Highland Endemics Tour in Guatemala with CAYAYA BIRDING
A short birding tour focused on the Pacific slope highlands between Guatemala City and lake Atitlán, with short drives between birding sites. This tour provides good opportunities to see many of the endemics of the highlands and Pacific slope foothills of northern Central America and southern Mexico, including Pink-headed Warbler, Azure-rumped Tanager, Horned Guan, Highland Guan, Belted Flycatcher, Slender Sheartail, and many more.
Coffee tour (about 2 hours): learn about the processing of coffee from the plantation to your cup.
Visit a handicrafts market at Lake Atitlán.
Seen during CAYAYAY BIRDING Highland Endemics Tour
Horned Guan Oreophasis derbianus in the Guatemalan highlands.
Azure-rumped Tanager Poecilostreptus cabanisi, endemic to the Pacific slope highlands of Guatemala and Chiapas, Mexico.
Pink-headed Warbler Cardellina versicolor in the Guatemalan highlands.
Highland Guan Penelopina nigra, endemic to the highlands of northern Central America and southern Mexico.
Guatemalan Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium cobanense, endemic to northern Central America and southern Mexico, the southernmost form of the Northern Pygmy-Owl G. gnoma s.l. complex.
Mountain Trogon Trogon mexicanus, endemic to the highlands of Mexico and northern Central America.
Atitlán volcano in the Guatemalan highlands.
Slender Sheartail Doricha enicura, endemic to the highlands of northern Central America and southern Mexico.
Fulvous Owl Strix fulvescens in the highlands of Guatemala.
Belted Flycatcher Xenotriccus callizonus, endemic to the highlands of northern Central America and southern Mexico.
Bushy-crested Jay Cyanocorax melanocyaneus, endemic to the highlands of northern Central America.
Green-throated Mountain-gem Lampornis viridipallens, endemic to the highlands of northern Central America and southern Mexico.
Resplendent Quetzal Pharomachrus mocinno, endemic to the highlands of southern Mexico and Central America.
Rufous-browed Wren Troglodytes rufociliatus, endemic to the highlands of southern Mexico and northern Central America.
Black-capped Swallow Atticora pileata, endemic to the highlands of southern Mexico and northern Central America.
Emerald Toucanet Aulacorhynchus prasinus, endemic to southern Mexico and northern Central America.
White-faced Ground-Sparrow (Prevost's Ground-Sparrow) Melozone biarcuata, endemic to northern Central America and southern Mexico.
Bar-winged Oriole Icterus maculialatus, endemic to the highlands of southern Mexico and northern Central America.
Blue-crowned Chlorophonia Chlorophonia occipitalis, endemic to northern Central America and southern Mexico.
What birders say about CAYAYA BIRDING tours in the highlands of Guatemala
October 2018, 6-day birding tour in southern Guatemalan highlands
"Five days in the company of Knut Eisermann birding the hills and valleys of the countryside surrounding Antigua, Guatemala was an absolute delight. Knut is as much an ornithologist, with a special interest in owls, as he is a birder and this made the trip extra special. I am a serial guide user in the Americas and Knut is up there with the best of them." Kevin Buckley, New Jersey, USA.
August 2018, 5-day target trip in the Guatemalan highlands
"I had the pleasure of birding the highlands with Knut Eisermann for a week in August with two friends. Besides seeing some mega birds - Horned Guan, Pink-headed Warbler, and Belted Flycatcher for example - I was really impressed by the amazing scenery, delicious cuisine and comfortable accomodations. I hope to book another trip with CAYAYA BIRDING again soon!" Michael C. Duffy, New York, USA.
24 December 2009 - 1 January 2010, Birding Tikal and the Guatemalan Pacific slope highlands Great birds, great scenery, great food, great trip. My son and I had a wonderful and memorable time. Knut Eisermann and Claudia Avendaño did an excellent job for us, and we hope to visit Guatemala with them again soon. Iain Ewing, Singapore.
November 2009, Pacific and Highland Endemics Tour with CAYAYA BIRDING
In the short period of five days I saw 135 bird species around Antigua, at Tecpán and at Los Tarrales, including Pink-headed Warbler, Tody Motmot and lots of hummingbirds, many species that are difficult to find anywhere but in Guatemala. If one includes a tour to the Atlantic slope, which I did not do, Guatemala is a good alternative to visiting Costa Rica. I liked particularly how CAYAYA BIRDING collaborates with Los Tarrales to bring sustainable agriculture, nature conservation, ecotourism and ornithological science together. Hans-Ulrich Bernard, Irvine, CA, USA.
September 2008, Highland Endemics Tour
"My husband Herman D´Entremont and I had a wonderful introduction to Guatemalan birds and culture which we describe in detail at http://theworld.com/~eva/guatemala.html. In short, Herman got thirty-some life-birds and I got nice avian photo-ops. We were safe and comfortable and well fed throughout the week, and we met great people. Herman has a few disabilities which CAYAYA BIRDING accommodated beautifully. Two thumbs way up!" Eva Casey, Somerville, MA, USA.
December 2007 - January 2008, Highland Endemics Tour
"Claudia Avendaño and Knut Eisermann organized a one week custom tour for Pacific slope bird specialties and the cultural attractions of colonial Antigua and Lake Atitlán. Knut was an outstanding guide and personable companion. His knowledge of the birds is encyclopedic, and his sharp eyes and perseverance were greatly appreciated." See trip report Robert Orenstein, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
March 2005, Highland Endemics Tour
"Guatemala was a pleasant surprise: perhaps two well-kept secrets should be dispelled now. 1. There is a good tourist infrastructure, better than expected, with comfortable accommodation and decent roads. 2. There is a knowledgeable local birder (Knut Eisermann) who can show you all the birds, including Horned Guan, Azure-rumped (Cabanis') Tanager and Blue-throated Motmot. Anyone interested in wildlife or Mayan culture will not be disappointed. For the serious birder, there is the chance to see some rare species not easily seen elsewhere in Central America. There should be no reason to put off a trip to Guatemala: start your planning now." Geoff Dobbs, County Bird Recorder, East Yorkshire, UK.
