with over 700 species. The other two states are Oaxaca and Chiapas.

Every day, from August to November, thousands of raptors pass along Veracruz’s coastline during the most spectacular avian migration in the world. By season’s end, more than five million birds will have flown over the two sites on their way to rich winter feeding grounds in Central and South America, to wait out the northern cold before winging home again on the winds of March.

The combination of extensive coastline to the east, the great peaks of the sierra to the west, temperate influence of the north, and tropical influence of the south make Veracruz an amazing wildlife destination. The region also has rich historical, archaeological and cultural significance and offers some of the best culinary experiences in Mexico. Join us for an unforgettable fall adventure in Veracruz!

Itinerary Day 1 (Sat, Oct 3) – Arrival Upon arrival to Veracruz International Airport (VER), you’ll be met for your transfer to the elegant Hotel Gran Diligencias located right next to the main plaza in the heart of the city of Veracruz. Overnight at Hotel Gran Diligencias. (http://www.granhoteldiligencias.com/indexeng.html; standard room) Estimated drive time: VER Airport to hotel – approx. 30 mins

Day 2 (Sun, Oct 4) – Veracruz/ Cardel/ Cempoala Archaeological Site This morning, you’ll meet your local birding guide, Martin Sandoval who will be accompanying the group. Together, everyone will walk a short distance from your hotel to the Gran Café de La Parroquia Restaurant for breakfast. This establishment has been in Veracruz since the early 1800’s. After a delicious breakfast, everyone returns to the hotel to check out and then travel to the nearby town of Cardel. Here, you will experience your first day of birding by observing the raptor migration from the rooftop of the Hotel Bienvenido in downtown Cardel. Lunch will be at a local restaurant in town and then to Cempoala Archaeological Site dating back to the 14th & 15th centuries. During its heyday, this was the capital of the Totonac people consisting of about 30,000 inhabitants. You will have a guided tour of the site. Overnight at Hotel Bienvenido. (standard room) (B,L,D) Estimated drive times: Veracruz to Cardel – 30 mins; Cardel to Cempoala – 30 mins

Day 3 (Mon, Oct 5) – Cardel/ La Mancha/ Quiahuitzlan Ruins/ Chichicaxtle Early morning departure to the town of La Mancha located 15 miles north of Cardel. This area, consisting of forests and lagoons, hosts the greatest diversity of avifauna in the coastal plains of Veracruz. More than 330 species of birds are listed for the area including peregrine and aplomado falcons, a variety of herons, Aztec

parakeet , and masked tityra. Spend the morning on a walking tour of this area. Just across the road from La Mancha, lies a unique ancient ruins site known as Quiahuiztlan. At this archaeological site, there are 70 small miniature temples, or tombs, which were used by wealthy people as their final resting place. A plus is that this site is located on a high bluff overlooking the Gulf of Mexico so you may spot migrating raptors from this vantage point. You’ll have the opportunity for more birding as you explore the site.

A short 20 minutes from Cardel in the small town of Chichicaxtle, Pronatura Veracruz has a center with an observation tower used to view the raptor migration. Chichicaxtle is completely different than Cardel with respect to birding and viewing the raptor migration. It’s not uncommon for birders to bounce back and forth between the two sites for optimal viewing. Afternoon birding at Chichicaxtle and back to Cardel for dinner. Overnight at Hotel Bienvenido. (B,L,D) Estimated drive times: Cardel to La Mancha – 30 mins; Cardel to Chichicaxtle – 20 mins

Day 4 (Tues, Oct 6) – Cardel/ Rio La Antigua/ La Antigua & San Juan de Ulúa/ Veracruz Early morning check out and departure to La Antigua River for birding by boat in search of waders, shorebirds, and four species of kingfishers. Later in the morning, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the town of La Antigua, the place where, in 1520, Hernan Cortés and his men established the first Spanish colony in the Americas. Later, travel back to the city of Veracruz with a stop en route at the harbor fort of San Juan de Ulúa. This fort was originally built to protect the city from pirates and other foreign invaders. Later, it was converted into a notorious prison. Late afternoon return to downtown Veracruz. Overnight at Hotel Gran Diligencias. (B,L,D) Estimated drive times: Cardel to La Antigua – 30 mins; La Antigua to San Juan de Ulúa – 30 mins; La Antigua to Veracruz – 30 mins

Day 5 (Wed, Oct 7) – Veracruz/ Alvarado Wetlands/ Lake Catemaco After breakfast, you will once again check out of the Diligencias and travel an hour south to the extensive Alvarado Wetlands The Alvarado Wetlands span 750,000 acres that provide stopover and wintering habitat for thousands of egrets, ibis, herons and ducks. Watch for snail kite, great black-hawk, pinnated bittern, bare- throated tiger-heron, double-striped thick-knee, northern jacana, grassland yellow-finch and a variety of other wetland species. Continue on to the Los Tuxtlas region and spend the afternoon exploring Lake Catemaco by boat. Formed within the calderas of several extinct volcanoes, Lake Catemaco is the ideal base for birding in southern Veracruz and more than 550 bird species can be found in this region. Overnight at Hotel La Finca. (http://www.lafinca.mx; standard room)(B,L,D) Estimated drive times: Veracruz to Alvarado Wetlands – 1 hr; Alvarado Wetlands to Lake Catemaco – 2 hrs

Day 6 (Thurs, Oct 8) – Lake Catemaco/ Benito Juarez Early morning start to the small village of Benito Juarez located in the foothills of the Sierra Santa Marta overlooking Lake Catemaco, an area rich with waterfalls and rainforest species. A guide from the local community will join the group for birding in the area. Afternoon return to town. Overnight at Hotel La Finca. (B,L,D) Estimated drive times: Lake Catemaco to Benito Juarez – 1 hr

Day 7 (Fri, Oct 9) – Lake Catemaco/ Ruiz Cortines/ Eyipantla Waterfall/ Veracruz Today, you’ll travel into the surrounding hills to the small village of Ruiz Cortines at the foot of the San Martin Pajapan Volcano within the Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve. Ruiz Cortines offers the best access into the highland forests of the Los Tuxtlas Mountains and is home to several cloud forest specialists. Here, you’ll be searching for specialties including the locally endemic Tuxtla quail-dove and long-tailed sabrewing, scaly- throated (spectacled) foliage-gleaner, blue-crowned chlorophonia, and ornate hawk-eagle, among many others.

This afternoon, head back to Veracruz with a stop at Salto de Eyipantla Waterfall known as the “Niagara Falls of Veracruz” en route. Farewell dinner in Veracruz. Overnight at Hotel Gran Diligencias. (B,L,D) Estimated drive times: Lake Catemaco to Ruiz Cortines – 1.5 hrs; Ruiz Cortines to Salto de Eyipantla Waterfall – 1.5 hrs; Salto de Eyipantla Waterfall to Veracruz – 2.25 hrs

Day 8 (Sat, Oct 10) – Departure Morning transfer to the airport in time to connect to your flight home. (B)

Optional extension to Mexico City by road from Veracruz available.

Price: $2620*/ person (double occupancy). Single supplement: $350.

Package includes accommodations, airport transfers, private in-country transportation from Day 2-7, all meals from breakfast on Day 2 through breakfast on Day 8, purified drinking water on board vehicle daily, expert local bilingual birding guide (Martin Sandoval), naturalist guide (Sheridan Samano – Reefs to Rockies), trip host (Mike Vondruska), entrance fees, and gratuities. A donation to support local conservation efforts will be made on behalf of all travelers.

Exclusions: international airfare, passport/visa fees, travel insurance, alcohol, taxis, optional activities, and items of personal nature.

*Availability and pricing are subject to change without notice until booked and deposit received. A 3% discount will be applied to payments by check.

Max group size: 12 participants + guides and host.

Rating: Easy to Moderate Typical miles covered on foot will range from 1-5 miles per day. Participants should be in good health and physical condition. Some days will involve walking over moderate terrain (which may include rocky, uneven trails) as well as changes in elevation. This trip is suitable for anyone who is engages in physical activity, e.g. hiking regularly. Those who do not work out regularly can also enjoy this trip and should be able to do most activities. However, they will be more tired than usual at the end of the day.