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 one of the world’s most prized birds - Horned Guan as well as the gorgeous Pink-headed Warbler, fabulous Resplendent Quetzal, Blue-throated Motmot, Blue-and-white Mockingbird, Rufous-collared Thrush, Slender Sheartail, Goldman’s Warbler, Bushy-crested and Black-throated Jay, Black-capped Swallow, Buffy-crowned Wood Partridge, Green-throated Mountaingem, Long-tailed Manakin and Azure-rumped Tanager. This tour offers the very best of Guatemalan birding, along with comfortable lodgings, delicious fare and fabulous scenery throughout!
Horned Guan, Pink-headed Warbler, Goldman's Warbler, Resplendent Quetzal, Highland Guan, Mountain Trogon, Blue-throated, Tody & Turquoise-browed Motmots, Fulvous & Unspotted Saw-whet Owls, Guatemalan Pygmy Owl, White-breasted Hawk, Mexican Whip-poor-will, White-bellied Chachalaca, Singing Quail, Velasquez's Woodpecker, Bushy-crested, Black-throated & Unicolored Jays, White-throated Magpie-Jay, Montezuma Oropendola, Long-tailed Manakin, Emerald-chinned, Garnet-throated, Blue-tailed & Wine-throated Hummingbirds, Rufous & Violet Sabrewings, Green-throated Mountaingem, Mexican Violetear, Slender Sheartail, Sparkling-tailed Woodstar, Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo, Pacific Parakeet, Ruddy Foliage-gleaner, Black-capped Swallow, Rufous-browed Wren, Olive Warbler, Grey Silky-flycatcher, Belted Flycatcher, Blue-and-white Mockingbird, Black, Mountain & Rufous-collared Thrush, Azure-rumped (Cabanis’s) Tanager, Stripe-headed Sparrow, Prevost’s & White-eared Ground Sparrows, Painted Bunting, Black-capped Siskin, Yellow-eyed Junco, Spotted Towhee, Ocellated Quail.
Central American Agouti, White-nosed Coati, Variegated Squirrel, Grey Fox and White-tailed Deer
rainforest, cloudforest, dry forest, mixed temperate forest, coffee fincas, lakes, shoreline, temperate pine savanna
mostly tropical conditions; warm and humid, can get cool to cold in the highlands
8 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local birding leader
fairly relaxed pace with some long walks
comfortable to basic lodges & hotels
moderate
+-220
great people, varied Mayan cultures, excellent arts & crafts, fantastic scenery
very good
Very nice tour. We had a good group, and the local guides were excellent. Food, venues, and the birds were all top notch, and we were quite surprised how well-developed the infrastructure is in Guatemala. The birds were great, of course. We were asked what our target bird for the tour was, and I answered the Buffy-crowned Wood-Partridge, knowing that it is an extremely difficult bird to find (i.e., I was being a wise guy). What was one of the first birds we saw?: the wood-partridge. A fantastic display, with the birds in the open and within 10 meters of us.
"Lev and our local guide did a great job with the tour. They were professional while keeping the experience fun and entertaining. They worked very well together, and with the other local guides, and the quality of their guiding was top notch. They worked hard to give everyone on the tour a great experience, and they pulled out a number of tough species with their patience and diligence that gave the group some truly lasting memories. Our driver was excellent, safely working our rather large bus through the city mazes and narrow country roads with skilful expertise. And the accommodations were overall very nice, even with the occasional hot water issue. I was glad that I did bring layers, though, since we spent more time at greater altitude than I had imagined, and it was quite cool at times. I definitely enjoyed the tour, and look forward to more Rockjumper trips."
Dušan is an exceptional guide in all respects. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience, is courteous and diplomatic with the clients, and excellent with the local people. I could not ask for anything more. Thank you very much for providing this tour. For me, it was a success in every way. I will definitely recommend Rockjumper to anyone interested in birding in the future. You guys do a great job.
The tour leader and local guides were friendly and patient. They worked hard to find the birds they thought we should see and made sure everyone got a look at each bird. I was especially impressed by their enthusiasm. They must have seen these birds numerous times before but acted as though it was the first time. Given the political issues we had to deal with, I dont think any other tour company could have managed the situation as well as Rockjumper. Finally, a special mention to our driver, Louis, he did a terrific job under difficult circumstances. A wonderful experience, much fun.
Adam Walleyn was an excellent tour leader; he knew a lot about the birds, handled the group very well and has a wealth of experience in leading tours and in other aspects of ecological/environmental study & travel. We appreciated the fact that Adam did not carry a camera and therefore was able to devote his time/energy to finding the birds and getting people on to them.
10 Jan 2025 - 22 Jan 2025 (13 days)
USD5,195 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Robert Wilcox
Guatemala - Tikal & Las Guacamayas 2023 - October 2023
Guatemala - Central American Highlights 2023 - October 2023
Guatemala - Specialities of Central America 2022 - March 2022
Guatemala - Specialities of Central America 2019 - January 2019
Guatemala - Highland Specialties Extension 2019 - January 2019
Guatemala - Specialities of Central America 2017 - January 2017
Guatemala - Specialities of Central America 2016 - January 2016
Guatemala - Specialties: Tikal Extension I 2014 - January 2014
Guatemala - Specialities of Central America I 2014 - January 2014
Guatemala - Specialties: Tikal Extension 2013 - January 2013
Guatemala - Specialities of Central America 2013 - January 2013
Guatemala - Specialties: Tikal Extension 2012 - November 2012
Guatemala - Specialities of Central America 2012 - November 2012
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