Belize & Guatemala Lowlands Birding Tour
This Belize & Guatemala Sustainable Birdwatching & Wildlife Tour is an excellent combination of two of the best destinations within the Mayan World: La Milpa Lodge and Research Center located inside Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area and Hidden Valley Inn & Reserve within the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve in Belize and Tikal National Park and Las Guacamayas Biological Station located inside of The Mayan Biosphere Reserve in Guatemala.
All of them carry out valuable research and conservation efforts to protect the natural and cultural treasures. They are also involved in the social and economic outreach towards the communities within and neighboring the reserves.
We invite you to be part of the movement for a better planet while enjoying a Wildlife and cultural adventure in The Mayan World
Resume of the program
- Day 1: Arrival – Transfer to La Milpa Lodge and Research Center
- Day 2: La Milpa Lodge and Research Center
- Day 3: La Milpa – Green Hills Butterfly Ranch & Botanical Collection
- Day 4: Hidden Valley Inn & Reserve
- Day 5: Hidden Valley Inn – Las Guacamayas Biological Station
- Day 6: El Peru Archaeological Site
- Day 7: La Guacamayas – Tikal National Park
- Day 8: Tikal National Parkli>
- Day 9: Back Home
We Will Visit:
La Milpa Forest Station
La Milpa Forest Station is a rustic lodge nestled within a 260,000-acre research area known as Rio Bravo Conservation Area. It is home to approximately 390 Species of birds, 75 percent, which is endemic to Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula.
This dense broadleaf forest located in North Western Belize is one of the prime birding hotspots in Belize for species such as the Grey-throated Chat and Rose-throated Tanager. Exploring the many trails at La Milpa can reward you with birds such as Ocellated Turkey, Yucatan Poorwill, Lovely Cotinga, Crested Guan, Great Curassow, and Barred Forest falcon, to name a few.
Green Hills Butterfly Ranch & Botanical Collection
Green Hills Butterfly Ranch and Botanical Collection are not only about butterflies as well as their food plants. Bio-diversity generally is recognized as an essential component in our performance.
The Green Hills biological diversity incorporates those plant life that attracts not only butterflies but additionally birdlife. The reserve has documented at least 316 bird species around the 100 acres
Hummingbirds take a central role due to the ease of observing them. Bird feeders situated close to the caterpillar building bring in lots of hummingbirds and often really distract from the butterflies.
Until today have documented a minimum of 15 hummingbirds species, which 11 can be observed at the feeders, and it is common to find out six species in a single stop by at Green Hills Ranch.
Hidden Valley Inn & Reserve
Hidden Valley Inn is a small intimate lodge hidden within the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve on a 7,200-acre private protected area. This unique ecosystem of upland pine ridge savannah, deep ravines, and the tropical broadleaf forest is home to rare raptors such as the Orange Breasted Falcon, Stygian Owl, Black & White Hawk-Eagle, King Vultures. Other species commonly seen are Azure Crowned Hummingbird, Orange Billed Sparrow, Rufus Capped Warbler, Hepatic Tanager, Green Jay, and Acorn Woodpeckers, to name a few.
Las Guacamayas Biological Station
The biological station is a paradise for lovers of nature; the station base is located in the Laguna del Tigre National Park, at the banks of San Pedro River and near the Sacluc stream.
The ecosystems of the park include an extensive wetland complex with abundant wildlife such as Spider Monkeys, Howler Monkeys, Jaguars, Tapirs, Crocodiles, and a great variety of birds, among those we can mention the Scarlet Macaw, Toucans, Agami Heron, Parakeets, to mention some.
The Biological Station promotes the investigation of the biodiversity of the area. More than 300 species of birds have been identified, such as Turkey Ocelada; Bat Falcon; Scarlet macaw; Black and white owl; Ornate hawk-eagle, precious cotinga, pink-throated tanager; Green-backed sparrow, among others.
Tikal National Park
Due to the extraordinary and abundant natural and cultural richness, Tikal was declared UNESCO´s World Heritage site. Tikal is part of the nucleus areas of the Maya Biosphere Reserve, with a high level of conservation activities.
The exuberant forest and the remnants of the impressive temple of the ancient Maya culture located in the middle of the Mayan jungle are ideal places for Birdwatching.
Due to the rarity and number of species of fauna, Tikal is considered one of the essential areas in Guatemala; more than 400 species of birds have been recorded within Tikal National Park, including 30 birds of prey and 60 migratory species.
Rare species found nesting in Tikal include the orange-breasted falcon (Falco deiroleucus) and the Guiana crested eagle (Morphus guianensis). Tikal one of the few nesting areas in Central America for this species. One can easily spot species such as the ocellated turkey.
It is also possible to observe a great diversity of fauna such as foxes, Coatis, spider monkeys, howler monkeys, and other diverse fauna.
Some species to spot in Tikal are Great Curassow; Ocellated Turkey; White-fronted Parrot; Mealy Parrot; Crested Eagle; Orange-breasted Falcon; Slaty-tailed Trogon; Keel-billed Toucan; Chestnut-colored Woodpecker; Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher; White-bellied Wren; Montezuma Oropendola, and many more.
Belize & Guatemala Lowlands Birding Tour
Day 1: Arrival – Transfer to La Milpa Lodge and Research Center
You will be met by our friendly representative at Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport and transferred by ground to La Milpa Forest Station.
Upon your arrival at La Milpa check-in, you will have time to observe birds around the lodge.
Dinner and lodging at La Milpa Forest Station
Day 2 – La Milpa Lodge and Research Center
Today you will start with an early morning birdwatching hike through La Milpa trails searching for local specialties such as Gray-throated Chat, Tody Motmot, Ornate hawk-eagle, King Vulture, and Crested Eagle, among others.
The feeders of the lodge are a special attraction where dozens of birds can be observed, among them Red-legged Honeycreepers, Green Honeycreepers, Olive-backed Euphonias, and Tanagers; it is also effortless to find Ocellated Turkey and Great Curassow.
Time for lunch, a short rest, and the walk continue to observe birds and other species that inhabit the Reserve.
At night, there will be a walk in search of owls and other nocturnal creatures around the lodge; on this walk, there is the possibility, and with great luck to observe a jaguar and other cats, there are several reports of travelers who have had an encounter with this fantastic mammal
Dinner and Lodging at La Milpa Ecolodge
Day 3 – La Milpa – Green Hills Butterfly Ranch & Botanical Collection
Early breakfast and time to enjoy the birds at the feeders of the lodge that attract dozens of colorful birds, including hummingbirds, Euphonias, Tanagers, and Honeycreepers, among others.
Then we will start our transfer towards Hidden Valley Inn & Reserve; on the route, we will visit Green Hills Butterfly Ranch & Botanical Collection.
During our stop in Green Hills Butterfly Ranch, the hummingbirds will take center stage. The bird feeders located near the caterpillar building attract many hummingbirds; a minimum of 15 species of hummingbirds have been documented, of which 11 can be observed at the feeders, and it is common to find six species in one stop at Green Hills Ranch.
Some of the hummingbirds that we can spot at the Reserve are the White-necked Jacobin, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Long-billed Hermit, Scaly-breasted Hummingbird, Wedge-tailed Sabrewing, Violet Sabrewing, and White-bellied Emerald. This fantastic destination also offers a magnificent photo opportunity.
Check-in at Hidden Valley Inn, then a birding walk around the lodge
Dinner and lodging at Hidden Valley Inn
Day 4: Hidden Valley Inn & Reserve
Early coffee while enjoying the birds at the bird feeder, Green Jay, Brown Jay, Yellow-tailed Oriole, Plain Chachalaca, Gray-headed Pigeon, and Clay-colored Thrush, among others.
After breakfast, you will head toward the Mountains of Western Belize, searching for Raptors like the Orange Breasted Falcon, Stygian Owl, Solitary Eagle, and King Vultures, among others.
After lunch, we will dedicate the afternoon for a birding tour through the different trails that the lodge offers, birding at the pine forest and scrub areas that inhabit species such as Black-headed Saltator, Yellow-bellied Elaenia, Yellow-faced Grassquit, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Gray-crowned Yellowthroat, and Rufous-capped Warbler.
Exploring the woodland, we can spot neotropical species, such as Slaty-tailed Trogon, Collared Trogon, Black-headed Trogon, Ivory-billed Woodcreeper, Tawny-winged Woodcreeper, Pale-vented Pigeon, Scaled Pigeon, to mention some.
Dinner at Hidden Valley Inn. Then we will have time for a night adventure in the quest of Stygian Owls and other nocturnal creatures.
Lodging at Hidden Valley Inn.
Day 5: Hidden Valley Inn – Las Guacamayas Biological Station
Early breakfast at the lodge, then we will leave for a trip of approximately 6 hrs. The whole road proposes excellent birding opportunities in open areas, secondary forests, and ponds.
Arrival to the community of Paso Caballos, here we will board a boat that will carry us through the San Pedro River toward Las Guacamayas Biological Station (approx.20 minutes). Birding on the route.
Arrival, you will be received by the EBG staff, and they will introduce the activities of the station, solid waste management, research programs, conservation, and social projection.
During the afternoon, we will explore the base station ending at Las Guacamayas lookout.
Dinner and lodging at Las Guacamayas lodge.
Some of the birds that you can spot at this destination are:
Gray-throated Chat, Ocellated Turkey, Vermiculated Screech-Owl, Yucatan Flycatcher, Yucatan Poorwill, Rose-throated Tanager, Black-throated Shrike-Tanager, among others.
Day 6: El Peru Archaeological Site
Early breakfast, then we will board our boat for a birding tour through the archaeological site El Peru, where we will visit the most important nesting area of the scarlet macaw (Ara Macaw) in Guatemala from February to May.
Nighttime aquatic excursion: Explores the stream Sacluc; our experienced guide accompanies us for the nighttime aquatic tour. With the support of a flashlight, our guide illuminates the nighttime creatures that live here, including the crocodile petenero (Crocodylus moreletii), bats, birds, and more.
Lodging at Las Guacamayas Lodge.
Some of the birds that you can spot at this destination are:
Ruddy Crake, Pale-billed Woodpecker, Chestnut-colored Woodpecker, Montezuma Oropendola, Blue Bunting, Black-cowled Oriole, Russet-naped Wood-Rail, among others.
Day 7: La Guacamayas – Tikal National Park
Early breakfast at Las Guacamayas, then you will be transferred to Tikal National Park.
This route offers excellent opportunities for bird watching; we will have the possibility of stopping to see birds in the savannas, ponds, and broadleaf forests along the road.
We also will stop at “El Remate,” a place connected to lake Pete Itza, another excellent birding area where it is possible to spot some Kingfishers, Snail Kites, and herons, to mention some bird species.
Check-in at the lodge, then we will start our Sunset Birding tour at Tikal National Park.
We will start exploring the different trails inside the park, looking for neotropical bird species such as Orange-breasted Falcon, Ocellated Turkey, Rose-throated Tanager, Black-throated Shrike-Tanager, Ruddy Crake, Pale-billed Woodpecker, Chestnut-colored Woodpecker, Montezuma Oropendola, Blue Bunting, Black-cowled Oriole, Russet-naped Wood-Rail, among others.
Dinner and lodging Tikal
Day 8: Tikal National Park
Early birding Trip inside Tikal National Park, Tikal belongs to the nucleus areas of the Mayan Biosphere, with a high level of preservation actions and research.
The ancient monuments situated in the center of luscious jungles are perfect locations for birding in which we are going to discover exciting species including the Ocellated turkey, orange-breasted falcon, Yucatan Jay, Black Catbird, Rose-throated Tanager, Slaty-tailed Trogon, Great Curassow, White-fronted Parrot; Mealy Parrot, Crested Eagle, Chestnut-colored Woodpecker, Keel-billed Toucan, Montezuma Oropendola Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher; White-bellied Wren, and many hummingbirds among others.
During the migratory season, flocks of warblers, tanagers, and others make this destination a unique tropical paradise.
We will return for lunch then during the afternoon; we will continue visiting different areas of the park, searching for more tropical species
Dinner and lodging at Tikal Park.
Day 9: Back Home
Early Transfer to Mundo Maya International Airport to take a short flight to Belize International Airport, connecting with your international flight.
Vermilion Flycatcher
Scarlet Macaw
Bright-rumped Attila
Gartered Trogon
Pale-billed Woodpecker
Collared Aracari
Snail Kite
Gray Hawk
Plumbeous Kite
Black-headed Trogon
Slaty-tailed Trogon
Ringed Kingfisher
Stygian Owl
Montezuma Oropendola
