Guatemala Birding Tours | 10 Days Package

Day 1: Arrival – Antigua Guatemala

Meet and greet at La Aurora International Airport and transfer to the City of Antigua, Guatemala (1 hour).

Lodging in Antigua Guatemala.

Day 2: El Pilar Nature Reserve

Morning birdwatching at Finca El Pilar, located 10 minutes away from Antigua.

The vegetation of this reserve is mainly constituted of coffee, pine, and oaks, settling at an altitudinal range from 1,710 to 9,500 feet above sea level.

One of the main attractions of the El Pilar farm is the area of hummingbird feeders, where it is possible to observe about 8 species of hummingbirds that inhabit the area.

The hummingbirds feeding simultaneously represents an excellent opportunity for birders and photographers.

Some of the birds that you can spot at this destination are:

Rufous Sabrewing, Green-throated Mountain-Gem, Bushy-crested Jay, Hooded Grosbeak, Elegant Euphonia, Singing Quail, Golden-crowned Warbler, Bar-winged Oriole, among others.

Day 3: Antigua Guatemala – Patrocinio Private Nature Reserve

After breakfast, transfer towards Patrocinio Nature Reserve in the province of Retalhuleu on the south coast of Guatemala (3:30 hrs approx).

The reserve is part of the IBA Santiaguito Volcano, an essential site for range-restricted birds of the North Central American Highlands and the North Central American Pacific Slope.

You will descend from Antigua Guatemala, through sceneries framed by the Fuego and Acatenango volcanoes.

Then, you will take the Pacific International Highway (CA-2), a route adorned by the road sales of colorful tropical fruits.

At the arrival check-in, time for lunch and a rest.

Afternoon for a birding walks through the reserve trails to discover the birds of the pacific of Guatemala.

Lodging at Patrocinio.

Day 4: Reserva Patrocinio

The altitude of the Patrocinio Private Nature Reserve ranges between 800 and 850 meters above sea level within the subtropical rainforest.

A little more than 185 species have been documented in Patrocinio. A network of trails designed to enjoy bird watching is distributed within the property, in addition to a tower that provides excellent views over the canopy.

Early birding through the trials and the observation tower.

Some of the birds that you can observe here are White-bellied Chachalaca, Red-crowned Ant-Tanager, Rufous-browed Wren, Long-billed Starthroat, White-fronted Parrot, Green Kingfisher, Berylline Hummingbird, Yellow-olive Flycatcher, Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Pacific Parakeet, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Rufous-and-white Wren.

Also, the Scrub Euphonia, White-faced Ground-Sparrow, Cinnamon-bellied Saltator, Chestnut-capped Warbler, Common Pauraque, Pale-billed Woodpecker, Northern Bentbill, Smoky-brown Woodpecker, Rufous Sabrewing, Highland Guan, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Orange-chinned Parakeet, Orange-fronted Parakeet, Canivet’s Emerald, Rufous-browed Wren, among others.

Day 5: Reserva Patrocinio – Los Tarrales

Early birding around the bird’s feeders. The Patorcinio Nature Reserve is a fantastic destination for bird photography as bird feeders have been strategically placed to attract birds.

Breakfast and check out. Then continue towards Los Tarrales Reserve(2:00 hrs. approx).

Lunch and rest before starting a birding walk around the lodge and the bird feeders.

Lodging at Los Tarrales Reserve.

Day 6: Los Tarrales

After breakfast, board the transport to visit higher reserve areas through coffee plantations and forests to search for colorful neotropical birds.

Return for lunch and rest.

During the afternoon, you will explore the waterfall area for birding and the possibility of a refreshing bath.

Day 7: Los Tarrales – Lake Atitlan

Early transfer towards Rey Tepepul  Reserve (1:00 hr. approx).

This park is located on the western slopes of the Atitlan volcano, with montane and subtropical moist forest zones that inhabit exciting bird species.

Rey Tepepul Reserve

The reserve is located 20 minutes from the town of Santiago Atitlan through a paved road.

At the entrance on both sides of the street, there are two viewpoints with spectacular views of the three volcanoes, the community of Santiago Atitlán, and the Pacific coast.

After the birding tour, you will visit Santiago and San Juan villages to discover the cultural faces of these Mayan communities.

Day 8: Lake Atitlan & Villages

Breakfast and birding around the San Buenaventura Reserve, including the butterfly sanctuary, then get back to the hotel for lunch.

After lunch, transfer to San Antonio & Santa Catarina Palopo for a cultural experience with the Mayas of Guatemala.

Lodging in Lake Atitlan

Day 9: Lake Atitlan – Guatemala City

Free morning for birding in the hotel garden or relax at your own pace

After lunch, transfer to Guatemala City

Lodging at Guatemala City.

Day 10: Back Home

Transfer to La Aurora International Airport to take a flight back home