Guatemala: Tikal Extension

Ocellated Turkey © Brian Gibbons

A BIRDS, NATURE & CULTURE TOUR

Set in a vast rainforest, the pyramids and palaces of Tikal serve as the venue for this optional extension to our Highlands of Guatemala tour. The species we will encounter in the forests and woodlands are more tropical than the highland areas of the main tour and include a number of Yucatán regional endemic species.

Nearly three full days of birding and admiring the ancient Maya city of Tikal will round out our Guatemalan birding adventure. Tikal National Park encompasses more than 200 square miles, including the main archaeological site that has been completely mapped revealing 3,000 structures. Mostly covered by rainforest now, there are patches of tropical dry forest in which we will seek a range of birds more closely associated with the Yucatán region farther north, including Yucatan Flycatcher, White-bellied Wren, Gray-throated Chat, Blue Bunting, and Rose-throated Tanager.

Around the spectacular ruins complex we will watch carefully for the amazing and rare Orange-breasted Falcon. Slaty-tailed, Black-headed, and Gartered trogons are among the myriad of birds that call Tikal home. Lending to the tropical flare are Red-lored Amazon and Keel-billed Toucan. Our list for this area alone will exceed 100 species and will include a range of hummingbirds, tanagers, manakins, puffbirds, parrots, and aracaris that we didn’t encounter in the highlands. Our local guide will take us through the ebb and flow of the Maya civilization that flourished during the Classic Period 200–900 C.E.

As we wander the forested trails, we hope to encounter an army ant swarm, often attended by Tawny-winged and Ruddy woodcreepers, Gray-headed Tanagers, and an array of overwintering warblers. Mexican Black Howler Monkeys and Central American Spider Monkeys occupy the trees above, and White-nosed Coatis rove the forest floor, sometimes in troops of dozens.

Good accommodations and food; moderate physical demands with lots of walking on even terrain; afternoon breaks; warm to hot climate with showers possible.

Gray-throated Chat © Brian Gibbons