This tour highlights western Honduras' most popular destinations including a visit to the renowned Copan archaeological site. On this tour we will bird in forest habitats ranging from semi-deciduous, highland pine/oak, mid-elevation broadleaf, lower cloud forest and wetlands. Nearly 500 species of birds can be found along this route and some commonly seen include: Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Bat Falcon, Orange-fronted Parakeet, White-fronted Parrot, Lesser Roadrunner, Black-crested Coquette, Sparkling-tailed Hummingbird, Mountain Trogon, Turquoise-browed Motmot, Emerald Toucanet, Rufous-breasted Spinetail, Mountain Elaenia, Royal Flycatcher, Green Jay, Unicolored Jay, Rufous and White Wren, Brown-backed Solitaire, many migrant Warblers, Olive Warbler, White-winged Tanager, Elegant Euphonia and Spot-breasted Oriole. Rarer sightings include: Striped Cuckoo, Great Swallow-tailed Swift, Slender Sheartail, Blue-throated Motmot, Ruddy Foliage-Gleaner, Black-banded Woodcreeper, Gray-collared Becard, Black-capped Swallow, Nightingale Wren, Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush, Red-faced Warbler, Blue-crowned Chlorophonia and Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer.
Day 1: San Pedro Sula to Copan Ruins
You will be greeted at the San Pedro Sula Airport and we will transfer to the lush highlands of Copan. Our Bed & Breakfast is a short stroll to the colonial downtown of this charming community. We will have a brief orientation dinner in the evening. Night: Casa de Café, Copan.
Day 2: Copan Ruins
Fortunately, archeology sites and birding are a good combination. We would feel guilty if we did not include these stops in the itinerary. Las Sepulturas is a small site and ideal for a morning birding walk. Copan is spectacular and one of the most impressive sites of the Ancient Maya. The detailed stonework and monumental structures are awe-inspiring. Copan is also great for birding in the late afternoon. Night: Casa de Café, Copan.
Birds: Green Parakeet, Orange-fronted Parakeet, White-fronted Parrot, Cinnamon Hummingbird, Turquoise-browed Motmot, Barred Antshrike, N. Bentbill, Rose-throated Becard, Plain Wren, Rufous-naped Wren, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Chestnut-capped Warbler, Scrub Euphonia, Grayish Saltator, Streak-backed Oriole
Day 3: Copan to Gracias
We will have an early start and visit the private nature reserve of Malcote. Malcote is located about an hour to the north of Copan Ruins near the Guatemalan border. This mid-elevation (4,000ft.) site contains second and older growth rainforest nestled above a shaded coffee plantation. After a nice lunch in the colonial town of Santa Rosa de Copan we will arrive in Gracias, starting point for exploring Celaque National Park. Night: Hotel Guancascos.
Birds: Barred Parakeet, Blue-crowned Motmot, Slate-colored Solitaire, Violet Sabrewing, Azure-crowned Hummingbird, Collared Trogon, N. Violaceous Trogon, Brown-capped Vireo, Golden-crowned Warbler, Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch, Blue-black Grosbeak, Swallow-tailed Kite, Emerald Toucanet
Day 4: Celaque National Park
Considered the best cloud forest reserve in the country, Celaque National Park has the countries highest peak, Cerro de las Minas, at 2849 meters (9,348 ft.). Celaque National Park contains a mixture of pine/oak and broadleaf cloud forest habitats. A steep, but well-maintained, trail goes up the mountain into the forest. At approximately 2,500 meters there is a plateau where the true cloud forest begins. This area is perfect for hiking and exploring the rich flora and fauna of the high elevation. Eleven major rivers begin on the flanks of Celaque. We will spend the entire day exploring this area. Night: Hotel Guancascos.
Birds: Stripe-tailed Hummingbird, White-eared Hummingbird, Green Violet-Ear, Garnet-throated Hummingbird, Hairy Woodpecker, Greater Pewee, Tufted Flycatcher, Mountain Trogon, Band-backed Wren, Unicolored Jay, Olive Warbler, Red-faced Warbler, many migrant Warblers, Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush, Hepatic Tanager, Flame-colored Tanager, Slate-colored Solitaire, Brown-backed Solitaire, Yellow-backed Oriole
Day 5: Gracias to Lake Yojoa
After breakfast we will load up the bus and bird the lower area of the park. We will look for other species including the Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Golden-cheeked Warbler, Flame-colored Tanager, Plain-capped Starthroat and Hepatic Tanager.
After lunch we will drive approximately 5 hours on gravel and paved roads through the western highlands enjoying some of the most scenic areas in the country. We will keep our eyes out for the rare Solitary Eagle as we pass through highland pine/oak vegetation on our way to the picturesque Lake Yojoa. This natural lake is bordered by a lush, tropical humid forest that is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna and is bordered on the east and west by two towering cloud forest national parks - Cerro Azul Meambar and Santa Barbara, respectively. We will stay three nights at the charming lakeside Hotel Las Glorias, which has a pool, restaurant and many hammocks for relaxing. Flowering Inga trees on the grounds are visited by the lovely Sparkling-tailed Woodstar, Green-breasted Mango, Rufous-tailed and Berylline Hummingbirds. Turquoise-browed and Blue-crowned Motmots are abundant and both the Ferruginous and Central American Pygmy-Owls inhabit the same area. Night: Hotel Las Glorias.
Day 6: Lake Yojoa
We will start our day with a pre-dawn walk looking for hummers on the hotel grounds. After breakfast we will drive up to Cerro Azul Meambar N.P., a destination that covers mid-elevation and cloud forest habitats. The Park´s spectacle begins right at the Visitor Center's parking lot, located at 3,300 ft. where a wide variety of birds can be seen. We will take a short hike to a nearby waterfall. Species that can be encountered include the Green Jay, Violaceous Trogon, Keel-billed Toucan, Collared Aracari, Golden-crowned Warbler, Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch, Northern Bentbill and Plain Antvireo.
We will have lunch at a lakeside restaurant, "Los Remos", and enjoy a plethora of resident and migrant waterfowl in addition to other area specialties. Sightings may include the Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture (only known records away from the north coast), Wood Stork, Fork-tailed Flycatcher, American Wigeon, Lesser Scaup, Muscovy Duck, and both the Fulvous and Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks. Snail Kites abound everywhere.
In the afternoon we will have the opportunity to take a pontoon boat ride along the lake shore in search of Least Bittern, Bare-throated Tiger-Heron and other waterfowl.
We will return to our hotel in time for dinner. Night: Hotel Las Glorias.
Day 7: Lake Yojoa
We will again start the day with a predawn walk by the lakeshore in search of timid Crakes and Rails. After breakfast we will go to the nearby Los Naranjos Eco-Archaeological site where one can still see the remains of a pre-Colombian civilization that flourished here some 2,000-3,000 years ago and pre-dated the Maya culture. The park has a nice system of trails that consist of gravel paths and elevated boardwalks that pass through marsh and seasonal flood-forest that provide excellent birding. One of the best sightings here is the Rufous-breasted Spinetail, a usually reclusive bird that stays within thick vegetation, but can be called out into view. Also seen here are the Striped Cuckoo, Barred Antshrike, Rufous-and-White Wren, Rufous-naped Wren, Slender Sheartail, White-throated Flycatcher, Violaceous Trogon, Long-billed Gnatwren and Red-legged Honeycreeper. Night: Hotel Las Glorias.
Day 8: Departure to San Pedro Sula airport
Accommodations Listing
La Casa de Café, Copan's Bed and Breakfast Inn, is housed in an attractive village residence, four blocks from Copan's Central Park. It features 10 comfortable rooms in two wings, each with private hot water bath, wood paneled ceiling, antique ceiling fan, writing desk, and an oversized picture window which looks out onto a spectacular view of the Copan River Valley, the distant mountains, and La Casa de Cafe's own lovely tropical garden. La Casa de Café is unique with Honduran charm, family style hospitality, and turn-of-the-century ambiance.
Hotel Guancasco sits on the edge of Gracias overlooking the town and the mountains in the distance. The hotel has a charming design with rooms dispersed around the hotel grounds and surrounded by gardens. You can walk to the central plaza in less than five minutes and from the hotel you can see three colonial churches as well as other landmarks. The second floor balcony restaurant offers spectacular views with excellent food. Rooms are high ceiling colonial style, with air conditioning and ceiling fans. Gracias was founded in 1536, and maintains its colonial atmosphere. The town of Gracias is in a small valley and is surrounded by heavily forested mountains.
Hotel Las Glorias sits on the north shore of Lake Yojoa with spectacular views of the majestic cloud-forested mountains of Santa Barbara and Cerro Azul/Meambar National Parks. There are a mix of cabins and rooms set on a grassy lawn by the water's edge. Rooms have a/c, fans, TV with plenty of porch hammocks to relax. The restaurant has great views as well and excellent Honduran cuisine.
Tour Leader
Robert Gallardo has a degree in Natural Resources Planning and Interpretation from Humboldt State University, CA. He arrived in Honduras in early 1993 as a Peace Corps Volunteer. He worked for nearly two years in the Sierra de Agalta N.P. where he contributed new bird records and carried out the areas´ first butterfly inventory (amongst other projects). He then transferred to the Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve to serve a third year and was the technical advisor in establishing the country´s first butterfly farm. Over the years this community project has made the village of Raista a tourist hub for those visiting the Reserve. After the Peace Corps he returned to Honduras and installed another butterfly farm in La Ceiba and continued his passion of bird watching. There he met and married Irma who has also become a Naturalist. They currently own and operate a Nature Center in Copan Ruins consisting of a butterfly farm, botanical gardens and a native orchid exhibit. Robert´s extensive field work in Honduras has led him to record 11 new birds for the country, more than 20 new butterflies and several orchids. He has published several regional bird checklists for Honduras, one butterfly checklist and an illustrated guide to their orchid collection. He is currently working on a photographic orchid field guide for Honduras. He has led tours in Honduras and now El Salvador for more than 3 years.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
This is a trip to one of the more spectacular areas of Mesoamerica. It provides the opportunity to enjoy the beauty and solitude of some of the most pristine protected areas remaining in our hemisphere. Viewing wildlife in the rain forest can be frustrating. With the thick vegetative cover, one must proceed patiently and cover an area thoroughly. The probability of seeing toucans, trogons and parrots is good; the probability of seeing a jaguar or tapir is poor (but we may see some sign). For orchid, bromeliad and heliconia enthusiasts, we can guarantee numerous sightings (plants are nice that way).
It is not a particularly rigorous trip but will involve some moderate to strenuous walking and hill climbing. This tour should only be taken by persons who are in good health. The trails are in very good condition. However, there is a limestone base and loose rocks are common. Light weight hiking boots with strong ankle support are recommended.
Honduras is a developing country and basic infrastructure is often at a level less than what we are used to in the United States. While our accommodations are very good, all with air-conditioning/ceiling fans, hot water, and in spectacular locations; there will be limited access to international phone service, faxes and e-mails. Meal service is leisurely, arrival and departure times subject to change, and everything can be subject to an overall inefficiency we do not encounter in the US. It is, however, a wonderful, vibrant culture and people are extremely friendly and will go out of their way to make you feel welcome. Relax! You're on vacation.
WEATHER:
The weather, depending on our location, will vary from warm and sunny to cloudy, misty, foggy or rainy. We can expect daytime temperature highs in the mid 80s to low 90s in the lowlands, and the highlands around Copan can be a bit cooler, with highs in the low 80s and 60s at night. Precipitation is one of the key factors in creating the rain forest ecosystem and we can expect heavy rain any day even in the dry season.
TOUR SIZE:
This tour will be limited to a maximum of 16 participants and a minimum of 10 participants.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS:
A US passport valid beyond your anticipated date of return to the US and tourist card (available on flight) is required. Currently no visas or immunization certificates are required. Those with foreign passports should contact the Embassy of Honduras for details.
FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS:
The fee for the tour is $1,900 per person based on double occupancy from San Pedro Sula. Single rates are an additional $350. This includes all food, three meals per day, from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8; all lodging for 7 nights during the tour; ground transportation; and guide services provided by the tour leaders and local conservation professionals. It does not include international airfare, departure tax, alcoholic beverages, special gratuities, phone calls, passport fees, or items of a personal nature. It does NOT include tips for the leader (Gallardo) nor for local guides - these tips will be left entirely up to each participant. Rates are based upon group tariffs; if the group does not have sufficient registration a small party supplement may have to be charged. An additional pick-up/drop-off fee may be charged for arrivals and departures from regularly scheduled international flights.
HEALTH PRECAUTIONS:
For comprehensive information please contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention on the Internet at www.cdc.gov or by phone at 404-332-4559. The CDC information is a comprehensive listing of any disease reported in a particular region or state. Honduras is included with Central America. We have not had any problems with diseases. Please consult a health care professional with any questions.
STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL ADVISORIES:
Currently there are no travel advisories for traveling in Honduras. You will be updated on any significant developments that pertain to our trip. http://travel.state.gov
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Refunds are made according to the following schedule: If cancellation is made eighty days or more before departure date, the deposit less $150 is refundable. If cancellation is made between seventy-nine and sixty days before departure date, the deposit is not refundable, but any payments covering the balance of the fee will be refunded. If cancellation is made fifty-nine days or less before departure date, no refund is available except for amounts recoverable through our agents. We recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance which you will receive upon registration.
If the Mesoamerican Ecotourism Alliance (MEA) cancels the tour or the tour must be postponed during a time period starting seven days before tour departure and /or through the duration of the tour, MEA will refund all money recoverable through our agents, not yet spent and/or all refundable deposits. MEA reserves the right to cancel, postpone or suspend any tour based on the judgment of MEA, its staff and representatives, in order to insure the safety of our guests.
RESPONSIBILITY:
MEA and/or their Agents act only as agents for the passenger in regard to travel, whether by railroad, motorcar, motorcoach, boat, or airplane and assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason of defect in any vehicle or for any reason whatsoever, or through the acts or default of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the tour. They can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other causes. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger as tour rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated. The right is reserved to substitute hotels of similar category for those indicated and to make any changes in the itinerary where deemed necessary or caused by changes in air schedules. No refund will be made for any unused portion of the tour. The right is reserved to decline, to accept, or to retain any person as a member of the tour. Baggage is at owner's risk.
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