Guatemala Central American Specialties 6th to 17th January 2017 (12 days) Tikal Extension 17th to 21st January 2017 (5 days)
Horned Guan by Adam Riley
Spectacular volcanoes and fabulous highland lakes form a brilliant backdrop to our Guatemala – Central American Specialities tour. While this region is probably best known for its shade coffee production, local people have over time developed a strong environmental bond and an understanding of ecotourism that has resulted in much of the highland forests being protected. Even the coffee fincas offer superb birding, and the host of special birds we will search for include the gorgeous Pink-headed Warbler, fabulous Resplendent Quetzal, Blue-throated Motmot, Blue-and- white Mockingbird, Rufous-collared Thrush and Cabanis’s (Azure-rumped) Tanager. A day will also be devoted to hiking the impressive San Pedro Volcano, which towers above Lake Atitlan, in search of one of the world’s most prized birds, the Horned Guan. This tour offers the very best of Guatemalan birding, along with comfortable lodgings, delicious fare and fabulous scenery throughout! RBT Guatemala Itinerary 2
THE TOUR AT A GLANCE…
MAIN TOUR Day 1 Arrival day in Guatemala City Day 2 Guatemala City to Biotopo Quetzal via the dry Motagua Valley Day 3 Biotopo Quetzal, drive to Finca el Pilar Day 4 Finca el Pilar to Lago Atitlan via Rincon Suizo Day 5 San Pedro Volcano Day 6 Panajachel to Los Tarrales Day 7 Los Tarrales Day 8 Los Tarrales to Las Nubes via Los Andes Day 9 Las Nubes Day 10 Las Nubes to Fuentes Georginas Day 11 Fuentes Georginas to Antigua Guatemala Day 12 Finca Filadelfia, transfer to Guatemala City and depart or Tikal Extension
TIKAL EXTENSION Day 1 Guatemala City and afternoon flight to Flores Day 2 Flores to Tikal National Park via Yaxha Day 3 Tikal National Park Day 4 Day in Tikal National Park and afternoon transfer to Flores Day 5 Flight to Guatemala City and departure
TOUR MAP…
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Central American Specialities
Day 1: Arrival day in Guatemala City. Upon arriving in Guatemala City you will be met and transferred to a comfortable city hotel convenient to our birding destinations within this region. Here you will be met for a welcome dinner by your Rockjumper tour leader with time to talk through some of the exciting adventures to come!
Day 2: Guatemala City to Biotopo Quetzal via the dry Motagua Valley. It's an early start to the morning as we make our way out of Guatemala City towards the Atlantic slopes of eastern Guatemala. Our first stop will be shortly after sunrise amongst the surrounding arid and thorny scrub of the Motagua Valley. Making good use of the optimal birding time here, we will target the habitat-specific specialities of the region including Russet-crowned Motmot, White-lored Gnatcatcher, Varied Bunting, Streak-backed Oriole, Stripe-headed Sparrow, Northern Beardless Tyrannulet and Nutting's Flycatcher. With luck we may find the elusive Lesser Lesser Roadrunner by Owen Deutsch Roadrunner or Lesser Ground Cuckoo here as well. As the morning warms up, we will seek shade and have a traditional lunch. Thereafter we will enjoy a break during the heat of the day before using the cooler afternoon temperatures to search for the above mentioned species as well as more widespread inhabitants such as Rufous-backed and Banded Wrens, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Canivet's Emerald, Plain-capped Starthroat and Turquoise-browed Motmot. Later in the day we will drive the relatively short distance to Biotopo Quetzal. Here is a completely different world where bromeliad-festooned trees and moss-covered limbs alert us that we are in the cloud forest. We may arrive in time for some initial birding explorations.
Day 3: Biotopo Quetzal, drive to Finca el Pilar. We will spend much of the morning birding the glorious cloud forest that is protected here. The prime specialty is the one-and-only Resplendent Quetzal and this is arguably the best place in the country to see this staggering species. Other species of interest include Green-throated Mountaingem, Northern Tufted Flycatcher, Unicolored Jay, Crescent-chested Warbler and Blue-crowned Chlorophonia. Furthermore it is the only place along our route where we may encounter Scaly-throated Leaftosser Azure- hooded Jay, Slate-colored Solitaire, Black- headed Nightingale-thrush and Golden- winged Warbler, although all of these will require some luck. We will depart the region late morning and head back towards Guatemala City, from where we will continue to the quaint and beautiful town of Antigua Guatemala for an overnight stay at a famous historical hotel in the heart of the city. Antigua Guatemala, previously the capital of the country, is Montezuma Oropendola by Owen Deutsch considered the best preserved of all the
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Spanish colonial cities in the Americas. The atmosphere is made rather more dramatic by three surrounding volcanoes (one of them active and smoking) that loom over the town. Common city birds that we might see around the town may include Great-tailed Grackle, Azure-crowned Hummingbird and flocks of both Vaux’s Swift and the near-endemic Black-capped Swallows. Time permitting we will head out this afternoon to Finca el Pilar, a private shade-coffee farm perched on a nearby hillside above the city. Much of the natural forest habitat here is protected as a conservation area and visitors are welcome to walk the region’s numerous trails, and we can anticipate many exciting and colourful species! We start off at a series of hummingbird feeders situated on the lower slopes where we can expect to be swarmed by a profusion of highland species, often gathering in large numbers. Several species can be seen, including White-eared, Azure-crowned, Berylline, Blue- tailed and Rivoli’s Hummingbirds, as well as the near endemic Rufous and Violet Sabrewings. The lower slopes are also home to Bushy-crested Jay and Emerald Toucanet, while mixed flocks may include Rose-throated Becard, Squirrel Cuckoo, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, scarce Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo, Acorn, Velasquez's, Golden-olive and Hairy Woodpeckers, Yellow- bellied Sapsucker and the unique Guatemalan sub-species of Northern Flicker (a possible future armchair tick!). Even the scarce Collared Forest Falcon or White-breasted Hawk might put in an appearance. In the scrubby undergrowth we’ll look Violet Sabrewing by Adam Riley for the shy White-naped Brush Finch as well as Inca and White-tipped Doves, Ruddy Foliage-gleaner and Rufous-capped Warbler. Driving up to a higher elevation of around 2 000m (6 600ft), a convenient car park will allow spectacular views overlooking the volcanoes Agua, Acatenango and the smoking Fuego. A different selection of birds occur here in the drier forest habitat, including Spot-crowned and Spotted Woodcreepers, Northern Tufted Flycatcher, the distinctive local race of Plumbeous Vireo, plus Blue- headed and Hutton’s Vireos, Flame-colored Tanager, Hooded Grosbeak, families of Eastern Bluebirds, Rufous- collared and Black Thrush, Hermit, MacGillivray’s, Red- faced and Golden-browed Warblers, Black-vented Oriole, Black-headed Siskin and, if we are really lucky, Singing Quail. If time permits, we may spend the twilight hours looking for some nocturnal species including Mexican Whip-poor-will and the very difficult Fulvous Owl, after which we will head back down the mountain to our hotel for a very pleasant welcome dinner.
Day 4: Finca el Pilar to Lago Atitlan via Rincon Suizo. We return to Finca el Pilar this morning to search for any species we may not have encountered yesterday as well as to partake in a breakfast with a view – the rumbling Volcan Fuego, across the valley in the early morning light, is worth the visit alone! After another successful early morning in the field, we depart for the temperate mixed pine and oak forest of El Rincon Suizo. The days can be a little nippy up here, Fulvous Owl by Rich Lindie so the exquisite mugs of hot chocolate will not be missed.
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First up will be one of the major target species for the entire tour, the delightful Pink-headed Warbler. A rather stunning species, it is one of Guatemala’s most sought-after specialities. Bumping into a mixed flock can be an overwhelming experience, with possibilities including Acorn Woodpecker, Red-faced and the monotypic Olive Warbler, American Bushtit, Band-backed Wren, Amethyst-throated Mountaingem, Spotted and Spot-crowned Woodcreepers, Brown Creeper, Pine Flycatcher, Elegant Euphonia as well as a host of other migrant warblers. After another excellent birding session, we continue to our hotel for the next two nights situated on the shores of Lago Atitlan. This stunning volcanic crater-lake is the deepest water-body in Central America. Atitlan has been coined by some as ‘the world’s most beautiful lake’, and this will become self-explanatory when gazing across the blue waters surrounded by three of the most magnificent volcanoes in Guatemala: Toliman, Atitlan and San Pedro. Sadly, though, we are too late to find the Atitlan Flightless Grebe (the last pair died out as recently as 1989). Tomorrow does promise to be an exciting, if physically draining day’s birding – so an early night is in order! Pink-headed Warbler by Adam Riley
Day 5: San Pedro Volcano. This is sure to be an epic day, as we hike the steep slope of San Pedro Volcano in search of the legendary Horned Guan. The walk up San Pedro is strenuous and you should be in reasonable physical shape to consider doing this climb, which will take 4-5 hours to achieve. However this does take into account the wonderful birding on the way up. Waking up early, we will transfer by boat to the ancient village of San Pedro la Laguna at the base of the volcano. Here we will take a ride on the back of pick-ups to the volcano trailhead, which is also the base for the local conservation program. After meeting our local guides we will then begin our ascent, walking first through coffee, avocado and maize plantations before reaching cloud forest approximately half way up the volcano. The hike up is fabulous from every angle, and we will maintain a steady pace climbing our way past the agricultural areas and into proper montane cloud forest. Undoubtedly, views of one of the most sought-after birds on earth will keep us focused, but we will nonetheless stop regularly to watch for other species that occur on the drier lower slopes, including Red-tailed Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Great Horned Owl, screaming flocks of White-collared, Vaux’s and White-throated Swifts, Grey Silky- flycatcher, Yellow-winged Tanager, Blue- and-white Mockingbird, Rusty Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Elaenia, White-eared Hummingbird, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, the stunning Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo, Bushy-crested Jay, Band- backed and Plain Wrens, Crescent-chested and Rufous-capped Warblers, Yellow- backed Oriole, Prevost’s Ground Sparrow, Bushy-crested Jay by David Shackelford Flame-colored and Western Tanagers and, if we are very fortunate, Lesser Roadrunner.
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Steep and sometimes muddy, we may occasionally have to make way for locals running (literally) past us with gigantic bushels of cut wood tied to their backs. (One might pause to consider just how much longer such birding opportunities are to exist in the future.) The endangered and spectacular Horned Guan occurs in the higher reaches of the volcano, and after a number of hours hiking we will be inside ideal habitat for this near-mythical bird. Despite its large size, it is impeccably camouflaged and very quiet, especially for a guan. It is likely to be no more than a soft purr that signals us to freeze, or perhaps a massive dark form moving in the foliage above us; whatever the Mountain Trogon by Adam Riley case, we stand an excellent chance of encountering this enormous, prehistoric looking bird, complete with slick black feathers and a unique bright red horn. Besides the guan, the higher slopes of the volcano host a number of other targets including Chestnut-capped Brush Finch, Rufous-browed Wren, Mountain Trogon, Green Violetear, Rufous- collared Thrush, Mountain Elaenia and Wine-throated Hummingbird. After enjoying our packed lunch, we will descend back down San Pedro Volcano to our comfortable lodge, no doubt nursing stiff legs and sore muscles, but hopefully with ‘post Horned Guan tick’ elation to help us along!
Day 6: Panajachel to Los Tarrales. Stiff legs or not, we begin the day with another pre-breakfast boat ride across Lake Atitlan to Panajachel, another quaint village on the shores of this great lake. We will visit some secondary habitats outside of town where we hope to catch up with Slender Sheartail, one of the trickiest hummers in the world! If the right flowers are blooming there is also the chance of the equally difficult Sparkling-tailed Woodstar. Some of the more regular denizens of the scrub include Lesser Goldfinch, Prevost's Ground Sparrow, and a host of boreal migrant flycatchers, warblers, orioles, and tanagers. There is also another chance here of the tricky Blue-and- white Mockingbird. Birding along the shoreline of Lake Atitlan often produces a variety of ducks and waders and we could find Blue-winged Teal, Lesser Scaup, Ruddy Duck, Least and Pied-billed Grebes, thousands of American Coots, Great Blue and Green Herons, wintering Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Spotted Sandpiper and Belted Kingfisher.
After lunch we leave Lago Atitlan behind and drive the few hours to reach Los Tarrales. Here, three generations of concerted conservation efforts have allowed the bird and wildlife populations to successfully regenerate. Employing local Kaqchikel families living within the protected area, the reserve sustains itself by cultivating ornamental plants as well as the processing of its shade-grown coffee. Birdlife abounds in the gardens around our accommodations, and an active feeding station attracts the likes of Cinnamon Hummingbird, Velasquez's Woodpecker, Blue-diademed Motmot, Yellow- winged, Blue-grey and Summer Tanagers, numbers of Red- White-throated Magpie-Jay legged Honeycreeper, Melodious Blackbird, Yellow-throated by Owen Deutsch
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Euphonia, Black-headed Saltator, Rufous-naped Wren and the striking White-throated Magpie-Jay. Great photographic opportunities indeed!
Day 7: Los Tarrales. We have a full day to bird the magnificent surrounds of this special finca. Most of the morning will be spent walking a ridgeline trail on the lower slopes of Los Tarrales. Here our main targets include the stunning Long-tailed Manakin, which is best located in fruiting trees, the elaborately patterned White- eared Ground Sparrow, furtive Tody Motmot, leks of Blue-throated Sapphires, White-bellied Emerald and Gartered Trogon (a split from Violaceous). This is also a good site for three species of cracid – the localized Highland Guan and White-bellied Chachalaca along with the more widespread Crested Guan. In the afternoon we will concentrate on the trails closer to our lodge, where we will bird rather more open country. Birds are abundant here and species we may encounter include raucous family parties of White-bellied Chachalacas, flocks of Orange-fronted, Orange-chinned and Pacific Parakeets, small groups of Yellow-naped Amazon, elongated Squirrel Cuckoo, Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, Blue-tailed and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, the Long-tailed Manakin by Alex Navarro stunning Long-billed Starthroat, entertaining Collared Aracaris, the sought-after Turquoise-browed Motmot, Lineated, Smoky-brown and Golden-olive Woodpeckers, Rufous-breasted Spinetail, Barred Antshrike, Greenish Elaenia, Northern Beardless Tyrannulet, Common Tody-Flycatcher, Least, Yellow-bellied, Boat-billed, Great Crested and Brown- crested Flycatchers, ever-present Tropical Kingbirds, strident Great Kiskadees, Masked Tityra, Rose- throated Becard, Spot-breasted, Rufous-and-white and House Wrens, Long-billed Gnatwren, Blue- grey Gnatcatcher, furtive White-throated Thrush, Scrub Euphonia, a plethora of migrant and resident warblers including Tennessee, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, American Yellow, Black-throated Green, Townsend’s, Black-and-white, Wilson’s and Rufous-capped Warblers, Ovenbird, the taxonomically challenging Yellow-breasted Chat (rumoured to soon be placed in its own unique family), Spot- breasted, Baltimore and melodious Altamira Orioles, near-endemic Prevost’s Ground Sparrow, Western and stunning White-winged Tanagers, and both Indigo and the multi- coloured Painted Bunting. Raptors are also a feature here and our previous tours have recorded Cooper’s, Broad-winged, Short-tailed, Red-tailed, White, Grey, Roadside and Great Black Hawks, Black Hawk-Eagle, Northern Crested Caracara, Laughing Falcon, Bat Falcon and the magnificent King Vulture. On the mammal front, Central American Agouti, White-nosed Coati, Variegated Squirrels, Grey Fox and White-tailed Deer are distinct possibilities. A nocturnal foray here could produce Mottled and Black-and-white Owls, Painted Bunting by Owen Deutsch Northern Potoo and Common Pauraque.
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Day 8: Los Tarrales to Las Nubes via Los Andes. This morning we will make a predawn departure from Los Tarrales to the Los Andes Reserve located on the opposite slope of Volcan Atitlan. Los Andes, an active coffee and tea plantation, has had much of its property designated a private nature reserve by the Hazard family. Here we will have another chance of finding many of the Central American cloud forest specials, including the jaw-dropping Resplendent Quetzal. However, of primary concern are two scare and very tricky species, Cabanis’s (Azure-rumped) Tanager and Emerald-chinned Hummingbird. While prioritising these species, we should also run into a number of the more regular inhabitants including Blue-diademed Motmot, Green- throated Mountaingem and Violet Sabrewing, Collared Trogon, Emerald Toucanet, Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner, Brown-backed Solitaire (which must surely issue one of the richest calls in all the bird world!), Slate-throated Whitestart (of the orange bellied, Central American race) and Grey- breasted Wood Wren. If we are fortunate we may observe Blue-diademed Motmot by Alex Navarro some of the more difficult denizens of these verdant forests, including Spotted Wood Quail, Highland Guan (most easily located by its bizarre call), Barred Parakeet, White-faced Quail-Dove or Blue-crowned Chlorophonia. After a morning on the higher slopes, we descend to the stunning gardens for some rather more relaxed birding before lunch. Blue-tailed Hummingbirds are regular around the feeders, while the fruit trees support Bushy-crested Jays, skulking MacGillivray’s Warbler and a plethora of Orioles including Spot-breasted, Orchard, Baltimore and Altamira. Post lunch we drive drive to finca Las Nubes for a two-night stay. Dating back to the 1830’s, this is one of the oldest operational coffee farms in Guatemala, and our meals will be taken in a beautiful colonial homestead built in the 1870’s. The coffee grown here is world renowned, and we will have the opportunity to savour several different flavours during our stay. The gardens surrounding our accommodation support rich birdlife including various hummingbirds, warblers, flycatchers and tanagers – great birding right on our doorstep!
Day 9: Las Nubes. A predawn departure will see us boarding open 4x4 vehicles as we wind our way through the coffee plantations to a platform situated on the edge of an excellent patch of cloud forest. Dawn will be announced by the throaty calls of Spotted Wood Quail or the squeal of a Highland Guan. We will bird from this platform and in the surrounding forests for the rest of the morning. This forest supports a healthy population of the dazzling Resplendent Quetzal, the national bird, emblem and Guatemalan currency. Most of the species mentioned under Day 8 at Los Andes are also possible. Other targets include Crested Guan, secretive Barred and Collared Forest Falcons, Band-tailed Pigeon, White-winged Quail- Dove, Barred Parakeet (previous Rockjumper tours have managed excellent in-flight and perched views of this widespread but very difficult montane bamboo specialist), Ruddy and Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaners, Spot-crowned Resplendent Quetzal and Spotted Woodcreepers, Green-throated Mountaingem, by Vivek Khandoze the aptly named Magnificent Hummingbird, Collared Trogon,
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Emerald Toucanet, the near-endemic and shy Rufous-browed Wren, Grey-breasted Wood Wren, Spotted and Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush, White-throated Thrush, Yellowish and Northern Tufted Flycatchers, stunning Elegant (or Blue-hooded) Euphonia, Blue-crowned Chlorophonia, the difficult Fan-tailed and Golden-browed Warblers, Chestnut-capped and White-naped Brush Finches, Cedar Waxwing, Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer and Hooded Grosbeak. We will also keep our eyes peeled for soaring Black Hawk-Eagle and the stunning Ornate Hawk-Eagle, which might perch in isolated large trees, even in the coffee plantations. In the afternoon we will return to these forests for further birding, waiting until nightfall in order to attempt to find the difficult Fulvous Owl. Here we will also try for Guatemalan Pygmy Owl, Mexican Whip- poor-will and Mottled Owl, before returning for a delicious home-cooked meal at our colonial homestead.
Day 10: Las Nubes to Fuentes Georginas. This morning we make a very early start for Fuentes Georginas, a series of hot springs Mottled Owl by Owen Deutsch near the city of Quetzaltenango. Despite the hot springs, we will be high up in the mountains where a rather cold morning can be expected. Ample supplies of hot chocolate to go with our open-air breakfast make this one of the most relaxed days of birding all tour. Breakfast table ticks on previous tours have included the rather rare Black Thrush feeding at eye level and Mountain Trogon displaying overhead. This also happens to be an excellent site for Pink-headed Warbler, which moves in flocks with other cloud forest species that usually include Common Bush Tanager, White-naped Brush Finch, Slate-throated Whitestart, Golden-browed Warbler, Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer and other flock- haunting passerines. Additional targets here include Unicolored Jay and numerous species of hummingbirds, such as the large and showy Garnet-throated Hummingbird and Amethyst-throated Mountaingem. Highland Guans might be among the many species offering below-eye-level views. The undoubted showcase bird of the morning however is likely to be the stunning Wine-throated Hummingbird. In the afternoon there may be the option for a strenuous hike to search for the poorly-known Black-capped Siskin and a chance at Black Thrush and Black-throated Jay; or for those so inclined a chance to enjoy a soak in the thermal pools.
Day 10: Fuentes Georginas to Antigua Guatemala. We will have another early morning at Fuentes Georginas – an excellent time of day for getting great views of Ruddy-capped Nightingale-thrush, Chestnut-capped Brush Finch, Rufous- browed Wren and Brown-backed Solitaire before they melt back into the thick forests for the day. We will continue birding through much of the morning hoping to track down some of the trickier species of the area, such as Black-throated Jay, Blue-throated Motmot and possibly even Maroon- Wine-throated Hummingbird chested Ground Dove. by Owen Deutsch
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We will then have a rather lengthy drive back to the familiar surrounds of Antigua Guatemala where, time permiting, we may make a final visit to Finca El Pilar to try and clean up on any misses from previous visits.
Day 12: Finca Filadelfia to Guatemala City and depart, or continue with the Tikal Extension. A short drive this morning will see us visiting another coffee finca, Filadelfia. We can expect to have seen many of the species available here, but Filadelfia does offer us the opportunity to clear up many species from different habitats that we may have missed to date. More stunning views of the surrounding volcanoes can be expected while we bird from the higher patches of montane cloud forest, down through pine and oak patches to broadleaved woodland. Many excellent species occur here and possibilities could include White-breasted Hawk, Blue-throated Motmot, Steller’s Jay, Chestnut-sided Shrike Vireo, Bar-winged Oriole and even Sparkling-tailed Woodstar. After lunch we depart on the short drive back to traffic-ridden Guatemala City, where the main tour will end for some, while those continuing onto the Tikal extension will board a late afternoon flight to Flores.
Tikal Extension
Occelated Turkey by Rich Lindie
Our Tikal Extension not only takes time to explore the remarkable Mayan temple complexes and cities that dominate this region (both Tikal and lesser known Yaxha are visited), but also to target such highly sought-after species as the remarkable Ocellated Turkey, Black-throated Shrike-Tanager, Pale-billed Woodpecker, Mayan Antthrush, Northern Royal Flycatcher and the impressive Great Curassow! This northern Petén region of Guatemala is covered in extensive lowland rainforest harbouring many special birds of the Yucatan Peninsula and other more widespread forest species, most of which will represent new species for our tour. The birding here is superb and this extension is highly recommended for its birding, mammal-viewing and fascinating historical insights.
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Day 1: Guatemala City and afternoon flight to Flores. The extension begins with a late afternoon flight from Guatemala City to Flores, from where we will transfer to a nearby eco-resort for a comfortable night’s stay. Our lodge is a particularly good site for Pauraque, which hawk in the dappled lights along the pathway between the lodge restaurant and our rooms!
Day 2: Flores to Tikal National Park via Yaxha. We depart before dawn for the ancient city of Yaxha. Now situated within an extensive national park protecting vast Slaty-tailed Trogon by Owen Deutsch rainforests, and named for an adjacent lake (‘Yaxha’ means blue-green water), this city was the 3rd largest Mayan centre, reaching its peak between 250-600AD and supporting an estimated population of 42,000 people. Yaxha was rediscovered in 1904 and the site contains over 500 structures, including a twin pyramid temple complex. We will spend the morning birding around these fascinating structures, and at times base ourselves on top of the buildings where we will obtain a superb view of the towering forest canopy. Birds are abundant here, mostly offering a new suite of lowland rainforest denizens, and visitors far less numerous than at the more famous Tikal, all adding to the magical experience. Species seen here on previous Rockjumper tours include Crane Hawk, Olive-throated Parakeet, White-crowned Parrot, Red-lored and Mealy Amazons, Wedge-tailed Sabrewing, White-necked Jacobin, Purple-crowned Fairy, Slaty-tailed Trogon, Blue-diademed Motmot, White-whiskered Puffbird, the multi-coloured Keel-billed Toucan, impressive Pale-billed Woodpecker, Olivaceous, Strong-billed and army ant swarm-loving Ruddy Woodcreeper, secretive Mayan Antthrush, attractive Eye-ringed Flatbill, Bright-rumped Attila, the lovely Olive-backed Euphonia, Golden-crowned Warbler and Grey-headed Tanager (another ant swarm specialist). Yaxha also supports healthy populations of the impressively loud Guatemalan Howler Monkey and agile Geoffroy’s Spider Monkeys, which will no doubt entertain us. After a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, we will then transfer to the great ancient city of Tikal for a two-night stay within the Tikal National Park. En route to Tikal we will stop at several wetlands where we should add some additional birds to our list. These may include Tricolored and Little Blue Herons, Neotropic Cormorant, Black-necked Stilt, Northern Jacana, Wilson’s Snipe, Green and Ringed Kingfishers, Mangrove Swallow and a variety of gulls and terns. Our afternoon arrival at Tikal will allow us some time to stroll around our eco- lodge and surrounds, including a productive pond. We should soon become acquainted with the more common denizens of this remarkable park, including flocks of unbelievably patterned and remarkably tame Ocellated Turkeys. This stunning gamebird is one of only two species of turkey, and is restricted to the Yucatan Peninsula. Another gamebird species that is commonly encountered in flocks here is Plain Chachalaca, while we should also observe the impressive Great Curassow and Crested Keel-billed Toucan by Adam Riley
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Guan during our time at Tikal. The strident yet melodious bubbling call of Montezuma Oropendola will be bursting around us as these attractive icterids prepare themselves for roosting in large flocks. Brown Jays will also be obvious, another common bird of open spaces. The pond area holds some interesting birds including the nocturnal Boat-billed Heron (such a distinctive bird that it used to be considered the sole member of a unique family), Limpkins and, if we are lucky, Ruddy Crake and Grey-necked Wood Rail. Here we can also observe the uncommon Morelet’s Crocodile, another Yucatan endemic.
Day 3: Tikal National Park. Believed to have supported over three million people at its peak, Tikal was once one of the major cultural, military and population centres of the Mayan civilisation. The Tikal temple complex and main city cover an area of more than 16 square kilometres (6.2 square miles) and includes about 3,000 structures; though the residential area of Tikal covers an estimated 60 square kilometres (23 square miles), all of which now falls within the 570 square kilometre (220 square miles) Tikal National Park. The city itself is believed to have supported up to 90,000 people but the site was abandoned in the latter part of the 10th century, mostly due to the lack of water – remarkably the city relied entirely on rainfall! For centuries it lay untouched as the rainforest regenerated and swallowed it up, covering all the temples and other buildings. Now much of the city has been restored, although thousands of structures are still buried under mounds of dirt and covered in trees. Tikal was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 and it now attracts Orange-breasted Falcon by Alex Navarro thousands of visitors annually. We will spend the day exploring this remarkable city and temple complex in the company of a local historical guide who will describe the Mayan civilisation to us and explain the significance of Tikal and the buildings that we pass, as well as the way of life and religion of the Mayan people. At the same time we will be on the constant lookout for new birds. All the species mentioned under the previous day at Yaxha are possible, and we will also keep an eye out for the shy Great Tinamou, Grey-headed Dove, Brown-hooded Parrot, rare White-fronted Amazon, Stripe-throated Hermit, Black-headed Trogon, Chestnut-colored Woodpecker, Plain Xenops, Tawny-winged, Northern Barred and Ivory-billed Woodcreepers, Plain Antvireo, diminutive Yellow-bellied Tyrannulet, purring Northern Bentbill, cute Stub-tailed Spadebill, a variety of flycatchers including Ochre-bellied, Slate-headed Tody, Sepia-capped and the sought-after Northern Royal, both Rufous Mourner and the lookalike Rufous Piha, Red-capped and White-collared Manakins, Northern Schiffornis, the canopy dwelling Lesser and understory occupying Tawny-crowned Greenlets, Northern Rough-winged Swallow (the distinctive Ridgeway’s subspecies), White-breasted Wood and White-bellied Wrens, White-bellied Emerald, active Long-billed Gnatwren, Black- cowled Oriole, the localised Black-throated Shrike-Tanager, Green Honeycreeper, Red-crowned and Red-throated Ant White-fronted Amazon Tanagers and Blue Bunting. The grounds around Tikal also by Owen Deutsch
RBT Guatemala Itinerary 13 teem with a host of North American migrant warblers, flycatchers, vireos, orioles, tanagers and grosbeaks, with notable species including White-eyed and Yellow-throated Vireos, Wood and Swainson’s Thrushes, Blue-winged, Golden-winged, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Black-throated Green, Kentucky, Hooded and Worm-eating Warblers, American Redstart, Ovenbird and both Northern and Louisiana Waterthrush. Mammals are prolific, and besides the howler and spider monkeys we should observe inquisitive bands of White-nosed Coati, which occur here in great densities, Central American Agouti, Red Brocket Deer and Grey Fox. Jaguar and other rare species occur, but we would be extremely lucky to observe any of these! It’s an exciting feeling to have these grand ruins towering over us while birding through this reserve that teems with wildlife. In the late afternoon, we will climb to the top of the highest temple-pyramid in Tikal (measuring 70m (230ft) and completed in Yucatan Jay by Owen Deutsch 731AD), in fact the highest pre-Columbian structure in the Americas, and gaze out over an endless vista of tropical rainforests broken only by Mayan temples – a truly breathtaking experience that will no doubt be a lifelong memory! On top of this, we also stand an excellent chance of observing one of the world’s rarest raptors, the dashing Orange-breasted Falcon! A nocturnal walk back to our lodge should provide us with Mottled Owl and, if we are fortunate, Vermiculated Screech and Black-and-white Owls, and possibly even Yucatan Poorwill.
Day 4: Day in Tikal National Park and afternoon transfer to Flores. Most of today will be spent exploring Tikal National Park and we will visit drier areas as well as less disturbed forest than that which occurs around the temples. Besides the species mentioned on Day 3, we will target many of the following sought-after birds: secretive Thicket and Slaty-breasted Tinamous (more likely to heard than seen), the attractive Scaled and Short-billed Pigeons, Blue Ground Dove and Ruddy Quail-Dove, Canivet's Emerald, White-necked Puffbird, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Scaly-throated Leaftosser, Barred Antshrike, Dot-winged Antwren, Ruddy- tailed, Sulphur-rumped and Yucatan Flycatchers, Mangrove Vireo, Green and the localised Yucatan Jay, Green-backed Sparrow, Rose-throated Tanager, Black-faced and Blue-black Grosbeaks, the stunning yet tricky Grey-throated Chat, Blue Bunting and Yellow-billed Cacique. This region is also excellent for raptors and we will keep an eye out for King Vulture, Black and Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Crested Eagle if we are extremely fortunate, Northern Crested Caracara, Grey, White, Roadside and Black-collared Hawks, Tooth-billed, Double-toothed, Plumbeous and Grey-headed Kites, Laughing Falcon, Barred and Collared Forest Falcons, and American Kestrel. In the late afternoon we will transfer back to our comfortable lake-side eco-lodge near Flores, where some evening birding may add a few aquatic birds such as Snail Kite, Pale-billed Woodpecker Anhinga and Least Grebe to our list! Tonight we will enjoy a by Owen Deutsch
RBT Guatemala Itinerary 14 final celebratory dinner.
Day 5: Flight to Guatemala City and departure. This morning we will have a little time for some final birding before transferring to Flores International Airport and Guatemala City Airport, where the extension will conclude and we will catch our international departures home.
FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS: Tour dates, prices, single supplement rates, approximate flight costs and spaces available for this tour are displayed on our website. Please see under IMPORTANT NOTES below.
This includes: On selected tours we are able to arrange free transfers to our specified hotel or airport, within 3 days of the beginning or end of the main tour. However, since our capacity to offer this service can vary from tour to tour, details of this option will be sent to you upon confirmation of this tour; All meals from Dinner on Day 1 to lunch on Day 12 for those on the Central American Specialties, and from Dinner on day 1 to Breakfast on day 5 for those on the Tikal Extension; All lodgings as per itinerary; Ground transportation mentioned in the itinerary; Reserve entrance fees; Gratuities for local guides and services; and Guiding services of local guides and Rockjumper tour leader.
This excludes: Any airfares (see above); Any beverages; Special gratuities; and Telephone calls, laundry and other items of a personal nature.
IMPORTANT NOTES: a) Due to constantly fluctuating exchange rates, we quote our tours in 4 currencies. The tour price is however fixed only in the currency printed in bold, and the actual cost in the other currencies listed will be adjusted according to prevailing exchange rates at the time of final invoicing (usually 4 months before the tour.) The same applies to approximate flight and single supplement rates, which are also quoted in the respective fixed currency. b) Rates are based upon group tariffs; if the tour does not have sufficient registration a small party supplement will have to be charged. c) Furthermore, these costs are subject to unforeseen increases in tour related costs and may have to be adjusted as a result. d) Lastly, we may be forced to change or alter the itinerary and / or the designated Rockjumper leader at short or no notice due to unforeseen circumstances; please be aware that we will attempt to adhere as close to the original program as possible.
Tipping: As noted above, gratuities (drivers, hotel staff, restaurants etc) are included on this tour. However, this does NOT include your Rockjumper leader. If, therefore, you feel that he has given you excellent service, it is entirely appropriate to tip him.
RBT Guatemala Itinerary 15
Please note: Some of our time is spent in vehicles, and we do have a couple of lengthy drives to get to the best birding sites. The more luggage you pack the less room there is in the vehicle, so it is important for the comfort of your fellow travellers that you do not over-pack. We will be birding the mountainous areas of Guatemala on foot along forest trails that are steep and, depending on weather conditions, sometimes slippery. A generally good level of fitness is required for this section of the tour, especially the hike up the San Pedro Volcano where we should expect a long day of difficult hiking to reach the best habitat. It should be noted that for those who wish not to hike the volcano, our hotel has excellent birding grounds.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DETAILS: This tour does not include ANY airfares. The main tour will begin in Guatemala City on Day 1 with a transfer to our local hotel. Day 1 is scheduled as an arrival day, but you must please be present in Guatemala City by 16:00. The tour will conclude at approximately 16:00 on Day 12 at the same airport. For those continuing onto our Tikal Extension, the tour will depart from La Aurora International Airport on Day 1 (Day 11 of the Main tour), and will conclude around midday at the same airport on Day 5. The above information in respect of arrivals and departures is a guide only. Precise arrival and departure information will be sent to you in your Tour Confirmation package once the tour has been officially confirmed. If you wish to arrive early and/or depart late and would like assistance in this regard, kindly contact the Rockjumper office.
FLIGHTS: La Aurora International Airport, Guatemala City (GUA) is the main port of entry for international flights into and out of Guatemala and is well serviced by most of North America’s and Europe’s major airlines. We have the capacity to advise you on the best route according to your preferences, but your local travel agent will best be able to book these flights for you. We can, however, book the internal flights for you. IMPORTANT: please DO NOT book your international flights until you have consulted the Rockjumper office for confirmation on the status of the tour.
Rockjumper Birding Ltd c/o Summit Trust Mauritius Limited Labourdonnais Village Mapou Mauritius Tel (USA & Canada) toll free: 1-888-990-5552 Email: [email protected] Alternative email: [email protected] Website: www.rockjumperbirding.com