Guatemala | Birding Guatemala’s Highlands and Lake Atitlán with Tropical Audubon Society

Arrive at La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City, Guatemala. *Please schedule your flight to arrive no later than 2 pm. After clearing immigration and customs, meet our local representative outside the airport and travel to Antigua, which is about an hour away depending on traffic. This evening, enjoy a welcome talk on your upcoming journey.

After breakfast, visit Cerro Alux, located between Guatemala City and Antigua Guatemala. This mountain chain is part of the Central American pine-oak forest ecoregion and is home to several highland endemics. It is the wintering habitat for at least 25 species of American wood warblers along with other migratory species. After lunch, travel to Finca El Pilar, a private reserve with pine-oak forest and excellent trails for birding. Walk the trails looking for species such as Blue-throated Motmot, Bushy-crested Jay and Blue-and-white Mockingbird and visit the hummingbird feeders. Return to Antigua in the evening for dinner and overnight.

This morning, enjoy birding at Finca San Cayetano, a coffee farm and estate located in the hills surrounding Antigua Guatemala. The estate is known for its high-quality coffee beans and offers a range of activities for visitors to enjoy. After lunch, head over to Los Tarrales Natural Reserve. Los Tarrales ranges in altitude from 2,300 to 11,500 feet and provides great access to various types of forest and more than 340 species of birds from lowland to highland habitats. The reserve is part of the Atitlán Important Bird Area and harbors 21 regional endemic bird species, including Horned Guan, Highland Guan, Azure-rumped Tanager, and Blue-tailed Hummingbird. There is also an impressive abundance of migratory birds in the area, including Swainson's Thrush, Tennessee, Magnolia, and Black-and-white Warblers, Western Tanager, and Orchard Oriole. Los Tarrales is also home to several species of raptors, including the Black Hawk-Eagle, and sometimes the gorgeous Black-and-white Owl. Mornings and evenings at the reserve are great for observing commuting parrots, including four species of parakeets and parrots.

Spend a full day birding in Los Tarrales today. At lunch, take some time to enjoy the reserve's feeders, where Orchard, Altamira, Spot-breasted, and Baltimore Orioles come to feed along with Rufous-naped Wrens and Yellow-throated Euphonias.

Continue birding in the reserve's lower and upper trails in search of a diversity of birds, including displaying Long-tailed Manakins. Los Tarrales is private and self-sustaining; costs are covered from income made selling coffee, ornamental plants, and honey, and through tourism services. Sixty Maya Kaqchikel families live within the protected area, working in agricultural production, as forest rangers, and in tourism. Los Tarrales also has a private primary school for children living on the reserve, offering classes in nature, science, and conservation in addition to the standard disciplines.

After birding in the morning, travel to Santiago Atitlán in time for lunch. This town is nestled between two volcanos, Volcán San Pedro and Volcán Toliman, right on a bay of Lake Atitlán. In the afternoon, there are chances to see some new species in the area. With some luck, it may be possible to find the uncommon Slender Sheartail hummingbird or White-faced Ground-Sparrow. Santiago Atitlán is a significant hub of Maya culture, with a majority of the population being indigenous Maya. There may be an opportunity to meet community members who are part of the local bird tourism initiative.

This morning, enjoy birding at Parque Mirador Rey Tepepul, an 8,650-acre forest park with a wide altitudinal range. Although newer to bird tourism, this park has great birds, including the Yellow-naped Parrot, Blue-crowned Chlorophonia, and the Azure-rumped Tanager. In the afternoon, head back to Santiago Atitlán to explore the town. Santiago Atitlán is home to an incredible number of women's cooperatives and women's groups. The groups do fine weaving of textiles on the traditional back strap loom and, to a lesser degree, the Spanish floor loom. The village is also a hub for natural dyed fabrics.

Spend the day in the San Juan La Laguna area on the western shore of Lake Atitlán, another newer site for bird tourism. Seek out the rare Belted Flycatcher along the lower slopes of Volcán San Pedro. You may also come across the Lesser Roadrunner and other dry forest species such as the White-faced Ground-Sparrow. Participants in excellent shape can try the hike to the volcano to find the Horned Guan. However, this hike is very difficult, strenuous, and not for everyone, and it does not guarantee seeing the rare guan.

In the morning, take a boat ride across Lake Atitlán to Panajachel on the northeast shore. From here, visit the San Andrés Semetabaj archaeological site for a chance to find the Inca Dove, House Wren, Great-tailed Grackle, Bronzed Cowbird, Yellow-winged Tanager, Melodious Blackbird, and Vaux's Swift. Spend the morning birding at the reserve, and then have lunch in town. After lunch, visit the Atitlán Reserve for additional opportunities to spot target species. Later, enjoy some free time to go shopping or relax and take in the views of Lake Atitlán from the hotel. Before dinner, meet with a representative of Asociación Vivamos Mejor and learn more about their work with communities surrounding Lake Atitlán.

This morning, visit Corazón del Bosque, a reserve located higher up in the pine-oak forest zone. The star bird here is the stunning and uncommon Pink-headed Warbler. While looking for the warbler, you may catch a glimpse of the Mountain Trogon, Spotted Woodcreeper, Yellowish Flycatcher, Rufous-browed Wren, Olive Warbler, Crescent-chested Warbler, White-naped Brushfinch, and the local form of the Yellow-eyed Junco, the "Guatemalan Junco," which many consider a separate species. After the visit, head back to Guatemala City and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant en route. Arrive in Guatemala City in the late afternoon with time to freshen up before the farewell dinner at the hotel.

Travel to Guatemala City Airport to take your flight home. Breakfast will be available depending on your flight time.